Genre:
Historical Romance
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.
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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.
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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