Romantic Fiction/Novella Collection: The Kissing Tree

 

About the Book

Title: The Kissing Tree: Four Novellas Rooted in Timeless Love 

Author: Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, Amanda Dykes, and Nicole Deese 

Genre: Romantic Fiction/Novella Collection 

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers 

Release Date: October 13, 2020

Click here to purchase a copy of this book for yourself.

Publisher's Book Description

"Bestselling novelist Karen Witemeyer joins award-winning authors Regina Jennings, Amanda Dykes, and Nicole Deese for this Texas-sized romance novella collection. Each of the authors' unique voices is on display in stories where courting couples leave a permanent mark of their love by carving their initials into the same oak's bark.  

In Regina Jennings' Broken Limbs, Mended Fences, a small-town teacher has her credentials questioned by a traveling salesman.

In Karen Witemeyer's Inn for a Surprise, two opinionated collaborators with conflicting visions must turn a doomed business venture into a successful romantic retreat.

From Roots to Sky by Amanda Dykes follows a young WWII naval airman who heads to Texas to meet the sister of a lost compatriot.

Heartwood by Nicole Deese is a modern-day romance about the groundskeeper of a historic inn who's reunited with someone from her past while she fights to save a town landmark."

 

My Review

The Kissing Tree: Four Novellas Rooted in Timeless Love features stories by Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, Amanda Dykes, and Nicole Deese. Creative and endearing, each of the novellas in this collection is thoughtfully written, cleverly connected, and absolutely engaging. All four stories contain well-developed characters, a charming setting, and a generous amount of sweet romance. 

 

With novellas that are set in one, rural town in Texas over the span of more than 150 years, this collection will enthrall readers who enjoy stories brimming with history, romance, and small-town charm. Under the leafy shade of the same, stalwart oak tree, these novellas reveal unexpected love stories, renewed friendships, surprising struggles, genuine faith, and surprising dreams. Page after page, the gentle faithfulness of the mighty oak tree creates a welcoming space in which hope and love can bloom. 
 

Beautifully written from beginning to end, this lovely book is truly difficult to put down. I was thoroughly captivated by the fictional world these collaborative authors worked together to create. Quickly invested in the plot of each novella, I easily connected to the characters and the themes within each story. The characters' setbacks, successes, motivations, and fears kept me intrigued; while their faithfulness, perseverance, and courage kept me inspired.  

 

This special collection contains four love stories that are romantic, uplifting, and meaningful. The Kissing Tree is a book that I will undoubtedly enjoy re-reading and sharing with others. I sincerely recommend it to all readers. 
 

*I was given a copy of this book from the publisher and from NetGalley. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.

About the Authors

"For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warm-hearted historical romances with a flair of humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. A transplant from California, Karen came to Texas for college, met a cowboy disguised as a computer nerd, married him, and never left the state that had become home.

Winner of the HOLT Medallion, ACFW Carol Award, Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, National Reader's Choice Award, and a finalist for both the RITA and Christy Awards, Karen is a firm believer in the power of happy endings. . . and ice cream. She also loves to reward her readers. Every month she gives away two inspirational historical novels to someone from her newsletter list and offers substantial bonus content on her website." --Biography from Karen Witemeyer's author page on Amazon.com.

Click here to visit Karen Witemeyer's website. 

 

"Regina Jennings is the winner of the National Reader's Choice Award, a two-time Golden Quill finalist and a finalist for the Oklahoma Book of the Year Award. A graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a minor in history, Regina has worked at the Mustang News and at First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She lives outside of Oklahoma City with her husband and four children when not traveling the world." --Biography from Regina Jennings' author page on Amazon.com.

Click here to visit Regina Jennings' website. 

"Amanda Dykes is the author of Bespoke: A Tiny Christmas Tale, the critically-acclaimed bicycle story that invited readers together to fund bicycles for missionaries in Asia. A former English teacher, she has a soft spot for classic literature and happy endings. She is a drinker of tea, a dweller of Truth, and a spinner of hope-filled tales, grateful for the grace of a God who loves extravagantly." --Biography from Amanda Dykes' author page on Amazon.com.

Click here to visit Amanda Dykes' website. 

 

"Nicole Deese is a Carol Award winner and a RITA and INSPY Award finalist. When she's not working on her next contemporary Christian romance novel, she can usually be found reading one by a window overlooking the inspiring beauty of the Pacific Northwest. She lives in small-town Idaho with her happily-ever-after hubby, two rambunctious sons, and princess daughter with the heart of a warrior." --Biography from Nicole Deese's author page on Amazon.com. 

Click here to visit Nicole Deese's website.