Among The Fair Magnolias is a new book
containing four novellas telling tales about women during the tumultuous times
of the Civil War. In the most turbulent decade of our
nation's history; four Southern women whom, destinies forged by birth and
hearts steeled by war, face near impossible choices on their journeys in life
and in love.
This collection of novella's all deal with the time period just before
or after the American Civil War. Each of the stories deal with loss and how
trusting God gives strength through trials.
To Mend a Dream by Tamera Alexander
Savannah lost more during the war than
she thought possible, family and her home and everything in it. Savannah has been left with her younger
brother and sister to raise on her own.
Savannah Darby would do almost anything to revisit her family home. So, when
new owner, Aidan Bedford, a Boston attorney and former Union soldier, seeks to
redecorate the house for his fiancée, Savannah jumps at the opportunity.
But the clock is ticking; can she find the box her father supposedly
hid there during the war before her assignment is completed, and before she
sees yet another battle lost on the home front. This time, the battle for her
heart. A sweet story of trusting God and finding love and
peace in the bargain.
An Outlaw's Heart by Shelley Gray
When Russell Stark returns to
Fort Worth, he's determined to begin a new life. But when he arrives at his
mother's homestead, he discovers she's very ill. Also the woman he loved is
still as beautiful and sweet as he remembered. With time running out, Russell
must come to terms with both his future and his past. Russell
ran away from home as a seventeen year old boy; now he has returned seven years
later to find everything changed! His mother is near death and Nora, the girl
he still loves, has taken up with a man that Russell has a bad feeling about.
This is a sweet and amusing story about second chances to do what is right.
A Heart So True by Dorothy Love
Abigail knows all too well
what is expected of her: to marry her distant cousin Charles and take her
place in society, although her heart belongs to another. A terrible incident
forces Abby to choose between love and duty. Abigail Clayton, who is caught between her
father's strong wish that she marry her cousin Charles Kittridge and her own
heart's desire for Dr. Wade Bennett. Will you be surprised to discover which
direction wins Abigail's heart in the end? Did not really like this story as
much as the others – the main character was portrayed a bit to childish and
spoiled, I had to go back to see how old she was. Other than the main character,
which was annoying, the overall story concluded with lessons learned and resolved
satisfactorily.
Love
Beyond Limits by
Elizabeth Musser
The story of Emily Derracott, living
in Wilkes County, Georgia, during the early days of the beatings and murders of
the Ku Klux Klan. Emily
has a secret: She's in love with one of the freedmen on her family's
plantation. Meanwhile, another man declares his love for her. Emily
realizes some things are not as they seem and secrets must be kept in order to
keep those she loves safe. Will she follow
after her feelings of a forbidden love for Washington's brother, Leroy, or will
she follow her parent's wishes for her to marry her childhood friend, Thomas
McGinnis, who she suspects is part of the Klan? Keep reading to see where the
Lord leads Emily with all the questions she has about her changing world. Another
story that seemed to portray a spoiled child woman who doesn’t think but in the
end comes to her senses.
All of these authors succeeded in
creating stories that can transport you to another time. One advantage about
novella collections is being able to sample the writing of several authors,
especially those you may not be familiar with. Although I liked some stories
more than the others, it is still an enjoyable read for last lazy days of
summer. Each novella includes a delicious
Southern recipe that's inherent to each author's story and that will suit your
book club meetings. Overall this is a nice collection of
sweet, historical romances with a solid thread of faith throughout. I recommend
this collection of novellas, especially if you haven't sampled these authors'
work before.
I received a copy of book from BookLook
Blogging for Books program for my review.
✔ Like ✔ “Share” ✔ Tag ✔
Comment ✔
Repost To SAVE
