Serving Up Love - by Tracie Peterson & Karen Witemeyer & Regina Jennings & Jen Turano (Paperback)
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About this item
Highlights
- Bestselling novelist Tracie Peterson joins Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, and Jen Turano in this collection of four novellas, each featuring a Harvey Girl heroine.
- About the Author: A recipient of the ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award, Tracie Peterson is well-known for her numerous award-winning, bestselling historical romances.
- 384 Pages
- Fiction + Literature Genres, Christian
Description
About the Book
This intriguing novella collection crosses the country--from Kansas to Texas, the Grand Canyon to New Mexico--with tales of sweet romance while exploring the fascinating history of the Harvey Girls: young women seeking adventure and independence who worked in hotels throughout the country from the early 1880s to the late 1920s.Book Synopsis
Bestselling novelist Tracie Peterson joins Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, and Jen Turano in this collection of four novellas, each featuring a Harvey Girl heroine. From Kansas to Texas, the Grand Canyon to New Mexico, the stories cross the country with tales of sweet romance and entertaining history.In Karen Witemeyer's "More Than a Pretty Face," a young woman works her hardest to escape poor choices from her youth. Tracie Peterson offers "A Flood of Love," where reuniting with an old flame after more than a decade offers unexpected results. Regina Jennings's "Intrigue a la Mode" delights with a tale of a young woman determined to help support her family, despite warnings of danger nearby. And Jen Turano's "Grand Encounters" heads to the Grand Canyon with a tale of a society belle intent on finding a new life for herself.
From the Back Cover
On the Menu for These Ladies?Adventure, Independence, and a Big Serving of Romance!
A storied part of American history, Harvey Houses offered women a unique chance to gain independence and see amazing parts of this great country. Celebrated historical romance writers Tracie Peterson, Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, and Jen Turano offer four fun, romantic tales of Harvey girls whose western adventures lead to love.
Tracie Peterson - A Flood of Love
Returning home to New Mexico for the first time in years to fill in at the Harvey House, Gretchen Gottsacker is sure the past is behind her. But nothing can be that simple. When the man she loved long ago steps back into her life--with a daughter, no less--will she ever be the same?
Karen Witemeyer - More Than a Pretty Face
Rosalind Kemp becomes a Harvey Girl, clinging to the promise of one day transferring even farther west, someplace her youthful indiscretion won't catch up to her. But the past is hard to escape, and when the worst occurs, will anyone stand up for her?
Regina Jennings - Intrigue a la Mode
When Willow Kentworth is warned that strange things are happening in the railyard after dark, she never intends to get involved. That is, until a handsome new employee at the Harvey House--who has secrets of his own--needs her assistance.
Jen Turano - A Grand Encounter
After her fiancé abandons her, Miss Myrtle Schermerhorn flees New York's pity for a position at the El Tovar Hotel on the rim of the Grand Canyon. She's determined to hold fast to her life of independence--but a rugged, frequent guest of the hotel makes that vow difficult to uphold.
"In this enjoyable and revealing four-in-one historical novella collection, four well-loved inspirational authors present satisfying tales of romance. . . Each story is rich in emotional development, while the tensions between characters of different social classes makes for delightfully complex dramas of upstairs-downstairs relationships."--Booklist
About the Author
A recipient of the ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award, Tracie Peterson is well-known for her numerous award-winning, bestselling historical romances. She lives near Missoula, Montana. Visit her at www.traciepeterson.com.Karen Witemeyer is a winner of multiple Carol Awards and has been a finalist for the RITA Award and National Readers' Choice Award. She lives in Abilene, Texas. Visit her at www.karenwitemeyer.com.
Regina Jennings is the acclaimed author of The Fort Reno Series. She lives outside Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with her husband and four children. Visit her at www.reginajennings.com.
Jen Turano, the USA Today bestselling author of over a dozen books, lives in a suburb of Denver, Colorado. Visit her at www.jenturano.com.
Dimensions (Overall): 8.4 Inches (H) x 6.1 Inches (W) x 1.1 Inches (D)
Weight: .75 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 384
Genre: Fiction + Literature Genres
Sub-Genre: Christian
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Format: Paperback
Author: Tracie Peterson & Karen Witemeyer & Regina Jennings & Jen Turano
Language: English
Street Date: November 5, 2019
TCIN: 77823816
UPC: 9780764232695
Item Number (DPCI): 247-14-9054
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
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Estimated ship dimensions: 1.1 inches length x 6.1 inches width x 8.4 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 0.75 pounds
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4.8 out of 5 stars with 6 reviews
100% would recommend
6 recommendations
Charming, witty, and romantic novella collection
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
- 6 years ago
Serving Up Love: A Four-in-One Harvey House Brides Collection features novellas by Tracie Peterson, Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, and Jen Turano. Memorable and engaging, each of these historical novellas is thoughtfully written and utterly delightful. All four stories contain well-developed characters, remarkable settings, and an abundance of sweet romance.
