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rusticreadingal's review against another edition
4.0
Cameo Courtships was a lovely collection of four stories featuring a cameo gifted from Queen Victoria that's passed down through the generations.
I love this kind of collection where there's a common thread, an object, connecting them all. It's so much fun to see it with different characters, in different situations, and different settings. From England to Pennsylvania, Colorado to Louisiana, and back to Pennsylvania again, I enjoyed reading the journey the cameo went on and “meeting” the people it affected.
All four of these stories were so good! I highly recommend Cameo Courtships to anyone who loves historical fiction.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
I love this kind of collection where there's a common thread, an object, connecting them all. It's so much fun to see it with different characters, in different situations, and different settings. From England to Pennsylvania, Colorado to Louisiana, and back to Pennsylvania again, I enjoyed reading the journey the cameo went on and “meeting” the people it affected.
All four of these stories were so good! I highly recommend Cameo Courtships to anyone who loves historical fiction.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
bookishmiss's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I read this collection of novellas a bit too fast to savour them properly - which tends to happen when I find a collection I really enjoy! A good mix of sweetness and sadness in each. While the heroines were part of affluent families, I appreciated that these stories didn't shy away from some of the grim realities for those living in much less comfortable circumstances. Satisfying reads for me. I look forward to reading them again sometime - and will endeavour to take the time to savour them!
clarkecorner's review
4.0
I really enjoy these 5 love stories. They take you to different place in the early USA. I really enjoyed each authors ways of writing.
travelerswife4life's review
5.0
What a cute set of stories!
This collection of stories about a Cameo passed down by Queen Elizabeth herself was so fun!
It was cool to imagine that actually happening, and then to see how the characters acted through their stories was remarkable. Truly a great retelling of a legend in a family tree. Two of these authors were previously unknown to me and now I can't wait to research them and see what other books they have written.
I would definitely recommend reading this book. This is not the first collection by Barbour Publishing that I have read but I will say to date that it is probably my favorite.
I volunteered to read this book from Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest feedback, the thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
This collection of stories about a Cameo passed down by Queen Elizabeth herself was so fun!
It was cool to imagine that actually happening, and then to see how the characters acted through their stories was remarkable. Truly a great retelling of a legend in a family tree. Two of these authors were previously unknown to me and now I can't wait to research them and see what other books they have written.
I would definitely recommend reading this book. This is not the first collection by Barbour Publishing that I have read but I will say to date that it is probably my favorite.
I volunteered to read this book from Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest feedback, the thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
rjd's review
4.0
This book was excellent. I enjoyed reading these connected stories that were all very well done. I was impressed at how close in time these stories were, while still keeping track of all the people and personalities across all the stories. I would have gladly read more of these stories, and the potential is there for a second book with new stories to tell. All of them were excellent, and I would strongly recommend this book.
I received a copy of this book in order to assist my review of the book. All opinions are my own. I was not required to leave a positive. review.
I received a copy of this book in order to assist my review of the book. All opinions are my own. I was not required to leave a positive. review.
bellesmoma2021's review
4.0
Story #1: “Pinned on Her Heart” by Susanne Dietze
“Pinned on Her Heart” is another sweet and well-written story by Susie Dietze. I found the plot engaging and the characters endearing. And I absolutely love the history behind the cameo and the specific directions for passing the precious keepsake on to the next deserving woman. I adore the story’s timely message that our journeys on this earth are all purposeful. My favorite moment is when Clara realizes that she is loved and supported by God while she journeys the path He has set her on. She finally understands that God does not make us and then leave us. God makes us all for His purpose. I love this message so much because it is easy to fall into the trap that our lives are meaningless. But God, if we choose Him with our whole hearts, will never forsake us because He loves us. This reminder alone makes “Pinned on Her Heart” a must-read novella!
Story #2: Taming Petra” by Jennifer Uhlarik
“Taming Petra” is an outstanding Western novella. I thoroughly enjoyed the highly-engaging plot and found the characters to be perfectly crafted. And, I love the reminder that our origins and pasts do not define who we are. We may all be cracked pots, but God has great use for us, flaws and all. Dusty, the handsome hero, fears that his grossly humble beginnings and past mistakes make him automatically unlovable. But through God’s purposes for him, and his awesome interactions with the sassy, kind, and beautiful Petra, Dusty realizes that he is exactly who God meant him to be, which is a perfectly good enough man deserving of love. Dusty’s story illustrates to the reader that in God’s eyes, we are indeed all good enough.
