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Why Not
Love Puts These Two On the Edge!
Grand Canyon, 1914
Society girl Amber Wynott’s wintry escape to the Grand Canyon provides a chance to pursue her dream and prove she has what it takes to be a successful architect. It doesn’t take long to realize the incredible scenery can’t hide the simmering anger between ‘railroad money’ and the struggling locals.
Which side is master builder Stone Morrison on?
Amber has met her match in the handsome, hard-headed man. He’s been directed to keep an eye on her, but when iron meets iron—oh the sparks! As their unlikely old matchmaker tells them, pride goes before a fall, and this is a bad place to fall. Will danger finally knock some sense into the pair?
Grand Canyon, 1914
Society girl Amber Wynott’s wintry escape to the Grand Canyon provides a chance to pursue her dream and prove she has what it takes to be a successful architect. It doesn’t take long to realize the incredible scenery can’t hide the simmering anger between ‘railroad money’ and the struggling locals.
Which side is master builder Stone Morrison on?
Amber has met her match in the handsome, hard-headed man. He’s been directed to keep an eye on her, but when iron meets iron—oh the sparks! As their unlikely old matchmaker tells them, pride goes before a fall, and this is a bad place to fall. Will danger finally knock some sense into the pair?
- GenresNovella
112 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 14, 2016
25 people want to read
About the author
Debra E. Marvin
21 books125 followersDebra E. Marvin tries not to run too far from real life but the imagination born out of being an only child has a powerful draw. Besides, the voices in her head tend to agree with all the sensible things she says. She'd like to live a wee bit closer to her grandchildren, but is thankful that God is in control, that He chooses to bless us despite ourselves and that He has a sense of humor.
Other than writing light-hearted romances and gritty gothics, she has rather normal obsessions such as fabric, peanut butter, vacations, British dramas, and whatever mystery series she's currently stuck on.
debraemarvin.com
Inkwell Inspirations Blog
Pinterest @debraemarvin
Facebook debra e marvin
Other than writing light-hearted romances and gritty gothics, she has rather normal obsessions such as fabric, peanut butter, vacations, British dramas, and whatever mystery series she's currently stuck on.
debraemarvin.com
Inkwell Inspirations Blog
Pinterest @debraemarvin
Facebook debra e marvin
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 7, 2017
Why Not? is a great little trip back in time that combines history, mystery, and romance. It’s set in the Grand Canyon at a time when tensions were high: The railroad had been brought to the area only a few years earlier, and many locals resented the intrusion of the tourist industry and the way they were changing the landscape. However that didn’t stop progress, least of all female architect Mary Colton, who was responsible for designing and overseeing the construction of many buildings for the Fred Harvey Company.
This is the setting into which Debra Marvin has placed her hero, Stone Morrison, and her heroine, Amber Wynott. Stone Morrison is the head stonemason for two of Mary Colton’s building projects, while Amber Wynott, whose uncle works for the Santa Fe Railroad, has come to pursue her dream of following in Mary Colton’s footsteps—much to her uncle’s dismay.
Amidst local tensions that are getting more dangerous by the day, Stone and Amber both have personal struggles to work through: Stone’s father owns the biggest banking firm in St. Louis, but following in his footsteps is the last thing he wants to do, which has resulted in a falling out with his father. Amber is determined to prove to her uncle that she has what it takes to be another Mary Colton, but even if she does, is it really where her heart lies?
I quite enjoyed the intellectual chemistry between Amber and Stone; the way in which they challenged one another, each strong-willed and knowing their own mind, but not obnoxiously or unchangeably so. There is plenty of suspense as local tensions escalate into life-threatening situations, and I loved that Stone and Amber’s romance developed realistically for the time frame of the story.
As an added bonus, Debra Marvin heads each chapter with a word and its definition that is in some way related to engineering or construction, but also hints at the way the story will develop in that chapter. I’ve seen her do this in at least one other of her novellas, and I love it!
This is a good choice if you're looking for a short, but engaging read.
I received a copy of this novel from the author. This has not influenced the content of my review.
This is the setting into which Debra Marvin has placed her hero, Stone Morrison, and her heroine, Amber Wynott. Stone Morrison is the head stonemason for two of Mary Colton’s building projects, while Amber Wynott, whose uncle works for the Santa Fe Railroad, has come to pursue her dream of following in Mary Colton’s footsteps—much to her uncle’s dismay.
