Unfortunately, this is the final book in the series. This Western romance that is a sweet story. It is a quick read and there are times when the story is emotional and heartfelt at the same time as loving and understanding whilst filled with angst and frustration. It really has a little bit of everything. Rebecca Steele has left behind her old life and married her love and his beautiful daughter. But someone from his past resurfaces and threatens everything she loves. Her other love is country music, but it is a hard world to navigate. It shows the best and the worst of the life. She will need to pull on a strength even she didn’t know she fully had to get her through. But she is not alone she has family and friends to help her on her way.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jenni Bishophttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJenni Bishop2021-12-22 08:18:142021-12-22 08:18:14Rebecca Steele Living the Dream (Rebecca Steele series Book 3) by Joanne Patterson – Review by Jenni Bishop
Genre – contemporary romance. Romantic suspense general romance
Page Count – 261 pages
Cover Designer – Sam at fiverr
Much to everyone’s delight Becky has returned for Book 3 in the Rebecca Steele series. The best has been saved for last as this is the most dramatic, most exciting book of the series. Becky is enjoying her life on the country music stage and has no way of knowing what the Universe has in store. She will need all her strength and resolve to manage to come out the other side. Once again she proves how her attitude and faith bring her happiness in the face of the utmost adverse conditions. You’ll be proud of her. Her old friends are back along with a couple new faces that make life interesting. Her daughter Cassie is a shining star in this book and you will love her. Enjoy this final book in the series.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/fRONT-COVER-1.jpg1200783itsybitsybookbitshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngitsybitsybookbits2021-12-21 00:01:242022-05-07 10:45:40Rebecca Steele Living the Dream (Rebecca Steele series Book 3) by Joanne Patterson
You’re on a train headed from Cincinnati to Oregon as a mail order bride. Can you imagine all the crazy thoughts, hopes, and dreams you might have for the future? Will the man be handsome? Will he be a good husband? Will he treat me right and be faithful? Will we in time learn to love each other? Set in the Old West comes a tale of life and love. New beginnings can be very scary especially if you do not know what or who is waiting for you at the end of the train ride, one in which was robbed on the way to Holiday, her new home she hopes. Cora Lee full of hope for her future embarks on this ride and arrives to some very peculiar circumstances. Not being met by the man who ordered her but rather by his father. Settling into this new ranch and life, Cora Lee does find love, friendship, and a family. This was such a great story and easy to read. My favorite thing about the story is that it is told from many perspectives and the reader is privy to inner thoughts and secrets of all the main characters. It read just like a Hallmark movie, and I LOVED it! Pick up this book for an easy to read entertaining and uplifting story that truly does stay true to the title of Holiday Hope. Believe in the magic of having hope and know that all things will work out in the end.
Lovely read! Beautiful storyline full of romance, crime and passion. Couldn’t put this one down, the characters were very captivating. Great start to a generation of romance. Looking forward to the next book.
I don’t normally read a lot of holiday romance, but I am so glad that I picked this one up! It was such an interesting read. There were themes and motifs I hadn’t read before. Like mail order bride with a twist, and trains, so exciting. I also rarely read historical romance; I just don’t normally like them. But I loved this one, it had my attention from the beginning. The holiday part was a real draw as well, I really wanted to read one in December and I am so glad I chose this one!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Heather Stanleyhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngHeather Stanley2021-12-18 16:35:262021-12-18 16:35:26Holiday Hope (Holiday Express Book 1) by Shanna Hatfield – Review by Heather Stanley
I absolutely love love love a good Historical Romance, especially a holiday one. This is my first book by this author so when I read the synopsis it definitely caught my eye. I got the book and started reading it right away. The characters Cora Lee and Jace Coleman, the story of Cora being for his brother only to fall for each other. It is truly such a good book. I will be keeping an eye out for more books.
