73. On a Midnight Clear. Karen Witemeyer. Tracie Peterson. Misty M. Beller. 2025. 304 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, novella, Christmas novellas, christian fiction, christian romance]
There are three novellas in ON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR. All are historical fiction, historical romances. Tracie Peterson's novella is The Shepherd's Heart. Misty M. Beller's novella is No Room at the Inn. Karen Witemeyer's novella is A Star in the West.
A Star in the West is set in Waco, Texas, circa 1890.
First sentence: THREE WISE MEN FROM THE EAST TO ARRIVE TOMORROW. The headline caught Stella Barrington's eye as she cleaned up her father's breakfast dishes.
I'll start by reviewing my stand-out favorite, favorite of the three. I adored Karen Witemeyer's A Star in the West despite it being about math and/or science. Professor Ignatius Barrington, has invited the three professors to Baylor University for a conference of sorts. Stella Barrington, our heroine, has been corresponding with a young man, a professor, Frank N. Stentz. The two have become friendly-friends. Neither is absolutely certain how the other feels. She has all the feels for him; he has all the feels for her. But they've not had that conversation, that vulnerable I like-like you, do you like-like me conversation. Now the two will be meeting in person for the first time. Will he want to pursue a relationship? Will he not? And conversely, he is thinking will she want a relationship with me...what if she rejects me...etc. Over a short span of time, these two make a connection...but will it be enough for a proposal.
I underlined (this was a digital library read) so many places in this one!!!! SUCH a great, sweet story. I loved it.
I would rate this story easily a five stars.
Quotes from A Star In The West
Writing a man who lived a thousand miles away had seemed safe enough. The two of them would never meet. He worked at Harvard, for pity's sake. She had nothing to fear in striking up a friendship. And when the letters had become more personal? Well, it was like living in her very own novel. A place where she could pretend to be beautiful and clever, the type of woman to engage the interest of a scholarly gentleman. A gentleman she'd come to respect and esteem. Perhaps even love.Besides, God had arranged her features the way he'd seen fit, and she'd not argue with the Creator over his artistic inclinations. He hadn't given her beauty, but he'd given her other blessings--ones she wouldn't trade even if offered the choice. A loving home, a supportive faith community, a passion for learning, and an empathy for others struggling to find their way. Things that carried lasting value.Her insinuation made his jaw clench. He looked her straight in the eye and refused to let his nervousness divert his gaze again. "You're right. There is a reason you haven't yet had a suitor. Because until today, I was in Massachusetts. I apologize for my tardiness." Now it was her turn to blink. Once. Twice. Three times. "You're in earnest?" He nodded. Then, just to ensure there was no misunderstanding, he added words. "I am.""Don't let fear steal your chance for happiness, Miss Barrington," Annabelle whispered. "If God can make a path through the Red Sea, he can clear a way through whatever obstacles stand in front of you, too. So don't go running back to Egypt just yet."It reminded me that holding tight to something just because it's familiar isn't always as safe or good as one might think. Sometimes we have to try something new to discover blessings only God can see.
No Room At The Inn is set in Nebraska territory (Wyoming) circa 1861.
First sentence: Hope Palmer slid her knife through the last of the dried apple pieces, letting them drop the bowl on the table in front of her.
Hope Palmer and her brother run an inn for the stage coach. A storm brings them unexpected guests for the holidays. One of whom is Noah Bentwood. The other is a young lady he is accompanying--having been hired by her father. She falls for him. He knows he's about to leave with little reason to return. But he does find her charming, etc. During their few days together will love develop.
This was my least favorite of the story. I felt that while there was some character development, it was a minimum of character development. Most of the story is about a 'missing' heirloom--a knife--that she plans to gift her brother. The plot is so thin and uninteresting. I also found myself doing a lot of overthinking. She is a baker--in the west, not really close to civilization as such. I'm fairly certain railroads had not gotten through that far yet. Though I could be wrong. Things come by stage coach. Hence the stage coach inn. Yet she is reckless with her baking--sugar, chocolate, spices, etc., In my opinion. Perhaps I've just read other pioneer stories where sugar is almost hoarded for extremely special occasions. It was an okay read. I liked the romance well enough.
I would rate this one three stars.
The Shepherd's Heart is set in Nebraska circa 1875.
First sentence: For a moment that dawn, everything seemed completely perfect.
Angellyn Lewis (aka Angel) was jilted on her wedding day, or perhaps the night before her wedding. One or the other. Yet she feels like she's heard a voice from above telling her she'll have a husband by Christmas. It's September. Visiting with a close family friend, she learns of a former childhood friend, recently widowed, who's looking for a woman to marry to help him raise his children. She has very fond feelings of their friendship, and so she agrees. He lives in Wyoming so off she goes to be his bride. Will these two who marry for convenience fall truly in love with each other?
I tend to love marriage of convenience stories. This one was fun. I DO personally wish it had been a full length novel. I do feel it was a bit rushed. I think with a bit more time--and less rushing--it would have easily been a five stars. I really found myself liking both Angel and Vincent (Duran). I just felt that they went from being awkward friends to not being able to keep their hands off each other. One page it was, she'd get the bedroom and he'd sleep in the barn. And then the next chapter they're in bed together. I kept looking for what I'd missed. Maybe I did truly miss something. But I thought it was good.
I enjoyed two out of the three stories very much. I would definitely reread The Shepherd's Heart and A Star in the West. I was not as fond of No Room at the Inn. But I didn't dislike it enough to regret my time.
