Showing posts with label Carolyn Twede Frank. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Carolyn Twede Frank. Show all posts

Monday, January 31, 2022

Review: Heart of the Frontier by Brittany Larsen, Jen Geigle Johnson, Jennie Hansen, Carolyn Twede Frank


My rating: 3 stars / I liked it



Synopsis

Venture into the heart of the Wild West in this collection of four romantic novellas by some of your favorite best-selling authors.

“The Gamble” by Brittany Larsen
British aristocrat Thomas Clayborne anticipated a grand adventure in America—but what he imagined is a far cry from the rough-and-tumble reality. When his journey West brings a bold young woman into his life, will he risk everything for true love?
 
“Celebration for Celia” by Carolyn Frank
Though Celia generally adores Fourth of July festivities, she finds herself weighed down by uncertainties that dim her anticipation of the holiday. Then fate brings into her life a dashing stranger who is determined to give Celia a celebration she’ll never forget.

“Her Frontier Bandit” by Jen Geigle Johnson
When Rebecca and her physician father relocate to a frontier town in desperate need of a doctor, Rebecca believes it will be an opportunity to mend her recently broken heart. But she quickly realizes that no matter how far you run, true love always finds a way.
 
“Sagebrush Sally” by Jennie Hansen
English rose Sally is finding it difficult to bloom in the rugged wasteland of the West. But with two handsome cowboys vying for her affections, it seems that even amid cattle thieves and gunfights, the truest danger lies in losing her heart.


My Review

I was so excited to see an anthology of stories with a western setting. I believe I've read stories by each of these authors before. They were all enjoyable, but I felt like they were a bit surface-level. I didn't find myself connecting with the characters or experiencing their emotions with them. I would say that these novellas were more plot-focused, and there is good variety between them.

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.


Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Review & Giveaway: Heart of the West by Carolyn Twede Frank


Heidi Reads... Heart of the West by Carolyn Twede Frank

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.comhttp://www.barnesandnoble.comhttps://deseretbook.com/p/heart-of-the-west?variant_id=156893-paperbackhttp://www.goodreads.com

Synopsis

Independent-minded women are considered highly unsuitable in Kate Donahue’s wealthy Long Island society. Yes, Kate would lead a proper life should she marry, but her dream of practicing medicine would surely be thwarted by her domineering fiancé. To follow her dream, she must take dramatic measures. So when she reads a newspaper ad seeking a qualified small-town physician, Kate embarks on a new life in the Wild West.

Upon her arrival in the rugged settlement of Craig, Colorado, Kate is disappointed to discover that even in the West, no one wants a woman doctor. As she struggles to establish her practice, she is kept busy fending off the unwanted attentions of a local rancher, a man unnervingly reminiscent of the ex-fiancé she left behind in New York. Romantic entanglements are the last thing on Kate’s mind. That is, until she meets Lucas McCurdy, an Irish immigrant with whom she feels an undeniable connection. But when their relationship inflames a dangerous land battle, Kate and Lucas find themselves defenseless in a lawless town—a perilous position that may cost them everything.


My Review

I enjoyed this story of strong women surviving in the Old West. Kate shows gumption and fortitude when she abandons her high society parents and fiancé and travels to Colorado so she can practice medicine and provide doctoring services to a new boomtown. I admired that she followed her heart and dream in spite of the difficulties. There is a variety of characters in the townspeople and ranchers she comes across, and I especially liked how she warmed to the women and wanted to help them improve their situations. Lucas is also a great character with his warmth and twinkle in his eye, but for some reason I had a hard time picturing him at first. He and Kate definitely have chemistry and it was sweet to watch their relationship slowly develop. I loved the setting and experiencing it through the eyes of a pioneer.