The Homestead Brides Collection

by Mary Connealy, Darlene Franklin, Carla Gade

Through nine historical romance adventures, readers will journey along with individuals who are ready to stake a claim and plant their dreams on a piece of the great American plains. While fighting land disputes, helping neighbors, and tackling the challenges of nature the homesteaders are placed in the path of other dreamers with whom romance sparks. And God has His hand in orchestrating each unique meeting.

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

466 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2015

About the author

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. She is a two time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader's Choice finalist.
She is the bestselling author of 65 books and novellas.
Her most recent three book series are: Braced for Love, A Man with a Past and Love on the Range for Bethany House Publishing. She’s also written four other series for Barbour Publishing and many novellas and several stand-alone books for multiple publishers.
Mary will be a published author for ten years in 2017 with nearly a million books in print. She has a degree in broadcast communications with an emphasis in journalism and has worked at her local newspaper.

Find Mary online at:
Seekerville
Petticoats & Pistols
My Website

Reviews

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nine authors equal nine stories in this wonderful collection that celebrates the pioneer spirit. I understand that novellas aren't every reader's cup of tea but I love the opportunity to meet new authors in this unique way. So this was definitely a win/win read for me. Not only did I get to bask in the glory of tried and true authors I can always count on to deliver a spellbinding story, but I'm thrilled to have new authors to add to my 'must read' arsenal.

I will confess to finding nine novellas a bit daunting -- I usually prefer novella collections to be four stories or under -- but I wasn't about to miss some of my favourite authors' stories so I braved it out and am glad I did.

It wouldn't be practical to review each individual novella so I'll just give my overall impression. Think the Little House books for grownups. Gave me the same kind of thrill and fascination with a lovely dash of romance added in. I'm amazed anew at the backbone and courage of pioneer women and these stories are a lovely tribute to that heritage.

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable collection of stories about pioneers homesteading and falling in love :) I learned A LOT about sod houses since almost every story featured one and a few even described the building process which is far more extensive than I had previously assumed. The romances are sweet and each story line is unique. I thought most of them were 4 stars, with a few 3 stars mixed in. My favorites were the ones by Mary Connealy, Darlene Franklin, Ruth Logan Herne, Pam Hillman, and Erica Vetsch. They incorporated themes of grief and hardship as well as strength, hope, and family loyalty.

(Thank you to Barbour Books for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

[Noela · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Homestead Brides Collection is a gathering of nine inspiring tales telling of the adventurous pioneering folks of the bygone 1800’s. These brave pioneers battled the land and forces of nature in their quest to improve their land and build a secure future. When love came their way, often it was as unpredictable as the land. Ultimately, their lives were enriched far beyond their dreams. Each outstanding story in this collection gives its own reward to the reader. Highly recommended!

Homestead on the Range
by Mary Connealy

When the new homesteader Colin Samuelson meets Elle Winter, there is an immediate chemistry… that is until the father of three discovered this pretty woman had four children of her own! Considering himself a poor father of his own three, he was ready to run for the hills. That wasn’t about to happen however because his land adjoined Elle’s, leaving them both fighting their attraction to each other along with the forces of nature, and their children’s antics. Absolutely loved this entertaining novella… It was amusing, romantic, informative, and beautifully illustrated how God is with us in the storms of life.

Priceless Pearl
by Darlene Franklin

What happens when an inexperienced family leaves the city to make the run for land in the Cherokee Strip in Oklahoma? Will this family survive the harsh winter with their inadequate knowledge and a tendency to be impractical from their days living comfortably in St. Louis? Or might their neighbour who has his own deficiencies be able to trade off? This is a sweet story of hard work, hope, and love, with a future that promises to be as priceless as Grandma’s irreplaceable pearl!

Proving Up
by Carla Olsen Gade

Swedish Nils Svensson was ready to expand his lumber business and build a timber mill, and the property bordering his land was part of that plan. Discovering that the beautiful Elsa Lindstrom held the deed to the land he thought could become his, dispersed his dreams upon the prairie winds. Elsa had her own plans and when Nils despite himself, grew feelings for her, she accuses him of only wanting her land. Will it be possible for them to find a way to prove up on their land as well as their hearts? This is a wonderful story containing a fascinating forest of facts on the Timber Culture Act of 1873 that’s grafted into a blossoming love story!

Prairie Promises
by Ruth Logan Herne

Philadelphia city boy Jack O’Donnell arrives at his widowed mothers Nebraska homestead, to a startling reception from a young pregnant woman that’s residing with his mother. He’s not sure whether to admire this pretty woman or be wary of her? Regardless, he means to take his mother home with him as he can’t leave her to this barren prairie and its harsh winter. How can he get his stubborn mother to agree to give up her land and more importantly, how will her plucky young widow friend that’s due to give birth soon, survive alone in a thatched soddy no less? A descriptive and beautifully told story that was refreshing, thoroughly engaging, and a delight to read!

This Land is our Land
by Pam Hillman

Mollie Jameson, orphaned and caring for a brood of siblings and a Grandpa with memory lapses, hasn’t much time to spare to reach Lincoln, Nebraska if she wants to lay a claim to the land her father had homesteaded. They’ll all be homeless if she can’t make it in time, and when a blizzard sweeps in and slows them down, it seems that will be the case. Unless she can trust the cowpoke that they’ve only recently met who has no home or responsibility, to hightail it to the land office with their deed. Will the overburdened Mollie lose everything or gain more than she bargained for? This was a truly enjoyable and heart-warming story with endearing characters!

Flaming Starr
by DiAnn Mills

With anticipation swelling the closer Starr Matthews draws to her recently acquired homestead, she is relishing the thought of finally owning her own place to begin a new life. But her hopes were scattered like the tall grass prairie seeds when she discovers widower Aaron Conrad and his children have already claimed ownership. Although Aaron’s children would benefit from a mother and Starr’s soul heal from love and a new beginning, her pride and tainted past produce formidable barriers towards any happy outcome. Will Starr find her forever or the end in the town named Last Chance? Not too many novella’s touch me deeply enough to bring on tears, but this touching and memorable novella did. Loved it!

A Palace on the Plains
by Erica Vetsch

Hired as a seamstress for Walt Haskell’s upcoming wedding, Julie Farrington has arrived from the city to stay with Walt’s brother, Cyrus. The widowed Cyrus is none too happy having her and her ridiculous amount of luggage move into his tiny dugout that already houses his mother and two young sons. Julie wonders what she’s gotten herself into! She hadn’t figured on encountering such a primitive dwelling with no space or privacy, or the gruff though admirable man she’s dwelling with. Julie’s true mettle is put to the test however, when she has to deal with sickness, arduous work, and extreme weather. Will Julie also find her happy ever after? I truly enjoyed this absolute gem of a story, and found the incorporated information on building Soddy’s, completely fascinating!

Waiting on a Promise
by Becca Whitham

Marta Vogel is anxious that it’s taking so long for her fiancé to give her the go ahead to join him in Oklahoma. Ignoring his last letter again urging her to trust him and wait, she hops aboard the next train to Oklahoma Territory. But Karl Reinhardt had good reason to keep her away. He’s dealing with a land dispute and sabotage while trying to work on his land. When she arrives, he is fearful for her safety, especially when she makes friend with the enemy. Wow, what a great story! It’s not always easy to capture so much intrigue in a novella, but Becca manages to do that along with suspense, humor, and romance, in the talented strokes of her pen.

