I went searching Amazon books this morning and found an interesting box set. Harvey House Complete Series Books 1 – 12. It’s priced at $1.32 with 1345 pages and that is a good deal. Especially if the subject of Harvey House is new to you, it’s an easy way to get them all at once.

Through the years, I’ve happily read some of the books in this series and still remember the impact of these amazing pioneering stories. Each unique book is set in a different city of the vast Harvey House empire.
Fred Harvey had a vision to improve the travelling experience at a time when it was still very primitive and in some cases, appalling. He wanted consistency of experience from city to city, healthy/appealing food served in a timely fashion, with courteous and respectful service. It started out with his restaurants connected to railway stations. As things grew and demand became apparent, his vision enlarged to add luxury hotels in the same locations.
He was inspired to take the unheard of step of hiring young ladies after having to deal with fights and brawls involving his male staff. Hiring women proved to be a successful solution with far less drama.
At the time it was socially unacceptable for young women to take on such roles. He defied societies opinions and it became a liberating experience for women at a time when they had no rights of their own. Any property or wages they might own became the possession of their husbands and other male relatives.
Many women went on to establish previously unheard of careers. Fred Harvey’s attention to detail and excellence, provided an enviable resume and his girls were highly respected.
My journey this morning with the Harvey House series actually started with the discovery of Harvey House A Love So Legendary Ellen Anderson with Katie Wyatt.
And it’s free today,

I wasn’t sure, I was thinking this was book 1 – the first story. I started reading, and it turns out, it tells the history of Fred Harvey and how it all began for him.
It’s an incredible story of opening up the country in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The resulting safe opportunities for women provided the chance for them to be viewed by society as valuable and capable human beings. His impact on the status of women is immeasurable. His impact on the service industry, revolutionary.
And then, one more free book discovered this morning. On the lighter side I think, maybe.

At Your Request – Jen Turano …. Historical Romance.
I’ve read and enjoyed this author before and I’m looking forward to reading this novella. It’s about a young woman’s tenuous connection to high society relationships despite the change in her social status due to the loss of family wealth.
Happy Reading!
A Woman of Fortune – Kellie Coates Gilbert … A beautiful Texas socialite is living the privileged dream life when it all comes crashing down. Her beloved, charming, obscenely wealthy, investment broker husband is being arrested by the FBI in the middle of their most prestigious social event of the year. Unbelievable.
A World War 1 novel – Pieces of Silver book 1 – Maureen Lang … Set during the turbulence of 1917 as America is swept into the Great War, this is a tale of faith, betrayal and unexpected love. (quote from Amazon)
Appalachian Fiction – Above the Fog – Karen Lynn Nolan … It’s her thirteenth birthday tomorrow and her abusive father promises to be home to make a woman out of her. Desperate to flee, the sudden flood washing their village away forces her mother and frail grandmother to run with her.
The Agency Files – Mismatched book 2 – Chautona Havig …. Organized crime. Illegal drugs. Violence. With them comes acceptance, order, purpose–danger. (quote from Amazon)
The Family Ties Series – A Cowboys Reunion book 1 – Carolyne Aarsen ….
Heart of Gold – Serafina Lyndon … After the death of her troubled mother, Sienna Hart returns to her small, coastal hometown of Ruby Bay to help her estranged sisters with the estate. (quote from Amazon)
Return to Paradise – Tim Speer
A Rifle by the Door – Dan L Fuller… many tense moments but it is a great story of cheering on the underdog. Who says the little guy always has to lose?
The Spindle Chair – Shellie Arnold. The haunting story of one couple’s struggle to have a child.
Northern Intrigue – Summer’s End book 3 – Lyn Cote… This small town spent six years paying medical school expenses, expecting to receive six years of doctoring in return. Now the big city recipient wants out of the contract, for family reasons. They can’t afford to have her to walk away from her promise, their need is too desperate.
Yesterday’s Mail – a box set with various authors – Alana Terry, Cynthia Hickey, Hallee Bridgemann, Chautona Havig, Amanda Tru. All of them excellent authors, I loved every one of these books.











Miss Main Street – Second Hand Secrets book 1 – Angela Castillo
Texas Women of Spirit – The River Girl’s Song book 1 – Angela Castillo
Texas Women of Spirit – The Comanche Girl’s Prayer book 2 – Angela Castillo
The Watch on the Fencepost – Kay DiBianca
Thirty Days Hath… because blind dates are for wimps – Chautona Havig …
Rumors and Promises – Kathleen Rouser
Home to You Series – No Place like Home book 1 – Morris Fenris
A Dangerous Legacy – Elizabeth Camden
A Good-Hearted Man – Barbara Kaylor
A Soldier Finds Grace – Katherine St. Clair
A Jesse Hunt psychological suspense thriller – The Perfect Block book 2 – Blake Pierce
Secrets of Rios Azules – Color of Danger book 1 – Alexa Verde…. I’ve peaked at the first few pages and I’m hooked.
The Novelist – Angela Hunt …. I’ve peaked at the first few pages of this book too. I think I’ve just cancelled all of my other plans for this weekend!