Love on Colonial America’s Frontier Travel into Colonial America where eight women seek love, but they each know a future husband requires the necessary skills to survive in the backcountry. Living in areas exposed to nature’s ferocity, prone to Indian attack, and cut off from regular supplies, can hearts overcome the dangers to find lasting love? Shenandoah Hearts by Carrie Fancett Pagels … Shenandoah Hearts by Carrie Fancett Pagels
1754 – Great Wagon Road, into the Shenandoah Valley (Virginia)
As the French-Indian War commences, Magda Sehler wonders if Jacob Owens lost his mind to have abandoned his Philadelphia business and moved to the Shenandoah Valley. Or has he lost his heart?
Heart of Nantahala by Jennifer Hudson Taylor
1757 – (North Carolina)
Joseph Gregory plans to buy a lumber mill, but Mabel Walker becomes a formidable opponent. When she’s forced to make a painful decision, she must choose between survival and love.
Her Redcoat by Pegg Thomas
1763 – Fort Michilimackinac (Michigan) during Pontiac’s Rebellion
Laurette Pettigrew grew up in the northern frontier. Henry Bedlow arrived against his will. Their chance meeting changes everything. Will a deadly clash of cultures keep them from finding happiness?
A Heart So Tender by Debra E. Marvin
1764 – (New York)
As thousands of Native warriors converge on Fort Niagara, jaded British Lieutenant Archibald Walsh and idealistic schoolmistress Susannah Kimball learn the greatest risk lies in guarding their hearts.
A Worthy Groom by Angela K. Couch
1771 – Sapling Grove settlement on the Holston River (Tennessee)
The Cowden temper has been Marcus’s lifelong bane. A trait Lorinda Cowden curses. Now, winning the heart of his bride hinges on fighting a war without raising a fist.
Across Three Autumns by Denise Weimer
1778-1780 – (Georgia)
Fighting Loyalists and Indians, Jenny White settles for strength over love . . .until Scottish scout Caylan McIntosh leads her family on a harrowing exodus out of Georgia’s Revolutionary “Hornet’s Nest.”
The Counterfeit Tory by Shannon McNear
1781 – (South Carolina)
Tasked with infiltrating an infamous Tory gang, Jed Wheeler has no wish to endanger the leader’s cousin, Lizzy Cunningham. He risks not only his life. . .but his heart.
Love’s Undoing by Gabrielle Meyer
1792 – Fur Post on the Upper Mississippi River (Minnesota)
When Englishman Henry Kingsley meets Abi McCrea, the daughter of a Scottish fur trader and Indian mother, will their worlds keep them apart, or have they finally found somewhere they truly belong?
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Each story in the collection transported me to Colonial America or the time right after the American Revolution. Recommend!
Rather than leave a review for each story, let me just sum them up. If you enjoy historical fiction you must add this book to your collection. It is full of interesting facts woven into story form. I learned may new things and it was enjoyable.
Each author has done a great job. The detailed descriptions of the time frame and well developed characters will keep your interest. It was a difficult time to live, and that is portrayed in each story; hardships, cultural differences, and war. But along with the difficulties there is joy, romance, and laughter. I highly recommend this collection.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
I like reading these types of collections because they are short and sweet. These stories are clean and I like that as well. A few of the authors are new to me and I have added those to my list of authors I will be reading in the future.
Now, down to the basics of the stories in this collection. My favorite story is Heart of Natahala by Jennifer Hudson Taylor, who is new to me. The growth of the main characters was fun and interesting. Joseph Gregory plans to buy a lumber mill, but it is owned by a woman who is determined to keep the mill she inherited from her deceased brother. Mabel Walker has refused two representatives of Joe’s and plans to refuse Joe’s offer no matter the price and terms. However, when things start to go wrong around the mill and Joe steps in to help, she sees him in a different light. Will she sell to Joe? Will the threats chase Mabel away and who is the threat to the mill?
With seven other stories in this series, I would be writing a book to tell you all about them. So, I will just say that they are all very nice reads and I would recommend this book if you enjoy reading clean, wholesome, Christian historical romance. Pick up a copy and see for yourself. Enjoy!
I won a copy of this book online and was not required to post a review. These are my words and I was not compensated in any way to post my review.
The Backcountry Brides Collection Is eight Novellas. The first is about overcoming different things before they marry. The second is about a business proposal wink wink. The third is about a dreaded red coat. The fourth is about a soldier protection of love. The fifth is about trials and trust and forgiveness. The sixth one is a heart jumpin’ blood flowin’ love flowin’ story. The seventh one is about spies – sound familiar? The last one is about who is the right bride. I received a copy of this book from the Publisher and Netgalley; all of the opinions expressed in this review are all my own.
