Review: TRA MAIL ORDER BRIDE COLLECTION

It's About: Six Award-Winning Authors have contributed new stories to A Timeless Romance Anthology: Mail Order Bride Collection, now a USA TODAY Bestseller! Six historical romance novellas set in the Old West. 

Audience: Adult (Clean)
Genre: Romance, Historical, Novellas, Anthologies
Length: 322 pages

Rating: 4.5

Review: Another really great collection from the Timeless Romance Anthology ladies. This bestseller lived up to it's hype, for sure. One of my favorites was Kristan Holt's Wanted: Midwife Bride. Talk about a swoony hero! One of my favorite things about novellas is getting to see relationships mostly workout--those stories that can't become novels because there's not enough conflict...they become lovely novellas that I gobble up and enjoy the happiness of the whole thing. Wanted: Midwife Bride was one of those, with an understanding and gentle hero, and a heroine ready to find her place to fall. Another was Sarah Eden's, of course. It had such a great twist to it and was adorable. My honorable mention is for Annette Lyon's The Sound of Home, tender and sweet. All the novellas in this collection are so great.

Content:
Sex - 0
Violence - 0
Language - 0
Overall Rating - PG

Robyn Reviews: SPRING IN HYDE PARK

Title: Spring in Hyde Park (Timeless Regency Collection, Book 3)                            

Author: Jennifer Moore, G. G. Vandagriff, Nichole Van

Book Description

From the publisher of the #1 Amazon bestselling A Timeless Romance Anthology series in Clean Romance. 

Join three bestselling Regency Romance authors, Jennifer Moore, G.G. Vandagriff, and Nichole Van, for three new novellas in SPRING IN HYDE PARK:

A HAPPY ACCIDENT by Jennifer Moore. Jonathan Burles father has just died, making him the new Marquess of Spencer and the most sought after bachelor in London. An unfortunate accident leads to a forced marriage to Maryann Croft, a young woman who possesses no title, and an unexpected secret. With the unstable beginning to their marriage, finding love together seems impossible.

THE DISDAINFUL DUKE by G. G. Vandagriff. Lady Saphronia Huffington has always thought of herself as plain next to the beauty of her sister, Lady Lavinia. So when her sister becomes engaged to Lord Gilbert Caldwell and Saphronia is paired for wedding events with his brother, the granite-faced Duke of Mayfield, who is known to prefer beauties, she sharpens her wit. Thus begins a lengthy sparring contest during which the Duke realizes Saphronia is anything but plain.

AN INVISIBLE HEIRESS by Nichole Van. Miss Belle Heartstone has everything money can buy—houses, servants, carriages, clothing, jewels. A husband, however, is proving much harder to, ehr . . . purchase. Colin Radcliffe, the newly minted Marquess of Blake, is in desperate need of funds—preferably of the wife-free variety. When circumstances draw the two together, Blake might be the only man able to see beyond the Belle’s outer façade, and fall in love with the woman inside.

Audience: Adult (Clean)

Genre: Regency Romance, Novellas, Anthologies

Length of Book: 261 pgs

Rating: 5

Review:

Let me just start out with “Awesome. Great. Just what I expected!” I am not disappointed in this collection. Regency is my favorite genre and these ladies are definitely on their game when it comes to writing regency romance. Jennifer Moore never disappoints, G.G. Vandagriff is on her game as usual and Nichole Van is an author I haven’t read yet and this novella was a great introduction for me. 

“A Happy Accident” by Jennifer Moore is a sweet story about misunderstandings. There is plenty of angst and fun, romantic moments. A forced marriage because of greed by a father results in a fun romance. There is also some thoughtful discourse on mental illness and the stigma of it during the regency period. I wish this could have been a full length novel so we could have delved deeper into some of the side stories. I really hope that Archie and Jane have a story and we get to read it. Maryann is a sweet girl who has everyone at her fingertips, but she has her secrets and Jonathon can't decide who she really is. It is a great story that gets you thinking and is really nice read for anyone!

“The Disdainful Duke” by G. G. Vandagriff is another great story about a girl who thinks she is plain, especially when compared to her younger sister. The Duke really just thinks she is a spinster and firmly on the shelf until she intrigues him because she gives him the brush off and speaks her mind to him. She lets him know what she thinks of him. She has surprises in store for him. The Duke never thinks to marry, but when he meets Saphronia, his heart makes a change. I really loved the way they interacted and overcame their differences. There were obviously misunderstandings and some sweet romantic moments. Very good reading for a nice or rainy spring evening!

“An Invisible Heiress” by Nichole Van is a delightful surprise. I was a little hesitant in the beginning but I was quickly drawn into the story. I loved how the Marquess couldn’t remember meeting Belle. I loved how he told her she was worth more than her money and she deserved love, then promptly ‘forgot’ about her. Belle’s deception was fun and real. I enjoyed how they came together and forgave each other for their supposed lies. I really liked how Colin fell in love with her before ‘remembering’ who she was. He then had to reconcile himself with her ‘deception’. I enjoyed this story a lot and look forward to reading more from Nichole Van.

