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The Soldier's Lady
Adventure and Romance Await at Frontier Forts
Join four adventurous women making their home at Old West forts. Faced with daily challenges—and stubborn men—they bring civility to the frontier.
The Colonel’s Daughter by Gabrielle Meyer
Minnesota, 1828—Fort Snelling
Major Nathaniel Ward is tasked with guarding his commanding officer’s daughter, Ally Benson, from the amorous soldiers at Fort Snelling, but he finds the hardest person to keep in line is himself.
Frontier of Her Heart by Susanne Dietze
California, 1854—Fort Humboldt
All is fair in love and war, but the contest of wills between fort cook Emily Sweet and Assistant Surgeon Boyd Braxton is all about pride, not romance. . .until they must work together to stop an epidemic.
Save the Last Word for Me by Lorna Seilstad
Kansas, 1864—Fort Riley
Determined schoolteacher Adelina Dante believes every man, woman, and child deserves the chance to read and write, but when she approaches Colonel Isaac Scott about why he should allow his illiterate soldiers to attend special classes, she’s the one who gets educated in matters of the heart.
Forever Fort Garland by Janette Foreman
Colorado, 1879—Fort Garland
Annie Moreau arrives at Fort Garland to marry her soldier pen pal, Martin, but encounters two surprises—Martin has died in battle and she’s been corresponding with dashing Captain Jefferson Gray all along.
Join four adventurous women making their home at Old West forts. Faced with daily challenges—and stubborn men—they bring civility to the frontier.
The Colonel’s Daughter by Gabrielle Meyer
Minnesota, 1828—Fort Snelling
Major Nathaniel Ward is tasked with guarding his commanding officer’s daughter, Ally Benson, from the amorous soldiers at Fort Snelling, but he finds the hardest person to keep in line is himself.
Frontier of Her Heart by Susanne Dietze
California, 1854—Fort Humboldt
All is fair in love and war, but the contest of wills between fort cook Emily Sweet and Assistant Surgeon Boyd Braxton is all about pride, not romance. . .until they must work together to stop an epidemic.
Save the Last Word for Me by Lorna Seilstad
Kansas, 1864—Fort Riley
Determined schoolteacher Adelina Dante believes every man, woman, and child deserves the chance to read and write, but when she approaches Colonel Isaac Scott about why he should allow his illiterate soldiers to attend special classes, she’s the one who gets educated in matters of the heart.
Forever Fort Garland by Janette Foreman
Colorado, 1879—Fort Garland
Annie Moreau arrives at Fort Garland to marry her soldier pen pal, Martin, but encounters two surprises—Martin has died in battle and she’s been corresponding with dashing Captain Jefferson Gray all along.
448 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2020
17 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
Susanne Dietze
64 books653 followersSusanne Dietze began writing love stories in high school, casting her friends in the starring roles. Today, she's an award-winning, RITA®-nominated author who's seen her work on the Publisher's Weekly and ECPA Bestseller Lists for Inspirational Fiction. Married to a pastor and the mom of two, Susanne lives in California and loves fancy-schmancy tea parties, the beach, and curling up on the couch with a costume drama. You can visit her on her website, www.susannedietze.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
January 6, 2021
I very much enjoy reading these novella collections.
I live in a Fort town myself in Pennsylvania so I knew this would be a perfect read for me.
4 novella length stories taking place in the 1800's . Read along as you learn about the bravery of these women making their home at Old West Forts.
Published August 1st 2020 by Barbour Books
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you
All opinions expressed are my own.
I live in a Fort town myself in Pennsylvania so I knew this would be a perfect read for me.
4 novella length stories taking place in the 1800's . Read along as you learn about the bravery of these women making their home at Old West Forts.
Published August 1st 2020 by Barbour Books
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you
All opinions expressed are my own.
June 22, 2020
I loved the first two stories but found the last two to be less engaging. However, those first two were strong enough stories that I'd buy the book just for them!
The Colonel's Daughter, Meyer: 4 stars
This one had some real depth to it that I don't often find in short stories. I didn't expect to like Ally's mother and she thoroughly won me over.
Frontier of Her Heart, Dietze: 4 stars
Again this one had quite a bit of depth and I was able to enjoy the character motivations as well as the fun contest that brings the two closer together.
Save the Last One For Me, Seilstad: 2 stars
Super abrasive hero and heroine who both think they're 100% right to the point of being willfully blind and unwilling to see what's right in front of them. I really dislike rule-haters who flaunt safety guidelines and then put others in danger by their actions.
Forever Fort Garland, Foreman: 2 stars
Writing style was good, but the heroine was so senseless about her views that I couldn't stand her. She'd consider a philanderer over a decent guy just because he didn't tell her his friend couldn't write? Not a heroine in my book and not a story I enjoyed.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.
The Colonel's Daughter, Meyer: 4 stars
This one had some real depth to it that I don't often find in short stories. I didn't expect to like Ally's mother and she thoroughly won me over.
Frontier of Her Heart, Dietze: 4 stars
Again this one had quite a bit of depth and I was able to enjoy the character motivations as well as the fun contest that brings the two closer together.
Save the Last One For Me, Seilstad: 2 stars
Super abrasive hero and heroine who both think they're 100% right to the point of being willfully blind and unwilling to see what's right in front of them. I really dislike rule-haters who flaunt safety guidelines and then put others in danger by their actions.
Forever Fort Garland, Foreman: 2 stars
Writing style was good, but the heroine was so senseless about her views that I couldn't stand her. She'd consider a philanderer over a decent guy just because he didn't tell her his friend couldn't write? Not a heroine in my book and not a story I enjoyed.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.
December 5, 2024
Great collection of stories! Loved them all!
