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The Pony Express Romance Collection
Join the race from Missouri, across the plains and mountains to California and back again as brave Pony Express riders and their supporters along the route work to get mail across country in just ten days. It is an outstanding task in the years 1860 to 1861, and only a few are up to the job. Faced with challenges of terrain, weather, hostile natives, sickness, and more, can these adventurous pioneers hold fast, and can they also find lasting love in the midst of daily trials? Find out in this exciting collection of nine historical romances.
445 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2017
23 people are currently reading
646 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Tifft Blakey
5 books79 followersBarbara Blakey is a freelance writer and the author of the award-winning literature-based language arts program Total Language Plus. Barbara is also a nationally recognized speaker, conducting workshops and seminars for Christian women's groups and homeschooling conventions for more than fifteen years. She lives in Olympia, Washington, with her husband, Terry.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
April 5, 2017
Buckle up and get ready for the unexpected on this wild western Pony Express ride. I had heard of the Pony Express before but I love how in detail it was explained in this collection of stories. I loved the historical aspect of the story, for example it was fascinating to learn most Pony Express riders were between 12 and 18, were small in stature and were orphans. Many things could and did happen along the way so they preferred riders that didn't have family waiting for them. From bad weather to Indian attacks to utter exhaustion these riders went through a lot. The Pony Express didn't last very long for mail and document delivery. (During its 19 months of operation, it reduced the time for messages to travel between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts to about 10 days.[2] From April 3, 1860 to October 1861, it became the West's most direct means of east–west communication before the telegraph was established and was vital for tying the new state of California with the rest of the United States.) Words in () taken from Wikipedia.
This was an outstanding romance collection that you will need to read and enjoy. I really enjoyed it.
Publish date 01 Apr 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing, Inc. for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.
This was an outstanding romance collection that you will need to read and enjoy. I really enjoyed it.
Publish date 01 Apr 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing, Inc. for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.
April 5, 2017
The Pony Express Romance Collection: Historic Mail Route Delivers Nine Inspiring Romances
-1...A Place to Belong by Barbara Tifft Blakey
Abigail Roberston lives with her Uncle Frank at his Pony Express station in Nevada. Because of a limp she feels she is more a burden than a help and longs for a home of her own and true love. Jacob Scott is waiting on God's leading as he works at the Pony Express station. Could be he is falling for the stationmaster's niece but she doesn't seem to know he's even there. What are God's plans for these two young people? Cute story.
-2...An Unlikely Hero by Mary Davis
1861...BethAnn White and her little sister, Molly stop at the Head of Echo Canyon Stagecoach and Pony Express Station for an overnight stay. However they end up staying longer to cook the meals for the station, but that may not be a good idea, there was a man from Salt Lake City looking for them and he may find them if they stayed put—he was up to no good. Can Fox, Rusty and the other riders keep them safe? Love the interactions between BethAnn and Fox and the surprise turn of events that reveals the unlikely hero.
-3...The Gambler's Daughter by Darlene Franklin
1860...near Fort Kearny, Kansas....Caroline Adams arrives at the Chelan Swing Station where she will finally be reunited with her father, the stationmaster there—or so she thought. Instead she finds stationmaster Martin Green. In the days that follow, Caroline and Martin find themselves unraveling a mystery while searching for her father and in so doing uncover secrets that shed light on the life he had lived—not all pleasant—after he left Caroline and her mother all those years ago. Crushed and heartbroken, Caroline considers what her next steps are, she really has no choice but remain in Fort Kearny. As the days turn into weeks, Caroline settles into her new life, work, an unexpected romance and growing faith, forgiveness and restoration. Surprises are just around the corner, danger, forgiveness, miracles and love. Fun story.
-4...Her Lonely Heart by Cynthia Hickey
1860...Cottonwood, Kansas....Recently widowed Sadie Mathewson has her hands full caring for her two young children and running the Pony Express station. Her son complains of boredom, as a 12 year-old often will do, but things soon become anything but boring. Dr. Luke Stetson shows up at their door looking for his runaway brother and finds him there injured. Indian attacks, second-chances, Indian friends, a few surprises, danger, forgiveness, love and faith. Enjoyed Sadie and Luke's story.
-5...My Dear Adora by Maureen Lang
1862...San Francisco....Adora Denley has settled in her new home at the boardinghouse as the cook. She may have a beau, but something seems “off” about him. Chip Nolan is on a mission of honor to deliver a letter as he had promised his little brother—but first he had to find the woman it was intended for. An almost impossible task with just her name and the fact she lives in a boardinghouse—but which boardinghouse? Enjoyed those older men staying at the boardinghouse and the way they looked out for Adora. Fun and heartwarming story.
-6...Ride into My Heart by Debby Lee
1861....Weber Station, Utah Territory...Kimimela—Kimi Hansen works hard at the Pony Express relay station. Has heartaches from her past that she needs to allow God to heal. Pony Express rider Gabriel—Gabe Jackson has his own past heartaches that need healing as well. Kimi's new friend, Cynthia, is a wise woman and I liked what she shared about harboring bitterness on page 272...”...harboring bitterness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. I don't want to be so full of hate that I wish someone else to die”.... When Kimi is kidnapped, can Gabe save her? I enjoyed Kimi and Gabe's story.
-7...Echoes of the Heart by Donna Schlachter
1860....Hollenberg Pony Express Station, Hanover, Kansas Territory...Catherine Malloy grabs the chance for a new life far away from her old life...even if it means taking on her friend's identity as a mail-order bride—after all she read all the letters from her friend's intended. Ah, but there was more to her now deceased friend than Catherine ever knew or suspected until the law comes looking. Now what does she do? Benjamin Troudt has a crippled right leg and is a bitter and hurting man. He has no idea someone has sent letters advertising for a mail-order bride in his name until Catherine shows up at the station. Furthermore, Benjamin can't read or write, so who wrote those letters and for what purpose? Can Catherine and Benjamin learn to trust each other? Is love possible for them? What does God have planned for these two unlikely hearts? I enjoyed reading Catherine and Benjamin's story.
-8...Abundance of the Heart by Connie Stevens
1861....Tumbleweed Ranch, Nebraska....Two things Mercy Winfield is good at, breaking and training mustangs—well, three if you count mending wounded horses. One thing her heart desires is to ride for the Pony Express—but no women riders! Because her heart had been broken she doesn't trust men and their word, with the exception of her brothers. Her brothers, Sawyer, Jesse and Bowie and Mercy break and train mustangs for the Pony Express riders. Every so many weeks after the mustangs are ready for riders they take them to the various stations. This time they take the mustangs to Cold Spring Relay Station 40 miles away. Stationmaster Fletcher Mead recently fired the horse trainer for abusing them prior to their arrival. Mercy takes it upon herself to care for the injured horses, healing them with patience, care and love. Fletcher is not happy with her being there but he soon sees the response the horses have in her care and has a change of heart. Mercy comes to see Fletcher as a man of integrity and honor. It was good to see how Fletcher helped Mercy see how God sees her as a person worthy...see page 375, Psalm 34 KJV “I sought the LORD and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears”... and the last two paragraphs on that page. I enjoyed reading Mercy and Fletcher's story.
-9...Embattled Hearts by Pegg Thomas
Embattled Hearts takes us on the trail alongside Alanna Fagan and her younger brother Conn into a vast wilderness as they flee seeking refuge. Is there such a place in the wilderness? A Pony Express Station seems like an unlikely place of shelter but may be an answer to prayer. Stationmaster Steward McCann soon has his hands full with more than Pony Express riders and changing stagecoach horses. However, there are more surprises in store for them all.
The times we live in now are so very different than that of the Pony Express rider days. Even so, in Embattled Hearts we are taken back to a time when Pony Express riders flew across the wilderness from station to station at break-neck speeds, hardly resting long enough to change horses. Pegg Thomas gives such detail in the historical elements of the time, I feel as though I was walking alongside Alanna and the other characters in the story, I could almost feel the dust in my teeth. I like that the characters are true-to-life, have challenges, heartaches, joys, and love just as we do and I appreciate the faith elements woven within the storyline in a realistic way. There is adventure for the adventure lover, suspenseful moments, with some humorous situations that had me chuckling—one regarding a horse, that is all I am saying. A heartwarming story.
~I received an ARC of the book from one of the authors, (no monetary gain were exchanged), this is my honest review~
-1...A Place to Belong by Barbara Tifft Blakey
Abigail Roberston lives with her Uncle Frank at his Pony Express station in Nevada. Because of a limp she feels she is more a burden than a help and longs for a home of her own and true love. Jacob Scott is waiting on God's leading as he works at the Pony Express station. Could be he is falling for the stationmaster's niece but she doesn't seem to know he's even there. What are God's plans for these two young people? Cute story.
-2...An Unlikely Hero by Mary Davis
1861...BethAnn White and her little sister, Molly stop at the Head of Echo Canyon Stagecoach and Pony Express Station for an overnight stay. However they end up staying longer to cook the meals for the station, but that may not be a good idea, there was a man from Salt Lake City looking for them and he may find them if they stayed put—he was up to no good. Can Fox, Rusty and the other riders keep them safe? Love the interactions between BethAnn and Fox and the surprise turn of events that reveals the unlikely hero.
