A Bride For All Seasons


A Bride For All Seasons
Margaret Brownley, Debra Clopton, Robin Lee Hatcher, and Mary Connealy
Thomas Nelson
I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m just not a fan of novella collections- at least, not when they are romances. The romance aspect just ends up feeling way to shallow, because there is so little time to give the characters a well-done relationship. The stories themselves weren’t terrible; I didn’t find them memorable, but I didn’t feel like it was a complete waste of time (although I admit I would have much rather been reading something else). And I will admit the concept behind each of the novellas was interesting: it’s a about a mail order bride service that “tweaks” it’s clients letters so they sound more desirable- which causes a lot of problems and misunderstandings once the bride and groom finally meet! Out of the four stories, I probably liked the second (An Ever After Summer) and fourth (Winter Wedding Bells) the best; I found they had the more likable and distinctive characters. I thought the first and third stories were on the boring side.

I was familiar with three of these four authors. I've never liked Margaret Brownley's books, so I wasn't surprised that her story, And Then Came Spring, wasn't to my liking. However, I have read and enjoyed one or two of Robin Lee Hatcher's book in the past, so I was surprised that Autumn's Angel was one of my least favorites. I'd never read anything by Debra Clopton before, but I found An Ever After Summer enjoyable- I really liked the sweet main character, Ellie. My favorite story was probably Winter Wedding Bells. I've read a few of Mary Connealy's books before, and though she does know how to make a girl laugh, her books have never really made me a fan, but this story I ended up liking the best. My biggest problem with the stories were the romances themselves- there wasn't really anything inappropriate, but cliched descriptions about handsome, rugged cowboys, or pretty Eastern girls just felt so overdone that I couldn't take it completely seriously, even if the storylines themselves were cute at times.

Overall, A Bride For All Seasons isn't something I'd spend money on. As I mentioned, it's not that the stories are so horrible, it's just that there's a lot better stuff out there to read.

Rating: 5

I received this book for free from booksneeze.com in exchange for my honest review.

Comments

  1. BirdieAugust 13, 2013 at 8:46 AM

    Sigh, the trope of rugged cowboys and pretty spoiled Eastern girls is quite overdone in Christian fiction these last years....

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

In This Moment

Image
  In This Moment Gabrielle Meyer Bethany House Publishers Maggie inherited a gift from her time-crossing parents that allows her to live three separate lives in 1861, 1941, and 2001. Each night she goes to sleep in one time period and wakes up in another. Until, that is, she turns twenty-one, when she will have to forfeit two of those lives--and everyone she knows in them--forever. In 1861, Maggie is the daughter of an influential senator at the outbreak of the Civil War, navigating a capital full of Southern spies and wounded soldiers. In 1941, she is a Navy nurse, grappling with her knowledge of the future when she's asked to join a hospital ship being sent to Pearl Harbor. And in 2001, she's a brilliant young medical student, fulfilling her dream of becoming a surgeon, yet unable to use her modern skills in her other paths. While Maggie has sworn off romance until she makes her final choice, an intriguing man tugs at her heart in each era. The mysterious Brit
Read more

The Words We Lost

Image
The Words We Lost Nicole Deese Bethany House Publishers I truly had no idea how much I would enjoy this book when I picked it up. My relationship with contemporary fiction is rocky, but I'm so glad I took a chance on this one. Upon reflection, I think what really makes or breaks a contemporary book for me is the voice and writing style- and Nicole Deese passed that test with flying colors. Speaking of my past with contemporary fiction, grief seems a common denominator in the last several that I have read, and I think this one landed the best and most true for me, without being overwhelming in its depiction. After reading this, I'm not only looking forward to the next book in this series, but exploring this author's previous works as well. (and a heads up that though there is a lovely romance in this book, I wouldn't say that it is as heavily featured/relied on as the series title might suggest). I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for my hone
Read more

Everything is Just Beginning

Image
Everything is Just Beginning Erin Bartels Revell Michael Sullivan is a talented lyricist and a decent guitarist, but since he was kicked out of his band (and his apartment), he's not sure he'll ever get a record deal. Living with his loser uncle in a beat-up trailer and working a dead-end job, Michael has little reason to hope for a better future. Until the invitation for a swanky New Year's Eve party shows up in the mailbox. It's for his uncle, with whom he shares his name, but his uncle is going out of town . . . On the effervescent night of December 31, 1989--as the Berlin Wall is coming down, the Soviet Union is inching toward democracy, and anything seems possible--Michael will cross paths with the accomplished and enigmatic young heir to a fading musical dynasty, forever altering both of their futures. Award-winning novelist Erin Bartels enchants with this story of two lonely souls who have exactly what the other one needs--if they could simply turn
Read more