Welcome to the blog tour and giveaway for The Backcountry Brides Collection, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: The Backcountry Brides Collection
Author: Angela K. Couch, Debra E. Marvin, Shannon McNear, Gabrielle Meyer, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Jennifer Hudson Taylor, Pegg Thomas, and Denise Weimer
Publisher: Barbour Books
Release Date: May 1, 2018
Genre: Inspirational Historical Fiction collection
Travel into Colonial America where eight women seek love, but they each know a future husband requires the necessary skills to survive in the backcountry. Living in areas exposed to nature’s ferocity, prone to Indian attack, and cut off from regular supplies, can hearts overcome the dangers to find lasting love?
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MY THOUGHTS
I love these collections so much, and got so excited to sign up for this tour!
"Shenandoah Hearts"
This story had such a sweet romance, and such strong family bonds running throughout.
I will say the brothers started to get under my skin as the story progressed, but I think they filled their roles well.
In all honesty I felt like I was missing half the story, it seemed disjointed and a touch choppy. I did read in the way beginning that it is paired with another story, so I think that if I had picked that one up first I might have enjoyed this particular overall story a bit more.
I rated it a 3/5 stars.
"Heart of Nantahala"
There aren't many fictional books that have a super "realistic" feel to them. (At least not much in the romance section) This story however had a very authentic aspect about it. Neither one of the main characters had "fairytale dream" love expectation.
Mabel was a very strong, independent female who knew she was not going to marry just anyone so they could help run the mill.
Joe was such a gentleman, and a great business man. He was very patient and understanding and willing to lend a helping hand to a fellow business owner in need.
The secondary characters were fun and I liked seeing them. However, there was a secondary plot twisting through the story and it never panned out. We never saw how it ended,so I don't know if the story continues in another collection or if we're left to wonder.
I rated this a 3.5/5 stars.
"Her Redcoat"
Oh the controversy of this story. A Métis falling in love with a British redcoat. Oh but what a love story. It was so innocent born from time spent learning necessary life lessons from one another.
Laurette feels she doesn't belong anywhere because of her breeding, but she still longs for more in life. Her knowledge of wilderness living and surviving made me wish I knew how to do all the things.
And she had a faithful animal sidekick, so technically she was a Disney princess...
Henry Bedlow was such a sweet character. Not your normal hero since he preferred books to all the other things. Such a gentleman and he loved this beautiful young lady with his whole being, but he was still loyal to his country. (Though he really didn't want to be there)
The ending was kind of bittersweet, but I'm glad our couple got their happily ever after.
I rated this a 4/5 stars.
"A Heart So Tender"
I LOVED this story! The romance was so cute and ALL of the characters!
The story moved at a rapid fire pace, but I didn't really feel like I was being drug through the dirt.
I have so much to say about it, that I don't know how to put it in words...
I really wish this was a full length novel so I could see more character development! It has all the potential to be a full length, suspense, plot twisty, sweet romance novel. But this length was perfect to get my toes wet.
I rated this a 4/5 stars.
"A Worthy Groom"
Angela is now a new favorite author of mine!! I've read a few of her novellas now and man are they always GREAT!
They never feel rushed, though a lot happens in the few pages we have in her worlds. So much suspense and waves of mystery. So fun to read and guess about the bad guys in the background. She always bring the story full circle, ending both main and secondary plot lines in harmony.
I really enjoyed that this one wasn't SUPER based around any battles. It was a nice little break from the bloodshed.
The characters were great and there was a lot of character development and character changes through the story.
I rated it a 4.5/5 stars. (My favorite of the collection)
"Across Three Autumns"
Every good collection has one story that didn't really clicked for you. That was this story for me. All of the war talk kinda had my eyes glazing over and skimming.
The entire story is told from Jenny's perspective, which was kind of a bummer in my opinion because I felt like this story had a cool premise. I would have loved to maybe see Caylan's perspective. Since it was all from Jenny's point of view the romance happened even faster than it normally does and seemed really rushed.
While reading, the story of Mary & Martha from the bible kept coming to mind. Jenny being Martha. It got old after a few pages. I just wish Jenny would have relaxed just a bit.
The way Caylan's character was painted was a bit weird. One minute he's making googly eyes at Jenny's little sister Hester, then saying he's in love with Jenny. I don't know...the one viewpoint probably didn't help him any.
