In this Texas-sized romance novella collection, courting couples, decades apart, leave a permanent mark of their love by carving their initials into the same oak's bark.
Regina Jennings - "Broken Limbs, Mended Hearts"
When a young man from her past returns and upends their small town with a new invention, schoolteacher Bella Eden is reminded of the heartbreak she suffered years ago under the old oak tree. When her job is put on the line, can she trust the man who disrupted her life to help her fight for a brighter future?
Karen Witemeyer - "Inn for a Surprise"
Determined to keep love alive for others, Phoebe Woodward builds an inn that caters to couples. When her father sends a property manager to help make it a success, she finds her whimsical vision thwarted by his stodgy practicality. Finding the right blend of romance and reality is a challenge, and her spinster heart may be in for a surprise.
Amanda Dykes - "From Roots to Sky"
WWII airman Luke Hampstead found comfort in letters from the sister of a lost compatriot. When he visits Texas to thank her, he discovers her constructing a project with surprising ties to his letters . . . and that she herself is even more surprising. While a promising opportunity awaits him elsewhere, will what they've shared be enough to give their future flight?
My Thoughts
Broken Limbs, Mended Fences
This was a really cute story. I liked Adam and the way he fell in love with Bella back when they were school kids and set off to make himself worthy of her and return to win her heart. I appreciated the way he worked hard and truly wanted to make people’s lives better.
I felt bad for Bella with the loss of her dreams but I really admired the way she accepted her new path and determined to be the best she could at it.
The two of them were really sweet together and I liked watching Bella realize how Adam had always felt and start to feel the same way herself.
Inn for a Surprise
This story was everything sweet and charming! I loved the characters and the way that they were complete opposites but took the time to consider the other’s point of view rather than insisting their way was right. They so perfectly complimented each other, Barnabas grounding Phoebe and bringing some practicality to her dreams, while never discrediting them. And Phoebe showing Barnabas the benefits of adding a little whimsy and romantic notions to your life. I also really loved the way Barnabas described things in his mind and the various nicknames he came up with for the Kissing Tree! Basically this story was just the perfect little historical romance novella!
From Roots to Sky
In typical Amanda Dykes fashion, this story was lyrically beautiful! It’s WWII, so I was in love before I even started and when we met Luke and Hannah I was a complete goner! I loved the way they had the connection of their letters but watching them fall in love in person was the absolute sweetest. They were opposites in a lot of ways but similar in some as well. Luke was more reserved while Hannah was a bit of a tornado (as Luke described her at their first meeting) but they went together perfectly and I loved their story!
Heartwood
This story of second chance love was utterly captivating! I loved both Griffin and Abby and seeing them work through what had torn them apart in order to find their way back to each other was beautiful. Their shared grief was palpable and reading it during a time of my own grief allowed me to feel it even more deeply. They also both had a deep love and respect for nature and their passion for it shown through.
This was just a story about the love between the two characters but also their connection to Abby’s father who had passed away and the impact he’d had on them and the land.
Final Thoughts
I think this is officially my favorite novella collection! Every single story was wonderful and that almost never happens! Usually I have at least one that I’m just not a fan of at all so to love all four was a huge feat! Also the fact that these four authors made me care about a fictional inanimate tree is a testament to their skill! I definitely think you should pick this collection up-you won’t be sorry!
Meet the Authors
Karen Witemeyer is a winner of the multiple Carol Awards and has been a finalist for the RITA Award and National Readers' Choice Award. She lives in Abilene, Texas. Visit her at www.karenwitemeyer.com.
Regina Jennings is the acclaimed author of The Fort Reno Series and winner of the National Readers' Choice Award. She lives with her family outside Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Visit her at www.reginajennings.com.
Amanda Dykes is the author of Whose Waves These Are, a Booklist Top Ten Debut Romance of 2019 and acclaimed by Publishers Weekly as an "impressive debut." Visit her at www.amandadykes.com.
Nicole Deese is a Carol Award winner and a RITA Awards and INSPY Awards finalist. She lives in small-town Idaho. Visit her at www.nicoledeese.com.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
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