Hearts Entwined - Historical Romance Novellas : Witemeyer, Connealy, Jennings, Jagears

The Love Knot: Karen Witemeyer

Since moving from the slums of New York on a fool hardy whim, Claire Nevin has worried about her family she left behind, especially as her father was prone to drink away the hard-earned money that she sent back. So, when a letter arrives from her younger sister, Polly, admitting she’s in trouble, the last thing Claire expects to see walking off the train is Pieter Duran. A man she dated once, but who still holds her heart.

The package he bought is even more surprising and one that turns Claire’s world upside down. However, family is important and she is determined to help Polly. There is a high possibility that Pieter will be able to explain what happened all those years ago between them and that, Claire fears, will mean that there is no reason to not continue to love him.

A sweet novella centering around vibrant characters. 

The Tangled Ties that Bind: Mary Connealy

Returning home after five years determined to win the heart of his best friend, Maggie, Connor Kincaid knows he’s older and possibly wiser, and therefore ready to settle down to be a rancher.

But when he arrives, besides having to steer clear of a buffalo, he finds Maggie, beautiful as ever, only she’s training to be a doctor. Connor expected her to be waiting for him - should he have been naïve to think that?

Maggie will not compromise. She waited for a long time for Connor but no more. Set on a new path to being medically trained, she’s not going to let anyone, even the handsome Connor sway her. When Connor decides to join her in Denver, their lives take an unexpected turn.

A story fuelled by family loyalty, responsibilities and underlying sexism.

Bound and Determined: Regina Jennings

Private Bradley Willis has been reckless – again. This time the punishment is to help retired officer, Captain Herald move a herd across Indian Territory. Expecting cattle, he’s surprised to find camels. They’re not the most attractive of creatures and they spook the horses. Even more of a surprise is the Captain’s vivacious daughter, Ambrosia. For reasons yet unknown, she doesn’t want the camels to head back to her home – she’s managed to scare off a bunch of cowboys. But, Bradley doesn’t scare off easily.

Picking up from the new series by Jennings, Private Willis escapades are taken down a notch or two when he meets a beautiful woman. 

Tied and True: Melissa Jagears

Marianne Lister is helplessly in love with business assistant Calvin Hochstetler. The only thing getting in their way is Calvin’s obstinacy over the difference in status. Marianne is heiress to the Lister fortune and Calvin has just enough money to live on.

Calvin knows what it’s like to live hand to mouth and he doesn’t want Marianne to ever experience that want. He lets her down gently and hopes, no matter how it hurts, that she meets someone who will give her the life she deserves. Determined to prove that love can cross the class barrier, Marianne starts work at a cotton factory. Will Calvin see that the woman he’s in love with cannot be compared to the mother who abandoned him when they became too poor?

An unexpected premise of class being an obstruction to being happy.

These four stand alone novellas all have likeable characters and good plots. They cram a lot in to a short story and whilst I found that it gave a slightly hurried feel to the stories, nothing was really lost. There is a link to previous novels, but the stories still work and if anything, encouraged me to read the authors other novels. Overall, they are all well written and I think a good introduction for anyone wanting to read historical romances and not sure where to start.

I received a complimentary copy of this book to review from Bethany House Publishers as part of their blogger program. The opinions express are my own and I am not required to give a positive critique. 

Holding the Fort (BK 1 The Fort Reno Series) – Regina Jennings

When Louisa Bell loses her job at the Cat-Eye saloon, as a dance hall singer, her options available as to what to do next, are few. Cimarron Ted then tells her he hears news that her brother, Bradley Willis a Calvary soldier in Indian Territory, is in trouble - again. 

Having lost her job, Louisa thought she'd visit Bradley, but this will be a problem if he’s in trouble. But Louisa is determined to set him on the straight and narrow – and hopefully ask for a job.

On her way to Fort Reno, she makes her acquaintance with Mrs. Townsend. A missionary on her way to the Fort to be a governess. Unfortunately, the dust is playing havoc with the older lady's allergies and she asks Louisa to take the books she bought with her to the girls.

Whilst waiting for the next stagecoach, and able to sing in a wide-open field, the young woman happens upon a man standing on top of a horse only for him to fall. As she rushes to help him, she not only wonders who he is, but notices his handsome features.

The last thing Major Daniel Adams expects to see is a beautiful woman in the middle of a field, singing. But the trick he’s doing, in grudging deference to Private Willis, has been on his mind. If a Private can do this, whilst drunk, surely, he can? It’s a break from everything else. Running a Fort with half an army, ensuring tensions don’t escalate between the army, cowboys and the Indian’s. And then there are his two young girls. If this new governess doesn’t work out, he knows his mother -in-law will insist on raising them away from the ravages of the fort in Galveston.  

With the exception of Lieutenant Jack Hennessey’s knowledge of the incident, when Louisa and Daniel finally meet, their recognition of who they are is a secret they have to maintain. Hoping the incident will become a distant memory for him, the Commander is somewhat surprised to discover that Louisa is to be the new governess. Not only is she a lot younger than he expected a governess to be, but she’s also quite beautiful.

Expecting to meet children, Louisa is surprised to find Caroline and Daisy a lot older and it causes concern for the young woman. Once thing Louisa prides herself on is being able to put on a show. But will these, vibrant, willful and intelligent girls see through her act?

Whilst the saloon singer’s intention is to set her brother on the right path, Louisa finds herself getting more involved with the Commanders family – something she wasn’t planning on.

Soon enough Louisa betrays her roots and slips up here and there, however, Daniel is fine to look the other way. There is something about his new governess that he likes, admires. Maybe she will work out as the new governess. Can Louisa convince her new employer that she has the makings of a governess? Or will her past come back to haunt her and ruin her life for good?

A heartwarming story of love, family and the wild west. Jennings' characters have a realistic quality to them, have depth and are well thought out. The secondary plot line of tensions between the Indians and Cowboys is a good break but works together with the main story in a climax that I didn't fully expect. Easy to read, engaging and well written. A recommended read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House as part of their blogging program. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive critique.