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16 September 2014

Noela Nancarrow reviews A BRIDE IN STORE by Melissa Jagears

A Bride In Store
A Bride In Store
Bethany House Publishers (August 26, 2014)

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow
5 Stars *****

Surprises in Store

An enterprising and engaging historical romance set in 1881; ‘A Bride in Store’ delivers with interest! Author Melissa Jagears pens a story with a generous supply of intrigue and romance guaranteed to satisfy every customer. Betwixt the pages, you’ll encounter appealing, realistically-flawed characters, searching for approval from others as well as themselves and God. Come join these endearing personalities on their journey in discovering truths that will eventually free them to find love, contentment, and God’s will.

The business-savvy Eliza Cantrell leaves Pennsylvania a week early feeling excited and eager to start a whole new life in Kansas as a mail-order bride to a general-store owner. She didn't count on getting viciously robbed on the train trip there, nor finding Axel, her groom-to-be, out of town when she arrived. Keeping herself busy until her fiancĂ© returns, she works on improving the store’s sales alongside Axel's not-so-business-savvy partner, William Stanton. Eliza is frustrated at William, herself, and her treacherous feelings. Yet she stubbornly refuses to give up her dreams, because she knows they don’t include a man like William - whose aspirations differ so vastly from her own.

Any wonder William doesn't run the store at huge profit; he’s way too kind-hearted and generous!  Obviously his passion is not in business, but it IS in doctoring, and William longs to save enough to afford medical school. That’s not working out too good for him though. It doesn't help that he’s finding it increasingly difficult to concentrate and work beside Eliza, but his errant thoughts refuse to stay off the straight-talking, smart, and pretty lady working in his store. Unfortunately Eliza is promised to another, and that fact is driving him crazy!

Life is never straightforward, and this is true for this surprisingly unpredictable story also. How can Eliza’s and William’s paths ever connect when they are going in two completely different directions? ‘A Bride in Store’ is a pilgrimage of seeking God’s will, of self-discovery, and of sacrifice and love. Beautifully penned, it is a heart-warming treat for the romantic soul that enjoys seeing God work all things together to give us new dreams and directions when ours go astray! 

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Available for purchase at Amazon, CBD, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, BAM, etc

GIVEAWAY: We're giving away a copy of either of Melissa's novels this week, choice of format (international winners, ebook only unless available through the Book Depository. Leave a comment to enter!

*Leave your email or check back in the Winners column at the top right hand side.

48 comments:

  1. Great review! I cannot wait to read this book!

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    1. Thanks ABBI, I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as I did! :-)

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  2. I really enjoyed Melissa's novella and first book, sounds like another great addition to read.

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    1. You will love this one too PATTY! Thanks for coming by!

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  3. This book sounds like a lot of fun! :D Thank you for the chance :)

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    1. You're welcome MIPPY! So glad you could come by to read about it and I hope you get to enjoy it soon!

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  4. The 1880's is my fav time period to read.

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    1. Hi PATSY, thanks for popping in to read the review of Melissa's book! I agree, it's one of my favorites periods too... Still 'historical', but there was a lot of changes and progress. Interesting times!

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  5. So glad you enjoyed the book, Noella. Thanks for sharing your review here!

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    1. You're welcome MELISSA! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your latest novel and am extremely keen to read your others now! :-)

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  6. A Bride in Store is Melissa's book I would like to win! Thank you for this fun review, Noela. Where our interests lie sometimes surprise others. Like how Eliza already has the skills and talents to enrich her surroundings. I always marvel at how the Lord prepares us in advance for what we will be doing, giftings so small we didn't recognize them until... they become the big thing and we've "done that before." So neat. I am eager to read this newest novel by Melissa Jagears! Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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    1. Thanks for your comment KATHLEEN! It's funny but I just had the thought a short while ago how I used to LOVE reading as a child but because of circumstances, never had a chance to read much. The love of reading never left me though, and I'm still amazed where the Lord has led me through that interest! :)
      All the best with your entry for this fabulous book Kathleen, and God bless!

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  7. I have this book :) now I really want to get started reading! I would love to win the next one!

