California Brides: Handful of Flowers/Bridal Veil/No Buttons or Beaux

California Brides #1-3

by Cathy Marie Hake

Historical Romance: Three Chance family women take life and love by storm in the Old West. Polly Chance knows all her land has to offer, and she's learned to be a healer by using plants and blossoms. When Dr. Eric Walcott arrives, he denounces their traditional methods. . .and captures Polly's heart. Dainty Laurel Chance thinks she can "rough it" alongside her rugged family on a seven-week journey to Yosemite. Their unofficial guide, Gabriel Rutlidge, gets to know the woman behind the frills. April Chance has no idea how to be courted, but Peter MacPherson aims to teach her.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance, Christian, Christian Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Historical

350 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2007

About the author

As a child, Cathy Marie Hake had an imaginary playmate. Now "grown up," she indulges in a host of imaginary friends as she writes. She teasingly says she decided if those voices in her head were talking, she might as well write down what they said and make a living by doing it. She met her sweetheart in the High School department at church and married him after finishing nursing school. They live in Southern California and have two children and two dogs (one of them even moos - one of the dogs that is, not the kids). Faith in God, a loving family, and a wacky sense of the ridiculous keep her going.

Known for surfing across the kitchen on a dropped dill pickle slice, waterskiing on sea anemone spit, and using Right Guard® as hair spray; she considers herself living proof that God does, indeed, possess a healthy sense of humor.

Cathy loves classical music, romantic getways with her husband, and Diet Pepsi Free®. "I need chocolate to survive, love my friends, and enjoy a deep personal relationship with the Lord. Although an extrovert, I'm very conservative on a personal level."

In her writing, Cathy attempts to capture a unique glimpse of life and how a man and woman can overcome obstacles when motivated by love. In her inspirational pieces she enjoys the freedom of showing how Christ can enrich a loving couple's relationship.

Reviews

[Terry Yaceyko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an unexpected delight to read. I didn't really like the dialect of the spoken language in the story, but it was fitting to the book.
It had three connected stories of extended family members.
I enjoyed the first story of Polly and Eric - Handful of Flowers. Two healers meet - one with modern medicine and the other with herbs and old world remedies. Those worlds clash initially. Very good.
The second story was of Laurel and Gabriel in the setting of Yosemite and camping. I LOVED the addition of Laurel's art into the story and how much he appreciated her art. Very good.
The third story was about April and Peter. April was shorter and stockier than her friends and cousins by far and feels less than everyone else. It was a lovely story about how much Peter valued her and what she meant to him.

Loved it.

[Ashley Kilby · Rating 4 out of 5]

first part of the book was ok toward the end it kind of felt rushed. the second part was good love have Laurel stood her ground and let God take control love it. the last part of the book i like alot it gave no clue until the end who the moon shiners were. Love how God showed up as always at the right time. even ended with triple wedding loved it. chances always do share lol

[Fredell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this 3-in-1 novel. It was a light summer read about four young women in nineteenth century California. They are members of very devoted, protective, and related families in the desert east of San Francisco. The novel follows two years in the lives of these very unique young ladies, their families and their search, or not, for husbands.

[Debbie Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

i very much enjoyed this book. My favorite story was Peter and April. I would read it again and I would recommend it

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. I enjoyed all 3 stories, and loved the Chance and MacPherson familes

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

9/15/2010 Handful of Flowers. Polly Chance is all grown up now. When Lovejoy married Daniel, Polly was only a child. Lovejoy has taught Polly all the healing methods with the herbs and plants. As Dr Eric Walcott comes to Reliable to be the Dr for them his first view of Polly is delivering a baby and he only hears of them needing an ax, something about rust and they have a bottle of whiskey. He decides they have ancient cures and are no longer needed with his modern medicine. After much head butting betwinxt them, they do come to a compromise.

9/16/2010 Bridal Veil. As the older Chance siblings and a few McPhersons travel to Yosemite they come across a loner named Gabriel Rutlidge. Laurel falls in love with Gabe before she realizes he has not truly given his life to Christ. So they go their separate ways. Needing a horse brings Gabe to Chance Ranch and opportunity to see Christ's love in action through the Chance's lives.

9/16/2010 No Buttons or Beaux- I read this once a few years back but reread it now that I have read all the other Chance stories. It was great.
Two stories- Matt & Kate and Peter & April's stories.

[Gmc · Rating 4 out of 5]

California Brides Handful of Flowers/Bridal Veil/No Buttons or Beaux - Heartsong Novella Collection
Author: Cathy Marie Hake

Handful of Flowers
Three Chance family women take life and love by storm in the Old West. Polly Chance knows all her land has to offer, and she's learned to be a healer by using plants and blossoms. When Dr. Eric Walcott arrives, he denounces their traditional methods. . .and captures Polly's heart.

Bridal Veil
Dainty Laurel Chance thinks she can ""rough it"" alongside her rugged family on a seven-week journey to Yosemite. Their unofficial guide, Gabriel Rutlidge, gets to know the woman behind the frills.

No Buttons or Beaux
April Chance has no idea how to be courted, but Peter MacPherson aims to teach her.

Anthology/Historical Romance/western

[Kathryn Beland · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wish I could say something positive, however, I can not. The writing came off so juvenile. It took all I could do to finish it.

[Melissa Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! I would definitely suggest you read California Chances and Kentucky Chances first though. I read them in the complete opposite order as what they are meant to be, and it would have been nice to get to know the other characters before reading this...plus, you'll get to fall in love with the Chance men ;) haha

[SouthernAngel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am biased towards Cathy Marie Hake's stories and honestly out of all of them this has to be the best. The Chance family holds a very dear spot in my heart and I have read this book over and over again. Ms. Hake holds your attention throughout the entire book and if you love romance stories that are clean you will adore this book!

[Mandi Ellsworth]

Four novellas, and each of them were well crafted and written and so much fun to read. I loved how the family traveled to Yellowstone as it was a newly made National Park. I loved each character and how they had their own personalities and concerns. Easy to read. Worth it.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! This is like the 3rd book in a series about this family. Loved all 3 books. Be sure to check them out!

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked these, especially the book where they travel through Yosemite Park.

[E. A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only thing I didn't like about these three stories was that there wasn't more to them. Amazing book.

[ANNETTE · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read and very interesting at times.