May 13, 2020
The Colonel’s Daughter by Gabrielle Meyer
I enjoyed reading about a military family in 1828, Nathaniel and Ally's romance was well paced and had enough things happen to keep the story interesting.
Frontier of Her Heart by Susanne Dietze
Oooh, I loved this one! The contest was different from most in historical fiction, it was adorable.
Save the Last Word for Me by Lorna Seilstad
Mistakes, mistaken identity, and a intriguing romance.
Forever Fort Garland by Janette Foreman
Letters filled with lies. I enjoyed the themes in this novella and the humor. Though there were slight suggestions of inappropriate intent from a horrible soldier.
I enjoyed reading about a military family in 1828, Nathaniel and Ally's romance was well paced and had enough things happen to keep the story interesting.
Frontier of Her Heart by Susanne Dietze
Oooh, I loved this one! The contest was different from most in historical fiction, it was adorable.
Save the Last Word for Me by Lorna Seilstad
Mistakes, mistaken identity, and a intriguing romance.
Forever Fort Garland by Janette Foreman
Letters filled with lies. I enjoyed the themes in this novella and the humor. Though there were slight suggestions of inappropriate intent from a horrible soldier.
May 13, 2020
The Soldier's Lady is a compilation of four historical fiction novellas which take place in the years 1828-1879. Each story has a different plot and I thought they were for the most part well developed. These were new authors for me and I found them enjoyable to read.
The Colone'ls Heart by Gabrielle Meyer was a sweet story between Major Nathaniel and his commanding officer Ally Benson. He wasn't looking for love and found it when he meets Ally which wants no part of the world her mother wants her to be part of. She wants to be part of the frontier and be free from the demands of city life. This was one of my favorites of the stories. Their romance is sweet and a little heartbreaking at one point. I definitely didn't want this story to end and wanted a little bit more.
Frontier of the Heart by Susanne Dietze was a good one as well. I love the relationship between Emily and Assistant Surgeon Boyd Braxton. I really enjoyed how this story developed. The romance between them was sweet and and at times unnerving. You just wanted to bonk Boyd over the head to make him see sense and I to me that is the mark of a good story when you get so involved in a character. But in the end it was God who he needed to turn to in order to see what he needed to do! Definitely a great story and once again I wanted just a little bit more to find out what happened to them.
Save the Last Word by Lorna Seilstad was my second favorite of the novellas. This one is about Adeline Dante who is a new schoolteacher at the fort and has no military knowledge whatsoever and Colonel Isaac Scott who makes sure she knows it! I love how the romantic story between them develops. She is not one to back down and he has a hard time with that but eventually realizes that is exactly what he needs. I definitely could of read more of this story!
Forever Fort Garland by Janette Foreman the story is about Annie a mail order bride to Martin who has died in battle before she even arrives. Captain Jefferson Gray is the man who greets her and offers marriage to her upon arrival but she refuses. She is determined to marry a military man and in the process of trying to find a husband someone starts to somewhat stalk her. This story not only has romance but also a little suspense. It wasn't my favorite out of the other novellas.
Overall as novellas go these were pretty good. The historical fiction element and christian element was present throughout all the stories. If you need quick reads then I definitely recommend this compilation of stories.
FTC Disclosure: I received this copy from Netgalley and Barbour Publishing. All views and opinions are my own.
The Colone'ls Heart by Gabrielle Meyer was a sweet story between Major Nathaniel and his commanding officer Ally Benson. He wasn't looking for love and found it when he meets Ally which wants no part of the world her mother wants her to be part of. She wants to be part of the frontier and be free from the demands of city life. This was one of my favorites of the stories. Their romance is sweet and a little heartbreaking at one point. I definitely didn't want this story to end and wanted a little bit more.
Frontier of the Heart by Susanne Dietze was a good one as well. I love the relationship between Emily and Assistant Surgeon Boyd Braxton. I really enjoyed how this story developed. The romance between them was sweet and and at times unnerving. You just wanted to bonk Boyd over the head to make him see sense and I to me that is the mark of a good story when you get so involved in a character. But in the end it was God who he needed to turn to in order to see what he needed to do! Definitely a great story and once again I wanted just a little bit more to find out what happened to them.
Save the Last Word by Lorna Seilstad was my second favorite of the novellas. This one is about Adeline Dante who is a new schoolteacher at the fort and has no military knowledge whatsoever and Colonel Isaac Scott who makes sure she knows it! I love how the romantic story between them develops. She is not one to back down and he has a hard time with that but eventually realizes that is exactly what he needs. I definitely could of read more of this story!
Forever Fort Garland by Janette Foreman the story is about Annie a mail order bride to Martin who has died in battle before she even arrives. Captain Jefferson Gray is the man who greets her and offers marriage to her upon arrival but she refuses. She is determined to marry a military man and in the process of trying to find a husband someone starts to somewhat stalk her. This story not only has romance but also a little suspense. It wasn't my favorite out of the other novellas.
Overall as novellas go these were pretty good. The historical fiction element and christian element was present throughout all the stories. If you need quick reads then I definitely recommend this compilation of stories.
FTC Disclosure: I received this copy from Netgalley and Barbour Publishing. All views and opinions are my own.
August 4, 2020
A delightful collection of novellas about four bold young women who choose frontier adventure in the forts of the west!
The Colonel’s Daughter by Gabrielle Meyer
Ft. Snelling, Minnesota, 1828.
Duty calls Major Nathaniel Ward to guard his Colonel’s three daughters upon their arrival at Ft. Snelling. Nathaniel’s job is to make sure the girls are protected and that they not get involved with any man in the military. As Nathaniel spends more and more time with the charming Ally, he finds he is in danger of breaking his own rules. Read this enjoyable story and see if Ally and Nathaniel can figure a way around the Colonel’s rules.
