Among the Fair Magnolias: Four Southern Love Stories by Alexander, Gray, Love and Musser

About the Book: 

Among the Fair Magnolias (Thomas Nelson, July 2015)

In the most turbulent decade of our nation’s history, four Southern women—destinies forged by birth, hearts steeled by war—face near impossible choices on their journeys in life . . . and in love.

To Mend a Dream by Tamera Alexander
Savannah Darby would do almost anything to revisit her family home. So when new owner, Aidan Bedford, a Boston attorney and former Union soldier, seeks to redecorate the house for his fiancée, Savannah jumps at the opportunity. But the clock is ticking. Can she find the box her father supposedly hid there during the war before her assignment is completed? And before she sees yet another battle lost on the home front. This time, one of the heart.

An Outlaw’s Heart by Shelley Gray
When Russell Stark returns to Fort Worth, he’s determined to begin a new life. But when he arrives at his mother’s homestead, he discovers she’s very ill, and the woman he loved is still as beautiful and sweet as he remembered. With time running out, Russell must come to terms with both his future and his past.

A Heart So True by Dorothy Love
Abigail knows all too well what is expected of her: to marry her distant cousin Charles and take her place in society. But her heart belongs to another. A terrible incident forces Abby to choose between love and duty.

Love Beyond Limits by Elizabeth Musser
Emily has a secret: She’s in love with one of the freedmen on her family’s plantation. Meanwhile, another man declares his love for her. Emily realizes some things are not as they seem and secrets must be kept in order to keep those she loves safe.

About the Authors: 

Tamera Alexander is the best-selling author of numerous books including "A Lasting Impression" and "The Inheritance." Tamera is a two-time Christy Award winner, two-time RITA winner, and a recipient of the prestigious Library Journal Award. 

A native of west Tennessee, Dorothy Love makes her home in the Texas hill country with her husband and their golden retriever. An award-winning author of numerous young adult novels, Dorothy made her adult debut with the Hickory Ridge novels. 

Shelley Gray is the author of The Heart of a Hero series. Her Amish novel (written as Shelley Shepard Gray), "The Protector," recently made the New York Times best seller list. 

Elizabeth Musser, a native of Atlanta, Georgia now living in France, is a novelist who writes what she calls 'entertainment with a soul.' For over 25 years, Elizabeth and her husband, Paul, have been involved in mission work with International Teams.

My Take on the Book: 

I have a love/hate relationship with novellas.  I love that they are short and usually easy to read and entertaining.  I also love that I can get a taste of new-to-me-authors without committing a lot of time to a full novel/series.  I hate that they are short... especially if they are GOOD!! :)  I want to know the rest of the story. Sometimes, I feel that novellas are just rushed to end too soon and it makes them less than. Less than as good as they could be if they were a little longer. Or a lot longer.  

Out of the four novellas in Among the Fair Magnolias,  there were three that I wished would have been longer.  Yes, they were complete... maybe a little rushed, but mostly they were so enjoyable that I wanted them to keep on going with the rest of the story. I won't tell you which of the three I enjoyed the most, because I don't think the writing was bad, I just didn't enjoy the storyline as much.  

I am a southerner (by birth and grace of God, lol) and so the stories all had somewhat familiar settings, but it was fun to learn a little more about each of the settings that were explored.  I would definitely recommend this book!!  If for no other reason than for you to find a new favorite author!