The Bogus Bride of Creed Creek
by Kathleen Y’Barbo

Iz McBride returns home to his Texas ranch in Creed Creek to discover a pregnant wife! Which is very strange seeing how he’s never met her before. And everyone in Creed Creek seems to love Cora McBride, even his traitorous dog. So does he evict her from his ranch or marry her proper? I loved the unique plot, and it was fun trying to figure out how this mixed up tale of deceit and truths was going to unfold. The charming characters in this western tale strive to change past wrongs for future generations. A very sweet ending to this novella and to this wonderful book!

[Cas H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. I loved this collection of short stories.
I love that I can take an hour, read a story, take care of responsibilities and come back when I am done.
I love that I can finish a happily ever after and then come back and read another one.
These authors are extremely talented. Their writing styles complement each other, but are each unique.
Priceless Pearl, by Darlene Franklin, and The Bogus Bride of Creed Creek by, Kathleen Y'Barbo, were my two favorite stories.
This was my first experience with these two authors, and I enjoyed every minute of reading their stories.
The way they described the characters made me imagine that I was there with them on the plains as the land rush happened. That I too could have staked my claim and found a new life, one that I could have never imagined.
The sadness in the second story, The Bogus Bride, grabs you, but it does not make you cry. It makes you want to stand up and yell. I wanted to cheer the characters on. I also wanted to help them.
All the stories within this book will hopefully make you smile, the way they did to me.
I received a free copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novella collections aren’t normally my cup of hot chocolate (I don’t drink tea) but this one had so many great authors that I had to give it a try! My three favorite novellas in the collection were Prairie Promises by Ruth Logan Herne, A Palace on the Plains by Erica Vetsch, and Waiting on a Promise by Becca Whitham.

In Prairie Promises, Jack O’Donnell travels from Pennsylvania to the Nebraska frontier to convince his widowed mother Mary to return with him to their “safe” and comfortable city home. His brother has already given up on his own farm and returned to civilization; many other families in the area are following his example. But his mother is not quite as amenable to the suggestion as he had hoped, insisting that she wants to remain on the homestead she started with her late husband. Bridget, the young pregnant widow who shares his mother’s humble soddy complicates matters further. As the two women struggle valiantly to keep three farms afloat in the harsh Nebraska plains, Jack wrestles with what he should do. I loved how spunky and resilient Mary and Bridget were – even without Jack’s help. They totally could have saved their own day :) Jack could just sit there and be eye candy lol. (Just kidding – he does provide much appreciated help while he’s there but I like the fact that they really were doing just fine without him!) Ruth’s writing voice is so smooth and natural, effortlessly sweeping you into the flow of the story and carrying you along at a steady pace. Historical facts are woven seamlessly into the plot without turning into a textbook excerpt, and you are left with a greater appreciation for the trials and celebrations of the early settlers.

I wanted Erica Vetsch’s A Palace On The Plains to keep going and going and going. I could easily have taken this one out of the collection and wrapped it up in a novel all its own and been perfectly happy – you know, as long as Erica added tons more of her fun chapters in between the beginning and the end ;) Her writing voice is hilariously droll at times, sweet at others, and always sharp and on point. For example, a character saying “Thanks for the help. That went great.” – when clearly it did not – is indicative of the kind of dry wit that had me chuckling throughout her story. And the two little boys – Cotton and Titus – oh my stars! SO STINKIN’ ADORABLE!!! I wanted them to be real so I could cuddle them up and smother them with kisses. They were responsible for the majority of my grins during the entire book (not just Erica’s novella). And the romance? *dreamy sigh* My favorite out of all the stories! Honestly, when I finished the whole book, I re-read this story just because I enjoyed it that much.

Waiting on a Promise is Becca Whitham’s first published novella, and I cannot wait to read more by her! Full of mystery, suspense, romance, and heart, this one had all the elements I look for in a short story. In a novel too, for that matter. When Marta Vogel tires of waiting for her fiance Karl Reinhardt to invite her to join him on his Oklahoma homestead, she takes matters into her own hands and takes the next train out to find him. Instead of being glad to see her, Karl seems angry that she’s there. Hurt by his rejection, not to mention the other woman clinging to him at the station, Marta accepts a ride to Karl’s homestead from a local businessman and his wife. She doesn’t know this man is Karl’s greatest enemy, and when she finds out about the land dispute – and the reasons Karl wanted her to stay away – she decides to remain in town to do what she can to help. I loved the mystery, I loved the friendships, and I loved the sweet gentle romance.

Bottom Line: Packed with stories that highlight the tough and enduring spirit of those who struggled to prove up their claims to land in the western frontier, you will also be treated to gentle romance and an occasional bit of humor to sweeten your day. An additional treat is the opportunity to be introduced to a variety of authors that you might not otherwise read.

Rating a novella collection is always a bit tricky. There were only a couple of stories I didn’t care for as much as the others, and I gave those each a 3 star rating. The rest of the novellas I easily gave 4 or 5 stars. So, I think overall I would give The Homestead Brides Collection 4 out of 5 stars!

(I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for only my honest review.)

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Homestead Brides Collection
By; Mary Connealy, Darlene Franklin, Carla Olson Gode, Ruth Logan Herne, Pam Hillman, DiAnn Mills, Erica Vetsch, Becca Whitham, and Kathleen Y'Barbo.

These are nine difference historical romance by nine difference authors. They bring us stories of individuals who stake their claim in the great American Plains and Risk all for Love.

Homestead on The Range
by: Mary Connealy
I enjoyed this sweet historical romance story about Colin Samuelson and Eleanor Winter. Colin lost his wife and he packs up land him and his children move to Nebraska Frontier Town to stake a claim and start over. He knows nothing about the rugged frontier land. Eleanor (Ella) husband has been dead for five years and she is trying to raise their children. This is a sweet romance novella of two families starting over.

Priceless Pearl
by: Darlene Franklin
I really enjoyed this short novella about America and Rick. There is the Barton family that picks up and moves to Oklahoma to settle on some land after the store he managed closed down. This The Barton's knows nothing about farming. Rick knows about farming , but can't read.

Proving Up
by: Carla Olson Gode
I loved this short novella about Nils Svensson who's wife left him several years ago and he still looks for her to return home. He has land in Nebraska and grows trees. Mrs Lindstrom (Ella) stole the land right next to him that he had been wanting to get. How will the land that both are wanting be settled? Will his wife come back home?

Prairie Promise
by: Ruth Logan Herne
I loved this sweet novella about two woman in the Nebraska Plains trying to keep two farms going by themselves. We have an older woman , and then the younger woman is pregnant and everyone calls her crazy. How does these two women make out by themselves?

This Land Is Our Land
by: Pam Hillman
This is a very good inspiration fiction historical romance. Molly , a young lady who has lost both of her parents and trying to keep her family together in a covered wagon and is caught in a huge snow storm on the way to Nebraska.

Flaming Starr
by: DiAnn Mills
This is another beautiful novella by DiAnn Mills. I really enjoyed it. Starr Matthews a young woman who paid men for her services won a Texas homestead plot in a card game. Forced to leave town and go and find this land she won and start over. There is a lesson in this novella , treat others as you would wan't to be treated.

A Place on The Plain
by: Erica Vetsch
I enjoyed this novella and the two characters, Julie and Cyrus. All Julie ever wanted was a place to call home and someone to love her. Cyrus is a war veteran, father, widower, and a homesteader. You will love reading about these two characters.

Waiting on A Promise
by: Becca Whitham
I had not read anything about Becca Whitham before, but I throughly enjoyed this novella. The story and the characters are easy to follow. Karl left his father's clock shop to become a farmer in the Oklahoma Territory for homesteading.

