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~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~
-- 'SOMETHING BORROWED' --
An Historical Romance Collection by Authors:
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Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Something Borrowed by Rachel Scott McDaniel, Allison Pittman, and Susie Finkbeiner, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
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About the Book
Title: Something Borrowed
Authors: Rachel Scott McDaniel, Allison Pittman & Susie Finkbeiner
Publisher: Kregel
Release Date: August 13, 2024
Genre: Christian Historical Romance Collection
One Perfect Dress--three different Love stories
In this brand-new novella collection, three renowned Christian historical fiction authors trace generations of wartime romances through a special wedding dress with love sewn into its seams.
"A Heart in Disguise" by Rachel Scott McDaniel Clara Westlake loves her job as a seamstress in the US "Camouflage Corps," sewing suits for snipers and contributing to the war effort. But when she overhears a threat against her beloved New York City, the Great War comes too close to home--except no one believes her forewarning. She must recruit Marcus Reeves, a childhood friend searching for his purpose after suffering a devastating war injury. As they search for answers together, they may also uncover a love that lasts.
"A Letter to Eli" by Allison Pittman Bette and Alice are lifelong friends, trying to make a good life for themselves in New York City while World War II rages. It's never far away from their thoughts--not with Alice's fiancé serving at sea, in danger every minute. That's a worry Bette doesn't envy. Then a secret letter reunites her with her soldier ex-boyfriend, now wounded and back in the States. But can the innocent love these two had before the war be rekindled in the face of tragedy?
"A Daffodil in the Dress" by Susie Finkbeiner Kate Becker and Ike Finch have worked together at his family's bookstore since Kate's husband died in the early days of the Vietnam War. She has her daughter, Eloise, to take care of and bills to pay, and this job was a godsend. A second love is not in the cards, especially not with the world still teetering on the edge of insanity. But when Ike brings little Eloise special flowers one spring day, Kate begins to look at him as more than an employer. Is falling in love again worth the risk?
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EXCERPTS:
💗 ~ This excerpt is from 'A Heart in Disguise' by Rachel Scott McDaniel
For the sake of the Allied powers, Clara Westlake pretended to be a rock. Not in a figurative sense, as in an emotional slab of strength. No, she’d been ordered to imitate a stone. Her knee itched, and a rogue curl tickled the edge of her ear, but she focused on keeping still. After all, whoever heard of a fidgety boulder?
At least she’d chosen a breathable fabric, which helped, considering her whole person was swathed in her latest creation: an earth-toned camouflage suit. The morning dew seeped through the burlap, making her entire left side damp. This posed new questions. Would a soldier prefer a loose, airy fabric for comfortable breathing or one that would prevent moisture from leaking in? The sogginess could prove miserable over time. Would cotton panels on the sides help? She mused over the possibilities while remaining crumpled on a stretch of land in Van Cortlandt Park.
Because even though Clara was safely tucked beneath a towering maple tree in the Bronx, New York, the suit she now tested would be shipped overseas to an awaiting sniper. It was her job to make the soldier invisible to the enemy.
*****
From the corner of her eye, she spotted a fashionably dressed and flawlessly coiffed woman who held the hand of an equally stylish little girl. The child must have been about four years old, and she held her head at an angle identical to her mother’s, looking down her nose as she perused the footwear display.
“No,” Uncle Ray said, anticipating Bette’s next move.
“Come on,” she wheedled.
“You don’t work here.”
Bette gestured broadly. “No one’s working here right now.”
“The girl’s at lunch. I can bring Thea over from Women’s Shoes.”
“I promise to send her over to Thea to make the sale. I wouldn’t have to beg you if you’d just hire me already.”
“I’m already paying one family member I can’t afford.”
“Good thing I’m not family.”
Uncle Ray acquiesced. “Fine. I’ll let you play shop girl. These rations will be the death of me. Push the galoshes, will you? We’re overrun with them.”
Bette reached out and pinched a bit of his jacket sleeve. “Thanks, Ray.”
*****
💗 ~ This excerpt is from
'A Daffodil in the Dress' by Susie Finkbeiner:
War was a thief. It stole life and beauty and joy. I hated it most of all for stealing Neil from us. And for what purpose?
I was still waiting for God to answer that one.
Sometimes I wondered if he ever would.
Eloise pouted at the daffodils. That sad face would have broken Neil’s heart, I knew. He would have given her the moon if only to make her smile. She wouldn’t have just had him wrapped around her little finger. She would have had full reign of his heartstrings.
I, however, wasn’t so easily persuaded, and Eloise knew it.
