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19 March 2013

Noela Nancarrow Reviews Waiting for Morning by Margaret Brownley

Waiting for Morning



Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow
5 stars~

Set in 1896, in the Arizona desert, a land of contrasts and beauty, sits a large red-roofed two-story adobe ranch house with a wrap-around verandah, outbuildings, barn, corral, and towering windmills. This is the focal setting for ‘Waiting for Morning’, a beautifully captivating story about Molly Hatfield… an unlikely candidate trying out for the heiress position of the eccentric Eleanor Walker and her vast cattle ranch in Cactus Patch.

Pretty 21 year old Molly and her wheel-chair bound brother Donny are on their way there after losing everything including Molly’s job in the Dobson Creek, Colorado fire. Molly is answering an ad by Eleanor, who desires an heir for her ranch and gives young women a trial period of 4 months to prove they’re worthy. But there is also the clause that won’t allow the successful recipient to ever marry… and they will have to sign a binding contract to that end, should they prevail. In Molly’s case, she realizes it is of little consequence as she perceives no chance of landing a husband after 22 proposal’s already… with all men disappearing when learning about Donny’s condition.
And now Molly sees this new opportunity as being one that can secure hers and Donny’s future and is determined to succeed.

Eleanor Walker has no idea that Molly is an ex-saloon girl or bringing along her 14 year old crippled brother, for either is likely to fare well for Molly with the strict ranch owner. Molly will be desperate that Miss Walker believes that not only doesn’t Donny need much care even, though he is completely reliant on her, but that she can also learn and work the ranch successfully.
Molly carries an enormous burden of guilt for her brother and his condition, and has made herself his protector and caretaker and consistently puts him above her own needs. Something will no doubt suffer with Molly trying to look after her brother and the exhausting and grueling work at the ranch. So can she learn to put God first and to put her trust in Him before it is too late?

The new young doctor of Cactus Patch, Caleb Fairbanks, and his dog Magic first meet Miss Hatfield on the road to Eleanor’s ranch, when Molly mistook the backfiring of his horseless carriage as gunshots and proceeded to shoot in his direction with her double barrel shotgun. Many of his other encounters with Molly were no less fiery and before long he finds himself smitten with her. Caleb sees past Donny’s wheelchair, earnestly desiring to help Molly’s melancholy brother who has given up all hope of being anything but helpless for the rest of his life. But how will Caleb ever get through to Donny and his extremely overprotective sister?

We meet again in this story, the riotous and classic sister duo of Bessie and Lulu-Belle. And this time they’re taking on the saloons, feeling fed-up with the men of the town getting drunk so often. As well as the many entertaining light-hearted moments, there are valuable lessons to be gained in this charming story including the disproportionate dependence you can have with people and things. However the main message I believe that comes across is learning how to let go of our fears, doubts, and burdens and to trust God to help work all things together for good.

This is the second book in The Brides of Last Chance Ranch series with the third coming out later this year, but they can all be read alone.  And while I’m waiting for the next to be released, in the meantime I’ll be devouring all of Margaret’s other books I haven’t read yet!

Buy Margaret's books at Amazon, CBD, and other bookstores.
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GIVEAWAYS: Margaret is generously giving away a copy of “Grieving God’s Way.” She is also giving away a copy of  “Waiting for Morning.” 
We are also giving away the choice of any of Margaret’s books this week, choice of format, to one of our commenters.


QUESTION: The first cars were often called ‘horseless carriages’ and were an example of changes that took place in the late 1800’s. What’s one thing you would change or improve in this world if you could?

50 comments:

  1. Hmm, you really made us need to think on this one Marian. I think the things I would like to see changed are not material, but in attitude. God gave me a love for the handicapped & underdogs & I hate to see people belittle them. When there was a girl on the school bus who had Down Syndrome I would often sit by her. Most of my friends were not the popular kids, but a girl who was obese & another who had epilepsy. I would love to see our world become more loving and accepting to those that some might think are less than others.
    Vicki OWG
    vmarney(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. I know you're still discovering many authors like I am VICKI, so I was wondering if you'd read anything by MARGARET yet? Because I just have a feeling you would absolutely LOVE her books!! And in this one above, you'll read about a boy who's has been looked down upon by some people simply because he's in a wheelchair!

      Actually VICKI you need to blame me for that deep-thinking question not Marian lol! :) Great answer though!! The world needs definitely needs more people like you to be a better place.

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    2. It seems a bit confusing when I post your reviews, NOELA. I think it's time to teach you how to do it. ;)
      Great review, btw.

