Category:

Favorite E-Books From 2019

Here is a list of Tell Tale Book Reviews' favorite
e-books read and reviewed in 2019.
You can find all of those reviewed and many more by visiting our Book Review List page

2019 Reviews

E-Books

Shorter Stories
under 200 pages

Non-Fiction

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

3 Comments

Reading Year In Review

Goodreads Reading Challenge
Goal: 75 books
Started: January 1st
Completed: June 19th

« First Book Completed

Last Book Completed »

Fiction: 151*+ Non-Fiction: 1 Other: 0
Print Books: 94 E-Books: 58*+ Audiobooks: 0

« Shortest Book

Longest Book »

Total Number of Books Read: 152+
Total Pages Read: 38,939
Percentage Of Challenge Completed: 203%

See My Book List

*Read the same e-book twice in 2019.
+Read a boxed set that contained 6 individual (e-)books.

Review Stats

Total Number of Reviews: 117

Fiction: 117 Non-Fiction: 1
Print Books: 78 E-Books: 40*+ Audiobooks: 0
CDs: 0 Movies: 0 Other: 0

* Indicates there may have been more than one book in a single review.
+Read a boxed set that contained 6 individual (e-)books.

« First Review

Last Review »

for sticking with us in 2019!

0 Comments

Goodreads 2019 Reading Challenge

6/25/2019

0 Comments

2019 Reading Challenge

Jasmine has completed her goal of reading 75 books in 2019!

hide

79 of 75 (100%)

view books

So, I completed my Goodreads 2019 Reading Challenge today! Well, actually it was more like almost a week ago, but... I wound up finishing 8 days earlier this year than last year. Not too bad, considering how busy I've been!

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 2019 and whether I break last year's record of 163 total books logged into my Goodreads Reading Challenge.

2019 Stats

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

Number of Books Ahead of Schedule: 40

Total Pages Read: 17,893

Fiction: 75 Non-Fiction: 0
Print Books: 44 E-Books: 31 Audiobooks: 0

First Book Completed (starting the challenge):
Flights Of Fancy by Jen Turano

Midway Book In The Challenge:
The Warrior Maiden by Melanie Dickerson

Final Book Completed (finishing the challenge):
Harbor Secrets by Melody Carlson

Longest Book (most pages):

Boxed Set
Wish Upon A Christmas Star by Kit Morgan, Allie Pleiter, Danielle Thorne, K.D. Garcia, Jessica L. Elliott,
Rachel A. Andersen. 682 pages.

Single Book
The Coffee Club Mysteries by Darlene Franklin, Cynthia Hickey, Elizabeth Ludwig, Dana Mentink,
Candice Prentice, Janice Thompson. 448 pages.

Oldest Book:
The Cherokee Trail by Louis L'Amour
(1982)

Newest Book:
Wander Canyon Courtship
(July 1st, 2019)

This one isn't even released yet!

0 Comments

E-Book Review - The Coffee Club Mysteries by Darlene Franklin, Cynthia Hickey, Elizabeth Ludwig, Dana Mentink, Candice Prentice, Janice Thompson

2/2/2019

1 Comment

Genre:
Mystery

The Coffee Club Mysteries
by Darlene Franklin, Cynthia Hickey, Elizabeth Ludwig,
Dana Mentink, Candice Prentice, Janice Thompson

-From Amazon-

Six Mysteries Are Brewing in Small-Town Kansas

The coffee shop on the corner of First and Main in Oak Grove, Kansas, seems to attract a series of mysterious events. Or perhaps it is the six women who frequent the shop for book club who are magnets for trouble. . . .

Morgan Butler, owner of the Coffee Perk, finds a project worker hanged at her shop.

Penny Parson finds a gun in one of her beehives.

Evelyn Kliff discovers a dead church meal organizer.

Jo Anderson shares hazelnut coffee creamer, sending a woman into anaphylactic shock.

Harper Daggett is being stalked for an antique jade owl she bought.

Baker Jeanine Gransbury’s charity event money goes missing.

Join them as they unravel six unexplained events that have the potential to ruin business and spoil friendships if not handled with care.

ASIN: B07HYTLBS8

6 determined women, 6 mysteries to solve...

When I saw that The Coffee Club Mysteries had a lineup of six such amazing authors I knew it was a book I seriously wanted to read. Years ago I would have probably bypassed this book because it is a novella collection but a classic children's author changed my mind about short stories and novellas and I've read some pretty great stuff since.

This Book received a 4.5 Bark rating.

