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shelfesteem's review against another edition
4.0
Authors like Lori Benton and Laura Frantz have endeared me to this period of historical fiction. If you've enjoyed their work, I encourage you to pick up a copy of The Heart's Stronghold. Below, I've rated the individual stories with what I saw to be their greatest strengths. In my opinion, the depth and heart of the books built into a lovely crescendo (hence the reason I've listed them in reverse order).
A Promise for Tomorrow by Amanda Barratt
Fort Boonesborough, Kentucky, 1778
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Positives:
• Barratt's contribution held the most action.
• If you've read My Dearest Deitrich, you know how emotive Barratt's writing can be. ♥️
• The more I learned of Rosina's past, the more I longed for her to find happiness.
• Silas is a dear!
****
A Treaty of Tulips by Angie Dicken
Fort Burnett in Upstate New York, 1740
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Sabine would not allow herself to be ruled by fear.
• I enjoyed how Dicken used Jacob and Sabine's friendship to demonstrate how our differences can lead to our collective strength.
• Sabine's mother's blindness and offering of tulips add another layer to the story.
• The character's faith is integral to the storyline.
• In regards to his post as well as his daughter, Jacob's sense of duty is honorable.
Favorite Quotes:
“We all have valleys in which we walk. Mine was dark and desolate—a stubborn journey with my back to the Lord. These blooms were my comfort, my reminder that forgiveness is near.”
"He may never be able to avoid trials, but he could remain strong and courageous to face hardship when it came. No matter the discord around them, he’d follow Sabine’s persistent desire to courageously follow peace."
****
Embers of Hope by Kimberley Woodhouse
Castle Island, Massachusetts, 1674
Castle William (which would eventually become Fort Independence)
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Positives
• A bit of a mystery is woven into the story.
• The story ties back to [b:The Mayflower Bride|35488764|The Mayflower Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower, #1)|Kimberley Woodhouse|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1499891112l/35488764._SY75_.jpg|56889172] which is another book by this author that I enjoyed.
• Are you feeling antsy in our COVID-19 quarantine? Esther endures a similar period of self-isolation.
• Esther doesn't allow the way people treat her to make her bitter. Instead presses on—winning others over by her selfless service.
Favorite Quotes:
"Where was her trust? God had brought them here for a purpose. It was her job to rest in that."
"Theirs had been a friendship that was quite uncommon. Simple moments talking together. Sharing by the fire. It wasn’t how it would be done in Boston, but what did that matter? It was natural and real. And that was what she loved."
****
Virginia Company Bride by Gabrielle Meyer
James Fort at Jamestown, Virginia, 1608
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
After the death of her mistress, Anne Burras finds herself to be the focus of attention among the Fort's 400 male occupants. Some are happy to see someone of the fairer sex while others cling to old superstitions and label her as a curse. One man, John Layton, stood apart from the rest. Although reluctant at first, he did seek to protect her—until he found he could no longer protect his own heart.
Positives
• The main characters have brief encounters with Pocahontas and John Smith.
• Loosely based on a true story.
• The author does a nice job explaining the layout, industry, and threats against James Fort.
Of all the stories in this collection, this one resonated with me the least. The courtship was too short and shallow for my taste... "A month had gone by since Anne Burras had arrived in Virginia, and John was surprised at how much his life had changed since that fateful day. He never would have believed the first time he saw her that he would be anticipating their wedding any day now." I also felt it lacked the depth of the other stories in the collection.
A Promise for Tomorrow by Amanda Barratt
Fort Boonesborough, Kentucky, 1778
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Positives:
• Barratt's contribution held the most action.
• If you've read My Dearest Deitrich, you know how emotive Barratt's writing can be. ♥️
• The more I learned of Rosina's past, the more I longed for her to find happiness.
• Silas is a dear!
****
A Treaty of Tulips by Angie Dicken
Fort Burnett in Upstate New York, 1740
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Sabine would not allow herself to be ruled by fear.
• I enjoyed how Dicken used Jacob and Sabine's friendship to demonstrate how our differences can lead to our collective strength.
• Sabine's mother's blindness and offering of tulips add another layer to the story.
• The character's faith is integral to the storyline.
• In regards to his post as well as his daughter, Jacob's sense of duty is honorable.
Favorite Quotes:
“We all have valleys in which we walk. Mine was dark and desolate—a stubborn journey with my back to the Lord. These blooms were my comfort, my reminder that forgiveness is near.”
"He may never be able to avoid trials, but he could remain strong and courageous to face hardship when it came. No matter the discord around them, he’d follow Sabine’s persistent desire to courageously follow peace."
****
Embers of Hope by Kimberley Woodhouse
Castle Island, Massachusetts, 1674
Castle William (which would eventually become Fort Independence)
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Positives
• A bit of a mystery is woven into the story.
• The story ties back to [b:The Mayflower Bride|35488764|The Mayflower Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower, #1)|Kimberley Woodhouse|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1499891112l/35488764._SY75_.jpg|56889172] which is another book by this author that I enjoyed.
• Are you feeling antsy in our COVID-19 quarantine? Esther endures a similar period of self-isolation.
• Esther doesn't allow the way people treat her to make her bitter. Instead presses on—winning others over by her selfless service.
Favorite Quotes:
"Where was her trust? God had brought them here for a purpose. It was her job to rest in that."
"Theirs had been a friendship that was quite uncommon. Simple moments talking together. Sharing by the fire. It wasn’t how it would be done in Boston, but what did that matter? It was natural and real. And that was what she loved."
****
Virginia Company Bride by Gabrielle Meyer
James Fort at Jamestown, Virginia, 1608
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
After the death of her mistress, Anne Burras finds herself to be the focus of attention among the Fort's 400 male occupants. Some are happy to see someone of the fairer sex while others cling to old superstitions and label her as a curse. One man, John Layton, stood apart from the rest. Although reluctant at first, he did seek to protect her—until he found he could no longer protect his own heart.
Positives
• The main characters have brief encounters with Pocahontas and John Smith.
• Loosely based on a true story.
• The author does a nice job explaining the layout, industry, and threats against James Fort.
Of all the stories in this collection, this one resonated with me the least. The courtship was too short and shallow for my taste... "A month had gone by since Anne Burras had arrived in Virginia, and John was surprised at how much his life had changed since that fateful day. He never would have believed the first time he saw her that he would be anticipating their wedding any day now." I also felt it lacked the depth of the other stories in the collection.
thelittlerusticreader's review against another edition
3.0
This collection of four-novellas was a little hit and miss for me. I loved some of the titles, but not all. However, overall they were a great compilation of historical events and locales with danger, romance, and conflict. No objectionable content or language so you should feel comfortable giving to your tween or your grandma to read - lots of faith-based content.
emilyslittlebooknook's review
4.0
very great encouraging stories, I loved the writing how this to me didn't feel too far apart as far as the author's styles changed from story to story one of my favorite collection of short stories I've read in a while. The only things id change more shows of Ann's life outside of feeling alone at the beginning of "Virginia Company Bride" it did feel a little repetitive.
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