With All My Heart Romance Collection: Five Novellas of Living Love to the Fullest

Appalachian Blessings #0.5

by Karen Witemeyer, Jody Hedlund, Melissa Jagears

Five novellas of Christian romance set tragedy and comedy across historical America. Ebooks are in print for the first time.
1 Karen Witemeyer's "Love on the Mend," set in post-Civil War Texas, has the new town doctor take on a nurse and face his alcoholic uncle who long ago killed doc's baby sister.
2 Jody Hedlund's "Out of the Storm" finds a man chased by murderers, shipwrecked near a Michigan island lighthouse Captain whose daughter is resigned to stay there all her life.
3 Melissa Jagears' "Love by the Letter" throws a prairie mail-order-bride between frustrated opposites.
4 Sarah Loudin Thomas' "Appalachian Serenade" has a small-town West Virginia store-keeper find love when he hires help.
5 Jen Turano's "Gentleman of Her Dreams" has an accident-prone girl ask her faithful follower to help tackle a catch of the New York social season.

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

480 pages, Paperback

First published August 2, 2016

About the author

For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Voted #1 Readers' Favorite Christian Historical Author in 2023 by Family Fiction Magazine, Karen is a multiple award-winning author and a firm believer in the power of happy endings. She is an avid cross-stitcher, tea drinker, and family board game player who makes her home in Abilene, TX with her heroic husband who vanquishes laundry dragons and dirty dish villains whenever she's on deadline.

Karen also loves to reward her readers. Every month she gives away two inspirational historical novels to someone from her newsletter list and offers substantial bonus content on her website. To learn more about Karen and her books, or to join her subscriber list, please visit www.karenwitemeyer.com.

Reviews

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this collection was published in 2016, the actual copyright dates of each novella range from 2012-2015. From what I can figure out, each novella was an ebook introduction to a new series by each author. So though you might recognize some of these stories, this is a chance to have these wonderful novellas all in one print collection.

Karen Witemeyer's Love on the Mend -- The central theme of forgiveness gives this novella a deeply thought-provoking quality. Of course, it's also laced with humour, we're talking Karen Witemyer, after all. And action. And a toe-curling romance between a broody hero and a plucky heroine who isn't afraid to speak her mind. The perfect blend for reader satisfaction.

Jody Hedlund's Out of the Storm -- The first lighthouse story in the Beacons of Hope series! Henry is a worldly irrepressible rogue and Isabelle is a very sheltered young woman who lives in her over protective father's shadow. Secrets threaten to keep these star-crossed lovers apart unless they can find the faith to face an uncertain future together.

Melissa Jagear's Love by the Letter -- There's definitely a BIG twist to this mail-order bride story! Perfect blend of comedy and drama. Dex is a wee bit bumbling in the romance department. Rachael is worn out from pining over an impossible love. Cue the fireworks when these two are thrown together in an unexpected way. A tender and funny love story guaranteed to make your smile.

Jen Turano's Gentleman of her Dreams -- Charlotte and Henry have been best friends since they were in the schoolroom -- only when feelings blossom into love for both of them neither is willing to make the first move. Talk about wanting to knock some heads together! :-) She's a force to be reckoned with even though she doesn't always think things through which leads to disastrous -- and hilarious -- results. Stalwart Henry is her longsuffering wingman. Love + Laughter = Happily Ever After...eventually!

Sarah Loudin Thomas's Appalachian Serenade -- Robert and Delilah have both nearly given up on love when circumstances throw them together. A gentle story that explores the concept of placing trust in God's hands and thereby learning to 'think outside the box' when it comes to what family means. Love matters. Sharing matters. Trusting God matters most of all.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

None of these five stories is great. They all felt rushed. The authors were trying to do too much in too little time. But, they were still for the most part pretty cute. The only one I could not finish was by Jen Turano; she spent too much time embarrassing her main characters and I find that painful to read.