Content

Sex - 0

Violence - 0

Language -  0

Overall Content Rating - PG Adult themes

Source: Review copy

Robyn Reviews: TRA SARAH M. EDEN BRITISH ISLES COLLECTION by Sarah M. Eden

Book Description: 

The SARAH M. EDEN BRITISH ISLES COLLECTION contains two brand new historical romance novellas A FRIEND INDEED and A HAPPY BEGINNING, as well as four hand-picked readers’ and reviewers’ favorites of Sarah’s popular Timeless Romance Anthology novellas. Readers will love this selection of six historical romance novellas set in the British Isles.

Audience: Adult (Clean)

Genre: Historical Romance

Length: 272 pages

Rating: 5

Review: Sarah M. Eden is one of my most favorite authors! She is a gifted writer who involves you immediately in the story she is writing. Her characters are real and experience real life, just like we do. This collection has some of my favorites and a couple of new ones. I love them all. Sarah shows wit and charm in each of her stories. I just wish they were longer!

A FRIEND INDEED is a new story about Caroline and George. She is being ‘auctioned’ to be married to save her family from financial ruin. She is afraid that George, her lifelong friend is offering out of pity and it will ruin her friendship with him. Along the way there are the usual pitfalls and funny misconceptions, but Sarah manages to make them all seem just the thing.

A HAPPY BEGINNING is so much fun. I loved how Sophia and Dermot get to know each other and that Sophia is so brave and Dermot is the perfect hero. He is brooding and quiet, but definitely gets under Sophia’s skin and causes all sorts of misunderstandings. Dermot is a true hero and Sophia is strong and brave, but also very feminine. I loved this story.

ROAD TO CAVEN TOWN is and old but favorite story. Alice is in love with Isaac, but it takes him a while to figure out that he loves her too. I loved how this story tells us the true meaning of love. And the storytelling is just too good!

A CHRISTMAS PROMISE is another favorite (I favorite all of Sarah's books). I loved the mishaps and the joking with each other, but when it came right down to it, they both knew what was right. This was just a fun, fun story.

DREAM OF A GLORIOUS SEASON is a sweet story of figuring out which sister our hero, Julian really loves. Sarah always shows us what true love really looks like!

A LESSON IN LOVE was a story about a husband and wife who had to learn to listen to each other instead of everyone else. I enjoyed the misunderstandings, because they were real life and I could see my own relationship here. It was fun to watch them finally take matters into their own hands and listen to their hearts.

Sarah always provides fun, love, romance, and insight into the lives of those she writes about. Her characters truly come alive!

Content:

Sex - 0

Violence - 0

Language - 0

Overall Content Rating - PG

Source: Review Copy

Robyn Reviews: Timeless Regency Collection A MIDWINTER BALL by Heidi Ashworth, Annette Lyon, and Michele Paige Holmes

Book Description: 

           

From the publisher of the #1 Amazon bestselling A Timeless Romance Anthology series in Clean Romance.

Join three bestselling regency romance authors, Heidi Ashworth, Annette Lyon, and Michele Paige Holmes, for three new regency romance novellas in A MIDWINTER BALL.

MUCH ADO ABOUT DANCING by Heidi Ashworth. Two years have passed since Lord Northrup declared his intentions for Miss Analisa Lloyd-Jones and forbade any other man to court her. Angry at the neglect, Analisa stopped reading his letters, never even breaking the seals. Tired of waiting, Analisa joins the house party at Mrs. Smith’s famous country home, determined to find a beau. When Lord Northrup unexpectedly joins the party, Analisa discovers she is no longer repulsed by the man who first laid claim to her hand.

SWEETER THAN ANY DREAM by Annette Lyon. Olivia Wallington is firmly established as a spinster, but that doesn’t stop her from dreaming about the perfect man. Ever since her father’s death, Olivia has been forced into seclusion by her mother. When her brother and his wife come for a visit, they discover the extent to which she lives under their mother’s thumb. With their help, Olivia sneaks out to attend a local ball, where she meets Edward Blakemoore. For a few divine moments, all of her dreams seem possible. But even someone like Mr. Blakemoore would be hard pressed to get past Mrs. Wallington’s fortress of protection—or past Olivia’s pride.

AN INVITATION TO DANCE by Michele Paige Holmes. Lady Ella has been isolated on her father’s estate since her mother’s death as her father travels the world. When Alex Darling arrives with a letter from her long-dead fiancé, and a demand that she travel to London for a series of engagements, Ella thinks her father instigated the strange demands and agrees. In London, she discovers the truth behind her fiancé’s death, and that new love might be possible in the arms of the most unexpected man

Audience: Adult (Clean)

Genre: Historical Romance

Length: 244 pages

Rating: 5

Review: The Timeless Romance books are always great to read. They are fun and always clean. I really like this collection because I’m a huge fan of regency romance. These novellas are reminiscent of Georgette Heyer.  They are funny, witty and romantic.

MUCH ADO ABOUT DANCING by Heidi Ashworth is a nice story about Analisa, who has been betrothed for 2 years but hasn’t seen her intended, Lord Northrup for that time. She has been upset and hasn’t read any of his letters. This sets the stage for misunderstandings and some interesting problems. I liked how they each had to realize their mistakes and then learn to trust each other and of course realize their feeling towards each other.

