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02 July 2015

A Bride at Last by Melissa Jagears - Reviewed by Bonnie Roof

A Bride at Last by Melissa Jaguars (Barbour,  2015)
A Bride at Last by Melissa Jaguars (Bethany House, 2015)

Set in 1885, A Bride at Last (Bethany House, 2015) is a touching, emotional story of Kate Dawson and Silas Jonesey - their connection with 9-year-old Anthony Riverton, and the struggle of each to overcome his/her personal issues and develop trust in a relationship that will bring love and fulfillment to  life.

After being orphaned at the age of 12, and enduring years of beatings from her brother-in-law, as well as having a sister who is emotionally cold (both having alcohol issues) - Kate seeks escape through her fiancé Aiden McGuiness. Finding Aiden has his own issues, and is much more concerned with his banking career than with having a family, Kate instead accepts the offer of mail-order bride to Jasper Goldwater. Upon her arrival in Breton, Missouri, Kate finds Jasper is the town drunk and it is his brother who submitted the ad, feeling it his only opportunity to secure a wife for his brother. Running from this offer, also, she accepts a teaching position at the local school and develops a bond with her student, Anthony - paying for housing, etc. for he and his mother, Lucinda, who has been unable to work for 2 years, due to her battle with consumption.

The book begins with Lucinda's death and the appearance of two men. Richard Fitzgerald is a married man with whom she had a relationship, Silas is Lucinda’s husband whom she left ten years prior without leaving info as to her whereabouts. Born wealthy, Lucinda had been unable to cope with Silas' alcohol addiction and the hard work involved in the care of his Kansas farm. Abandoned by his mother at the age of five, feeling guilt over his failings as a husband and a need to seek forgiveness from Lucinda, Silas responded to her plea of financial help by coming out to where she now boarded. He quickly realizes that although Lucinda had never mentioned it, Anthony must be his son. Unfortunately, Richard Fitzgerald, a gambler continually in debt, wants to claim Anthony as his own son - and avail himself of Anthony's pick-pocketing skills. A battle ensues between the two men in an attempt to prove Anthony's parentage - which results in Anthony's running away, a near kidnapping, and a developing romantic relationship between Silas and Kate that causes much wavering indecision, fear, and reflection on the part of each.


This all within the first portion of the book, and so much more to follow - including the humor of Kate's feistiness, and numerous scenes that warm the reader's heart or bring a tear. Melissa Jagears expertly deals with the issues of addictions, abandonment, fear of failure, forgiveness, trust, acceptance, and one's need to overcome past issues and failures by trusting God to control one's future. I loved the multi-layered characters. A Bride At Last is a book that will speak to, and inspire, many people.  



GIVEAWAY: This week on OWG we're giving away a paperback copy of A Bride at Last and a second giveaway of Winner's choice of either this novel OR The Convenient Bride Collection. Two chances to win this week--leave a comment on any of the three posts from this week to enter. You can comment on each one for more entries--three different posts with three comments counts as three entries.  VOID where prohibited by law. Ebook only for international winners unless book is available through the Book Depository.  BOTH books are available on BD for international readers who are within their delivery range.

45 comments:

  1. Great review, Bonnie! Thanks for sharIng! I cannot wait to read this book! There are so many great books out there, it's hard to keep up with what books are worth reading. Reviews are a great endorsement for the author.

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    1. Thank you, Regina!! I agree - never enough hours to revel in the pages of all the wonderful Christian Fiction available. Melissa Jagears packs a lot of emotion into this one.

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    1. Glad you liked it, Anne - and delighted to "see" you here, thanks!! Melissa's book has a lot to offer.

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  3. Wow - sounds like lots of intense emotion. Thanks for reviewing it for us! (and, of course, the giveaway opportunity)

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    1. Hi, Rachael!! You're welcome - "A Bride At Last" is filled with emotion, but has it's humorous moments also. I love reading books that portray dysfunctional characters and seeing them tackle their issues through the help of a loving God!!

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  4. Great review Bonnie.
    Blessings, Tina

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    1. "A Bride At Last" offers insight into some touch subjects - in a compassionate manner, Tina!! Good luck in the giveaway!!

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    2. Should read "tough" subjects, lol!!

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  5. Thx for the wonderful review, Bonnie! Sounds like a lot of interesting things all packed into one compelling read! I love that cover, too.

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    1. The first of Melissa's novels I've read, Diana - I was happy to find it the kind of novel I love to read: full of emotion and dysfunctional characters, albeit, historical romance, and a happy ending via characters searching for God's plan for their lives. It is a beautiful cover, isn't it??

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  6. Thx for the wonderful review, Bonnie! Sounds like a lot of interesting things all packed into one compelling read! I love that cover, too.

