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!
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:
~ 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.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