SWEETER THAN ANY DREAM by Annette Lyon is about spinster, Olivia. This is a sweet Cinderella story and I loved how her hero, Edward overcame the difficulties in the relationship and showed Olivia that he did indeed love her. I especially loved Olivia’s brother and wife and their help in making sure the romance happened. I really liked Olivia and her pride. She was a fun one.

AN INVITATION TO DANCE by Michele Paige Holmes is a very interesting tale of lost love, lost father and a little mystery thrown in to make things interesting. I enjoyed reading about Lady Ella and her suitor, Alex. It was fun watching them develop a relationship and watching Lady Ella realize what she really wanted

These stories are fun and interesting. They are a great way to spend a winter afternoon!

Content:

Sex -  0

Violence - 0

Language - 0

Overall Content Rating -  PG

Source: Review Copy

Robyn Reviews: TRA Annette Lyon Collection

Novella Descriptions Below

Audience:  Adult

Genre: Clean Romance, Anthology

Length: 279 pgs

Rating: 5

Review: This collection of Annete Lyon stories is one of the best yet. I love all the Timeless Romance Anthologies. Annette puts out her best in this collection. I loved the new stories. The characters were real and experienced real feelings and consequences related to their choices. In OUR SONG, I loved the lesson about perception and what is real love and what that feels like. In GOLDEN SUNRISE, I really liked that they made the right choices. I was a little worried for a minute, but I should not have doubted. Ms. Lyon does a superb job of mixing humor and romance and real life choices. I really enjoyed reading these two new novellas.

I loved re-reading the historical romances included. The attention to detail and the mixture of real life with romance and love makes these novellas excellent ‘curl up and read’ stories. They are clean, true to life and fun to read. My favorite was BETWEEN THE LINES. I loved the plot and the idea that physical beauty is more apparent when we know the heart. In WAR OF HEARTS, the attention to detail makes this story come to life and you feel as if you are right with Pete and Anna as they experience danger and romance. My favorite part of A TASTE OF HOME is when Claire realizes that Will has grown into the man of her dreams instead of the boy who teased her unmercifully when they were younger. It's a fun and touching story.

This collection is a must read!

Content:

Sex - 1 (some kissing)

Violence - 1 (some discriptions of war)

Language - 0

Overall Content Rating - PG (adult themes)

I was given a review copy by the author in exchange for my honest review. 

Description:

The ANNETTE LYON COLLECTION contains brand new contemporary romance novella OUR SONG, as well as five hand-picked readers’ and reviewers’ favorites of Annette’s popular Timeless Romance Anthology novellas. Readers will love this selection of three contemporary and three historical romance novellas.

In OUR SONG, a charming romance novella, Cassie and Matt have been dating in the Yellowstone area for two years, and things are, well, average. When Cassie meets up with two college friends who are visiting, their love lives like sound like fairy tales: rose petals, chocolates, candles on the beach… Cassie goes home feeling like she’s missing out. After all, repeatedly watching Old Faithful erupt and walking through sulfur-smelling gases at Fountain Paint Pot don’t exactly say “romance.” Maybe things with Matt aren’t going anywhere, and it’s time to move on. Then she discovers that perception and reality are completely different things. Now she can only hope it isn’t too late to show Matt how much she really cares. 

In the sweet novella GOLDEN SUNRISE, Natalie takes time out of her crazy schedule to fly to Vegas for her best friend’s wedding. Sierra and Jason, high-school sweethearts, are finally getting married. Fortunately for Natalie, her old high-school flame, Adam, has a work commitment and can’t be there as best man. But when she arrives at the wedding rehearsal—late and ragged—Adam is there. When Adam makes a wild suggestion, Natalie just may take him up on it, even though she knows he’s moved on. A single choice may mean Natalie is taking a shot at reclaiming the past—or that she's putting her heart in harm’s way a second time.

FIRSTS AND LASTS, an enchanting novella, begins with Dani’s week in New York. She’s failed in her dreams to catch a break as an actress and is now ready to return home and dust herself off. As she visits the places on her final to-see list, she meets Mark, another New York City transplant with big dreams. Except Mark hasn’t given up on his. As they spend the day together, Dani realizes that even though she hasn’t hit the “big time” she might be living her dream after all. Only problem: she has a one-way ticket back home. 

In the compelling novella WAR OF HEARTS, Anna, a journalist, is desperate to escape the magazine where Pete, her now-former boyfriend, also works. Heartbroken and still in love with him, Anna snags an assignment to cover the Winter War in Finland. She arrives at a snowy Finnish battlefront only to discover that Pete is already there—as her photographer. She’s determined to be professional about the situation until a battle breaks out in camp, putting her and Pete in harm’s way and putting their love to the test. 