I am not usually one for historical books but this book has completely changed my mind. Cora Lee has traveled from Cincinnati to be a mail order bride to a man named Jude, who unfortunately has no clue as his father Grant was the one who orchestrated all the letters to Cora Lee. Come to find out Jude has a twin named Jace who is a train conductor that was working the train that Cora Lee was on when they where hijacked. Cora Lee coming to Holiday was truly meant to be in so many more ways than just a mail order bride. I can’t wait to see what could possibly happen next.
This book is the first book of the series. It is a historical romance.
Historical romance is not my go to trope but I’m glad I grabbed this one. I’m not sure what I expected but I’m sure it wasn’t enough. This was an enjoyable read. Mail order brides and train engineers were new for me but boy did it work!
These characters were great! Cora is on her own but she doesn’t back down. She’s so strong. Jace is a hard working family man. He’s loyal but he couldn’t help but falling for his brother’s intended bride. He tried fighting his attraction to Cora for the sake of his brother.
I was looking forward to the chance to read this book. I noticed from looking into her a little more that she is a best selling author, loves to write these types of fun characters and the romance writing was bringing high expectations! Well this book did not disappoint. I always love a great period piece when it comes to great writing. Everything about this book was enjoyable. The author made sure that we could visualize every scene, down to the wardrobes, dialect, and scenery. I must admit getting into the Christmas season this year has been a rollercoaster experience, but reading this book gave me all the holiday hope that I need! I am looking forward to finishing this series!
Cora Lee, Jude and Jace. What a fiasco let me tell you. When you pick up this book you will not want to put it down at all. There are plenty of things will catch your eye like train robbers, the beauty of the wild west and the unsuspecting bride whose mate didn’t show up to claim her. What a conundrum. My grandad was the guy who threw people off of trains on the top when they hitched rides in the 1940s so I’ve loved trains since I was little this book makes me remember him. I will be reading the rest in the authors series.
You won’t regret it. I read it on kindle originally but will be purchasing it now for my collection. Thank you!
This is the first book I have read from this author and she now has a new fan. I’m new to historical romance but this author has me hooked. This is the first book to the holiday express series and it is a perfect start to an addictive series. I couldn’t put this book down until the end. I can’t wait to read the next book.
Cora Lee Schuster lost her parents and now she has no one. She is chosen to become a mail order bride and she decides to travel to a small town. Cora Lee loves the town of Holiday and she is met by her future father in law. She is so excited to meet Jude her soon to be husband. Cora Lee wants the lasting love like her parents had. She starts to notice that Jude is not interested in her but she starts a bond with his brother Jace but he is not ready to settle down yet. Will Cora Lee find her match or will she end all alone? Review by @heatherbass
Holiday Hope is such an uplifting story full of wonderful characters. The story starts out with Cora Lee and Anne traveling out west as mail order brides. They develop an amazing friendship during their travel along the train line into Holiday, a small mining town that has started to expand.
As soon as they get off the train we meet amazing lovable characters. This was a story where I didn’t want to put it down. I was so excited to continue reading and being able to be apart of their stories. I can’t wait to read the next book in the Holiday Express series.
This was a really good and well written book! Now I’ll admit, it took me about 30% of the way in to actually enjoy this and get into it, but once I did I was hooked. I loved the ending! It was great and kind of enthralling towards the last few chapters. The characters are interesting and it instantly grabbed me. I enjoyed the historical aspect of this clean romance novel. I also enjoyed the authors note at the end, where she describes how she was inspired and goes on to talk about the historical accuracy of this book. Overall I really enjoyed this book and wouldn’t mind reading the other installments of this series!
I have never read a book like this and it was sooooooo good! It seems that all men named Jace are hot, strong and romantic. This is a beautiful story of romance with a bit of mystery and crime. Surprisingly one of the main plots are surrounded in the setting of a train, my biggest fear and I still loved it! Historical fiction is becoming a favorite genre of mine. And this author really has me hooked to the characters and the romance. Falling in love with your brother in law? Give me more its so fun! This was an easy five stars. Do not judge this book by the cover, it is a beautiful story that is light and entertaining from beginning to end.
