Teresa G. (tgriffis) -
Helpful Score: 3
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Had a couple of things I like in an historical--orphans and a prairie setting. Julia heads west on an orphan train and as she prepares to return east after delivering the girls to their new families, finds she's been setup as a mail-order bride with no ticket to make the return trip. Finding her would-be husband undesirable, she now has to find a way to make the trip back home.
Helpful Score: 1
This is my favorite read of the year, so far! Love Finds You In Lonesome Prairie, Montana, was the funny and yet serious story of a young woman from New York City, charged to deliver orphans throughout the west. She has a surprise waiting for her at the end of the line - Lonesome Prairie. It seems bad, but something good is about to happen as she meets and becomes part of a wonderful family. Highly recommended!
Susan G. (susangodfrey) -
Another fun book in the Love Finds You series. I really enjoyed this one and found myself laughing out loud quite a bit. I'm really loving this series!
Stephanie P. (mybabyblessings) reviewed Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana on + 12 more book reviews
Julia is shocked to discover that the headmistress of the orphanage is getting married! Julia is even more shocked when she learns that Mrs. Hamlins fiancé has arranged for all of the orphan girls to be shipped west on an orphan train. Although sad to say goodbye to her girls, Julia is more than glad to accompany them to their new homes along the train route.
Arriving at the trains last stop and anxious to return to New York City, Julia is beyond shocked to learn that the headmistress and her new husband have sold Julia as a bride to an old miner!
Although Julia refuses to marry the man, she has no money to return east and her future looks grim. With the help of a few newfound friends and the handsome (of course) and single (of course) parson, Julia begins to find a home -and love - in Lonesome Prairie.
Even though some of the characters weren't as complex as some books, I thought that Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss was a good, rainy day read. I enjoy having "simpler" books to pick up when I want to cozy up with a good read, but don't want to get too involved in thinking through an intricate plot.
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Check out more book reviews on my blog: thecreativesideofsteph DOT blogspot DOT com
Arriving at the trains last stop and anxious to return to New York City, Julia is beyond shocked to learn that the headmistress and her new husband have sold Julia as a bride to an old miner!
Although Julia refuses to marry the man, she has no money to return east and her future looks grim. With the help of a few newfound friends and the handsome (of course) and single (of course) parson, Julia begins to find a home -and love - in Lonesome Prairie.
Even though some of the characters weren't as complex as some books, I thought that Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss was a good, rainy day read. I enjoy having "simpler" books to pick up when I want to cozy up with a good read, but don't want to get too involved in thinking through an intricate plot.
******************
Check out more book reviews on my blog: thecreativesideofsteph DOT blogspot DOT com
I chose this book because I wanted to read something by Tricia Goyer (having read one of her books recently and really enjoyed it). I also love historical fiction, and Montana is one of my favorite places on earth, so this seemed like the perfect fit for me.
This was an interesting twist on the popular mail order bride trope. The main character, Julia, has no idea she is a mail order bride until her prospective husband comes to claim her from the train station. This is the time when her true love interest, the local parson, comes to her rescue, although they don't immediately hit it off.
My favorite aspect of this book was Julia's desire to know more about the Word. I don't think I've read about a character like that in any other Christian fiction novels, and it was very refreshing. I liked that Julia and her love interest's relationship really started with conversations centered around the Bible, as a opposed to a flirtatious comment or, what seems most common in modern romance novels, a misunderstanding or argument!
Another favorite part was when Aponi forgave Mabelina for the accident that took her husband's life. Talk about unconditional forgiveness! What a great example of God's love and forgiveness towards all of us!
One small issue I have with this book (and with a lot of fiction novels in general) is that there's a very heavy emphasis on who is ugly and who is attractive. Julia's prospective husband is described as toothless, portly, and balding. Such a description is meant to be immediately off-putting to the reader, so that we don't have to think about who we want Julia to be with. Toothless old man or hunky parson â there's just no contest!
The first time I remember reading about this trope was in When Calls the Heart when a local man (short with a red face) tries to court Beth, and he is immediately rebuffed (and heavily contrasted with the handsome Wynn). Of course I understand authors wanting to be detailed in their descriptions of their characters, but Christians aren't supposed to judge based on outward appearances. There's a way to say a person is not attractive (in the main character's eyes) without being completely insulting, and I wish more authors would take that route.
Overall, this was a sweet, easy read. I recommend it if you're a fan of Christian or historical fiction!
This was an interesting twist on the popular mail order bride trope. The main character, Julia, has no idea she is a mail order bride until her prospective husband comes to claim her from the train station. This is the time when her true love interest, the local parson, comes to her rescue, although they don't immediately hit it off.
My favorite aspect of this book was Julia's desire to know more about the Word. I don't think I've read about a character like that in any other Christian fiction novels, and it was very refreshing. I liked that Julia and her love interest's relationship really started with conversations centered around the Bible, as a opposed to a flirtatious comment or, what seems most common in modern romance novels, a misunderstanding or argument!
Another favorite part was when Aponi forgave Mabelina for the accident that took her husband's life. Talk about unconditional forgiveness! What a great example of God's love and forgiveness towards all of us!
One small issue I have with this book (and with a lot of fiction novels in general) is that there's a very heavy emphasis on who is ugly and who is attractive. Julia's prospective husband is described as toothless, portly, and balding. Such a description is meant to be immediately off-putting to the reader, so that we don't have to think about who we want Julia to be with. Toothless old man or hunky parson â there's just no contest!
