More Than Words: Stories Of Strength: Close Call/Built To Last/Find The Way

by Carla Neggers, Susan Mallery, Karen Harper

They're your neighbors, your aunts, your sisters and your best friends. They're women across North America committed to changing and enriching lives, one good deed at a time. Three of these exceptional women have been selected as recipients of Harlequin's More Than Words award. And three New York Times bestselling authors have kindly offered their creativity to write original short stories inspired by these real-life heroines.We hope these stories inspired by strong, courageous women will touch your heart and motivate the heroine living inside you.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Fiction

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Carla Neggers is the New York Times bestselling author of the Sharpe & Donovan series featuring Boston-based FBI agents Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan, and the popular Swift River Valley series set in the small, fictional New England town of Knights Bridge. With many bestsellers to her credit, Carla loves to write now as much as she did when she climbed a tree at age eleven with a pad and pen and spun stories perched on her favorite branch.

A native New Englander, Carla and her husband divide their time between their hilltop home in Vermont, a sofa bed at their kids' places in Boston and various inns, hotels and hideaways on their travels, frequently to Ireland.

Find out more and sign up for Carla's newsletter at CarlaNeggers.com.

Reviews

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review only for Built to Last by Susan Mallery.
From A Sweet Life Boxed Set

Two-haiku review:

He's recluse craftsman
She wants auction donation
Her laughter draws him

Novella done right
Plenty of depth, emotion
Loved the characters

[Sandra Bensley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Close Call, by Carla Neggers, it was a fun read, mystery, yet a bit more. Going back in history to find the missing clues that are actually right under their fingers in the cozy B&B. This couple--pair up to find out what's happening and why the only other guest registered, seems to be not who he claims to be. Whoops...go find out.

[Delean K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Reading

Each novella was well written with engaging characters. I wish Neggers and Mallery's stories had been longer. I am a fan of both authors.

[Tammi Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely stories from wonderful authors

[Rosemary Lyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three stories

Enjoyed all three! Excellent writing that kept me interested. Even though they were short stories they were well written and all had good endings!

[Havefaith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is actually three short stories, written byt three different authors, each incorporating a not for profit charity as a major theme in the story. The first story, Close Call by Carla Neggers is Shelternet, for battered women. The second story, Built to last by Susan Mallory, was Motheread/Fatherread, a charity that helps illiterate parents learn to read. The third story Find the Way by Karen Harper, includes Puppies behind Bars. This was an interesting way to get the word out there about all three charities, and I actually thought it was a good idea. All are very worthy of mention, however, the stories, while good, were way too short. I think all three of the authors could have developed the stories a bit more, and done a whole book, rather than a short story. All three left me feeling that the stories and characters where shallow. I would have loved to learn more about them.

[Colleen]

I usually stay away from the romance-type genre. Yet, it was a nice change to read some escapism: light and easy reading. There were 3 stories in 1. I found the first 2 to be shallow & implausable. The 1st was poorly developed. 3 stories specially written as part of a contest to honour real-life heroines. Featured are www.shelternet.ca, Motheread/Fatheread family literacy program and PuppiesBehindBars.com, all very cool, so I really enjoyed the book after all, especially the 2 stories woven together to form the last short story, which is well developed and has a surprise

[Kelly Marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I actually read Built To Last but this is how it popped up...I did not read this 3 book compilation. Built To Last was good but I couldn't wait for it to end. I read the entire thing hoping for it to get more interesting as I read along but it really didn't. The book was flat and never gained momentum.

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another anthology based on real people and the way they help others with their volunteering or organizations they founded as the basis of short stories by well known authors. Especially liked the stories by Susan Mallery and Karen Harper. Quick, enjoyable reads.

[Dorothy Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't particularly enjoy the first story, Close Call by Carla Neggers. First I've read of hers and didn't get into her writing style. Enjoyed the 2nd story, Built to Last by Susan Mallery very much.

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational! Loved it and appreciate the authors and contributors to these stories. I am looking forward to reading the next.

[ih · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clearly contrived, but nice enough.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review applies only to "Built To Last" by Susan Mallery

[Joanna Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Built to Last from the Sweet Life boxed set:Loved the contrast between the main characters. Wished this story was longer, actually. Sweet story.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

2015 Reading Challenge: A book of short stories

[Heidi]

Only read Built To Last from the Sweet Life Box Set.