There was a RIDICULOUS amount of loss in this story. Which I know happened in real life, but I don't really care to read about it in fiction!
I rated this a 2.5/5 stars.
"The Counterfeit Tory"
This was a cute fast romance, but oh so sweet. The characters were just ordinary people who found hope and love in God and in each other.
This was a very dangerous love story since we had an infiltration troupe. (Which I love by the way)
The question of loyalty was a huge thing during this time.
This also had a bit of sad underlying elements, and a TON of bloodshed. HOWEVER, there was the greatest ending for this happy couple.
I rated this 3/5 stars.
"Love's Undoing"
I loved this book! It reminded me a bit of Tracie Peterson's work, and I was not mad about it.
There was great eye-opening/character change for Henry Kingsley when he met and got to know the beautiful Abi, who happened to be a Métis. Her pedigree didn;t bother him overall, but he realized that the life he had wasn't the one he wanted in the end.
Both the characters were strong in their own ways.
Abi was strong in her lifestyle and what she knew.
Henry was strong in his convictions and what he believed in.
Both were strong in their love for each other.
I rated it a 4/5 stars.
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Overall I enjoyed this collection. The stories brought so many memories of watching old western shows with my grandma, Shirley Temple movies, movies with Indian attacks. So I had good thoughts while reading it.
All in all I rated the whole collection a 4/5 stars, and found some new favorite authors in the bargain.
*I received this book in exchange for my honest review* *All opinions are my own*
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ABOUT THE NOVELLAS
Heart of Nantahala by Jennifer Hudson Taylor 1757 - (North Carolina) Joseph Gregory plans to buy a lumber mill, but Mabel Walker becomes a formidable opponent. When she’s forced to make a painful decision, she must choose between survival and love.
Her Redcoat by Pegg Thomas 1763 - Fort Michilimackinac (Michigan) during Pontiac’s Rebellion Laurette Pettigrew grew up in the northern frontier. Henry Bedlow arrived against his will. Their chance meeting changes everything. Will a deadly clash of cultures keep them from finding happiness?
A Heart So Tender by Debra E. Marvin 1764 – (New York) As thousands of Native warriors converge on Fort Niagara, jaded British Lieutenant Archibald Walsh and idealistic schoolmistress Susannah Kimball learn the greatest risk lies in guarding their hearts.
A Worthy Groom by Angela K. Couch 1771 - Sapling Grove settlement on the Holston River (Tennessee) The Cowden temper has been Marcus’s lifelong bane. A trait Lorinda Cowden curses. Now, winning the heart of his bride hinges on fighting a war without raising a fist.
Across Three Autumns by Denise Weimer 1778-1780 – (Georgia) Fighting Loyalists and Indians, Jenny White settles for strength over love . . .until Scottish scout Caylan McIntosh leads her family on a harrowing exodus out of Georgia’s Revolutionary “Hornet’s Nest.”
The Counterfeit Tory by Shannon McNear 1781 – (South Carolina) Tasked with infiltrating an infamous Tory gang, Jed Wheeler has no wish to endanger the leader’s cousin, Lizzy Cunningham. He risks not only his life. . .but his heart.
Love’s Undoing by Gabrielle Meyer 1792 - Fur Post on the Upper Mississippi River (Minnesota) When Englishman Henry Kingsley meets Abi McCrea, the daughter of a Scottish fur trader and Indian mother, will their worlds keep them apart, or have they finally found somewhere they truly belong?
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Carrie Fancett Pagels is an ECPA bestselling and award-winning author of Christian historical romance. Twenty-five years as a psychologist didn’t “cure” her overactive imagination! She resides with her family in the Historic Triangle of Virginia, which is perfect for her love of history. Carrie loves to read, bake, bead, and travel – but not all at the same time!
TO CONNECT WITH CARRIE: website│facebook│twitter
Jennifer Hudson Taylor is an award winning author of inspirational fiction set in historical Europe & the Carolinas. She provides keynotes and presentations on the publishing industry, the craft of writing, building an author platform & digital marketing. Jennifer graduated from Elon University with a B.A. in Communications/Journalism. When she isn't writing, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, visiting historical sites, horseback riding, cycling, long walks, genealogy and reading.