Amidst local tensions that are getting more dangerous by the day, Stone and Amber both have personal struggles to work through: Stone’s father owns the biggest banking firm in St. Louis, but following in his footsteps is the last thing he wants to do, which has resulted in a falling out with his father. Amber is determined to prove to her uncle that she has what it takes to be another Mary Colton, but even if she does, is it really where her heart lies?
I quite enjoyed the intellectual chemistry between Amber and Stone; the way in which they challenged one another, each strong-willed and knowing their own mind, but not obnoxiously or unchangeably so. There is plenty of suspense as local tensions escalate into life-threatening situations, and I loved that Stone and Amber’s romance developed realistically for the time frame of the story.
As an added bonus, Debra Marvin heads each chapter with a word and its definition that is in some way related to engineering or construction, but also hints at the way the story will develop in that chapter. I’ve seen her do this in at least one other of her novellas, and I love it!
This is a good choice if you're looking for a short, but engaging read.
I received a copy of this novel from the author. This has not influenced the content of my review.
January 12, 2017
A very cute little romance story - perfect for a Valentines Day read, as the collection promotes!
Amber and Stone both had very strong personalities, but blended really well together without diminishing the other one - that was pretty impressive. Usually when I read about a strong female lead, the man becomes less of a...well, a man, and backs down, losing his strong personality, but even though Amber was independant, she still came to rely upon him, and he didn't back down, but also didn't demean her either. It was a good match.
There was also a bit of mystery involved - always a fun thread to keep up with.
I think it would've been fun to have a bit more backstory - because it was a novella, it at times was a tiny bit rushed and I would've liked to get to know the characters more, but it was still a good read and well put-together. The romance was sweet, and you were rooting for the characters from the start. :)
The setting was fascinating, too - the Grand Canyon in 1914. And the unrest at the time - all very interesting! I enjoyed the touches this brought to the story.
So yes, a quick but enjoyable read. :)
I received a complimentary ecopy from the author. All thoughts are my own.
February 5, 2017
"Why Not" by Debra E. Marvin is one of the nine stories in "Valentine Matchmaker" 9 Romantic Novellas and the only one I read in this collection so far.
This story is a love story with a mystery. Who is trying to stop the progress at the job site? This story is also based on history, Mary Colter's accomplishment in the growth of the Grand Canyon focal center.
Stone Mason doesn't want Amber Wynott hanging around because she is a distraction but will he change his mind. Stone has a couple of secrets, he doesn't want her to know like who his family is and that he is afraid of ----. If you want to know his fear, then you will have to read "Why Not" by Debra Marvin and discover it for yourself.
This story also has another love story in between the pages, so it is like getting two love stories.
I was really surprised to learn who the troublemaker was.
I really like the part that the candy hearts have in this story.
I have given "Why Not" by Debra E. Marvin four stars. I was given a complimentary copy of "Valentine Matchmaker": 9 Romantic Novellas by Debra E Marvin and these opinions are my own.
This story is a love story with a mystery. Who is trying to stop the progress at the job site? This story is also based on history, Mary Colter's accomplishment in the growth of the Grand Canyon focal center.
Stone Mason doesn't want Amber Wynott hanging around because she is a distraction but will he change his mind. Stone has a couple of secrets, he doesn't want her to know like who his family is and that he is afraid of ----. If you want to know his fear, then you will have to read "Why Not" by Debra Marvin and discover it for yourself.
This story also has another love story in between the pages, so it is like getting two love stories.
I was really surprised to learn who the troublemaker was.
I really like the part that the candy hearts have in this story.
I have given "Why Not" by Debra E. Marvin four stars. I was given a complimentary copy of "Valentine Matchmaker": 9 Romantic Novellas by Debra E Marvin and these opinions are my own.
October 22, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. Loved the setting of the Grand Canyon. I find it interesting to read stories that take place during the development of our national parks. I visited the Grand Canyon for the first time this past summer, so I was able to visualize Hermit's Rest and the village as the story unfolded. It is a romance and mystery. While I found that the author is good at telling stories of this length, I think this could have been a fabulous full-length novel as well.
I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I won in a giveaway from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I won in a giveaway from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews