Bestselling novelist Tracie Peterson joins Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, and Jen Turano in this collection of four novellas, each featuring a Harvey Girl heroine. From Kansas to Texas, the Grand Canyon to New Mexico, the stories cross the country with tales of sweet romance and entertaining history. In Karen Witemeyer’s “More Than a Pretty Face,” a young woman works her hardest to escape poor … escape poor choices from her youth. Tracie Peterson offers “A Flood of Love,” where reuniting with an old flame after more than a decade offers unexpected results. Regina Jennings’s “Intrigue a la Mode” delights with a tale of a young woman determined to help support her family, despite warnings of danger nearby. And Jen Turano’s “Grand Encounters” heads to the Grand Canyon with a tale of a society belle intent on finding a new life for herself.
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This is a set of four novellas all featuring women that work at a Harvey House restaurant. Each of these stories was written by one of four of my favorite CHristian fiction authors. Each novella features a different Harvey House restaurant in a different area of the country. All four made me either laugh or cry. They each had a different lesson to learn. I loved all four stories. I received a copy of this book from one of the authors for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
I always enjoy novella collections and this one is a great addition to my keeper shelf!
The stories included in this collection are:
A Flood of Love by Tracie Peterson
This was the first time I’d read anything by Tracie Peterson and I’m so glad I did! I was impressed by her rich, historical details. A Flood of Love features an adorably precocious kid, lots of action and a lovely second-chance romance! I felt this story was a bit rushed, especially in the middle, but I was happy with the sweet ending!
More Than a Pretty Face by Karen Witemeyer
I was one of Rosalind’s biggest fans when I first met her in More Than Words Can Say and I’m so happy to see how her story turned out! Caleb was a stand-up guy and I enjoyed watching their relationship grow! Caleb and Rosalind’s somewhat nerdy personalities were so adorable! This novella shares that mistakes from the past can be overcome with grace and love. Very enjoyable!!
Intrigue a la Mode by Regina Jennings
A mystery, a busboy in disguise and a sweet romance? Yes, please! I really enjoyed this charming story! The characters were vivid and the plot perfectly paced. Willow and Graham were a joy to root for! Also, I would love for Willow’s cousin Calista to have her own story! I won’t say why because of spoilers, but I would love to follow her around a little bit more!
A Grand Encounter by Jen Turano
Jen’s signature style shines through and is just as clever in short form as a full-length novel! You can always count on her stories to have the best pep talks, supportive (and often meddling!) examples of strong male friendships, and the best “save the day” rescue scenes! This story was so much fun! Jack and Myrtle were a delightfully awkward pair! I think you’ll enjoy them, too!
This book was a lot of fun! I found all of the details about the history of the Harvey House brand quite interesting! I’m super happy to recommend this collection to fans of these talented authors or for anyone looking to try their work for the first time! All four stories are excellent works of Christian historical fiction and will be enjoyed for years to come!
Serving Up Love is available now – visit Christian Book to purchase your copy!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from author Regina Jennings and Bethany House Publishers. A positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are completely my own.
So good! Excellent collection of writing-these authors are fantastic! I really enjoyed the historical background used in each story.
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.
3.5stars
” I know you mentioned you’ve sworn off gentleman forever, but Mr. Tall, Dark, and – need I say – Delicious is here again . . . ”
And just like that, all the vestiges of a broken engagement and subsequent pity disappear, as Mrytle Schermerhorn heads over to her section of the El Tovar Hotel restaurant to take Mr. Daggert’s order. His usual formality seems in jeopardy with his younger brother in tow, for Mrytle discovers that the handsome businessman has been talking more about her, than actually to her. – “Grand Encounters” by Jen Turano
All four of these delightful little tales feature Harvey Girls; hard-working young women who serve their customers with excellence, while trying very hard to keep their hearts as starched as their aprons; but as we all know, the best of intentions can go astray when the right man gets off the train.