-3...The Gambler's Daughter by Darlene Franklin
1860...near Fort Kearny, Kansas....Caroline Adams arrives at the Chelan Swing Station where she will finally be reunited with her father, the stationmaster there—or so she thought. Instead she finds stationmaster Martin Green. In the days that follow, Caroline and Martin find themselves unraveling a mystery while searching for her father and in so doing uncover secrets that shed light on the life he had lived—not all pleasant—after he left Caroline and her mother all those years ago. Crushed and heartbroken, Caroline considers what her next steps are, she really has no choice but remain in Fort Kearny. As the days turn into weeks, Caroline settles into her new life, work, an unexpected romance and growing faith, forgiveness and restoration. Surprises are just around the corner, danger, forgiveness, miracles and love. Fun story.
-4...Her Lonely Heart by Cynthia Hickey
1860...Cottonwood, Kansas....Recently widowed Sadie Mathewson has her hands full caring for her two young children and running the Pony Express station. Her son complains of boredom, as a 12 year-old often will do, but things soon become anything but boring. Dr. Luke Stetson shows up at their door looking for his runaway brother and finds him there injured. Indian attacks, second-chances, Indian friends, a few surprises, danger, forgiveness, love and faith. Enjoyed Sadie and Luke's story.
-5...My Dear Adora by Maureen Lang
1862...San Francisco....Adora Denley has settled in her new home at the boardinghouse as the cook. She may have a beau, but something seems “off” about him. Chip Nolan is on a mission of honor to deliver a letter as he had promised his little brother—but first he had to find the woman it was intended for. An almost impossible task with just her name and the fact she lives in a boardinghouse—but which boardinghouse? Enjoyed those older men staying at the boardinghouse and the way they looked out for Adora. Fun and heartwarming story.
-6...Ride into My Heart by Debby Lee
1861....Weber Station, Utah Territory...Kimimela—Kimi Hansen works hard at the Pony Express relay station. Has heartaches from her past that she needs to allow God to heal. Pony Express rider Gabriel—Gabe Jackson has his own past heartaches that need healing as well. Kimi's new friend, Cynthia, is a wise woman and I liked what she shared about harboring bitterness on page 272...”...harboring bitterness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. I don't want to be so full of hate that I wish someone else to die”.... When Kimi is kidnapped, can Gabe save her? I enjoyed Kimi and Gabe's story.
-7...Echoes of the Heart by Donna Schlachter
1860....Hollenberg Pony Express Station, Hanover, Kansas Territory...Catherine Malloy grabs the chance for a new life far away from her old life...even if it means taking on her friend's identity as a mail-order bride—after all she read all the letters from her friend's intended. Ah, but there was more to her now deceased friend than Catherine ever knew or suspected until the law comes looking. Now what does she do? Benjamin Troudt has a crippled right leg and is a bitter and hurting man. He has no idea someone has sent letters advertising for a mail-order bride in his name until Catherine shows up at the station. Furthermore, Benjamin can't read or write, so who wrote those letters and for what purpose? Can Catherine and Benjamin learn to trust each other? Is love possible for them? What does God have planned for these two unlikely hearts? I enjoyed reading Catherine and Benjamin's story.
-8...Abundance of the Heart by Connie Stevens
1861....Tumbleweed Ranch, Nebraska....Two things Mercy Winfield is good at, breaking and training mustangs—well, three if you count mending wounded horses. One thing her heart desires is to ride for the Pony Express—but no women riders! Because her heart had been broken she doesn't trust men and their word, with the exception of her brothers. Her brothers, Sawyer, Jesse and Bowie and Mercy break and train mustangs for the Pony Express riders. Every so many weeks after the mustangs are ready for riders they take them to the various stations. This time they take the mustangs to Cold Spring Relay Station 40 miles away. Stationmaster Fletcher Mead recently fired the horse trainer for abusing them prior to their arrival. Mercy takes it upon herself to care for the injured horses, healing them with patience, care and love. Fletcher is not happy with her being there but he soon sees the response the horses have in her care and has a change of heart. Mercy comes to see Fletcher as a man of integrity and honor. It was good to see how Fletcher helped Mercy see how God sees her as a person worthy...see page 375, Psalm 34 KJV “I sought the LORD and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears”... and the last two paragraphs on that page. I enjoyed reading Mercy and Fletcher's story.
-9...Embattled Hearts by Pegg Thomas
Embattled Hearts takes us on the trail alongside Alanna Fagan and her younger brother Conn into a vast wilderness as they flee seeking refuge. Is there such a place in the wilderness? A Pony Express Station seems like an unlikely place of shelter but may be an answer to prayer. Stationmaster Steward McCann soon has his hands full with more than Pony Express riders and changing stagecoach horses. However, there are more surprises in store for them all.
The times we live in now are so very different than that of the Pony Express rider days. Even so, in Embattled Hearts we are taken back to a time when Pony Express riders flew across the wilderness from station to station at break-neck speeds, hardly resting long enough to change horses. Pegg Thomas gives such detail in the historical elements of the time, I feel as though I was walking alongside Alanna and the other characters in the story, I could almost feel the dust in my teeth. I like that the characters are true-to-life, have challenges, heartaches, joys, and love just as we do and I appreciate the faith elements woven within the storyline in a realistic way. There is adventure for the adventure lover, suspenseful moments, with some humorous situations that had me chuckling—one regarding a horse, that is all I am saying. A heartwarming story.
~I received an ARC of the book from one of the authors, (no monetary gain were exchanged), this is my honest review~
February 9, 2017
Saddle up your horse and get ready to ride with the fast flyers of the old West: the Pony Express!
A wide variety of stories created a nice set of snapshots of the many types of people who came through or worked at the Pony Express stations that stretched from Missouri to California. It was very interesting to learn about this brief moment in American history, between 1860 to 1862, that left such a lasting impression on our country.
The brave young men who risked their lives to deliver the mail in record time reminded me of fighter pilots, with some competitive and prideful, and others humble and sacrificial, just trying to do their job well. The stories encompass a variety of people who travel through or work at the different stations, or take refuge there temporarily. Everyone from orphans, widows, doctors, station masters, horse trainers, Native Americans, blacksmiths and cooks, to gamblers, outlaws and renegade soldiers. Plenty of action and adventure kept the reading fun, and the romances tender. One special delivery took place after the telegraph lines brought the mail runs to an end.
Though the stories are short, they touched on many issues that are still relevant today, like having faith in God despite difficult circumstances, dealing with loneliness, abandonment, addiction and prejudice. The unrest of the start of the Civil War added some discussion of issues that divided families and states too.
I enjoyed something in each story, and especially liked all of the horses. They were key to the success of the mail runs, and were like another set of characters. My favorite stories were the last two, with the young woman who fills in as a hostler--she's like a horse whisperer--and the last with the two siblings on the run.
Recommend to readers who enjoy historical Christian fiction, with a little romance, in a western setting. 4.5 stars
(See Table of Contents below in the comments.)
(An e-book was provided by NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.)
A wide variety of stories created a nice set of snapshots of the many types of people who came through or worked at the Pony Express stations that stretched from Missouri to California. It was very interesting to learn about this brief moment in American history, between 1860 to 1862, that left such a lasting impression on our country.
The brave young men who risked their lives to deliver the mail in record time reminded me of fighter pilots, with some competitive and prideful, and others humble and sacrificial, just trying to do their job well. The stories encompass a variety of people who travel through or work at the different stations, or take refuge there temporarily. Everyone from orphans, widows, doctors, station masters, horse trainers, Native Americans, blacksmiths and cooks, to gamblers, outlaws and renegade soldiers. Plenty of action and adventure kept the reading fun, and the romances tender. One special delivery took place after the telegraph lines brought the mail runs to an end.
Though the stories are short, they touched on many issues that are still relevant today, like having faith in God despite difficult circumstances, dealing with loneliness, abandonment, addiction and prejudice. The unrest of the start of the Civil War added some discussion of issues that divided families and states too.
I enjoyed something in each story, and especially liked all of the horses. They were key to the success of the mail runs, and were like another set of characters. My favorite stories were the last two, with the young woman who fills in as a hostler--she's like a horse whisperer--and the last with the two siblings on the run.
Recommend to readers who enjoy historical Christian fiction, with a little romance, in a western setting. 4.5 stars
(See Table of Contents below in the comments.)
(An e-book was provided by NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.)
December 14, 2018
This was such a heart warming read. It was made up of nine short romance tales that have to do with living along the Pony Express.
May 9, 2017
I received an advanced reader copy (ebook version) from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. One of the authors, Maureen Lang, is a friend of mine.
I would probably never have started reading these themed novella compendiums if I didn't have a friend who wrote for them (see above). But I've got to admit that I jumped straight on the opportunity to read The Pony Express Romance Collection because right here is the equivalent of watching Downton Abbey reruns on TV. Pure relaxation with few surprises--they're romance stories so there's a 100 percent certainty of a happy ending (meaning marriage, because this is inspirational fiction) and the fun is in finding out how each writer works a romance story around the common setting.
All of the stories are set within a narrow time frame, just before the completion of the telegraph lines rendered the Pony Express obsolete. It's 1860-61, so the Civil War is looming and at least one author uses that historical fact in their story. I liked the fact that the tales were so limited in time, as it offered an opportunity to compare what was happening, historically speaking, from one story to the next.
