Cameo Courtships

I love this type of book! It has 4 different stories by 4 different authors and all the stories are connected with a cameo that was handed down from generation to generation. All of the stories are very well written and hold your attention. Thank you Barbour Publishing via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. This is my honest opinion.

What a cute set of stories!
This collection of stories about a Cameo passed down by Queen Elizabeth herself was so fun!
It was cool to imagine that actually happening, and then to see how the characters acted through their stories was remarkable. Truly a great retelling of a legend in a family tree. Two of these authors were previously unknown to me and now I can't wait to research them and see what other books they have written.
I would definitely recommend reading this book. This is not the first collection by Barbour Publishing that I have read but I will say to date that it is probably my favorite.
I volunteered to read this book from Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest feedback, the thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.

These novellas start with Pinned Above Her Heart by Suzanne Dietze. Before returning from London to Pittsburg in 1851, Letitia Newton receives a cameo from Queen Victoria with the admonition that,”One never owns a cameo…One wears a cameo, enjoys it, but is merely a custodian of it preserving it and protecting it for those who come after.” These stories share four generations of woman who received the cameo between the year 1851 and 1895 then, at the proper time, passed it on to the next recipient. I appreciated the way Suzanne Dietze wrote the epilogue to bring these stories to a close.
In between Suzanne’s writings was Taming Petra by Jennifer Uhlarik, set in Colorado Springs where Buckskin Pete loses the cameo for a time.
Meet Me at the Fair by Kathleen Y’Barbo takes Pinkerton detective Elizabeth Caldwell Newton to the Chicago World’s Fair.
Lending My Heart by Debra Marvin returns to Pittsburg in 1895 as Bertie Hart is seeking her dream job.

My review does not do these stories justice but I do not intend to retell the stories. I enjoyed each story as I followed the history of this life changing cameo. I appreciate that each story had a happy ending after life struggles were addressed with biblical answers.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a review.

I loved how unique this set of stories was! The whole idea of a family passing down this cameo from Queen Victoria and finding love and adventure was great! Each story was very original and well written. I really enjoyed following this family through their adventures. I definitely recommend this!




I was given a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author, but was not required to write a review. The thoughts and comments are my own.

Cameo Courtships is a wonderful and fascinating read that has history, family, love and Faith all wrapped up into a fantastic book.

I was hooked right from the start of this book because of how unique the concept of following a cameo through 4 womens lifes and how it helped them find true love. Each woman has a distinct personality so it makes it very interesting to follow from one woman's experience to the next. It all wraps up in a fast, fun, romantic historical read of faith, family and love. I was so glad that each author made the recipient of the cameo her own woman and personality. They are all strong women with strong convictions and Faith. They are not looking for love but it seems to find them. Is it because of the cameo? You will have to read the book to find out. From journalist to frontier woman to detective to librarian each woman is tenacious, capable, strong and strong willed, but also loving and strong in faith. I really enjoyed this book, each and every story. 


If I found anything to dislike it would be that there wasn't more. I was not ready for the journey to be over at the end of the book.


If you are looking for a good historical fiction with a fresh unique take on a story, then you will want to definitely read this book.


One line from the last story really stuck with me when Russell said:

"But as your pastor reminded us, we are not constrained by our pasts . We are valued, not only for what we are now, but also because we are beloved of Christ"


I hope you will get this book and read it. It is a wonderful fun experience.


I received this book for my honest opinion and review.

Reading this book was a great way to spend the day. I very much recommend it!
I loved how the stories were connected through generations of one family and one special cameo. "This cameo comes with a story, adventures and even love...." As Queen Victoria said as she was pinning the cameo on Leticia. The love begins when Leticia meets Peter Hollingworth immediately afterward.
I really enjoyed all the mystery and adventure this collection provides. The romance felt very real in each novella. The epilogue was a really good wrap-up, with each of cameo's guardians making an appearance.
Very well written collection! I like the new format.

I really enjoyed this collection of stories.

Each story focuses on a cameo with a rather special history. From Pittsburgh to the Colorado Territory to the 1885 World’s Fair in New Orleans and back to Pittsburgh again, the cameo travels, creating love, romance and adventure.

A gift from Queen Victoria, the cameo is special and each bearer finds the love soon after receiving it. Beginning with Letitia Newton the cameo is passed on to the next, following much prayer and contemplation.

While each story is a sweet love story, each of them also entails lots of adventure and even some mystery. Humor that made me chuckle. It was fun to see who and wear the cameo would go, and just what awaited the lucky recipient.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book; in fact, I checked to see if there were more to come like this...there are!

Highly recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Just Read Tours and am not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions therein are solely my own, and freely given.

I enjoyed these stories a lot as they were all interesting, with something always going on! There was a lot of action, some romance, all with elements of faith as they forgive and open their hearts to love, both God's and human's. I mostly liked the characters; the women were strong and stubborn and the men tried to keep up with them, which was amusing. One character made me shake my head over some of her choices and sometimes there was a little bit of confusion for me with the plots but mostly I looked forward to seeing what would happen next and enjoyed watching the characters fall in love. I liked how the stories were connected by the cameo and the characters were related to each other and there was a fun epilogue tying them all together. I also liked a section Y'Barbo put in with interesting facts she found out as she researched her story. Only one author was familiar to me but I'll definitely be reading more by all of them. I recommend this book if you like historical romances.

I received this book from JustRead Tours. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions are my own.

So far I’ve only had the privilege of reading the first book of the novella collection. My plan is to review as I go.
Susanne Dietze did not disappoint with her novella contribution. Clara wants to be a journalist. Byron wants to advance her journalist career for his family. They both choose the same story to work on. They were friends growing up, but circumstances tore them apart. It’s a story of restoration on many levels and the cameo is a part of that. It’s a sweet interesting story, and there is a little mystery involved as well! I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All views stated here are my own.

What a great collection of stories! Each one was fun, sweet and a joy to read. Somehow the authors all managed to keep similar themes and feels throughout their different stories. It was almost like it was written by only one author. The transitions between stories were seamless, and they all felt like they belonged together.

I enjoyed the Cameo part in each story more than I thought I would. I'd never really given them much thought before, but now I kind of wish I had my own! What an interesting way to bring characters and stories together. I'm always looking for the next "different" thing, and these authors stepped up to the plate in that aspect.

If you're looking for some quick novellas that will encourage your heart, I recommend getting a copy of this book! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.