Category: Gina-welborn

2018 Favorites (E-Books & Audiobooks)

1/6/2019

Favorite E-Books & Audiobooks From 2018

Here is a list of Tell Tale Book Reviews' favorite
e-books and audiobooks read/listened and reviewed in 2018.
You can find all of those reviewed and many more by visiting our Book Review List page

2018 Reviews

E-Books

Formula Of Deception

Fawkes

Dangerous Obsession

The Rose And
The Briar

Cold Truth

The Cost
Of Betrayal

Once Upon A
Montana Summer

Deadly Memories

The Kitchen
Marriage

Abridged

Shorter Stories
under 200 pages

By The Waters
Of Babylon

The Trail
Boss's Bride

For Such A
Time As This

Sugarplums And
Second Chances

Of Cash
And Cats

Audiobooks

Cowboy Charming

The Beastly Princess

The Lost Princess

We are excited to start reading and reviewing in the
new year and hope you will be joining us for...

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Book Review - The Captive Brides Collection by Susan Page Davis, Cynthia Hickey, Jennifer AlLee, Angela Breidenbach, Darlene Franklin, Patty Smith Hall, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Lucy Thompson, Gina Welborn

12/28/2018

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Genre:
Historical Romance

The Captive Brides Collection
by Susan Page Davis, Cynthia Hickey, Jennifer AlLee,
Angela Breidenbach, Darlene Franklin, Patty Smith Hall,
Carrie Fancett Pagels, Lucy Thompson, Gina Welborn

-From Goodreads-

Love Brings Freedom in 9 Historical Romances

Journey along as nine historical women are about to make their escape from some of life’s greatest challenges. Can their captive hearts be freed to dream, to dare, to love?

Love’s Labours Found by Jennifer AlLee - Montserrat, West Indies, 1655
Temperance Simms only wanted a better life. Instead, she finds herself labeled a criminal and sold as an indentured servant. After a kind man saves her life, can Temperance trust that God will turn her sorrow into something beautiful?

His Indentured Bride by Angela Breidenbach - Pennsylvania, 1770-1775
Leaving Scotland for a short indenture with her betrothed, Maire Gree’s contract is sold when disaster strikes her kindly owner, and then extended through cruel circumstances. Can Kirk Lachlan’s service in the American Revolution save her or will she lose love and freedom forever?

The Suspect Bride by Susan Page Davis - Oregon, 1890s
Verity Ames cooks at the restaurant where shy lawyer Jack Whitwell eats lunch daily. As Jack works up courage to ask her for a date, the sheriff walks into the restaurant and arrests her for murder.

His Golden Treasure by Darlene Franklin - Barbary Coast, San Francisco, CA, 1873
Goldie Hatfield grows up on in the Barbary Coast until her guardian demands she pay the cost of her upbringing—or work at her brothel. How far will Pastor Joshua Kerr go to set Goldie free?

Through Stormy Waters by Patty Smith Hall - Atlantic Ocean, 1755
Deported to the British colonies for her father’s crimes, Charlotte Singleton helps Captain Andrew Randell when an epidemic breaks out on the ship. Can two battered hearts find love in the midst of a storm?

Moira’s Quest by Cynthia Hickey - New York, 1869
A quest for revenge ends in a marriage of convenience and a feisty Irish lass discovers that not everything is as it seems as family secrets are revealed. An Irish cop, bent on saving the fallen women of Five Points, New York, finds himself thrust into the role of husband with a woman determined to break down a notorious crime boss. Can these two pull together and find a love bigger than they are?

Love’s Escape by Carrie Fancett Pagels - Virginia, 1850
With her life in peril, Lettie seeks escape from slavery. When Nathan offers to “conduct” her North via an unusual segment on the Underground Railroad, will his efforts help or do them both harm?

Waltzing Matilda by Lucy Thompson - Sydney, Australia, 1821
Henry didn’t plan on a runaway convict masquerading as a shepherd. Or on the woman’s baby. Keeping them safe will cost him his freedom—or will it?

A Score to Settle by Gina Welborn - On the Missouri River, 1870
For JoJo the kiss was a means to an end—she wanted his wallet. For Cyrus her kiss changed everything. He vows to help her escape the snake oil salesman she works for, but exposing the man’s lies may mean settling a score at a cost neither JoJo nor Cyrus can pay.

ISBN-13: 978-1683223368

This Book received a 4.5 Bark rating.

