Seven romance stories take you back to the building of the Erie Canal and the opening of the Midwest to greater development. Completed in 1825, the Erie Canal connected the Great Lakes to the Hudson River, and soon other states like Ohio created canals linking Lake Erie to the Ohio River. Suddenly the Midwest was open to migration, the harvesting of resources, and even tourism. Join seven … tourism. Join seven couples who live through the rise of the canals and the problems the waterways brought to each community, including land grabs, disease, tourists, racism, and competition. Can these couples hang on to their faith and develop love during times of intense change?
The Way of a Child by Lauralee Bliss
Little Falls, New York 1817
Widower David Marshall has no interest in selling his farm to the Erie Canal project presented by agent Ray O’Neil and his daughter Melanie. But his sons Matthew and Luke have taken a peculiar liking to Melanie. What the children reveal paves the way to a surprising future.
Wedding of the Waters by Rita Gerlach
Goshen Creek, New York. 1819
Charlotte Verger, a physician’s niece, is unexpectedly reunited with her first and only love, Blaine McKenna. When word comes that the Erie Canal builders at the Montezuma Swamp, where Blaine is working as a surveyor, are stricken with malaria, Charlotte risks a journey to reach him.
Digging for Love by Ramona K. Cecil
Rochester, New York 1822
For budding artist Emily Nichols, the coming Erie Canal brings dreams of leaving Rochester for the art markets of New York City. As he builds the canal, Irish laborer Seamus O’Grady is building his American dream in Rochester. When hearts meld, divergent dreams and old prejudices threaten burgeoning love.
Return to Sweetwater Cove by Christina Miller
Sweetwater Cove, New York, 1825
Reverend Josiah Wells travels to his hometown to pastor the church and make restitution for his youthful sins. Betsy Bennett wants to honor her late husband’s memory and make sure Sweetwater Cove never discovers the secret she shares with Josiah. Can they leave behind the past and find love beside still waters?
Journey of the Heart by Johnnie Alexander
Circleville, Ohio, early 1852
Charity Sinclair secretly writes abolitionist pamphlets while thwarting architect Tavish Dunbar’s effort to redesign her father’s post office, a hidden stop on the Underground Railroad. When a slave-hunter captures a runaway, Charity vows to rescue the fugitive. But can she trust Tavish with her secret. . .and with her heart?
Pressing On by Rose Allen McCauley
Zoar, Ohio, 1856
As a child, Amanda Mack loved her life in Zoar, Ohio, where she was born to Separatists. Now an adult, she starts to chafe at its many restrictions. After meeting riverboat captain Daniel Jeremiah, they both must make decisions about their futures. Can she leave or will he convert or…?
The Bridge Between Usby Sherri Wilson Johnson
Albion, New York, 1859
John Hawkins steps back into Susannah Higley’s life just in time to save it. Despite her father’s longstanding disdain for John’s family, can Susannah and John settle the family feud and save her father’s struggling sawmill–and their chance for love? Or will the feud continue?
more
I really enjoyed reading about this time in history that we don’t hear a lot about. Interesting facts amidst the fiction that is brought to life in seven unique ways. Most of these authors were new to me and I enjoyed reading the different view points and writing styles. I enjoyed each novella but I must say Journey of the Heart by Johnnie Alexander was my favorite as I love reading about the Underground Railroad when it is well done. Charity Sinclair was an impressive heroine and her strength in her beliefs is an example for everyone. Well done and believable. Pressing On by Rose Allen McCauley is enlightening about the Separatists and their beliefs and lifestyle. The Bridge Between Us by Sherri Wilson Johnson has mystery woven into the romance . A great story of forgiveness. Return to Sweetwater Cove by Christina Miller is heartwarming and brought tears to my eyes. Digging for Love by Ramona K. Cecil shows how misconceptions about social classes and judging someone by their nationality causes harm when hearts are involved. Wedding of the Waters by Rita Gerlach shows that love knows no boundaries. Charlotte risks everything to attend to her first love. The Love Of a Child by Lauralee Bliss has you falling for the children. All in all this is an enjoyable collection that provides quick reads that you can read each in one setting. Don’t pass this one up.
I received a complimentary copy. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
It’s unusual that I don’t start a review without a quote, but I was so captivated by these wonderful stories I simply cannot find one single quote to unite them all.
There are eight stories in this collection united under the banner of the Ere and Ohio canals. Each story is unique to it’s author. All are entertaining and believable. They span almost a 50 year window in New York and Ohio. My own family has a history of immigration to work on the Indiana Canal System and I live near the present Erie Canal so I was fascinated with the breadth of understanding these authors have or have found.
Romance novels of this genre are not my usual reading, nor have I read much by this cadre of writers. However, this will not be the last time I seek out these authors and I highly recommend this lovely book that I received in a giveaway and chose to review.5/5
I enjoyed reading about the building on the Erie Canal during the different stages of development. Also I enjoyed reading about the different towns the canal went through and how it brought goods to their town and how they were able to travel by water way. Reading this reminds me of the trip I took last Summer to Cumberland, Maryland to visit the Cumberland Visitor Center which houses the C&O Canal National Historical Park. Inside the museum are many pictures of digging the canal and water travel. I was absolutely fascinated and could fully enjoy this book more because of the visuals I had while reading it. I highly recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction looking to learn something.
Publish date March 1,2019.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Books through NetGalley. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.
If you like good,clean christian fiction, you will love this book. All of the stories are very well written and are by different authors. This book has action, suspense and romance. All the stories are different and set at different times along the Erie Canal. Thank you Barbour Books via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. This is my honest opinion and I highly recommend this book.