The Bogus Bride of Creed Creek
by: Kathleen Y'Barbo
I really enjoyed this novella. I had not read anything by Kathleen Y'Barbo before , but she has won me over. Cara , a young woman is headed out to reclaim the land her father had lost. What will she find when she gets there?

I was given a copy of this book by Darlene Franklin, One of the authors, for my honest review, which I have given.

[Anna Hurtt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this novella collection! Each story was unique and had great characters, conflicts, and themes. When I read novella collections, sometimes I find myself skimming the stories for the good parts, but each one grabbed hold of my attention from beginning to end. I truly enjoyed each author's take on life for the early settlers.

(I received an e-copy of this book from Barbour Publishing, Inc and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.)

[Dana Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and clean stories with inspirational messages to read this fall and each can be read in one sitting. These stories are all about homesteading out west and the trials and romance that came along the way.
*I was given a copy by the publisher, this is my honest opinion

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Homestead Brides Collection
First things first, this is a collection of super short novellas (about 45 pages each). The romance is like a hallmark movie ~ clean, simple, fresh, and sweet. Solid Christian themes encouraging the reader to love thy neighbor, not be judgmental, be consistently faithful in your walk with God and trust Him to work everything out in your life are clearly expressed in each story. Each novella stands alone and can easily be read during your lunch break or morning commute. Some of the authors are well known while others are brand new to the publishing world making this a great opportunity to be introduced to new writers and their particular story-telling style. I have discovered many new favorite authors thanks to these lovely little novellas.

Homestead on the Range
Mary Connealy
Elle with her four children has been widowed for the last five years but settled into a prosperous homestead on the lone Nebraska plains. She meets Colin Samuelson and his three children, also widowed for a little over a year. He’s a doctor. He’s wealthy. He doesn’t know diddly squat about homesteading. Initially, Elle and Colin are attracted to each other but when Colin realizes that between the two of them, they have seven children, he finds that to be a tad bit overwhelming and does everything he can to avoid Elle and her family. More easily said than done considering they share a property line and he needs all the help he can get! Time passes, the two families help each other including surviving a tornado and the more obstinate the parents become in being attached to each other, the more persistent the children become in getting them attached! This was a wonderful story!!

Priceless Pearl
Darlene Franklin
America Barton and her family have experienced significant financial misfortune. Their last hope is to secure a Homestead during the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1893. While they manage to stake a claim, none of them have the skills or natural inclination to make a real go of the new life they want. Thankfully their new neighbor Rick Eady has years of experience growing up on a family farm, working the land, and carving out a living. Both the Bartons and Rick are Christians and show an eager spirit to be neighborly and helpful! At first the help appears very one-sided as Rick helps the Bartons build a soddy, plant a garden, make farm tools, and prepare for the oncoming winter. He teaches them to hunt, fish, trap, and even cook. But then we learn that Rick can’t read and write and despite all his survival skills, he wants to be able to send letters home to his family and read the Bible for himself. America begins teaching Rick to read and write along with her two younger brothers. Despite the hard work of creating a homestead, a gentle romance develops between Rick and America. This was a very sweet love story.

Proving Up
Carla Olsen Gade
Norwegian immigrant, Elsa is fascinated by science, botany, and horticulture, which makes a Timber Cultivation Homestead Claim ideal for her new life in America. Newly widowed, she purchases prime timberland right out from under Nils whose been proving up his claim and saving up to add on. Their love story develops very sweetly and I enjoyed it very much. I also found Elsa’s brothers to be charming. My favorite thing about this story was all the little tidbits about trees, growing trees, and the Timber Cultivation Homestead Claims in Nebraska. I didn’t know anything like that existed and I enjoyed learning about it! There were wonderful bits of Swedish language sprinkled throughout the story also, which I enjoyed!

Prairie Promises
Ruth Logan Herne
When Jack receives word that his father has passed away out on the frontier leaving his mother all alone, he races to Nebraska intent on packing his sweet Momma up and bringing her back home to Philadelphia. What he doesn’t expect is for his Mother to refuse to leave her Homestead or her lovely gun toting pregnant widowed neighbor! Bridget’s had a hard life but when her and Jack’s mother, Mary each lose their husbands to the harsh frontier, they come together for survival and healing. Bonding like a mother and daughter, both still want to continue to carve their dreams for a bright new future out of the lonesome prairie. Jack realizes rather quickly that his plans aren’t as straightforward as he initially thought and with some gentle encouragement begins to recognize the beauty of the untamed wilderness around him as well as the beauty both inside and out of his mother’s pretty little neighbor! Another sweet little romance with nice elements of trust, compassion, and faith mixed in.

This Land Is Our Land
Pam Hillman
Lasso is an independent cowboy looking to settle in for the winter and work as a ranch hand when he comes across a wagon full of an orphaned family trying to make it to their Nebraska Homestead Claim before a specific deadline. A nasty blizzard forces everyone to hold up in an abandoned cabin before slowly limping their way through the rugged countryside to Lincoln. Lasso is enchanted by the oldest sibling Mollie and is impressed by her efforts to keep her struggling family alive. Eager to help, Lasso offers to ride ahead to Lincoln to see that their claim is documented in time and Mollie has to decide how solid her trust is both in God and Lasso. I love Pam Hillman’s writing style. There are multiple characters in this story and they are all wonderful. There are also some extra warm and fuzzy surprises that made my heart smile!

Flaming Starr
DiAnn Mills
Starr is a soiled dove. This is one of the few prostitute stories I’ve read and actually liked. In many other stories, the main characters are so obsessed with their guilt and shame that they almost can’t experience any other emotion and every decision they make is based on their guilt. The author handled Starr’s story differently, and I liked it. Starr was born and raised in a brothel with a prostitute for a mother and put to work at a very young age. She wins her freedom in a card game and runs for her life. She realizes that the life she led was wrong but she is so desperate for a fresh start and respectability and willing to starve to death if that’s what it takes to not return to the imprisoned lifestyle she grew up in. Other stories tend to focus on the struggle that the character goes through to avoid returning to what is considered a “lifestyle” of prostitution. Starr doesn’t struggle with that at all. She sees it as a prison and does everything to avoid it. For such a short novella, this story makes a great character out of Starr. The relationship she develops with Aaron and his children is charming and the romance is sweet. There are some other wonderful characters as well. I particularly liked the Preacher’s Wife. She’s an excellent example of real Christianity and loving someone despite their past.

A Palace On The Plains
Erica Vetsch
Julia is a very talented seamstress, hired to make a wedding trousseau for a bride out in the middle of the Nebraska prairie. Her arrival on the train is met with a very frustrated brother of the groom who thinks all these frivolities are a waste of money and clearly finds her profession disdainful. Cyrus is still grieving the loss of his beloved wife while trying to raise his two young sons. Viewing Julia as a weakling, he tries to convince himself that any attraction he might have for her is a complete waste of time. Though Julia is every inch a “city girl” and unaccustomed to the harsh homesteading life, she settles in for the next six weeks doing her job and making herself useful as much as possible. Several interesting and surprising events occur that offer for Julia and Cyrus to get to know and develop a quality respect for each other. This was another very sweet romance!

Waiting On A Promise
Becca Whitham
The first thing I love about Marta and Karl’s relationship is that they have history. They’ve been friends for a decade – a relationship that developed from childhood. They’ve made promises to each other and Karl has gone on ahead to Oklahoma to prepare a homestead for them. He takes too long and Marta, impatient, packs up and arrives on the next train despite Karl’s protests that he’s not ready for her. Upon her arrival, Marta learns that Karl is being bullied, his home vandalized, and he fears for Marta’s safety. Sparks fly but their love for each other encourages them to come together to solve their problems. This is a great story encouraging the characters to trust that God will work things out for them despite the difficulty of their problems and no matter how horrific their circumstances become.