Susan P. Davis

Jennifer AlLee

Darlene Franklin

Carrie F. Pagels

Gina Welborn

Cynthia Hickey

Angela Breidenbach

Patty S. Hall

Lucy Thompson

Captivity comes in many forms...but so does love...

Love's Labours Found by Jennifer AlLee
What a great way to start off this themed collection. Not only is this the oldest setting (1655) but it features a girl who signs up to be an indentured servant but finds herself sold into awful circumstances. But through it all she never gives up, through her faith and determination she finds love and a family.

His Indentured Bride by Angela Breidenbach
The bride in this story has got to be about the most patient in the world. I felt annoyed on her behalf as circumstances, and other people, caused her to have to wait so long for her day in church. Lots of Scottish accents, a dastardly villain, and the beginning of the Revolution made this one exciting story.

The Suspect Bride by Susan Page Davis
Probably my favorite, at least so far, in the collection, this story had the flavor of the Old West with a dash of mystery thrown in for good measure. In only a few short pages I really began to care for Verity and Jack. On the other hand there were 2 other characters I wanted slap for stupidity and meanness.

His Golden Treasure by Darlene Franklin
This was one of those stories that makes you stop and think. To remember that some people have made choices based on desperation, to ponder the compassion of Jesus, and to evaluate whether your Christian witness is one of hope or of judgment. All of this against the backdrop of the Barbary Coast.

Through Stormy Waters by Patty Smith Hall
I think this is probably my second favorite in the collection. There are a lot of historical details showing how far the justice system has come since the 1700s. I also loved the shipboard setting, complete with a handsome captain seeking atonement. Will their romance come to and end once they dock in America?

Moira's Quest by Cynthia Hickey
There was a lot to like about this novella! For starters who wouldn't love a spunky Irish miss as the heroine? This story had quite a bit of action and danger which kept it moving at a pretty fast clip. The author did a great job bringing to life the perils of living in Five Points, a slum New York City.

Love's Escape by Carrie Fancett Pagels
This was a great story to include in a collection about women held captive. Slavery, no matter the color of the person, really is the epitome of captivity. I enjoyed the little details about traveling north on the Underground Railroad, that travel being accomplished by the usual, and some very unusual, methods.

Waltzing Matilda by Lucy Thompson
When reading the inside flaps of the book I think this was the story I looked forward to the most. I've always been a little fascinated with the wildness of Australia, both in its landscape and its founding. This novella had everything you could wish for in a story set in the convict days of Australia.

A Score To Settle by Gina Welborn
What a way to conclude this collection of novellas! Danger, escape plans, a dastardly villain, and several weeks on a riverboat. Not to mention a hero who steps out of his predictable comfort zone for the hurting girl who stole his wallet! This story was definitely another favorite in the collection.

Overall
I've read a number of Barbour's historical romance novella collections and I think this one probably had some of the most varied stories. From indentured servants headed to America to a girl working in the infamous Barbary coast, from the Underground Railroad to an Australian convict. From 9 very talented Christian fiction authors The Captive Brides Collection is a great addition to Barbour's lineup and one of my favorites.

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Captive Brides Collection by Susan Page Davis, Cynthia Hickey, Jennifer AlLee, Angela Breidenbach, Darlene Franklin, Patty Smith Hall, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Lucy Thompson, Gina Welborn a 4.5 Bark rating.

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Book Review - The Blue Ribbon Brides Collection by Cynthia Hickey, Gina Welborn, Jennifer AlLee, Angela Breidenbach, Darlene Franklin, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Amber Stockton, Niki Turner, Becca Whitham

12/23/2018

0 Comments

Genre:
Historical Romance

The Blue Ribbon Brides Collection
by Cynthia Hickey, Gina Welborn, Jennifer AlLee,
Angela Breidenbach, Darlene Franklin, Carrie Fancett Pagels,
Amber Stockton, Niki Turner, Becca Whitham

-From Goodreads-

Meet nine men and women whose competitive goals take them to state and county fairs between 1889 and 1930. From baking pie to polishing pigs, from sculpting butter to stitching quilts, everyone has something to prove to themselves and their communities. But in going for the blue ribbon, will nine women miss the greatest prize of all—the devoted heart of a godly man?

ISBN-13: 978-1634098618

All is fair in love...and competition at the fair...

