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| Bachelor Buttons |
Helping Hands Press, 2013
Reviewed by Noela
Nancarrow
~ 5 stars*****
This is a gripping story that takes
place during the Civil War in 1863 in Manhattan, New York, and is teeming with
fascinating history while still managing to sweep you off your feet with an
inspiring and stirring romance!
Rose Meehan the daughter of
immigrants who fled the Irish Potato Famine, lives a tough and poverty-stricken
life in the tenements of New York City with her sister Katherine and younger
brother Thomas. Rose has won the affection of two men—Dr. Ian McGuiness with
whom she was fond of and who represented material wealth for her future, and
William Lee, a struggling violin teacher who happened to make her heart beat a
little faster than the doctor. With both of them turning up on the same
evening to take her out, she comes up with the idea of setting a footrace to
settle the dilemma. The challenge took place up the street and back again but
with the course being filled with all manner of obstacles, it creates a very
entertaining race! Which suitor will win the race and be taken out on the arm
of the lovely Rose?
Just days later, President Lincoln
signs an Enrollment Act drafting eligible men with exceptions given to those
married with children and those who could pay a large fee for a substitute.
However, the immigrant Irish people were too poor to buy their way out and were
angry that they were being drafted instead of the rich. They were also incensed
at the unfairness that the black freedmen were exempt because they weren’t
considered citizens. The murmurings and anger at the injustices against the
immigrants that had been simmering then begins to boil over, with Manhattan
exploding in devastating riots, out of control fires and murders. One of Rose’s
suitors becomes a hero in her eyes delivering help and provision just when
needed. God’s plan for Rose and those she loves is eventually revealed to all.
Kathleen Maher writes her
wonderfully polished debut novella Bachelor Buttons with flair and such
exquisite writing that I’m prompted to buy anything published by Kathleen in
the future sight unseen! Kathleen is a brilliant story-teller that definitely
knows how to write suspense and drama so well that your eyes fly over the page,
right along with a sweet romance that is both believable and beautiful.
_________________________________________________________
GIVEAWAY: Noela has graciously offered A
Kindle copy of Bachelor Buttons to one lucky commenter!
QUESTION: What challenge might you put to
two suitors if you had affections for them both?
What beautiful things you said about Kathleen's novella & writing, Noela! I hope many more readers will enjoy Kathleen's wonderful story.
ReplyDeleteThanks for offering to giveaway a Kindle copy!!
Thank you sweet Dutchy! It truly is a beautiful story and I hope everyone buys a copy if they don't win it because they will enjoy it immensely! :)
DeleteOh my word, Noela! your words bless me, and your gesture to buy a copy for one of the readers is more than you should do. Please let me purchase it. Thank you sweet lady!
DeleteKATHY, it honestly is my pleasure to give away a copy for a reader!! I'm so glad you enjoyed the review! God bless and thank you for not only being so sweet but for writing such a wonderful story that blesses all its readers!!!
DeleteBeautifully written review, NOELA! I'm sure Kathy will be very pleased by it!
ReplyDeleteDiana, you are so right. I am thrilled! And deeply touched that you all enjoyed the story. Thank you
DeleteThanks Diana!! And we sure did all enjoy your wonderful story KATHY!! Almost always I jot down my impressions while reading the story that I'll be reviewing... so what you read were my exact thoughts and impressions while deep into your story. :)
DeleteBeautiful review! Oh goodness, I have no clue what I would make two suitors do for me. Maybe see who was willing to volunteer to help others or give of their time. Good question!
ReplyDeleteSusan P
farmygirl at hotmail dot com
Hi, Susan--That's so funny you should say that. Of course Rose is based on my great, great grandmother, and she really did make her two suitors run a race, I agree it is not as noble as serving others. That's a great idea!
DeleteThank you for coming today and I wish you the best of luck!
Oh I'm sure running a race was more "in time" with that era than today. Today though, I don't see that happening. I can imagine them looking like I was insane if I asked that. ;) (seeing as how either you can run or you can't) So I figured in today's culture it's all about being generous and I would want a man who was willing to "give up everything" and follow Christ and maybe that would be a place to start. (apparently my brain thought too long on this, lol) My first thought was to see who would be willing to learn how to knit for me. I kinda like that idea better.