What a great collection of stories that bring everything to the table including historical information on The Harvey Girls. What an interesting time in our History that gave women a chance to be independent and travel to see parts of our country that previously wasn’t possible.
A Flood of Love by Tracie Peterson is the first course served and doesn’t disappoint by blending fact and fiction into a well crafted story.
More Than A Pretty Face by Karen Whitmeyer is the second course and delivers a delicious story of overcoming your past to find forgiveness and love.
Intrigue a la Mode by Regina Jennings delivers the main course of secrets, intrigue, romance, and family. I loved Willow and her spunkiness.
A Grand Encounter by Jen Turano serves us dessert by making us laugh with her quirky characters and charming storyline.
Tie all these together into a meal that is satisfying and leaves you feeling like you went on an adventure into the past. Highly recommended reading material that is inspiring and well written.
I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
Humor, romance, and a whole lot of Harvey House history pack the pages of Serving Up Love. The novellas in this collection are from four of my favorite authors and I thoroughly enjoyed each one.
From New Mexico to Texas to Kansas to the Grand Canyon, the women who worked for Fred Harvey along the railroad took pride in their positions. I knew very little about Harvey Houses so the history in each of these stories was fresh.
Fans of Karen Witemeyer and Jen Turano will recognize the women in More Than a Pretty Face and A Grand Encounter. And here’s hoping Regina Jennings has plans for Calista, who makes an appearance in Intrigue a La Mode, will be starring in a future book. Tracie Peterson not only introduces the Harvey House traditions but gives readers a small history of the now defunct New Mexico town.
This collection was an absolute delight to read and one I’m sure I will be sitting down with again and again.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books 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.
Serving Up Love is a delightful collection of novellas by some of my favorite authors. I’ve read books by all of these authors before and loved them, so I was quite sure I’d enjoy these stories. I wasn’t disappointed. Although the stories were short, they were full of action, history, romance, with a dash of inspiration. The characters were colorful and endearing, and I was fascinated by the historical tidbits I picked up about the Harvey House Girls and the part they played in the history of the United States. I’d heard of the Harvey Houses before, but wasn’t very familiar with them, the people they employed, or the services they offered to train travelers.
The authors did a great job of making the collection feel cohesive, yet unique. I’d recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction novellas. I’m looking forward to more books from these excellent authors.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House. All opinions are my own.
A Flood of Love by Tracie Peterson
Gretchen is back in San Marcial, not that she wanted to be. Filling in as housemother and waitress, she comforts herself with only being there a couple weeks. Meeting Katiann is delightful, but Dirk brings up things long since buried. Great story about the bustling railroad town, and I also enjoyed the historical snippet the author shared at the end of the story. This is set solely in San Marcial Texas.
More Than a Pretty Face by Karen Witemeyer
Rosalind has worked for Harvey House for 5 years and is looking to head west to California. Instead, she’s been transferred to Santa Fe. Caleb is a lawyer with a mother who has someone of high class for him to marry. He’s settled his sights lower than she’d like. A story that draws you in quickly, with Rosalind being seen in a previous series set, and a nice addition with Caleb, Callie, Hank and a few others. Engaging story that will leave you with a sigh at the end.
Intrigue a la Mode by Regina Jennings
Willow works hard to keep the expectations of Harvey House, and be able to send money to her family. Graham, decides it’s time to play busboy to investigate some strange happenings on the railroad and find out why this Harvey House in Emporia is having troubles keeping employees. Smitten with Willow right away, along with him forgetting he can’t talk his normal way keep him more in the spotlight than he wants. Great story, with these characters being rounded out by Etta Mae, Mrs. Skyes, Marlowe, Calista and Willow’s family.
