Pre-Order Party + Review: The Unexpected Bride by Lena Goldfinch

Today I'm posting about author Lena Goldfinch's coming release as part of a pre-order party! I hope you enjoy learning about this wonderful author and her newest book! Lena Goldfinch writes with lovely style and breathtaking emotion, especially in her YA novel, Aire, which is amazing by the way! (Read my review of Aire HERE.)

Anyway, for today, there's my review of The Unexpected Bride, bio of Lena Goldfinch, excerpt, and plus a fun giveaway!

Purchase HERE

What's a man to do when his father orders him a bride?

Rebecca Sullivan has been "Becky" all her life, a real hoyden. Her childhood sweetheart taught her to ride bareback and shoot a rifle, but then he chose a "perfect lady" for a wife—a real Southern belle, who's now expecting a baby. Heartbroken, Becky signs up to be a mail-order bride to a Seattle man, sight unseen. She resolves to squelch her hoydenish ways and become a "perfect lady" for her future husband.

If logging-operation owner Isaac Jessup had wanted a bride, he'd have chosen a sturdy frontier woman, not some fragile lady from back East. Ready to explain the mistake, honorable Isaac takes one look into Rebecca's vulnerable eyes...and knows he'll marry her, even though this delicate waif is obviously unsuited for wild Seattle.

Could an unexpected marriage be a match made in heaven?

Book One in The Brides Series
Sweet Historical Western Romance / A Mail-Order Bride Novel

Release Date: October 6th, 2014

Available for pre-order in ebook format:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo

~ MY REVIEW ~

**4 stars**

The Unexpected Bride turned out to be quite the sweet and heartfelt story. Book one in THE BRIDES series by Lena Goldfinch, this old-fashion, mountain romance is an unexpected treat. *smiles*

Desperate to get out of the shadow of her father's disapproval, and the lingering reality that her beloved chose someone else over her, Rebecca Sullivan signs up to be a mail-ordered bride. She's also leaving behind her “Becky” side, and that young woman's hoyden ways. Reading a letter from a kind man named Isaac, she decides: An Isaac for my Rebecca. Perhaps its a sign from God. And so she embarks on a journey to the Seattle mountains, hoping for a new beginning. But things are not all as they seem. Namely, Rebecca finds herself unwanted yet again. Brokenhearted and worrying that she's a disappointment to God and all others, she works ever harder to become the perfect lady. Yet God has an unexpected way of bringing truths to light, and beauty to even the seemingly most impossible match.

I really enjoyed this tale. I liked Becky, and I felt her pain, her joy, her sorrow, even her wild spirit. It was lovely to go on this journey with her, finding a path to startlingly beautiful truths, and deep, lasting love. Isaac was also a sturdy and likable character. His father, a bit nosy at times, but a friend really! Haha! *smiles*

I didn't know quite what to expect as I first started reading The Unexpected Bride. Becky's questions in the beginning of the book had me wondering how that was going to conclude. And there's definitely an adult theme. Also, some characters can be a bit blunt in what they say. I was wondering how deep and sincere this book was going to be.

Well, let me assure you that as I kept reading, my uncertainties faded away. Lena Goldfinch writes with emotion as before. Her characters struggle in real ways. I loved how Isaac read his bible every morning before chores, and how ... well, everything else concerning that scenario! *smiles* Not only did Becky seek guidance from God, but Isaac did also. Which I think is always profound of a hero in any tale. So often, it seems the heroes of stories are “too tough to pray”, which is absurd really. So Isaac's faithfulness there warmed my heart.

Isaac and Rebecca's relationship came together quite beautifully. It was really well done, not dragging out too long, not happening too quick. I loved Becky's attitude; how submission and 'love thinks about others first' are touched on. Also, Becky's journey to understanding what the verse about a woman's “gentle and quiet spirit” means. It was just so good. Some really thoughtful lessons woven throughout this book.

As I mentioned, this novel has a bit more mature theme. Marriage and whatnot. Some “adult” discussions prevail throughout the book. I would say perhaps sixteen and up. But recommend to even older, since that's who the book seems to be geared toward.

Overall, a sweet story that left me satisfied and wiser yet in the end. It's a romance for sure, but with lessons that left me feeling like I have learned something anew about marriage, true love, and the nature of God. Where adventure abounds in the frontier mountains of Washington, and dreams come true by the hand of the Creator ... The Unexpected Bride.

About the Author:

LENA GOLDFINCH writes romance and fantasy for adults and teens. She’s a sucker for a good old-fashioned romance, whether it’s a novel, novella, or short story, young adult or adult, fantasy or realistic, contemporary or historical. Elements of romance, fantasy, and mystery have a way of creeping into her writing, even when she's writing historicals or something light and contemporary. Lena has been a finalist in several national writing contests, including the RWA Golden Heart and ACFW Genesis contests. She lives in a scenic small town in Massachusetts with her husband, two kids, and a very spoiled Black Lab. Visit Lena at www.LenaGoldfinch.blogspot.com.

EXCERPT from The Unexpected Bride:

The lean-to was chilly and not for the first time, Isaac considered boarding it up proper and calling it a barn. He sat on the stool and began milking the goat, all the while mentally preparing for the worship service they planned to go to later that morning. The Scriptures he'd read first thing that morning were fresh in his mind, and his prayers kept returning to the problem of Rebecca. One inner voice urged him to send her back home, but another voice spoke of commitment. He'd said vows before God to love and keep her till death do them part. Those weren't words he was willing to dismiss lightly.

"What's her name?" Her voice was suddenly in his ear, quite close.

Isaac jumped. The goat bleated at him.

"Sorry, girl." He patted her side and resumed milking her with slow, careful hands. He glanced over his shoulder toward the subject of his thoughts.

Rebecca stood watching him, leaning over the rail and peering in at them with curious eyes. He was surprised to see her out this early. She usually left him to his morning chores, and most times he'd get back inside the cabin and find her already up preparing breakfast.

"What's her name?" she repeated.

"Name? The goat?" He looked at the goat dumbly. It was a goat. He'd never gotten much further than that. She gave them a daily supply of milk, but other than that she was generally a nuisance. She liked to butt down the stall door. And whenever she got loose, she'd eat what few vegetables he was able to grow in the summer. She also liked to nip at his shirts and underthings when he hung them out on the line--if he was lucky. Most times she'd tug the whole line down and drag it through the mud.

"Yes, the goat," Rebecca said, a pleasant-sounding smile in her voice. "Don't tell me she hasn't got a name?"

There was something nice about hearing a woman's voice in the morning. It reminded him a little of when he was young, and his mother had chatted with him in soft tones while they ate breakfast. As if speaking too loud would jar them too quickly out of whatever dreams they'd had the night before.

Rebecca's soft voice put him much in mind of those times.

"All right. I won't." Isaac focused on his milking.

"She doesn't have a name?" Rebecca pressed. "How can you have an animal that doesn't have a name?"

"Never gave it much thought. She's good for milk, but other than that she's nothing but trouble, always munching on the laundry."

"Well, then I think your choice is clear. Either you call her Milky or you call her Trouble." Her teasing tone brought a reluctant smile to his lips.

"Well, then, if I have to choose, then I guess she's Trouble."

The real Trouble was standing behind him, her elbow propped against the top of the rail, her chin cupped in one dainty hand.

Celebrate the upcoming release of Lena Goldfinch’s new historical romance with this sweet giveaway! One winner will receive a book locket necklace from the Lily Pickford Etsy shop, as well as a paperback copy of The Unexpected Bride. Open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.

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