Sunday, April 6, 2014

Sincerely Yours

Jane Kirkpatrick is offering a giveaway. Go to http://janeswordsofencouragement.blogspot.com/ 


Title: SINCERELY YOURS
Authors: Laurie Alice Eakes, Jane Kirkpatrick, Ann Shorey, Amanda Cabot
Publisher: Revell
April 2014
ISBN:  978-0800722043
Genre: Historical novella collection



Four unexpected letters. Four intrepid women. Four lives changed forever.

Spanning a century and a continent, these romantic novellas will lead you on a journey through the landscape of love. Four young women find their lives altered after each receives a letter that sets her on a new path. From a Hudson River steamboat to a lush drawing room, from a carousel carver's workshop to a remote hospital, you'll be swept into the lives of women who are making their way in the world and finding love where they least expect it.

Moonlight Promise by Laurie Alice Eakes
Camilla Renfrew is a highborn English lady fleeing false accusations when she runs smack into love on a steamboat bound for the new Erie Canal. But can this unexpected attraction survive the treacherous journey?


This was a cute novella that had some unexpected surprises. I enjoyed getting to know Camilla and Nate and the perilous road to their romance, fraught with fear.  I was intrigued with the brief history of steamboats included at the end in the author's notes.

Lessons in Love by Ann Shorey
Marigold Montgomery Bentley writes marriage advice for Kipler's Home Weekly even though she is single. Everyone assumes from the initials that "M. M." is a man. When the editor asks to meet Mr. Bentley, can Merrie come up with a ruse to keep her writing job?


Ms. Shorey is one of my favorite historical writers and this story about a simple piano teacher and a woman pursuing her writing dreams is intriguing. I loved Merry and Colin, such a sweet romance. Quiet, like the characters, it was well-written and engaging. I found it hard to put this one down. The history of a real-life woman writer, Sarah Jospha Hale is included in the author's notes. 

One Little Word by Amanda Cabot
Lorraine Caldwell will lose her family fortune to a reckless cousin if she doesn't marry quickly. When she learns her long-lost brother is alive, she hopes she's found the answer to her problems. What she finds instead is a mysterious carousel carver who turns her life upside down. 


This was a real sweet story. Ms. Cabot is also one of my favorite historical writers and this one doesn't disappoint. Lorraine is a bit of a snob, pampered and spoiled but when she discovers her brother is about to marry a common servant girl she quickly rallies and offers her support and friendship. Lorraine believes Jonah to be a commoner as well, but he is anything but. He's titled and in America under an assumed name to build carousels. Ah, who doesn't love carousels!  I suffer from carousel fever the same as Ms. Cabot. I loved this story. 

A Saving Grace by Jane Kirkpatrick
Grace Hathaway must rescue a dear friend from a remote and notorious clinic that promises healing but delivers only heartache. In a place laced with deceit, where lives hang in the balance, whom can she trust to help her?


This was a rather poignant and creepy story. The heroine's friend in a rather iffy sounding hospital, that promoted fasting as a means of healing. Her young daughter misses her mommy, but she won't come home, and more people seem to die than are healed in the hospital. The hero is a 'doctor', one who appears to be on the side of the famed Dr. Hazzard in the hospital. But things are not always as they seem. The is based around a real Dr. Hazzard who practiced in a hospital.

This is a great collection of historical romance novellas by four talented authors. I enjoyed the whole collection and hope Revell plans to do more of these in the future. This was an easy read with four books in one story and each was complete, well done, and didn't leave the reader dissatisfied with an incomplete story.  

Great book.  Beautiful cover. The stories are tied together by letters that bring the heroine out of her comfort zone and help her to find herself and love. Don't miss this book. $14.99. 384 pages. 4.5 stars. 

3 comments:

Ann Shorey said...

Thank you so much for your review of Sincerely Yours, Laura! I'm so pleased that you enjoyed our stories.
Blessings!
Ann Shorey

Jane said...

So pleased that you enjoyed this collection. And I agree, my story was a bit creepy...and suspenseful I hope. Thanks for paying attention to detail in reading the selections. I hope Revell does another collection too!

Amanda Cabot said...

Laura -- Thanks so much for taking the time to read and review Sincerely Yours. I'm delighted that you enjoyed our stories, and I'm especially glad to know that you too suffer from carousel fever.

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