Frontier of Her Heart by Susanne Dietze
Ft. Humboldt, California, 1854.
When the fort commander issues a challenge to his Assistant Surgeon Boyd Braxton and his cook, Emily Sweet, he merely intends to entertain his troops with a bit of fun. Emily is raising her younger brother and is a rather serious soul and Boyd is the exact opposite, finding amusement in most things. The contest he challenges them to sets a course in motion that neither could have predicted. Fun story!
Save the Last Word for Me by Lorna Seilstad
Ft. Riley, Kansas, 1864.
Adelina Dante, a schoolteacher on a mission to educate, collides with her fort commander, Colonel Isaac Scott, a young officer who takes his duty at the fort very seriously. Mishap after mishap dogs Adelina on her first posting to a military fort. Will the outspoken Adelina ever learn to follow the rules or be perpetually in trouble with the Colonel?
Winning the Lady’s Heart by Janette Foreman
Ft. Garland, Colorado, 1879.
When Captain Jefferson Gray’s friend, Martin O’Neal dies, duty demands that he meet Martin’s new fiancée, Annie Moreau, who arrives on the coach shortly after his death. When Annie becomes stuck at the fort, she finds that she hasn’t really been corresponding with Martin, but instead with the Captain. Can Annie get over her embarrassment, pride, and confusion to figure out who she really cares for? Time has a way of making complicated situations clearer. This novella was definitely my favorite of the four.
This ARC copy was received from Barbour Publishing and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.
The Colonel’s Daughter by Gabrielle Meyer
Ft. Snelling, Minnesota, 1828.
Duty calls Major Nathaniel Ward to guard his Colonel’s three daughters upon their arrival at Ft. Snelling. Nathaniel’s job is to make sure the girls are protected and that they not get involved with any man in the military. As Nathaniel spends more and more time with the charming Ally, he finds he is in danger of breaking his own rules. Read this enjoyable story and see if Ally and Nathaniel can figure a way around the Colonel’s rules.
Frontier of Her Heart by Susanne Dietze
Ft. Humboldt, California, 1854.
When the fort commander issues a challenge to his Assistant Surgeon Boyd Braxton and his cook, Emily Sweet, he merely intends to entertain his troops with a bit of fun. Emily is raising her younger brother and is a rather serious soul and Boyd is the exact opposite, finding amusement in most things. The contest he challenges them to sets a course in motion that neither could have predicted. Fun story!
Save the Last Word for Me by Lorna Seilstad
Ft. Riley, Kansas, 1864.
Adelina Dante, a schoolteacher on a mission to educate, collides with her fort commander, Colonel Isaac Scott, a young officer who takes his duty at the fort very seriously. Mishap after mishap dogs Adelina on her first posting to a military fort. Will the outspoken Adelina ever learn to follow the rules or be perpetually in trouble with the Colonel?
Winning the Lady’s Heart by Janette Foreman
Ft. Garland, Colorado, 1879.
When Captain Jefferson Gray’s friend, Martin O’Neal dies, duty demands that he meet Martin’s new fiancée, Annie Moreau, who arrives on the coach shortly after his death. When Annie becomes stuck at the fort, she finds that she hasn’t really been corresponding with Martin, but instead with the Captain. Can Annie get over her embarrassment, pride, and confusion to figure out who she really cares for? Time has a way of making complicated situations clearer. This novella was definitely my favorite of the four.
This ARC copy was received from Barbour Publishing and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.
May 3, 2020
This compilation of four stories on women stationed at 19th century forts has great potential. Upon cracking open these novellas, I learned some interesting historical facts about American warfare, and some prominent figures who were even included in these stories. I enjoyed Susanne Dietze and Lorna Seilstand's texts the most as they wrote with a familiarity not only with 19th century culture at large, but with the military realm.
Dietze's novella included crucial information regarding fort life in the 19th century, and it was refreshing to finally read a story which does not revolve around officers and their wives. Having been employed at a reconstructed fort from the War of 1812, I have always found that accounts arising from the lower ranks (eg. cook, surgeons, and regular infantrymen) are usually the most interesting. Unfortunately, with the lack of primary sources stemming from 19th century illiteracy among the masses, these stories are hard to come by. Therefore, Dietze's tale, though simple, succeeded in capturing stories based on true characters.
Lorna Seilstand's story largely succeeded in the same vein as she captured the spirit of life at a fort. However, her writing style did include 20th century vocabulary such as "proactive" which had been invented in 1933 and at first used in a scholarly paper. These terms did initially throw me off in reading an otherwise balanced story with a simple plot and relatively strong characters.
Gabrielle Meyer's story unfortunately romanticizes fort life to an unprecedented degree, which might entice many readers simply looking for a light read. However, portraying military life at a fort is an incredible opportunity to describe the horrors, the tragedy, and the fear instilled in the garrisons stationed at these outposts. I did not find it entirely believable when a character mentioned that he was more afraid of an attacker striking a woman than being on the battlefield. From past experience in reenacting, soldiers met unknown horrors marching alongside cannons, mortars, and endless musketry. Although this line might have been written to add to a light read, I found the circumstance could have opened an amazing opportunity for the officer to speak of past military combat. I cannot imagine the immense opportunities authors have in writing on 19th century fort life, though it may not be entirely fitting for a novella.
Overall, I view this compilation of stories with a general fondness as they all strove to portray fort life in different capacities. I appreciated the authors who strove to subtly include military details in their narratives rather than merely listing off the various aspects of a fortification. I also had difficulty with reading of the "golden wings," as "epaulettes" is a common enough term to succinctly describe a vital aspect of an officer's uniform. But who am I to say, as I am a mere Pvt. with no golden epaulettes to speak of! Although these stories did contain some historical inaccuracies and verbiage (such as the constant mentioning of shakos), these novellas pose as a great opportunity to share more about daily fort life during peacetime.