      I'd love to change the health care. :) Who doesn't?

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    3. Lol I only just saw where it said 'posted by Marian', usually I overlook that bit. haha hope that's okay!!
      Yes it's something that Carrie and I have talked about too, but both haven't found the time. Yep lets do it, just let me know when's a good time for you! :)

      Our health system is pretty good here BUT it still could do with some fixing, I think that's a great idea MARIAN!

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  2. i hate seeing people make fun of any one different. its just not right. OMG

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    1. Hi SHIRLEY, I couldn't agree with you more!!

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  3. Another great review, MS. NANCARROW! If I could change anything, it would probably be going back to a simpler way of life where people had to talk to people on the phone instead of texting and emailing. But then we wouldn't have FB either and then I wouldn't be able to talk to you or Marian, so bump that idea! :P

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    1. Why thank you MS. FLOWERS, that is most kind of you! :)

      Okay idea scratched! Now you'll have to come up with another one.. ;) I actually love chatting on FB because I find it more exhausting and time consuming having long phone conversations. Plus this way, we REALLY get to multi-task, lol.

      I would love to change the general attitudes of people these days to that of yesteryear where there was so much more respect and chivalry!

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    2. I was going to say the same thing only you said it better. lol So ditto what you just said!

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  4. This is a great series from Margaret! If you haven't read the first one yet, you'll want to. That really starts it all off with a bang :)

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    1. Hi, ANNE! Always a pleasure to see you! NOELA has two more reviews of Margaret's books coming up this week as well. Not sure if one is the first in this series or not...didn't pay attention. Shame on me! Thank you for showing your support of Margaret's books!

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    2. Yes, I do believe NOELA is sharing her review of Book One in this series on Thurs. :)

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    3. I hope NOELA will like Dawn Comes Early. That one starts off this current series and it is SO much fun!!!

      A Rocky Creek Romance series is great fun too! A Vision of Lucy starts that one off and it's my favorite of all Margaret's stories :)

      Just had to stop in and put in my two shillings worth ;)

      {{hugs}}

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    4. Hi ANNE... next up should be A Dawn Comes Early and then one of Margaret's earlier ones and a huge favourite of mine - A Long Way Home!! I really loved the Rocky Creek Romance series too but haven't had the time to review those.

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  5. What’s one thing you would change or improve in this world if you could?
    Wow, tough question.
    After some thought, I think I'd like to see our laws tougher and better enforcement of the existing ones.
    For example, drunk drivers get their license taken away but that doesn't actually stop them from being able to get behind the wheel. Maybe someone could invent some sort of device to stop them from being able to drive a vehicle.

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    1. CINDI, that's a great idea! I think just letting women rule our society instead of men would change everything! ;) Good luck in the drawing!

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  6. I would love to read this book! It's looks great!!
    Shirley Culpepper bluebell5071@yahoo.com

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    1. Welcome to OWG, SHIRLEY! Do you have an answer to the question NOELA posed above in red? Thank you, dear! :)

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  7. I have so many changes in my head. LOL I would to remove the hate from our world. It causes so much pain and problems. And, more obedience to what God wants for our lives. I do love my FB too, Diana, but still wish things could be a lot more simple like when I was growing up, and even raising my children. Back then you were able to talk to anyone you met and not be afraid. More helping from friends and neighbors. Now, I hardly know my neighbors. So long for the friendships of some of the areas where I have lived, where you knew all of those around you, had coffee together iof most mornings, and, always someone to gather on Fri. nights for games. Guess I just want my AMERICA where everyone was proud to be an American and was glad for GOD's blessings on our country. I would really like to win Margaret's book. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

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    1. MAXIE, I agree with you completely for here in Aus too! Everything used to go at a much slower pace when we all knew our neighbours and trusted everyone more! Sometimes progress actually means going backwards.. :)

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  8. AND, forgot to mention again, how much I love the women on OWG.
    GOD bless each of you. MAXIE

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    1. We love to see you around here, Maxie! Blessings and hugs to you!

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    2. We love you too MAXIE!! You are such a sweet, faithful friend to OWG! GOD bless you and big hugs to you!!

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    3. Love back to MAXIE! ~Blessings~

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  9. NOELA I was on here earlier today and thought I left you a message. This is a wonderful review as usual. This sounds like a book I need to read, it really caught my attention.

