Review & Giveaway: Hearts Entwined Novella Collection

Hearts Entwined: novella collection

"Four top historical romance novelists team up in this new collection to offer stories of love and romance with a twist of humor. In Karen Witemeyer's "The Love Knot," Claire Nevin gets the surprise of her life awaiting her sister's arrival by train. Mary Connealy's "The Tangled Ties That Bind" offers the story of two former best friends who are reunited while escaping a stampede. Regina Jennings offers "Bound and Determined," where a most unusual trip across barren Oklahoma plains is filled with adventure, romance, and . . . camels? And Melissa Jagears' "Tied and True" entertains with a tale of two hearts from different social classes who become entwined at a cotton thread factory. 

Each tale is a fun blend of history and romance that will delight readers."

Author(s): Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings, Melissa Jagears

Length: 352 pages

Format: paperback, hardcover, e-book

Tied and True
They are Bound and Determined
That the Tangled Ties that Bind
Will always be Love Knots

First off, I'm gonna fangirl for a moment because this collection of authors is my everything!!! They have worked together previously and I can say it's magical when they do.

The stories in this particular collection did not cross over each other, but they all had a similar plot "tying" them together. (pun most DEFINITELY intended!) Each story dealt with romances that withstood trials that tested the strength of their relationship, their knot.

___________________________________________________________

The Love Knot

"When Claire Nevin's troubled younger sibling sends her an unexpected package by rail, the gift and the man who delivers it--an unexpected face from the past--threaten to upend Claire's life forever. Fighting to hold on to all she has built, will she lose what matters most?"

The first story was the lovely Karen Witemeyer's story, which was the fourth and final installation in her "Ladies of Harper Station" series. Click here to see all the rest of the series

It was bittersweet saying goodbye to Harper's Station, but I loved being able to see everyone one last time. And seeing one more lady find her true love. Our Miss Claire ALREADY had her true love before she even came to Harper's Station, but ran from him when a miscommunication arose. 

 Since Claire and Pieter already knew, and loved, each other it was a fast lovely romance. One I found no problems with. Their connection was so sweet. 
Both characters were gracious and kind, they took in baby without question, but they also didn't give up on each other. They worked through their hurt and distrust and fell in love all over again!

I wish the "gift" they received had a bit more screen time , but I also understand there are only so many words you can write in a novella.

This story had the most "knot" feelings in my opinion. Both in actual metaphors used and relationship testing. 

Overall I really did enjoy the story and how the series itself wrapped up and I rated it a 4/5 stars.


Quotes:

"Our pasts are so tangled and snarled, and I doubt we'll ever be put to rights. We've too many knots in our way."
"Good."
Her eyes jumped to his. "Good? What d'ye mean, good? Knots are a bad thing"
"Not to my way of thinking."  "I want to be so tangled and knotted up with you that nothing will ever pull us apart again."

___________________________________________________________

The Tangled Ties That Bind

"Connor Kincaid returns home determined to win the hand of the woman he was too young for when he left. But Maggie is training to be a doctor in a distant town, while Connor's about to settle on a ranch. Will either be willing to give up their dream? Or will they both have to give up the love of a lifetime?"

The next story was the hilarious Mary Connealy's  continuation of the "Kincaid Brides" series. Click here to see the rest of the series

I freaked out just a little when I saw it was a continuation, not gonna lie to you. I SUPER enjoyed book 1 (really need to get to book 2 & 3), and was crazy excited to see some of the characters come back to life on paper. 

I really enjoyed Maggie's character, she was a driven woman who wanted to make the world a better place.

Connor got a itty-bitty bit annoying, he seemed clueless in some areas. He came waltzing back home after 5 years and thought all would be exactly the same. 
Thankfully he made a turnaround and in the end their romance was sweet and innocent. 

I was pleased with how the story unfolded, then "tied" itself together again. I rated it a 4/5 stars.

Quotes:

"It's still daylight." She glanced behind her at Connor. "Unless we worked overnight and it's actually tomorrow."
"No, it's definitely today. Although today would be today even if it were tomorrow."
Maggie arched a brow. "What does that mean?"
Connor shrugged. "I think it means we're both exhausted."