I found some of the novellas a little loose in terms of structure and writing, especially at the start of the book. The first few stories were also very alike--the heroines were all valued for a) their looks and b) their cooking, not necessarily in that order. I breathed a sigh of relief when I reached Maureen Lang's My Dear Adora and discovered that Adora had at least headed west as a teacher . . . even if she did end up doing the cooking. I also liked the way this story varied the theme by taking the reader to the drawing rooms of San Francisco, with a lost Pony Express letter bridging the gap.
I also enjoyed Debby Lee's Ride Into My Heart very much because it focuses, refreshingly, on two half-Indian characters, and Pegg Thomas's Embattled Hearts rounds out the collection with a fast-paced tale that brings in both the end of the Pony Express service and the onset of war, a fitting conclusion to the series of stories.
Overall, this volume of Barbour's romance collections has a somewhat rushed feel to it, an impression reinforced by the appalling formatting of the eARC. I felt that the quality of the work was left very much up to the individual authors, with little editorial interference. This is, of course, a compliment to those authors--Lang, Lee, and Thomas among them--who shine, and it's a pity they are in the latter half of the book.
I would probably never have started reading these themed novella compendiums if I didn't have a friend who wrote for them (see above). But I've got to admit that I jumped straight on the opportunity to read The Pony Express Romance Collection because right here is the equivalent of watching Downton Abbey reruns on TV. Pure relaxation with few surprises--they're romance stories so there's a 100 percent certainty of a happy ending (meaning marriage, because this is inspirational fiction) and the fun is in finding out how each writer works a romance story around the common setting.
All of the stories are set within a narrow time frame, just before the completion of the telegraph lines rendered the Pony Express obsolete. It's 1860-61, so the Civil War is looming and at least one author uses that historical fact in their story. I liked the fact that the tales were so limited in time, as it offered an opportunity to compare what was happening, historically speaking, from one story to the next.
I found some of the novellas a little loose in terms of structure and writing, especially at the start of the book. The first few stories were also very alike--the heroines were all valued for a) their looks and b) their cooking, not necessarily in that order. I breathed a sigh of relief when I reached Maureen Lang's My Dear Adora and discovered that Adora had at least headed west as a teacher . . . even if she did end up doing the cooking. I also liked the way this story varied the theme by taking the reader to the drawing rooms of San Francisco, with a lost Pony Express letter bridging the gap.
I also enjoyed Debby Lee's Ride Into My Heart very much because it focuses, refreshingly, on two half-Indian characters, and Pegg Thomas's Embattled Hearts rounds out the collection with a fast-paced tale that brings in both the end of the Pony Express service and the onset of war, a fitting conclusion to the series of stories.
Overall, this volume of Barbour's romance collections has a somewhat rushed feel to it, an impression reinforced by the appalling formatting of the eARC. I felt that the quality of the work was left very much up to the individual authors, with little editorial interference. This is, of course, a compliment to those authors--Lang, Lee, and Thomas among them--who shine, and it's a pity they are in the latter half of the book.
January 21, 2017
The Pony Express Romance Collection: Historic Express Mail Route Delivers Nine Inspiring Romances is a fun read of nine fabulous stories. These include:
A Place to Belong by Barbara Tifft Blakey
An Unlikely Hero by Mary Davis
The Gambler’s Daughter by Darlene Franklin
Her Lonely Heart by Cynthia Hickey
My Dear Adora by Maureen Lang
Ride into My Heart by Debby Lee
Echoes of the Heart by Donna Schlachter
Abundance of the Heart by Connie Stevens
Embattled Hearts by Pegg Thomas
If I had to pick a favorite, I would say Connie Stevens's Abundance of the Heart. I have not read anything by her and hope to again in the future. Honestly, I have not read anything by most of these authors and look forward to more by them.
Recommended.
5 stars.
A Place to Belong by Barbara Tifft Blakey
An Unlikely Hero by Mary Davis
The Gambler’s Daughter by Darlene Franklin
Her Lonely Heart by Cynthia Hickey
My Dear Adora by Maureen Lang
Ride into My Heart by Debby Lee
Echoes of the Heart by Donna Schlachter
Abundance of the Heart by Connie Stevens
Embattled Hearts by Pegg Thomas
If I had to pick a favorite, I would say Connie Stevens's Abundance of the Heart. I have not read anything by her and hope to again in the future. Honestly, I have not read anything by most of these authors and look forward to more by them.
Recommended.
5 stars.
April 24, 2017
A great line-up of authors delivering a great set of novellas. Hard to pick one favorite, but if I did, it would be Pegg Thomas's. Pegg is an up-and-comer who will soon be everyone's favorite. Her characters are so real, you want to invite them to dinner, though you'd have to learn how to cook on the prairie.
I received an advanced copy for my honest review, and I honestly believe this collection should be on the shelf/Kindle of every historical romance reader out there.
I received an advanced copy for my honest review, and I honestly believe this collection should be on the shelf/Kindle of every historical romance reader out there.
June 29, 2017
This is a collection of nine stories about the Pony Express during the 19 months it operated. I learned quite a lot about the Pony Express from reading the stories. All are romances and includes the difficulties of the wild west and operating Pony Express stations. My favorite was the last one, Embattled Hearts. It seemed to have more action and suspense and less focused on the characters feelings.
March 23, 2017
I had the pleasure of reading "Embattled Hearts" by Pegg Thomas prior to publication. Pegg managed to fit a gripping storyline with likable characters and a romance thread into a short novella. I look forward to reading more from Pegg, as well as the rest of this entire collection.
April 5, 2017
The Pony Express Romance Collection
Lovers of historical fiction will enjoy getting lost in nine stories about the Pony Express, which ran from 1860-1861, delivering mail across the country in just ten days. I love that these stories told so much history, while still allowing readers to experience the emotions of the characters.
The first story is A Place to Belong by Barbara Tifft Blakey. Abigail lives with her uncle and cousin at the Pony Express station. Also there is Jacob, a young man waiting for God’s leading in his life. When a Pony Express rider offers to take Abigail back East where she grew up before her parents passed away, she is excited and hopeful. Jacob doesn’t trust the young rider though. Will Abigail find her home? Or will she discover that she is already there?
Second, we have An Unlikely Hero by Mary Davis. BethAnn and her little sister Molly are on the run from debt. When their family got sick, they had to have help to pay for everything and got in over their heads. The collector is a cruel man, intent on taking advantage of the two young girls. Fox is a rider at the Express station and as he and BethAnn develop feelings for each other, BethAnn worries about what will happen when their past catches up to them. Will they be able to make it together? Or will her past forever haunt her future?
Next, The Gambler’s Daughter, by Darlene Franklin, is the story of Caroline Adams and her search for her father, who left when she was very small. She arrives at the last address she has for him, a Pony Express station, to find that he is gone. The current station master finds an old diary of his and helps her discover where he might be. Along the way, romance blossoms, but Martin has secrets of his own. Can they overcome the sorrow in their lives to make way for a happy future?
In the fourth story, Her Lonely Heart, by Cynthia Hickey, widow Sadie Mathewson runs the station after the death of her husband. A young rider is injured while on the Express and his brother comes to take care of him. Luke is a doctor from the city and he learns how much he loves the country. Will he also find love for Sadie?
Story number five is My Dear Adora, by Maureen Lang. Chip has been tasked with delivering some letters that were robbed during a raid on a Pony Express run. One is to Adora, a young lady who is trying to make her way in San Francisco without her family. Due to circumstances beyond his control, he must read the letter in order to deliver it. In the process, he begins to imagine her and what might be when they meet. However, when they meet, she also has another man who is interested in her affections. Can Chip convince her that he alone can carry her heart, just as he did her letter?
The next story is Ride Into My Heart, by Debby Lee. Kimimela works at a Pony Express station and Gabe is a rider. Both are half Indian and have experienced the struggle of trying to fit into two different worlds. As they learn to survive, they also learn to rely on each other. When Kimimela is kidnapped, can Gabe save her? And can they form a future together, despite the pain of the past?
Echoes of the Heart, by Donna Schlachter, is the story of Catherine and Benjamin. She is a mail order bride there on false pretenses. He is a crippled station master who is bitter and hurting. When they start to let one another close, they find that love can happen in the most unlikely of ways.
In Abundance of the Heart, by Connie Stevens, Fletcher finds his horse trainer abusing horses and sends him off. As he tries to care for the horses, with no knowledge of how, Mercy and her brothers arrive. She immediately takes over the care of the horses, showing patience and love while helping them to heal. Can she do the same for Fletcher?
In the final story, Embattled Hearts, by Pegg Thomas, Alannah and her brother must escape their abusive stepfather and his sons. They seek shelter in a cove of trees, only to be discovered by the station master Stewart. He tries to help them, and in protecting them, also brings healing to Alannah’s heart.
I truly enjoyed all of these stories and I would recommend them to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a dash of romance and happy endings. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest reviews.
Lovers of historical fiction will enjoy getting lost in nine stories about the Pony Express, which ran from 1860-1861, delivering mail across the country in just ten days. I love that these stories told so much history, while still allowing readers to experience the emotions of the characters.