The captivating novella BETWEEN THE LINES follows Jane Martin, who is intelligent but extremely shy, especially around men. When the Aid and Cultural Society proposes a letter-writing program, Jane signs up, hoping she can find true friendship. The program doesn’t run as smoothly as expected, and unknown to Jane, one of the men in her city becomes her writing friend. Thomas Allred has always known shy and quiet Jane, but reading her letters written to his secret persona, opens his eyes to what an amazing woman she is. The only trouble is, Jane doesn’t know that the man who she is falling in love with through letters is also Thomas, the man who is falling in love with her in person.

In the charming novella A TASTE OF HOME, we meet Claire Jennings, who’s on her way to spend Christmas with her family. As she rides the train with William Rhodes, who grew up across the street, memories of the past flood her mind. He may be twenty-one now, but she can’t forget his torturous teasing from their school years. At the rail station, Claire discovers her home is under quarantine because her little brother has measles. She's stuck in town, away from her family, on her favorite holiday, with William.

Robyn Reviews: TRA All Regency Collection by Annette Lyon, Heather Moore, Sarah M. Eden, and More!

Story descriptions below review

Audience: Adult

Genre: Historical Romance

Rating: 5

Review: This is another winner in the Timeless Romance series. This is a clean and enjoyable read. Each author does a great job of telling the various stories. Each is sweet and fun.

Anna Elliot, in her THE WEDDING GIFT: A PRIDE AND PREJUDICE STORY does a fine job of telling a fun and mysterious story about our favorite Jane Austen characters. The story is told in first person by Elizabeth Bennett. First person is not my favorite writing style, but after a few pages I was interested enough in the story to keep reading. It's fun knowing what Elizabeth's thoughts are, and perhaps this story is meant to see thing from a young lady’s point of view, but the story is a little far fetched as to how Mr. Darcy ends up rescuing Elizabeth. However, that's why it is fiction :) I liked the story and the lesson that emerges of the gift of love.

DREAM OF A GLORIOUS SEASON, by Sarah M. Eden is another winner from Sarah. She writes in the style of Georgette Heyer with lots of fun and mishaps along the way to true love. I enjoyed this story of unrecognized love and how our hero, Julian thinks he's just a friend and wants to help Elizabeth. The characters are real and have depth, especially for a novella. You will love the fun and feel for Elizabeth as she navigates the road to love.

Carla Kelly’s story, THE MENDER, was another one that was out of the normal and I wondered about reading it. But, as I started reading it, I really got involved and was really curious how Thankful was going to find her love and adventure. This story drew me in quickly and had me wondering how Thankful and Adam we're going to resolve their problems. The character were well developed and I enjoyed growing, laughing and crying with them.

In BEGIN AGAIN, by Josie S. Kilpack, I was drawn quickly in and felt like it was experiencing the frustrations and misgivings of the hero and heroine. Their misunderstandings were both funny and frustrating. It was interesting dolling them through their discoveries about each other and watching them forgive and let go of preconceived ideas about what and why the other did something. I felt like these characters were real and they experienced real life.

THE AFFAIR AT WILDEMOORE by Annette Lyon was another surprising story. It was not what I was expecting. I loved how it turned out. I enjoyed the character development and growth of both Ellen and Anthony. I laughed at the way each perceived the same event and the misunderstandings the resulted. I loved the lesson about nurturing a marriage and listening to each other and communicating. I really liked how their daughters got in the plan and helped their mother be romantic. It was fun and enjoyable.

THE DUKE’S BROTHER by Heather Moore was sweet and fun. Even though Mabel is a bit different, I loved how Gregory saw what a sweet woman she was. I enjoyed their mishaps and misunderstandings. They were a fun couple. I liked that Mabel could be herself and still find true love with the right man.

You will love reading these stories. These authors don't disappoint.

Content

Sex - 1 (Some romantic kissing)

Violence - 0

Language - 0

Overall Content Rating - PG 

Source: Review Copy

* * *

Robyn Reviews: TRA SILVER BELLS COLLECTION (Mirror Press, 2014)

Book overview below.

Audience: Adult (Clean)

Genre: Historical Romance

Length: 292 pages

Rating: *****

Review: This collection is just as wonderful (if not more so) as all the other Timeless Collections. The authors have put together some fun and poignant stories. Sarah M. Eden has created another one of her funny, sweet Irish stories in A Christmas Promise. You will love the fun that Patrick and Maeve have together along with her protective older brothers.

Heather B. Moore’s Twelve Months will have you cheering for the true gentleman in Lucien. Cora is a sweet heroine who recognizes her knight in shining armor in Lucien. Their courtship is fun and sweet.

A Fezziwig Christmas by Lu Ann Staheli, is a fun take on the historical romance stories, it’s fun to watch the growth of both Dick and Cilla in the charming short story.

In A Taste of Home by Annette Lyon, you get to relive just how annoying ‘boys’ can be and what happens when they grow up to be men. Sweet and sentimental.

My Modern Girl by Becca White was fun and interesting. I liked that she thought she knew exactly what she wanted, but found out what she thought and what was real were actually two different things.

Lucinda Brant’s Fairy Christmas was really interesting in that there were actually two romances happening in the story. I enjoyed the misunderstandings and the real life things that happened in the story to make the people real. This was a fun Christmas romance.

You will be entertained by all the stories in this collection. The authors do a great job of being real and fun. You and your daughters will enjoys these stories and put you in the mood for romance and Christmas.