DeleteI thought it was incredibly amusing to hear that the challenge that Rose set really was based on Kathleen's great, great grandmother!! And I agree with Kathleen, your answer is a more noble idea and maybe a better yardstick too! :)
DeleteI had to laugh at your original thought SUSAN... learning how to knit for you LOL!! One idea I had was to get each one to give me a day of romance, sort of like a date that lasts a whole day, and then see how I felt afterwards. Not that noble and it could very well backfire and confuse me even more haha!
So glad you liked the review, you'll just love Kathy's book!! Here's hoping for a win for you!!
Ha! I love the idea of knitting! That's hilarious. If a man is willing to do that, he is a keeper! And Noela, your idea reminds me of the show the Bachelorette! :D See? you could have pitched that idea to TV and been a millionaire! :D
DeleteNoela, now THAT is a stellar idea and one that would give YOU the most enjoyment! Just think, two whole days filled with romance! I'm liking that one. :)
DeleteKathleen, the idea of knitting comes from the fact that my hubby knows how! (shhh, don't tell him I told you) He sure is a keeper and I proudly tell him I love the fact he knows.
Well if I had two suiters I guess I would just have to keep on between the two till I found which one was for me. I would have to be very careful and make sure i got the one for love..Thanks for your giveaway. Would love to win this book .. It sounds so good.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
lizd225(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Elizabeth! Yep, that would be the wise thing to do... after all, love is for keeps and you need to be happy with the one you choose for the rest of your life. It is fun to imagine some different challenges though lol!
DeleteThanks for stopping by, all the best with your entry!
Elizabeth you are a wise woman. Sooner or later the "counterfeit Bill" would show himself from the real William. heehee
DeleteI'd probably ask them questions and see which answers I liked better. shopgirl152nykiki(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteAsking questions is good too... sort of like on those blind dating shows, but maybe more than just the usual 3 questions hey?! I'd have to have at least 20 or more at the least, lol! :)
DeleteBest of luck, God bless you!
Ah, sort of like a job interview. I like where this is going. My sister before she met her husband said she would conduct an audition for the part. LOL
DeleteWhat sorts of questions would you ask?
What's really wicked is that my two best friends did that to my then fiance. They asked him about former girlfriends, what his thoughts were on homeschooling, I mean they ran him through the gauntlet! I knew he was something special when he endured it and still liked me after! LOL
I'd ask all kinds of questions, like their view on kids, what they'd do in certain situations so I could ascertain their character, about their likes and dislikes. That's awesome that your friends did that. I would definitely need more than 20, I think.
DeleteThanks Noela. You diiid a wonderful review. Seems everyone loves Kathy's novella. Including me. I don't think I could make a decision like that. Love for a lifetime is too important. Also. knowing how much they love GOD and that it shows. I would just date them, ask all sorts of questions, and see which one you really connect to with GOD's help. Maxie
ReplyDeleteThank you Maxie for your kind words. Kathy's novella really is a wonderful story isn't it?!!
DeleteYes definitely Maxie - knowing and especially seeing 'in action' their love for God would be a clincher, and as you say love and that special connection is a very important part of the equation also!!
Thank you, Maxie <3 I think testing a man's Godly fruits is sooo important. I wish every young lady had your wisdom. Sadly many girls are taken in by charm and promises and don't take the time to get to know character.
DeleteThank you for your kind words about Bachelor Buttons! Bless you, sweet lady!
GREAT REVIEW NOELA!! Can't wait to read it for myself....Kathy I've had a crazy weekend, Sunday's are always busy with Church .Going to do my best to read it tomorrow. It will make my Monday! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Teresa! :) What no crazy stories from your past on this question Sissy? ;)
DeleteLooking forward to hearing what you think when you read it... as much as Kathy probably is! :)
LOL!! My mother chased all the boys away or else when I was dating one she would try to get me to like someone else. She thought she could keep me from liking any one too long and maybe I would get tired of them all I think.