Requilted With Love by Carrie Fancett Pagels
Coming from a line of quilters I enjoyed this novella for that first. Of course, it didn't hurt that I've enjoyed several of the author's other stories. It's a fun look into the Michigan State Fair as two sweet characters learn a little about not letting fear control them and a little bit about love.

Seven Medals And A Bride by Angela Breidenbach
I was pretty excited when I started this novella and discovered that it was set during the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, one that I have read about before, and it was partially about the delegation from Montana. Toss in a young lady scientist, a mine owner, and a group of matchmakers and you get a lot of fun!

A Taste Of Honey by Darlene Franklin
Can I make a silly pun by saying that this story in the collection was truly a sweet romance? The heroine and her hero have some problems to overcome, some big and some as small as a bee, but in the end readers are treated to an enjoyable time at the Vermont State Fair, and a very happy ending.

Altered Hearts by Gina Welborn
I think this one might have been my favorite so far in this collection. There was just something about the girl who wanted to make hats and the man she leaves behind at the Turner County State Fair. One the things that I really enjoyed was the very fitting practical millinery notes that headed each chapter.

Better With Butter by Jennifer AlLee
Well, I have to say that I agree with heroine on this one...Everything IS better with butter! And after finishing the novella I just had to look up the history of margarine. This story was fun to read with plenty of competition, tension, a little sabotage, and romantic sparks, all at the Nevada State Fair.

Driven To Distraction by Becca Whitham
Well, not only did this story bring up a sport I had never even heard of, auto polo, but it had my favorite quote from the collection. This story was also poignant as the centennial of the end of WWI happened only a few weeks before I read it. Can two families make peace at the Western Washington State Fair?

This Book received a 4 Bark rating

Cynthia Hickey

Jennifer AlLee

Darlene Franklin

Amber Stockton

Becca Whitham

Gina Welborn

Angela Breidenbach

Carrie F. Pagels

Niki Turner

First Comes Pie by Niki Turner
This novella in the collection was as sweet as apple pie! #23 to be precise. I'll tell you, this novella made me hungry for my dad's apple pie the entire time I was reading. Apple Pie Days in Colorado comes alive with romance and a dash of danger to spice and add a little flavor.

Front Page Love by Amber Stockton
I think this story was all the sweeter because it featured the heroine and hero each trying to help the other attain a seemingly unattainable dream. But readers, along with Paige and Andy, will discover that the Wyoming State Fair can be what dreams are made of...even the most unexpected dreams.

Competing Hearts by Cynthia Hickey
I think this was probably my other favorite in the collection. Competition runs high at the Arkansas State Fair but sometimes competition isn't all it's cracked up to be. And sometimes the best plans that God has for us are a little bittersweet, and sometimes closer than we could have ever imagined.

Overall
This was a fun novella collection to read. While I haven't been to many fairs, and no big ones, these stories from 9 very talented authors took me straightaway to the warm days at the end of summer, to the sights, sounds, tastes, that make fairs such memorable experiences.

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Blue Ribbon Brides Collection by Cynthia Hickey, Gina Welborn, Jennifer AlLee, Angela Breidenbach, Darlene Franklin, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Amber Stockton, Niki Turner, Becca Whitham a 4 Bark rating.

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - The Kitchen Marriage by Gina Welborn & Becca Whitham + Review & Guest Post & Giveaway

11/14/2018

4 Comments

A bright future awaits the women of courage and faith who boldly chase their dreams across the wide-open Montana Territory, prepared to embrace adventure and forge their own destinies . . .

When French immigrant Zoe de Fleur is forced out of her position as household cook for a high society New Yorker, the pretty and talented chef seizes an unexpected chance to head west for a new beginning. She pursues what she thinks is a prestigious job in the frontier’s “finest kitchen,” but instead finds herself in a matchmaker’s agency . . .

Isaak Gunderson is one of Helena, Montana’s most eligible bachelors, but he’s too focused on running for mayor and his family’s business to think about a wife and family. His twin brother, Jakob, is supposed to be too busy as well, yet sends for a mail-order bride anyway. Isaak doesn’t want to fuel an ongoing rivalry with his twin, but this tempting newcomer can’t be ignored. If only she’d come to Helena a different way and loving her wasn’t a betrayal . . .

Publisher: Kensington Publishers
Genre: Inspirational romance/Historical America set in the old west
Release Date: September 25, 2018

Click here to purchase your copy!

