Unexptected Brides #3

A Bride At Last

 Silas Jonesey's life in Salt Flatts, Kansas, has not followed the course he imagined. After his mail-order bride, Lucinda, abandoned him, it was an uphill battle to recover from a pattern of poor choices and sour moods. Now his prayers for reconciliation have finally come true; his estranged wife has contacted him after ten years of silence to tell him of her whereabouts.

Kate Dawson was supposed to be a mail-order bride, but after realizing she had been deceived about her intended groom she never went through with the marriage. Settling into life as a schoolteacher, she's spent her spare time the past few years helping her student, Anthony, and his sick mother. When Lucinda passes away, Kate is ready to fulfill the woman's wish that she take care of nine-year-old Anthony--until a man shows up in town asking about Lucinda and claiming he was married to the woman ten years ago.

Silas and Kate disagree over who should raise young Anthony, who has opinions of his own about his future. After being forced to come together for the good of Anthony, Silas and Kate begin to see another side to each other and the possibility of a united future despite all that stands between them. When Kate's past comes to light, Silas's feelings about women who abandon their grooms immediately throw the walls right back up between them. Can Silas, Kate, and Anthony's wounded souls bind them together as a family, or will past hurts and new resentments leave them lonely forever? 

 

Published July 7th 2015 by Bethany House Publishers

4 Stars

This is a historical romance set in 1855 that starts out in Missouri, but has you traveling to Kansas.  We are introduced to an array of characters that enrich this story, but the star characters will find their way into your heart from the first page.  

Kate Dawson is a school teacher in Missouri to a group of students that society considers an afterthought.  She was originally from Georgia where she had been living with her sister and brother-in law since the death of her parents.  Her one goal in mind was to escape their abuse, but plans don't always work out as she would like.  She met Lucinda Riverton  a few years ago and immediately took her son Anthony into her heart.  As Lucinda's health started to decline Kate decided she when the inevitable happened she would finish raising Anthony.  

Silas Jonesey was a man in search for a family, but not just any family.  He was in search for his family and to right some wrongs he had committed.  Years ago he had placed an advertisement for a bride which was answered by Lucinda Riverton and they were married shortly after she traveled from back east.  Silas was trying to prove up his homestead and he not only desired a wife, but also a helpmate.  Lucy was anything but.  From the very first she was unhappy about everything. Silas wanted his farm to flourish so he worked long hours, but also picked up the bottle to drink.  After 7 months Lucy left the broken man and farm for greener pastures.  At first he searched high and low for Lucy, yet was unable to find her until the letter came.  Now he had traveled to Missouri to see Lucy and try to convince her to come back home.  

This is a great story, a mail-order bride with a twist.  I loved both Silas and Kate. They are both great characters, but each have flaws which make them more real to me.  To me this is a story about faith.  Do they have enough faith in God and each other to see them through the trials they must face.  As for the romance, yes it's there, but slow to build which I liked.  The question is are their feelings deep enough to put past mistakes behind them or will it destroy their future? 

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good romance with a historical setting.  

I received this book from the publisher for a honest review without bias or outside influence as stated above and I thank them for this opportunity.    

 

  Melissa Jagears is a homeschooling mom who writes Christian Historical Romance after everyone is asleep. She’s the author of the Unexpected Brides Series with Bethany House. The prequel ebook novella, Love by the Letter is free to try. You can learn more about her, her books, and where she hangs out online at www.melissajagears.com