DeleteSo I never had to worry about more than one and certainly not THREE like our dear sweet CARRIE!!! LOL
Now Carlton on the other hand I will tell on, When we first met he had also just met a girl that lived across the highway from me. He had already asked her out on a date to hear CARMEN so I went to the concert with the pastor's two sons and another guy from church. (hmm maybe I DID have three guys take me out after all lol) After Carlton dropped her off he came across the street to see me. :) The pastor's sons didn't let him live that down either...the next youth newsletter had a comment that went something like this..."Carlton really knows how to double date!" LOL!! Luckily the young lady didn't attend the same church as we did!!! LOL
HAHA I knew you'd have a story there somewhere!! :) Soooo not only did you go out with 3 guys lol, but you had another one come by later AFTER his date!! LOL I bet when he saw you with those other guys, he couldn't stand it. SO romantic! ;) But yes, lucky the other girl didn't hear about this lol!
DeleteOh, that is hilarious, Teresa! That church bulletin had me hooting.
DeleteI was a big fan of Carman, too. Did you know that he is fighting a rare and deadly form of cancer? Been praying for him lately.
you ladies have made me feel so incredibly honored this week. I will revel in this memory for some time.
Noela, your reviews are always so interesting! What challenge--none! Because I once had three boyfriends show up at my place at the same time and I decided to never date three guys at the same time again, lol! That was really scary haha! My daughter loves that story!
ReplyDeleteLOL... I never expected that Carrie!! :) So you dated 3 guys at the same time - Wow, so Carrie, I'm dying to know what happened when they showed up at your place all at once??
DeleteMe, too! Mee tooo! LOL Something new about Carrie that I'm now dying to learn.
DeleteWow, Carrie, you crazy girl!! Now that is a story we all need to hear! :)
DeleteThe only challenge I would set would be to convince my Mother. Nothing gets past her.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Haha Mary, that's so funny!! Sounds like a good plan - and like she'd do a good job of it! ;) For me... no way I'd let my mother choose lol!!
DeleteAll the best in the draw! God bless.
A dance contest! Which one would make me swoon? half-Irish Kathleen
ReplyDeleteYaY! I would love to win this book o-b-v-i-o-u-s-l-y
lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
I h-o-p-e you win this then Kathleen!! :)
DeleteA dance contest... now that would be fun to watch!! Any particular dance you'd especially like him to excel at to make you swoon??
A three-step waltz to Etta James' At Last or George Strait's The Chair in a smooth flowing tempo.
DeleteTo help me choose between two suitors, I would ask them to fully describe their hopes and dreams for a future with me.
ReplyDeleteMartha
Could be very revealing MARTHA but a great idea as we surely need to be compatible in the future with our prospective marriage partner!! Blessings!
DeleteWell, I never had more than one suitor at a time, but I would probably ask LOTS of questions and get to know them well, so I could try to decide which one my heart (& God of course) were leading me.
ReplyDeleteIn the case of my husband, right after I met him (at our church-he was the 1st of the new college kids to arrive at church that year) and invited him to join a group of us from church at an ice cream parlor. Because we lived out in the country, I had to rely on my older brother for transportation to everything, so Jon thought that my brother was a boyfriend. Then when he got that figured out, he thought another guy in the youth group who I was good friends with was my boyfriend (we had both had crushes on each other at different times, but never both of us at the same tie--just a friend like a brother....), so in actuality, you might say, Jon THOUGHT he had competition. LOL But one of the best things about this story is that after I got home that night, my mother said, "That would be a nice guy for you..." I guess maybe mother DOES know best...sometimes. ;-)
Vicki
PS--forgot to say, I would love to win this book & these gals all know my email addy. ;-) And if I don't win it, I will def, be buying it!
ReplyDeleteVicki
Thanks for stopping by VICKI and for sharing your story! God bless you!! I know you'll just love this book however you get it!! ;)
DeleteHmm. Since I like horses so much I'd put the two suitors to a riding test to see how well they handle horses. I think it'd tell me a lot about them as people too! Thanks for the give away!
ReplyDeleteKim LitlePokie(at)aol(dot)com
Interesting answer KIM! And I imagine you're right - seeing not only how they ride and handle themselves but also how they treat the horse would tell a lot I think. Unless they're both animal lovers of course lol! ;)
DeleteGod bless!!