My Review

Sparks fly in the kitchen and in the heart...

I've been looking forward to The Kitchen Marriage since I read book 1 in the Montana Brides Romance series last year. Within a few pages I was immersed in the lives of Zoe, a certain young rapscallion, and the equally charming and frustrating Gunderson brothers.

The Kitchen Marriage was a lovely blend of sweet romance, a dash of humor, and a continuing thread of suspense. There were some real twists and turns in the story, not so much in the romance end but in the suspense thread, that left me quite surprised.

One of the reasons that I really liked this book, and its predecessor, is that the authors consulted with one of most knowledgeable people at the Montana Historical Society, and it really shows in the quality of the historical details and sense of setting. The streets and people of New York, Denver, and especially Helena, Montana came alive under the talented hands of Gina Welborn & Becca Whitham.

Gina Welborn & Becca Whitham make a great writing team, one that I enjoy quite a bit, and I am definitely looking forward to my next adventure with them in historic Helena, Montana...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Kitchen Marriage by Gina Welborn & Becca Whitham a 4 Bark rating.

(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

Guest Post

from Gina and Becca

Dear Reader,

What’s better than fulfilling a dream? Why…taking the journey with a friend, of course. And we have the army to thank for it. Gina, whose father spent most of his army career at Fort Sill, had just moved back to Lawton, Oklahoma when Becca’s husband received orders to Sill. We were both looking for friendship and found a kindred spirit.

When we first conceived the Montana Brides series over Frappuccinos (Gina) and Chai Tea Lattes (Becca) at our local Starbucks, we set out to make our make our mail-order bride stories different.

The first thing we decided on was setting our series in Helena, Montana because, in 1888, the city boasted the most millionaires per capita in the United States. We liked the idea of a former mining town grown into a cultured city and that it wasn’t the usual isolated ranch setting for a Western.

We also wanted to create stories of mail-order bride romances gone wrong. In fact, our original series title was Mail (Dis) Order Brides. We brainstormed all the ways a mail-order bride story could go sideways and settled on our top three: a widow before a wife; two brothers, one bride; and a deceitful—though well-meaning—matchmaker. The Kitchen Marriage is the second book in this series and puts our heroine, Zoe de Fleur, between twin brothers, Isaak and Jakob Gunderson. Like our first bride, Emilia Stanek (The Promise Bride), Zoe shows up in town knowing no one. Does that sound familiar? As a former military kid and current military wife, we are very familiar with needing to start over, forge new friendships, and make strangers into family.

Thank you for taking a journey into the past with us. We pray you find our stories filled with hope, humor, and happily-ever-afters.

Sincerely,
Gina Welborn and Becca Whitham

GINA WELBORN is the bestselling author of sixteen inspirational romances. She’s a member of Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers, and serves on the ACFW Foundation Board. Sharing her husband’s passion for the premier American sports car, she is a lifetime member of the National Corvette Museum and a founding member of the Southwest Oklahoma Corvette Club. Gina lives with her husband, three of their five children, several rabbits and guinea pigs, and a dog that doesn’t realize rabbits and pigs are edible.
Visit her online at GinaWelborn.com.

BECCA WHITHAM (WIT-um) Multi-published author, paper crafter, and Chai tea lover, Becca and her twelve-foot-long craft cabinet follow her husband of more than thirty years to wherever the army currently needs a chaplain. In between moves from one part of the country to the other, she writes stories of faith that touch the heart. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a Genesis Contest finalist.
Connect with her online at BeccaWhitham.com.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate their tour, Gina and Becca are giving away
a copy of The Kitchen Marriage to ten lucky winners!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

https://promosimple.com/ps/d772/the-kitchen-marriage-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

November 1
Genesis 5020
Christian Centered book Reviews
Carpe Diem
November 2
Cultivating Us
Remembrancy
November 3
Inklings and Notions
The Becca Files
November 4
Stories By Gina
A Baker’s Perspective
November 5
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy
Texas Book-aholic
November 6
KarenSueHadley
Luv’N Lambert Life
Maureen’s Musings
November 7
cherylbbookblog
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
November 8
SusanLovesBooks
Book by Book
Janices book reviews
November 9
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess
Have A Wonderful Day
November 10
A Rup Life
Baker Kella
November 11
Bibliophile Reviews
Black ‘n’ Gold Girl’s Book Spot
November 12
Britt Reads Fiction
Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet
Bigreadersite
November 13
Daysong Reflections
Vicky Sluiter
November 14
Singing Librarian Books
Tell Tale Book Reviews

4 Comments

Goodreads 2017 Reading Challenge

7/19/2017

2 Comments

2017 Reading Challenge

Jasmine has completed her goal of reading 75 books in 2017!

