AUTHOR: Karen Witemeyer, Jody Hedlund, Elizabeth Camden
DATE: 2018
PUBLISHER: Bethany House
STARS: ****
“Three acclaimed authors offer for the first time in print three unforgettable historical novellas that celebrate true love.” (from back cover)
Worth the Wait, by Karen Witemeyer: Five stars
I’ve read two other books by this author and loved them, so I eagerly opened the book to the first story and wasn’t disappointed. Harper’s Station, the setting for this novella, is a sanctuary community for women. Victoria Adams (Tori) fled there with her young son and has grown in confidence enough to run a general store.
Benjamin Porter proved himself reliable and protective as a freighter for the community, but he wants more. Skittish Tori has caught his eye—and maybe his heart.
When the two travel together to sell the store’s goods, Tori must face her worst nightmare head-on. The unfolding relationship of these two, one brave, the other not realizing how much courage she has, enthralled me. Tori’s son, Lewis, adds even more heart to this captivating story.
An Awakened Heart, by Jody Hedlund: Three stars
I wanted to like this novella. I’d read With You Always by the author and enjoyed it in spite of its gritty setting. An Awakened Heart seems to be a prequel to the previously read novel, and through most of the story, the flicker of romance is overwhelmed by the atmosphere of despair. While the heroine, Christine Pendleton, sparked my admiration for her spunk and compassion, her hero, Pastor Guy Bedell remained a hazy outline of a character for me. Well written but disappointing.
Toward the Sunrise, by Elizabeth Camden: Five stars
Julia Broeder is easy to admire—expelled from medical college in her final year, she ends up helping birth kids, the goat kind. But she does so with enthusiasm, compassion, and dedication. Her long-held dream of becoming a medical missionary in China seems an impossibility.
Ashton Carlyle, lawyer for the Vandermark corporation, Julia’s benefactor, is pressured to convince Julia to apologize for her action and outburst at the college. How can he, when she won’t leave the goats until all sixty have given birth. And time is running out.
This novella is great fun, with its spunky heroine and stalwart hero, and I loved watching them grow closer together through their shared trials. It easily earns five stars.
This collection of historical novellas was (mostly) a pleasure to read and is recommended. Four stars for the collection. Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.