Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of In a Mother’s Arms by Jillian Hart and Victoria Bylin
Inspirational historical romance anthology released by Steeple Hill 14 Apr 09
It’s been bittersweet for me as a western romance fan that while secular imprints have been ignoring the sub-genre, it’s positively booming in the inspirational romance market. Like a lot of secular romance readers, I’ve been hesitant to give inspirational romances a chance because of the fear that the authors will drop the ball on story content and instead preach to me.
When I pick up a romance novel, I’m just not looking to be converted. But I felt I had to give the sub genre a chance, and figured the In A Mother’s Arms anthology was a good place to start. After all, both Jillian Hart and Victoria Bylin have written some excellent Harlequin Historical novels – so I knew they were capable of giving me a good story. I was happy to discover that both of them did here as well, although with varying degrees of “God stuff” thrown into the mix.
Finally A Family by Jillian Hart
After losing both her husband and child to illness, Molly McKaslin is working three jobs, scraping by, and living in a shack on her cousin’s property. It’s a lonely life, and Molly is haunted by the tragedies of her past. Then one day the precocious Frost twins come barreling into her life, along with their pet cow, Sukie . The girls are painful reminders of all that Molly has lost, but she can’t help but by charmed by their antics, and their stoic father, Dr. Sam Frost.
This story features one of my least favorite plot devices – the cutesy tots who play matchmaker for their single Daddy and/or Mommy. However, Hart writes the twins so well that’s it hard to not find the little hellions adorable. Even a cynic like me couldn’t help smiling. The author keeps the “God stuff” relatively minimal (the characters attend church, pray at meals etc.), but doesn’t really beat the reader over the head with it. I did think the romance was a little light in the pants. Even though the characters say otherwise, part of me still couldn’t help thinking that Molly and Sam hook up because she’s desperate for a family and he’s desperate for his girls to have a Mommy. Still, it’s a pleasant and sweet story.
Grade: B-
Home Again by Victoria Bylin
Cassie O’Rourke hopped a train for Chicago to become an actress and proceeded to leave her sweetheart, Gabe Wyatt, at the altar. That was 14 years ago, and now she’s back in town with her son, Luke, to take over her father’s general store. However not everyone in town is happy to see her. A nasty old biddy is spreading malicious gossip about her, nobody is shopping at her store, and Luke has just been hauled off to the jail for breaking a church window. That’s where she finally faces Gabe, who has never stopped loving her.
The “God stuff” in this story is much more prevalent than in the Hart entry, and at times it did feel intrusive. There’s even a moment where a character breaks out a Bible story to share with Cassie. That said, this is a really good story and, I’m not above admitting it, there’s a moment towards the end that had me openly weeping. Bylin has a knack for pushing all the right emotional buttons, and she does it to marvelous effect here. I did feel the turn-around of the nasty woman spreading rumors about Cassie was really abrupt, but the romance is solid and tugs all the right heart-strings. The secular reader just has to be willing to wade through the “God stuff” to get to the pay-off.
Grade: B-
I like to occasionally cleanse my reading palate with a sweeter read, and this anthology certainly fit the bill without being sugary or saccharine. It’s the kind of book that had me wishing that my devout grandmother were still alive so I could share it with her. I’m not converted, but I’m more than open to reading more inspirational offerings by both of these authors.
Overall Grade: B-
Summary:
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Finally a Family by Jillian Hart
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Widow Molly McKaslin won’t marry for less than true love. But does handsome town doctor Sam Frost want a wife, or a housekeeper for his daughters? With the help of two little matchmakers, Molly might end up with the family of her dreams.
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Home Again by Victoria Bylin
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When her troublemaking son vandalizes the town church, Cassie O’Rourke comes face-to-face with town sheriff—and former love—Gabe Wyatt. The honorable lawman offers to help tame her wild child, if he can come courting. For the love of her son, dare she entrust her heart to this man once more?
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Read an excerpt (Hart story only. No excerpt found for Bylin story)