Dietze's novella included crucial information regarding fort life in the 19th century, and it was refreshing to finally read a story which does not revolve around officers and their wives. Having been employed at a reconstructed fort from the War of 1812, I have always found that accounts arising from the lower ranks (eg. cook, surgeons, and regular infantrymen) are usually the most interesting. Unfortunately, with the lack of primary sources stemming from 19th century illiteracy among the masses, these stories are hard to come by. Therefore, Dietze's tale, though simple, succeeded in capturing stories based on true characters.
Lorna Seilstand's story largely succeeded in the same vein as she captured the spirit of life at a fort. However, her writing style did include 20th century vocabulary such as "proactive" which had been invented in 1933 and at first used in a scholarly paper. These terms did initially throw me off in reading an otherwise balanced story with a simple plot and relatively strong characters.
Gabrielle Meyer's story unfortunately romanticizes fort life to an unprecedented degree, which might entice many readers simply looking for a light read. However, portraying military life at a fort is an incredible opportunity to describe the horrors, the tragedy, and the fear instilled in the garrisons stationed at these outposts. I did not find it entirely believable when a character mentioned that he was more afraid of an attacker striking a woman than being on the battlefield. From past experience in reenacting, soldiers met unknown horrors marching alongside cannons, mortars, and endless musketry. Although this line might have been written to add to a light read, I found the circumstance could have opened an amazing opportunity for the officer to speak of past military combat. I cannot imagine the immense opportunities authors have in writing on 19th century fort life, though it may not be entirely fitting for a novella.
Overall, I view this compilation of stories with a general fondness as they all strove to portray fort life in different capacities. I appreciated the authors who strove to subtly include military details in their narratives rather than merely listing off the various aspects of a fortification. I also had difficulty with reading of the "golden wings," as "epaulettes" is a common enough term to succinctly describe a vital aspect of an officer's uniform. But who am I to say, as I am a mere Pvt. with no golden epaulettes to speak of! Although these stories did contain some historical inaccuracies and verbiage (such as the constant mentioning of shakos), these novellas pose as a great opportunity to share more about daily fort life during peacetime.
July 5, 2020
This is a sweet collection of tales about life on the American frontier. Life could be hard, but it was made easier if it was lived with someone dear to your heart. Take an afternoon to relax and enjoy this collection.
*My thanks to Barbour Publishing for a copy of this book. I was not required to leave a review and all opinions expressed here are my own.
*My thanks to Barbour Publishing for a copy of this book. I was not required to leave a review and all opinions expressed here are my own.
June 16, 2020
A fine collection of new novellas centering on life and love in the 1800's forts of America. Military life is featured in each tale, with stalwart soldiers meeting determined, spunky women who throw their ordered lives a bit off course. Some historical figures are mixed in and the setting at real forts gives an authentic feel to each one; they range from Michigan, Colorado, Kansas to Northern California, before and after the Civil War.
I enjoyed them all, with men and women living in outposts, sacrificing their comforts to help others, working hard under difficult circumstances. There was a sense of danger inside and outside the fort, keeping the tension up at times, but otherwise these were more tender tales of romance.
I especially liked the couple in the second one that has a friendly competition going. The doctor is a cheerful character determined to crack the tough surface of the young woman who is camp cook. They both look to the Lord for guidance in future plans, learning to trust Him in difficult circumstances.
Recommend for readers who enjoy historical romances with faith.
(An ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.)
I enjoyed them all, with men and women living in outposts, sacrificing their comforts to help others, working hard under difficult circumstances. There was a sense of danger inside and outside the fort, keeping the tension up at times, but otherwise these were more tender tales of romance.
I especially liked the couple in the second one that has a friendly competition going. The doctor is a cheerful character determined to crack the tough surface of the young woman who is camp cook. They both look to the Lord for guidance in future plans, learning to trust Him in difficult circumstances.
Recommend for readers who enjoy historical romances with faith.
(An ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.)
May 15, 2020
These are four very good stories. I did have some favorites, but overall the stories were solid and endearing. I didn't think I would like them because of the military aspect, but the stories each added descriptions that I had not read before. Two stories seemed longer than novella length, but didn't drag on. I enjoyed the Christian aspect of the stories; there was enough to enhance the stories, but it didn't overwhelm the stories. I liked the different heroines that were portrayed. There was a long distance bride, a teacher and family members of military families. The heroes were all military and honorable. They were brave and dependable. They loved their ladies and would do what was necessary for them. These were sweet stories, with no sexual tones. I liked that the stories mostly dwelled on frontier fort life. It was similar to a small town, but with a commander instead of a mayor. All of the officers wives had to live in harmony. Most of these stories left the reader with a good feeling after reading them. I recommend this book because of the quality of the story. The grammar and spelling were accurate. The continuity of the story was very well paced. 5 stars
October 12, 2020
This delightful novella collection is comprised of four individual and unique Historical Fiction stories set in the 1820's- to the 1870's, during the time period when America was expanding its boarders Westward.
The stories span settings from Fort Snelling in the Michigan Territory, Fort Humboldt in California, Fort Riley in Kansas, and Fort Garland in Colorado.
Each story is centered around a young lady coming to one of the aforementioned forts for one reason or another.
I enjoyed these short novellas and only wished they were longer.
Each of authors wrote her story in an engaging and beautiful way.
If you like well-written, Faith-Based historical fiction, I encourage you to check out this collection!
***Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the digital ARC of this book. All views and opinions expressed in this review are my own.***
The stories span settings from Fort Snelling in the Michigan Territory, Fort Humboldt in California, Fort Riley in Kansas, and Fort Garland in Colorado.
Each story is centered around a young lady coming to one of the aforementioned forts for one reason or another.
I enjoyed these short novellas and only wished they were longer.
Each of authors wrote her story in an engaging and beautiful way.
If you like well-written, Faith-Based historical fiction, I encourage you to check out this collection!
***Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the digital ARC of this book. All views and opinions expressed in this review are my own.***
July 6, 2020
The Soldier's Lady
4 Stories of Frontier Adventures
by Susanne Dietze, Janette Foreman, Gabrielle Meyer, Lorna Seilstad
Back of the Book: “Adventure and Romance Await at Frontier Forts. Join four adventurous women making their home at Old West forts. Faced with daily challenges—and stubborn men—they bring civility to the frontier.
The Colonel’s Daughter by Gabrielle Meyer
Minnesota, 1828—Fort Snelling
Major Nathaniel Ward is tasked with guarding his commanding officer’s daughter, Ally Benson, from the amorous soldiers at Fort Snelling, but he finds the hardest person to keep in line is himself.
Frontier of Her Heart by Susanne Dietze
California, 1854—Fort Humboldt
All is fair in love and war, but the contest of wills between fort cook Emily Sweet and Assistant Surgeon Boyd Braxton is all about pride, not romance. . .until they must work together to stop an epidemic.
Save the Last Word for Me by Lorna Seilstad
Kansas, 1864—Fort Riley
Determined schoolteacher Adelina Dante believes every man, woman, and child deserves the chance to read and write, but when she approaches Colonel Isaac Scott about why he should allow his illiterate soldiers to attend special classes, she’s the one who gets educated in matters of the heart.
Forever Fort Garland by Janette Foreman
Colorado, 1879—Fort Garland
Annie Moreau arrives at Fort Garland to marry her soldier pen pal, Martin, but encounters two surprises—Martin has died in battle and she’s been corresponding with dashing Captain Jefferson Gray all along.
Impressions: This is a fun collection of independent women looking for love in the military world of the frontier.
Liked: I think these are a well written, cohesive collection. I really enjoyed all the stories.
Disliked: Nothing really stood out that I disliked.
Learned: I learned that we have to put ourselves outside our comfort zone to learn and grow.
Quotes: “I believe book learning is for everyone. It’s my job to find the right way to teach you, and it’s your job to learn.”
“Kind hearts are gardens. Kind thoughts are roots. Kind words are flowers. Kind deeds are fruits. Take care of your garden and keep out the weeds, fill it with sunshine, kind words, and kind deeds.”
“Considering yourself to be one and actually carrying it out are two different things.” – referring to being a Christian
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here.
4 Stories of Frontier Adventures
by Susanne Dietze, Janette Foreman, Gabrielle Meyer, Lorna Seilstad
Back of the Book: “Adventure and Romance Await at Frontier Forts. Join four adventurous women making their home at Old West forts. Faced with daily challenges—and stubborn men—they bring civility to the frontier.
The Colonel’s Daughter by Gabrielle Meyer
Minnesota, 1828—Fort Snelling
Major Nathaniel Ward is tasked with guarding his commanding officer’s daughter, Ally Benson, from the amorous soldiers at Fort Snelling, but he finds the hardest person to keep in line is himself.
Frontier of Her Heart by Susanne Dietze
California, 1854—Fort Humboldt
All is fair in love and war, but the contest of wills between fort cook Emily Sweet and Assistant Surgeon Boyd Braxton is all about pride, not romance. . .until they must work together to stop an epidemic.
Save the Last Word for Me by Lorna Seilstad
Kansas, 1864—Fort Riley
Determined schoolteacher Adelina Dante believes every man, woman, and child deserves the chance to read and write, but when she approaches Colonel Isaac Scott about why he should allow his illiterate soldiers to attend special classes, she’s the one who gets educated in matters of the heart.
Forever Fort Garland by Janette Foreman
Colorado, 1879—Fort Garland
Annie Moreau arrives at Fort Garland to marry her soldier pen pal, Martin, but encounters two surprises—Martin has died in battle and she’s been corresponding with dashing Captain Jefferson Gray all along.
Impressions: This is a fun collection of independent women looking for love in the military world of the frontier.
Liked: I think these are a well written, cohesive collection. I really enjoyed all the stories.
Disliked: Nothing really stood out that I disliked.
Learned: I learned that we have to put ourselves outside our comfort zone to learn and grow.
Quotes: “I believe book learning is for everyone. It’s my job to find the right way to teach you, and it’s your job to learn.”
“Kind hearts are gardens. Kind thoughts are roots. Kind words are flowers. Kind deeds are fruits. Take care of your garden and keep out the weeds, fill it with sunshine, kind words, and kind deeds.”
“Considering yourself to be one and actually carrying it out are two different things.” – referring to being a Christian
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here.
July 18, 2020
The Colonel’s Daughter by Gabrielle Meyer
An incredibly swoony romance! I love how Meyer easily makes a novella feel like a whole story. I’d love a full length novel, but I’m always satisfied with her novellas, and this one is no exception. 5/5 stars!