The Bogus Bride of Creed Creek
Kathleen Y’Barbo
Cora has a messy past and a lot of secrets but she genuinely believes that the documents in her possession offer her a new home, freedom, security, and a fresh start in life. Needless to say, she’s pretty surprised when the man she believes herself to be the widow of shows up on her front porch! Demanding that the ranch is his alone and insisting Cora vacate immediately, Iz McBride is pretty surprised to discover that Cora’s documentation just might be legitimate, despite the fact that he knows he’s not married to her! This is an interesting story, with some equally interesting twists and a great mystery!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rich in historical detail, Proving Up is a fascinating story. We’re introduced to two Swedish families that traveled to the Nebraska Plains in hopes of becoming landowners by participating in the Timber Culture Act of 1873. I didn’t know much about this time period in history, especially involving the Swedish community. Facing unimaginable hardships, they persevered through many challenges before they could actually own the land they had been homesteading. After five years, they had to provide proof that they had lived and worked the land raising trees, hence ‘proving up’.

Gade has done her research and brought a moving tale of determination to succeed, while showing a great love of the land, the trees, and the people. The focus of the story is on Nils and Elsa, neighboring tree farmers but there is much included about community and the importance of supporting one another through tough times. I especially liked Elsa’s brothers.

The story kept me glued to my chair, not because of any suspense factor but because of the plot, dialogue and heart of the characters; their faith and rock solid belief that God was with them no matter what. I thought the end wrapped up a little too quickly but it didn’t detract from the overall enjoyment of the story.

This novella is worthy of high marks and I highly recommend it to any fan of historical fiction. It was reminiscent of reading a Janette Oke book, only shorter.

Proving Up by Carla Olson Gade is part of The Homestead Brides Collection recently released by Barbour Books on Feb 1st. I was provided a copy from the author in exchange for my honest review of her novella. No compensation has been received.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

BACK OF THE BOOK BLURB
Promises of free land lured thousands to venture into the vast American plains. They built make=do homes and put all they had into improving the land. Very often romantic thoughts took a back burner to priorities having to do with the land.

In these nine novellas, individuals are forced to encounter romance when neighbor helps neighbor, when land ownership is debated, and when natural disaster blows them off course.

Homestead on the Range by Mary Connealy
Priceless Pearl by Darlene Franklin
Proving Up by Carla Olson Gade
Prairie Promises by Ruth Logan Herne
This Land Is Our Land by Pam Hillman
Flaming Starr by DiAnn Mills
A Palace on the Plains by Erica Vetsch
Waiting on a Promise by Becca Whitham
The Bogus Bride of Creed Creek by Kathleen Y'Barbo

Travel along through the Great Plains on romantic adventures as God helps each land prospector find someone with whom to share the dream--the work--and the love.

MY REVIEW
I love these collections books, they are short stories and the authors do such a great job of pulling you in yet the don't disappoint with them not being a full length book. Some of my favorite authors have included stories in this book and there are some new ones that have done a wonderful job and I will be looking for more of their work. Thank you ladies! ! !

[Carrie Pagels · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of the novellas in this collection are wonderful. There wasn't a weak one in the bunch which is pretty unusual. The authors are: Carla Olson Gade, Darlene Franklin, Erica Vetsch, Pam Hillman, Mary Connealy, Ruth Logan Herne, Kathleen Y'Barbo, DiAnn Mills, and Becca Witham.

Here's an example of one of the novellas:
Carla Olson Gade, wrote "Proving Up", set in Swedeburg, Nebraska in 1885. Nils Svensson has worked hard for years to establish hardy trees. He's waited for his wife to return to Nebraska after she returned to a less-demanding life back home with her parents. Enter widowed Elsa Lindstrom, Swedish like Nils, and she has somehow procured land he'd expected to purchase. Instead, Elsa and her two younger brothers now occupy what he'd hoped to expand his orchards to. Elsa, too, plans to develop a tree nursery. Can these two like-minded Swedes work together? Lovely story and characterization and some sigh-worthy love scenes. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

BUY yourself a copy NOW!!! Sure to be a bestseller!!!

[Tracy Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Homestead Brides Collection is a collection of 9 short Christian romance stories set in pioneer days, when Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Texas were first being settled. Each of the stories is about 50 pages long, and each is by a different author.
For the most part, I did enjoy reading the Homestead Brides Collection. Of course, each author has a different style, so there were some stories that I connected with more than others. My only real criticism is that 50 pages doesn’t give a lot of room for character and plot development, so the story lines have to stay fairly simple. (I would probably prefer there be fewer, maybe 3 or 4, novellas that are 150 pages each and have a little more character and plot development.) But overall, the stories were enjoyable, and each of them had a strong focus on God and Christian principles.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars: 4/5 Star Rating
Ohhh, I love novella collections! I can read them quickly and I can pick the book up and choose one when I only have a short time to read. It fits this busy grandma's life for me! I also like getting to meet so many different characters and different circumstances.
The Homestead Brides Collection takes us to a different time in our country's history and allows us to experience life as new homesteaders were putting down roots. Life wasn't easy and it definitely wasn't easy for our delightful heroes and heroines, but that makes it more realistic.
I highly recommend this novella collection to romance lovers and those who love historical fiction.
I received a complementary ARC from netgalley and Barbour Books. I was not required to write a review and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published by Barbour Publishing, “The Homestead Brides Collection” is a book with nine different print offerings. The authors represented are: Kathleen Y”Barbo, Becca Whitman, Erica Vetsch, DiAnn Mills, Pam Hillman, Ruth Logan, Carla Olson Gade, Darlene Franklin, and Mary Connealy.

I very much enjoyed reading the novelettes by these authors. The short submissions were easy to read and kept my interest throughout. It was easy to pick up the book, read one and then be ready to read a new one right away. Most were very well thought out and well presented.
I was sent a free Kindle copy of this book from NetGalley.com in return for my honest review.
You can find this review on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-e8.

[Britney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Homestead Brides Collection is a wonderful collection of novellas by some of my favorite authors! Each of the nine novellas features pioneers working hard to achieve their dreams of land ownership. I loved the strength and determination of these early settlers and the hope they all clung to was inspiring! This collection boasts rich, historical details, engaging storylines, and tender romances. I loved The Homestead Brides Collection and highly recommend it to fans of historical romance!

My thanks to Darlene Franklin for the digital copy of this book. All thoughts expressed are my own and no monetary compensation was received.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading a set of novellas is a bit of a gamble for the serious reader; on average the shorter stories are "fair" at best, but occasionally a collection is surprisingly good. "The Homestead Brides" falls into "really good" category; written by a variety of seasoned authors and sprinkled with stories from new-to-me writers, this book provided a nice diversion from full length novels and a renewed appreciation for women who followed their men into the vast unknown territories of historically uncivilized America.

[Susan Snodgrass · Rating 4 out of 5]

These collections are wonderful for anyone who desires a quick read. You can read one selection and then go back and read another later on. Some seriously good authors here, to name a few: Mary Connealy, Erica Vetsch, Kathleen Y'Barbo. Nice stories. Recommended

*My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book via Net Galley. All opinions here are entirely my own.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

9 Pioneering Couples Risk All for Love and Land
by Mary Connealy; Darlene Franklin; Ruth Logan Herne; Carla Gade; Pam Hillman; DiAnn Mills; Erica Vetsch; Becca Whitham; Kathleen Y'Barbo
Christian Romance
Nine compelling stories about women who end up as homestead brides. Each story is different and all of them were well written I did enjoy them. I’ve always loved reading about the people who lived years back and were those who built houses some made of sod, lived with almost nothing compared to what we all have today and built lives that were strong in faith and love. These romance stories were all Christian based. There was no strong language or hot love scenes, these are simpler stories that are sweet and easy to read. I enjoyed each of the stories in a different way. I’m not going to rate each story separately. I won’t describe each story as the description is detailed below as found on Netgalley.com

I received the collection through Netgalley.com in the kindle format. I like to read books by new authors, several different genres, and I like to post my opinions on the books to be helpful to the authors, the publishing houses and to Netgalley.com. I do also post reviews on Facebook, my blog and Amazon. #TheHomesteadBridesCollection. #Netgalley.com.
Below are the descriptions of the books included in the collection:
Love Stakes a Claim on the Great Plains

Through nine historical romance adventures, readers will journey along with individuals who are ready to stake a claim and plant their dreams on a piece of the great American plains. While fighting land disputes, helping neighbors, and tackling the challenges of nature the homesteaders are placed in the path of other dreamers with whom romance sparks. And God has His hand in orchestrating each unique meeting.

Homestead on the Range by Mary Conneally
Widower Elle Winter meets new homesteader Colin Samuelson on the Nebraska prairie, but the attraction between them is soon dampened by the discovery that they have seven children between them. Soon their children are working against them to bring the two families together.

Priceless Pearl by Darlene Franklin
Rick Eady grew up knowing how to make do with little, while America Barton grew up having plenty. When they secure claims near each other in the Oklahoma Land Rush, Rick often comes to the aide of the inept Barton family and their pretty daughter.

Proving Up by Carla Olson Gade
Elsa Lindquist applies her scientific theories to growing trees on the Nebraska plains, intruding on a handsome homesteader’s hard work and experience. Will their dreams come to ruin, or will love prove their success?

Prairie Promises by Ruth Logan Herne
Jack O’Donnell storms onto the Nebraska homestead determined to take his widowed mother back East with him. But he finds her fit and determined to stay; plus she has taken a pregnant widow—rumored to be crazy—under her wing who wouldn’t survive without his mother’s help.

This Land Is Our Land by Pam Hillman
Caught in an early blizzard, orphan Mollie Jameson is frantic to make it to Lincoln, Nebraska, to claim land her father homesteaded six months ago. If she can’t get there in time, her family will be homeless. Then in steps a foot-loose and fancy-free cowboy willing to help them along the trail, but can they trust him to race for the land office with their deed?

Flaming Starr by DiAnn Mills
Starr Matthews arrives at her Texas homestead only to find it already claimed by a widower and his children, who have been praying for a mother. Starr has money, but she has no skills; while Aaron Conrad has the homesteading skills, but no money for supplies. Can they work as a team?

A Palace on the Plains by Erica Vetsch
Julie Farrington arrives at a Nebraska homestead as hired seamstress for an upcoming wedding. Cyrus Haskell is content being a widowed father and doesn’t need to be distracted by who he considers a high-falutin’ city girl—until a natural disaster puts her worth to the test.

Waiting on a Promise by Becca Whitham
Marta Vogel’s fiancé left over a year ago to claim land in Oklahoma, and she is tired of his excuses that keep her from joining him. Karl Reinhart is locked in a bitter land dispute. When Marta arrives uninvited and unannounced, her presence is more than a trifling distraction. She just may cause him to lose everything.

The Bogus Bride of Creed Creek by Kathleen Y'Barbo
The last thing Iz McBride expects to find when he returns home to his Texas ranch is a pregnant wife. Apparently, his pregnant wife. Yet everyone in Creed Creek seems to love Cora McBride. The only trouble is, she’s an imposter. Now Iz must decide whether to evict the woman or marry her.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has 9 stories in it which makes it interesting to review as the stories are all unique.

“Homestead on the Range” is a lively tale of two families, one with 4 children and a Mom, the other with 3 children and a Dad. Will they ever see themselves as one cohesive unit or are they always to be two separate ones?

“Priceless Pearl” is about mistletoe berries, grandma’s ring, perseverance, endurance and surrendering.

“Proving Up” shows us the determination that many Swedish Emigrants had who settled in the prairie states of Kansas and Nebraska. This story takes place in Nebraska which like Kansas was devoid of trees. Here is one determined man who faced hardship several times but managed to adhere to the tenets of the Timber Culture Act of 1873, was granted land, 40 acres to be planted with trees. In 1878 the law was amended to read 10 acres. A person receiving such grant had eight years to file proof of meeting the requirements of this law to receive all land free.

On April 10, 1885 he filed notice of final proof in support of his claim after receiving three extensions after experiencing prairie fire, grasshopper infestation and drought. He appears before the Register or Receiver at Wahoo NB with his Timber Culture entry information and 2 witnesses who had counted his trees per acre.

As the story unfolds he is presented with a child that he did not know he had from a deceased wife and finds love residing on the adjoining land.

“Prairie Promises” is the story of two women homesteading in Nebraska. One is a mother with grown sons living in Philadelphia the other a pregnant widow. Between them they own three homesteads; the mother owns two, one hers and her deceased husbands, the other is from a son who returned back east giving up on the harshness of life on the prairies. The third is the widow’s from the estate of her husband.

The mother’s middle son arrives to bring his mother home but to his dismay she refuses to leave. Winter is swiftly arriving, gardens are being harvested and hay cut and winnowed. Will Mom return east with her son? Will the young widow be left on her own? Does the prairie win and all go back east? The author answers all these questions.

“This Land is Our Land” finds a lone cowboy heading to the Double M ranch when snow turns to a blizzard. Heading to an abandoned cabin he encounters a family in a wagon riding out the storm. Together they find said cabin and hunker down for a few days to ride out the storm.

A lost child, a dog and her puppies, a land claim, and an attempted robbery make for anxious times and happy endings.

“Flaming Starr” tells of a soiled dove, a card game, title to land in Texas, a sore loser, and a misunderstanding. Who really owns the land, is a soiled dove any less a sinner in God’s eyes? What does God see when He looks at us; our outer appearance, our reputation, how much power or money we have or is it our hearts? Will anyone other than God truly see who she is?

“A Palace on the Plains” where a bride groom pays a seamstress to come to his homestead to sew a wedding dress and trousseau for his bride to be. Envision her doing this in a soddy on the prairies where there is one large room which acts as a kitchen, a living space and as bedrooms for two children and three adults, none married to each other.

The seamstress, use to moving often with her father, a tailor adjusts easily. The wedding dress is finished first then the rest of the trousseau follows. There is a “soddy raising”, a wedding and a blizzard to make for interesting reading.

“Waiting on a Promise” has a man homesteading, leaving his lady at home waiting for the letter asking her to come west to marry him.

A letter more a note, arrives but does not say the words she has waited over 15 months to receive. Knowing something is wrong she packs and goes anyway. What does she discover when she arrives? Who is the person causing trouble and why does he covet the homestead and then discredit the prospective groom? Interesting developments unfold as the bride to be becomes enmeshed in the coveter’s schemes.

“The Bogus Bride of Creed Creek” is a lady looking to recover the land and house that was swindled from her deceased father in a card game. Marriage to a bigamist, expecting a baby, and a conflict over who owns the ranch all make for a great read by one of my favorite authors.

