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| 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 fiancé 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!
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
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.
*Leave your email or check back in the Winners column at the top right hand side.
Great review! I cannot wait to read this book!
ReplyDeleteThanks ABBI, I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as I did! :-)
DeleteI really enjoyed Melissa's novella and first book, sounds like another great addition to read.
ReplyDeleteYou will love this one too PATTY! Thanks for coming by!
DeleteThis book sounds like a lot of fun! :D Thank you for the chance :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome MIPPY! So glad you could come by to read about it and I hope you get to enjoy it soon!
DeleteThe 1880's is my fav time period to read.
ReplyDeleteHi 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!
DeleteSo glad you enjoyed the book, Noella. Thanks for sharing your review here!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome MELISSA! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your latest novel and am extremely keen to read your others now! :-)
DeleteA 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
ReplyDeleteThanks 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! :)
DeleteAll the best with your entry for this fabulous book Kathleen, and God bless!
I have this book :) now I really want to get started reading! I would love to win the next one!
ReplyDelete:) 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!
DeleteLooking forward to reading this one.
ReplyDeleteDear 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!
DeleteI love to read and review books. I am also pay off a blog if you are interested. I love Christian books!
ReplyDeleteIt'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! :-)
DeleteFabulous review! I am so excited about this book. Melissa, thank you for weaving this wonderful story!
ReplyDeleteThank you CARYL, I know you'll just love A Bride In Store!! Thanks for coming by Caryl!
DeleteThis sounds like a great book. Thank you for the review.
ReplyDeletesusanmsj at msn dot com
SUSAN, great to see you and I wish you all the best with your entry! God bless!
DeleteSounds like another winner! Great review. :)
ReplyDeleteHi SUSAN, thanks friend and I hope you get to read this memorable 'winner' soon!! :-)
DeleteA wonderful review thank you. Does indeed sound like 5 stars to me.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much MARY! Hoping you get to also win or read this wonderful novel soon!! :-)
DeleteSounds like a good book. I looked at the excerpt on Amazon.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked the sound of it MICHELLE. It's a great read!!
DeleteI've really been looking forward to reading this book! Thanks for the giveaway! :)
ReplyDeletecrazybooklover7 [at] yahoo [dot] com
You're welcome AERYKAH, and I hope you get to enjoy this great book real soon!! :-)
DeleteI have been anxiously awaiting this book. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
ReplyDeletecindialtman(at)gmail(dot)com
Hope your anticipation and patience rewards you soon CINDI!! :-) Blessings!
DeleteGreat 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!! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks 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. :-)
DeleteThis reaview was nicely written, I would love to read it.
ReplyDeleteoh.hello.hiya@gmail.com
Thank you DANIE and bless you! I'm hoping for you to win this one!!
DeleteWell you're in with a chance to win it now SHARON, so all the best! :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your beautiful review, Noela!!
ReplyDeleteI'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!!
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!
DeleteThanks for a well written review of Melissa's book Noela. It sounds good and of course I would love to win a copy.
ReplyDeleteVicki
It almost goes without saying doesn't it VICKI, lol! And of course, you are in the draw! :-) Blessings!
DeleteWell, 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
ReplyDeleteAw 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!
DeleteWhat a neat review
ReplyDeleteGod bless u
Chris
Thank you CHRIS and God bless you too!! I hope you get to read this fun and very sweet story soon!
DeleteIt's very interesting SHARON, I was sucked in immediately! All the best!!
ReplyDelete