Content

Sex - 0

Violence - 0

Language - 0

Overall Content Rating - PG

Source: Review Copy

Robyn suggests...All the Timeless Romance Anthology Collections“Kiss of a Stranger” by Sarah M. Eden; “Edenbrook” by Julianne Donaldson; Actually, anything by these two authors!

****

Six Award-Winning Authors have contributed new stories to A Timeless Romance Anthology: Silver Bells. Readers will love this collection of six historical romance novellas, all centered around the Christmas season.

In NY Times & USA Today’s bestselling author Lucinda Brant’s delightful novella, FAIRY CHRISTMAS, Kitty Aldershot is orphaned and forced to live on others’ charity. Offered a home under the generous roof of her relatives, the Earl of Salt Hendon and his countess, Kitty wants for nothing, not even the affections of Mr. Tom Allenby. But when Kitty stumbles across a letter written by Lady Caroline that reveals how Mr. Allenby would be ruined should he marry the likes of Kitty, she realizes she has been fooling herself all along. Kitty’s world crumbles around her as she recognizes she will forever be alone with no prospects at all.

Sarah M. Eden’s charming romance novella A CHRISTMAS PROMISE, Sean Kirkpatrick is trying to get to his new place of employment, Kilkenny Castle, in order to start as the new stablehand. His only requirement is to drive a team of high-spirited nags from Dublin to Kilkenny in a certain amount of time. Unfortunately he winds up in a muddy field, stuck, lost, and running out of time. He’s about to lose the job before he can prove himself capable of finishing his first assignment. When Maeve Butler arrives on the scene, Sean isn’t sure if she’s intent on rescuing him or bent on torturing him with her fiery wit and lovely dark eyes.

In Heather B. Moore’s enchanting novella, TWELVE MONTHS, Lucien Baxter’s best and most incorrigible friend, Will, dies unexpectedly, leaving behind his new bride and unborn child the week before Christmas. Will’s last request is that Lucien watches over Cora, not just as a benefactor, but as a husband. When Lucien does his duty and proposes to Cora, he’s turned down flat. But over the course of the next few days, Lucien discovers that marrying Cora wouldn’t be any sort of duty after all, but a matter of following his heart.

In Lu Ann Staheli’s sweet romance novella, A FEZZIWIG CHRISTMAS, Dick Wilkins and his best friend Ebenezer Scrooge have been looking forward to the annual Fezziwig Christmas dance for weeks. Ebenezer is practically engaged to Annabelle Fezziwig, and Dick hopes to start courting her younger sister, Pricilla. Once the dance starts, and Pricilla arrives, as pretty and charming as ever, Dick discovers that he’s not the only man vying for her attention. His best friend advises Dick that he has to win Pricilla’s heart, as well as her mother’s favor. Losing his heart has suddenly become very complicated.

A TASTE OF HOME, a captivating romance by Annette Lyon, we meet Claire Jennings, who’s on her way to spend Christmas with her family. As she rides the train with William Rhodes, who grew up across the street, memories of Christmases past flood her mind. He may be twenty-one now, but she can’t forget his torturous teasing from their school years. At the rail station, Claire discovers that her home is under quarantine because her little brother has measles. She's stuck in town, away from her family, on her favorite holiday. William stays behind with her, and as Christmas Day approaches and her homesickness deepens, she discovers that perhaps he has changed in more ways than one.

Becca Wilhite’s entrancing novella, MY MODERN GIRL, follows Margie, who lands her dream job as a clerk at Macy’s department store in New York City. Margie might be new in town, but she’s determined to succeed and prove to Henry that moving to the city was the right decision. As the Christmas season approaches, Margie realizes that being a “modern girl” might not be all she had dreamed of and Henry might have more to offer than she ever imagined.

Review: TRA "Old West" Collection by Various Authors

Audience: Adult (Clean)
Genre: Romance, Historical
Length: 302 pgs

Rating: ****+

Review: I keep saying this about the TRAs, but this is definitely one of my favorites. As usual, I found a new author I liked a lot. Carla Kelly's Break A Leg was fun and sweet and a great read. Of course I loved Sarah M. Eden's addition The Soldier's Heart. It was so unique and I just loved how it progressed and turned out. Annette Lyon's The Sweetest Taste was another favorite. All in all, another great collection of clean romances to sit down and enjoy in bite size pieces. Love it.

Content:
Sex: 2/5 (In one story the heroine thinks about her late husband "cupping her breast" and later about how they made love. In another unfortunate prostitution of a relative is discussed and a prostitute propositions the hero.)
Language: 1/5 (Two uses of "damn"; two uses of "hell.")
Violence: 1/5 (Injuries to soldiers are discussed, minorly graphic. A fire destroys a home and threatens a character and her animals. There is a gunfight between some cowboys.)

Try this. Check out all the Timeless Romance Anthologies on their blog.

