The Kissing Tree: Four Novellas Rooted in Timeless Love

Four great novellas all wrapped up in one book. I enjoyed all four stories, a couple of the authors are new to me so what a great introduction to them. Sometimes I just enjoy novellas, they are quick reads and packed full of romance, friendship and in this collection a small town with a unique tree.

VERY SWEET READ ********** I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy quick, clean, faith-based stories. Set in Oak Springs, TX spanning over 100 years. ********** BROKEN LIMBS, MENDED HEARTS BY REGINA JENNINGS ********** 1868 * Very Good. Regina Jennings never disappoints. A sweet story of the young man who pined and hoped for a girl, left, got his start in the world, but never forgot her. Despite their rocky past, he set his heart on one day returning to her. After a disaster changed her future forever she was thankful Adam had left & she managed to find a job that fulfilled her. Now he's back and chaos and confusion have come with him. I liked their innocence and also Adam's strength. He is determined to prove himself to the community and to Bella. I appreciated the faith element in the story. CATCHPHRASE: Sweet potatoes! (4 Stars) ********** INN FOR A SURPRISE BY KAREN WITEMYER ********** 1891 * Very sweet story. Barnabas & Phoebe are forced to work together to make Phoebe's dream successful. She's romantic to a fault and he is equally practical. And therein lies the balance they both need. The Kissing Tree has grown in local charm & magic and is beautifully captured in a very special portrait I could easily picture. Quotable: "Perhaps this Inn of Smooching Shrubbery wouldn’t be the disaster he’d imagined." CATCHPHRASE: Horsefeathers. (4 Stars) ********** FROM ROOTS TO SKY BY AMANDA DYKES ********** 1944/45 * I really felt the emotions between Luke Hampstead & Hannah Garland; they tugged at my heartstrings. The guessing and second-guessing one does trying to suppose another's person's thoughts or motives were well related. Quote: He might well die this night. But he would fight for his life with the weapons he had: pencil, paper, and a pen pal he’d never met, halfway across the world in Texas. Where it was warm. CATCHPHRASE: “Jumpin’ gumdrops!” (5 Stars) ********** HEARTWOOD BY NICOLE DEESE ********** Present Day * The Kissing Tree is over 100 years old now & has seen many couples come & go. Abby Brookshire & Griffin Malone have a tangled past. This story takes them beyond their hurts and helps them work through things in tenderness. I like how he called her "Bee" - his pet name for her. Quote I can truly relate to: “That was the strange thing about grief: Sometimes you wanted to wrap yourself in it like a thick winter quilt, and other times you wanted to throw the blanket to the ground and pretend you wouldn't be cold without it.” (4 Stars) ********** I was gifted an eBook from NetGalley & the publisher, in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own without compensation or further expectation. ********** 4 STARS overall (= very good)

Regina's story is funny and sweet. Bella and Adam were fun characters full of spunk and stubbornness. The bet between Adam and Bella’s father made for an interesting element as well. Cute romance and a good start to the collection of stories. Karen’s story was charming as always. Her stories have a perfect blend of humor and romance and Barnabas and Phoebe’s story has both. It was an adorable story. Amanda’s story was great, I love World War 2 stories and this one is set during it so that alone made me enjoy it...but Luke and Hannah made me love it even more. Restoring the house was a fun part of the story too. I loved Nicole’s story! My favorite part was the letter written by someone affected by the Kissing Tree, it brought tears to my eyes. Abby and Griffin were fun characters and easy to root for them to find their happily ever after. All in all, this is a superb collection from some of the best authors in Christian Fiction. I can’t even pick a favorite story because I loved each and every one of them. I highly recommend this collection. I received this book from the author and wasn’t required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my honest opinion.