The Courageous Brides Collection
by Johnnie Alexander, Michelle Griep, Eileen Key, Debby Lee, Rose Allen McCauley, Donita Kathleen Paul, Jennifer Uhlarik, Jenness Walker, Renee Yancy
This is a mix of both great and mediocre stories. In this collection’s defense I do read a LOT so it takes more than just a run-of-the-mill love story to stick with me after the last page. I would recommend this collection to anyone who enjoys short escapes from reality by way of sweet, clean romance.
The Healing Promise by Johnnie Alexander – 4 stars
Marcy and Joel set out to help a Ponca child who is sick when most of their town is prejudice against the natives. I felt this story is a little too bare-bones. I see the potential for a full length novel here.
The Doctor’s Woman by Michelle Griep – 5 stars
James, modern doctor from the east, and Emmy, someone more familiar with natural healing, clash when they have to tend wounded natives together, but come to an understanding in more ways than one. This story is full of drama and whit, as well as a nice love story.
An Everlasting Promise by Eileen Key – 5 stars
Ronnie ends up stowing away on Seth’s cattle drive then cooking for the crew. I really enjoyed Seth’s humorous journal entries at the beginning of each chapter as well as all the other fun with these two.
Love on the Run by Debby Lee – 3 stars
Daisy and Billy have to work together to stay out of trouble because women aren’t allowed to be Express riders. This one lacks dimension in the story and depth in the characters. I think the plot is a good one, but the love story was rushed and didn’t feel deep to me.
Hidden Courage by Rose Allen McCauley – 3 stars
Elinor and William both enjoy helping people and want to help all slaves be free. I appreciate the abolitionist idea behind this story, but I felt it fell short with regard to the plot and romance. It just didn’t hold my attention.
The Encumbered Bride by Donita Kathleen Paul – 5 stars
I very much enjoyed this story of Grant as he finds himself injured, nearly to the point of death, and taken care of by a strange family headed up by Mae. I laughed so many times during this story! The children are precious and the family tight nit. The love story is sweet and believable.
Mountain Echoes by Jennifer Uhlarik – 5 stars
Hannah accompanies a deaf child by stage to his new home at a special school, but when their stage is in an accident she uses all her courage and strength to help badly-wounded Finn and little Travis back to civilization. This was an interesting and emotional story that I enjoyed very much.
Letters from Lucy by Jenness Walker – 4 stars
Lucy seeks adventures in a small Texas town, but feels disappointed until she meets Sam who is trying to clear his name. Lucy wiles away the hours of boredom by making up stories about Sam being a real western hero and sends them to her friend. This one was well rounded in the love story and plot.
The Battlefield Bride by Renee Yancy – 5 stars
This is the most memorable story in all. It has a most interesting setting for a love story – a Civil War battlefield hospital. Kate, trying to make up for past choices, takes over an army sick ward against the wishes of the doctor in charge – Major Logan. Both characters felt real in their actions and emotions and I enjoyed the story a lot.
I received a copy of The Courageous Brides Collection from Barbour Books to read and give my honest feedback.