Book Review: The Anonymous Bride
There’s just something about a mail-order bride story that fills me with more anticipation than a normal romance. Probably because of that unknown factor of the hero and heroine expecting to wed – sometimes within hours – of meeting.
So when Vickie McDonough put out the call for influencers to review a copy of the first book in her Texas Boardinghouse Brides series , I put my hand up faster than a winner does at Bingo.
The Anonymous Bride greatly exceeded everything I hoped for in a romance. Vickie’s easy writing style was the perfect vehicle for this historical set in 1886 Lookout, Texas. Visually appealing, the scenes unfolded without laborious descriptions to slow down the pace. And the humor… I can’t tell you how many times I laughed out loud.
But, what really kept the story close to my heart was the emotional impact the mail-order bride had on the heroine, Rachel Hamilton. Because you see, Rachel wasn’t the mail-order bride. Oh, no. Rachel was just the owner of the boardinghouse where the mail-order bride stayed, which meant Rachel was the one to do her laundry, clean her room and cook her meals.
And there wasn’t just one mail-order bride trying to marry the man Rachel loved. There were 3 of them.
How could a man be so insensitive and encourage three women to think they were the only one? Well, it certainly wasn’t Luke, the town marshal. No, Luke was moseying along minding his own business, wondering what he was going to do about Rachel when the brides begin to appear bearing letters he supposedly wrote. Seems his cousins figured once a new woman was on the scene, Luke would forget all about the love he used to share with Rachel. They didn't figure on three women wanting to marry Luke.
I sympathized with Rachel when she realized her boardinghouse was the only possible place for the hopeful brides to reside. And, I cried buckets when the brides – who travelled so far on faith, each desperate for their own home – put forth their small requests of assistance to Rachel, without realizing their effect on her trampled heart.
And oh, the pain when honorable Luke agrees to pick a bride.
I loved this story. Both Luke and Rachel place their lives in God's hands, trusting He knows best although they may not like it at the time.
Second Chance Brides, Book 2 in the Texas Boardinghouse Brides series, releases Sept. 1st. Yay!
Vickie McDonough came be found at http://www.vickiemcdonough.com/
Vickie will be blogging with me at Prairie Chicks Write Romance tomorrow, Sat, May 29th and she's giving away a book from her website to one commenter who leaves and email address before Sat midnight. Sorry, US and Canada residents only for this giveaway. :(
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