phyllish
Written on Jun 7, 2018
Setting: Canada, Cold War Era – US – 1947 – 1991
I enjoyed this romance between a ballerina from Cold War era USSR and a Canadian hockey player. The way they met in secret and had to avoid the KGB knowing they even spoke added an element of suspense that was entertaining.
Rylee’s Mix-Up by Rachel Branton – 4 stars
Setting: Arizona Contemporary
A fun mistaken-identity story
The Refugee’s Billionaire by Rachelle J. Christensen – 4 1/2 stars
Setting: Georgia Contemporary
This was a sweet story of a refugee who had made some mistakes but was doing her best to provide for herself and her son.
Just This Moment by Joyce DiPastena – 5 stars
Setting: France Middle Ages - 400 to 1600
Just This Moment brought me to a time when liege lords control the lives and destinies of those under their “care”. A time when it is not unheard for for a girl to be married at age 8. When a widow is consigned to a nunnery because her lord desires her property. When the measles were considered a curse from a demon.
This novella slowly unwinds the story of the widow Alys, a woman who has been blind since she was a young girl. In a world where women are considered practically useless when they can see, she has been relegated to a state beyond useless. Her only value, according to her husband, was her talent in making thread. Yet she displays strength and insight and especially kindness and grace. Unbeknownst to her, mystery surrounds her very existence. Strand by strand secrets are revealed which could affect the rest of her life.
I love the way author Joyce DiPastena transported me to this time. She shared the life of Alys in such a way that if I didn’t know better, I would have assumed that she herself is blind. The details of what Alys experienced and how she needed to compensate were fantastic, but not over-the-top. Alys’ mother helped her learn to live with her new blindness with grace and such a positive outlook.
This is a very sweet and touching story with fun details about life in the medieval world.
Origami Girl by Danielle Ferguson – 4 1/2 stars
Setting: Contemporary
This is another fun story. Josephine was so loving and full of sunshine. Dr. Blake was not. It was amusing how out-of-touch he was with the kids he worked with, to the point of knowing them by their diagnoses instead of their names. The scene where he was discussing the difference between girls and boys was hilarious!
Sabrina’s Hero by Donna Hatch – 3 1/2 stars
Setting: England, Regency Era – UK – 1795 – 1837
The story was good. It was interesting to get the perspective of a book being an expensive gift. We are so spoiled today to be able to get books so easily and inexpensively!
Falling for Lucy by Heather B. Moore – 4 1/2 stars
Setting: Washington, Contemporary
Lucy’s family pretty much wrote her off as a failure, which was so sad. Then she ended up with a job at Adam’s bookstore and learned how to shine. One thing I especially enjoyed about the story was the mention of authors and books. Not just one or two, there were many, and not just mainstream authors. It was sweet that she mentioned the author that this anthology is raising money for.
My Dearest Emma by Luisa Perkins – 4 1/2 stars
Setting: Minnesota, Progressive Era – US – 1890s – 1920s
The author did a great job of telling the story through Johanna’s letters to her sister, Emma.
Covertly Yours by Janette Rallison – 5 stars
Setting: Arizona Contemporary
As with so many of her works, this story was a fantastic mix of humor and adventure. I loved the way that Paisley got herself into such a jam and the way she tried to get Ice out of jail. The story was told by only her perspective, which was exactly the way it needed to be.
Suspect Love by Heather Tullis – 4 1/2 stars
Setting: Kansas Contemporary
This was a very short story, but it was the perfect length. It was a sweet story.
This review was originally posted on Among the Reads
Get a preview of With A Kiss Anthology at AmongTheReads.net
I would like to thank Joyce DiPastena, Prism Book Tours for giving me this copy of the book. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.