[Sage · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed these short stories. It was a great find with four authors that I had on my list to explore.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this collection of novellas: Karen Witemeyer's "Love on the Mend" (Full Steam Ahead 1.5), Jody Hedlund's "Out of the Storm" (Beacons of Hope 0.5), Melissa Jagear's "Love by the Letter," Sarah Loudin Thomas' "Appalachian Serenade"(Appalachian Blessings .5), and Jen Turano's Gentleman of her Dreams. I requested this book from my library because three of this collection's novellas are connected to a book or series I like, and I am so glad I did. Normally, novellas, especially those that aren't connected to each other like the ones in this book, don't impress me too much, but I have to say I have been blessed with the novellas I've read this year because I have found so many truly well written and endearing novellas like the ones in this collection. Each of the authors did a good job at developing their characters and telling a good story in a short space, which is really hard to do and which I appreciate. Now, I have a new book on my favorites list and two new authors that I want to read more by.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of my favorite authors and Five Novellas you can't go wrong with. They are all superb writers and very gifted. I am in the process of reading everything written by each of them. I would highly recommend this collection to any one and very one who loves a good wholesome romance.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of novellas that I read in ebook format. I enjoyed each one. My favorites were Full Steam Ahead and Ladies of Distinction. I then read the rest in those two series and I thoroughly enjoyed all of them. I plan to read the series for each of the other novellas as well.

[Linda R · Rating 4 out of 5]

With All My Heart is a collection of five novellas by five historical romance writers. I bought the book to read Karen Witemeyer's story, an author whose books I have read all of. I have read some of Jody Hedlund's and a novella by the others. My favorite was the second one.

Karen Witemeyer's "Love on the Mend" is a Full Steam Ahead novella. Doctor Jacob Sadler returns to his hometown of Cold Spring, Texas, for the first time in seventeen years to face his past. He meets Mollie Tate, a young woman rescued by his uncle from life on the streets. 

Jody Hedlund's "Out of the Storm" is the prequel to her Beacons Of Hope series. Isabelle Thornton lives with her lighthouse keeper father on a remote Michigan island. She believes she will never marry, and then an injured Henry Cole, the son of a wealthy businessman, washes ashore after a shipwreck. 

Melissa Jagears' "Love by the Letter" is the prequel to the Unexpected Brides series. Dex Stanton is leaving Missouri by wagon train to homestead on the Kansas prairie. Thinking the only woman he has ever loved, Rachel Oliver, would not want to go with him, he writes a mail-order bride company.

Jen Turano's "Gentleman of Her Dreams" is the prequel to her Ladies Of Distinction series. In New York, Charlotte Wilson and Henry St. James are lifelong friends who have fallen in love, only they believe the other one does not feel the same. Charlotte decides it is time for her to marry and asks Henry for help landing a husband. 

Sarah Loudin Thomas' "Appalachian Serenade" is the prequel to the Appalachian Blessings series. After the death of her husband, Delilah Morrissey returns home to West Virginia. Looking for employment, she accepts a job offer from Robert Thornton, the local store owner. 

I purchased a paperback copy of this book.

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

With All My Heart Romance Collection: Five Novellas of Living Love to the Fullest

Love on the Mend by Karen Witemeyer
April 28, 2020
Such a tender story or love and loss, hurt and healing!  When God decides to give Jacob a new life, He does it with the perfect woman!

Out of the Storm by Jody Hedlund
Feb 1, 2015
5 stars
I didn't leave reviews back in 2015 when i read this book as a stand alone.  Ane because I have too many books to read as it is, I don't want to reread any of them.  Sorry.  I did give it 5 stars five years ago.  At least you know I loved it!.

Love by the Letter by Melissa Jagears
April 29, 2020
5 stars
God's timing is perfect, but oh, the hurt it sometimes causes when we dont see God's hands at work.  He can't lead you when you won't walk, or knock as this story describes.  This was heartwrenching to know they loved each other but didn't trust God or themselves to believe the other could love them just the way they were!

Appalachian Serenade by Loudin Thomas
Sep 24, 2018
5 stars
This was a very enjoyable sweet novella!

Gentlemen of her Dreams by Jen Turano
May 1, 2020
5 stars
Sweet Historical Romance
It always seems like misunderstandings are what keep two people who love each other apart!  But I think this story takes the cake when it comes to misunderstandings!

[Margaret Chind]

This is the paperback publication collection of original eNovellas.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only liked a few of the stories (Karen Witemeyer, and Melissa Jagears). The other stories were far too romancey for my taste. But I do like that the e-book novellas were put into book form together. I wish more novellas would be released this way, as well as the e-reader form. It's nice to have them collected in a a lovely story set.

