MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

I love all of the Brides Collection books from Barbour books, and The Blue Ribbons Bride’s Collection is awesome, just as all of the others. This collection has stories from nine different authors. Each story based on a young lady winning blue ribbons at Fairs on their community. The historical settings in each of these stories took me back to an interesting time in history. With subjects such as hot air balloons, lady botanist, journalists, quilts, baking and more, this collection of stories are well worth this time to read them. And I just can’t pick a favorite, because each of them were special. The characters were very well created and developed in each story, and I read each one at one setting!

Thanks to each of these authors and their wonderful stories:
Requilted with Love by Carrie Fancett Pagels
Seven Medals and a Bride by Angela Breidenbach
A Taste of Honey by Darlene Franklin
Altered Hearts by Gina Welborn
Better with Butter by Jennifer AlLee
Driven to Distraction by Becca Whitham
First Comes Pie by Niki Turner
Front Page Love by Amber Stockton
Competing Hearts by Cynthia Hickey

I highly recommend this wonderful book to anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction. Pick up your copy today for hours of entertainment. I received this book from Celebration Lit Blog Tours, and Barbour Books through Net Galley to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55. ( )

Each story in this beautiful collection is well written and takes you back to an era where things were simpler. I loved the description of the late 1800s to early 1930s. I could picture the dresses the women wore that were simple yet practical. They loved to bake and show off their skills . I could smell the pies and cakes as they graced the tables . I instantly felt like I was at the fair and could here the laughter of children, and feel the excitement as blue ribbons were about to be presented. Each story is written with great detail and compliments each other. The authors take us on a journey that is filled with excitement . The energy can be felt with each story that brings hope, forgiveness, joy and faith. It's time to settle back and enjoy the fair and be swept away with characters that come to life.

A Taste Of Honey By Darlene Franklin

Edith is quietly gathering honey from the bee hives when suddenly something or someone disturbs the process. I loved how the author did a great job of describing the stings that Edith got and I could see her hand swelling with each word that made the scene come to life. She had everything figured out about the honey that she was going to use at the state fair. With the honey she was harvesting it was sure to be a great ingredient for her.

Grant is back from the navy and bumps into Edith on his father's land . Guess he didn't realize that Edith was trained in gathering honey or maybe he stopped her for a reason. He sure didn't make a great impression at first. He feels bad for her injuries but tells her that there will be no more honey as he has other plans for the land. After his dad had a stroke, the farm wasn't doing as well like it use to. Why does Grant feel like others in the area have taken advantage of his dad? My heart went out to Grant's dad. Having suffered a stroke was so difficult for him but he had such a giving heart.

Edith's dream to enter the baking contest at the fair Is coming up soon. She has hopes of perfecting the perfect recipe and the key is the honey . What does she want to do with the money if she wins? If Grant decides to plow up the land and get rid of the bees, where will she get her honey? I loved the time Edith spent with her mom as they walked their land. The author made me feel like I was in the open pasture looking at the beautiful land that God had made.

The story is filled with hope and compromise. What will happen when Grant finds out that part of the land he thought was his is owned by Edith's family? . The excitement builds as the fair is in full swing. Who will win the grand prize? Can Grant and Edith find a way to work out their differences over the land? This is a delightful story that shows how faith and working together can bring happiness.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from author Darlene Franklin. The review is my honest opinion. ( )

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 all—the 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.*** ( )

Blue Ribbon Brides is a delightful collection of stories about romance amidst the county and state fairs all over the country. Authors, such as Carrie Fancett Pagels, Angela Breidenbach, Gina Wellborn, Niki Turner and five others have written novellas set in the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Characters are fun, feisty, full of dreams and award-winning ideas in regards to quilts, honey, butter, pies, and even pigs. Readers are drawn into each story as the action includes mishaps and misunderstandings, feuds over land, fire, sabotaged fair entries and auto polo races. Each story has some sort of tension with the would-be sweethearts, whether they be childhood friends or newly acquainted...competition in the fair, blame for things of the past, different dreams for the future or family obligations. And with the disappointments and discouragements that come, faith in God is displayed as the couples-to-be look to Him for help and guidance. Blue Ribbon Brides is an entertaining set of stories that give a little history, are quick to read and remind readers of the sweetness of the first blush of love and romance. ( )