Guest Review: TRA Love Letter Collection by Various Authors

So, if you follow me on Twitter, you might know that my mom used her connections to me to con Krista Jensen out of a review copy of Timeless Romance Anthology: Love Letter Collection, just released. (Okay, okay, so my mom's sister Arlene is also one of Krista's friends, and maybe that played a part too. Who's to say?) And, yeah, I managed to get a review copy too, but the fun thing is that my mom agreed to do a guest review here on the blog! I think this is so fun. You can follow her on Twitter @birdmom8

Publication: Mirror Press, January 2014

(See below for synopsis of stories from the Timeless Romance Anthology blog.)

Genre: Anthology, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Historical Romance
Audience: Adult (Clean)

Review: This set of six novellas written by six talented writers is a fun, enjoyable and interesting read. You can read a story in an afternoon, but you probably can't stop at just one! These writers know how to grab your interest right away and make it hard to put it down. These romances are sweet and clean. You can rest assured that you won't be embarrassed if your 10-year-old picks it up (if you happen to lay it down for a second). There are three contemporary romances that have you laughing one minute and crying the next, and three historical romances that are just as fun and enjoyable. If you're a romance lover, this anthology will be just the thing for a cozy winter read and get you in the mood for Valentine's Day!

Maggie's Song:  This sweet novella by Karey White is fun and easy to read. I sometimes saw my daughters in Maggie's actions. I especially loved how she decided to drop hints to her hero. Maggie is a happy and caring heroine. You will love to get to know her. I know because I have daughters just like her!

Just Fly, by Krista Lynn Jensen, made me want to cry and laugh at the same time. Wren, the heroine, is a sweet and caring heroine. My favorite character is Dorothy (or Dot) because she is so brave and enjoys life to the fullest. She's not afraid to fail or do silly things. Her grandson, Seth (our hero) is just as fun and his way of telling Wren how he cares is the best!

How to Re-Write a Love Letter: Diane Darcy certainly had me squirming in embarrassment for the heroine, Julie, a high school honors English teacher. I loved how she was shy and worried about the things she did to embarrass herself in front of her principle, Dane, yet could stand up to him and give him a piece of her mind when she thought he deserved it. Problem was, he didn't really deserve it most of the time. He was just trying to figure her out! The only thing I thought was left out of this story was the standing ovation by the student body for the kissing scene!

A Thousand Words: Sarah M. Eden doesn't disappoint in this novella about two poor Irish immigrants who love each other, but struggle communicating. I loved Shannon's spunky temperament and how she wouldn't let anything come between her and her hero, Patrick.

Both of them struggled to tell each other how they felt, but the use of letters and pictures was what brought them together in the end. I thought this story demonstrated how we can communicate in lots of different ways, especially, love letters!

Between the Lines: Annette Lyons did a superb job of painting a picture of a young girl constantly comparing herself to others to the point where she didn't see her own beauty.  We can all identify with that. Jane, who thinks of herself as plain, is really a beautiful young woman and until she starts writing letters to her "friend" she doesn't see her true self or the true character of Thomas/Charles. When she finally “reads between the lines” she see what she truly wanted and had all along.

Blackberry Hollow, by Heather Moore is a sweet romance with a little bit of mystery thrown in. This was a really easy read and I was drawn in quickly. Heather has a talent for describing scenes that make you think you are really there. I'm kind of in love with English manors anyway, so this story was exactly what I wanted in a short read.

The Timeless Romance Anthologies are all worth reading. If you need an afternoon of good, cozy reading, pick one up and read. You will love them!

Content: Rated 1-5; 1 being minor instances, 5 being saturated

Sex - 1 (Kissing)

Violence - 0

Language - 1 (A couple minor instances)

Overall rating - G

Source: A review copy was provided to the reader in exchange for her honest review

Timeless Romance Anthology: Love Letter Collection

In Maggie’s Song, a charming story by Karey White, Maggie Jensen is part of a trio of best friends with Lucas and Dan. Together, they own and run Wild Country Hiking Tours. When Lucas returns to the company after getting his college degree, Maggie realizes that the crush she had on him as a teenager has now blossomed into so much more. But Lucas still treats her as one of the guys, and Maggie worries that if she tells him her real feelings, their relationship will be damaged forever.

In Just Fly, Krista Lynne Jensen's captivating novella, Wren is faced with the devastating news of her grandfather's death. But when her mom finds a mysterious letter from a woman named Dot in Seattle, Wren decides to visit the woman herself to deliver the news in person. Wren learns of the bucket list Dot and Gramps had put together with the help of Dot's grandson, Seth, and Dot challenges Wren to take her grandfather's place in completing the list. Before the week of adventure is over, Seth has impressed Wren in more ways than one. But is that enough to overcome Wren's fear of losing those she loves?

How to Rewrite a Love Letter, an enthralling novella by Diane Darcy, high school teacher Julie Ashburn believes she’ll never live the “event” down in which she wrote her true feelings in a love letter to Principal Dane Parker, and he laughed out loud, mocking her. Now that her honors English students want to write love letters for the school fundraiser, Dane turns down the idea flat. Julie tries to convince him that it was her students’ idea and not any sort of payback. But when a student writes a fake love letter from the principal to Julie, everything gets even more mixed up, and both Julie and Dane are caught up in a series of misunderstandings that might be impossible to sort out.