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The Backcountry Brides is a collection of novellas set in colonial America. Each of the eight novellas is written by a different talented author. I enjoyed the wide variety of settings and characters in the collection. It was obvious that each author had done much research into the particular area and time period of their story, and I found the history aspect to be very interesting. The diversity of these stories amazed me. Challenges and hardships abounded during those times of colonizing the country and taming each frontier, and I found myself appreciating the creature comforts of today. As with most novella collections, I’m split in my feelings between wanting a longer, more detailed story and appreciating the fact that I can read a novella in a shorter period of time and still enjoy a satisfying tale.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher/NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
“When I look at ye, Jenny White, I see . . . the kind of woman bred to life on a frontier. The kind who not only survives, but thrives . . . . . who stood her ground before savages, or fed her family through the winter. Or got this wounded lout on a horse, fished a bullet out of his leg, and cured him with herbs.” – Across Three Autumns, Denise Weimer
It was a harsh world in the mid-to-late 1700’s, especially for women. All up and down the East coast and beyond, remnants of wars and conflict battled for attention; killing men, women, children, and friends in its bloody wake. With the skill and grace that you would expect from this group of authors, a story emerges. A story filled with determination, bravery and courage; hard work, severe loss, new beginnings. It’s the story of our country, with a focus on eight women who were determined to make freedom their home; accepting the risk of losing their hearts in the process.
“The woman had called it, ‘the price of love’. ” – A Heart So Tender, Debra E. Marvin
Eight different authors have united to create this unique collection of eight novellas set in Colonial America during the years 1754-1792. This was a time of clearing land, creating homesteads, facing the cruelty of Mother Nature and enduring conflicts and battles with not only the British and Native Americans but the French and Germans also. Men were expected to be tough but the women needed to be even tougher because they were often left to take care of the everyday tasks and endure the shortage of supplies that often occurred. These were strong women facing extreme difficulties but most of them yearned for love and happiness. Finding love during this time was difficult but that is what these Backcountry Brides were seeking and each of these stories offers a different perspective.
I enjoyed seeing how each author was able to create characters that were so realistic and yet so different. Some of them were more likable than others and some of the women assumed roles that weren’t normally meant for the “fairer sex”. As with every generation judgement was prevalent. Women weren’t pretty or they were too pretty and the men weren’t considered to be the ideal husbands. Even some of the children were subjected to criticism. I was especially touched by the children who were judged because they were of mixed heritage. They suffered emotionally because they were often rejected by both sides of their family.
The Backcountry Brides Collection is filled with historical facts and I especially liked the author’s notes featured with the novellas; it is very apparent that these authors put a lot of time and effort into being accurate. They also succeeded in showing the strength and determination of these colonists and they shared their own beliefs by stressing the strong influence that faith and prayer played during this important time in our country’s history.
I was already a fan of many of the authors who contributed to this collection and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. I am now looking forward to reading more from those who were “new-to-me authors”. The Backcountry Brides Collection is a great way to be both entertained and educated. I recommend it to all who enjoy historical fiction and Christian romance.
I received a copy of this book but a positive review was not required. These are my honest opinions.
The Backcountry Bridge Collection takes place in the 1800th century. It is a collection of eight different stories of faith, family, strength, hope, courage and seeking love. The characters in each story are very well developed. You truly feel like you know them. I got drawn into this book and did not want it to end although I rarely read historical romance. Throughout these stories the authors weave God’s wondrous words and love.
A great history lessons amid eight novellas written about Colonial America. These authors bring to life a time period that captures how difficult life was for Backcountry Women.
Carrie Fancett Pagels lets her unique style of writing shine in Shenandoah Hearts. I loved this quote, “Let’s pray.” Mama bowed her head. Her heartfelt prayer, spoken in German, went beyond that which Magdalene had offered up. But she knew in her soul, that God heard even the unspoken requests.
With characters that jump from the page into your heart you will quickly turn the pages to see the outcome. Well researched and great characters.
Hearts of Nantahala by Jennifer Hudson Taylor has the lovable character of Mabel Walker. She is strong, independent, spunky, and weary of men who want to marry her for the lumber mill. She is a force to be reckoned with.
Her Redcoat by Peg Thomas, who is a new author to me , is a tender, heart touching account. Motherless and isolated in a cabin for months, Laurette is drawn to an injured Redcoat. Her loneliness and desire to learn to read her mother’s Bible endears her to me.
A Heart So Tender by Debra E Marvin is so descriptive you can imagine the style of clothing and feel the heart palpitations as the different tribes converge at Fort Niagara. Will Miss Kimball be able to keep her promise to herself to never marry?