A Grand Encounter by Jen Turano
Myrtle left New York high society after a broken engagement and wound up in El Tovar Harvey House in Arizona. Jack has been dining there for months, and is rather taken with her. Thing is, he’s never really talked to her. His brother tries to speed things along. In typical fashion for this author, we have chuckles coming up quickly as these two start getting to know each other. They are joined by delightful supporting characters in Walter, Ruthanne, Opal, as well as Myrtle’s youngest sister and parents. Set primarily at El Tovar, we get a quick glimpse of Chicago and Newport as well.
As a long-time reader of every author in this collection, I was thankful to be receive complimentary copies and the opportunity to review this excellent anthology of novellas. Each story features a Harvey Girl who works at one of the famous Harvey House restaurant stops along the railroad west. In addition to different characters, the Harvey House in each novella has a different location and/or time frame.
I have previously enjoyed historical novels about the Harvey girls and loved reading more about them. For some reason this aspect of our nation’s history was fascinating to me and it was a treat to learn more about this era of our history. Because of the short format of each novella, I will not attempt to describe each one.
Each of the authors are favorites of mine and I found that each story completely met my expectations. Despite the short length, each author expertly condensed their tale without taking away from its enjoyment. Characters were portrayed in a manner that made me care about each of them and the plots were developed nicely with just the perfect amount of action, suspense, humor, and romance that was necessary. Each story also included a touch of faith that made it more meaningful to me.
I thoroughly enjoyed Serving Up Love and recommend it to all who enjoy historical fiction. If you are not familiar with these authors, this book would be an excellent introduction to their work.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Jen Turano, Regina Jennings and Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
Serving up Love a Four-in-one Harvey House Brides Collection has stories by four of my favorite historical romantic comedy authors.
A FLOOD OF LOVE by Tracie Peterson. Ms. Peterson always delights with her settings and characters. This story is set in San Marcial, New Mexico and is based on a real flood that happened in 1929. Gretchen and Dirk end up back in San Marcial ten years after parting. Dirk now has a precocious 9 year old daughter, Katiann, who is hard on nannies and is praying for a mama. Full of colorful characters of the Old West, this story is exciting and fun-filled and shows trust in God.
MORE THAN A PRETTY FACE by Karen Witemeyer. Fans of Ms. Witemeyer’s More Than Words Can Say will be glad to read about Abby’s sister, Rosalind Kemp, and her time as a Harvey Girl in Gainesviile, Texas. She is content in her position until her past comes back to haunt her and threatens her new romance with Caleb Durrington, a young lawyer. Ms. Witemeyer’s signature wit melds with her always interesting story. Then she wraps it up with panache in an ending full of forgiveness.
INTRIGUE A LA MODE by Regina Jennings. A mystery keeps getting more mysterious when a new busboy isn’t who he seems to be. Willow Kentworth knows something is unusual when she has to collect empty liquor bottles from the street every morning. It is puzzling since Emporia, Kansas is a dry town in 1898. Family and romance are important to Willow but so is loyalty to Harvey House. Ms. Jennings brings unique characters and an intriguing plot to this novella.
GRAND ENCOUNTERS by Jen Turano- Grand Canyon, Arizona, 1908Lots of fun in this story about a society darling who becomes a Harvey Girl after being jilted. Ms. Turano has given us more madcap characters sure to tickle your funny bone, her concluding scenes are the best!
These trips back in time with the Harvey Girls make for enjoyable reading by some of my favorite authors of Romantic Christian Fiction.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of one of the authors. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
I absolutely loved this collection of novellas! Each story is a complete story that allows the reader to come to know the characters intimately and personally. There are no cliffhanger endings and each story leaves the reader with a happy ending. Not only were these stories enjoyable, I learned about a piece of history of which I previously knew nothing. With impeccable writing, I was intrigued and decided to look further into history to learn a little more about the Harvey Girls and found it so interesting. Many thanks to these amazing authors for writing such wonderful stories inviting me to learn more about history!
Wow – this book! I had never heard of a Harvey Girl before, but after reading this book I have never wanted to be one so badly! 🙂 I love the idea of a group of independent young women who work hard to uphold the reputation of their group. Man, they’re awesome.