In Sarah M. Eden’s delightful story, A Thousand Words, Shannon Ryan has been waiting half a year to be reunited with her fiance, Patrick, with only the letters between them keeping their relationship alive. He finally sends for her after securing a good job with the Sidney newspaper, and she can’t wait to be reunited with him, swept up in his arms and thoroughly kissed. And of course, married as soon as possible. But when she arrives at the train station, there is no Patrick waiting for her. Shannon must discover if the man she loves still has feelings for her.

Between the Lines is a sweet romance by Annette Lyon. Jane Martin is intelligent but extremely shy, especially around men. When the Aid and Cultural Society proposes a letter-writing program, Jane signs up, hoping she can find true friendship. The program doesn’t run as smoothly as expected, and unknown to Jane, one of the men in her city becomes her writing friend. Thomas Allred has always known shy and quiet Jane, but reading her letters written to his secret persona, opens his eyes to what an amazing woman she is. The only trouble is, Jane doesn’t know that the man who she is falling in love with through letters is also Thomas, the man who is falling in love with her in person.

In the enchanting novella, Blackberry Hollow, by Heather B. Moore, Lucy Quinn travels to England to inspect her inherited estate. Unfortunately, as a resident of New York and nearly engaged, Lucy needs put the house on the market. But first, she wants to learn more about her ancestors. What she doesn’t expect is Calvin Bevans, the man living next door. The two families have been divided by a misunderstanding decades old, and when Lucy discovers a set of love letters, she learns the truth. As Calvin helps her unravel the hidden secrets between the two families, Lucy finds that she has more reasons to stay in England than to return to New York. And Calvin is at the top of that list.

TRA European Collection (November 2013)

From the TRA Blog: Six Award-Winning Authors have contributed new stories to A Timeless Romance Anthology: European Collection. Readers will love this collection of six historical romance novellas set in Europe, all with one thing in common: Romance. (Novella descriptions below.)

Audience: Adult (Clean)
Genre: Historical Romance, Novella
Length: 283 pgs.

Rating: ***** (FANtastic book that I LOVED)

Review: I think this is my favorite TRA yet. Stand outs? Sarah Eden's was fabulous. I giggled and giggled and sighed and giggled some more. It has some wonderful, tongue-in-cheek marriage advice. I may even have my husband read it. ;) And Annette Lyon's! I loved the time period (World War II, such a sucker for that!) and the setting, Finland, was so cool--especially since Annette talked about the darkness and cold stuff that I'm dealing with right now in Alaska. Special connection to this one, for sure. Really, they were all so good in this one. I love and swooned over all of them. (Heather B. Moore's has a connection to Heart of the Ocean and so many hilarious moments!) New author stand out? Nancy Campbell Allen. I will certainly be looking into more by her.

Content: Rated 1-5; 1 being minor instances, 5 being saturated
Sex - 2 (Passionate kissing)
Violence - 0
Language - 1 (One instance)

Source: Bought a Kindle copy via Amazon.

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In War of Hearts, Annette Lyon’s exciting novella, Anna, a journalist, is desperate to escape the magazine where Pete, her now-former boyfriend, also works. Heartbroken and still in love with him, Anna snags an assignment to cover the Winter War in Finland. She arrives at a snowy Finnish battlefront only to discover that Pete is already there—as her photographer. She’s determined to be professional about the situation until a battle breaks out in camp, putting her and Pete in harm’s way and putting their love to the test.

In G.G. Vandagriff’s enchanting novella, The Earl of Oaksey Takes a Wife, Melissa Burroughs is the new Countess of Oaksey. Her whirlwind romance and subsequent elopement was worth every divine moment, even if her parents did disapprove. When Melissa learns about her new husband’s apparently empty pockets, she wonders if the intimacy they’ve shared is only the ruse of a fortune-hunter. Melissa is devastated and determines to live a separate life from her new husband. But the Earl has other plans, which do not include staying away from his wife.

In Michele Paige Holmes’ charming story, Gift of Love, Ethan Mooreleigh knows he’ll never love another woman after the loss of his beloved wife. Yet he needs a male heir to inherit his vast fortune. Ethan’s best friend, Stuart, has an idea and retrieves his sister, Amelia, who has been living in a convent since the tragic death of her parents. Amelia only agrees to enter into the contract marriage because there’s a child involved, Ethan’s neglected three-year-old daughter. When Amelia meets Ethan for the first time at the altar, she realizes that the last thing she wants her marriage to be is loveless. But winning a man whose heart is still broken may be impossible.

A Lesson in Love, a delightful novella by Sarah M. Eden, captures the uncertainties of newlywed life. Lucy Stanthorpe arrives for the London Season, planning to attend every ball and musicale with her new husband, Reed, only to discover he has no intention of taking part in the social whirl. Spurred on by their family and friends, Lucy and Reed each formulate increasingly outlandish plans to teach the other a lesson in appreciation. Their battle of wills threatens to pull the young couple apart unless they can both soften their stubborn hearts.

