- Paperback: 336 pages
- Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (October 1, 2013)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0764211684
- ISBN-13: 978-0764211683
A Tender Tale of Love on the Prairie Perfect for CBA Readers
Although Everett Cline can hardly keep up with the demands of his homestead, he won't humiliate himself by looking for a helpmate ever again--not after being jilted by three mail-order brides. When a well-meaning neighbor goes behind his back to bring yet another mail-order bride to town, he has good reason to doubt it will work, especially after getting a glimpse at the woman in question. She's the prettiest woman he's ever seen, and it's just not possible she's there to marry a simple homesteader like him.
Julia Lockwood has never been anything more than a pretty pawn for her father or a business acquisition for her former fiance. Having finally worked up the courage to leave her life in Massachusetts, she's determined to find a place where people will value her for more than her looks. Having run out of all other options, Julia resorts to a mail-order marriage in far-away Kansas.
Everett is skeptical a cultured woman like Julia could be happy in a life on the plains, while Julia, deeply wounded by a past relationship, is skittish at the idea of marriage at all. When, despite their hesitations, they agree to a marriage in name only, neither one is prepared for the feelings that soon arise to complicate their arrangement. Can two people accustomed to keeping their distance let the barricades around their hearts down long enough to fall in love?
Although Everett Cline can hardly keep up with the demands of his homestead, he won't humiliate himself by looking for a helpmate ever again--not after being jilted by three mail-order brides. When a well-meaning neighbor goes behind his back to bring yet another mail-order bride to town, he has good reason to doubt it will work, especially after getting a glimpse at the woman in question. She's the prettiest woman he's ever seen, and it's just not possible she's there to marry a simple homesteader like him.
Julia Lockwood has never been anything more than a pretty pawn for her father or a business acquisition for her former fiance. Having finally worked up the courage to leave her life in Massachusetts, she's determined to find a place where people will value her for more than her looks. Having run out of all other options, Julia resorts to a mail-order marriage in far-away Kansas.
Everett is skeptical a cultured woman like Julia could be happy in a life on the plains, while Julia, deeply wounded by a past relationship, is skittish at the idea of marriage at all. When, despite their hesitations, they agree to a marriage in name only, neither one is prepared for the feelings that soon arise to complicate their arrangement. Can two people accustomed to keeping their distance let the barricades around their hearts down long enough to fall in love?
My take on this book:
If I had to describe "A Bride For Keeps" in one word that word would be hearttouching! Is that one word, well for this review it is! I received this book on Saturday, and was immediately drawn in by two things the first being the cover, and the fact that the story revolves around a mail order bride!
Everett Cline can only say that he has had bad luck where mail order brides are concerned, one died and two others married someone else. He has decided to give up the idea of being married, but when his friend's wife decides to surprise him one last time with another mail order bride, he is skeptical that it will work, and when he meets Julia Lockwood one of the prettiest women he has ever seen he is certain that he doesn't stand a chance. Thing is Julia has come to Kansas to get away from a past where she was valued only for her looks, and not only that she is also carrying a secret from her past that has caused her to believe that she is unworthy of any one's love. When Julia and Everett decide to go through with a marriage they face a whole new set of problems. Can their marriage ever be anything more than just a marriage of convenience, will God allow their wounded hearts to connect?
As someone who loves historical fiction and mail order bride stories I was totally in seventh heaven when I picked up this book. Once I started reading though, it was the characters of Julia and Everett that totally blew me away! Everett was someone who wanted to marry, but after so many failed attempts I think he really thought it might never happen, he had actually become the town joke. Kindhearted and sincere I loved his character, it was so easy to feel his hurts and his longings, wanting a helpmate and someone to share his life with, a love like his parents had! Guarding his heart though against further disappointment and hurt he couldn't trust that Julia would stay. Julia was someone who never really been valued for anything other than her looks, carrying a burden that wasn't her fault she felt unworthy of even God's love. Determined to guard her heart, and always feeling the need to prove herself, I wondered if the pair would ever find their way together. A wonderful story pours of the pages of "A Bride For Keeps" one that really reminds the reader of God's love! Characters that have wormed their way into my heart, and have continued to stay even though I have finished the story!
A complimentary copy of this book was provided for review.
So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for reviewing! And there can never be enough mail-order bride books in my opinion, as long as you can find a unique twist to them, of course. :)
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