Pamela Kaye Tracy

New Favorite Genre...

Where the Heart Is Romance Collection by Andrea Boeshaar is a new type of favorite for me. I used to eschew multiple author books, because I felt novellas just weren't worth my reading investment. This book and others have recently totally changed my thinking. The stories are short. Requested on the strength of names like Andrea Boeshaar,Sally Laity,and Carol Cox, I found some new authors to love and follow along with my previous favorites.

First of all, these are Civil War sweet romances. Clean, but hints of the marital union, as many of the couples are married before they even know each other.
1)Sally Laity's Where the Heart Is introduces Leah Somerville, who quickly marries Blake Malone, only to travel to his logging camp in Wisconsin and suffer poor living conditions and loneliness. Will Leah give up on this marriage, or can God work in her heart?
2)The Midwife's Apprentice by Rhonda Gibson follows Polly Schultz, a midwife's assistant, on the Oregon Trail and Gordon Baker, a pastor who also suffers abandonment issues yet is poised to perpetuate those same issues.
3)Murder or Matrimony by Pamela Kay Tracy turned out to be one of my favorites! Megan Crawford is traveling west on the Oregon Trail to start life anew when she falls for Bernie Williams. This was a story FULL of surprises!! I absolutely loved it!!
4)Bride in the Valley by Andrea Boeshaar was written about the same wagon train, but highlighted a different, although already introduced couple. I loved this continuity between authors and extension of storyline!! "Vocation doesn't make a man. A man's worth comes from within him." Loved how poetic justice finally catches up with people.
5)New Garden's Inspiration by Claire Sanders was another new-to-me author I really enjoyed. The main character marries to escape a lifetime of rejection only to experience more rejection. Can this marriage be salvaged?I loved this blossoming/waning relationship!!
6)Jane LaMunyon pens A Tender Branch, a tale of Mary Sherwood, who as a young girl lost her family and Southern home to cruel Northern troops. She holds her father responsible. When a handsome stranger comes to escort her cross-country to her long-believed dead father, will she find strength to forgive, or will she close the door on God's still, quiet voice? "You've made an altar of your right to be angry." Words for all of us.
7)Knight and Day by Erica Vetsch tells the story of Evelyn, eldest of four sisters, all of whom have come west to marry ranchers. Can Evelyn trust her new husband to help raise her coddled Eastern son, and how will she ever win over "Mad Dog"? Words for the wise...""God was in control...it wasn't her job to hold the universe together." I love stories with spiritual truths!!
8)On a White Charger by Evelyn Vetch is a continuation of story seven, but dealing with Emmeline, the sister who has long romanticized strong,decisive cowboys and cattle ranches. She marries her stranger husband, just to find he is a sheepherder, hated by cattle ranchers and cowboys, and a pacifist to boot. Can she ever respect him? A wonderful, but possible story of two hearts learning to trust God and respect each other.
9) Carol Cox writes of her beloved Arizona in the Wonder of Spring. This is nearly a comedy. Charlene lives with her aged grandfather. She has come to support them by writing the tales of her grandfather's exploits of his youth, but under a masculine pen name. When the new newspaper owner, not aware of her true authorship of the series visits their home, Charlene and Grandpa work hard to keep their subterfuge in place. But what will happen as conscience and love take their toll? Great descriptions of the area are included. This narrative is another reason to love this book!!

I received an egalley of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.… (meer)

All these stories take place at the Grand Canyon and all the young women are "Harvey girls". Olivia has lost all her wealth and has to resort to taking a job as a Harvey girl. Edie likes to read adventure novels and on her way to be a Harvey girl experiences first hand a train robber. Now she must help identify him and the handsome ranger must keep her safe. Lillian is seeking a rich husband, but will she settle for the mule train guy? And Katie is running from her past. She finds herself thinking she is safe again, when Clay, her husband's brother finds her. Now she must learn to forgive, trust and love for her to have a future.… (meer)