With novellas that are set primarily in the western United States during the late nineteen and early twentieth centuries, this collection includes stories that will appeal to lovers of history, romance, mystery, and humor. Each novella tells the story of a different Harvey Girl as she diligently serves railroad passengers, nurtures friendships, perseveres through trials, strengthens her faith, pursues her dreams, and makes room in her heart for hope and love.
I enjoyed this entire collection from the first page to the last. Once I started reading, it was difficult to put it down. I was truly captivated by the fictional worlds these authors created. I was easily drawn into the plot of each novella, quickly connecting to the characters and the themes within each story. Their struggles, successes, motivations, and fears kept me intrigued; while their grace, faithfulness, perseverance and courage kept me inspired.
This collection contains four love stories that are charming, romantic, and meaningful. Serving Up Love is a book that I will certainly enjoy re-reading and sharing with others. I recommend it wholeheartedly to all readers.
*I was given a copy of this book from the author/publisher. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.
Entertaining and Enjoyable
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Lucy Reynolds - 6 years ago
What a great collection of stories that bring everything to the table including historical information on The Harvey Girls. What an interesting time in our History that gave women a chance to be independent and travel to see parts of our country that previously wasn’t possible.
A Flood of Love by Tracie Peterson is the first course served and doesn’t disappoint by blending fact and fiction into a well crafted story.
More Than A Pretty Face by Karen Whitmeyer is the second course and delivers a delicious story of overcoming your past to find forgiveness and love.
Intrigue a la Mode by Regina Jennings delivers the main course of secrets, intrigue, romance, and family. I loved Willow and her spunkiness.
A Grand Encounter by Jen Turano serves us dessert by making us laugh with her quirky characters and charming storyline.
Tie all these together into a meal that is satisfying and leaves you feeling like you went on an adventure into the past. Highly recommended reading material that is inspiring and well written.
I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
A Fun Look at a Fascinating Aspect of History
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
- 6 years ago
The Characters:
Tracie Peterson's "A Flood of Love" gives us a no-nonsense heroine who has worked her way up the chain of command among the Harvey Girls. The hero is a tall, dashing railroad man of mixed Hispanic and Caucasian heritage, and his little daughter is an unforgettable personality. "More Than a Pretty Face," follows the life which Rosalind, from Karen's novel More Than Words Can Say, built for herself after she left Abby and Zach and headed west. The hero, Caleb Durringon is the son of an affluent cattleman, but Caleb has followed his own calling as a western lawyer. Regina Jennings' "Intrigue a la Mode": the heroine is from a large country family in Kansas, and the hero is the confident and determined son of a self-made railroad-baron. Expert dialogue and unique personalities makes these characters very hard to forget. "Grand Encounters" by Jen Turano gives us a quiet-but-rugged businessman who is head-over-heels for a socialite-in-hiding who serves him lunch at the El Tovar Harvey House on the rim of the Grand Canyon. The hero's hilarious motor-mouth brother and the heroine's textured collection of friends provided plenty of giggles. I will mention the taciturn hero, who is now wealthy and well-traveled despite a country upbringing and limited education, did wax a little too flowery in speech for my suspension of disbelief to hold up very long during his conversations.
The Spiritual Thread:
AFOL: Prayer is mentioned and the heroine prays about a life-altering decision.
MTAPF: Forgiveness and moving into a future that is not defined by another person’s opinion but by God’s calling on a person’s life. These truths are portrayed with grace in a way easily translated into our modern world.
IALM: I don't recall any religious references in this story.
GE: Don't remember any religious references in the story.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and have provided my honest opinion in this review.
Love Served
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
singeralovesong - 6 years ago
Are you or someone you know in need of a good book? Let the Harvey Girls in "Serving Up Love" be of service! Four books in one is an awesome deal. However, when the authors are Tracie Peterson, Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, and Jen Turano, you know you’ve been handed a huge gift on a silver platter. I found myself smiling and laughing out loud so many times. I found myself instantly attached to the nine-year-old Katiann in Tracie Peterson’s "A Flood of Love". Her instant friendship with Gretchen was so sweet and her not-so-subtle meddling between Gretchen and Dirk had me blushing and giggling.
