The Christmas Heirloom Novella Collection by Hunter, Witemeyer, Thomas, and Wade

If I'm going to read a novella collection, I love it to be like this--when authors that I am familiar with work together to create a collection with overarching tie-ins and themes, yet each bring their unique voice to the collection. The stories are all tied together by the heirloom brooch being handed down through the generations, yet each story is wildly different (and each heroine reacts differently to the lore of the brooch!). Each story is solidly a romance, yet each one has that mother--or mother figure--relationship that is integral to the tale. Christmas is a tie-in too, of course. Christmas stories don't really do much for me, but for the most part I didn't notice the Christmas theme--it's more that the stories happen to take place around Christmastime (which to me is just as good as any other time of the year); they aren't centered on the holiday.

"Legacy of Love" by Kristi Ann Hunter: I just love everything she writes. A good half of it is her writing style, but her sense of humor, the heartfelt, touching moments that even in such a short story are powerful enough to bring tears--she gets it just right every time.

"Gift of the Heart" by Karen Witemeyer: The problem with including children in a story is that they tend to steal the show, and Naomi is adorable, both sweet and wise for one so young, as she demonstrates in her unreserved love Beauregard, even before he (by worldly standards) earns it. But the romance is sweet too. Really, Bo is just plain sweet and not at all the stereotypical wealthy tycoon one would expect.

"A Shot at Love" by Sarah Loudin Thomas: This one felt the most different to me, partly because Fleeta is a sharp-shooting tomboy with no need for romance, and partly because I simply haven't read many stories that take place in the 1950's; it took a bit to wrap my head around the time period. I liked it, though; I really liked how Hank is able to respect Fleeta's well-honed abilities, yet not overlook her femininity just because she shoots and dresses like a man.

"Because of You" by Becky Wade: Again, an author whose writing style I love. Love the humor, love the ties to the Bradford Sisters series, and I loved the tender story of navigating grief while moving on to something new.


Related novels:

Haven Manor by Kristi Ann Hunter
0.5: "A Search for Refuge" (free prequel e-novella)
1. A Defense of Honor

2. A Return of Devotion
3. A Pursuit of Home 
3.5: "Legacy of Love" (published in The Christmas Heirloom novella collection)

A Sound of Rain by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Bradford Sisters Romances by Becky Wade:
0.5: "Then Came You" (prequel novella)
1. True to You
2. Falling for You
2.5 "Because of You" (published in The Christmas Heirloom Novella Collection)
3. Sweet on You

Sarah Loudin Thomas' "Miracle in a Dry Season" - a tale of judgment and forgiveness

Sarah Loudin Thomas' debut novel focuses on an imperfect community, full of imperfect people, as a drought descends on the Appalachian town.  1954 starts out hopeful for Perla Long, arriving in Wise for an extended visit at her aunt's, with her young, fatherless daughter in tow.  She quickly makes the acquaintance of Casewell Phillips, an upstanding bachelor and elder of the church.  However, rumors soon fly about her unmarried state, and her hopes about a clean start are quickly dashed.  Then, when drought descends, her peculiar gift of making miraculous quantities of  food further separates her from the town.   Will the community band together, or will it crumble like dust?

Unlike in most historical fiction I've read, the heroine of this story - Perla - actually takes a backseat to the hero.  The majority of the story is told from Casewell's point of view, with Perla filling in only occasionally.  Through it, we can really see the changes in Casewell's heart.  Though he tries to avoid gossip - a plague that runs rampant in the town - Casewell starts out disappointingly self-righteous and judgmental.  He forgets to show mercy and extend God's grace.  Then, too, when the preacher admonishes the congregation to repent from their sins, he willingly prays yet can't think of a single thing he has done wrong . . . While it is frustrating to observe his blindness in regards to his own spiritual state, what make it even more difficult is how close it hits home - how easy it is to fall into the same traps as Casewell.  However, God works in Casewell's heart, and he becomes a worthy hero; He can do the same for us. 

I have a hard time with the notion of judgement that the pastor - again, an imperfect man - promotes.  I know it has been very popular (and still is) to see every little bad thing that happens as God's judgment on wrongdoing and sinners.  In the Old Testament, God did judge the nations and punish them for wrongdoing.  However, since Jesus' death and resurrection, we live in an age of grace.  Judgement will come when Jesus comes again, but it has not arrived yet.  Until then we live with the earthly consequences of our sin - if we drink and gamble away our money, our families will starve or end up homeless - but it isn't the same as divine punishment of drought or famine for our sins. 

Whatever we may think about how a child was conceived, children are a blessing from God; I'm so glad Perla sees her daughter as a blessing and not a damaging mark of shame that others view her to be. I really enjoyed the tale of the Talbot twins; though Casewell and Perla's story is no parallel, they have much to learn from the old ladies.  The author drives home several good points on judgement and forgiveness, and most of all she encourages us to examine our own hearts.  It is hard to remain dry-eyed through this tender story. 

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for providing an e-copy for the purpose of review; I was not required to make it positive, and all opinions are my own. 

Appalachian Blessings
.5 Appalachian Serenade (novella)
1. Miracle in a Dry Season
2.Until the Harvest
3. The Memory of Drowning