[Massanutten Regional Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ana, Central patron, August 2020, 4 stars:

A nice anthology of five novellas that make pleasant bedtime reading. Three are really good, two are simplistic. Jody Hedlund presents an outstanding read about an innocent young lady who lives a sheltered life with her lighthouse keeper dad when romance washes unexpectedly ashore.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked most of the novella but I just can't get into Jen Turano. Her heroines drive me crazy (not in a good way) so I gave up on her story after only a page or 2. I just don't like the loveable klutz who just knows she's right about everything (but of course she's not and she is just setting herself for problems).

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of Christian romance novellas set in variety of historical time periods. Some enjoyable, predictable stories. Two of these authors, Karen Witemeyer and Jen Turano, are my favorites for a silly sweet read.

[Gracie {_a_court_of_books_} · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given this book four stars or possibly even five, but majority of these novellas I could not stand. I only like two our of the five stories. I would suggest reading the novellas by the authors you like in it.

Three stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you only read one novella in this collection, read "Love By The Letter" by Melissa Jagears.

[Kale Snyder · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only story I really enjoyed was Gentlemen of her Dreams by Jen Turano. The others were rather blah.

[Jules · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gave this book two stars because the first three novellas were very unbelievable. The fourth in the collection by Jen Turano was the only good one and the final story was enjoyable.

[Annelise · Rating 4 out of 5]

All-in-all, a great collection! Originally, when I put this book on hold at the library, I thought it was part of the "Timeless Romance Anthology" collections, so I was surprised at the amount of religious references, as that was not in the other collections. However, as it is not, I am beginning to see a theme with this collection/publisher's collections: all are very religious, which makes sense, as the United States was not as secular in the past and church-going was an important virtue. As a religious person, I didn't mind the Bible references, but someone who isn't, might. The couples had chemistry and the stories were intriguing.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed all the short stories in this collection! Check out the reviews for each story in my other reviews.

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories were short and fun with good reminders. Definitely a Christian theme which is nice too.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

great collection of interesting and entertaining stories

[Jess H · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the stories were great, some a little rushed but still enjoyable.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read 3 of the stories in this collection, Karen, Jodie and Jen’s. I am planning to read the other two soon. I loved the 3 I have read so far.

[Anne Patkau · Rating 4 out of 5]

1 Love on the Mend
by Karen Witemeyer
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
2 Out of the Storm
by Jodi Hedlund
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
3 Gentleman of her Dreams
by Jen Turano
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
4 Appalachian Serenade
by Sarah Loudin Thomas
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
5 Love by the Letter
by Melissa Jagears
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Aubrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 2nd story is the best, but I truly enjoyed all of them! This book took me awhile to read, but it was so good!
I would 10/10 recommend.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really only read the short stories by Karen Witemeyer and Jen Turano. They are some of my favorites. I had to return the book to the library before I could read the others.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's the perfect fluffy read. There are 5 novellas, one of them being a prequel to a previous series I had read, so it was kind of fun to read the original love story to the others.

[Kay Defreese · Rating 3 out of 5]

With All My Heart is a collection of novellas that were previously published as ebooks. I'm not really a fan of novellas unless the book is well written and the characters developed. I felt some of the novellas in this collection were lacking these elements. If the characters were developed then the plot suffers. If the plot is good then the characters are not developed enough. Some of these were better than others. I particularly like the one by Jen Turano. The character in that novel was a hoot and the plot was okay.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

With All My Heart Romance Collection (5 Novellas of Living Love to the Fullest) is a treat, for sure! Historical settings provide an interesting read of how ladies and gentlemen have fun and faith-oriented adventures of learning to love and appreciate each other. I especially enjoyed the first one, by Karen Witemeyer, where a post-Civil War doctor meets his nurse, and makes peace with wanting forgiveness from the families of the dying soldiers he could not help. This leads to the question of forgiveness of his uncle, who accidentally killed his sister.

[Nenette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of five romantic novellas set mostly in the 1800's. It is a delightful collection showcasing the ways of love in the very olden days. Each novella is followed by a preview to a full length novel, and it helped me pick up my next to read books.

If you want enjoyable, wholesome, easy to read historical romance, I urge you to pick up this set.