In An Ocean Away, Heather B. Moore’s captivating story, Gina Graydon knows the last thing she’ll attract on her holiday in France is an eligible bachelor. Tall, outspoken, and with a weakness for laughing at the wrong moment, not to mention being much too occupied with reading gothic romances, Gina decides she’d rather live in her fictional world. Besides, the only man who pays attention to her at the resort hotel happens to be her father’s worst enemy. And that is far from romantic. Reading in a secluded garden, and dreaming about the perfect kiss, all keep Gina much too busy to consider Mr. Edmund Donaldson any sort of hero.

Nancy Campbell Allen’s entrancing novella, What Happens in Venice, follows Evangeline Stuart as she determines to enjoy her vacation in Venice—her first and likely her last since she lives under the strict confines of her step-father’s control. When she meets the mysterious and romantic Conte Bellini, who happens to be Italy’s most eligible bachelor, she decides he is all part of the dream of visiting Venice. It’s impossible for her to believe that his interest in her is anything more than kindness to a foreign visitor. But when he discovers the true betrayal of her step-father, Evangeline learns the Conte may be the one person with the power to restore her happiness.

TRA Autumn Collection

Six Award-Winning Authors have contributed new stories to A Timeless Romance Anthology: Autumn Collection. See Story Synopsis below review

Audience: Adult (Clean)

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Length: 305 pgs

Rating: ***** (FANtastic book!)

Review: Have I mentioned before that one of the things I love about the TRAs is that I get to discover new authors along with enjoying my favorites. The break-out of this set, for me? Stephanie Black's "Eye for an Eye." I raced through reading that one. Fantastic. I was so frustrated with some of the characters, but in that good, I'm-really-into-this-book way. My other tops were Sarah Eden's (shocker!) and Annette Lyon's. 

Source: Bought a Kindle copy on Amazon

Content: Rated 1-5; 1 being minor instances, 5 being saturated.

Sex - 1 (Mildly passionate kissing)

Language - 0

Violence - 2 (They are thrillers...)

Discover all the Timeless Romance Anthologies at the Timeless Romance blog!

Story Overviews:

In Heather Horrocks’ charming story, A Hound Dog Named Elvis, interior designer, Kaitlin Hartley returns to her hometown of Aspen Grove, California, to the job of her dreams after a year of specialized training in New York. During the town’s Autumn Festival, she enters her dachshund, Elvis, into the Running of the Hallowieners race. Joshua Moore, the man who hadn’t wanted her to leave Aspen Grove, but hadn’t waited for her either, enters Elvis’s sister, Priscilla. When Kaitlin gets home afterward, she realizes Elvis has left the building—with Joshua. She has the wrong dog! Can she get her dog—and the man she’s never stopped loving—back? 

Eye for an Eye, Stephanie Black’s thrilling novella, follows Mallory as she is just getting her life back together, living with her sister and brother-in-law and starting college. After a difficult few years following a family tragedy, she’s finally ready to move forward, which includes getting to know the charming Darien better. But when illegal drugs turn up in her sister’s drawer, the first person accused is Mallory, and suddenly she doesn’t know who to trust. She turns to Darien, but with all evidence pointing at her, she doesn’t know if Darien is the man to save her. 

In First Heist, a suspenseful novella by Heather B. Moore, Mia, an undercover agent is about to make a handoff to co-agent, Omar Zagouri. But before she can complete her assignment, her cover is blown, and she finds herself escaping with Omar. The only problem is, her boss warned her about Omar and his sketchy history of landing himself in the middle of danger. After losing her mother in an attack planned for Mia, pulling off any heist with a man like Omar is the last thing she needs for her career . . . or her life. 

Sarah M. Eden’s cozy mystery, Letter for Two, we meet Sophia, who looks forward to the 5:30 p.m. mail sorting she does with her next door neighbor, Ethan. They live in a renovated house, now split into two apartments. Ethan is one of those dreamy, smart guys, but he shows no interest other than being friendly toward Sophia. When they find a mysterious letter addressed to Eleanor, dated to 1953, Sophia and Ethan determine to solve the puzzle together. Sophia knows that spending evenings with Ethan in ‘research’ might be her only chance to convince him that she should be more than just a neighbor. 

In the enchanting novella, Silver Cascade Secrets, by Rachelle J. Christensen, Jillian is the master landscaper at a beautiful park. Meeting Travis there soon after breaking up with her boyfriend, Jillian is wary at first. Travis seems like a great guy, but Jillian had fallen for great guys before. When she learns that his brother, Craig, was murdered six months before, her heart goes out to Travis. True to her curious nature, she starts asking questions and learns about Craig’s close connection with the park. But finding the answers puts Jillian’s life in danger, and she must decide who she really trusts. 

Chocolate Obsessed, a captivating romantic suspense by Annette Lyon, we meet Whitney, an executive pastry chef who is working her resort’s booth at the New York Chocolate Show. The only problem is that she shares the shift with her arch rival, Stephen. But then an unexpected visitor shows up: Jeremy, a man who lost a dessert competition she judged. When Jeremy confronts her and becomes threatening, Stephen gets Jeremy dragged off by security. But that doesn’t throw Jeremy off for long; soon Stephen and Whitney are running for their lives.