Four of the top talents in Historical Western Inspirational Romance combine their considerable storytelling skills for the delightful anthology "With This Ring?: A Novella Collection of Proposals Gone Awry". In "The Husband Maneuver", from author Karen Witemeyer, Marietta Hawkins must act fast to keep from losing the love of her life, ranch foreman Daniel Barrett. Daniel is even more of a hero to her than the star of her beloved dime novels, but can she make the real man realize how much she cares? Author Regina Jennings puts her pair of prospective sweethearts in quite a predicament in "Her Dearly Unintended". Can the relationship they pretend to have in order save face turn into a love to last a lifetime? When author Mary Connealy's "Runaway Bride" Carrie Halsey finds Texas Ranger "Big John" Conroy sent by her sister to help her evade an unwanted suitor, the lawman begins to see the situation as appealingly arresting. He promises to keep Carrie safe from harm, but can he keep himself safe from the sparks of an unexpected attraction? Tomboy Charlie Andrews has been the lifelong rival of Harrison Gray in author Melissa Jagears' "Engaging the Competition". When grown-up Charlotte must help Harrison in a time of need, will rivalry turn to romance? Wonderful writers with a talent for engaging storytelling make this anthology a reader's treat.

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"The Husband Maneuver" by Karen Witemeyer was my favorite of these 4 short stories. I liked the way Marietta took charge and tried to 'maneuver' her way in to ranch foreman Daniel Barrett's sight, so she could finally get him to propose to her. But I also liked Daniel's vow to not mess with the owner's daughter and the predicament he was in when they were alone at the ranch. It was a joy to read.

In "Her Dearly Unintended" by Regina Jennings, you find Josiah Huckabee stuck on the wrong side of the river during a flood where the bridge is washed out. He had come to help out Katie Watson, who was running the farm on her own while her parents were gone, and didn't want Josiah's help. Now they are stuck together during a major storm. But when an unexpected and menacing looking stranger appears, they pretend to be husband and wife. It was fun watching them 'pretend' when Katie was so mad at Josiah, but the pretending will eventually lead to love.

In "Runaway Bride" by Mary Connealy, you will find Big John Conroy, a Texas Ranger, taking the dangerous job of helping Carrie and her brother flee a dangerous man intent on making Carrie his wife. This was a sweet romance, but what I liked best about this story is the other characters in the book that you met, that you will recognize if you have read other books or series by this author. It is always good to read and remember other people from other series.

In "Engaging the Competition" by Melissa Jagears, you have Harrison Gray, a school teacher with very poor eyesight, and tomboy Charlotte Andrews, who can do most things as good as the guys. It seems both these people have been rivals for years. When Charlotte accidently breaks Harrison's glasses, which makes him almost blind, she finds herself volunteering to help him teach his students until his new glasses come in. This will force these two people to face their true feelings for each other and admit their mistakes from the past.

All four stories were fun to read and were short stories, but I felt they all did a good job of making the stories feel full and complete. They are all taking place over 100 years ago, and I like reading stories where living was a lot different than it is now. ( )

I enjoyed this collection of novellas with Ms. Witemeyer's The Husband Maneuver being my favorite of the four! ( )

I was totally caught up in the first novella, as I had already read A Worthy Pursuit by the same author. Although a total stand alone, it contained characters from a previous book that made it all the more exciting for me to ready. I enjoyed Marietta's subtle manipulation techniques, while she tried to get Daniel's attention totally in the dark about the promise he made to her father and the fact that he was desperately trying to keep that promise, while totally in love with her. Is she going to ruin it all for them?

The second book by Regina Jennings - a newly found author, that I totally enjoy, is about a young man who has had a crush on a friend of his for as long as he can remember. But she, being a total perfectionist, along with a bit of misunderstanding added to the mix, has totally misread his intentions towards her. Now, her parents out of town, the bridge washed out, and a creepy stranger in her home, will she give Josiah a chance to prove himself to her? Or will she take the reigns and control things the way she has always done?

Mary Connealy has concocted a story with a fun, romantic twist as Texas Ranger, Big John helps rescue Carrie and her brother from their abusive father who is trying to marry her off to settle his gambling debt. This book has danger, mystery, and romance. With her intended husband hot on their trail, will they get to safety before he finds them? Desperate times require desperate measures, but will they be willing to take a chance?
The only reason I did not enjoy this book as much as the others, was the the characters and their relations were a bit confusing to me. It was almost like I had missed something somewhere. So I am wondering, if maybe, there is another book related to this story in which the characters have previously been introduced.

Last but not least, Melissa's novella. This is the first time I have read a book by this author. A school teacher and a rancher ... Yeah I know what your thinking, but nope, she is the rancher and he is the teacher. Always competitive and ready to outsmart the boys with her wits, she must now do whatever it takes to save her father's homestead. After a providential divine intervention, the two must now spend unwanted time together. Even as she is promised to another, can these two make peace with their past and possibly still save her father's home?

The first two were my favorite stories, but I enjoyed the other ones also. I am beginning to really love these short stories that can be read in a day and leave lasting memories. I would certainly recommend all of these novellas, as well as other books by these authors.

I was blessed with a copy of this book courtesy of the Bethany House Bloggers Group in exchange for my honest opinion. I am not required to give a positive review and no other compensation has been given. ( )

A great set of four stories that will entertain as well as captivate you. This set of short stores by four great authors tells how love can overcome even though many obstacles.
I really enjoyed getting to read each story and with them being separate stories in their own, you can read them one at a time, or spend a great afternoon reading. The novellas do incorporate some characters from full-length novels that they authors have written about previously, but it is not necessary to have read them. ( It can also give you an incentive to read other great books by the authors.)
I enjoyed seeing how the characters were able to work things out to what they needed such as how Josiah and Katie start out pretending to care about each other and as time progresses, they realize that they just might not be pretending. Or how Marittta decides to take things onto her own hands to keep Daniel, her foreman from leaving.
I would recommend this great read. I received a copy from one of the authors to review. ( )