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75 of 75 (100%)

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So, I completed my Goodreads 2017 Reading Challenge today! I wound up finishing a month later this year than I did last year. But, July isn't too shabby at all. This year has been a bit of a rollercoaster personally so a July finish date definitely isn't too bad.

I am by no means done with reading for this year, couldn't stop even if I wanted to, which I don't, so check back at the end of the year to see my total stats for 2017 and whether I break last year's record of 150 total books logged into my Goodreads Reading Challenge.

2017 Stats

Goal: 75 books.
Started: January 1st
Completed: July 19th

Number of Books Ahead of Schedule: 34

Total Pages Read: 19,373

Fiction: 74 Non-Fiction: 1
Print Books: 66 E-Books: 9

First Book Completed (starting the challenge):
The Silent Songbird by Melanie Dickerson

Midway Book In The Challenge:
Dangerous Testimony by Dana Mentink

Final Book Completed (finishing the challenge):
Danger On The Mountain by Lynette Eason

Longest Book (most pages):
The Romance In A Bottle Romance Collection
Joanne Bischof, Amanda Dykes, Heather Day Gilbert, Jocelyn Green, Maureen Lang

Oldest Book:
Lori Adams And The Riverboat Mystery
(1971)

Newest Book:
The Promise Bride by Gina Welborn & Becca Whitham
(August 29th, 2017)

This one's not even officially released yet!

2 Comments

2018 Favorites (E-Books & Audiobooks)

Favorite E-Books & Audiobooks From 2018

E-Books

Audiobooks

Book Review - The Captive Brides Collection by Susan Page Davis, Cynthia Hickey, Jennifer AlLee, Angela Breidenbach, Darlene Franklin, Patty Smith Hall, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Lucy Thompson, Gina Welborn

The Captive Brides Collection
by Susan Page Davis, Cynthia Hickey, Jennifer AlLee,
Angela Breidenbach, Darlene Franklin, Patty Smith Hall,
Carrie Fancett Pagels, Lucy Thompson, Gina Welborn

Book Review - The Blue Ribbon Brides Collection by Cynthia Hickey, Gina Welborn, Jennifer AlLee, Angela Breidenbach, Darlene Franklin, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Amber Stockton, Niki Turner, Becca Whitham

The Blue Ribbon Brides Collection
by Cynthia Hickey, Gina Welborn, Jennifer AlLee,
Angela Breidenbach, Darlene Franklin, Carrie Fancett Pagels,
Amber Stockton, Niki Turner, Becca Whitham

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - The Kitchen Marriage by Gina Welborn & Becca Whitham + Review & Guest Post & Giveaway

Guest Post

It's Time For A Giveaway!

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Goodreads 2017 Reading Challenge

2017 Reading Challenge

2017 Stats

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Favorite E-Books & Audiobooks From 2018

E-Books

​Audiobooks

The Captive Brides Collection by Susan Page Davis, Cynthia Hickey, Jennifer AlLee,Angela Breidenbach, Darlene Franklin, Patty Smith Hall,Carrie Fancett Pagels, Lucy Thompson, Gina Welborn

The Blue Ribbon Brides Collection by Cynthia Hickey, Gina Welborn, Jennifer AlLee, Angela Breidenbach, Darlene Franklin, Carrie Fancett Pagels, ​Amber Stockton, Niki Turner, Becca Whitham

Guest Post

It's Time For A Giveaway!

Blog Stops

2017 Stats

Author

Follow Us

Get new posts by email:

Archives

Categories

Audiobooks

The Captive Brides Collection
by Susan Page Davis, Cynthia Hickey, Jennifer AlLee,
Angela Breidenbach, Darlene Franklin, Patty Smith Hall,
Carrie Fancett Pagels, Lucy Thompson, Gina Welborn

The Blue Ribbon Brides Collection
by Cynthia Hickey, Gina Welborn, Jennifer AlLee,
Angela Breidenbach, Darlene Franklin, Carrie Fancett Pagels,
Amber Stockton, Niki Turner, Becca Whitham