The first story is A Place to Belong by Barbara Tifft Blakey. Abigail lives with her uncle and cousin at the Pony Express station. Also there is Jacob, a young man waiting for God’s leading in his life. When a Pony Express rider offers to take Abigail back East where she grew up before her parents passed away, she is excited and hopeful. Jacob doesn’t trust the young rider though. Will Abigail find her home? Or will she discover that she is already there?
Second, we have An Unlikely Hero by Mary Davis. BethAnn and her little sister Molly are on the run from debt. When their family got sick, they had to have help to pay for everything and got in over their heads. The collector is a cruel man, intent on taking advantage of the two young girls. Fox is a rider at the Express station and as he and BethAnn develop feelings for each other, BethAnn worries about what will happen when their past catches up to them. Will they be able to make it together? Or will her past forever haunt her future?
Next, The Gambler’s Daughter, by Darlene Franklin, is the story of Caroline Adams and her search for her father, who left when she was very small. She arrives at the last address she has for him, a Pony Express station, to find that he is gone. The current station master finds an old diary of his and helps her discover where he might be. Along the way, romance blossoms, but Martin has secrets of his own. Can they overcome the sorrow in their lives to make way for a happy future?
In the fourth story, Her Lonely Heart, by Cynthia Hickey, widow Sadie Mathewson runs the station after the death of her husband. A young rider is injured while on the Express and his brother comes to take care of him. Luke is a doctor from the city and he learns how much he loves the country. Will he also find love for Sadie?
Story number five is My Dear Adora, by Maureen Lang. Chip has been tasked with delivering some letters that were robbed during a raid on a Pony Express run. One is to Adora, a young lady who is trying to make her way in San Francisco without her family. Due to circumstances beyond his control, he must read the letter in order to deliver it. In the process, he begins to imagine her and what might be when they meet. However, when they meet, she also has another man who is interested in her affections. Can Chip convince her that he alone can carry her heart, just as he did her letter?
The next story is Ride Into My Heart, by Debby Lee. Kimimela works at a Pony Express station and Gabe is a rider. Both are half Indian and have experienced the struggle of trying to fit into two different worlds. As they learn to survive, they also learn to rely on each other. When Kimimela is kidnapped, can Gabe save her? And can they form a future together, despite the pain of the past?
Echoes of the Heart, by Donna Schlachter, is the story of Catherine and Benjamin. She is a mail order bride there on false pretenses. He is a crippled station master who is bitter and hurting. When they start to let one another close, they find that love can happen in the most unlikely of ways.
In Abundance of the Heart, by Connie Stevens, Fletcher finds his horse trainer abusing horses and sends him off. As he tries to care for the horses, with no knowledge of how, Mercy and her brothers arrive. She immediately takes over the care of the horses, showing patience and love while helping them to heal. Can she do the same for Fletcher?
In the final story, Embattled Hearts, by Pegg Thomas, Alannah and her brother must escape their abusive stepfather and his sons. They seek shelter in a cove of trees, only to be discovered by the station master Stewart. He tries to help them, and in protecting them, also brings healing to Alannah’s heart.
I truly enjoyed all of these stories and I would recommend them to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a dash of romance and happy endings. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest reviews.
June 9, 2017
This collection offers up nine novellas, each noted below:
1. A Place to Belong by Barbara Tifft Blakey: This novella dealt with someone who was willing to give God all but yet struggling to determine their purpose. The revelations in this one as to scripture were enlightening. The female lead is a very likable character, also struggling, but this time with her place in the world. Nice story. 4 stars
2. An Unlikely Hero by Mary Davis: I had some trouble getting into and staying focused on this novella, but appreciated its story of things not always being as they might seem on first glance. I'm not an artist, so that portion of the story was lost on me, but otherwise sweet. Quick, but believable, resolution to the story's conflict. 3 stars
3. The Gambler's Daughter by Darlene Franklin: this was an intriguing story about finding a lost loved one, reading journals, finding new love and new friends, and beating an addiction for good -- all worth angels at your side! A bit unrealistic on the Christmas presents though -- whipped those up quick! Enjoyed it. 3 stars
4. Her Lonely Heart by Cynthia Hickey: This one was about a widow running a pony express station on her own and a doctor who comes looking for a younger brother who signed up without telling his family. The connection between Sadie and Luke was enjoyable to "watch". Oddly, their relationship seemed a little rushed at times, while too slow at other times. I was confused about how Sadie could be an heir to the famous Mathewsons, if that was only her married name -- seems unlikely that her late husband's family would leave their fortune or reputation to her, contrary to what Luke's dad implied. 3 stars because Luke and Sadie are such upstanding people
5. My Dear Adora by Maureen Lang: This was an interesting story about one man's quest to fix things for his brother and finding love along the way. I liked the twist with Adora's inheritance, and was impressed by Chip's devotion. 4 stars
6. Ride into My Heart by Debby Lee: This novella follows two people with Native American and European ancestry, it what would have been a very difficult time to be of mixed descent (probably still is to some degree). For some reason though, I could not connect with these characters or their story. There wasn't enough Native American culture and background in the story to make that component interesting, and then there was discussion of going to Washington DC to share the difficulties experienced by Native peoples at that time, but no detail was given on that front either. It seemed like the whole fact that they were part Native American was extraneous to the story. Then, there was the diptheria scare -- other than pointing out how quickly and easily it could be transmitted, that didn't seem like much of a scare. I wasn't worried for her and skimmed through a lot of that part. Didn't like this one. 1 star
7. Echoes of the Heart by Donna Schlachter: This novella involved numerous misunderstandings based on overhearing snippets of conversation. This construct could have been funny, but the author played it straight and it was touching because it reflected how the two main characters were feeling about themselves. I admired the strengths each character brought to the table, despite their flaws. 4 stars
8. Abundance of the Heart by Connie Stevens: This novella was excellent in its description of the horses of the Pony Express and the hard work they did. I was disturbed at the outset by the mistreatment of the animals, but that was the point. Mercy has a special gift with the horses, and I'm a sucker for that kind of story. Fletcher was honorable, patient, and Christian. Such a quiet hero. Answered prayer and unanswered prayer. I would read a sequel to this novella. 5 stars
9. Embattled Hearts by Pegg Thomas: This novella was an interesting story featuring the transition from the Pony Express to wired communications. I liked that the story wasn't focused on how awful it was for a woman to remain alone somewhere with a man -- even though I understand that it would have been scandalous back in the day. I very much liked the reason for not joining up in the Civil War and the love shared between siblings. 4 stars
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley to read and review. Thank you NetGalley!
1. A Place to Belong by Barbara Tifft Blakey: This novella dealt with someone who was willing to give God all but yet struggling to determine their purpose. The revelations in this one as to scripture were enlightening. The female lead is a very likable character, also struggling, but this time with her place in the world. Nice story. 4 stars
2. An Unlikely Hero by Mary Davis: I had some trouble getting into and staying focused on this novella, but appreciated its story of things not always being as they might seem on first glance. I'm not an artist, so that portion of the story was lost on me, but otherwise sweet. Quick, but believable, resolution to the story's conflict. 3 stars
3. The Gambler's Daughter by Darlene Franklin: this was an intriguing story about finding a lost loved one, reading journals, finding new love and new friends, and beating an addiction for good -- all worth angels at your side! A bit unrealistic on the Christmas presents though -- whipped those up quick! Enjoyed it. 3 stars
4. Her Lonely Heart by Cynthia Hickey: This one was about a widow running a pony express station on her own and a doctor who comes looking for a younger brother who signed up without telling his family. The connection between Sadie and Luke was enjoyable to "watch". Oddly, their relationship seemed a little rushed at times, while too slow at other times. I was confused about how Sadie could be an heir to the famous Mathewsons, if that was only her married name -- seems unlikely that her late husband's family would leave their fortune or reputation to her, contrary to what Luke's dad implied. 3 stars because Luke and Sadie are such upstanding people
5. My Dear Adora by Maureen Lang: This was an interesting story about one man's quest to fix things for his brother and finding love along the way. I liked the twist with Adora's inheritance, and was impressed by Chip's devotion. 4 stars
6. Ride into My Heart by Debby Lee: This novella follows two people with Native American and European ancestry, it what would have been a very difficult time to be of mixed descent (probably still is to some degree). For some reason though, I could not connect with these characters or their story. There wasn't enough Native American culture and background in the story to make that component interesting, and then there was discussion of going to Washington DC to share the difficulties experienced by Native peoples at that time, but no detail was given on that front either. It seemed like the whole fact that they were part Native American was extraneous to the story. Then, there was the diptheria scare -- other than pointing out how quickly and easily it could be transmitted, that didn't seem like much of a scare. I wasn't worried for her and skimmed through a lot of that part. Didn't like this one. 1 star
7. Echoes of the Heart by Donna Schlachter: This novella involved numerous misunderstandings based on overhearing snippets of conversation. This construct could have been funny, but the author played it straight and it was touching because it reflected how the two main characters were feeling about themselves. I admired the strengths each character brought to the table, despite their flaws. 4 stars
8. Abundance of the Heart by Connie Stevens: This novella was excellent in its description of the horses of the Pony Express and the hard work they did. I was disturbed at the outset by the mistreatment of the animals, but that was the point. Mercy has a special gift with the horses, and I'm a sucker for that kind of story. Fletcher was honorable, patient, and Christian. Such a quiet hero. Answered prayer and unanswered prayer. I would read a sequel to this novella. 5 stars
9. Embattled Hearts by Pegg Thomas: This novella was an interesting story featuring the transition from the Pony Express to wired communications. I liked that the story wasn't focused on how awful it was for a woman to remain alone somewhere with a man -- even though I understand that it would have been scandalous back in the day. I very much liked the reason for not joining up in the Civil War and the love shared between siblings. 4 stars
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley to read and review. Thank you NetGalley!
January 18, 2017
Step into the Wild West with nine delectable stories of fast-paced horses, action, and sweet romances! Nine authors bring you a book that will sweep you away to a time before the telegraph was put in and the Wild West was actually wild!
A Place to Belong by Barbara Tifft Blakey
Abigail (Abby) Robertson must come to grips with who she is and where she belongs. She was orphaned at a young age and has a limp that makes her feel self-conscious. The Pony Express stop is plagued with attacks by Paiutes. Her cousin is wounded. Horses are stolen.
An Unlikely Hero by Mary Davis
BethAnn White and her little sister are fleeing Salt Lake because of a man wanting to use her. When she stops at a Pony Express Station, she gets more than she bargains for! Not only a job as a cook but she finds love. This story is full of fun and adventure.
The Gambler’s Daughter by Darlene Franklin
Caroline Adams comes to Chelan Swing Station to be reunited with her father. However, her father isn’t there. The man who is there…well God has other plans for her, and him. A sweet romance but it had to take Gods doing to get them there. This story had a lot of laughter and lots of mystery to boot! A wonderful read.
Her Lonely Heart by Cynthia Hickey
This story was about Sadie. She lost her husband six months prior. She runs a Pony Express Station. Things happen that bring lots of action to the station - from a rider falling off his to Indian attacks. Sadie has her hands full with her two young children and running the station. Dr. Luke Stetson shows up looking for his brother. One thing leads to another - a romance develops - but can Luke look past the social obligations to see Sadie's worth?
My Dear Adora by Maureen Lang
Adora left home to make her own way. But she learns her lesson that family and love means more than anything else.
Ride into My Heart by Debby Lee
A delightful tale of love, danger, and adventure at a Utah Pony Express post. This story was about Kimi and Gabe.
A wonderful quote that I loved this in novella! ““You know, a wise man once said that harboring bitterness is drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. I don’t want to be so full of hate that I wish someone else to die.””
Echoes of the Heart by Donna Schlachter
Catherine takes on her friend's identity, she comes to the Pony Express Station to marry her intended, only to find nothing isn't as expected. Benjamin has no knowledge of the advertisement or letters. Both Catherine and Benjamin have a lot to trust, will they trust each other enough to say I do?
Abundance of the Heart by Connie Stevens
Mercy Winfield trains horses. Her and her brothers takes a team of horses to a Pony Express Station where she meets Fletcher. Things don't begin well because of the treatment of the horses. Mercy stays on as stablewoman and helps the injured horses heal. But as the horses heal so does her heart. And a romance between Mercy and Fletcher isn't too far off the mark.
Embattled Hearts by Pegg Thomas
Alannah Fagan and Conn run from her abusive stepfather and his sons - especially from marriage to one of the sons. They hide at the Horseshoe Station - her a stableboy, Conn leaves to join the Pony Express. Although Alannah hides from her stepfather, her troubles are not over, Samuel is her protector - with his gun and his heart.
Disclosure statement
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
A Place to Belong by Barbara Tifft Blakey
Abigail (Abby) Robertson must come to grips with who she is and where she belongs. She was orphaned at a young age and has a limp that makes her feel self-conscious. The Pony Express stop is plagued with attacks by Paiutes. Her cousin is wounded. Horses are stolen.
An Unlikely Hero by Mary Davis
BethAnn White and her little sister are fleeing Salt Lake because of a man wanting to use her. When she stops at a Pony Express Station, she gets more than she bargains for! Not only a job as a cook but she finds love. This story is full of fun and adventure.
The Gambler’s Daughter by Darlene Franklin
Caroline Adams comes to Chelan Swing Station to be reunited with her father. However, her father isn’t there. The man who is there…well God has other plans for her, and him. A sweet romance but it had to take Gods doing to get them there. This story had a lot of laughter and lots of mystery to boot! A wonderful read.
Her Lonely Heart by Cynthia Hickey
This story was about Sadie. She lost her husband six months prior. She runs a Pony Express Station. Things happen that bring lots of action to the station - from a rider falling off his to Indian attacks. Sadie has her hands full with her two young children and running the station. Dr. Luke Stetson shows up looking for his brother. One thing leads to another - a romance develops - but can Luke look past the social obligations to see Sadie's worth?
My Dear Adora by Maureen Lang
Adora left home to make her own way. But she learns her lesson that family and love means more than anything else.
Ride into My Heart by Debby Lee
A delightful tale of love, danger, and adventure at a Utah Pony Express post. This story was about Kimi and Gabe.
A wonderful quote that I loved this in novella! ““You know, a wise man once said that harboring bitterness is drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. I don’t want to be so full of hate that I wish someone else to die.””
Echoes of the Heart by Donna Schlachter
Catherine takes on her friend's identity, she comes to the Pony Express Station to marry her intended, only to find nothing isn't as expected. Benjamin has no knowledge of the advertisement or letters. Both Catherine and Benjamin have a lot to trust, will they trust each other enough to say I do?
Abundance of the Heart by Connie Stevens
Mercy Winfield trains horses. Her and her brothers takes a team of horses to a Pony Express Station where she meets Fletcher. Things don't begin well because of the treatment of the horses. Mercy stays on as stablewoman and helps the injured horses heal. But as the horses heal so does her heart. And a romance between Mercy and Fletcher isn't too far off the mark.
Embattled Hearts by Pegg Thomas
Alannah Fagan and Conn run from her abusive stepfather and his sons - especially from marriage to one of the sons. They hide at the Horseshoe Station - her a stableboy, Conn leaves to join the Pony Express. Although Alannah hides from her stepfather, her troubles are not over, Samuel is her protector - with his gun and his heart.
Disclosure statement
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
April 11, 2017
My Thoughts on the collection: I wanted to like this collection so much more than I did. While there were some areas to be commended, overall I was really disappointed. I first fell in love with the concept behind this collection. The Pony Express Romance Collection will appeal to those who enjoy a clean western. I loved the idea of focusing on this one area in history. Each of the authors did a great job in bringing the setting to life. Each story felt authentic, and I was surprised at how vastly different each plot was from one another. I never felt like there was a repeat in the stories even though they worked with the same elements.
With the exception of one or two, the stories lacked depth that left me wanting more. In most cases, the characters fell flat for me, and the plots didn’t have enough space to be properly developed.
In the case of the final three novellas, I was put off by their spiritual journey. Each of these novellas used characters that didn’t believe God cared for them or listened to them when they prayed. They all seemed to be in a state of rejection of God. And each went from thinking God didn’t care to believing that He did. I would have liked to have seen a more clear understanding of salvation in each of these. There’s a difference between believing some things about God and believing unto salvation. In a Christian work, I expect more.
A Place to Belong: I was immediately taken in by Abigail and Jacob. Overall I really liked their story. There was a sweet innocence to it and she carried a strong biblical message throughout the novella. However, I did struggle with two points. There was something oddly simplistic in the dialogue that kept tripping me up. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what wasn’t working for me. And I’m sorry to say that while she kept a great message, I couldn’t agree with where Abigail refers to God as her mother. I understand the concept behind the idea–God is our All in All. But I’m not comfortable with anyone calling God something that He never calls Himself in the Bible.
An Unlikely Hero: Davis crafted a solid story here. I can always appreciate a shy hero and a spunky child. However, the heroine felt flat to me.
The Gambler’s Daughter: There’s a great message here on overcoming sin. Sadly, I had a hard time following the conversations. Several of the conversations didn’t flow naturally.
Her Lonely Heart: The story was very promising, but suffered from one-dimensional characters, especially when it came to the antagonists.
My Dear Adora: Another promising story. I was drawn in quickly but lost interest further in. There was something lacking here that I couldn’t quite put my finger on.
Ride into my Heart: This one started very strongly, but then fell apart. It felt like large sections of the story was summarized. This is one of those novellas that either the plot needed to be trimmed or given more space.
Echoes of the Heart: I found this one to be highly entertaining. I sympathized with the characters a great deal. Sadly, the characters contradicted themselves way too often, and it weighed on an otherwise good story.
Abundance of the Heart: This was one of the only stories that felt full and complete to me. My struggle here was with the heroine’s hostility. It seemed a little over the top to me considering the circumstances.
Embattled Hearts: Like a breath of fresh air, Thomas really wrapped up this collection in a big way. The plot was the right size for a novella. The characters were spot on. Great job!
~I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley. All thoughts are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
With the exception of one or two, the stories lacked depth that left me wanting more. In most cases, the characters fell flat for me, and the plots didn’t have enough space to be properly developed.
In the case of the final three novellas, I was put off by their spiritual journey. Each of these novellas used characters that didn’t believe God cared for them or listened to them when they prayed. They all seemed to be in a state of rejection of God. And each went from thinking God didn’t care to believing that He did. I would have liked to have seen a more clear understanding of salvation in each of these. There’s a difference between believing some things about God and believing unto salvation. In a Christian work, I expect more.
