Four of my favorite historical fiction writers all in one book...what more could one ask for? This is a neat little compilation of novellas based on letters. Each one unique and wonderful in it's own right and short enough to read in one setting or two at tops. This makes the stories perfect for the mom on the run!

Moonlight Promise by Laurie Alice Eakes
Camilla Renfrew boards a steam ship wanting to leave behind her drama and suspense only to find herself tangled in the midst of it. This book is packed with love, and suspense as the characters discover that life moves as quickly as the river and has many turns and twists that take us by surprise.

Lessons in Love by Ann Shorrey
This novella is filled with little deceptions that lead to large amounts of mischief and trouble. A lesson in the fact that the truth is almost always better - and is certainly easier to keep up with. Merrie learns quickly that leading a double life can lead to double the trouble as she tries to keep her true identity hidden so that she can keep her writing career. What will be the end result? - Well, you'd have to read this fast moving novella to find out how love, writing,and truth all work together to weave a story of wonderful proportions.

One Little Word by Amanda Cabot
Amanda Cabot is really one of my very favorites because of her easy writing style. This novella to me is classic Cabot style of ease and flow. Faced with a need to marry in order to save her fortune Lorraine finds out she has a brother she has never met. A letter to him finds her on the way to meet him and embark on an adventure that will forever change her life.

A Saving Grace by Jane Kirkpatrick
This is the one novella based less on love and romance and based more of the love of a friend and saving that friend from a dangerous place. I found this to be an interesting twist and was rather intrigued to find out later that this was based on a true story. Filled with suspense and a certain amount of heart ache this one will leave the reader in awe that such places could have really existed or that this school of thought could have been bought into all.

Each novella is wonderfully and masterfully written by authors used to writing much longer pieces. I would imagine it was a challenge for each to write a complete story in such a small amount of space when they are used to writing complete works that span hundreds of pages with detailed story. I thought each one pulled together their story very well and presented the needed information to make the story great.

Thanks to the publisher Revell for this review copy

Visit http://janeswordsofencouragement.blogspot.com/ for a give away of this book and other ( )

This is a delightful collection of stories. The common denominator in this set is the letter each girl recieves that changes her life.

A Moonlight Promise
With words such as " eyes the pale green of spring grass" and "pierced like ivory knitting needles" I knew I was in for a lovely romantic read. The twists and turns in the novella are as unexpected as a highborn English lady literally running down Barclay Street, and then leaping onto the gangway begins to rise is. Camilla is as lovely as her name, but Captain Nathaniel Black has a steamboat and a business to salvage! Short enough to read in one sitting, enchanting enough to keep turning the pages!

Lessons In Love
Marigold Montgomery Bentley is a mouthful for her friends to say, so they call her Merrie and she signs her contributions to the paper as M. M. Bentley. Even today it is more common for a boy to go by initials than a girl. I enjoyed this novella with its misunderstandings and creativeness as well as the conclusions. I loved it when the author surprised me! Great story!

One Little Word
Having lost touch with her brother when he left home, their reunion is sweet and endears Lorraine to her readers, although she appears a little snobbish at first. I love how Amanda was able to use this, and then turn Lorraine's perception around. A delightful story in which both hero and heroine learn not to judge others until they know them. I enjoyed this one, complete with its carousel, very much.

A Saving Grace
I was not surprised to find out at the end of the story that this novella was based on actual happenings. This one has a bit of a darker overtone than the other novellas in this set, but fits in well with the theme of a letter received as the catalyst for a life change. It is both heart rending and heart warming. Mom read it, and claimed it the best of the four.

I received this free book from Fred at The Book Club Network and Baker Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. A positive critique was not required. The opinions are my own. ( )

Read from April 28 to May 04, 2014

I've enjoyed the ease of reading these four historical novellas. Each is a standalone story that has been combined to form one historical novel offering a variety of faith based inspy reading. Providing the perfect reading break when your time is limited!

