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| A Bride's Rogue In Roma, Texas |
Barbour Publishing, 2012
Reviewed by Diana Flowers
4.5 stars****
A Heartwarming Summer Read!
In A Bride's Rogue in Roma, Texas, author Darlene Franklin has penned a heartwarming story of healing, redemption, and reconciliation---that sweeps the reader from the sedate town of Roma to the magnolia, citrus, and burning coal scents of the Rio Grande River.
The straight-laced Blanche Lamar feels all alone in the world...having recently lost her mother to death, and her father many years ago to life on the river. J.O. Lamar, Blanche's father and captain of the steamboat, Cordelia, had started running it up and down the Rio Grande before she was ever born. After her mother's death, Blanche receives a summons from her father via handsome Ike Gallagher, stipulating that she must spend time aboard the Cordelia before she can inherit it.
Thus begins the adventure of a lifetime as the sheltered Blanche learns how to steer the great riverboat under the tutelage of the delightful and crusty Old Obie, and butts heads with the gambling rogue, Ike, over how the Cordelia should be run. Will she learn to love life on the river?...even as dangers of the heart and the calamities of the Rio Grande threaten to engulf her? Is her father still alive...and if so, where is he and why did he desert Blanche and her mother all those many years ago? And is her relationship with Ike doomed from the start since he is not a believer?
This is the first book I have read from this author and it was a delight! Full of adventure, wonderful main and secondary characters (I loved Old Obie!), and interspersed with the message of salvation and redemption, this one is guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings. This is a light, well-written, clean read that even your teenage daughters would love! Nicely done, Ms. Franklin!
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Giveaway: Winner's choice of any of Darlene's books in paperback or ebook as available (ebook only for international winner.) If you are an OWG follower put OWG for an extra entry. **Please remember to leave your email address.**
Question: Blanche had to leave her comfort zone and experience life on a riverboat. Have you ever had to leave your comfort zone for awhile...and if so, did you enjoy it?
Beautiful review DIANA, thanks!! I thought the cover looked vaguely familiar and then I read your review and I was "Oh my gosh, I've read this book and I LOVED it!!" :) And I loved old Obie too!
ReplyDeleteI don't always enjoy leaving my comfort zone, but when we were led to go to our daughter's church (ours was falling apart) I felt like I was home. The same as joining this blog, I felt like I was home. I think God has a lot to do with it sometimes! :)
Wonderful about your church, NOELA! Sometimes things have to first fall apart so God can show up for us and fix things! lol He's just good that way!
DeleteI hope everyone will get a copy of Bride's Rogue...so glad you enjoyed it! :)
Noela, so glad you enjoyed Bride's Rogue! And Old Obie--he was one of my favorites, too!
DeleteYes there have been many times that I had to leave a comfort zone and go where God told me to go .I still have to leave comfort zones it not always fun but in the end well worth it .Always something to learn when I do it .Blessings ,Dana
ReplyDeleteI agree, DANA! It was totally out of my comfort zone to agree to blog...now I thank God I said "yes!" It has been a wondrous blessing to my life!
DeleteGod excels at pushing us out of our comfort zones! It usually takes a push for me, otherwise I stay put.
DeleteLove the photo on the cover. Great review.
ReplyDeleteThank you Heather! I agree...pretty cover!
DeletePlease come back and leave your email in case we draw your name. :)
I love the cover. The lady looks just like I picture Blanche.
DeleteI had to leave my comfort zone when I started photographing weddings. Telling people where to stand and moving the crowd was not something I was used to, but it really helped increase my confidence.
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in the giveaway! and I'm a OWG follower :) Thanks!
That sounds like such a wonderful job, HEIDI! Gotcha entered!
DeleteI worked as a newspaper photographer for a brief time--getting in people's faces is the tough part.
DeleteSounds like a wonderful book God bless all of you
ReplyDeleteChris G
God bless you, CHRIS! Please come back and leave your email if you want to be entered in the giveaway!
