Review: The Pathways to the Heart by Mandi Ellsworth, Paula Kremser, E.B. Wheeler

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Finding love is a journey in these Regency and Western romance novellas.

The Courtship Cure
Mary Worthington has been raised in sheltered circumstances by her grandfather the duke, but now that her brother has inherited the title, he wishes her to marry well. Doctor Tyndale, a recently made baronet, is intrigued by elusive Mary, but he assumes she is the same social level as his patients and therefore not high enough to meet his father's approval. Can the two discover the truth - and love - in this Regency comedy of errors?

Hiding Gems
Matthew just wants to live in peace on his Oregon ranch. Pearl is seeking shelter for herself and two Chinese children after the 1886 riots drive them out of Seattle. The two are drawn together by their gentle hearts, but they will have to decide if they are willing to stand up and fight against fear and prejudice to find love.

Bootleggers and Basil
Helen Botsari arrives in 1920s Utah as a Greek picture bride, excited for a new life in a land of opportunity. When she discovers that her prospective groom was killed in a railroad accident, she finds herself alone in a foreign land that is increasingly hostile to immigrants. It is up to fellow immigrant Dimitrios Nikolaidis to convince her that America still holds a bright future for her.

My Review

I really enjoyed these stories! I'm always up for a good Regency, and it was fun to have a lady and a baronet both hiding their status while they serve in the local village. The second story was my favorite, and while it was a bit jarring to go from the manners of England to the backwoods of Oregon, with a switch to first person POV, I quickly grew to love Matthew, a gentle giant, and Pearl, the compassionate pillar of strength. Their friendship and romance bloomed naturally as they cared for the two young children and experienced the love of a family. They had such sweet chemistry! The last story shared a bit of history that I was unaware of- the Greek immigrants in the Salt Lake Valley of Utah. They experienced discrimination from a small part of the community, but I appreciated that the author pointed out that the Mormons also knew what it was like to be outsiders and didn't condone the racism. The two main characters are each feisty in their own ways, but learn to overcome their differences.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)