A Place to Belong: I was immediately taken in by Abigail and Jacob. Overall I really liked their story. There was a sweet innocence to it and she carried a strong biblical message throughout the novella. However, I did struggle with two points. There was something oddly simplistic in the dialogue that kept tripping me up. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what wasn’t working for me. And I’m sorry to say that while she kept a great message, I couldn’t agree with where Abigail refers to God as her mother. I understand the concept behind the idea–God is our All in All. But I’m not comfortable with anyone calling God something that He never calls Himself in the Bible.
An Unlikely Hero: Davis crafted a solid story here. I can always appreciate a shy hero and a spunky child. However, the heroine felt flat to me.
The Gambler’s Daughter: There’s a great message here on overcoming sin. Sadly, I had a hard time following the conversations. Several of the conversations didn’t flow naturally.
Her Lonely Heart: The story was very promising, but suffered from one-dimensional characters, especially when it came to the antagonists.
My Dear Adora: Another promising story. I was drawn in quickly but lost interest further in. There was something lacking here that I couldn’t quite put my finger on.
Ride into my Heart: This one started very strongly, but then fell apart. It felt like large sections of the story was summarized. This is one of those novellas that either the plot needed to be trimmed or given more space.
Echoes of the Heart: I found this one to be highly entertaining. I sympathized with the characters a great deal. Sadly, the characters contradicted themselves way too often, and it weighed on an otherwise good story.
Abundance of the Heart: This was one of the only stories that felt full and complete to me. My struggle here was with the heroine’s hostility. It seemed a little over the top to me considering the circumstances.
Embattled Hearts: Like a breath of fresh air, Thomas really wrapped up this collection in a big way. The plot was the right size for a novella. The characters were spot on. Great job!
~I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley. All thoughts are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
July 13, 2017
The Pony Express Romance Collection
This is a wonderful collection of 9 stories by 9 great authors. What a treat. It is interesting to learn details about the pony express through their stories. In - A Place to Belong - Abigail is living with her uncle at the pony express station. She feels that she is a burden to him because of a handicap. She longs for a home and family of her own. Jacob, a worker at the station has feeling for Abigail but feels she will never notice him. Will she realize that Gods provision is closer than she realizes?
An Unlikely Hero - Bethann and Molly are traveling by stage when they stay overnight at the pony express station. Circumstances result in them taking a job at the station as cooks. They had hoped to put more distance between themselves and their pursuers. Will they have protection at the station? Is this a new beginning?
The Gamblers Daughter - Caroline Adams is expecting to reunite with her father when she reaches the pony express station. She is surprised to find a new station master Martin Green. After Mrs. Gibbs arrives and throws an impromptu Christmas party Caroline and Martin begin the search to for her father and to learn the truth about why he ran.
Love begins to grow between Caroline and Martin while Caroline also grows in her faith in this heart warming story.
Her Lonely Heart - Dr. Luke Stetson shows up at the pony express station looking for his wayward brother. There he finds Sadie, a widow running the Cottonwood relay station for the pony express. An Indian named Eagle and Greta ( a soiled dove) bring another twist to this enjoyable story.
My Dear Adorable - Chip has made it his mission to deliver the mail after his brother is attacked whiles working for the pony express. After finding Adorable and delivering her letter he become personally involved I her life.
Ride into my Heart - Kimi works at the pony express station. As a half breed she struggles to find acceptance. She finds a great friend in Gabe a pony express rider. This is an action packed story with plenty of suspense.
Echoes of the Heart - she thinks she is going to be a mail order bride, but there is much confusion. When she arrives at the station she meets Ben the crippled station master. Jake another worker saves her as she is nearly run down by a horse. She eventually accepts her fate and settles in to work at the station. Will she developed feeling for someone? Will lives turn to the Lord?
Abundance of the Heart - I really enjoyed this story! Fletcher runs the pony express station that will soon be closing. While just passing through with her brothers Mercy finds severely mistreated and abused horses. Because of her own past she finds a kinship with these animals. She is a miracle worker when it comes to their care. They in turn help bring her to a new place to open up to God and develop deeper relationships.
Embattled Hearts - Alannah and her brother have escaped an abusive family situation. When they meet Stewart at the pony express station they help each other to see that healing and peace are within their reach.
All of these stories are centered around the imminent closing of the pony express. The characters all find their way to God and find love in the process. Great stories, short easy reads.
This is a wonderful collection of 9 stories by 9 great authors. What a treat. It is interesting to learn details about the pony express through their stories. In - A Place to Belong - Abigail is living with her uncle at the pony express station. She feels that she is a burden to him because of a handicap. She longs for a home and family of her own. Jacob, a worker at the station has feeling for Abigail but feels she will never notice him. Will she realize that Gods provision is closer than she realizes?
An Unlikely Hero - Bethann and Molly are traveling by stage when they stay overnight at the pony express station. Circumstances result in them taking a job at the station as cooks. They had hoped to put more distance between themselves and their pursuers. Will they have protection at the station? Is this a new beginning?
The Gamblers Daughter - Caroline Adams is expecting to reunite with her father when she reaches the pony express station. She is surprised to find a new station master Martin Green. After Mrs. Gibbs arrives and throws an impromptu Christmas party Caroline and Martin begin the search to for her father and to learn the truth about why he ran.
Love begins to grow between Caroline and Martin while Caroline also grows in her faith in this heart warming story.
Her Lonely Heart - Dr. Luke Stetson shows up at the pony express station looking for his wayward brother. There he finds Sadie, a widow running the Cottonwood relay station for the pony express. An Indian named Eagle and Greta ( a soiled dove) bring another twist to this enjoyable story.
My Dear Adorable - Chip has made it his mission to deliver the mail after his brother is attacked whiles working for the pony express. After finding Adorable and delivering her letter he become personally involved I her life.
Ride into my Heart - Kimi works at the pony express station. As a half breed she struggles to find acceptance. She finds a great friend in Gabe a pony express rider. This is an action packed story with plenty of suspense.
Echoes of the Heart - she thinks she is going to be a mail order bride, but there is much confusion. When she arrives at the station she meets Ben the crippled station master. Jake another worker saves her as she is nearly run down by a horse. She eventually accepts her fate and settles in to work at the station. Will she developed feeling for someone? Will lives turn to the Lord?
Abundance of the Heart - I really enjoyed this story! Fletcher runs the pony express station that will soon be closing. While just passing through with her brothers Mercy finds severely mistreated and abused horses. Because of her own past she finds a kinship with these animals. She is a miracle worker when it comes to their care. They in turn help bring her to a new place to open up to God and develop deeper relationships.
Embattled Hearts - Alannah and her brother have escaped an abusive family situation. When they meet Stewart at the pony express station they help each other to see that healing and peace are within their reach.
All of these stories are centered around the imminent closing of the pony express. The characters all find their way to God and find love in the process. Great stories, short easy reads.
January 21, 2019
a collection that should appeal to those who like westerns. Romances were weak in most cases and well, it was a very active read in some stories. Draggy in others.
January 14, 2023
A Place to Belong by Barbara Tiffany Blakey
A sweet romance about true love being right in front of you! This is my first book by Barbara and I loved it! I appreciate a Hero who is so faithful to God and I love that he was invisible to her until God's perfect timing made him shine!
An Unlikely Hero by Mary Davis
Just wonderful! This story pulled me in right away! I love an underdog having his dreams come true! Fox is a man that many women could fall for! Excellent job Mary! I look forward to reading more of your work!!
The Gambler’s Daughter by Darlene Franklin
This is an amazing story with a strong Christian romance! Darlene never disappoints! I love how this couple grows to know her father through his journal as they grow to love each other! An excellent example of God's providence and love as well as his mercy and grace! I highly recommend this book!!
Her Lonely Heart by Cynthia Hickey
A love built by need and admiration brings a widow with 2 kids into a family of 8! A wonderful tale of following your heart and changing for the better! I especially loved the elder Doctor's heart change and the second chance for Greta and Eagle! Very well written with a strong Christian themes throughout!
My Dear Adora by Maureen Lang
So many twists and turns in this beautiful and creative love story! I especially loved the truth about the inheritance! This is my second book by Maureen but it won't be my last! I have many of her books on my To Be Read list!!
Ride into My Heart by Debby Lee
A sweet story of growing in Christ as well as a sample of what the Native Americans and mixed races dealt with during the time of the Pony Express! What a whirlwind of excitement and adversity!
Echoes of the Heart by Donna Schlachter
This was a good story but I feel like there's a chapter missing. They had so many false assumptions and misunderstandings yet the agree to marry out of nowhere. I felt confused and wished Donna had expounded on their first honest conversation. But the rest was very good! I prefer couples who actually talk to each other but that would have been a whole different story!
Abundance of the Heart by Connie Stevens
Oh! I loved this story! Terrible treatment of the Pony Express horses and Mercy buy ruthless men make her and the horses shy towards men! But her tender care of the horses and Fletcher's prayers and tender touch towards her give them all healing! This tale reminds us that God hears our prayers and heals the broken hearted!!
