An anthology!  Actually, my first anthology review of four unique delightful novellas revealing a few significant chapters from the lives of four young women experiencing life changes through God’s grace during the time period of the early 1900’s.

Lisa Lickel authored Three Rings for Alice.  The title lead me to think of rings worn on fingers, however my thoughts were modified when I read this amusing story of telephones ringing, mystifying the young lady Alice with an intriguing voice she hoped to meet.  Alice was an emerging modern woman of her day, among the first women to work as the secretary to the Mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Orphaned as a child, she is forced to make her own way, vowing to never marry….but….the fellows interested in marrying her are uninteresting.  Is it possible to fall in love with a voice over the phone?  Ms. Lickel displays her expertise to write a completely entertaining story.

Forgiven, written by Paula Mowery and set in Knoxville, Tennessee is a sweet classic story of Henry Smith and Jessie Lee Capelle, two young people falling in love at first sight.  Neither is aware that a tragic historic event involving both their fathers will come to light causing tumultuous interference to their engagement to marry.  Henry’s mother, widowed and losing a son in the past tragedy, has her mind set on Cassandra to become Henry’s wife.  The twists and turns in this romantic mystery kept me awake late.  A satisfying read that you will surely enjoy.

Kathleen Rouser brilliantly wrote The Pocket Watch – about Isabel Jones, an orphan, and  Dr. Daniel Harper so attracted to one another through an accident that the possibility of marriage to one another could cause tremendous scandal over this forbidden union by God and society of Detroit, Michigan.  Two inanimate objects, first a pocket watch lost, and a ring cause possible ended destiny for this beautiful couple in love.  Ms. Rouser has written a fascinating story with a blend of great characters – you won’t want to miss this read.

A flame of Hope, composed by Teena Stewart is an ignited story of love during the disastrous San Francisco earthquake in 1906. Petite Lily McMinn works in her family’s mercantile and eagerly anticipates the visits of handsome Policeman Gideon Light who often drop by for lunch at the mercantile’s refreshment deli.  This couple is just beginning the blessing of a real love relationship when the earthquake occurred.  Gideon becomes the hero for Lily and her family. Learning to live through a deathly time for others is greatly challenging to all involved in this story.  Ms. Stewarts descriptive penning of events is excellent and enlightening as to how God works through dire situations to deepen faith.

Each of these authors encompasses the imagination to extend their writings to complete novels, if they had so chosen.  Their novellas are absolute breath takers, in that the wonders of compassion, forgiveness, new faith, soul searching and turn of the century occurrences for women to express their individuality has been well researched and expressed.  Lisa Lickel, Paula Mowery, Kathleen Rouser and Teena Stewart – you have glorified our Lord through your finely penned hands.  Thank you for bringing tears of emotion to my eyes.  To me, when I cry over a story, that’s a sign of a great writer.  We all need a good cry once in a while….after all, God does gather our tears in jars.  He understands why we shed them.  My prayers for each of you are that He will continue to bless you with words for readers to find praiseworthy.