Keli Gwyn

This story takes place in 1870, where you will meet Elenora Watkins, a widow with a young daughter, Tildy, who was full of spirit and questions and was one of the best characters in this story. Elenora comes to El Dorado to supposedly go into business with mercantile owner Miles Rutledge. But instead it will become a battle of wills when "Ellie" decides to set up a new shop right across the street from Miles. Who will be the victor?

"Elenora Watkins is determined to provide for herself and her daughter without relying on anyone else. Miles Rutledge finds himself willing to do anything to keep Elenora in town. But can he win her heart while putting her out of business?" (Taken from back of the book)

I thought the story had humor, tension and romance. I grew a little weary of Elenora at times and her lack of trying to work with Miles a little. She was a hard person for me to really come alongside of and like, but by the end I could see her start to change a little. All in all I enjoyed my stay in El Dorado.… (más)

Heroine Becky Martin flees Chicago for California and finds work there as caregiver to hero James O'Brien's ailing mother who is dying of cancer. Becky's brother framed her for arson in Chicago, a crime which he committed, and now Becky fears she must spend her life always on the run. James has a facial scar from an explosion and he hides away at his apple orchard feeling that no woman would ever want him. This was a lovely inspirational romance of two people who feel that they are damaged and will never find love. The cast was filled with many endearing and memorable characters. The apple orchards and the work that goes into growing the apples and the problems faced was really brought to life in this beautifully written story.… (más)

This has two separate stories in it. I have read the first and will review it and then read the next one and review it here too.
A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, CA
4 STARS
The story takes place in 1870
Elenora and her daughter Matilda Watkins have left their home to move the El Dorado. Elenora has accepted the offer to become a partner in a store their. She is bringing some money to put into the business. When she gets there she finds that Mr. Rutledge was not prepared for her to be a woman. He does not want a partner that is a woman.
Elenora is not giving up like that. There is a empty store across from Mr. Rutledge's store. She decides to open her own store and run it herself. She had been working in her father's store her whole life. But he did not want her to be a partner but her new stepbrother was welcomed.
Elenora is not giving up. She is smart, full of ideas and not afraid of competition. She wants to make a home for her daughter. Elenora is prepared to learn what she needs to know. Is not afraid to try new things. She thinks outside of boxes when she keeps facing new trials.
Milo Rutledge lives with his mother or she lives with him I should say. He has a lot of friends in town. He knows he is a better businessman than Mrs. Watkins. He will keep his customers. Milo lost his baby and wife in a fire. He has had a hard time trusting woman since then.
Matilda is a talkative little 10 year old. She takes to Milo and his mother. She wants him to marry her mother and became her father.
Mrs. Rutledge is the one who had written all the letters back and forth to Elenora. She hid the facts from her son that she was a female. Mrs. Rutledge offers to watch Matilda while her mom works in the store. She also will teach her to cook and other things. She also wants them both to eat with them each night.
I really liked Elenora. I forget how far woman have come compared to the options they had back then. It was fun to read and root for her to succeed. Elenora learned also to trust in her prayers are answered. I did think it was a little bit long. But the story unfolded a piece at a time.

A Bride Sews with Love in Needles, California by Erica Vetsch

4 STARS

This story takes place during WW1. I learned a lot reading this book. I did not know what Harvey girls were. It also talked about the bad flu that was world wide epidemic. It tugged on your emotions.

Meghan decided that she wants to do her part in the war effort. She also wants to see more of the country. She wanted to sign a contract for six months to be a Harvey girl. If she would go to Needles their was bonus money if she stayed the whole time. They would stay in dormitory and be safe.
Natalie Daviot also wanted to go to Needles and be a Harvey girl. She needed the money. Natalie has lots of secrets. Natalie and Meghan met on the train. They got assigned to be roommates.
Caleb McBride trains horses for the army. He has lots of secrets too. He is full of pride. The town of Needles is not very kind to Caleb. In fact some are very cruel to him because he won't sign up to fight in the war. His story unfolds a little at the time and keeps you wanting to know his story.
I enjoyed reading A Bride sews with Love in Needles, California.
Both stories are well told and keep your interest. I would read more of their works in the future. They are Christian romances but don't preach. They are clean stories, mention prayer and a few scriptures that fit in with the story very well.
I was given this ebook and asked in return to give honest review from Netgalley.
publication: September 1st 2013 by Barbour Books 640 pages(ISBN13: 9781624162367)… (más)

Widow Elenora Watkins relocates with her daughter Tildy to the Sierra foothills of California to be an associate in a mercantile. When he find out she is a woman, prospective partner Miles Rutledge refuses to take her on. Her solution? Invest her life savings in her own competing store right across the street. She has spunk enough to know her woman’s touch will turn her fledgling shop into a thriving business. Will woman-sized garden tools, scented soaps and pretty fabrics keep her shop on its feet?

Keli Gwyn’s novel is a delightful battle not just of competing trades, but also of tussling wills and glints of romance. Miles and Elenora perform side by side in Bach’s Double Violin Concerto —one of many ways we see their kinship and rivalry. Gwyn’s writing grabs you by the collar. Scenes are liberally sprinkled with spiffy dialogue. The book is packed with lively, intricate characters that come to life within the first three pages of the story. Elenora is self-assured, resourceful and untraditional. “Being discounted simply because she was a woman was bad enough, but being talked about as if she weren’t there fluffed her feathers.” Her spicy and precocious daughter Tildy adds the right dose of levity to the story.

This Christian historical romance is highly recommended as a charming view of the old west and an amusing romp through the battle of the sexes. Don’t miss it. You will delight in the time you spend with Miles and Elenora.

Barbour Books graciously supplied the review copy for my unbiased opinion.

Reviewed by Holly Weiss, author of Crestmont.… (más)