    As for your question I wish I could remove all sickness! You can giggle now...you all know I have been sick for almost 3.5 weeks and I am tired of coughing, so that's the first thing that came to mind! :)

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    1. Ohh you haven't read this one yet... YES you so should pick up this one and the previous one in this series as well, AND the one I'm reviewing after that one - A Long Way Home!! ALL such great stories! :)

      Sis, I don't blame you ONE bit for wanting that persistant cough of yours gone... I want that tooo!!

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  10. I would make something that people that had to drink that turn their hatred into love
    likesmusic2@consolidated .net

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    1. Hi DEBBIE, glad you were able to make it on here! And I hope you get the chance to win one of Margaret's books!

      What a difference it would make in this world if there were no hatred! Sounds good to me!! :)

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  11. I would love to see all our world love one another regardless of who they are. More love, less hating, cures for the disease's that are not curable right now and for everyone to have a roof over there heads and enough food to eat & money to pay their bills and for they things they need.

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    1. JUANITA, what a wonderful world that would be! But I know according to the Bible we'll have to wait for that perfect place...it's never going to happen down here. :( Lots of luck in the drawing!

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  12. **Special thanks to MARIAN BAAY for fixing blog where comments don't overlap on the side and are easier to read! YAY! MARIAN, yOu ArE tHe BoMb!**

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    1. It's a shame that the angel icon doesn't work on the blog. ;-)
      I'm glad it's fixed and you are happy with it!

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    2. Hmmm...I have no doubts that if you work on it long enough, you will have the angel icon on here as well. ;) But it will only work on your posts. lol

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    3. Did that "fix" also include not overlapping at the top? If so, a HUGE TY for that--it was sometimes difficult to read the top line sometimes...
      Vicki

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    4. Yes VICKI, it was the only thing bothering me, because I use Google Chrome, but Diana had the other overlapping problem on Internet Explorer. Both are fixed now.

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  13. This sounds like a very interesting book! Trying out to be an heiress... very different idea.

    Thinking back to the Jetsons, I still think flying cars would be pretty cool.
    On the serious side we don't see it to much here in North America but extreme poverty is very serious in many parts of the world, wish we could figure out how to solve that problem.

    pattymh20009at)yahoo(dot)com

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  14. address in above comment should be
    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. PATTY thanks for dropping by OWG. This story line is a little different and very interesting, I need to find this book soon and add it to my TBR list. :)

      I think I like your idea of the flying cars but then again there's a lot of people that can't drive on the ground so I can't imagine them flying! ;)

      Thanks for adding your email.

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  15. I am in the middle of reading Waiting for Morning as an eBook...I prefer print books, but wanted to read it!
    I think if I could change something, I would for sure change the law that we could not deal with child molesters in a way that I believe they deserve. That might be a bit heavy though for your topic....= ) So, maybe I should say instead that I would work on reforming health care or something!
    martha(at)lclink(dot)com

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    1. Hi MARTHA, thanks for dropping by! I know the feeling of not wanting to wait a moment longer for the paperback, which btw is also my preference! :) Great story isn't it?!!

      In many ways I agree with you MARTHA, some punishments for crimes do not do enough to deter them or others, and for something like you mentioned I think they need psychological help as well! Amen about health care... I think the government should pay for all necessary health care, right?! :)

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  16. THIS needs to count as an entry from LISA. She sent it to my gmail in box.

    LISA said:
    Acceptance... I would invent something that helps us except each other the way God created us... Disabilities, faults included
    Lisa
    deiselbuffs@yahoo.ca

    For some reason I can't post a response to the blog done today... Would love to add my comment and a chance to win! :)

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    1. Thanks CARRIE, and no problem LISA... you're now in with a chance to win!

      I love your idea of a better world too. So many people are longing for and needing acceptance, like wheel-chair bound Donny from 'Waiting for Morning', but also those with less visible differences. If only everyone could realize that we are ALL different but no less valuable than the next person!

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  17. My friend Kim Taylor would LOVE this book--it sounds a lot like one of her stories. Great review, NOELA!!!

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    1. Thanks CARRIE, it really is a fantastic story and I'm sure your friend would absolutely love it!! Margaret really is a very gifted writer!

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  18. If someone invents a house that can clean itself I'll be first in line.

    OWG

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    1. Now THERE'S an idea MARY, lol!! We'd all like that I'm sure! I'll be second in line ha! :)

      All the best in winning one of MARGARET'S fabulous books!

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    2. Mindy Starns Clark wrote a book on that. It's called The House That Cleans Itself. Go...run to Amazon to order it. ;)

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  19. I would like to see some decisions changed in the government and law, such as Roe v. Wade, genetically modified food, etc. shopgirl152nykiki(at)yahoo(dot)com

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