I wish to thank the authors, NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for allowing me to read this book.

[Chantelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, a few really great stories and several so-so.

Homestead on the Range by Mary Connealy
A cute, romcom style short story reminiscent of the Parent Trap. A quick read and quite enjoyable!
5 stars

Priceless Pearl by Darlene Franklin
Did not make it passed the end of Chapter 1. Main characters went from complete strangers > being polite > head over heels in love and dancing together after one day and 2 very brief conversations where all they learned about one another is their names. Normally I try to give a story 2-3 chapters to get started, but I so disliked their early interactions I couldn't force myself to continue.
DNF but 1 star from what I did read

Proving Up by Carla Olson Gade
Not bad, but I found the constant forestry facts to be annoying. Characters would sometimes go on long monologues about which tree grows better and would read passages out loud about the forestry in Nebraska from magazine articles. I found myself skipping past the monologues. The romance is alright, but a lot of flipflopping of their opinion about a misunderstanding, especially on Nils' part. One moment he's okay with Elsa's claim, the next he's not. A surprise visitor is thrown into the mix in Chapter 8 and it seemed like a last minute attempt by the author to get the characters together.
2 stars

Prairie Promises by Ruth Logan Herne
Bridget and Mary are both headstrong women, willing to work hard for what they want. I love Bridget's sass and wit. Though Jack arrives determined to bring his mother back to Philadelphia, his determination is immediately challenged by the ladies' stubbornness to see their claims through. It's clear that his protests are token at best and he knows he won't be able to convince the ladies, though he still tries. A bit slow of a start, but a very cute conclusion to the love story!
4 stars

This Land Is Our Land by Pam Hillman
Stuck in a blizzard with a parcel of young siblings and old grandfather, Mollie is rushing to her late father's claim. Free spirit cowboy Lasso is her saving grace and helps them through the blizzard. A misspelling of one of the character's names in Chapter 15 (with the correct spelling a sentence above) demoted a star. Even though I enjoyed the characters and plot, I wasn't riveted until the last chapter or so.
3 stars

Flaming Starr by DiAnn Mills
Starr tries to start over but a land claim mix up and her past creates challenges to her new livelihood and budding romance. Not a bad story and I enjoyed Ms. Mills' writing style.
3 stars

A Palace on the Plains by Erica Vetsch
I liked every bit of this short story and never wanted it to end!
5 stars

Waiting on a Promise by Becca Whitham
Did not read

The Bogus Bride of Creed Creek by Kathleen Y'Barbo
Did not read

[Dana Kamstra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marriage of convenience stories are among my favorites. Especially when they are set against the hardships of pioneering. I was thrilled about this collection of novellas. There were a number of "new to me" authors in this collection and it was wonderful to get a sampling of their styles.

Love Stakes a Claim on the Great Plains Promises of free land lured thousands to venture into to the vast American plains. They built make-do homes and put all they had into improving the land. Very often romantic thoughts took a back burner to priorities having to do with the land.

In these nine novellas, individuals are forced to encounter romance when neighbor helps neighbor, when land ownership is debated, and when natural disaster blows them off course.
Homestead on the Range by Mary Conneally
Priceless Pearl by Darlene Franklin
Proving Up by Carla Olson Gade
Prairie Promises by Ruth Logan Herne
This Land Is Our Land by Pam Hillman
Flaming Starr by DiAnn Mills
A Palace on the Plains by Erica Vetsch
Waiting on a Promise by Becca Whitham
The Bogus Bride of Creed Creek by Kathleen Y'Barbo
Travel along through the Great Plains on romantic adventures as God helps each land prospector find someone with whom to share the dream--the work--and the love.

Overall: I really enjoyed this collection. Most of the stories involve pretty sweet romances all surrounded by a variety of hardships. Some stories offer a bit of humor and others a bit of mystery. Together, this was a collection that I loved reading, and I certainly discovered some authors I'll be sure to look into reading more from.

Homestead on the Range by Mary Conneally

Widower Elle Winter meets new homesteader Colin Samuelson on the Nebraska prairie, but the attraction between them is soon dampened by the discovery that they have seven children between them. Soon their children are working against them to bring the two families together.

My Review: This was a fun story with all the antics of a large group of children. It was like The Brady Bunch meets LIttle House on the Prairie in many ways. The novella was quickly paced with some big moments.

Priceless Pearl by Darlene Franklin

Rick Eady grew up knowing how to make do with little, while America Barton grew up having plenty. When they secure claims near each other in the Oklahoma Land Rush, Rick often comes to the aide of the inept Barton family and their pretty daughter.

My Review: This sweet story captured the peril that many pioneering families faced when they were ill-equipped for this adventure. But the subtle emotional attachment that forms between Rick and America make for a very sweet story set in Oklahoma.

Proving Up by Carla Olson Gade

Elsa Lindquist applies her scientific theories to growing trees on the Nebraska plains, intruding on a handsome homesteader's hard work and experience. Will their dreams come to ruin, or will love prove their success?

My Review: For a novella, this one was sure full of a number of surprises! I can't say too much or else it will be spoiled, but this one was a fun read. I even learned a little bit about how the government used incentives to get homesteaders to plant more trees on the Nebraska plains.

Prairie Promises by Ruth Logan Herne

Jack O'Donnell storms onto the Nebraska homestead determined to take his widowed mother back East with him. But he finds her fit and determined to stay; plus she has taken a pregnant widow--rumored to be crazy--under her wing who wouldn't survive without his mother's help.

My Review: Living on the frontier took a lot of gumption and willpower. Jack's mother and Bridget both demonstrate their own share, plus the love of the land that they have. Jack clearly becomes attached to the wild land and the "crazy" woman his mother has partnered up with. Again, this one was a fun story to read.

This Land Is Our Land by Pam Hillman

Caught in an early blizzard, orphan Mollie Jameson is frantic to make it to Lincoln, Nebraska, to claim land her father homesteaded six months ago. If she can't get there in time, her family will be homeless. Then in steps a foot-loose and fancy-free cowboy willing to help them along the trail, but can they trust him to race for the land office with their deed?

My Review: I honestly could not move through this story quick enough. It seemed like the family was always in some sort of peril and a deadline for their dreams that looms ever closer add a hint of tension to the story. Against all that, romance blooms between Mollie and Lasso. I adored this novella!

Flaming Starr by DiAnn Mills

Starr Matthews arrives at her Texas homestead only to find it already claimed by a widower and his children, who have been praying for a mother. Starr has money, but she has no skills; while Aaron Conrad has the homesteading skills, but no money for supplies. Can they work as a team?

My Review: God will always turn things to work for good is the theme of this story. Starr and Aaron both have a number of hardships in their past but they can each off something to the other that makes them better off together. This was definitely a sweet story with three little kids who are charming.

A Palace on the Plains by Erica Vetsch

Julie Farrington arrives at a Nebraska homestead as hired seamstress for an upcoming wedding. Cyrus Haskell is content being a widowed father and doesn't need to be distracted by who he considers a high-falutin' city girl--until a natural disaster puts her worth to the test.

My Review: This was probably my favorite story of all in this collection. The characters were wonderful and the story beautiful. There was definitely a theme concerning things being how they appeared in this story.

Waiting on a Promise by Becca Whitham

Marta Vogel's fiancé left over a year ago to claim land in Oklahoma, and she is tired of his excuses that keep her from joining him. Karl Reinhart is locked in a bitter land dispute. When Marta arrives uninvited and unannounced, her presence is more than a trifling distraction. She just may cause him to lose everything.