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    1. :) I think #1 and #2 are the only ones up for grabs, but glad you're excited! I don't even have a cover yet!

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  8. Looking forward to reading this one.

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    1. Dear Anonymous, if you happen to check back, could you please leave your name or email if you would like to be entered in the competition to win Melissa's book. Thanks!

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  9. I love to read and review books. I am also pay off a blog if you are interested. I love Christian books!

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    1. It's such a pleasure isn't it JaciSue to be able to read, and review, these fantastic Christian novels that these talented authors continue to write?!! All the best with your venture! :-)

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  10. Fabulous review! I am so excited about this book. Melissa, thank you for weaving this wonderful story!

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    1. Thank you CARYL, I know you'll just love A Bride In Store!! Thanks for coming by Caryl!

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  11. This sounds like a great book. Thank you for the review.
    susanmsj at msn dot com

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    1. SUSAN, great to see you and I wish you all the best with your entry! God bless!

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  12. Sounds like another winner! Great review. :)

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    1. Hi SUSAN, thanks friend and I hope you get to read this memorable 'winner' soon!! :-)

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  13. A wonderful review thank you. Does indeed sound like 5 stars to me.

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    1. Thank you so much MARY! Hoping you get to also win or read this wonderful novel soon!! :-)

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  14. Sounds like a good book. I looked at the excerpt on Amazon.

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    1. Glad you liked the sound of it MICHELLE. It's a great read!!

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  15. I've really been looking forward to reading this book! Thanks for the giveaway! :)

    crazybooklover7 [at] yahoo [dot] com

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    1. You're welcome AERYKAH, and I hope you get to enjoy this great book real soon!! :-)

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  16. I have been anxiously awaiting this book. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

    cindialtman(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Hope your anticipation and patience rewards you soon CINDI!! :-) Blessings!

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  17. Great review NOELA!! I can't wait to read this one after enjoying MELISSA'S first book immensely! I have it on my Kindle, hopefully I can get to it quickly!! :-)

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    1. Thanks TERESA! :-) I'm the opposite... I haven't read Melissa's earlier one and all I want to do is to read it right now!! Uhh, if only I had more reading time! It's def on my list to read when I can though. :-)

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  18. I would love to win a copy of Melissa's new book - her last one was great!

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    1. Well you're in with a chance to win it now SHARON, so all the best! :-)

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  19. This reaview was nicely written, I would love to read it.
    oh.hello.hiya@gmail.com

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    1. Thank you DANIE and bless you! I'm hoping for you to win this one!!

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  20. Thank you for your beautiful review, Noela!!

    I'm sure many women have become mail-order brides out of necessity, however, I think it also takes a special kind of woman to have the courage to be one. It appears both William and Eliza are somewhat out of their element when "A Bride in Store" begins. Looking forward to reading what appears to be a entertaining book full of surprises - before both realize God's plan for them.

    Shared post!!

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    1. Firstly, thank you so much for sharing BONNIE, and thank you also for your kind words! I always appreciate reading your thoughtful comments Bonnie, and I absolutely agree with your sentiments expressed above. I cannot fathom the amount of courage, and perhaps desperation, it must of taken these mail order brides to take such a leap into the unknown. God bless!

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  21. Thanks for a well written review of Melissa's book Noela. It sounds good and of course I would love to win a copy.
    Vicki

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    1. It almost goes without saying doesn't it VICKI, lol! And of course, you are in the draw! :-) Blessings!

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  22. Melissa's book sounds so interesting - I would love to win a copy - thanks so much
    Stimmer@familylife.com

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    1. It's very interesting SHARON, I was sucked in immediately! All the best!!

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  23. Well, must have hit the button by mistake cause my comment has vanished. so this will be shorter. Eliza sounds like a smart lady. Thanks for your great review. Would love to win. Thanks for the chance. Maxie

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    1. Aw that's a shame, but I'm glad you got to leave a comment anyhow. She's a really smart lady MAXIE... a real whiz with numbers and business methods, but a little slower in other areas like realizing love and God's will! Blessings!

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  24. What a neat review
    God bless u
    Chris

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    1. Thank you CHRIS and God bless you too!! I hope you get to read this fun and very sweet story soon!

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