4 Women Bring Southern Charm to a Cowboy Town Crinoline Creek, Texas, 1868 A Cowboy of Her Own by Patty Smith Hall Bookish southern belle Madalyn Turner knows what she wants–to be a cowboy and own a Texas ranch. But books are far different from real life and soon she realizes she needs help. Josephine’s Dream by Cynthia Hickey An inexperience Southern belle and a ranching widower must … inexperience Southern belle and a ranching widower must overcome their two very different lifestyles and find a way to work together. Neither of them expected to fall in love. When danger strikes, will they find out that love is worth the price?
Love’s Cookin’ at the Cowboy Café by Marilyn Turk
A refined but feisty southern belle inherits a saloon she plans to convert into a genteel café. Even though her lack of cooking skills threatens disaster, she rejects the town banker’s advice. What will happen when the two lock horns and an unlikely romance simmers on the back burner?
Bea Mine by Kathleen Y’Barbo
Preferring his horse and hound dog to human company, the sheriff’s soldier brother is not happy when he’s left in charge of the jail and the talkative woman awaiting trial. Has the Lord moved to change his mind about the course of his life, or will the little lady win his heart and her freedom?
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Crinoline Cowboys is a collection of 4 novellas about Georgia women who head to Crinoline Creek, Texas. Even though the stories have the same setting, they’re not connected much. A minor character in one story shows up again in another, but besides that, there isn’t any continuity. One story mentions eating at the cafe, and then the next says there is no cafe. It would’ve been nice if the stories were a bit more connected, but it didn’t take away from the enjoyment of the collection.
Other than that, this is a nice collection. My favorite story was A Cowboy of Her Own, but Bea Mine is a close second. The only story I wasn’t too crazy about was Love’s Cooking at the Cowboy Cafe. But every novella collection has stories I love and stories I don’t, so I suppose it’s to be expected.
(You can check out my full review at https://justjenniferpurcell.com/2019/10/25/just-read-crinoline-cowboys/)
“Crinoline Cowboys” is a collection of four love stories about four different Southern Belles who are left alone and completely devastated by the ravages of the Civil War. These four ladies find their way to Crinoline Creek, Texas with the charm, grace and genteel breeding of the “Gone With the Wind” belles, and the audacity and determination to make a better life for themselves. Those of us from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s are well schooled in the “Western” genre; rough and tumble cowboys, cattle drives, outlaws, and shoot-em-ups. It is to be noted that none of the male love interests exhibit typical cowboy traits, but show honor and respect for the women they love and strong faith and gentlemanly manners. Momma raised ’em right!
In “A Cowboy of Her Own,” Patty Smith Hall portrays Maddie’s desire to manage her own ranch and hire an experienced hand, thus leading her to Carter Wilbanks. Carter, in turn, is searching for someone to rein in his tomboy little sister teaching her refinement and social graces. An agreement is reached, some cowpoke mayhem is settled, and Maddie and Carter realize their objectives.
Cynthia Hickey is the author of “Josie’s Dreams.” Josie Montgomery arrives in Crinoline Creek with hopes of employment, supporting herself, and owning something of her very own. Parker Owens hires her on as a nanny, but she soon finds that the job is much more labor intensive. Quickly adapting and not giving up, Josie learns the operations of the ranch and proves to be an irreplaceable asset.
Pay particular attention to “Love’s Cookin’ at the Cowboy Cafe'” by Marilyn Turk. This one is different. Sarah Beth Taylor comes to Crinoline Creek as heiress to a saloon which she dreams of turning into a fine dining restaurant with the help of local banker Emery Wright. Emery is instantly infatuated with her and offers total assistance just to be near her. Coming from a privileged life in the Antebellum South, Sarah Beth stumbles as she doesn’t know how to cook. Ms. Turk throws in western excitement with an unexpected mystery, and even a shootout! With the perseverance, survival skills and cleverness of Scarlett O’Hara, the heroine finds success…and something much more!
“Bea Mine” by Kathleen Y’Barbo stays true to the westerns we all know and love. As a passing conversation with a Confederate soldier turns into a treasured memory for Bea Wilson, it is a shocking surprise when her path crosses again with Captain Gil Hodges in Crinoline Creek after the war. Ever the reluctant hero, Gil fills in as sheriff for his absentee brother and gives Bea protection as cattle rustlers invade her property. This story has some light-hearted moments and is a throwback to the “Wild West” days.
This book was a pleasure to read, and I recommend it because of it’s historical content and reminiscences of a time when we watched westerns on tv and at the movies. I was given a complimentary copy of “Crinoline Cowboys” and offer an unbiased review.
My Review of Crinoline Cowboys:
The Barbour collections that have come out in the past year have each been wonderful but this one? It is my favorite yet!
A Cowboy of Her Own; the character growth is spectacular.
Josephine’s Dream; my favorite of the collection with the childrens’ antics.
Love’s Cookin’ at the Cowboy Café; hilarious, and sweet.
Bea Mine; the first of the stories I read and the last in the collection, tied for favorite with Josephine’s Dream.
Each of these are unique, interesting, and hilarious. With kidnappings, burnt meals, southern belles, and cowboy gentlemen you’ll fall in love with the Crinoline Cowboys.
Rating: 4 stars.
Recommendation: 16 up for romance.
Verse: Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (King James Version.)
Four strong, independent women making their dreams come true. I really enjoyed this collection of four novellas set in 1860’s Texas. I was especially drawn to Marilyn Turk’s story. Her main character, Sarah Beth Taylor, is feisty and strong. I found myself laughing out loud at times following along on her adventure. Marilyn is especially known for her settings that include lighthouses. I wondered – could she manage to get a lighthouse in the middle of Texas? Well, she did! I’ll let you find out for yourself how she did it.
Crinoline Cowboys is a collection that produced laughter and tears. Each novella had a young Southern lady going to Crinoline, Texas following the Civil War for various reasons. Their preparation of going to a western cowboy town was humorous as they were unprepared for the work and danger that faced them. Each tale was filled with action and peril as there were rustlers, kidnappers, and others to bring harm to ranchers. There’s some true history woven into the tales.
Patty Smith Hall in A Cowboy of Her Own provided a tale of Maddie and Carter. Maddie envisioned herself being a cowboy without understanding the working of a ranch. Carter had struggles with providing proper training for his ten year old sister. Their work agreement brought more than they anticipated.
Josephine’s Dream by Cynthia Hickey brought Josie and Parker Owens together. She was surprised at the work a nanny/housekeeper was required to do in 24 hours while teaching four young children. Little Sadie was a sweetheart but her brothers were mischievous. A threat against their lives brought new awareness.
Marilyn Turk’s tale of Love’s Cookin’ at the Cowboy Café explored Sarah Beth inaccuracies to turn her inherited saloon into a café. Emery Wright, the banker, was amused by her determination but there was a threat when a bounty hunter appeared in Crinoline. I’m glad Turk had a lighthouse mentioned in her novella, since she’s known for her love of lighthouses in all her books.
Bea Mine by Kathleen Y’Barbo gave way to young Bea and Gilbert meeting through a march and a couple of words spoken years prior to their reconnection. Bea’s life was not what she anticipated but time and distance might bring peace. Gil faced a lot of turmoil and lacked confidence but discovering Bea gave way to reassurance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from one of the authors. I was under no obligation to write a review but have expressed my own thoughts.