"I'm glad we had to go through this tangle--it helped me know you better and love you more."

___________________________________________________________

Bound and Determined

"As punishment for his recklessness, Private Bradley Willis is sent on an errand to help a retired cavalry officer move a herd across Indian Territory. No one told him the herd would be camels instead of cattle, nor that the officer's headstrong daughter, Ambrosia Herald, would seem to be trying to undermine the whole enterprise. He's definitely been saddled with more than he's bargained for."

Story #3 was written by the wonderful Regina Jennings. This was book 2 to her "Fort Reno" series.
Click here to see the rest of the series

I have yet to pick up book 1, but after reading this story there is no doubt that I'll grab it soon. I think this was probably my favorite story out of the collection. Though they all had their charms, something about this one had me smiling from ear to ear.

I loved Private Bradley, he was such a care-free spirit, but underneath that young "kid" was a thoughtful gentleman! He was a loyal in everything he did, though not always to the liking of other people. 

I loved the chemistry between Bradley and Ambrosia! Their dialogue was witty, and quirky and just cute. 

Both of these characters were very "young" and immature when the story started, but I definitely saw major "growing up" going on throughout the pages. 

The ending was so cruel to my poor heart, but I can't wait to see if they make an appearance in Fort Reno again.

This story was a delight to read and I rated it a 4/5 stars.

Quotes:

His mouth twitched. "I'm not your father ma'am. It doesn't matter a whit to me if you get riled up, if you pout, or if you threaten to run away from home. I specialize in reckless, dramatic gestures, and I doubt any of yours would impress me."

Esmeralda was the name of Bradley's animal. Her loose, flexible lips puckered at himlike she was trying to kiss him from afar. Or spit at him, which was more likely.

___________________________________________________________

Tied and True

"Wealthy Marianne Lister is in love with business assistant Calvin Hochstetler, but he can't see past the difference in their social status. When Marianne takes a job to prove that she is prepared for a life of hard work alongside the man of her dreams, will it be enough to convince Calvin to risk it all for love?"

The fourth and final novella was the incredible Melissa Jagears' fourth story in her "Teaville Moral Society" series.
Click here to see the rest of the series

Melissa has recently become an adored author of mine. This story only elated my opinion of her stories.

This love story was all cute and sweetness. 

I admire Marianne so much! She did not care about wealth or what other people thought, she just wanted to serve God's kingdom and make one particular man fall in love with her. 
It didn't help that the man was ridiculously hard-headed about it...good thing she was just as stubborn. 😉

Calvin was a wonderful gentleman who had a lot of past hurts, which manifested in a distrust for true love. 
But through patience, persistence, and a couple cotton knots true love won in the end.

This was such a sweet read, and I enjoyed it immensely and I rated it a 4/5 stars.

Quotes:

"How long until you change your mind about us? I know you're scared, I understand. I'm scared too. But tomorrow my parents could go bankrupt, I might die, or you may inherit thousands of dollars. Nothing in life is fully under our control, but choosing to love someone--as hard as it might be--is."

"I know there could be hardship, but I think the joy we could give each other outweighs the risk."
She took his hand and squeezed it. "Don't shove away a lifetime of blessings because you fear trials. You'll have them no matter what you do."

 ___________________________________________________________


Overall the stories were quick, light, glorious reads that would quench anyone's thirst for a great historical! 
I loved that the stories were tied together with a common thread, but I'm also excited that each story belongs to a series so we can see these characters or towns a bit more. (I love a good series)

As a whole I rate the book a 4/5 stars, and cannot wait for future mash-ups between these fabulous ladies!

*I received this copy in exchange for my honest review* *All opinions are my own*
 ___________________________________________________________

GIVEAWAY:

One lucky reader will win a copy of "Hearts Entwined: novella collection"

HOW TO ENTER:

Simply comment on this post

RULES:
Must be 18 or have parents permission 
You can only be entered once

Winner will be chosen randomly at midnight on Thursday Feb. 22nd, and announced on Feb. 23rd's blog post. 

*This giveaway is not sponsored* *Prizes will be sent from me*