The first time I remember reading about this trope was in When Calls the Heart when a local man (short with a red face) tries to court Beth, and he is immediately rebuffed (and heavily contrasted with the handsome Wynn). Of course I understand authors wanting to be detailed in their descriptions of their characters, but Christians aren't supposed to judge based on outward appearances. There's a way to say a person is not attractive (in the main character's eyes) without being completely insulting, and I wish more authors would take that route.
Overall, this was a sweet, easy read. I recommend it if you're a fan of Christian or historical fiction!
Such a wonderful interesting book. I enjoyed it very much.
Enjoyable book about the settling of Montana through the eyes of 19 year old Julia. Fun little twists and turns along the way with Parson Isaac, Horace, Giant Jim and many more. Julia's journey reaches into your heart as you find something to identify with her and her journey to womanhood. Fully enjoyed!
About this book:
Julia Cavanaugh has never left New York City. But in 1889, the young woman rides the orphan train west to deliver the girls in her care to new families. After Julias final stop in Montana, she plans to kick the dust off her heels and head straight back east. But upon arriving in the remote town of Lonesome Prairie, she learns to her horror that she is also supposed to be deliveredinto the hands of an uncouth miner who carries a bill of purchase for his new "bride." Julia turns to a respected circuit preacher to protect her from the marriage, but with no return fare, no home, and few friends, her options are bleak. What is God's plan for her in the middle of the vast Montana prairie?
Series: Part of the Love Finds You series. Each book ends with a City, State. None are connecting, so you dont have to read them in order.
Spiritual Content- Psalm 115:1 at the beginning; Scriptures are quoted; Discussions about Scriptures; Many, many, many talks about God; Hs are capital when talking about God; Two hymns are sung; Family Bible Time; Isaac is a Pastor & sermons; Strong Faiths & Learning.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a blasted, a idiot, a hush, a wretched and two stupids; Curses are said but not written; Going into a saloon; Blood (semi-detailed); Guns are pointed & shot; Mentions of drinking; a Mention of dead jackrabbits & dead animals for food (semi-detailed); Trouble-maker children try to brand a mouse (you know, like a cow? The boy gets bit; semi-detailed);
Sexual Content- a strumpet and a tramp; A semi-detailed kiss; Wanting to kiss & almost kissing; Touches (Barely-above-not-detailed); Barely-above-not-detailed embraces; Mentions of smoochin; A baby is born (out of marriage, though) barely-above-not-detailed but there are hints; Mentions of a married couple that isnt able to have kids; Mabelina used to work at a brothel (but she no longer is, but the aftermath is a large part of the story); Love, falling in love, & the emotions.
-Julia Cavanaugh
-Isaac Ike Shepherd
P.O.V. switches between them.
Set in 1889
348 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
This was a cute book. I really enjoyed all the Spiritual Contentwhich there was a lot of! The one complaint I have is the back cover of the book. It gave me the impression that Julia was stuck with the old man. Which made me almost not read the book!
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
Julia Cavanaugh has never left New York City. But in 1889, the young woman rides the orphan train west to deliver the girls in her care to new families. After Julias final stop in Montana, she plans to kick the dust off her heels and head straight back east. But upon arriving in the remote town of Lonesome Prairie, she learns to her horror that she is also supposed to be deliveredinto the hands of an uncouth miner who carries a bill of purchase for his new "bride." Julia turns to a respected circuit preacher to protect her from the marriage, but with no return fare, no home, and few friends, her options are bleak. What is God's plan for her in the middle of the vast Montana prairie?
Series: Part of the Love Finds You series. Each book ends with a City, State. None are connecting, so you dont have to read them in order.
Spiritual Content- Psalm 115:1 at the beginning; Scriptures are quoted; Discussions about Scriptures; Many, many, many talks about God; Hs are capital when talking about God; Two hymns are sung; Family Bible Time; Isaac is a Pastor & sermons; Strong Faiths & Learning.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a blasted, a idiot, a hush, a wretched and two stupids; Curses are said but not written; Going into a saloon; Blood (semi-detailed); Guns are pointed & shot; Mentions of drinking; a Mention of dead jackrabbits & dead animals for food (semi-detailed); Trouble-maker children try to brand a mouse (you know, like a cow? The boy gets bit; semi-detailed);
Sexual Content- a strumpet and a tramp; A semi-detailed kiss; Wanting to kiss & almost kissing; Touches (Barely-above-not-detailed); Barely-above-not-detailed embraces; Mentions of smoochin; A baby is born (out of marriage, though) barely-above-not-detailed but there are hints; Mentions of a married couple that isnt able to have kids; Mabelina used to work at a brothel (but she no longer is, but the aftermath is a large part of the story); Love, falling in love, & the emotions.
-Julia Cavanaugh
-Isaac Ike Shepherd
P.O.V. switches between them.
Set in 1889
348 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
This was a cute book. I really enjoyed all the Spiritual Contentwhich there was a lot of! The one complaint I have is the back cover of the book. It gave me the impression that Julia was stuck with the old man. Which made me almost not read the book!
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
Goyer and Fleiss do it again! Sometimes a series like the "Love Finds You" is a gamble book by book. Will the author write in a style you like! For me this was a home run. I had no doubt it would be since Goyer is now on my top ten if not top five author list!!
Highly recommend!!
Highly recommend!!