My Review: There was definitely a bit of mystery in this novella as there were a lot of troublesome things happening to Karl. Marta's arrival certainly complicates things. Both characters need to have a heavy dose of patience and trust in God for everything to work out for them.
The Bogus Bride of Creed Creek by Kathleen Y'Barbo

The last thing Iz McBride expects to find when he returns home to his Texas ranch is a pregnant wife. Apparently, his pregnant wife. Yet everyone in Creed Creek seems to love Cora McBride. The only trouble is, she's an imposter. Now Iz must decide whether to evict the woman or marry her.

My Review: This was the most difficult story for me to get interested in. But once I got most of the way through, my interest was certainly piqued by who actually owns the ranch and how everyone was connected.

**I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.**

[Joanna Bair · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy these novella books more than any other novellas I’ve read. The stories aren’t cheesy like other collections I’ve read.
I like that you can read each one in an evening.

Homestead on the Range by Mary Conneally is a cute story about two widowers in the wilderness of Nebraska with seven children between them. Probably my favorite in the collection because I loved the whole Parent Trap thing that happened.

Priceless Pearl by Darlene Franklin showed how hard homesteaders worked. This one was a little harder for me to enjoy as the girl was so young for marriage.

Proving Up by Carla Olson Gade had some good awkward moments, also some sad moments. I liked the unexpected kiss and the unexpected twist.

Prairie Promises by Ruth Logan Herne I enjoyed and it was more or less believable that living out on the prairie taking care of his mothers farm a man would fall in love with the women helping his mother. This story flowed well and I liked how it came together.

This Land is Our Land by am Hillman is a good one about the land claim and blizzard.

Flaming Starr by DiAnn Mills didn’t keep my attention as much as the others and I ended up skimming.

A Palace on the Plains by Erica Vetsch I liked how the sewing machine usage was portrayed. This one wasn’t as exciting to me.

Waiting on a Promise by Becca Whitman I loved Marta’s stubbornness in this story. Their drama kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next. I enjoyed this one a lot probably because of their banter-and the sleazy guy.

The Bogus Bride of Creed Creek by Kathleen Y’Barbo confused me at first because I didn’t know who the main character really was so I didn’t know if I could trust her. Not as relatable as others in the book.

Overall this book is perfect if you like historical happy endings, a little humor, a little suspense, but something light and quick to read when you don’t have time to delve into a long novel.

I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love short story anthologies. Anytime I can find a collection of stories all in one book, it makes me feel like I’ve hit gold. And discovering this particular anthology definitely lived up to those expectations.

The Homestead Brides Collection is a historical romance anthology of nine short stories surrounding couples who meet while staking claims in the Great Plains during the 1800s. The stories are authored by: Mary Connealy, Darlene Franklin, Ruth Logan Herne, Carla Gade, Pam Hillman, DiAnn Mills, Erica Vetsch, Becca Whitham, Kathleen Y’Barbo.

I liked that each story was by a different author. It provided a great opportunity to experience each writer’s personal style. There wasn’t a story I didn’t like and if someone pinned me down to pick a favorite, I would still be torn between two or three. But Jack’s mother in “Prairie Promises” by Ruth Logan Herne definitely won the category of best line.

“Lots of places start out rough…. And then faith and good women demand better.” - Mary O’Donnell, “Prairie Promises” by Ruth Logan Herne

The Homesteading era of U.S. History was fraught with challenges, prejudices, hopes, dreams, and new beginnings. For the characters in the pages of this anthology, finding love is only the beginning – and many doubt they will ever find it. Nature bogs them down. Enemies wish to take. And necessity, propriety, and family require much. Will they find the faith and hope they need to find love?

If you like sweet romance mixed with hard work, sod houses, and strong characters, I recommend checking out The Homestead Brides Collection. You might even find a new author or two whose other books you’ll want to read.

---
I received this book free from NetGalley and Barbour Publishing in order to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Homestead Brides Collection is a great collection that I recommend to fans of anthology.

Homestead on the Range (1875)

After staking a claim on Nebraska’s vast prairie Colin Samuelson had a lot to learn. He needed to learn everything from how to use needle and thread to working his own land. Would widower Colin Samuelson and widow Eleanor Winter be able to succeed as a family with seven children between them?

Priceless Pearl (1893)

Rick Eady couldn’t read and couldn’t understand why America Barton had so many books. I learned that mistletoe is Oklahoma’s state flower. I also learned about living in a sod house.

Proving Up (1885)

In this story I learned about the Timber Culture Act. Can a mission church member and a Lutheran member be friends?

Prairie Promises (1880)

Can Mary O’Donnell be at home in the wilds of the West? Or, is it possible Jack O’Donnell can take her back to civilization? I learned about proving up land in Nebraska.

This Land Is Our land (1884)

The Jameson family have til next Thursday to claim land in Lincoln, Nebraska. With a blizzard and a will to move on this story takes the reader on a journey.

Flaming Starr (1862)

Can a soiled dove find real love?

A Palace on the Plains (1873)

Can a city slicker make a living on the vast plains in just a dugout?

Waiting on a Promise (1890)

Could Marta learn to make a good apfelstrudel? Would Karl be able to keep the homestead? Find out in this wonderful tale.

The Bogus Bride of Creed Creek (1880)

Could the stranger be Israel McBride, Cora’s husband?

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

[Marta Aldrighetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

nine short stories with wonderful characters, you can feel the fear, hope, strenght, thoughts for a better future:
a)Elle widow with 4 children meets in town her new neighbor, colin. nice story,different people handle problems in different way.
b)New start and new life in the claim land in Oklahoma for Bartons family. America is the oldest child,17yo,she has a lot to learn in that wild,farm,isolated land. she'll meet Rick,her neighbor.very sweet story, I like it.
c)Nils claims the land in Nebraska,he has plans and hopes: plant trees and ask her wife to return home.
d)1880,Nebraska.the life is difficult, about all for women, alone, wodows. lovely story.
e)the big family of widow Mollie is in a snow sorm,while Lasso help them to reach an abandoned house. adventurous story.
f)Texas, Starr won a land in the town LastChance,but when she arrives there someone live there with family. She is ready to deal to maintain the land and will she change her lifestyle?
g)Julia left her parents house with a lot of luggages,crate and boxes to start working as dressmaker in Nebraska prairie, at Haskell family. Here she'll learn a different life,full of work, few things,but love, friends.
h)Marta waited that her beau Karl claims her in the new land and home. Some trouble forced Karl to ask Marta more time. Adventure story,patients and liars are different way to live.
i)Cora goes to CreedCreek,at the CircleM house,to claim the land her father lost and now it is propriety of McBride family. Original nice western story.

[LA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barbour Publishers has once again gathered some heavy hitter novelists to participate in a collection of novellas about settling the western frontier. From the plains of Nebraska to the Oklahoma Land Rush, there’s plenty to read about as pioneer women and the men in their lives fall in love while working hard to claim the land they want.
I enjoyed each story, but the ones that stayed with me were Homestead on the Range by Mary Connealy, and Prairie Promises by Ruth Logan Herne. The heroes from these two particular stories were strong and well-intentioned, but definitely scared off by things out of their control that didn’t seem to faze the women too much (ahem, sheer number of children or child birth anyone?).
Stories included:
• Homestead on the Range – Mary Connealy
• Priceless Pearl – Darlene Franklin
• Proving Up – Carla Gade
• Prairie Promises – Ruth Logan Herne
• This Land is Our Land – Pam Hillman
• Flaming Star – DiAnn Mills
• A Palace on the Plains – Erica Vetsch
• Waiting on a Promise – Becca Whitham
• The Bogus Bride of Creed Creek – Kathleen Y’Barbo
I hope Barbour keeps these collections coming. I’ve read several of the collections already and haven’t been disappointed once. I prefer longer novels, but these novella collections are convenient when one wants a “quick” read. It’s also a great way to discover new-to-me authors.
I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the last post, I said that Bethany House knows how to gather great authors for their novella collections. I also say that Barbour Publishing knows this as well. The Homestead Brides is no exception.



