jjares reviewed Storm & Shelter: A Bluestocking Belles Collection with Friends on + 3414 more book reviews
One aspect that could enhance the reader's experience with this book is the potential for more detailed introductions to the stories. While the synopsis on the Amazon website provides a glimpse, more is needed. The 'Teatime Tattler' intro at each story's opening should be more engaging, sparking the reader's curiosity.
All the stories had the same theme (being stranded at an inn). The characters' similarity grew weary after a while. The last three stories were miserable.
FORTUNE HUNTER WINS THE PRIZE - Mary Lancaster -- 3 Stars
Letty is saved from the ship's sinking by another passenger, Simon. She soon tells Simon she's escaping to Brussels to avoid her uncle and his son. She's a heiress and suspects her uncle requires her to marry George (her cousin) because the uncle wants to keep her money (or has already spent most of it and doesn't want her to find out). This story was too short to be interesting.
NEW BRIDE ESCAPES HUSBAND - Cerise DeLand -- 4 Stars
The sixth Earl of Stanton is marrying for the second time. His mother is underwhelmed with his choice (Josephine Meadows, heiress and leader of the Meadows Trading Company). She comes from the trader class, which is frowned upon in England.
The couple gets married quickly because Josephine's father is unwell and wants to attend the wedding. However, one of Meadow's main trading ships goes down, and Josephine rushes to check if one of England's significant spies has survived. Her husband follows, and they help treat the people stranded.
THE TENDER FLOOD - Caroline Warfield -- 5 Stars
Zach Newell, ex-soldier and coachman, is stranded with others at The Queen's Barque when a group of bedraggled children, puppies, and Miss Patience Abney arrive. Just behind them, the road washed out. It continues to rain.
Then, one of the children decides to go back over the washed-out road to a missing puppy. Zach and Patience follow. Some of the story is deleted because there is no word of the missing boy at the end, and a character called Banks is suddenly in the story.
BEFORE I FOUND YOU - Sherry Ewing - 3 Stars
Miranda wants to marry a title because her siblings have titles through marriage. Because she has wanted one for most of her life, I couldn't accept that she would give that all up for a mere ship captain.
This author's writing has improved, but her storylines need improvement to become believable.
THE COMTESSE OF MIDNIGHT - Alina K. Field - 2 Stars
This gave me the feeling that I'd initially entered a story that had been shortened. I spent most of the story trying to figure out what was happening, most of which could have been more interesting. The sex scene added nothing.
WAIT FOR ME - Rue Allyn - 3 Stars
This author decided to create a story about Grace O'Malley, a noted woman pirate. There seems to be too much going on in such a short story: She is looking for her mother's marriage lines while a British sea captain tries to trap her for piracy, and missing British armaments and fences rove around the inn. Although there were a few matches of wits between the main characters, most of it was boring.
A DREAM COME TRUE - Jude Knight - 2 Stories
I found this unlikely and unreadable. I don't plan to read any more by this author.
A KISS BY THE SEA - Grace Burrowes - 1 Star
I don't plan to read any more by this author; I've read short and long stories and feel indifferent to her style.
All the stories had the same theme (being stranded at an inn). The characters' similarity grew weary after a while. The last three stories were miserable.
FORTUNE HUNTER WINS THE PRIZE - Mary Lancaster -- 3 Stars
Letty is saved from the ship's sinking by another passenger, Simon. She soon tells Simon she's escaping to Brussels to avoid her uncle and his son. She's a heiress and suspects her uncle requires her to marry George (her cousin) because the uncle wants to keep her money (or has already spent most of it and doesn't want her to find out). This story was too short to be interesting.
NEW BRIDE ESCAPES HUSBAND - Cerise DeLand -- 4 Stars
The sixth Earl of Stanton is marrying for the second time. His mother is underwhelmed with his choice (Josephine Meadows, heiress and leader of the Meadows Trading Company). She comes from the trader class, which is frowned upon in England.
The couple gets married quickly because Josephine's father is unwell and wants to attend the wedding. However, one of Meadow's main trading ships goes down, and Josephine rushes to check if one of England's significant spies has survived. Her husband follows, and they help treat the people stranded.
THE TENDER FLOOD - Caroline Warfield -- 5 Stars
Zach Newell, ex-soldier and coachman, is stranded with others at The Queen's Barque when a group of bedraggled children, puppies, and Miss Patience Abney arrive. Just behind them, the road washed out. It continues to rain.
Then, one of the children decides to go back over the washed-out road to a missing puppy. Zach and Patience follow. Some of the story is deleted because there is no word of the missing boy at the end, and a character called Banks is suddenly in the story.
BEFORE I FOUND YOU - Sherry Ewing - 3 Stars
Miranda wants to marry a title because her siblings have titles through marriage. Because she has wanted one for most of her life, I couldn't accept that she would give that all up for a mere ship captain.
This author's writing has improved, but her storylines need improvement to become believable.
THE COMTESSE OF MIDNIGHT - Alina K. Field - 2 Stars
This gave me the feeling that I'd initially entered a story that had been shortened. I spent most of the story trying to figure out what was happening, most of which could have been more interesting. The sex scene added nothing.
WAIT FOR ME - Rue Allyn - 3 Stars
This author decided to create a story about Grace O'Malley, a noted woman pirate. There seems to be too much going on in such a short story: She is looking for her mother's marriage lines while a British sea captain tries to trap her for piracy, and missing British armaments and fences rove around the inn. Although there were a few matches of wits between the main characters, most of it was boring.
A DREAM COME TRUE - Jude Knight - 2 Stories
I found this unlikely and unreadable. I don't plan to read any more by this author.
A KISS BY THE SEA - Grace Burrowes - 1 Star
I don't plan to read any more by this author; I've read short and long stories and feel indifferent to her style.
