Among the Fair Magnolias {Litfuse Review}

 

 

About the book:
Among the Fair Magnolias (Thomas Nelson, July 2015)

In the most turbulent decade of our nation’s history, four Southern women—destinies forged by birth, hearts steeled by war—face near impossible choices on their journeys in life . . . and in love.

To Mend a Dream by Tamera Alexander
Savannah Darby would do almost anything to revisit her family home. So when new owner, Aidan Bedford, a Boston attorney and former Union soldier, seeks to redecorate the house for his fiancée, Savannah jumps at the opportunity. But the clock is ticking. Can she find the box her father supposedly hid there during the war before her assignment is completed? And before she sees yet another battle lost on the home front. This time, one of the heart.

An Outlaw’s Heart by Shelley Gray
When Russell Stark returns to Fort Worth, he’s determined to begin a new life. But when he arrives at his mother’s homestead, he discovers she’s very ill, and the woman he loved is still as beautiful and sweet as he remembered. With time running out, Russell must come to terms with both his future and his past.

A Heart So True by Dorothy Love
Abigail knows all too well what is expected of her: to marry her distant cousin Charles and take her place in society. But her heart belongs to another. A terrible incident forces Abby to choose between love and duty.

Love Beyond Limits by Elizabeth Musser
Emily has a secret: She’s in love with one of the freedmen on her family’s plantation. Meanwhile, another man declares his love for her. Emily realizes some things are not as they seem and secrets must be kept in order to keep those she loves safe.

Tamera Alexander is the best-selling author of numerous books including A Lasting Impression andThe Inheritance. Tamera is a two-time Christy Award winner, two-time RITA winner, and a recipient of the prestigious Library Journal Award. A native of west Tennessee. website, Twitter, Facebook 

Dorothy Love makes her home in the Texas hill country with her husband and their golden retriever. An award-winning author of numerous young adult novels, Dorothy made her adult debut with the Hickory Ridge novels. website, Twitter, Facebook

Shelley Gray is the author of The Heart of a Hero series. Her Amish novel (written as Shelley Shepard Gray), The Protector, recently made the New York Times best seller list. website, Twitter, Facebook

Elizabeth Musser, a native of Atlanta, Georgia now living in France, is a novelist who writes what she calls ‘entertainment with a soul.’ For over 25 years, Elizabeth and her husband, Paul, have been involved in mission work with International Teams. website, Twitter, Facebook

 

My thoughts:

 

I LOVED this compilation of four novellas.  Two of my favorite authors were included and I LOVE anything historical fiction normally.  Plus, did I mention the Civil War is like my all time favorite period of history?  These all take place shortly after the war ended.  These stories are not interrelated though the one does connect with a series I’m enjoying!

 

Tamera Alexander introduces us to her character Savannah Darby in another of her books and I of course fell in love with her there and wanted to learn more and read more about her.  This did just that!  I have several other people from that book series that I’m waiting to hear more detailed stories of!  For the story synopsis’ please look above.  I’m just sharing that this was my favorite short story for the simple fact it shared more about a beloved character of mine.

 

The other author that I adore who wrote one of these novellas is Shelley Gray!  I love her Amish fiction stories and was delighted to read her more wild west type piece.  This was a great story that was fast moving and kept me reading.  You’re going to love it!

 

These four books are not related to each other in their characters but they are in their time period.  If you love historical fiction and the antebellum time period you’re going to adore these!!