DeleteHi Chris, thanks for coming on over! Diana, Chris is a faithful prayer supporter of mine.
DeleteHow wonderful! Nice for you to stop by, CHRIS!
Delete**Please be sure and leave your email addy so that we may contact you in case of a win! Typing it this way [at] and [dot] will prevent spam. Thank you.**
ReplyDeleteI love the cover too, anything old fashioned to me is appealing. Womanly is awesome too.I am starting a blog for my reviews and giveaways, author promoting ect and its coming along nicely. I even have my son saying that after I add content it will be awesome...
ReplyDeleteLet me know what you all think ok ? http://www.faithfulacresbooks.wordpress.com Seems like most readers are women thus far so I geared it toward the feminine. I would love to read and review this book also and so look forward to more good things on here... Great Review !
Blessings
Linda Finn
faithfulacres7@gmail.com
Linda, contact me at belovedfranklin (at) msn (dot) com so we can discuss reviews.
DeleteLinda, good for you! Will stop by when I get a free moment!
DeleteI'm like Darlene, it takes a real push to get me outside my comfort zone. I do find as I get older that I am a bit more willing to take some risks.
ReplyDeleteWould love to win one of Darlene's books.
OWG
pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
PATTY, I am just the opposite. Was more willing to take risks when younger...now that I'm older I have developed more of an "I can't" attitude. I can't but He sure can!
DeleteAs I've grown older, I've developed a bit more of "I don't know, but I'll try."
DeleteWhat a wonderful review! I can't wait to read Darlene Franklin's heartwarming stories!! While it is never easy to leave our comfort zone, we often find that God provides comfort in our new situations!
ReplyDeleteOWG follower
texaggs2000 at gmail dot com
Thank you, BRITNEY! I was just telling my daughter about the same thing, as she is nervous about starting a new different type of job.
DeleteGod lights the way in front of us, one step at a time. Any quicker than that we'd be terrified!
DeleteThis is a story I have not encountered, looking forward to the chance though.
ReplyDeleteAfter 9 years of living in Nicaragua half the year you would think I wouldn't still feel out of my comfort level. My responsibilities as a wife are almost nill besides washing clothes. No kitchen-can't cook so we eat on the corner. But I can climb mountains & jump in moving buses now!
missionwife AT hotmail DOT com
MELODY, you are such an amazing lady! lol I can't say I can jump into moving buses and I really don't want to. :P That WOULD be out of my comfort zone for sure!
DeleteI remember my pride in saying "bajen!" without thought when I was trying to get OFF a moving bus in Mexico City.
DeleteI had to leave my comfort zone when i was called to teach Sunday school, first to little ones and as kids grew my ages went up, i taught for 16 years i ended up loving it so much and leading children to the Lord, OWG follower
ReplyDeletewould love to win this book
Shirley B
SHIRLEY, that is wonderful! You just reminded me of that song that speaks of the child in Heaven and he said you were my Sunday school teacher when I was only 8 and before the class was over I asked Jesus into my heart...thank you for giving to the Lord I am a life that is changed....
DeleteLet's pray daily for Ray Boltz. He is the one that sang that beautiful song. satan led him astray, but Jesus can lead him back!
Shirley, amen to teaching Sunday school! I've taught off and on since I was 15. Not here in the nursing home, though
DeleteDIANA this sounds like a book I will really love. GREAT JOB!! As for your question I think you know what I'm referring to...our family was abruptly pushed out of our comfort zone a few years back at the church we attended. And NO we didn't like it but what satan meant for bad GOD used for good. If that hadn't have happened I might not be a part of this wonderful blog today and I probably wouldn't have you, DIANA as my bff!! GOD IS SO GOOD!
ReplyDeleteTeresa, God kicked me out of my comfort zone with churches when he sent me to a congregation with a denomination I wasn't really comfortable with. It's been one of the best parts about coming to OK.