I love the settings of these stories. The railways, the tight schedules, the, ahem, clientele. Each of these stories is so unique, yet I knew what I was going to get with each one. They were all so good! And I loved each happily ever after. Some of these novellas had me interested in reading the rest of the series that go along with it, so I have some digging to do to see what I can find.
What a great collection. What awesome heroines and tender heroes. Don’t pass up this book. You will not be disappointed!
What a great collection of historical novellas! I thoroughly enjoyed each one, finding them all to be very well-written. I feel like I have learned so much about Harvey Houses and the Harvey Girls who served in them.
I truly enjoyed that each of these novellas felt very complete, with full stories that allowed me to connect with the characters and the situations that they were going through. The love stories were each unique and fit the style of the individual authors, yet had the continuing theme of a Harvey House setting. I enjoyed this novella collection so much!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Each Harvey House is an efficient and reliable hospitality machine. The machine’s well-oiled gears are its staff members, in particular the Harvey Girls. But behind the precise professionalism, the girls are full of hopes and fears just like everyone else. The four historical romances in Serving up Love tell the charming stories of four Harvey Girls as they overcome challenges, find love, and discover God’s hand at work in their lives.
Peterson’s “A Flood of Love” expertly immerses a second chance romance in a dynamic setting for a riveting read.
In “More Than a Pretty Face,” Witemeyer weaves a compelling tale of grace and tenacious love.
In “Intrigue a la Mode,” Jennings’ colorful characters leap from the page to pull the reader into the fun story of hidden identities and unexpected love.
Finally, Turano’s “Grand Encounters” is a masterpiece of humorous mishaps, heartwarming romance, and providential surprises.
I highly recommend this book since all of the stories are entertaining, uplifting, and enlightening as they give insight into the organized and eventful lives of the Harvey Girls.
I received a free copy of this book but was not obligated to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.
In this novella collection, we meet four women from different walks of life who become Harvey House girls. This is a time in history that is especially fascinating to me because it’s a turning point for women to pursue a career other than marriage and motherhood. I love the true story of how Fred Harvey opened up Harvey Houses all around the country, therefore providing opportunities for these women to find independence & sustain themselves financially. When I had a chance to read & review this book, I couldn’t respond fast enough! Plus, these are written by four powerhouse historical fiction authors and knew I would enjoy each story.
In “A Flood of Love” by Tracie Perterson we meet Gretchen Gottsacker and Dirk Martinez. They have a past history together as he left on the eve of proposing to her ten years prior when something went awry and changed both of their lives. I love second chance love stories and how God gave them both a chance to make amends, forgive, move past the pain and start over again. Dirk’s daughter Katiann is such a sweet addition to the story! Her prayer for a mama was fulfilled in the most special way.
In “More Than a Pretty Face” by Karen Witemeyer we meet Rosalind Kemp and Caleb Durrington. I love the overall lesson Rosalind learns that her past doesn’t define her & God willingly gives second chances. Caleb was the perfect hero for her and showed her gentle love & acceptance of who she is.
In “Intrigue a la Mode” by Regina Jennings we meet Willow Kentworth and Graham Buchanan. This one was fun because Jennings threw in a bit of a mystery thread to the mix along with the romance between these two!
Finally in “A Grand Adventure” by Jen Turano we meet Myrtle Schermerhorn and Jack Daggett. I love the fact that this was set in the Grand Canyon area of Arizona—a place I hope to visit one day, I’ve heard it’s a spectacular sight! At first Jack is the strong silent type, admiring Myrtle from afar until his younger brother Walter breaks the ice. Though Jack often blunders the romantic pursuit, he’s still quite charming! They both hide secrets from one another that almost ruin it, but God works out all the kinks at the end. I also loved the double romance in this one!