Embattled Hearts by Pegg Thomas
Wow! My emotions were all over the place! Abused by her step father, rescued by her teen brother, and saved by Stewart the Pony Express Station Master! Lanny finally turns to God in her desperation and he too comes through with a miracle! Even the Dr helps keep her safe! This was a wonderful story and I look forward to reading more of Pegg's books!
A sweet romance about true love being right in front of you! This is my first book by Barbara and I loved it! I appreciate a Hero who is so faithful to God and I love that he was invisible to her until God's perfect timing made him shine!
An Unlikely Hero by Mary Davis
Just wonderful! This story pulled me in right away! I love an underdog having his dreams come true! Fox is a man that many women could fall for! Excellent job Mary! I look forward to reading more of your work!!
The Gambler’s Daughter by Darlene Franklin
This is an amazing story with a strong Christian romance! Darlene never disappoints! I love how this couple grows to know her father through his journal as they grow to love each other! An excellent example of God's providence and love as well as his mercy and grace! I highly recommend this book!!
Her Lonely Heart by Cynthia Hickey
A love built by need and admiration brings a widow with 2 kids into a family of 8! A wonderful tale of following your heart and changing for the better! I especially loved the elder Doctor's heart change and the second chance for Greta and Eagle! Very well written with a strong Christian themes throughout!
My Dear Adora by Maureen Lang
So many twists and turns in this beautiful and creative love story! I especially loved the truth about the inheritance! This is my second book by Maureen but it won't be my last! I have many of her books on my To Be Read list!!
Ride into My Heart by Debby Lee
A sweet story of growing in Christ as well as a sample of what the Native Americans and mixed races dealt with during the time of the Pony Express! What a whirlwind of excitement and adversity!
Echoes of the Heart by Donna Schlachter
This was a good story but I feel like there's a chapter missing. They had so many false assumptions and misunderstandings yet the agree to marry out of nowhere. I felt confused and wished Donna had expounded on their first honest conversation. But the rest was very good! I prefer couples who actually talk to each other but that would have been a whole different story!
Abundance of the Heart by Connie Stevens
Oh! I loved this story! Terrible treatment of the Pony Express horses and Mercy buy ruthless men make her and the horses shy towards men! But her tender care of the horses and Fletcher's prayers and tender touch towards her give them all healing! This tale reminds us that God hears our prayers and heals the broken hearted!!
Embattled Hearts by Pegg Thomas
Wow! My emotions were all over the place! Abused by her step father, rescued by her teen brother, and saved by Stewart the Pony Express Station Master! Lanny finally turns to God in her desperation and he too comes through with a miracle! Even the Dr helps keep her safe! This was a wonderful story and I look forward to reading more of Pegg's books!
April 2, 2017
Saturday, April 1, 2017
The Pony Express Romance Collection ~ Barbara Tifft Blakey, Mary Davis, Darlene Franklin, Cynthia Hickey, Maureen Lang, Debby Lee, Donna Schlachter, Connie Stevens, Pegg Thomas, © 2017
Historic Express Mail Route Delivers Nine Inspiring Romances
What could be more fun than joining the Wild West and the NINETEEN-month Pony Express?? New News! received from Maureen Lang.
I was surprised to find the short-lived Express ~ perhaps safer than the train robberies, the stagecoach holdups, and who knows what else ~ especially when they knew the mail pouch contained long-awaited pay by many. Merely my speculation!
I will be highlighting My Dear Adora written by author Maureen Lang ~ thank you for honoring me with a copy of The Pony Express Romance Collection, Maureen!!
Setting Time Period
San Francisco ~ Spring, 1862
My Review
Adora Denley had arrived at her destination months earlier, but due to an accusation of duplicity and an unsavory announcement of her character, she is erroneously let go from her employment and... livelihood. Thankful for the harboring at Miss Roseleen's Boardinghouse, she is taught kitchen skills to alleviate Roseleen's duties. A shelter from the storm of life.
Chip Nolan had hunted down a stolen mochila, the saddle pack filled with mail that Lewy, his little brother, had been carrying as a Pony Express rider. Assured he would uphold his brother's name with Lewy being left for dead, Chip was finally about to complete his deliveries. Upon arriving in San Francisco, he was now at his last stop, finding a Miss Adora Denley.
Appearing dandy Dirk Stanford has arrived ahead of Chip Nolan and has indebted himself to the aid of Miss Denley's social standings. He has encouraged her that he is just the one who can bring her peace and security by staying by his side for now and the future.
An unriddling is set when the newest boarder arrives. Returning Jed Malone; he had been among the first of the forty-niners. I always like it when a stabilizer comes along to set things straight toward what is right.
The Mochila: detail from Pony Express
a mochila, or covering of leather,
was thrown over the saddle
I really liked this novella! I am eager to read the remaining eight stories.
***This review was written in my own words. No other compensation, besides adventure, was received.***
The Pony Express Romance Collection ~ Barbara Tifft Blakey, Mary Davis, Darlene Franklin, Cynthia Hickey, Maureen Lang, Debby Lee, Donna Schlachter, Connie Stevens, Pegg Thomas, © 2017
Historic Express Mail Route Delivers Nine Inspiring Romances
What could be more fun than joining the Wild West and the NINETEEN-month Pony Express?? New News! received from Maureen Lang.
I was surprised to find the short-lived Express ~ perhaps safer than the train robberies, the stagecoach holdups, and who knows what else ~ especially when they knew the mail pouch contained long-awaited pay by many. Merely my speculation!
I will be highlighting My Dear Adora written by author Maureen Lang ~ thank you for honoring me with a copy of The Pony Express Romance Collection, Maureen!!
Setting Time Period
San Francisco ~ Spring, 1862
My Review
Adora Denley had arrived at her destination months earlier, but due to an accusation of duplicity and an unsavory announcement of her character, she is erroneously let go from her employment and... livelihood. Thankful for the harboring at Miss Roseleen's Boardinghouse, she is taught kitchen skills to alleviate Roseleen's duties. A shelter from the storm of life.
Chip Nolan had hunted down a stolen mochila, the saddle pack filled with mail that Lewy, his little brother, had been carrying as a Pony Express rider. Assured he would uphold his brother's name with Lewy being left for dead, Chip was finally about to complete his deliveries. Upon arriving in San Francisco, he was now at his last stop, finding a Miss Adora Denley.
Appearing dandy Dirk Stanford has arrived ahead of Chip Nolan and has indebted himself to the aid of Miss Denley's social standings. He has encouraged her that he is just the one who can bring her peace and security by staying by his side for now and the future.
An unriddling is set when the newest boarder arrives. Returning Jed Malone; he had been among the first of the forty-niners. I always like it when a stabilizer comes along to set things straight toward what is right.
The Mochila: detail from Pony Express
a mochila, or covering of leather,
was thrown over the saddle
I really liked this novella! I am eager to read the remaining eight stories.
***This review was written in my own words. No other compensation, besides adventure, was received.***
June 25, 2017
It’s amazing to think that something as ingrained in American history such as the Pony Express was only in operation for 19 months! “The Pony Express Romance Collection: Historic Express Mail Route Delivers Nine Inspiring Romances” is full of interesting facts. For example, they looked for riders who were quite young: between 12 and 18. The smaller and lighter, the better. They also preferred orphans and women were not even considered. You will find these and other interesting facts in the book.
As mentioned in the title, the book contains nine short stories. They all take place within a short time frame and each romance centers around a Pony Express station/stop and tackles issues like bigotry, racism, slavery, prostitution, abuse. The primary characters are also concerned with new telegraph line being constructed as it signals the end of the Pony Express and their jobs.
The common theme throughout these stories, other than the Pony Express and romance, is a character believes that God either does not love them/care about them or does not listen to their prayers. Throughout the story, the character finds him or herself praying/seeking God and realizing His love for him or her. Great reminders that “When god doesn’t answer the way we want Him to, it’s because He knows what’s best for us better than we do.”
I enjoyed “The Gambler’s Daughter” and it’s reminder that “God never leads us to sin”. Set on Christmas Eve in 1860, it is the story of a young lady who sets out to find her father and instead finds romance.
I found that some of the stories seemed to have a similar storyline and appreciated the last couple as they were a bit different. Women were not prized for their ability to cook and clean, but as a horse whisperer and stable hand. However, this is still a good book and would be great for any age as it is clean and has great lessons.
Release/Publication Date: March 15, 2017
Genre: Christian Fiction, Western, Romance
Cover: Perfect.
Source: I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Thank you!
Rating: 4 stars
As mentioned in the title, the book contains nine short stories. They all take place within a short time frame and each romance centers around a Pony Express station/stop and tackles issues like bigotry, racism, slavery, prostitution, abuse. The primary characters are also concerned with new telegraph line being constructed as it signals the end of the Pony Express and their jobs.
The common theme throughout these stories, other than the Pony Express and romance, is a character believes that God either does not love them/care about them or does not listen to their prayers. Throughout the story, the character finds him or herself praying/seeking God and realizing His love for him or her. Great reminders that “When god doesn’t answer the way we want Him to, it’s because He knows what’s best for us better than we do.”
I enjoyed “The Gambler’s Daughter” and it’s reminder that “God never leads us to sin”. Set on Christmas Eve in 1860, it is the story of a young lady who sets out to find her father and instead finds romance.