The Homestead Act of 1862 was put into play to encourage western expansion and settlements. The homesteaders were given 160 acres to prove up and live on for five years for a nominal fee. This was one-quarter of a section of land.



Some of these brides were homesteaders after their husbands or fathers passed away trying to prove up the land. Some of the brides were marrying men to help them prove up their land. Some of the brides married the men whose homesteads abutted their own. Some brides also take in children who are not their own, or blend the groom's children with her own.



These books that Barbour puts out are worth reading on an afternoon where you just don't feel like doing anything else. Grab the book, a light blanket, and your drink of choice--coffee, tea, water, and sit down to read awhile.



Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and 160 acres of proved up land.



My thanks to NetGalley.com and Barbour Books for allowing me to read and review this book.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Homestead Brides Collection
By Mary Connealy, Darlene Franklin, Ruth Logan Herne, Carla Gade, Pam Hillman, DiAnne Mills, Erica Vetsch, Becca Whitham, Kathleen Y’Barbo
WOW! This was the never-ending collection until it sadly ended. I honestly enjoyed each of the stories in this collection which is contrary to the odds when compiling a collection such as this. Each story shared the theme of homesteading but was surprisingly different from the last. I was sad to see this collection come to an end. I won’t go through to summarize each story but I will say that each brought a new perspective to homesteading and the challenges for men and women. I imagine it to be exhausting and lonely. This collection provided a more charming tale of this laborious journey for those of the past. I would like to imagine the romance of finding a companion and future in the hardships of life. This collection did just that.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Gina Hott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Homestead on the Range
Widower Colin Samuelson has his first pangs of feelings when he runs into his new neighbor Eleanor Winter. Until he finds that she has more children than he does! Now he’s avoiding her like the plague.
Eleanor has been on her own with four children since her husband died five years ago. When she sees the poor doctor moving in she can’t help but to help.
Will the plains drive him away before he changes his mind?
Review: Adorable! With Mary Connealy’s usual wit and irony this cute novella is the perfect afternoon read. Don’t miss it!
Author: Mary Conneally
Grade: A
Ages: 18+

Priceless Pearl
America Barton met ​Rick Eady just moments before the start of the ​Cherokee Strip Land Rush and he ended up on the plot next to her family. Can her well-to-do parents ever see that Rick’s faith and hard work​ are more important to America than his lack of formal education?Will Rick be able to keep her parents from killing themselves in this harsh wilderness​?
Review: This is a beautiful love story. There are times that it seems a bit long, but it’s just right.
Author: Darlene Franklin
Grade: B+
Ages: 16+

Proving Up
​Nils Svensson hasn’t seen his wife for years. So he’s shocked and excited when he sees her walking through his trees. It’s not until he kisses her that he realizes his mistake — it’s Elsa Lindstrom, not his wife.
No matter, Nils only has one objective to prove up on this land and buy the adjacent property. Except, it’s now owned buy the very beautiful Elsa.
Review: ​I really enjoyed Proving Up. It only was this a sweet romance, but I learned a lot about Nebraska, the Timber Culture Act, and Swedish Immigrants. I also loved how, even though raised with the same GOD Elsa and Nils saw Him so differently.
Author: Carla Olson Gade
Grade: A
Ages: 15+

Prairie Promises
​“Pay heed to the land and the good Lord, son, and everything else will fall into place.”
Following his grandmother’s advice has given Jack O’Donnell a firm foundation and money in the bank. Well, at least that part about the land. Jack abandoned the Lord on a battle field years ago. He’s only left his holdings in order to bring his mother, Mary, back east from her Nebraska plains home before the land kills her.
Not only is she refusing to join him but her neighbor, Bridget Murphy, is dependent on his mother. How is Jack to take Mary home when Bridget looks ready to give birth any moment?
Review:​ So sweet. A beautiful reminder to trust God with each moment.
Author: Ruth Logan Herne
Grade: A
Ages: 14+

This Land Is Our Land
​As the oldest of the seven Jameson children, Mollie is at her wits end when she encounters Lasso McCall at the beginnings of a Nebraskan snow storm. With just get siblings and her grandfather in their small wagon and no shelter in site she’d given up.
Fortunately, Lasso knows of a shelter nearby that should get them through the worst of the weather, but does he know a way to release them from the dire circumstances in which they’ve found themselves?
Review: ​I loved reading This Land is Our Land. Not only was it a beautiful romance but, it was so heartwarming to watch Mollie’s siblings grow up in this short story.
Author: Pam Hillman
Grade: A+
Ages: 16+

Flaming Starr
​Starr Matthews won a hundred and sixty acres outside of Texas in a contested had of cards. Sneaking out in the middle of the night to escape the shameful life she’s lived and the cheating gunslinger that refuses to believe he’s lost.
Starr arrives at her amazing new property only to find Aaron Conrad and his family with a properly sealed Texas deed.
It looks like Starr will be starting over once again…
Review: ​I think my favorite quote is “Seems like life is a progression of always starting over.” It really sums up the story. As does wondering whether you’ll stay over alone or with the Lord by your side.
Author: DiAnn Mills
Grade: A
Ages: 16+ | ​Starr’s status as a soiled dove is discussed and remembered. Not detailed.

A Palace on the Plains
​Hired to sew up a trousseau as a wedding for a newly engaged couple, Julia Farrington is shocked when she’s delivered to the home of Cyrus Haskell, brother of the gifter. Do they really expect her to work in a soddy? She’ll be living in a house smaller than her father’s parlor!
Review: ​I really enjoyed this but what I loved most was the advice Nan gave on marriage. It’s perfect and beautiful.
Author: Erica Vetsch
Grade: A
Ages: 16+

Waiting on a Promise
​Patience is overrated! Marta Vogel had been waiting practically forever for Karl Reinhardt to propose and she’s not waiting any longer.
Karl left Marta more than fifteen months ago to claim property in the Oklahoma Territory. Sure she’s gotten letters. Letters that are missing something. Letters that aren’t explaining what’s really wrong. So, Marta is going to find out. She’s not waiting any longer.
Review: ​Awesome! I loved this novella. It was great to see how Karl and Marta needed each other. Plus, watching their lack of trust in the Lord and their redemption was awesome.
Author: Becca Whitham
Grade: A
Ages: YA

The Bogus Bride of Creed Creek
Cora Duncan survived a lot to bring herself here. Finally, she can reclaim the land her father lost – their ranch in Creed Creek, Texas. The owner, Isreal McBride is deceased, and Cora has a letter, however fraudulent​ that she’s his wife. Perfect. Until Isreal’s son appears…
Review: This wis a fun novella. It would have been better as a full-length novel though. Too much detail was missing because of the restraint.
Author: Kathleen Y’Barbo
Grade: A
Ages: 16+

Hott Review of The Homestead Brides Collection:
OH! I’m so sad it’s over! It’s definitely going on my re-reads pile! I really enjoyed each of the stories and can’t wait for more from each of them!

More…
Source: Barbour Books via Netgalley
Overall: Grade: A+
Overall Steam: Mature YA