These were charming short love stories still packed plenty with faith, second chances, and penned by four of the best authors I could recommend to any reader! You will even find a bit of wit & humor in the most unexpected places to make you smile.
*I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House on behalf of the authors and was under no obligation to write a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *
Serving Up Love is a collection of four novellas about women who worked in the Harvey Houses that served customers and workers of the railroads out west. Each of the novellas is a stand-alone story and set in a different location and in different years.
For this historical fiction superfan, this series of novellas was perfection. I can honestly say I couldn’t pick a favorite. Each story was entirely different: some having danger, others mystery and plenty of romance!
In Tracie Peterson’s, A Flood of Love, I loved the unique history of the setting, especially the swimming horses. And I loved the heartbreaking history between Gretchen and Dirk as well as the hilarious antics of Katiann. What a doll! Gretchen had such an inspiring spirit of forgiveness, and Dirk’s persistence melted more than Gretchen’s heart!
I have been looking forward to reading More Than a Pretty Face by Karen Witemeyer since meeting Rosalind Kemp in More Than Words Can Say. Rosalind is haunted by regret and living in fear that her past mistakes will be revealed. Although she takes great pains not to be noticed, Caleb Durrington see her for the precious jewel she really is. I adored how Caleb loved her knowing she had untold secrets. And his unique wooing skills are adorable, especially to this nerdy girl!
I knew Intrigue a la Mode by Regina Jennings would be full of laugh out loud moments (careful not to wake your sleeping baby or disturb your co-workers), and I was correct. Despite the mystery and danger surrounding the Harvey House in Emporia, Kansas, there were plenty of light-hearted moments between Willow and Graham. I loved how Graham’s swagger was tempered by his gentleman-like qualities and by Willow’s no-nonsense attitude. They make quite the team (and the couple) as they search for potential smugglers.
I must admit this is my first time reading Jen Turano. I have her books on my TBR stack, but I haven’t had a chance to read them yet. But I’ll be catching up on the rest of her books soon because I absolutely loved A Grand Encounter! Jack is quite fetching (hehe), and I love the independence and outspoken nature of Myrtle. Plus, they are both book nerds, so we were all meant to be friends. Although their courtship might have been a bit awkward at times, and I might have laughed at Jack’s expense a few times, I enjoyed every minute of their story.
If you are a lover of Christian historical fiction, do not miss this collection of novellas. It is an interesting part of history, and each book gives you a unique perspective. Enjoy!
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
A Flood of Love by Tracie Peterson – Neatly written, this novella brings forth a lovely story from start to finish. I liked that the characters were friends in the past, because it made the quicker progression of their relationship more realistic. The addition of a spunky young girl is a great secondary character. I enjoyed learning more about the tiny town of San Marcial, New Mexico as well. Overall, I liked this story!
More Than a Pretty Face by Karen Witemeyer – How is it possible for an author to write such an emotionally gripping story in such a short amount of words? I was so excited to read more about Rosalind, who we met as Abigail’s sister in More Than Words Can Say. She has made past mistakes but has matured into a wonderful young lady. She is poised and pretty but also has gumption and strength that is admirable. There are spiritual themes of forgiveness and mercy that are relatable and applicable to any reader. I really liked the historical aspect of the story and learning more about the Harvey Houses. I also found myself connecting with the characters almost immediately and definitely cried a time or two for Rosalind as she struggled and grew throughout the story. I really, really enjoyed this novella and highly recommend it! The author has penned another winner!
Intrigue a la Mode by Regina Jennings – What a great read! I definitely read this novella in one sitting, as I eagerly turned the pages to figure out the mystery of the story. Even though this may be a novella, the story develops well and contains quite of bit of content for such a short story. I really liked the characters and their relationship as they become friends, then partners as they solve a mystery, and finally fall in love. I learned even more about the Harvey Houses from the historical tidbits. I definitely recommend this novella!
