The Kitchen Marriage by Gina Welborn and Becca Whitham

A deeply satisfying story. Its great to return to Helena and these characters. It was nice to get to know Jacob and Isaac Gunderson better, and a pleasure to meet Zoe and Nico. This reminded me somewhat of the old Hardy movies. (I think I heard Maurice Chevalier's voice as Zoe's Papa.)
Zoe has both tenderness & tender strength, and is a smart French chef. Her adopted little brother Nico's deception brings her to Jacob as a mail order bride, and they all get to know each other during the time allotted in their contract. She is very shy, which is misinterpreted as a sign of weakness by some. The closeness of the town residents combined with an undercurrent of secrets and danger make it hard to put down, and it's one that I hated to see end. Thankfully there's more to be told so another book will be coming!

Quote from the book:
God created loneliness in Adam's breast by making him name the animals - each of them with a mate - before bringing Eve to him.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

From the Publisher:
A Montana Brides Romance

Book 2

A bright future awaits the women of courage and faith who boldly chase their dreams across the wide-open Montana Territory, prepared to embrace adventure and forge their own destinies . . .

When French immigrant Zoe de Fleur is forced out of her position as household cook for a high society New Yorker, the pretty and talented chef seizes an unexpected chance to head west for a new beginning. She pursues what she thinks is a prestigious job in the frontier’s “finest kitchen,” but instead finds herself in a matchmaker’s agency . . .

Isaak Gunderson is one of Helena, Montana’s most eligible bachelors, but he’s too focused on running for mayor and his family’s business to think about a wife and family. His twin brother, Jakob, is supposed to be too busy as well, yet sends for a mail-order bride anyway. Isaak doesn’t want to fuel an ongoing rivalry with his twin, but this tempting newcomer can’t be ignored. If only she’d come to Helena a different way and loving her wasn’t a betrayal . . .

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The Promise of Dawn by Lauraine Snelling

A new series linked with the fabulous Red River Valley novels. I have read a lot of books. I recall a movie, although not the title, where characters come alive and then freeze where they are when the reader stops reading.  Most books are like this, quietly waiting to be picked up again, but Lauraine Snelling’s characters seem to continue to live after the book is put down – and I eagerly look forward to peering through the looking glass again to see what they’ve been up to.

Ingeborg’s cousin is still in Norway and has long waited to see her again. Her sister Gird is married and has gone to America, earning land and building a homestead. They need help, sending for her oldest son Rune and his family to join them. Ready and willing to work hard to repay them yet also earn some land and a home for themselves in this land of opportunity, they sail over – but nothing is easy anywhere along the way.  They enter a loveless home and Uncle Einar and Aunt Gird expect way too much from them, with little thanks, but Rune and Signe – and their children - have strong values and deliver 110%. Clearing the large trees is a dangerous job and when overworked it becomes more so. Because Uncle Einar is so single minded about getting the trees cleared, Aunt Gird is very ill and the household has gone severely downhill. Plus, for some reason the community does not welcome Rune and his family. Standing firm on strength and kindness, their faith grows stronger through the difficulties and threads its way to the others who surround them.

I wish I could give Lauraine’s books 10 stars – I can’t recommend them highly enough. They are get-lost-in-and-fully-enjoy stories where you can clearly picture the characters and settings. As always, I eagerly look forward to the next book in the series! I really like the references to Ingeborg as I know she is living a full life not far from Signe and Rune in her piece of America.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Bethany House Publishers - Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

From the Publisher:
Beloved Author Lauraine Snelling Launches New Immigrant Series
When Signe, her husband, Rune, and their three boys arrive in Minnesota from Norway to help a relative clear his land of lumber, they dream of owning their own farm and building a life in the New World. But Uncle Einar and Aunt Gird are hard, demanding people, and Signe and her family soon find themselves worked nearly to the bone in order to repay the cost of their voyage. At this rate, they will never have land or a life of their own.

Signe tries to trust God but struggles with anger and bitterness. She has left behind the only life she knew, and while it wasn't an easy life, it wasn't as hard as what she now faces. When a new addition to the family arrives, Signe begins to see how God has been watching over them throughout their ordeal. But after all that has happened, can she still believe in the promise of a bright future?

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A Bride at Last by Melissa Jagears

(Unexpected Brides Book #3) Christian Historical Romance set in Missouri 1885. Kate and Silas both grew up without parents in abusive, lonely backgrounds. Kate had been a mail-order bride once, and Silas had married one - each with less than perfect results - and neither is ready to act so quickly again. Anthony is Kate's student, but she has been supporting him and his mother for some time. As his mother dies, Kate is planning on taking Anthony in to raise, but his mother said that she notified the boy's father. The person Anthony's mother wrote to is Silas, not the man he had been calling Pa.

Silas was never aware that he had a son. However this other man had been using Anthony to support his gambling habit, so he's not ready to give up custody. Neither is Kate, and Silas becomes attached to Anthony even before having proof that he's his father.

In the meantime, fearing he'll be separated from Kate by either of the men, Anthony runs away. Silas has to get back to his ranch, but doesn't want to give up looking for the boy. As time goes by both Kate and Silas have to come to grips with mistakes they made in the past and in learning how to trust another person. Yet each is desperate for real love in their lives. There were several times I thought that the story would be wrapped up, but another twist appeared - and I was glad that it continued. I think it's wonderful that the author included an epilogue to tell what happened as time went on. I highly recommend this as an excellent read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Bethany House Publishers - Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials inAdvertising.” 

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