The Blue Ribbon Brides Collection: 9 Historical Women Win More than a Blue Ribbon at the Fair - eBook

Blue ribbons are a coveted prize at county fairs. I remember competing myself with many exhibits in our Five-County Fair. I entered a sweetheart cake, many clothing items I had sewn, and I modeled an outfit that I had sewn. I did win several blue ribbons as well as some white and green ribbons. Our fair also awarded money for each prize, a delightful gift for one who did not have much if any spending money. The nine women are eager and excited participants in the fair.

I rate this book 5 stars and highly recommend the novella collection written by nine talented authors.

I received a copy of this book from netgalley and Barbour Books. I was not given any monetary compensation for my review.

I loved this collection of stories set at county and state fairs around the country. All the authors did a great job. All the stories were unique and I liked all of them, but I think my favorites were Requilted With Love, A Taste of Honey, and First Comes Pie. I would recommend this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Blue Ribbon Brides Collection! The fair theme is delightful, taking readers to a variety of locales and featuring an array of award-winning entries. I loved that each story is uniquely told, and every one is full of charm. With its nine collective talents, this book deserves its own blue ribbon! Lovely inside and out, The Blue Ribbon Brides Collection is recommended for all who enjoy lighthearted historical romance.

I received a complimentary copy of The Blue Ribbon Brides Collection. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

I love a good story. But whats even better is a collection of good stories from nine different authors. Each author gives her unique spin on blue ribbon competitions. From state and county fairs and competitions between 1889 to 1930, our authors delve into pie baking, quilt making, butter sculpting and more.

Theres a little bit in here for lovers of all sorts of romance tropes. Love at first sight? Check out Requilted with Love (includes some fun with hot air balloons), First Comes Pie, and one of my personal favorites, Seven Medals and a Bride (the matchmaking women made this story extra enjoyable). Discovering more with a friend? Altered Hearts delivers with a hero who knows what he wants and goes after her. Former crush/friend/neighbor moves away and returns? A Taste of Honey and Competing Hearts win the prize.

I enjoyed rooting for our heroines to win the prize and the hero to win the girl in each offering in The Blue Ribbon Brides collection. Some of the authors Ive read before but I was also introduced to new ones who Id like to add to my TBR list. An enjoyable reader than can be broken into manageable chunks with intriguing characters and satisfying resolutions.

***Barbor Publishing provided me with a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive or negative review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

The Blue Ribbon Brides Collection ~ Requilted with Love by Carrie Fancett Pagels, 2016

Nine Historical Women Win More than a Blue Ribbon at the Fair

by Jennifer L. AlLee, Angela Breidenbach, Darlene Franklin, Cynthia Hickey, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Tiffany Amber Stockton, Niki Turner, Gina Welborn, Becca Whitham

Meet nine men and women whose competitive goals take them to state and county fairs between 1889 and 1930. From baking pie to polishing pigs, from sculpting butter to stitching quilts, everyone has something to prove to themselves and their communities. But in going for the blue ribbon, will nine women miss the greatest prize of allthe devoted heart of a godly man?

There is excitement in the air for County, State, and World's Fair ~ for all ages; the youth tending their animals all year, the ladies preparing their entries, the men hoping for the best price for their season of hope ~ Come One, Come All ~ it's Fair time to be enjoyed by all generations through the decades!

~*~

Thank you, author Carrie Fancett Pagels for sharing a copy of The Blue Ribbon Brides Collection with me! EnJ*O*Y her opening story, "Requilted with Love."

Michigan State Fair, 1889

Home Arts Pavilion

With the bustle of people coming and going at the train station, the conductor calls out to a man to help a lady with her baggage and show her to her destination. Startled, Grant Bentley ushers Sarah Richmond on her way. With the Michigan State Fair patch on his pocket, what more could have been determined? By appearances...and mistaken identity.

"If you're going to wear the state fair uniform, they may expect labor from you."

Requilted with Love, 26.

Directed at Grant's friend, Lee Hudgins, he too was decidedly assigned. Assumptions. How then, do you reveal yourself when you didn't know you were hidden?

Sarah happily finds that she and Denise Drefs are to share a table together. They met at a previous fair. With quilts brought for display in the Home Arts Pavilion, they are hopeful of winning a State Fair prize ribbon.

There is more to win at a fair than ribbons ~ renewed acquaintances far and near, neighboring friends and relatives meeting together, excited for what lies before them. And... there are the competitors, not always so friendly. I like how Sarah knows what true value is, avoiding vain conflict and being true to what she knows is right.

Busily occupied with event and afternoons serving refreshments in the pavilion, Sarah is provided a basket each day filled with her aunt's blue ribbon cooking; more than enough to share.

Trust overshadows misgivings promoted by Sarah's past fears. For a shadow to appear, light exposes it. God's direction is right on time for Sarah's protection, with her unaware.

This story is so well written with the characters interweaving effortlessly! A beautiful example of respect and honoring one another. I liked the humor bantering between Lee and Grant showing the camaraderie they held for each other. (And they were representing northern and southern heritage, lol.)

You will enjoy reading other stories written of adventurous and fun characters by author Carrie Fancett Pagels.

***This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***