A Worthy Groom by Angela K Couch deals with an abused widow who is weary of her new husband arranged by her father in law. Add the mystery of things disappearing and other occurrences and you have the makings of an outstanding novella.
Across Three Autumns by Denise Weimer is a sure fire winner. Jenny White is brought to life and leaps from the pages into your heart. She is respected for her strength and ability to care for others, but sees herself as the wallflower compared to the beauty of her sister. You can feel her inward struggle from the well penned words, “ He might admire her spirit and strength, but when it came to picking the wife he would want to wake to every morning, like the Morris brothers, like all men, he would choose a Hester over a Jenny every time.” Oh the angst she must feel.
The Counterfeit Tory by Shannon McNear is a tale of pretense for the sake of war and a brave young lady who learns to trust a stranger over the strong handedness of her family. She is brave and strong in the face of danger.
Love’s Undoing by Gabrielle Meyer is last but not least in this collection. It is a story of prejudices and finding yourself amidst the cruelties of them because of your skin color. A must read.
Each story brings light to the times and troubles of this Era. It is a compilation of strong women in difficult times and lets you see history unfold through their eyes. An outstanding Barbour Collection.
I received a complimentary copy from the author. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
The Backcountry Brides Collection: 8 Eighteenth-Century Women Seek Love on Colonial America’s Frontier
This is an amazing collection of novellas by eight gifted writers taking the reader “on the trail” traveling into Colonial America spanning the years of 1754-1792. We are taken along the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia…to Fort Michilimackinac of Michigan…North Carolina Colony…Charlotte Town, South Carolina…Fort Niagara of New York…along the Holston River of Tennessee…Wilkes County, Georgia…Fort McCrea, Upper Mississippi River along Minnesota. We meet strong women of the backcountry who are looking for love…and hopefully husbands…strong, rugged men, with the skills and abilities to survive living in this rustic frontier land. Men who are prepared to face attacks by Indians, the fierceness and harshness of nature, unforeseen dangers and challenges or even the possibility of depleted supplies to protect their families. Can these rugged men and woman overcome the elements thrown at them and find love in the midst of it all?
The detailed descriptions of the diversity of the characters’ cultural differences and backgrounds bring to life the hardships and struggles they face. They overcome challenges and hardships, tense situations, sorrows, grief and pain and share joys and humorous moments…which had me smiling, family, hope, integrity, love and faith. I love the historical aspects of each novella and the way the authors incorporates those details within the fictional story-lines. I enjoy reading the author’s notes regarding the historical aspects of her story. This is one of the reasons I love reading Christian historical fiction, I always learn something of our history, so they are, in effect, an enjoyable “history lesson”.
1…Shenandoah Hearts by Carrie Fancett Pagels
1754..Great Wagon Road, into the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia.
2…Heart of Nantahala by Jennifer Hudson Taylor
1757..North Carolina Colony.
3…Her Redcoat by Pegg Thomas
1763..Fort Michilimackinac of Michigan during Pontiac’s Rebellion.
4…A Heart So Tender by Debra E. Marvin
1764..Fort Niagara of New York.
5…A Worthy Groom by Angela K. Couch
1771..Sapling Grove settlement on the Holston River of Tennessee.
6…Across Three Autumns by Denise Weimer
1778-1780..Wilkes County, Georgia.
7…The Counterfeit Tory by Shannon McNear
1780..Charlotte Town, South Carolina.
8…Love’s Undoing by Gabrielle Meyer
1792..Fur Post at Fort McCrea, on the Upper Mississippi River along Minnesota.
~I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author/NetGalley (no monetary gain were exchanged), this is my honest review~I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255~
I enjoyed these stories that took me back into Colonial America times. Family, faith, hard work and finding love in the frontier. All the stories had hard times to overcome and the faith to accomplish it.
I was gifted a copy and my review and opinion are voluntary.
I was transported through the pages of these stories back to a time when our ancestors were building a nation and carving out a firm foundation for the generations to come. Survival wasn’t easy on the early frontier. Harsh winters, fierce natives, and an abundance of wild animals. Each story is unique, with fascinating characters.
I enjoyed reading the stories in this collection and the distinctive voice that each author brought to this collection. As with any collection, there were a few stories that I could pick out as my favorite, but I can honestly say that each story was enjoyable.
If you enjoy reading colonial era stories, filled with adventure, delightful characters, and a dash of mystery, then you won’t want to miss out on snagging a copy of these stories to enjoy! I give this collection 4-stars and I hope that you get the opportunity to enjoy these stories like I have.
(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.)
A great collection of stories! Each story is unique, and I loved all of them!