Frontier of Her Heart by Susanne Dietze
A sweet story! I enjoyed the friendly competition between Emily and Boyd, and the inclusion of real historical figures was a nice touch. 4/5 stars
Save the Last Word For Me by Lorna Seilstad
It was a sweet story, but I felt like it missed a lot of its potential. There were interesting facts included about military life and other tidbits, but those most often ended up slowing down the story. There were also some loose ends, and the ending was very abrupt. Adelina, who was a bit annoying, had a more defined relationship with a male side character than the romantic hero. Overall, it was an interesting story, it just didn’t satisfy as much as I’d hoped. 2.5/5 stars
Forever Fort Garland by Janette Foreman
The premise was intriguing and I was excited to read the story, but it was a bit anticlimactic. Annie was annoying, and the story was somewhat repetitive. 2.5/5 stars
Overall rating: 3.5/5 stars
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
An incredibly swoony romance! I love how Meyer easily makes a novella feel like a whole story. I’d love a full length novel, but I’m always satisfied with her novellas, and this one is no exception. 5/5 stars!
Frontier of Her Heart by Susanne Dietze
A sweet story! I enjoyed the friendly competition between Emily and Boyd, and the inclusion of real historical figures was a nice touch. 4/5 stars
Save the Last Word For Me by Lorna Seilstad
It was a sweet story, but I felt like it missed a lot of its potential. There were interesting facts included about military life and other tidbits, but those most often ended up slowing down the story. There were also some loose ends, and the ending was very abrupt. Adelina, who was a bit annoying, had a more defined relationship with a male side character than the romantic hero. Overall, it was an interesting story, it just didn’t satisfy as much as I’d hoped. 2.5/5 stars
Forever Fort Garland by Janette Foreman
The premise was intriguing and I was excited to read the story, but it was a bit anticlimactic. Annie was annoying, and the story was somewhat repetitive. 2.5/5 stars
Overall rating: 3.5/5 stars
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
May 21, 2020
Barbour Publishing always brings high quality authors together to write their anthologies, and The Soldier's Lady is no exception to this practice.
All four of the novellas take place during the mid-1800s at a frontier fort where concerns revolve around the Indian wars as well as the War Between the States. The characters are all well-fitted to their surroundings and to their circumstances. These are delightful stories that are sure to entertain the readers.
Each of the authors has produced a cohesive story that puts the girls into the protection of an officer stationed at the fort. The proximity of the girls to their protectors puts them in a place where falling in love with one another seems only natural. These girls are somewhat modern in that they didn't want pity, they wanted to stand on their own two feet, and they knew what they wanted in a marriage and a spouse.
This is a five star collection, two thumbs up, and a soldier to protect you.
Barbour Publishing and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
All four of the novellas take place during the mid-1800s at a frontier fort where concerns revolve around the Indian wars as well as the War Between the States. The characters are all well-fitted to their surroundings and to their circumstances. These are delightful stories that are sure to entertain the readers.
Each of the authors has produced a cohesive story that puts the girls into the protection of an officer stationed at the fort. The proximity of the girls to their protectors puts them in a place where falling in love with one another seems only natural. These girls are somewhat modern in that they didn't want pity, they wanted to stand on their own two feet, and they knew what they wanted in a marriage and a spouse.
This is a five star collection, two thumbs up, and a soldier to protect you.
Barbour Publishing and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
September 10, 2020
Yet another fantastic novella collection from Barbour Publishing!
The Soldier's Lady tells the stories of four women and the soldiers who fall in love with them. I enjoyed the historic 1800's setting as well as the glimpse of what life may have looked at on a military fort in the untamed west.
The first two novellas, The Colonel's Heart and Frontier of the Heart, were my favourites in this collection. I loved watching these unexpected romances develop into beautiful love stories. Save the Last Word and Forever Fort Garland were my least favourites, as I didn't find the plots and relationships to be as well-developed as the first two were. However, they were still enjoyable and fun to read.
All in all, The Soldier's Lady is a sweet and enjoyable book. If you've enjoyed previous novella collections or just enjoy historical fiction, you won't want to miss this one!
*I received a copy of this book through the publisher and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. My positive review is not required.
The Soldier's Lady tells the stories of four women and the soldiers who fall in love with them. I enjoyed the historic 1800's setting as well as the glimpse of what life may have looked at on a military fort in the untamed west.
The first two novellas, The Colonel's Heart and Frontier of the Heart, were my favourites in this collection. I loved watching these unexpected romances develop into beautiful love stories. Save the Last Word and Forever Fort Garland were my least favourites, as I didn't find the plots and relationships to be as well-developed as the first two were. However, they were still enjoyable and fun to read.
All in all, The Soldier's Lady is a sweet and enjoyable book. If you've enjoyed previous novella collections or just enjoy historical fiction, you won't want to miss this one!
*I received a copy of this book through the publisher and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. My positive review is not required.
July 21, 2020
The Soldier’s Lady is a four story collection of sweet, faith based historical romances set in real life forts in the 1800’s. All four authors have done their research and included some historical facts and characters to add realism to their sagas. I liked the variety of characters such as Seth Kenman and his mule Dave. What an interesting piece of history from Susanne Dietze. Gabrielle Meyer had me checking facts on the Ho Chunk War. Lorna Seilstad had me chuckling over who gave the orders and who had the last word at Fort Reiley, Kansas. Janette Foreman had me wondering if Jefferson Gray would ever admit the truth as he grieved the loss of his good friend Martin O’Neal.
I enjoyed this collection very much.
I received an ARC from Barbour through Net Galley.
I enjoyed this collection very much.
I received an ARC from Barbour through Net Galley.
August 1, 2020
I haven't read many stories set in the 19th century in a fort. Reading novellas is a great excuse to dip my toes in a new setting.
Overall, I think this collection was pretty great. I enjoyed the first three over the last, but novellas give such little time to immerse oneself in, that an author really has to hit the ground quickly in grabbing my attention. The last one's tone was more tragic and right now I need a little more hope.
I would love to read more by these authors and more about life in an American fort. Women were few and far between with a high demand to be tough and full of faith. Their strength and support of their families are admirable.
Thank you, Barbour Publishing and Netgalley for the advanced copy! All thoughts in this review are my own.