Cora Lee is such a doll. Sweet, caring, hard working with a good head on her shoulders. Jace is everything you could want in a guy. Strong, provider, protector, good morals and family oriented. I fell in love with most of the characters. This story is an easy read, joyful, exciting, and romantic. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. I wasn’t sure how much I’d like a historical romance but This was such a great book. I didn’t want to put it down.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amber Howardhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmber Howard2021-12-18 08:04:262021-12-18 08:04:26Holiday Hope (Holiday Express Book 1) by Shanna Hatfield – Review by Amber Poole
Cora Lee’s life ended as she knew it, her aunt passed away and left her penniless. She takes control of her life and decides to be a mail order bride. She gets on the train headed for Holiday, Oregon. A newly settled town, where her soon to be husband runs a ranch. Disappointed to be met by her future father-in-law and not her intended, Cora puts a smile on and keeps her hopes up. Will she ever meet her intended? Will she fall for Jace, the brother, and can they find their happy ever after? I don’t always appreciate historical stories, but as this one is based in my native state, Oregon, I grabbed it up. I enjoyed the emotions and hardships of life in the 1800’s. Sometimes I forget that no matter how “hard” I think life is, I was born in a time that everything comes easy to me, compared to so many years ago. I am putting this author on my TBR list.
Holiday Hope: Sweet Historical Holiday Romance is the first book in the Holiday Express book series. I enjoyed this historical romance and am glad I have found an author I had not read before. In the late 19th century Cora Lee has traveled to Holiday Oregan to be a mail-order bride. But, when the prospective groom is a no-show, will her heart find love elsewhere? I really liked the characters of Cora Lee and Jace. I enjoy historical fiction and this takes place during my favorite time period. I do not know much about the railroads but found the character of Jace and his job as a train engineer interesting. I look forward to reading more in this series and from this author in the future.
This was really, truly a great way to start a new series. This author gave us so much in just one installment I can’t wait to see what she gives us in the next book. This story was full of drama, train robberies, love, danger, and kidnapping, and I just simply could not put it down. This author did such a beautiful job with this time period, set in the 1800s, this author clearly did her research and paid very close attention to detail. While this is not usually my kind of genre, this author really hooked me from the very beginning with her wonderful characters and attention to detail, I personally can’t wait to see what she gives us next.
Cora Lee Schuster is a young woman who has been left all alone after her parents died and with few prospects for work or her future where she is currently living, she decides to apply for the advertised position of a mail order bride. Jace Coleman is a young man who lives on his fathers ranch with his father and aunt, by day he is an engineer on the Holiday Express line where he works on the newest train, Hope and during his free time he helps out on the ranch and around the house as needed, he has always had a love of trains from childhood and has his dream job with the best hours he can get.
Cora Lee’s decision is quickly made and after corresponding with her betrothed, she packs up her things and takes the train to her future home of Holiday, Oregon, as she is travelling she ends up sitting in the same bunk as another young woman heading to the same place for the same reason and so the journey passes quickly as the two young women become fast friends. The journey isn’t completely without hitches, however, when Cora Lee arrives in Holiday, she expects to be meeting her future husband, but instead it is her future father in law complete with excuses that she will meet him as soon as he is back home.
Cora Lee says goodbye to her friend after having dinner at the local hotel and restaurant and goes with her future father in law to see where she will be living, when there, she meets his sister and decides to retire to her room until she has had chance to freshen up and rest before dinner. Later on, she hears voices and goes to investigate and hopefully introduce herself to her future husband, however, it is not to be and instead she is introduced to his brother Jace, she is as surprised to see him as he is to see her, but they are polite and courteous towards each other as the family have dinner and get to know each other. Later that evening after the ladies have retired, Jace asks his father why there is a mail order bride and what he thinks that his brother will get out of it, but his father has hopes that it will settle him down, even if Jace isn’t as hopeful.
