Review: The Backcountry Brides Collection by Shannon McNear, Angela K. Couch, Debra E. Marvin, Gabrielle Meyer, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Jennifer Hudson Taylor, Pegg Thomas, Denise Weimer

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Some of these novellas have been released individually- click on the story titles for links to the novellas that are available as e-books

Synopsis

Travel into Colonial America where nine women seek love, but they each know a future husband requires the necessary skills to survive in the backcountry. Living in areas exposed to nature’s ferocity, prone to Indian attack, and cut off from regular supplies, can hearts overcome the dangers to find lasting love?
 
Shenandoah Hearts by Carrie Fancett Pagels
1754 - Great Wagon Road, into the Shenandoah Valley (Virginia)
As the French-Indian War commences, Magda Sehler wonders if Jacob Owens lost his mind to have abandoned his Philadelphia business and moved to the Shenandoah Valley. Or has he lost his heart?
 
Heart of Nantahala by Jennifer Hudson Taylor  
1757 - (North Carolina)
Joseph Gregory plans to buy a lumber mill, but Mabel Walker becomes a formidable opponent. When she’s forced to make a painful decision, she must choose between survival and love.
 
Her Redcoat by Pegg Thomas
1763 - Fort Michilimackinac (Michigan) during Pontiac’s Rebellion  
Laurette Pettigrew grew up in the northern frontier. Henry Bedlow arrived against his will. Their chance meeting changes everything. Will a deadly clash of cultures keep them from finding happiness?
 
A Heart So Tender by Debra E. Marvin
1764 – (New York)
As thousands of Native warriors converge on Fort Niagara, jaded British Lieutenant Archibald Walsh and idealistic schoolmistress Susannah Kimball learn the greatest risk lies in guarding their hearts.
 
A Worthy Groom by Angela K. Couch
1771 - Sapling Grove settlement on the Holston River (Tennessee)
The Cowden temper has been Marcus’s lifelong bane. A trait Lorinda Cowden curses. Now, winning the heart of his bride hinges on fighting a war without raising a fist.  
 
Across Three Autumns by Denise Weimer
1778-1780 – (Georgia)
Fighting Loyalists and Indians, Jenny White settles for strength over love . . .until Scottish scout Caylan McIntosh leads her family on a harrowing exodus out of Georgia’s Revolutionary “Hornet’s Nest.”
 
The Counterfeit Tory by Shannon McNear
1780 – (South Carolina)
Tasked with infiltrating an infamous Tory gang, Jed Wheeler has no wish to endanger the leader’s cousin, Lizzy Cunningham. He risks not only his life. . .but his heart.
 
Love’s Undoing by Gabrielle Meyer
1792 - Fur Post on the Upper Mississippi River (Minnesota)
When Englishman Henry Kingsley meets Abi McCrea, the daughter of a Scottish fur trader and Indian mother, will their worlds keep them apart, or have they finally found somewhere they truly belong?

My Review

Shenandoah Hearts by Carrie Fancett Pagels - 3 stars

I enjoyed the setting and characters, and some historical details. Magda's work as a silversmith was fascinating.  Jacob's avoidance in communication based on fear of rejection was overly long. The transitions between scenes were disjointed and the politics were difficult to understand, making me feel removed.

Heart of Nantahala by Jennifer Hudson Taylor - 4 stars

Lumbercamps are one of my favorite historical settings, and Mabel has her hands full since the death of her brother. I appreciated the way Joseph respected her and found alternative solutions to his purpose of buying her business, based on her needs.

Her Redcoat by Pegg Thomas - 5 stars

The setting of this story is quite volatile, and Laurette is constantly in danger, especially when she can't stand to be confined to her cabin alone, with only her dog for company. I loved the secret friendship she develops with Henry, recovering from sickness. As tensions come to a head, their relationship saves them both and gives them a brighter future.

A Heart So Tender by Debra E. Marvin - 2 stars

I liked the premise, but the pace was slowed by repetitive political visits, and the interactions between Arch and Susannah were lacking chemistry. Struggled with this one because it focused more on historical details I didn't have enough background information on and I felt lost.

A Worthy Groom by Angela K. Couch - 5 stars

An abused young woman, a forced marriage of convenience, and Marcus's task is to get Lorinda to trust him while providing for her and protecting her against the malevolent destruction of their farm.

Across Three Autumns by Denise Weimer - 5 stars

My favorite of the collection! Jenny and Caylan are larger than life, their vibrant personalities bursting off the page. Jenny is strong and full of grit, named Warrior Woman by the Natives who threaten their land and lives, along with the British. This story felt full and complete, with character growth, compelling events, and plenty of emotion as Jenny's world changes around her. I loved Caylan's devotion to her over time filled with hardships and heartache.

The Counterfeit Tory by Shannon McNear - 4 stars

This story had me biting my nails with anxiousness as Jed goes undercover to bring down the violent raiders. I couldn't stomach the things they did, but history shows how evil people can be. Jed's attachment to Lizzy is unexpected, but saves both of them in the long run. I appreciated the change in Lizzy as she finally had someone to believe in her and fight the lies from her family.

Love’s Undoing by Gabrielle Meyer - 4 stars

I enjoyed the perspective from Abi who is Métis, and learning about her role in different parts of the world and societies. Henry comes from the society who is a harsh judge of those with mixed ancestry, yet values her for the person she is.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: The Blacksmith Brides by Amanda Barratt, Angela K. Couch, Pegg Thomas, Jennifer Uhlarik

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

Synopsis

Hearts Are Forged by the Flames of Gentle Love in 4 Historical Stories
 
Worth Fighting For (1774—Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) by Pegg Thomas
Talk of war has surrounded Meg McCracken, including her father and four brothers. Alexander Ogilvie doesn’t care about the coming war; his plans are to head west. When Meg comes to his smithy, sparks fly off more than the forge. But can they build anything during unstable times?
 
Forging Forever (1798—Cornwall, England) by Amanda Barratt
When the actions of Elowyn Brody’s father force her into a marriage of convenience with blacksmith Josiah Hendrick, she consigns love to a bygone dream. But as Elowyn comes to know her new husband, her flame of hope begins to burn again. Until heartache threatens to sever the future forged between them.
 
A Tempered Heart (1861—Charlottesville, Virginia) By Angela K. Couch
Buried under a debt that is not his own, Thomas Flynn’s only focus is gaining his freedom. He has learned to keep his head low and not pay attention to the troubles of others, until a peculiar boy and his widowed mother show him how empty his life has become. After years of protecting her son from slights and neglect of the people closest them, Esther Mathews is not sure how to trust the local blacksmith with her child…or her heart.
 
A Malleable Heart (California—1870) by Jennifer Uhlarik
A hard-hearted blacksmith finds acceptance with the town laundress. But when his past comes to call, will he resist love’s softening or allow God to hammer his ruined life into something of worth?

My Review

I've loved stories with blacksmith heroes ever since reading To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer. There's something about the strength and work ethic that is so appealing. I was disappointed that some of the stories in this collection portrayed blacksmithing as a lesser profession and something to get out of in order to improve their lives and social standing. I'm sure that was true in some eras and locations, but my favorite stories showed it as an honorable profession that is needed and appreciated. I think the story that did that the best was the last one, set in late 19th century California. Most of the stories were entertaining to read, yet I struggled to connect with the characters' emotions. I believe all the authors are new-to-me, and I always appreciate these collections that allow me to sample their writing style.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.