Overall, I think this collection was pretty great. I enjoyed the first three over the last, but novellas give such little time to immerse oneself in, that an author really has to hit the ground quickly in grabbing my attention. The last one's tone was more tragic and right now I need a little more hope.
I would love to read more by these authors and more about life in an American fort. Women were few and far between with a high demand to be tough and full of faith. Their strength and support of their families are admirable.
Thank you, Barbour Publishing and Netgalley for the advanced copy! All thoughts in this review are my own.
June 24, 2020
The Soldier's Lady: 4 Stories of Frontier Adventures
Recommended for easy reading, decent writing, light romance, & faith.
Wish there had been more adventure. 4.25 stars overall.
The Colonel's Daughter by Gabrielle Meyer: Minnesota, 1828—Fort Snelling
"All he'd ever known was the hard discipline of military life and the coarse behavior of men. In his arms, Ally was soft and pure and gentle."
"I've never seen anything so grand." The mist from the crashing water settled upon her face, and she closed her eyes, savoring the feel of it. "It makes me even more conscious of the power and majesty of God, to know He carved this creation from nothing and gave us the ability to recognize its splendor."
EXCELLENT STORY FOR A NOVELLA. WELL ROUNDED. A SPRINKLING OF FAITH. SWEET ENDING. 4.5 STARS
Frontier of Her Heart by Susanne Dietze: California, 1854—Fort Humboldt
"She thanked God every day since she'd been hired by the fort commander, Colonel Robert Buchanan, to cook for the forty-odd members of Company B, Fourth Infantry. She and her twelve-year-old brother Harry, were given a tiny redwood house to live in, across the parade grounds from the kitchen."
"She and Molly often shared a cup of tea and conversation during afternoon lulls - a welcome respite, since they were currently the only two females at the fort."
"Even in the toughest of times, God's children needed to look to Him in hope and trust. Not always easy, but it was the only way to live."
2 FOR 2! ANOTHER WELL-WRITTEN STORY FULL UP WITH CHARM, DRAMA AND ROMANCE. 4 STARS.
Save the Last Word for Me by Lorna Seilstad: Kansas, 1864—Fort Riley
"This here is where Mrs. Major Adams lives. You can't miss her. She's shaped like a teakettle and spouts off just as much."
"Lord, I pray that Thee will help me find a way to teach the illiterate soldiers how to read and write without upsetting the colonel. If this is Thy will, please show me the path Thou has planned."
"He found he appreciated her sweet sense of humor and her devotion to God and to others."
I ENJOYED THIS STORY BUT I NEVER CARE FOR A COUPLE FALLING IN LOVE TOO QUICKLY. WELL WRITTEN & FULL OF FAITH, BUT AS WITH MOST NOVELLAS, IT'S HARD TO FLESH OUT THE STORIES & CHARACTERS ENOUGH TO TRULY SATISFY.
Forever Fort Garland by Janette Foreman - Colorado, 1879—Fort Garland
"Inviting Miss Annie Moreau to Fort Garland had been a terrible idea. Captain Jefferson Gray had known it with every word he'd scrawled for Martin O'Neal in the letter that man had sent home."
THIS STORY WAS UNUSUAL IN THE APPROACH WHICH, I LIKED. JEFFERSON WAS QUITE NOBLE & LIKEABLE. 4 STARS.
I received a complimentary eBook from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own without compensation or further expectation.
Recommended for easy reading, decent writing, light romance, & faith.
Wish there had been more adventure. 4.25 stars overall.
The Colonel's Daughter by Gabrielle Meyer: Minnesota, 1828—Fort Snelling
"All he'd ever known was the hard discipline of military life and the coarse behavior of men. In his arms, Ally was soft and pure and gentle."
"I've never seen anything so grand." The mist from the crashing water settled upon her face, and she closed her eyes, savoring the feel of it. "It makes me even more conscious of the power and majesty of God, to know He carved this creation from nothing and gave us the ability to recognize its splendor."
EXCELLENT STORY FOR A NOVELLA. WELL ROUNDED. A SPRINKLING OF FAITH. SWEET ENDING. 4.5 STARS
Frontier of Her Heart by Susanne Dietze: California, 1854—Fort Humboldt
"She thanked God every day since she'd been hired by the fort commander, Colonel Robert Buchanan, to cook for the forty-odd members of Company B, Fourth Infantry. She and her twelve-year-old brother Harry, were given a tiny redwood house to live in, across the parade grounds from the kitchen."
"She and Molly often shared a cup of tea and conversation during afternoon lulls - a welcome respite, since they were currently the only two females at the fort."
"Even in the toughest of times, God's children needed to look to Him in hope and trust. Not always easy, but it was the only way to live."
2 FOR 2! ANOTHER WELL-WRITTEN STORY FULL UP WITH CHARM, DRAMA AND ROMANCE. 4 STARS.
Save the Last Word for Me by Lorna Seilstad: Kansas, 1864—Fort Riley
"This here is where Mrs. Major Adams lives. You can't miss her. She's shaped like a teakettle and spouts off just as much."
"Lord, I pray that Thee will help me find a way to teach the illiterate soldiers how to read and write without upsetting the colonel. If this is Thy will, please show me the path Thou has planned."
"He found he appreciated her sweet sense of humor and her devotion to God and to others."
I ENJOYED THIS STORY BUT I NEVER CARE FOR A COUPLE FALLING IN LOVE TOO QUICKLY. WELL WRITTEN & FULL OF FAITH, BUT AS WITH MOST NOVELLAS, IT'S HARD TO FLESH OUT THE STORIES & CHARACTERS ENOUGH TO TRULY SATISFY.