A Grand Encounter by Jen Turano – Jen Turano always pens such fun stories, full of wit and humor that are intermingled with true character depth and development. Her great writing style carries into even this short novella! This story had time to develop with twists in the relationship despite its length. I really enjoyed the setting and history, the intermixed bits of spirituality, and the budding romance. I loved this novella and definitely recommend it!
Overall, this was such a fun collection of novellas that seemed to connect with the theme of the Harvey girls in such a unique way! I really liked this book and highly recommend it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Karen Witemeyer. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Fans of clean historical romances will adore this collection of novellas from some of the best authors of the genre.
Peterson’s “A Flood of Love” is packed with action and emotion, even as a brief novella. Readers are sure to enjoy Gretchen and Dirk’s story as they navigate a complicated past.
In Witemeyer’s “More Than a Pretty Face”, Rosalind and Caleb discover if love is powerful enough to bring freedom from the past.
“Intrigue a la Mode” was one of my favorites as it followed Willow and Graham into dangerous territory. There’s a touch of mystery in this particular novella by Jennings and I was anticipating every last second of it.
Finally, Turano’s “A Grand Encounter” was just that–a delightful and hilarious telling of awkward Jack and sweet Myrtle’s story.
I loved this book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book via the publisher, Bethany House. All expressed opinions belong to me.
This wonderful novella collection was very enjoyable. I didn’t know anything about the Harvey Girls and I appreciated how each novella gave a little more history and insight into Harvey Houses. These details added to a fuller picture of the life of a Harvey Girl and added depth to the novellas. The four authors did a superb job of creating engaging characters and gripping story lines within the short form of a novella. These enjoyable stories contained romance, humor, struggles and lessons of faith. As I read, I just wanted to keep turning the pages. Each story pulled me in and with the size of the novella, I was able to finish quickly and feel satisfied. I highly recommend this enjoyable collection and I think that young adults would like it too. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
“A Flood of Love” by Tracie Peterson
A sweet romance sprinkled with a hint of the realities of the Harvey Girls. Peterson uses a little girl to capture readers and Gretchen’s heart from the encounter in the beginning of the novella. My favorite character was the little girl. The romance sprung up from the past and flirted across time into the beginning of the story. The plot was short and sweet. Definitely a little too fast for my taste. Not enough depth to the plot. Peterson does a fabulous job at writing a story in the word limit and allowed her character’s transformation to occur in the small space.
“More Than A Pretty Face” by Karen Witemeyer
If readers are familiar with Witemeyer’s previous book, More Than Words Can Say , readers will recognize Rosalind Kemp and her past which was mentioned in this novel. Witemeyer does a wonderful job at creating a character that fits right into her original writing. The romance was just right for the page limit. I enjoyed reading Rosalind’s story and glad to see her reach her happily-ever-after moment. The plot kept me focused on the plot. The transformation of the character was a complete with a romantic gesture by Caleb.
“Intrique a la Mode” by Regina Jennings
Another wonderful addition to this novella collection. Regina Jennings is the only author in this collection that I have not read anything else by her. I enjoyed the mystery element mingled with the historical element of hiding things across the rail lines. Willow shares a unique way to help Graham solve the mystery. The plot was different, and I actually liked it. Again, the romance was predictable, but well-written and entertaining at the same time.
“Grand Encounters” by Jen Turano
Jen Turano is one of my favorite writers, so I couldn’t wait to dive into Grand Encounters. If readers have read her Wallflower’s series, than Mytrle should be a familiar character. It was nice to see a story for her, even if it was a short story. Turano again does a fabulous job at bringing her character’s stories to life for the readers. Even though the romance is predictable, I really enjoy the way the romance comes to a head at the end of the story. It had me laughing, and I really proud of Myrtle standing up for what she really believed in. The plot really captured my attention and was my favorite of the four novellas.
I received a complimentary copy of Serving Up Love by Tracie Peterson, Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, and Jen Turano from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.