“The Message in a Bottle Romance Collection: Hope Reaches Across the Centuries Through One Single Bottle, Inspiring Five Romances”

I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

“The Message in a Bottle Romance Collection: Hope Reaches Across the Centuries Through One Single Bottle, Inspiring Five Romances” begins in Ireland in 834 AD where a monk is fighting to hide a bronze bottle from invading Vikings.  What is special about this bottle? It is filled with scripture and has a message in Latin engraved around the neck, “spero” which means hope. The bottle shows up throughout all five stories reminding the characters at their darkest hours to always have hope.

First, an Irish princess encounters a Viking warrior bent on revenge and teaches him to love your enemies! The details of Viking warriors and their ways of life were intriguing!

The second story, “A Song in the Night” is set in Scotland. One of the main characters was a bagpipe player. I would love to see that one made into a movie! Super scenery, music and characters. I could hear the bagpipes playing as I read!

New York in 1798 is the setting for “The Forgotten Hope” by Maureen Lang is the story of a young lady who longs to continue to work beside her  father as a doctor rather than become the doting wife that society deems she should be.  The story follows her as she assists during a yellow fever outbreak remind us to always rely on God and to not distance yourself from others in an attempt to not be hurt by life’s tribulations.

“A River Between Us” by Jocelyn Green is set in 1864 Georgia, during the Civil War. It is a sweet reminder to love your enemy! If you enjoy historical romances, check out her “Heroines behind the Civil War” series.

“The Swelling Sea” by Joanne Bischoff  is set in 1890 California at the lovely Hotel Del Coronado and reminds us to never give up.

The epilogue is also by Joanne Bischoff and ties all the stories up nicely. Very happy with the ending. Love that the prologue and epilogue are both mini stories themselves!

If you enjoy uplifting, romantic short stories, I highly recommend this book. All five stories were well written and engaging. They all remind the reader that no matter how dark or troubling your life is, there is always hope in God and His word!