Karen Witemeyer’s "More Than a Pretty Face" was the perfect ending to The Patchwork Family Series and a perfect addition to "Serving Up Love"! Rosalind Kemp is a character you wish you could meet in person. She is so real and relatable. We all have things in our past we aren’t proud of and may find ourselves facing the repercussions of a poor decision. And I believe most of us have wished for a fresh start at some point in our lives. The friendship and budding romance between Rosalind and Caleb is the kind that fills you with warm fuzzies. In addition, the story was full of surprising turns—especially at the end! I was hooked from page one (well… page 81).
I just recently read a book by Regina Jennings and was excited to read another story written by her. I’m hooked! I can’t wait to get my hands on more books by her. In "Serving Up Love", Regina Jennings’ story "Intrigue a la Mode" was exactly that—intriguing. Wow. It had elements of mystery I wasn’t prepared for. My heart even started racing a couple of times!
Before "Serving Up Love", I had never read anything written by Jen Turano. I was excited to try out a new author. "A Grand Encounter" was simply amazing! I was glued instantly. A couple of times I had to put the book down in order to see to a few chores. I was disgruntled and rebuked myself saying “Grace, you knew you shouldn’t have picked that book up!”
One book, four stories, and 9 new friends… what could be better?!
A great collection of historical novellas
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
- 6 years ago
What a great collection of historical novellas written by some of my absolute favorite authors in the genre! And I learned quite a bit about the Harvey Houses and the women working there who made the restaurants notable. All four novellas are masterfully crafted and have beautifully developed characters and plots that make them feel like full-length novels. If you enjoy historical novellas, you will be delighted with this collection.
The author Tracie Peterson will fascinate you with historical details from 1929 New Mexico; Karen Witemeyer will touch your heart with unconditional love that extends grace and mercy in 1902 Texas; Regina Jennings will captivate you with intrigue and charm in 1898 Kansas; and Jen Turano will have you laughing out loud and sighing with happy anticipation in 1908 Arizona. You will not be able to put the book down once you start it!
I received a copy of the book from Bethany House and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Adventure and Love for the Harvey Girls
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
TimelessNovels - 6 years ago
Serving Up Love is a collection of tales of adventure and love as the Harvey Girls are able to explore the country as well as discover more about themselves.
A Flood of Love by Tracie Peterson
A Flood of Love was packed with historical details. I love that this was based on true stories and events.
Timing seems to be everything for Gretchen and Dirk. They have only ever loved each other but have been pulled apart. If only communication in those days had been easier.
Katiann is adorable. She seemed to know everything about everyone and is so curious about the world around her. I’m surprised her nannies had such a hard time handling her. I loved that when someone compliments her she says, “I know” instead of “thank you”.
Tracie Peterson is the only author I haven’t read, though I have a number of her books on my TBR list. Now I know why she was so often recommended to me.
More Than A Pretty Face by Karen Witemeyer
I’m glad that Rosalind from More Than Words Can Say gets her own story. The title of this novella was perfect for her.
She made a bad choice in her past, and she is trying to hide from it. Unfortunately she is transferred back to her home state of Texas and is right back where she started. No matter where she goes now, she cannot hide from her past mistakes. Even after someone repents, our sins can still follow us from the past and have consequences.
After none of his charms had been working, Caleb tried to spark Rosalind’s interest by using a Pigpen cipher. As someone who solves cipher puzzles for fun, I can’t say how much I loved that Caleb and Rosalind wrote to each other in secret code.
“How on earth was she supposed to resist a man who left her a note penned in secret code.”
While Caleb knew of Rosalind for awhile, I think he fell in love with her before he knew her personally. I wish there had been a little more personal conversations before the declarations of love.
“You snuck up on me. Luring my heart little by little with your ciphers and outings, your kindness to old ladies and adolescent dishwashers, until it became fully yours.” “My heart belongs to you for as long as you desire it.”
This story seems a little more serious than a lot of Witemeyer’s other books, but with some of the topics it has to be.
Intrigue a la Mode by Regina Jennings
I immediately liked Graham and Willow and found their story very engaging. I also liked the historical details and descriptions about the Harvey Girls.
The pace was perfect and the story seemed well developed for a novella. Though it felt complete, I would love to know more about Calista’s adventures and their legendary family tree.
Graham’s secret way in to the depot was funny. He also had some other funny lines.
Grand Encounters by Jen Turano
It seemed like Jack was so smitten with Myrtle before he had even had one conversation with her. Then after months of being awkward with her and only offering one random word, it’s like the floodgates were opened. I did find many of the characters shallow and physically assaulting someone is not a form of humor.
When they did finally have conversations with each other, I liked them as a couple. I also liked Jack and Myrtle’s hobbies of hiking and reading.
Turano has written a number of books about New York Heiresses during this time, and it was interesting to see what would happen if one of them left their high class society to become a Harvey Girl.