Among the Fair Magnolias: Four Southern Love Stories

This is a wonderful collection of four novellas taking place in the South around the time of the Civil War. The first is A Heart so True by Dorothy Love. I loved this novella. It is the first that I have read from this author and it definitely won't be the last. It was well written. I fell in love with the characters as well as the story. This is one I will want to read again.Second is To Mend a Dream by Tamera Alexander. A delightful short story. This is the first I have read of this author and it was great. I will be reading more of her books. It was well written and now I want to read the book where Savannah was introduced.Third is Love Beyond Limits by Elizabeth Musser. A picture of the South after the Civil War. Not a pretty picture at times. I loved how the romance developed even in the darkness of the history.Last but in my opinion the best was An Outlaw's Heart by Shelley Gray. This was a delightful quick read. I fell in love with Russell and Nora. I loved the message of forgiveness and emotional healing. It is well written and one I know I will want to read again.

Excellent! Great reads as it contains 4 stories.

All four of the stories are well written historical Christian clean romance fictions, each written by talented authors.The first story is "A Heart So True" by Dorothy Love and the setting is Pawleys Island, South Carolina. Featuring two former fictional characters; fifteen year old Charlotte Frasher of "Carolina Gold" prior to her becoming mistress of Fair Haven and Celia Browning of " The Bracelet", a year after her marriage to Sutton Mackay. The main character is Abby Clayton, whose family hosts the annual party on the Island. Abby loves Dr. Wade Bennet, but her father is determined she will marry his cousin Charles Kittridge for the perfect political union. A great story that includes suspenseful twists .The second story is "To Mend A Dream" by Tamera Alexander is set in Nashville, TN 1870. After the Civil War ended the only remaining members of the Darby Family are Savannah and her two younger siblings, Caroline and Andrew, their home and multi-generational farm has been lost to them forever through foreclosure. This was my favorite story, so believable for the time and location. Savannah's loss is great and yet she handles her responsibilities with such dignity and grace, which is so inspiring. I have read and loved all of Tamera's books and she is my all-time favorite author.The third story is "Love Beyond Limits" by Elizabeth Musser. The setting is Wilkes County, GA late 1868. Emily her younger sister Anna and both parents are all that is left of the Derracott family. their plantation is being worked now by their former slaves, now all freedmen. Trouble is constant with the Klan and Emily's efforts to educate and care for the former slaves doesn't calm matters.The fourth story is "An Outlaw's Heart" by Shelley Gray. Russell Champion left home seven years ago, but the nightmares still haunt him and now he is returning to his Texas home to confront his past and the two women who rejected him - his mother and his best friend and sweet heart. This is a good story of forgiveness and restoration.

A Heart So True by Dorothy Love is the first I have read by this author. I enjoyed it, but felt the characters at a certain point could have expressed deeper emotions in the face of injustice.To Mend A Dream by Tamara Alexander was very enjoyable. I am a fan of the author already and wanted to read it after reading To Win Her Favor, in which Savannah was a secondary character. I liked the character development, the mystery, and how past and present were woven together so perfectly.Love Beyond Limits by Elizabeth Musser was a an interesting story by an author I have not read before. This story seems like it could even be longer with all the things going on during this time in history. The story kept me guessing and reading on to see if my predictions were correct.An Outlaw’s Heart by Shelley Gray was very enjoyable too. This is the first I have read of this author. I liked the second chance story and the revelations past and present that made this story satisfying.

Four beautifully written novellas with their own unique style and story; particularly engaging because several are anticipated successors to fine quality full length novels; serving to extend those wonderful stories. During a time period when our nation was reeling from dreadful internal conflict, it's nice to remember that love found a way to prevail; in and out of, the pages of a book.

The second of the four stories was short on plot and story build up, but the other three were outstanding! I love all of Tamera Alexander's books, so I purchased this and I am glad I did. I hate to be critical of an author because I know how much they put into their work, but the second story fell flat for me. The other three were very worth it though. I had a nice escape and enjoyed the book overall.

While each of the four stories are worthy reads, my favorites were "A Heart So True," and "To Mend a Dream." I actually shed tears when I read "To Mend a Dream." Loved it. "Love Beyond Limits" was very good, and I enjoyed it as well. They are all tender love stories. Even "An Outlaw's Heart" is a worthy read and a tender love story. I enjoyed them all, but my two favorites really touched me. These stories have characters you'll route for, realistic ones, and vivid descriptions like I enjoy. I actually made a mistake a bought the ebook of "Love Beyond Limits" separate, not realizing it was part of this book. I look forward to more historical romance from these authors. I love reading historical romance and writing it. If you're a history buff, you may not find enough history to suite you in these, but if it's romance you're looking for, you've found it. I enjoy the longer historical novels full of history and romance as well, but I'm glad I didn't pass up these stories. They're worth your time. BJ Robinson, Author of The Belle and the Officer and other novels

I enjoyed all four novellas with Tamera Alexander's and Elizabeth Musser's being my two favourites. The novellas were all set in the South in chronological order. Loved the historical details, I felt transported to Pawley's Island or a Georgia plantation, for example.What I appreciated the most was each hero had a stalwart character trait and the authors showed their progression and journey to being even more authentic. Well written!