I found that some of the stories seemed to have a similar storyline and appreciated the last couple as they were a bit different. Women were not prized for their ability to cook and clean, but as a horse whisperer and stable hand. However, this is still a good book and would be great for any age as it is clean and has great lessons.
Release/Publication Date: March 15, 2017
Genre: Christian Fiction, Western, Romance
Cover: Perfect.
Source: I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Thank you!
Rating: 4 stars
June 15, 2017
"Hearts Are United by Express Mail" (back cover)
The Pony Express Romance Collection consists of stories by Barbara Tifft Blakey, Mary Davis, Darlene Franklin, Cynthia Hickey, Maureen Lang, Debby Lee, Donna Schlachter, Connie Stevens and Pegg Thomas. All wonderful authors that I've had the pleasure of reading one or more of their novella collections in the past (if I remember correctly). I'm a fan of Barbour Publishing's romance collections. I love bringing it on a trip so I can satisfy my love for reading in short doses, especially when traveling.
This particular collection surprised me a bit since I had assume it was related more to love story that started off through the express mail or along the way. Some of the stories' settings were as such, but not all, and I think it's okay as long as the story is entertaining. I read most of the stories in this collection one at a time, and I think it helped differentiate them. Each story had a great premise and does provide a certain message that I appreciate. The characters on the majority were someone I'd enjoy getting to know. The trouble with many novellas are the lack of character or romance development, and for a select few, it was like that. Though for many, I loved it so much, I hated to see it end. In all, The Pony Express Romance Collection have some great stories. For those that enjoy a light and short read set out in the early American West, this collection will be a fun one. It was for me.
This review first appeared on Just Commonly blog.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.
The Pony Express Romance Collection consists of stories by Barbara Tifft Blakey, Mary Davis, Darlene Franklin, Cynthia Hickey, Maureen Lang, Debby Lee, Donna Schlachter, Connie Stevens and Pegg Thomas. All wonderful authors that I've had the pleasure of reading one or more of their novella collections in the past (if I remember correctly). I'm a fan of Barbour Publishing's romance collections. I love bringing it on a trip so I can satisfy my love for reading in short doses, especially when traveling.
This particular collection surprised me a bit since I had assume it was related more to love story that started off through the express mail or along the way. Some of the stories' settings were as such, but not all, and I think it's okay as long as the story is entertaining. I read most of the stories in this collection one at a time, and I think it helped differentiate them. Each story had a great premise and does provide a certain message that I appreciate. The characters on the majority were someone I'd enjoy getting to know. The trouble with many novellas are the lack of character or romance development, and for a select few, it was like that. Though for many, I loved it so much, I hated to see it end. In all, The Pony Express Romance Collection have some great stories. For those that enjoy a light and short read set out in the early American West, this collection will be a fun one. It was for me.
This review first appeared on Just Commonly blog.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.
September 2, 2017
I liked most of the stories in this book. It was interesting to see how the pony express worked and with the stories closer to the end, how they were phased out by telegraphs.
Thanks to netgalley for providing a free copy of the book and to Barbour Publishers for allowing me to read and review the book
Thanks to netgalley for providing a free copy of the book and to Barbour Publishers for allowing me to read and review the book
April 4, 2017
I've come to enjoy these collections of historical novellas. The Pony Express Romance Collection was a fun, fast-moving collection of nine novellas, mostly from authors that I've never read before.
A Place to Belong by Barbara Blakey, An Unlikely Hero by Mary Davis, My Dear Adorable by Maureen Lang, and Embattled Hearts by Pegg Thomas were all good reads. They had tightly woven plot lines, well-formed characters, and good writing.
My two favorites were Her Lonely Heart by Cynthia Hickey and Abundance of the Heart by Connie Stevens. These two novellas had secondary characters who were quite fascinating; I would love to see these novellas become full-length novels to incorporate more of the secondary characters.
I didn't know much about the details of the Pony Express prior to reading this book but it was also educational.
I received a digital advance copy of the book from Barbour via NetGalley. I was not required to give a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
A Place to Belong by Barbara Blakey, An Unlikely Hero by Mary Davis, My Dear Adorable by Maureen Lang, and Embattled Hearts by Pegg Thomas were all good reads. They had tightly woven plot lines, well-formed characters, and good writing.
My two favorites were Her Lonely Heart by Cynthia Hickey and Abundance of the Heart by Connie Stevens. These two novellas had secondary characters who were quite fascinating; I would love to see these novellas become full-length novels to incorporate more of the secondary characters.
I didn't know much about the details of the Pony Express prior to reading this book but it was also educational.
I received a digital advance copy of the book from Barbour via NetGalley. I was not required to give a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
May 22, 2017
The Pony Express Romance Collection: Authors Maureen Lang, Debby Lee, Donna Schlachter, Connie Stevens, Pegg Thomas, Barbara Tifft Blakey, Mary Davis, Darlene Franklin and Cynthia Hickey
Some readers don’t have time to read a long book. Reading collections of stories might fit the bill for them! Collections of stories are also a way to become familiar with new authors. I have read lots of books by Maureen Lang. She is a great author who is very good at weaving such interesting stories!!!!! The other authors in this collection wrote great stories also. It was interesting to take a peek into what it might have been like to work and live at a Pony Express Station. I enjoy learning about history even though the stories are fiction. Authors often research and include factual details in their stories. If you enjoy reading about romance, adventure, danger, and family you will enjoy these stories.
Some readers don’t have time to read a long book. Reading collections of stories might fit the bill for them! Collections of stories are also a way to become familiar with new authors. I have read lots of books by Maureen Lang. She is a great author who is very good at weaving such interesting stories!!!!! The other authors in this collection wrote great stories also. It was interesting to take a peek into what it might have been like to work and live at a Pony Express Station. I enjoy learning about history even though the stories are fiction. Authors often research and include factual details in their stories. If you enjoy reading about romance, adventure, danger, and family you will enjoy these stories.
April 3, 2017
The Pony Express Romance Collection is a collected romance anthology showcasing the bravery and American Dream portrayed by those on the western mail route lines. It has nine stories by different authors making it a great way to sample an author that maybe new to the reader. The stories, none long in length are by Barbara Tifft Blakey, Mary Davis, Darlene Franklin, Cynthia Hickey, Maureen Lang, Debby Lee, Donna Schlachter, Connie Stevens, and Pegg Thomas.
The stories are uplifting and clean bringing many different types of people to the forefront. In each God and His plans play a prominent role. Though I like some of the stories more than others, I found all interesting. Two of my favorites were Ride into My Heart by Debby Lee and The Gambler’s Daughter by Darlene Franklin.
The publisher through Net Galley provided a copy.
The stories are uplifting and clean bringing many different types of people to the forefront. In each God and His plans play a prominent role. Though I like some of the stories more than others, I found all interesting. Two of my favorites were Ride into My Heart by Debby Lee and The Gambler’s Daughter by Darlene Franklin.
The publisher through Net Galley provided a copy.
April 5, 2017
I'm a big fan of American historical romance and this collection features larger than life adventures during the relatively short time period when mail and documents were delivered by young male orphans who rode for the Pony Express. It was a dangerous proposition for both the rider and the horse when so many things could and did go wrong due to bad weather, illness and unscrupulous criminals or Indian attacks. I truly enjoyed the creative storytelling of all these fine authors and I was equally pleased and impressed with the wealth of historical details they shared that made this period of our nation's history come alive for me on every single page. I read a complimentary copy of this book and all opinions expressed in my voluntary review are completely my own.
August 15, 2017
I enjoyed reading all nine stories in this collection. This is a fun way to learn about the final days of the pony express with a bit of romance.
May 20, 2017
Horse lovers, Pony Express fans, midwest history fans, this book is for you! The book deals more with life at waystations than the riders. If you enjoy novellas set in the 1800s, you will like this book. I learned a lot about the dangers faced by people at the waystations which were usually rather isolated. This is a good book to read when you only have a short time to read one of the novellas. If I had to pick a favorite, it would probably be Echoes of the Heart by Donna Schlachter. I received my copy of The Pony Express Romance Collection from Maureen Lang. This is my honest opinion.
April 19, 2017
The Pony Express Romance Collection is nine novellas written by nine very talented writers. I learned lots about what life was like for station masters and express riders. Each romance has strong heroes and heroines. Their backgrounds as unique as their appearances. The stories are short enough to finish in a few hours. But those few hours transport you to lonely outposts and keep you engaged.
If you love novella collection as much as I do you won’t be disappointed with this offering.
If you love novella collection as much as I do you won’t be disappointed with this offering.
June 8, 2017
Several GOOD stories here - but my fave is the one by CONNIE STEVENS - ABUNDANCE OF THE HEART....
Great writing - Great story.
Great writing - Great story.
May 30, 2018
My favorite was Embattled Hearts. Pegg Thomas delivers a fiesty heroine, a kind, brave hero, and despicable villains. A blend of great story-telling, historical accuracy, and an uncanny knowledge of horses. Truly delightful.
March 12, 2018
Typically not a fan of romance novels, I purchased this book because it was recommended by a friend. Much to my amazement I read the entire thing and enjoyed the historical viewpoints woven into each of the different stories. Everyone has their favorite stories in this book and mine were #9, #5 and #4. Kudos to all of the authors for spending time to research our history in writing each story. Special note of congrats to Pegg Thomas, Maureen Lang, and Cynthia Hickey.
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