With This Ring - A Novella Collection of Proposals Gone Awry by Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, Mary Connealy , & Melissa Jagears

While I love reading a full length novel, I thoroughly enjoy reading novellas. They are quick reads that can help tide a reader over until the next novel reaches their hands.

With This Ring?  is a collection of four stories by Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, Mary Connealy, and Melissa Jagears. It is an enjoyable read by four wonderful authors.

"The Husband Maneuver" by Karen Witemeyer is a sweet story about Marietta Hawkins and Daniel Barrett. Marietta has loved Daniel for years and now finds he may be leaving her father's ranch. What will Marietta do to in order to get Daniel to propose? 

This was a sweet story that I would love to see a full length novel to carry on their story. 

"Her Dearly Unintended" by Regina Jennings is the story of Josiah Huckabee and Katie Ellen Watson. While assisting Katie Ellen in trying to get her cows safely across the river, Josiah hadn't anticipated being stranded with her. When a stranger appears, Josiah and Katie Ellen pretend they are newlyweds in order to protect Katie Ellen. Will their fake marriage turn into something real?

Another sweet story with misunderstandings and a happy ending.

"Runaway Bride" by Mary Connealy is the story of Carrie Halsey and Texas Ranger Big John Conroy. Carrie's father has planned an arranged marriage for her but Carrie's sister, Audra steps in and has Big John come to her rescue. 

There was a lot of tension in this novella and I found it quite enjoyable. I would love to see an expanded story though.

"Engaging the Competition" by Melissa Jagears. This is the story of school teacher Harrison Gray and tomboy Charlotte Andrews who goes by the name of Charlie. Charlie's father has died and her mother hasn't accepted he truth yet. A neighboring farm has been stealing her animals and her ranch hands. She decides she must marry one of their family in order to keep her home and help her mom to get over her father's death. She proposes to August Whitaker and he accepts. 

The pastor can see Charlie has only gotten engaged out of convenience and he asks Harrison to go check on Charlie at her ranch. This causes Harrison and Charlie to face their past together. Charlie had embarrassed Harrison in front of his friends and Harrison couldn't get past it. Now they have been given another chance, but it is too late? Can the feelings of the past take them into a future together? And what about August?

I loved the entire collection of novellas but I must admit my favorite was "Engaging the Competion". I fell in love with Harrison and Charlie and would love to see an extension of their story.

I would highly recommend this book of novellas to anyone who loves a good sweet read and who enjoys short reads.

I would like to thank Melissa Jagears and Bethany House for my copy of With This Ring. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review.

Smiles & Blessings,