Darlene Franklin

Elizabeth Ludwig

Candice Prentice

Cynthia Hickey

Dana Mentink

Janice Thompson

The Coffee Club Mysteries was great! Kind of like reading a mini Hallmark mystery movie series it had all of the elements of a good whodunit. Murder, theft, betrayal, frame-ups, and even a dash of romance in some of them. The stories segued almost seamlessly, showing the true talent of the six very different authors, Darlene Franklin, Cynthia Hickey, Elizabeth Ludwig, Dana Mentink, Candice Prentice, and Janice Thompson. Another really cool thing about the book is that main characters are a wide variety of ages, from late twenties to mid seventies, so there is bound to be at least one for every reader to relate to.

While this collection can be read in several sittings, each novella took me about an hour or so to read, I found myself reading it in larger bites. Hey, there's nothing better than a good a mystery on a cold winter day when you'd much rather be inside. I loved The Coffee Club Mysteries and I would definitely recommend it to fans of any or all of these authors.

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Coffee Club Mysteries by Darlene Franklin, Cynthia Hickey, Elizabeth Ludwig, Dana Mentink, Candice Prentice, Janice Thompson a 4.5 Bark rating.

1 Comment

2018 Favorites (E-Books & Audiobooks)

1/6/2019

0 Comments

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...

0 Comments

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

0 Comments

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.

0 Comments

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.

0 Comments

6th Blogoversary Celebration - Interview with author Darlene Franklin + Giveaway Opportunity

12/7/2018

4 Comments

with author
Darlene Franklin

#1. How did you become a writer?
I’ve written more or less all my life but I began writing daily in the wake of my divorce in 1991. I began writing full-time nine years ago.

#2. How long does it usually take to finish writing a book?
It normally takes me about 23-25 hours to write the rough draft of a novella (tracked in 15 min. increments). But those hours generally take place over 4-6 weeks. I live in a nursing home, my health isn’t good and my time isn’t entirely at my own discretion. The total time from writing it to sending it to the editor depends on the publisher. If I’m writing for my smaller publisher, I have to figure in time for a a professional critiquer publisher before I send it in.

#3. Are you a 'plotter' or a 'pantser'?
I’ve become a pantser over the years. I just recently wrote a synopsis for the first time in several years. I had to think through it as if I were writing the books. “Then what would happen next . . . oh, yeah! And then . . .” and found the right place the finish the book as I went along.

Having said that,I believe that plotting is important. I didn’t begin pantsing until I had written over twenty books, and I still only do it with novellas. Because I’ve learned what makes good story. Editing takes me almost as long as writing the book.

#4. What does a typical writing day look like for you?
I have my quiet time first thing in the morning—otherwise, I don’t get to it, and that’s the most important part of what I do, and I have to remind myself. I have a daily writing goal that I try to accomplish by noon. I spend 15-30 min. marketing on Twitter and Facebook. I also try to write a poem a day and I always have something else going. Currently I’m working on several novella proposals in the works.

#5. What do you do to inspire creativity?
I experiment in other creative undertakings, like coloring and poeming. I hear a news story or a historical tidbit or even a TV ad that makes me think “there’s a story there.” If I think I’d like to write about it, I make note of it and store it away for future projects.
For instance, a TV ad about a “cowboy counselor” led to this year’s Christmas story, The Christmas Candle Caper. In my current WIP, when I researched ghost stories from the Grand Canyon, I uncovered the perfect climax for my book. I love writing historical! There is so much to draw from!

#6. What would be one thing you readers knew about authors or the writing life?
How eager people are for you to tell their story! So many people have led unusual lives that deserve an audience. But it’s not my story to write (unless you’re willing to pay me to help ghost write it, LOL). It’s yours. Pen in hand (fingers on keyboard?). Start.

#7. Tell us something funny, sad, embarrassing, whatever, that has happened in your life as writer.
I wrote my first three books writing back and forth to work on the city bus. Longhand by day, type it at night

#8. How do you choose your characters names?
I’ve used a variety of ways over the years. I quickly found that using the first ones that popped into my head led to repetitive character names in different books. I write a lot of historical, so adds another layer. I have used a lot of names from “favorite female names for babies in the 1850s,” for instance, or chosen the name of the First Lady at the time.

Most recently I’ve been borrowing names from my ancestors! In my current WIP, I named the heroine Frieda (adapted from my grandmother Winifred’s name) Ritchie Dearing. Ritchie was the maiden name of my other grandmother,and Dearing was her married name.

The hero is named Anders, adapted from my grandmother’s maiden name (Anderson).

Bonus. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
Big thing God is teaching me these past few months: I don’t have to be perfect for God to use me. People say they see God’s light in me. I hear my complaining, (and so do the people here), but what comes through is God’s Spirit in me. That gives me freedom to go for it, to continue working for the Lord, even when I’m not feeling my best (and therefore I assume my work suffers.) God works it out.

-Darlene Franklin-

Giveaway Opportunity

I’m very excited about my new website at https://www.darlenefranklinauthor.com.
Stop by, learn more about me and my “wide world of writing,” including a
complete listing of my books and my latestwriting venture, Poetry Just for You.