As the weeks pass and Cora Lee becomes a fixture of the household, it is clear that her intended isn’t coming back to the house while she is there, but yet she doesn’t want to leave, meanwhile, Jace is fighting his attraction to Cora Lee and is finding it harder to stay away from her. Will Jace and Cora Lee allow themselves to listen to their hearts, or will they fight against what is right to maintain what is proper? This is a heart warming and sweet romance which gently draws you into the ranch and the lives of those who dwell within it, as you discover the meaning of a Christmas romance in the west.
This story was different than the usual holiday romances I read due to it being a period piece. I really liked the characters in this story and the slow burning romance as well. Being set in 1884, it was interesting the idea of a mail order bride and the way of life during this time. I also appreciated her formed friendship with Ann. This book definitely had some charm and I’m glad I picked it up to read.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Trish Annhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTrish Ann2021-12-18 08:00:472021-12-18 08:00:47Holiday Hope (Holiday Express Book 1) by Shanna Hatfield – Review by Trish Ann
I thoroughly enjoyed this heartwarming historical Christmas romance and was hooked from start to finish. This was a wonderfully written western romance which was full of the Christmas spirit, full of hope, humour, warmth and of course love. Following the death of her parents Cora Lee Schuster signs up to become a mail-order bride and has to travel across the country to the newly established town of Holiday, in Oregon. However, when she arrives she is met by her future father-in-law rather than her betrothed, and it soon becomes clear that he has no intention of marrying her. Cora is taken to the family ranch where she meets Jace Coleman, her betrothed’s brother. Jace loves trains and works as an engineer driving the Holiday Express line’s new engine, named Hope. When Cora arrives at his family’s ranch to marry his brother, Jace is suspicious and wonders if his father is matchmaking. As Cora and Jace spend time together, Jace finds it increasingly difficult not to fall for his brothers fiancé. Whilst Cora wishes she was Jace’s mail-order bride and not his brothers. This was an enjoyable and engaging read and I found myself happily turning the pages, completely immersed in the town of Holiday and it’s residents. The author really made both the era and the setting come alive through her descriptive narrative and all the small historical details. I fell in love with the likeable and relatable characters and was just hoping that Cora and Jace would get their HEA. This is the first in a series of holiday romances and I look forward to reading the rest of the series this festive season.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jennifer Gordonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJennifer Gordon2021-12-17 17:03:232021-12-17 17:03:23Holiday Hope (Holiday Express Book 1) by Shanna Hatfield – Review by Jennifer Gordon
What a lovely way to spend a cool winter’s night by reading such a sweet little historical romance. I really got swept up into this book and could not put it down. I just love historical romances and this book really hit the spot.
The characters are very lovely and written so well. I like how the author is able to balance a bit of drama with the romance and create a lovely world. I love how it is set in the old west. The setting really adds to the story as well. This book is such a nice little romance and the characters have such a personable quality. I like how it has such a romantic ending and I really look forward to reading more from this author in the future. Reviewed by @caraleeloonat
I usually shy away from this genre but I’m so glad I took a chance with this book! Not only is a sweet romance, but the historical part isn’t too much. It’s written in a way that I can understand and identity with even though it’s set in the 1880’s. I knew from the first few chapters that Jace & Cora Lee would be a good couple. I was so glad the way things turned out for Jude, lol. This author is an excellent writer that writes in a way that makes the time period seem just as exciting as today.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Daryian Lucashttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDaryian Lucas2021-12-17 15:29:092021-12-17 15:29:09Holiday Hope (Holiday Express Book 1) by Shanna Hatfield – Review by Daryian Lucas
This is a good historical fiction story. Its been a while since I have read this genre and I am always interested in mail-order brides plus this has some interesting train facts in it. . What a risk those women took…I felt sorry for Cora Lee when she arrived then later changed my opinion and feel she got the better end of the deal. I enjoyed the characters and their activities.
