AN AMERICAN HISTORICAL ROMANCE COLLECTION
Embark on a journey through American history and witness the love stories of several couples brought together against the dramatic backdrop of a changing nation in this star-spangled romance by four best-selling authors.
“To Love a Spy” by Jennifer Moore
New York, 1781 Despite her family’s betrayal of the Crown, Susannah Partridge remains loyal to the king. But when she becomes embroiled in the treasonous activities of her charming neighbor, Eli Matthews, Susannah must determine where her allegiance truly lies.
“Southern Belle, Yankee Heart” by Renae Weight Mackley
Richmond, 1861 The Union is splintering, and Northern dressmaker Rebecca Steed finds herself stuck in the South with little money and even less hope. But being stranded in Virginia comes with an unexpected silver lining in the form of Nathan Hill, a man whose opposition to slavery and determination to do what is right quickly win her affection. But how can she give her heart to a soldier who may never come back from the war?
“Where Dreams Meet” by Carolyn Twede Frank
New York, 1892 When Jane O’Shea arrives at Ellis Island from Ireland, she has nothing but a desire to make her way in the world. With help from Peter Dockery, a gentle stranger, Jane embarks on her new life. As the couple faces seemingly insurmountable odds, they discover that adversity is better faced alongside the one you love.
“The Sun, Moon, Stars, and You” by Carla Kelly
Washington, DC, 1906 Nothing could have prepared Lieutenant Hank Thornton for his new post in Washington, DC. As a military aide to President Teddy Roosevelt in the White House, Hank is to be nothing more than a dashing dance partner at various political events. It isn’t until he meets Minnie Gallagher, an intrepid copy corrector at a local paper, that he begins to see the possibilities of this odd assignment.
REVIEW
This compilation took me to different time periods in American history. The perspective in each of the time periods was enlightening and refreshing. It was fantastic to see things through the eyes of the time period.
To Love a spy took us to the revolutionary war through the eyes of a royalist. Susannah lived and worked in the inn run by her Aunt and Uncle. Her father and brother were fighting with the "rebels" and she was happy as a subject of King George. Her Uncle's inn hosted many British officers and she got to know them somewhat in their interactions. Also in residence was the local apothecary, Eli Matthews. Susannah was observant and found that there was more to him than meets the eye. Through their interactions and the developments of the war around them. Susannah realizes truths about herself and about the war around them. She finds that the time will come when she truly has to pick a side. This story shows both sides of the conflict in a beautiful way that has Susannah and even me as the reader conflicted about the people in the story because at the end of the day, on either side, it is people with families that are experiencing the tragedy of war.
Southern Belle, Yankee Heart took me to Richmond, Virginia at the time Virginia seceded from the Union. It again reminded me that there were people on both sides of the conflict and they were living the best they knew how. Rebecca Steed ran into a unique situation as she was in Virginia to purchase goods and found herself unable to return with the goods to Philadelphia. She was forced to stay as much of what she purchased was not returnable and she needed to have money to live upon her return to Philadelphia. The conflict unfolding was brought to life in this Novella. It was interesting to see in the story, those in the South who were abolitionists and sympathetic to the North. This story was beautifully written and touching.
Where Dreams Meet takes us to Ellis Island as it opens in 1892. Jane O'Shea had taken her brother's place on a ship to America after he died followed shortly by her mother. She went to her second cousin who had a place for her brother to work. From this we see the treatment of some immigrants of the time, even by family members. It is a hard life and Jane finds little kindness from her family, but does make a connection to Peter who sees her and sees her kindness. Together they fight the greed of others using their strengths to make a better life. This story is full of familial conflict and a mystery that could save them both. This was an exciting mystery to figure out as Jane worked hard to make her way.
The Sun, Moon, Stars, and You took us to the wedding of Alice Roosevelt, Teddy's oldest daughter. We get to meet this president and his daughter through the eyes of a soldier brought on as a White House Aid, meant to escort the single ladies at White House and embassy functions. We also see them through Minnie who is trying to be a reporter when she is seen as a copy corrector, being called an editor would mean she had a say in shaping what is printed. It is a time of change in the nation, 1905 has Minnie as a suffragette and looking to make her mark. Lieutenant Henry "Hank" Thornton isn't much for the social whirl and wants to be left at Fort Riley with the Calvary duties. These two show what they can do by just being themselves. This is a touching story and an fascinating inside look at the White House and political weddings. I felt like I was there.
All in all, I loved this anthology and it hit all the right notes coming out at the celebration of the country's independence, reminding me how we got our freedoms,
I received an early copy through the publisher and NetGalley and this is my honest review.