A MOONLIGHT PROMISE by Laurie Alice Eakes {completed April 29}
Steamboat romance finds our heroine, Camilla Renfrew,
when she responds to a letter inviting her to a position in America. On the run from a dismal and dangerous turn in her English family's noble standing, Camilla accepts. Her leap to board the departing steamboat perfectly symbolizes the leap of faith her future requires. Consequences of her late destination arrival turn suspenseful when the boat is targeted, damaged, and delayed by Captain Black's unscrupulous competition. A perfect combination of Ms Eakes' trademark of intriguing adventure and romance.

LESSONS in LOVE by Ann Shorey {May 2.14 completed}
Twenty year old Merrie Montgomery prefers spending her time writing than marriage market socializing. Complications abound when her signature is mistaken to be that of a male by the publisher of her writing who invites 'Mr' MM Bentley to meet him at the publishing co.
I shuddered at the Kipler's Home Weekly advice single Merrie wrote for married women, yet realize it was in keeping with the era.
Colin, her piano teacher and romantic interest, is well drawn and though of a lower life station, he is definitely providing an attractive though complicated addition to Merrie's life...

ONE LITTLE WORD by Amanda Cabot {completed May 3.14}
Not accustomed to failure, being compared to a 'useless ornament' incenses Lorraine to prove herself. With her inheritance and future hanging in the balance, her motivation gains strength.
A beautiful progression as Lorraine develops from the socialite who received her brother's invitation with that secret plea to then become a woman of depth and dignity with a heart that's willing to defy convention for what she's come to believe in.

A SAVING GRACE by Jane Kirkpatrick {completed May 4.14]
Grace receives a note from her 8 year old goddaughter appealing for Grace to help her mother who's gone away for a health program, but isn't getting well. Can she deny a friend in need?
Grace is unprepared for the true condition of her friend
and, wary of those running the sanatorium, escape becomes her plan.
Unsure of the hotel guest who's captured her attention,
she's unwilling to let him in on her plans.
Though that might not have been such a bad idea
when Grace finds herself under lock and key at midnight...

Very satisfying collection of novellas, each offering
a unique plot, resulting from that simple act
of opening an unexpected letter received in the post. . .

*Appreciation to Revell for providing an ecopy for reading and reviewing without compensation. ( )

SINCERELY YOURS is a Christian anthology by four different authors. I had read books by Ann Shorey before so that was my reason for buying the book. I found all four novellas to be interesting and well written. There was also a section at the end of each story that gave a little information about the history behind the story which was very interesting. Overall, these were a fun read. ( )

Sincerely Yours
Anthology by 4 different authors.
A Moonlight Promise by Laurie Alice Eakes
1850's This tale is about the adventures of Camilla and she has come all the way from England in hopes of catching up with her friend.
She jumped onto a ship and went up north heading towards Albany. Many mishaps along the way that delay them in arriving in time for her to meet her friend. Captain finds out more details of her past....
She becomes friends with the Captain, Captain Black over many a night. When she finally does arrive she finds her friend has left but has left a note for her. She has many choices to make and any number of solutions to her problems.
.
Lessons in Love by Ann Shorey
Merrie Bentley has been writing a column about marriage and now the editor wants to meet with her, thinking M.M. is a man, to discuss further employment. She tries to talk her music teacher into pretending to be her husband, acting as the one the editor wants to speak with but he declines.
She needs to find a temporary husband...Her aunt who she lives with is trying to set her up with eligible men to marry...
Liked hearing of the "Godly topics" and after she injures her hand she seeks advice from others as to their views...
She knows she must come clean with the editor....
.
One Little Word by Amanda Cabot
Jonah designs and makes carousel horses and he knows he must return to his country and rule his family's land soon.
After the wedding of a friend he meets the grooms sister Lorraine and he figures she's too high and mighty to do menial tasks. She goes about and learns how to do them as her brother and new wife are not there to do them.
She then even helps him with the painting of the horses. Loved learned all about the finer workings of them. She knows her family will never let her marry just a commoner...
.
A Saving Grace by Jane Kirkpatrick
Love how Grace comes up with a treatable disease so she can spend more time with her friend Rebecca at the hospital. Love her idea of what can help cure others...But Dr. Hazard has other plans...Such a surprise to see who people really are in this book.
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Really liked this book and finding out new things and locations and time frame.
I received this book from Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review. ( )