Overall its a good story, nice characters with a lot of little details.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Lisa Helmickhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLisa Helmick2021-12-17 15:28:432021-12-17 15:28:43Holiday Hope (Holiday Express Book 1) by Shanna Hatfield – Review by Lisa Helmick
It has been a long time since I have read a book in this genre, a western set romance, but thanks to this wonderful author, I can tell you it wont be so long before I read another this time around. This new series has me captivated. In this first book we are brought the story of Cora Lee Schuster, a young woman in search of better life and mail order bride and Jace Coleman, a young man with a deep love of trains and being a train engineer. While Cora is intended for another true feelings develop between the two and with some shall we say adventure along the way Love will be found. This will truly warm your heart.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Juleshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJules2021-12-17 15:25:412021-12-17 15:25:41Holiday Hope (Holiday Express Book 1) by Shanna Hatfield – Review by Jules Herbert
Holiday Hope is such a wonderful story! Starting a new life with uncertainty, our heroine travels to the Western US coming to meet her husband. Only she has never met him! She is a mail-order bride! Through heart-warming days, a new love grows in spite of the difficulties surrounding the Coleman’s. Add a dash of adventure and this is a lovely romance!
Oh my what a wonderful read. I absolutely loved this book and have definitely found a new author to love! I was completely swept up in the story from beginning to end. There was so much going on and some of it quite unexpected which made the book even more exciting to read, it definitely felt like I was watching a movie at times with the authors wonderful attention to detail. I loved the characters Cora and Jace! Things were definitely unexpected with them considering Cora was meant to be marrying Jace’s brother but I adored them both! I loved the time period for the story too. I am definitely looking forward to reading the next book in this series and I would highly recommend this book to other readers.
What a lovely, sweet book! This is a historical fiction set in 1884. Cora Lee Schuster has lost her parents and is left alone with no money or real way to care for herself. She decides to become a mail order bride. She travels to Holiday, Oregon to marry Jude Coleman. Upon her arrival, his father, Grant, picks her up and takes her to their ranch. Jude is nowhere to be found, and Cora Lee has a sneaky suspicion that things aren’t as they seem. She spends a lot of time with Jude’s twin brother, Jace, and finds herself falling in love with him. Will Cora Lee and Jace untangle the mess around his brother and find a way to be able to marry? Find out in this book! It is charming and well worth the time!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Rebecca Hillhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngRebecca Hill2021-12-17 10:12:422021-12-17 10:12:42Holiday Hope (Holiday Express Book 1) by Shanna Hatfield – Review by Rebecca Hill
Holiday Hope by Shanna Hatfield is a sweet holiday romance. This first book of the Holiday Express series, this book leaves you ready to devour the entire series. The book reminds me of a feel-good Hallmark movie that draws you in right from the start. The characters are loveable and well written. I could not stop smiling at how adorable they were and you start to care deeply for them. You root for their happiness and are sad when the book ends. I could read a whole series just surrounding the main two characters. I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00La Toya Lewishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLa Toya Lewis2021-12-17 09:45:062021-12-17 09:45:06Holiday Hope (Holiday Express Book 1) by Shanna Hatfield – Review by La Toya Lewis
With it being the holiday season, what better read than a Christmas read about a town in Oregon named Holiday?
You meet Cora Lee riding a train west to meet the man who ordered her as a bride. Once she gets to Holiday, it becomes very apparent to her that something isn’t right. She soon discovers that her intended didn’t really send for her, but his dad did! Thinking he was doing his son a favor, he picked her out and wrote to her for his son! However, he has TWO sons, not just the one he had planned on Cora Lee marrying. While they await the arrival of the errant son, Cora Lee falls in love with his twin and vice versa! Will she declare her love before the intended brother comes to claim her? Will he? Or will she break her own heart and leave?
This was a sweet, western story. I felt like I got little snippets of interesting history while reading, too! The author did a wonderful job of showing how family can be disappointing but also can be chosen. I enjoyed reading about Cora Lee and how she found her place and learned to stand up for herself. Perfect afternoon read!
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Rebecca Steele Living The Dream by Joanne Patterson