DeleteAww--thank you, TERESA! That was sweet. :) I'm sorry for the hurt you went through but don't know what I would have done, not having you in my life!
DeleteDARLENE, do you have someone to pick you up for church or are you unable to go now?
DeleteDiana, I'm unable to get to church. Actually, I haven't been able to get into a car. I haven't even left the nursing home except when I went to the hospital.
DeleteOhhh, bless your heart. :( We take too many things for granted, DARLENE. Especially the privilege of being able to attend church. I'm going to be praying for you, dear lady!
DeleteWonderful review, Diana! I have one of Darlene's books on my Kindle. I will try to squeeze it in, because it sounds like she writes lovely stories!
ReplyDeleteMarian, hope you enjoy my Kindle book! I have several available that way.
DeleteThank you, my dear cohort! DARLENE stays true to the genre "CHRISTIAN" fiction which many Christian authors have strayed away from. Thank you for that, DARLENE!
DeleteI had to leave my comfort zone when i went on a local mission trip. had to sleep on a air bed, get up early stay up late. I learned to love it. OWG follower Angelachesnut246@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteAngela, I had that experience on a mission trip as well.
DeleteI have never been on a mission trip before, ANGELA, but admire those of you who have!
DeleteMy name is Angela.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteHello Diana and Darlene. Enjoyed this review. Yes, I've had to leave my comfort zone several times for Hurricanes. Did have some relatives to go to, but worried about my home the whole time, and one wouldn't leave the news on like I do at home. Once I tho't sure my home and all of my stuff would be lost, for it's just an old trailer, but was spared, except for a lot of leaks and a damaged floor. GOD was good to me tho. And, a big step for mr that I was urged to do by my kids and some siblings was to learn to use a computer. Still don't know a lot, but get by, and have been so glad I finally listened after a long time. Especially since I have started so many Author friends. I just felt so dumb that all of these little ones could do it and I couldn't. You see, when I was in school we didn't have typing until 11th grade and I only finished 10th grade. Still can't type without watching the keyboard. But, I am much faster than for a very long time. I have this book of Darlene's, but would love to win and get a copy of another book of hers. I am so happy to be a follower of these wonderful OWG girls. Please add my name. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com
MAXIE, what would we have done w/out one of our fave ladies on OWG if you hadn't learned how to use a computer?! What a loss that would have been for us. I started using a computer only 2 1/2 years ago, and now I'm a reviewer, beta reader, and an influencer for multiple Christian authors. I still look at my fingers, too, Maxie, but Jesus and I get the job done!
DeleteHi Maxie! Have you read my hurricane story, Beacon of Love? Rhode Island lighthouse in 1816.
DeleteI left my comfort zone to go on a church home missions trip up the east coast. I slept on church floors, in people's home and I could lay my head against the van window and go to sleep by th time we returned home. We were gone approximately three weeks. It was great!! I met new people and helped them in their church. Try to give encouragement. Saw beautiful scenery and made some good friends. Hopefully, I left love, encouragement, strength,a sense of joy and faith for those wonderful people in the home missions churches. Darlene's book sounds great. Please enter me in the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteBarbara Thompson
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com
OWG Follower
Barbara, you sound like a wonderful lady and I know you left behind those things! We have a cushy life here in America compared to many in other countries, don't we?
DeleteMaxie, I had to learn to type on my own. On a standard typewriter (not electric). Back in the ancient days. Computers are a great blessing.
ReplyDeleteYes I have and sometimes I did and sometimes no. :) When my mom made me enter showmanship with my meat goat yes I ended up enjoying it, but when she made me go to a writers workshop thing no. I had a bad experience. LOL! And it seems that my mom was always the one making me leave my comfort zone! :D
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Amada
amada_chavez{AT}yahoo{DOT}com
Amada, Moms can be like that, can't they!
Deletehaha That's what we are for!
