Mocha with Linda: Hearts Entwined

Hearts Entwined
A Historical Romance Novella Collection
Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy,
Regina Jennings, Melissa Jagears
(Bethany House Publishers)
ISBN: 978-0764230325
January 2017/352 pages/$15.99
Four Historical Romance Novellas of Love (With a Twist of Humor)

The ways of love can be complex. Sometimes a relationship full of unexpected twists and unlikely turns leads to a bond that's strong and secure. Join Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings, and Melissa Jagears for novellas that follow the winding path of romance in stories that celebrate a love that lasts forever.

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 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?

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.

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?

Read an excerpt.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Winner of the HOLT Medallion and the Carol Award and a finalist for the RITA and Christy Award, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer writes historical romance to give the world more happily-ever-afters. Karen makes her home in Texas, with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at www.karenwitemeyer.com.

Mary Connealy writes "romantic comedies with cowboys" and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has more than half a million books in print. She is the author of the popular series Wild at Heart, Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie's Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Learn more at www.maryconnealy.com.

Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a minor in history. She's the winner of the National Readers' Choice Award, a two-time Golden Quill finalist and a finalist for the Oklahoma Book of the Year Award. Regina has worked at the Mustang News and at First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She lives outside of Oklahoma City with her husband and four children and can be found online at www.reginajennings.com.

Carol Award-winning author Melissa Jagears is a homeschooling mom who writes Christian historical romance into the wee hours of the night. She's the author of the Unexpected Brides series, the Teaville Moral Society series, and Love by the Letter, a free prequel ebook novella. You can learn more about Melissa, her books, and where she hangs out online at www.melissajagears.com.

MY THOUGHTS

What a fun novella collection! Of course, I knew by the author names listed that I was in for a treat. From the adorable cover to the final pages, Hearts Entwined entertains and delights. Independent from each other, each story nevertheless contains a common thread: a heartwarming historical romance interspersed with humor. The tales also connect to each author's current or previous series, a bonus for faithful readers, although they stand alone. I couldn't wait to delve in, and I was not disappointed. Karen Witemeyer's The Love Knot opens the collection with endearing characters and a compelling plot. I loved how she wove the thematic knot into the story in this final installment in her Ladies of Harper Station series. Mary Connealy's follows with her signature laugh-out-loud style in The Tangled Ties That Bind. The medical aspect intrigued me, and I enjoyed catching up with a member of the Kincaid clan from her Kincaid Bride series – including a harrowing trip back into that cave! Regina Jennings enthralls with Bound and Determined, which spotlights the seemingly-incorrigible Bradley from Holding the Fort, the opening novel of her new Fort Reno series. I never knew that the US Army used camels for a time! Finally, Tried and True by Melissa Jagears completes the collection with a fascinating tale of love that transcends social rank. Part of her Teaville Moral Society series, the story made me glad we are not so entrenched in class distinctions and societal mores. Hearts Entwined will put spring in your step during these final chilly days of winter. Don't miss it.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Bethany House Publishers for a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”