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31 May 2012

Review of Lena Nelson Dooley's Mary's Blessing by Teresa Mathews

Mary's Blessing
By Lena Nelson Dooley
(Realms/Charisma House, 2012)


5 Stars *****


In this touching story of a beautiful young girl that has to take care of her family after their mother and older sisters have died, Lena Nelson Dooley has created a beautiful masterpiece. Mary Lenora Caine has known since a small girl she was adopted and when her mother was alive she always called Mary, “God’s blessing” but now years after her mother’s death Mary doesn’t really feel like that’s true, she feels as though no one cares about her at all. Even her father has been almost a stranger to her and her siblings since her mother died, leaving Mary to take care of her sister and brothers by herself. Feeling that no one cares anything about her, Mary starts to wonder about her birth parents and why they didn’t love her enough to keep her. Will she ever find the answers she seeks about her birth? Will anyone be able to convince Mary she is a beautiful young woman worthy of love?  

Daniel Winthrop, a friend from childhood who has loved Mary for what seems like forever, has dreamed about the day he would ask Mary to be his wife. He knows how hard she works taking care of her family and he wants to make her life easier. Having received Mary’s father’s permission to court her, Daniel believes his dreams are finally going to come true, but when a tragedy strikes Mary’s family will he be able to stand by Mary? Or will Daniel do the unthinkable and leave her just when she needs him the most?

In this story Lena has painted a picture of what sometimes was typical life in the late 1800’s, especially the in lives of the people who paved the way on the Oregon Trail. I loved how this story pulled at my heart and how I couldn’t wait to see how it ended for Mary. I can hardly wait to read the third book in this McKenna’s Daughters Series, Catherine’s Pursuit to see how the mystery behind Mary’s birth turns out.



Lena Nelson Dooley's books are available through CBD, Christian book stores, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

GIVEAWAY:  Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week’s contest.  Drawing will be late Saturday.  Your choice of Lena’s books, choice of format.





37 comments:

  1. Wonderful review Teresa. One day I'll have to read Lena's books!

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  2. Thanks MARIAN...it was a great book, I know you will lke it! :)

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  3. This was such a wonderful book, Teresa, and your review was great! I wonder when Catherine's Pursuit will be out, as I, too, am so looking forward to it. Probably around Christmas, I'm thinking; hoping not much later than that!

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  4. Thanks DIANA, what a great Christmas present it will make.

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  5. Sounds great! Thanks for the review and giveaway!

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  6. Thanks for coming by LADETTE! Good luck!

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  7. CARRIE... you are welcome....and THANK YOU!

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  8. My sis in law who is southern born and bred asked me to put a comment on here for her saying, "Pull me, pull me. It's been a long time!" See a northerner might say, "Pick me, pick me, but not a southerner. So please "pull" BARB'S name. lol!

    Barbara Smith
    thatoldgal@gmail.com

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  9. LOL!! Gotta love Sis. BARBARA! She is such a sweetheart! I hope she does get "pulled"...here in the South we have a lot of funny sayings.

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  10. Thank you for the review, Teresa. I'm so glad you liked it.

    Catherine's Pursuit will release in January 2013. A good way to start the new year.

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  11. I'm not entering as I have the book. Just wanted to say, Great review!

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  12. Can't wait to cuddle up with Catherine's Pursuit during our freezing cold Januarys here in SC!

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  13. Thank you for a great post,I can't wait for a chance to read the book. Thank you for a chance to win a copy. God Bless you.

    Glenda Parker
    parker.glenda@ymail.com

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  14. Being a Northerner I will say "Pick me, pick me"! Thanks for the great review and the chance to win a copy!
    Sharon
    smoore at tcq dot net

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  15. I so loved the first book in this series and would love to win this one! Love Lena's books!
    hollymag(at)gmail(dot)com

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  16. ANNE Thank You! So glad you came by. :)

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  17. OK SHARON! LOL! We have your name in the big ole cyber pot! Good Luck! :)

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  18. HOLLY Lena's book are terrific! Good Luck!

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  19. LENA Thank you for stopping by. I can't wait until January. :)

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  20. Well, it looks like Lena has done it again! I can't wait to read this book. I've read a lot about it, and Lena has set a very high standard in her genre. Thank you for offering a wonderful review and a giveaway!
    Nancee
    quiltcat26@sbcglobal.net

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  21. Waving at HOLLY and NANCEE, too! Pretty zoned out from my insect bite thingy.

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  22. Everyone please pray for Carrie. It appears she got bit by a spider; got some meds from dr, but pray there will be no bad after effects from the bite. Thanks!

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  23. Yes! Carrie, I'm praying for you. So sorry you're going through this nasty reaction to a bug bite. That's not good to hear. Please take care of yourself, and if any changes are noted get to the hospital!
    Hi Diana and Teresa!

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  24. CARRIE I'm so sorry about the nasty bite, please take care of yourself!

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  25. Great review and I love the cover!
    brendon8@bellsouth.net

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  26. Thanks NANCEE and TERESA! My leg is still all red, rashy, and itchy but I am breathing better. I've gotten a lot of good advice from people, too.

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  27. BRENDA, I thought both of these covers were spectacular. I wonder who does their art work?

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  28. Hope I'm not late for the giveaway. Lena Nelson Dooley's books sounds so interesting. Would love to win.

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  29. MSRUBYKAT, you are fine! Yes, LND's book does sound great! Thanks for coming by!

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  30. i have tried sooo many times to win this book!
    delited to find another opp :) and throwing my bonnet into the competition if you please !? TY!
    faithhopecherrytea at*gmail.*com
    blessings to you too :)

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  31. Would love to put my name in the drawing for Lena's book. My sister-in-law just told me about this.

    msbookwormlady@aol.com

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  32. KAY, welcome! Will put your name in the drawing! You, too, FHC!

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  33. Got a feeling I'm too late for this one. But just in case, here goes..... I'd love to win :)

    godleyv at yahoo[dot]com

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