Deleteyes! :) LOL! And most times it turns out great! :D
DeleteWhen we leave our comfort zone is when we grow the most. My daughter likens it to being a rubberband...stretching and stretching.
ReplyDeleteNice review, DIANA! Sounds like a good story :)
Rubber bands can snap. Good analogy!
DeleteThanks, ANNE! Very good story, my dear friend!
DeleteShe always says He lets up just when she thinks she might snap! Of course, I told her I thought she snapped a long time ago ;)
DeleteThank you for your review. I like my comfort zone & any time I have had to leave it for whatever reason I've always been so glad to return to it. I don't know if it made me a stronger or better person, but I survived.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Thanks for sharing, MARY! I definitely like my comfort zone too, but God has a way of moving me out of it now and then so that I have to trust Him completely. I don't like change and I need to work on that!
DeleteMary, you are blessed when you get to go back to your comfort zone. I keep getting pushed into something new--while brining some of the past with me.
DeleteI moved, alone, 4 1/2 hours from my family & friends, in 1996 - without a job or place to live. I was definitely out of my comfort zone - however, I felt the Lord calling me to move out of state, to pursue a position as a cast member of a Passion Play about the life of Christ, & followed His leading. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, & the play ministered to me every night - as well as the audience.
ReplyDeleteI have never been on a riverboat for more than a short ride, & have always wanted to spend a night on one & take a longer trip. Sounds like an enjoyable book - a different kind of storyline. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of it!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
OWG
Bonnie, what a brave lady you are! To move alone to a strange place without a job would definitely be out of most people's comfort zone. I rode on a riverboat at an amusement park. Does that count? It was a blast!
DeleteA riverboat appeals to many of us. Why do you think I wanted to write the story? :)
DeleteWonderful review! Sounds like a good one. :) I have had a couple times that I have been out of my comfort zone. Praying helps a ton during those moments!!
ReplyDeletelattebooks at hotmail dot com
OWG
Susan, being out of my comfort zone is often the time I am the unclear about whether this is God's will or not--Usually I'm praying and listening more than usual.
DeleteThank you, SUSAN! It was a fun review to write! Some are like pulling teeth, but not this one. lol
DeleteI had to move out of my comfort zone when we began our crazy travel. I was used to having my nice home and lots of time with friends, and when we began the travels I had to learn to "live on my own" while my husband was working during the day. Of course getting to see so many fun places has taken the edge off, and I love what we are now doing! One draw back has been that after being successful at losing over 35 lbs. and only 20 lbs from my goal, I quickly lerned that diet and exercise becomes much more difficult to stick to, when basically living out of hotels and restaurants, however, I keep trying. After over 5 years of this, we are both up in our weight, but continuing to work it back down. I also have to say that having WiFi & FB friends and family has made this a MUCH easier journey!
ReplyDeleteVicki
vmarney(at)hotmail(dot)com
Living out of a suitcase IS a tough job to do--5 years!
Delete*learned...
ReplyDeleteBe that as it may I thought you looked wonderful when I saw you, VICKI! Hadn't changed in over 30 yrs. Really!
DeletePlease let's enter my sis-in-law, BARBARA, who has been too sick to get on the computer this week. She would love to win one of Darlene's books on her Kindle Fire which enables her to enlarge the print and see it perfectly. She also suffers disabilities.
ReplyDeleteBarbara Smith
thatoldgal@gmail.com
Mainly I've been out of my comfort zone for an extended period when I've gone on trips, such as a missions trip to Ecuador and another trip I took to Europe. It's tough when you don't know the language and customs, but exciting too! I love to travel, so it's worth it. OWG shopgirl152nykiki(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI have been to Mexico and Canada, VERONICA, but they were just pleasure trips with family and friends. It would be interesting to be able to go on a mission trip, but definitely out of my comfort zone!
DeleteAny time I'm a large group of strangers can be stressful, lol. Office parties. New churches. Even a new writers group, although that's usually not too bad. When they speak a different language, so much harder.
ReplyDelete