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  7. Great review Bonnie. I am looking forward to reading it.

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    1. Thank you, Caryl!! Lots to enjoy about "A Bride At Last"!!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Kim - good luck in the drawing!!

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  9. Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Bonnie! I loved A Bride at Last; it's such a compelling story! Now I'm eager to read The Convenient Bride Collection!

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    1. You're welcome, Britney!! Yes, I felt "A Bride At Last" very compelling, also - lots of emotion and issues involved, but faith and romance, as well. I'd love to read The Convenient Bride Collection also, lots of gifted authors involved.

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  10. Terrific review, Bonnie.
    There have been several books that I've been looking forward to being released this year, but I think this one sits at the top of the list.
    Melissa has such a marvelous talent for writing that captivates me.

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    1. Thank you so much, Cindi, so glad you enjoyed it!! This was the first of Melissa's novels I'd read, it has definitely enticed me to read others!!

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  11. Thanks Bonnie for this good review. Sure made me want to know how the story turns out. Sounds very interesting. Would love to win it. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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    1. So glad to "see" you, Maxie!! Melissa keeps you guessing until the end of the novel, which includes a particularly touching scene that's guaranteed to bring on the tears!!

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  12. A wonderful review thank you. I know I will enjoy this.

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    1. Appreciate your comments, Mary!! Good luck - I think "A Bride At Last" has something for everyone!!

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  13. Both of these are on my want-to-read list...how can they not be? Nice review!

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    1. Always enjoy your comments, Trixi, thank you!! I so agree : "how can they not be"?? 2 wonderful books!!

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  14. I would love to win a copy of A Bride at Last. I very much enjoyed the first two books in this series. Melissa has become one of my "must read" authors. Thanks for this great review to tell us a bit more about the book.

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    1. I can understand your love for Melissa's novels - after reading "A Bride At Last", Pam. Glad you enjoyed the review, thanks for stopping by!!

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  15. I really want to read this book! Y'all are killing me with all the rave reviews. My TBR is just growing and growing and growing....and I love it!!! :-)

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    1. Hi, Anne!! I so relate, don't want to admit to how tall my TBR list is, lol!! Too bad we can't read 24/7 isn't it?? We are blessed to have so many gifted authors in Christian Fiction!!

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  16. Fabulous review - I really want to read this book!! I certainly hope I win :)
    bettimace at gmail dot com

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    1. Thank you so much, Betti!! Good luck -- wish we could give everyone a book, however, commenting on each of the 3 blog posts this week will give you 3 entries!!

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  17. What a wonderful review, Bonnie! I love coming to OWG for a visit !!!! Thank you for the giveaway!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. And we love having you, Melanie!! Glad you enjoyed the review. Don't forget to comment on all 3 blog posts - for the best opportunity for the giveaways!!

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  18. It sounds like a great book with great authors. Thank you for the giveaway.

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    1. You're welcome, Tammy!! We're giving away 2 books this week - a comment on each of the 3 blog posts this week will give you 3 entries. Thanks for stopping by!!

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  19. What a powerful post about the book! I'm sure the issues dealt with in this book would be of interest to many!
    susanlulu@yahoo.com

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    1. Per random.org you are our winner for this book, Susan congrats!!!

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  20. Hi, Susan!! "A Bride At Last" is a powerful novel involving issues which everyone has either dealt with, or has a friend or family member who has. It offers insight and inspiration for all.

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  21. Thank you for the great review Bonnie! It sounds like there's a whole lot of drama and emotion packed into this story by Melissa. And I love that she's touched on with these extremely important issues. This one is going on the top of my TBR list for sure!

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    1. I'm grateful you enjoyed the review, Noela!! I enjoy Christian Fiction that deals with tough subjects as in "A Bride At Last" - if not already directly involved with those issues, the reader can be educated and enlightened as to the plight of those that are, and hopefully, reach out to them in a more understanding and empathetic manner. Melissa did a wonderful job of portraying some difficult issues.

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  22. It's so helpful to have good reviews to read so that one can know more about what a stories about! Addictions are so hard to deal with and this book helps others to experience this dilemma. Jenny
    jennydtipton at gmail dot com

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  23. Hi, Jenny!! Thanks for stopping by, and thanks for your comments. I agree, Jenny - books like Melissa's help us understand a little more about issues others are encountering ( if we haven't experienced them personally). One of the reasons I love to read them.

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  24. Excited to read this book! I really enjoy Melissa's books! I need to get the novella since I already have A Bride at Last.

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    1. "A Bride at Last" was the first of Melissa's books I had read, Nancy - I loved the dysfunctional characters and the difficult issues tackled. I can't wait to read her novella in "The Convenient Bride Collection" - good luck to you, and thanks for your comments!!

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