Check out the daily prizes and grand prizes being offered as part of the month long celebration. Comments left here will be eligible for two daily prizes
and will also be entered in the grand prize drawings.
(comment on my blog for additional entries).

4 Comments

E-Book Review - Of Cash And Cats by Darlene Franklin

6/12/2018

0 Comments

Genre:
Romance / Fairytale Retelling

Of Cash And Cats
by Darlene Franklin

-From Goodreads-

In this retelling of the classic fairy tale, Puss ‘n’ Boots, the kitten Max Roy finds in a pair of fisherman’s boots brings him good fortune and love. But the going isn’t easy.

When do-gooder Alyvia Bailey meets Max riding a bike and living in a ramshackle fishing shack, she assumes he’s one of the transients she wants to help. She’s puzzled when he refuses pay for working on her project--remodeling a center for those needing a place to stay.

Two cats weave in and out as they move forward to a surprising finish and bring love on kitten paws.

ASIN: B07C5ZNCGB

Two people, two kitties, one old fairytale...

As a kid I loved the old fairytales. I even collected fairytale books for awhile and knew several versions of the best known stories. I'm also a pet lover so I have to admit that the two adorable kitties in the story really stole the show. So, Of Cash And Cats was right up my alley.

Darlene Franklin has penned a sweet fairytale retelling romance that was a short, easy, and fun read. I really enjoyed how the author kept the basic framework of the old fairytale but also made it her own, Of Cash And Cats is not just formulaic rehash of an old tale, it is a sweet story in its own right.

This Book received a 4 Bark rating.

Darlene Franklin

Author Website

If you enjoy fairytale retellings or enjoy books with cute cats you really should check out this little story from Darlene Franklin.

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Of Cash And Cats by Darlene Franklin a 4 Bark rating.

0 Comments

E-Book Review - Mermaid's Song by Darlene Franklin

4/30/2018

0 Comments

Genre:
Historical Romance / Fairytale Retelling

Mermaid's Song
Love Everlasting book 4
by Darlene Franklin

-From Amazon-

At last, the much anticipated 50th book by Darlene Franklin!

Noble Prescott is drawn to the scene of a shipwreck by a sweet song sung in a language he didn’t understand. The songstress is barely alive, holding onto a piece of the ship’s railing. Her dress wraps around her legs like a mermaid’s tail.

Thus begins this imaginative retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale.

Justine Battineaux, an Acadian forced from her homeland on Cape Breton Island by British decree, finds herself adrift in the Maine colony. She doesn’t know the language and is distrusted as a foreigner.

Noble lives up to his name, providing shelter for Justine—and protection, as distrust turns into danger. For himself, his family—and the woman he comes to love.

How will Justine and Noble overcome the evil woman’s schemes to find their own love everlasting?

ASIN: B073JQR67L

Her song captured his heart...

This E-Book received a 4 Bark rating.

Darlene Franklin

Years ago I read about the Acadian Expulsion, I even wrote a couple of school papers about the event, it both fascinated and horrified me that something like that could and did happen. When I read the blurb for Mermaid's Song and found out that it blended the historical event and the old tale of The Little Mermaid my interested was piqued.

Mermaid's Song is a short, easy, read. It's a sweet romance with a nice little dash of danger and intrigue. And the historical note at the end is quite interesting and well worth reading. I enjoyed my little jaunt with author Darlene Franklin into the dangerous and fascinating world of 1750's Maine.

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Mermaid's Song by Darlene Franklin a 4 Bark rating.

0 Comments

Book Review - A Woodland Christmas novella collection - with GIVEAWAY!

11/29/2013

9 Comments

UPDATE:
The NEW winner is
ROBIN IN NC
Entry #56

Genre:
Historical/Christmas

A Woodland Christmas
Romancing America
Four-In-One-Collection
by Ramona K. Cecil, Darlene Franklin, Janelle Mowery, Tamela Hancock Murray

-From the back cover-

Four Couples Carve a Niche for Love
in the Piney Woods of East Texas

An itinerant woodcarver, moves from town to town in the woodlands, delivering “sawdust sermons” that hold even more value than the furniture he crafts. Will the advice he dispenses help four couple find their way to the miracle of love at Christmas?
Bridget O'Keefe leaves Chicago to teach Indian orphans in Texas. She is astonished by the hostility the Comanche face from locals like Seth Krueger who blame them for the death of his parents.
Mary “Polly” Jessup holds onto a promise of marriage made five years ago, but when Joseph “Joey” Carpenter returns from law school with a new outlook and a new girlfriend, her future hopes are dashed.
Emma Pickett is on a quest for vengeance, but meeting Caleb Kelley sidetracks her for a moment and tempts her to forgive and forget – until she learns the man she seeks is his father.
Gabriella Noell is on a mission – to find her grandfather and reunite her family. R.C. Sparks, a wealthy businessman, has been convinced by his sister to take Gabriella along on their journey, but he refuses to let anything impede his business.

