Bestselling novelist Karen Witemeyer joins award-winning authors Regina Jennings, Amanda Dykes, and Nicole Deese for this Texas-sized romance novella collection. Each of the authors’ unique voices is on display in stories where courting couples leave a permanent mark of their love by carving their initials into the same oak’s bark.
In Regina Jennings’ Broken Limbs, Mended Fences, a small-town teacher has her credentials questioned by a traveling salesman.
Karen Witemeyer’s The Kissing Tree Inn tells the tale of an unlikely woman building a very unexpected lover’s retreat.
From Roots to Sky by Amanda Dykes follows a young WWII naval airman who heads to Texas to meet the sister of a lost compatriot.
Heartwood by Nicole Deese is a modern-day romance where the aftermath of a giant storm brings changes for the owner of a historic inn.
My Thoughts:
I’ve read books by Regina Jennings before, so I knew to expect humor in her novella and I wasn’t disappointed! Adam and Bella have such a fun dynamic in Broken Limbs, Mended Fences. Bless his heart, Adam tries so hard and Bella doesn’t have a clue. But I loved the origin story of The Kissing Tree–a beautiful legacy to build on.
Karen Witemeyer is one of my favorite authors, so I’ve been looking forward to her novella for a hot second. Inn for a Surprise is such a sweet story, telling the tale of romantic dreamer Phoebe and practical planner Barnabas. As the two navigate the construction of a new business, sparks fly. I LOVED each time Barnabas called The Kissing Tree Inn something different in his head–such a fun little way of showing his secret sass.
Roots to Sky is the offering of Amanda Dykes, who is quickly ranking among my favorite authors as well. Her writing style simply can’t be duplicated. Even in a short novella, it’s gorgeous. I adored Hannah and her enthusiastic talking, but I especially adored Luke and his calm stability. Their shared connection was like catnip to this emotional cheese puff’s soul.
Finally, Nicole Deese‘s Heartwood is a beautiful and bittersweet conclusion to the collection. The only contemporary novella, it deals with grief, healing, and allowing life to continue beyond loss. Abby and Griffin share a complicated past, but with God’s help, there may be hope for their future.
Each story is so strong. I loved following The Kissing Tree through time, witnessing the impact it’s legacy left on the small community of Oak Springs. Readers will not be disappointed in this collection! It’s a great one. Go get your copy, friends.
A huge thanks to Karen Witemeyer and Bethany House Publishers for the complimentary copy of this book. As always, this fan girl session belongs completely to me.
Purchase: Amazon | Christianbook | Barnes & Noble | Baker Book House
Book Boyfriend(s):
How is it even possible to choose?! Each hero was wonderful, but Barnabas and Luke stole my heart. Both men are caught a little off guard by their ladies, but they quickly discover that love gives us the courage to exist outside of our element.
Soul of a Librarian 