Forever Fort Garland by Janette Foreman - Colorado, 1879—Fort Garland
"Inviting Miss Annie Moreau to Fort Garland had been a terrible idea. Captain Jefferson Gray had known it with every word he'd scrawled for Martin O'Neal in the letter that man had sent home."
THIS STORY WAS UNUSUAL IN THE APPROACH WHICH, I LIKED. JEFFERSON WAS QUITE NOBLE & LIKEABLE. 4 STARS.
I received a complimentary eBook from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own without compensation or further expectation.
June 23, 2021
This book is a compilation of four different stories by different authors depicting life in the early to late 1800s in a variety of fort's on the frontier. Each story involves a romance of a woman and the military men that they grow to love. The stories each have references to being God-fearing and Christian. Each story is clean and wholesome with a happy ending. The stories are well written and give a glimpse of what life would have been like during that time in our country's history.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
June 11, 2020
Enjoy four well written, short stories of young women who end up out west as soldiers brides. Each author tells a unique tale with some factual places and events at various fort locations.
Life for soldiers wives at a fort could be challenging and somewhat limited. Dangers lurked and each time the men left on a mission, there was no guarantee they would return. It took a special kind of woman to survive life on the frontier.
Life for soldiers wives at a fort could be challenging and somewhat limited. Dangers lurked and each time the men left on a mission, there was no guarantee they would return. It took a special kind of woman to survive life on the frontier.
July 12, 2020
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This series of four Inspirational Short Stories was a fun and thrilling read. Each author presents a different perspective and writing style, but each individual story is a well written, full piece.
Reading the first story, I expected each of the short stories to be about the different daughters of the Colonel who arrive at the beginning of the story. It didn't meet that expectation, since it tells stories of people in the fort rather than the family.
However, each of the stories was entertaining and fun.
My favorite was the first with Ally and Nathaniel. I always love a good story of a man protecting a woman who doesn't necessarily want that protection. Ally was a feisty, strong woman who loves the frontier and is glad to be moved to the fort.
A fun read for people who enjoy short Historical, Inspirational stories.
I give this four out of five stars.
The Soldier's Lady by Susanne Dietze, Janette Foreman, Gabrielle Meyer, and Lorna Seilstad. ISBN-13: 978-1643526058. 448 pages. Barbour Books (August 1, 2020).
This series of four Inspirational Short Stories was a fun and thrilling read. Each author presents a different perspective and writing style, but each individual story is a well written, full piece.
Reading the first story, I expected each of the short stories to be about the different daughters of the Colonel who arrive at the beginning of the story. It didn't meet that expectation, since it tells stories of people in the fort rather than the family.
However, each of the stories was entertaining and fun.
My favorite was the first with Ally and Nathaniel. I always love a good story of a man protecting a woman who doesn't necessarily want that protection. Ally was a feisty, strong woman who loves the frontier and is glad to be moved to the fort.
A fun read for people who enjoy short Historical, Inspirational stories.
I give this four out of five stars.
The Soldier's Lady by Susanne Dietze, Janette Foreman, Gabrielle Meyer, and Lorna Seilstad. ISBN-13: 978-1643526058. 448 pages. Barbour Books (August 1, 2020).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2020
There are four stories in book. As of now, I’ve finished two of them. I look forward to reading the other two at a later time. I wanted to share my thoughts now. I really enjoyed the stories. Both set in a military setting on a fort. One in California and the other in Minnesota. It was interesting how each author had someone from history represented in the book. Fort life could be hard and it also had good. If you’re looking for a good read I definitely recommend these. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All views stated are my own.
May 17, 2020
Beautiful stories told by wonderful authors.
This book is a Christian Fiction Romance.
I love books with military settings.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This book is a Christian Fiction Romance.
I love books with military settings.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
May 20, 2020
This is one of those books that you don’t want to put down! I absolutely loved each story and also love that you feel like you are a part of the story as well. Such sweet love stories and each unique in their own way. I definitely found this book to be enjoyable and addictive!
July 3, 2020
Four well written historical stories. I love books about pioneering and forts. If you enjoy this type of book I recommend this book. I received an arc from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.
December 18, 2020
3/5 stars, full review to come! Short stories always suffer from development and pacing issues for me but overall this was alright. The third story was definitely my favorite!
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Pacing: 2/5
Writing: 3/5
Enjoyment: 3/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Pacing: 2/5
Writing: 3/5
Enjoyment: 3/5
May 25, 2020
Four stories with soldiers and their ladies. I enjoyed reading each story, some more than others. Some stories were slow to read, but they were lovely anyway. Each one is clean and not too long. I enjoyed reading them.
July 1, 2020
4 stories of life and love on pioneer forts. They are well written with likable characters and enough backstory to understand the character motives. Truly a delight to read!
June 9, 2020
I’m not a big fan of short stories/novellas. But these 4 are pretty good. They are sweet love stories. For the most part, they were written about the time of the Wild West. The heroine of each story had to be strong to survive in those days. They were all good stories and I would read books from any of the authors. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review.
May 4, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this! These 4 novellas are all great at what they were meant to be - a sweet romance with a sometimes subtle and sometimes not Christian message with lovely characters and strong women in particular.
All the authors capture life on a fort and military routines at that time with what seems to be a fairly realistic portrayals of day-to-day life there.
My favorites were Lorna Seilstad and Gabrielle Meyer’s stories, not because the others weren’t good but because I was able to connect to the characters more in these. This was a really enjoyable read!
All the authors capture life on a fort and military routines at that time with what seems to be a fairly realistic portrayals of day-to-day life there.
My favorites were Lorna Seilstad and Gabrielle Meyer’s stories, not because the others weren’t good but because I was able to connect to the characters more in these. This was a really enjoyable read!
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