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A review by readwithkaitlin
Heart of the Frontier by Jennie Hansen, Jennie Hansen, Carolyn Twede Frank, Carolyn Twede Frank, Brittany Larsen, Brittany Larsen, Jen Geigle Johnson, Jen Geigle Johnson
4.0
I really like collections. Just like every story, I am always sad when a story ends. With a collection you don't have to worry about looking at your TBR. The next story is right there. With some novellas I struggle because I want more and finish the story wishing there was more or wanting a full novel of the story. Some novellas leave me wanting more because it felt like some was missing. But overall, this collection left me satisfied. I have been loving this era in American history, lately as well. My family roots are in this area and time period so I have a deep connection to these kinds of stories.
My favorite of the stories would have to be rather The Gambler or Sagebrush Sally. I think it is interesting that those are the two that had English characters, and they were the two I enjoyed the most.
The Gambler by Brittany Larsen: I really liked Ella. She was strong character. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind and let others know the truth. I liked that she was smart with numbers too. That wasn't really something that was acceptable until quite recently, truly, so I liked that there was that strong female character. I also loved Thomas, and that he didn't just shut Ella down. He may have been prideful at times, but he was pretty quick to see her and value her and her blunt honesty. I liked that he took the time to take her advice and ask questions after he had found himself in a hard situation. It was a sweet story. I finished it feeling like I was okay for it to end there because there was enough given to me, although a full book would have been magnificent as well.
Her Frontier Bandit by Jen Geigle Johnson: I fell in love with the father in this story. As a parent to three young daughters myself, I can only hope that I have the same kind of insight and understanding he had towards his daughter. This was one novella that I wish had been a full length book. I felt like there was some details about Ray that were missing. I liked was was there, but desperately wanted more. I liked that Rebecca knew him the moment she saw him, even after all the time apart. There are often times in a book where a lack of trust can make a person put themselves in danger. In this book, I didn't see that. Rebecca trusted Ray, although she had no reason to after he just left. I loved the ending. It was satisfying and sweet.
Sagebrush Sally by Jennie Hansen: I haven't read much of Jennie Hansen, but what I have read, I have enjoyed a lot. It makes me want to go look for her titles more. In Sagebrush Sally I was kept up late trying to finish this one. There was a suspense that you didn't know who the rustlers were. I was constantly trying to figure out who it could be. I was off twice, and I am glad I was. I would have loved this to be a full novel to read more into the story. I loved how Sally was put into a world that was so far removed from where she had grown up, but she dealt with it with grace. In situations that are unknown there is fear and anxiety that comes with it (at least for me). And then add real danger on top of that? This novella was jam packed with adventure. I liked Gabe a lot. He had a calming presence in this for me. I also like that he cared for Sally and her young cousin, even putting himself in peril so they could be safe. I enjoyed this one a lot.
Celebration for Celia by Carolyn Twede Frank: I adore Carolyn's westerns so I was excited to get to her story. I felt like this was paced well. I enjoyed the talk between Bruce and Celia's father. I liked that we got to see the reason behind her father's demeanor and change she finds in him. I like that Bruce is respectful of her and although he wants to be around her and with her, he respects what she claims to have with Wesley. It was a great time to read this story since Independence Day hit a few days after I finished this collection. I only wish the story had gone past that night and had been lengthened, but I loved how it ended.
Overall, I loved this collection of western novellas. I am enjoying this genre so much and can't wait to get my hands on future releases by the authors.
4 Stars
Thank you NetGalley for the book.
My favorite of the stories would have to be rather The Gambler or Sagebrush Sally. I think it is interesting that those are the two that had English characters, and they were the two I enjoyed the most.
The Gambler by Brittany Larsen: I really liked Ella. She was strong character. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind and let others know the truth. I liked that she was smart with numbers too. That wasn't really something that was acceptable until quite recently, truly, so I liked that there was that strong female character. I also loved Thomas, and that he didn't just shut Ella down. He may have been prideful at times, but he was pretty quick to see her and value her and her blunt honesty. I liked that he took the time to take her advice and ask questions after he had found himself in a hard situation. It was a sweet story. I finished it feeling like I was okay for it to end there because there was enough given to me, although a full book would have been magnificent as well.
Her Frontier Bandit by Jen Geigle Johnson: I fell in love with the father in this story. As a parent to three young daughters myself, I can only hope that I have the same kind of insight and understanding he had towards his daughter. This was one novella that I wish had been a full length book. I felt like there was some details about Ray that were missing. I liked was was there, but desperately wanted more. I liked that Rebecca knew him the moment she saw him, even after all the time apart. There are often times in a book where a lack of trust can make a person put themselves in danger. In this book, I didn't see that. Rebecca trusted Ray, although she had no reason to after he just left. I loved the ending. It was satisfying and sweet.
Sagebrush Sally by Jennie Hansen: I haven't read much of Jennie Hansen, but what I have read, I have enjoyed a lot. It makes me want to go look for her titles more. In Sagebrush Sally I was kept up late trying to finish this one. There was a suspense that you didn't know who the rustlers were. I was constantly trying to figure out who it could be. I was off twice, and I am glad I was. I would have loved this to be a full novel to read more into the story. I loved how Sally was put into a world that was so far removed from where she had grown up, but she dealt with it with grace. In situations that are unknown there is fear and anxiety that comes with it (at least for me). And then add real danger on top of that? This novella was jam packed with adventure. I liked Gabe a lot. He had a calming presence in this for me. I also like that he cared for Sally and her young cousin, even putting himself in peril so they could be safe. I enjoyed this one a lot.
Celebration for Celia by Carolyn Twede Frank: I adore Carolyn's westerns so I was excited to get to her story. I felt like this was paced well. I enjoyed the talk between Bruce and Celia's father. I liked that we got to see the reason behind her father's demeanor and change she finds in him. I like that Bruce is respectful of her and although he wants to be around her and with her, he respects what she claims to have with Wesley. It was a great time to read this story since Independence Day hit a few days after I finished this collection. I only wish the story had gone past that night and had been lengthened, but I loved how it ended.
Overall, I loved this collection of western novellas. I am enjoying this genre so much and can't wait to get my hands on future releases by the authors.
4 Stars
Thank you NetGalley for the book.