A nice collection of four holiday themed novellas. Each story is separate but one character makes an appearance in all four stories, Gabe Noell is a kindly older man who dispenses wisdom and beautiful carvings to those in need of both.

These stories explore the theme of forgiveness, restoration, and peace. Each novella is sweet, romantic, and perfect for the Christmas season.

A Woodland Christmas 344 pages but is a surprisingly quick read, I enjoyed most of it on a cold November afternoon and evening.

If you enjoy Christmas stories, historical fiction, or the works of any of the four authors A Woodland Christmas might just be the book for you to curl up with a cup of cocoa or tea and read.

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives A Woodland Christmas by Ramona K. Cecil, Darlene Franklin, Janelle Mowery, Tamela Hancock Murray a 3 Bark rating.

.
.

This Book earned a 3 Bark rating.

.
.

Ramona K. Cecil

Visit Ramona's Website
HERE

Darlene Franklin

Visit Darlene's Website
HERE

Janelle Mowery

Visit Janelle's Website
HERE

Tamela Hancock Murray

Visit Tamela's Website
HERE

PRINT

KINDLE

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc (September 1, 2010)
ISBN-10: 1602609705
ISBN-13: 978-1602609709

It's Time For A Giveaway!

These earrings are NOT Hypoallergenic

To enter the giveaway please use the Rafflecopter below.
Before entering please click the Terms and Conditions button at the
bottom of the Rafflecopter and read them.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms & Conditions

PLEASE sign up to receive our emails OR follow us on our Facebook fan page, buttons are on the right.

I'd like to remind everyone entering the giveaway that
I will NOT be contacting the winner, it is up to the winner to contact me.

If you win please send your mailing address/email address to me at telltalebookreviews(at)gmail(dot)com, just replace the (at) with an @ and the (dot) with a . and I will get the info to the correct person.

9 Comments

2019 Favorites (E-Books)

Favorite E-Books From 2019

E-Books

Non-Fiction

2019 Reading Year In Review

Reading Year In Review

Goodreads 2019 Reading Challenge

2019 Reading Challenge

2019 Stats

E-Book Review - The Coffee Club Mysteries by Darlene Franklin, Cynthia Hickey, Elizabeth Ludwig, Dana Mentink, Candice Prentice, Janice Thompson

The Coffee Club Mysteries
by Darlene Franklin, Cynthia Hickey, Elizabeth Ludwig,
Dana Mentink, Candice Prentice, Janice Thompson

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

6th Blogoversary Celebration - Interview with author Darlene Franklin + Giveaway Opportunity

with author
Darlene Franklin

-Darlene Franklin-

Giveaway Opportunity

E-Book Review - Of Cash And Cats by Darlene Franklin

Of Cash And Cats
by Darlene Franklin

E-Book Review - Mermaid's Song by Darlene Franklin

Mermaid's Song
Love Everlasting book 4
by Darlene Franklin

Book Review - A Woodland Christmas novella collection - with GIVEAWAY!

A Woodland Christmas
Romancing America
Four-In-One-Collection
by Ramona K. Cecil, Darlene Franklin, Janelle Mowery, Tamela Hancock Murray

It's Time For A Giveaway!

Author

Follow Us

Get new posts by email:

Jasmine's bookshelf: Currently Reading

2023 Reading Challenge

Archives

Categories

Favorite E-Books From 2019

​E-Books

Non-Fiction

Reading Year In Review

2019 Stats

The Coffee Club Mysteriesby Darlene Franklin, Cynthia Hickey, Elizabeth Ludwig,​Dana Mentink, Candice Prentice, Janice Thompson

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

with authorDarlene Franklin

-Darlene Franklin-

Giveaway Opportunity

Of Cash And Cats by Darlene Franklin

Mermaid's Song Love Everlasting book 4 by Darlene Franklin

A Woodland Christmas Romancing America Four-In-One-Collection by Ramona K. Cecil, Darlene Franklin, Janelle Mowery, Tamela Hancock Murray

It's Time For A Giveaway!

Author

Follow Us

Get new posts by email:

Archives

Categories

E-Books

The Coffee Club Mysteries
by Darlene Franklin, Cynthia Hickey, Elizabeth Ludwig,
Dana Mentink, Candice Prentice, Janice Thompson

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

with author
Darlene Franklin

Of Cash And Cats
by Darlene Franklin

Mermaid's Song
Love Everlasting book 4
by Darlene Franklin

A Woodland Christmas
Romancing America
Four-In-One-Collection
by Ramona K. Cecil, Darlene Franklin, Janelle Mowery, Tamela Hancock Murray