A year before, she might have thrown a small fit. Two years before, a tantrum. This day, though, she pulled in her bottom lip and nodded, even if she hadn’t gotten her way.
My little girl was growing up inch by inch.
“Tell you what. We’ll let these stay here.” I checked my watch. It was almost time for me to be at work. “And we’ll tell Mr. Finch to come see them.”
“Mr. Finch doesn’t like flowers,” she said, giggling. “He’s a man.”
“Oh, plenty of men like flowers.” I smiled. “Especially men who read poetry. Ready?”
She nodded and let me take her hand. We made our way to the other side of the park, leaving the daffodils firmly planted where they were.
Along the way, we stopped for a few seconds to listen to a man playing guitar under a giant elm. I let Eloise drop a couple of dimes into his case. We skipped together for an entire block until we got to the bookstore where I worked.
Spring was waking up, one yellow flower at a time.
*****
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A memorable trio of Christian Historical Military Romance stories created by three skilled authors . . .
* ~ 'A Heart in Disguise' by Rachel Scott McDaniel: Set in New York City in the spring of 1918, this World War I themed romance begins with a breath-taking scene involving the main female character, Clara Westlake. A gifted seamstress and clothing designer, Clara is working as a volunteer for the US government creating camouflage uniforms for sharpshooters to wear in combat to hide their presence from the enemy. Her older brother and his best friend are both serving in Europe. Marcus has returned from France with a debilitating hand injury and must learn to navigate his 'new' life. I will not soon forget the tender moments they shared in their journey to becoming reacquainted. This story is one of the most beautiful love stories I've ever read . . .
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* ~ 'A Letter to Eli' by Allison Pittman: Set in New York City in the spring of 1943, Bette and her lifetime best friend, Alice, share a tiny one-bedroom walk-up. Bette is a housekeeper at a nearby upscale hotel; Alice works in her family's department store. Alice's fiancé, Frank, is serving in Europe. Bette is single and tries not to worry about her former boyfriend, Eli, who is also serving overseas. This story features some unique, quirky characters and scenes which I really enjoyed! There is an interesting subplot involving recycling and reusing some items that were rationed to help with the War effort. Read the full story to discover how Bette and Eli find their way back into each other's arms—and hearts.
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* ~ 'A Daffodil in the Dress' by Susie Finkbeiner: Set in New York City in the spring of 1969, this heartfelt story about a young Vietnam War widow and her five-year-old daughter deeply touched my heart from the first word to the last. A thread about daffodils is woven into the story when Eloise, Kate's daughter, finds some yellow daffodils growing in the beds at Washington Square Park. Eloise wants to pick some of the flowers to take home, but Kate disappoints her daughter when she tells the young girl she is not allowed to pick the flowers in the park. Kate works in a book store and as the story progresses we learn what an outstanding man her employer, Ike Finch, really is. He is kind, patient, and friendly toward Eloise. When he learns that the young girl adores daffodils, he manages to find a neighbor who gives him a small bouquet from her garden. When he presents them to Eloise, I felt the entire story shifted momentum. This is one of my favorite historical romance stories I have read this year.
~ * All three of these stories are completely clean in language and content. I especially enjoyed the inclusion of a beautiful, handmade wedding dress (seen on the book cover) from the first story in each subsequent story.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through JustRead Publicity
Tours. All of my thoughts and opinions shared here are solely my own.
About the Authors
Rachel Scott McDaniel is an award-winning author of historical romance. Winner of the ACFW Genesis and the RWA Touched by Love awards, Rachel infuses faith and heart into each story. She enjoys life in Ohio with her husband and two kids.
Connect with Rachel at rachelmcdaniel.net to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.
Allison Pittman is the author of multiple award-winning books, including The Seamstress and For Time and Eternity. She is also copresident of a Christian writers group in her hometown of San Antonio, Texas.
Connect with Allison at allisonkpittman.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.
Susie Finkbeiner is the author of The All-American and All Manner of Things which were both selected as Michigan Notable Books. Her other novels include Stories That Bind Us, The Nature of Small Birds, and the Pearl Spence series. Susie and her husband live in West Michigan with their three children.
Connect with Susie at susiefinkbeiner.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will win a signed print copy of Something Borrowed and some book-related goodies!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 12, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 19, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Book will be signed by at least one of the authors. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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lovely review, dear June. Makes me want to read this collection even more now!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great reviews, June. These novellas sound like lovely stories.
ReplyDeleteThis looks absolutely brilliant m! Thanks for hosting
ReplyDeleteJune, Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I'm looking forward to reading Something Borrowed.
ReplyDelete