TO CONNECT WITH JENNIFER: website | facebook | twitter
Pegg Thomas lives on a hobby farm in Northern Michigan with Michael, her husband of *mumble* years. A life-long history geek, she writes “History with a Touch of Humor.” An avid reader and writer, she enjoys fiction stories threaded through historical events and around historical figures. Civil War and Colonial are her favorite eras. Pegg is a regular blogger at both QuidProQuills.com and ColonialQuills.com. When not working on her latest novel, Pegg can be found in her garden, in her kitchen, at her spinning wheel, tending her sheep, or on her trusty old horse, Trooper. See more at PeggThomas.com.
TO CONNECT WITH PEGG: website | facebook | twitter
Debra E. Marvin tries not to run too far from real life but the imagination born out of being an only child has a powerful draw. Besides, the voices in her head tend to agree with all the sensible things she says. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Sisters in Crime, and serves on the board of Bridges Ministry in Seneca Falls, NY. She is published with WhiteFire Publishing, Forget Me Not Romances, Journey Fiction, and Barbour Publishing…and a judge for the Grace Awards for many years. Debra works as a program assistant at Cornell University, and enjoys her family and grandchildren, obsessively buying fabric, watching British programming and traveling with her childhood friends
TO CONNECT WITH DEBRA: website | facebook | twitter
To keep from freezing in the Great White North, Angela K Couch cuddles under quilts with her laptop. Winning short story contests, being a semi-finalist in ACFW’s Genesis Contest, and a finalist in the International Digital Awards also helped warm her up. As a passionate believer in Christ, her faith permeates the stories she tells. Her martial arts training, experience with horses, and appreciation for good romance sneak in there, as well. When not writing, she stays fit (and warm) by chasing after three munchkins.
TO CONNECT WITH ANGELA: website | facebook | twitter
After more than two decades in the South, Shannon McNear now makes her home on the windy northern plains with her husband, four of their eight children, two German Shepherds, four cats, several chickens, and a noisy flock of guinea fowl. She serves in worship and youth ministry, and has been writing novel-length fiction since age 15. Her first novella, Defending Truth, from A Pioneer Christmas Collection, was a 2014 RITA® nominee. When not sewing, researching, or leaking story from her fingertips, she enjoys being outdoors, basking in the beauty of the Dakota prairies
Gabrielle Meyer lives in central Minnesota on the banks of the Mississippi River with her husband and four children. As an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, she fell in love with the rich history of her state and enjoys writing fictional stories inspired by real people, places, and events. She loves connecting with readers!
GIVEAWAY
(1) Winner will win a prize pack consisting of one print copy of The Backcountry Brides Collection, a pair of handmade earrings from Carrie Fancett Pagels and book swag plus CHOICE of (1) copy of any book by Carrie Fancett Pagels OR a $25 Amazon (or Barnes & Noble) gift card. (US only, however the gift card is also open to international winners except where prohibited by law. Giveaway is subject to policies found here.
To Enter, use the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Be sure to stop at every post on the tour for additional entries!
During the month of May 2018, the authors of The Backcountry Brides Collection are also hosting a giveaway that includes a print copy of the novel, a Kindle Paperwhite, and lots of Colonial-themed goodies!
To enter click on the image below.
May 8th
May 9th
May 10th
May 11th
Hi Alysha! Thank you so much for being part of the tour! You are a 'new blogger to me', which is a great part of tours. I appreciate your kind words. They were a balm to me today! This is such a great collection and I hope your readers get a chance to enjoy it and enter our giveaways! Happy Weekend!
ReplyDeleteYou're a 'new writer to me' so it worked for both of us. :D Loved your story, and cannot wait to read more of your work. God bless!
DeleteHi Alysha! Thanks for posting! I love that you broke down each of the stories!
ReplyDelete<3
DeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts and ratings on each story!
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Deletethank you for your wonderful reviews. such a lovely cover and a wonderful group of authors.
ReplyDeleteI agree. They did a lovely job matching the cover to the stories these great authors told.
DeleteThank you, Alysha for breaking down the stories and also your honest opinion. Thank you for being a part of the tour.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for hosting the tour!
DeleteThanks for the nice review! I'm glad you liked the romance between Henry and Laurette. They were fun characters to write about.
ReplyDeleteThank you for such an amazing story. And thank you for the signature. :D
DeleteLove your thoughts on each story in the book.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! Glad you enjoyed the post.
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