Heirloom Brides (2001)

Heirloom Brides is really 4 stories in one volume. They are all linked together, as they are the stories of subsequent generations... starting in 1858 and leading up to modern times. Each Bride has her hardships, and heartbreaks... from being orphaned on the Oregon Trail, to dealing with a birth defect and surviving the Johnstown dam break, to a wicked step-mother during 1920’s Prohibition time, and ending with the difficulties of dealing with an angry patient as a hospital social worker. All are unique... yet all carry the same inner strength to get them through the tough times.

I especially enjoyed the first story ‘Button String Bride’ by Cathy Marie Hake. The other stories are: ‘Wedding Quilt Bride’ by Colleen Coble; ‘Bayside Bride’ by Kristin Billerbeck; and ‘The Persistent Bride’ by Gina Fields.