Story #3: “Meet Me at the Fair” by Kathleen Y’Barbo
What a fun story! And the characters … I love them so much. Elizabeth and Ethan, the heroine and hero, are two Pinkerton detectives. Both are highly capable, intelligent, and quick-witted. I enjoyed watching Elizabeth and Ethan work together on a case even as deep feelings grow between the two. In fact, the chemistry between Elizabeth and Ethan is the best part of this story. It begins in chapter one with a moment that left this reader a bit weak in the knees and builds beautifully and realistically throughout the narrative. “Meet Me at the Fair” may be one of the most satisfying novellas I’ve ever read!
Story #4: “Lending My Heart” by Debra E. Marvin
“Lending My Heart” is a very sweet story about two very stubborn characters. Bertie continually fights the rigid rules and expectations placed upon her by her extremely wealthy parents and her social caste. Russell refuses to step outside of his expected social status even though his heart is screaming at him to do so. This final story kept me turning page after page because I needed to get to their happily ever after. There were moments my heart worried these two stubborn characters might not get what they deserve — each other!
Overall, I highly recommend Cameo Courtships. It is a sweetly satisfying novella collection that has left this reader with a smile on her face. Purchase a copy for yourself today. You will not be disappointed that you did!
I received a copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Barbour Publishing, via NetGalley in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
“Pinned on Her Heart” is another sweet and well-written story by Susie Dietze. I found the plot engaging and the characters endearing. And I absolutely love the history behind the cameo and the specific directions for passing the precious keepsake on to the next deserving woman. I adore the story’s timely message that our journeys on this earth are all purposeful. My favorite moment is when Clara realizes that she is loved and supported by God while she journeys the path He has set her on. She finally understands that God does not make us and then leave us. God makes us all for His purpose. I love this message so much because it is easy to fall into the trap that our lives are meaningless. But God, if we choose Him with our whole hearts, will never forsake us because He loves us. This reminder alone makes “Pinned on Her Heart” a must-read novella!
Story #2: Taming Petra” by Jennifer Uhlarik
“Taming Petra” is an outstanding Western novella. I thoroughly enjoyed the highly-engaging plot and found the characters to be perfectly crafted. And, I love the reminder that our origins and pasts do not define who we are. We may all be cracked pots, but God has great use for us, flaws and all. Dusty, the handsome hero, fears that his grossly humble beginnings and past mistakes make him automatically unlovable. But through God’s purposes for him, and his awesome interactions with the sassy, kind, and beautiful Petra, Dusty realizes that he is exactly who God meant him to be, which is a perfectly good enough man deserving of love. Dusty’s story illustrates to the reader that in God’s eyes, we are indeed all good enough.
Story #3: “Meet Me at the Fair” by Kathleen Y’Barbo
What a fun story! And the characters … I love them so much. Elizabeth and Ethan, the heroine and hero, are two Pinkerton detectives. Both are highly capable, intelligent, and quick-witted. I enjoyed watching Elizabeth and Ethan work together on a case even as deep feelings grow between the two. In fact, the chemistry between Elizabeth and Ethan is the best part of this story. It begins in chapter one with a moment that left this reader a bit weak in the knees and builds beautifully and realistically throughout the narrative. “Meet Me at the Fair” may be one of the most satisfying novellas I’ve ever read!
Story #4: “Lending My Heart” by Debra E. Marvin
“Lending My Heart” is a very sweet story about two very stubborn characters. Bertie continually fights the rigid rules and expectations placed upon her by her extremely wealthy parents and her social caste. Russell refuses to step outside of his expected social status even though his heart is screaming at him to do so. This final story kept me turning page after page because I needed to get to their happily ever after. There were moments my heart worried these two stubborn characters might not get what they deserve — each other!
Overall, I highly recommend Cameo Courtships. It is a sweetly satisfying novella collection that has left this reader with a smile on her face. Purchase a copy for yourself today. You will not be disappointed that you did!
I received a copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Barbour Publishing, via NetGalley in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
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