A Bride In Store – My Review

I’ve always enjoyed mail-order bride stories, but sometimes – let’s face it – they can wind up sounding a bit repetitive. However, the blurb for this book gave me fresh hope for a unique story and it certainly delivered! With vivid writing, the growth and transformation of the plot, as well as the characters, made me a happy reader indeed. 😉

This was my first time sitting down with author Melissa Jagears and her endearing cast of characters, a visit I truly enjoyed. The characters were believable and real to me. Each one flawed, yet lovable. I enjoyed the journey as they pursued their dreams, were humbled by their weaknesses, and challenged by their faith and sacrificial love for one another.

It was easy to flip the pages as the attraction and tension grew between Will and Eliza. Their relationship is one that’s easy to read and fall in to. Despite their conflicting goals and life hardships, their mutual respect and friendship demands a lot of soul-searching. You’ll find yourself laughing at them one moment, frustrated with them the next, but overall you’ll still be their #1 fan. The ending is especially good. 🙂

Most of all, I appreciated what the characters – and I – had to learn about following God’s plan above all else. I value stories with real character conviction and this one portrayed it well.

A Bride in Store is a fun, enticing tale with a lot of depth and reality to it. It was romantic. It was real. And it was really good.

This review is my honest opinion.  Thanks to the author and publisher for my copy.

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

Mail-order bride Eliza Cantrell is on her way to meet her intended groom and help him grow his general store business when her train is held up by robbers and she loses her dowry. She’s further thwarted upon arriving in Salt Flatts only to find Axel, her groom, away on business.

Hoping a wife would push Axel to become a better business partner, William Stanton had encouraged him to seek a mail-order bride. With Axel gone, Will feels responsible for Eliza, so he finds her a place to stay and lets her help in the store.

Working together isn’t what they’d expected, and when Axel is further delayed, neither can ignore the sparks that fly. But Eliza is meant for Axel and is set on a future with the store, while Will is biding time until he can afford medical school.

Their troubles are far from over when Axel returns to town, however, and soon both Will and Eliza must decide what they’re willing to sacrifice to chase their dreams–or if God has a new dream in store for them both.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melissa Jagears is a stay-at-home mother to three small children on a tiny Kansas farm with a fixer-upper house.  Her passion is to help Christian believers mature in their faith and judge rightly.

For more about Melissa and her writing, visit her website: http://melissajagears.com/

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If you missed my interview with Melissa on Tuesday, you can read it here. There’s still time to enter in the GIVEAWAY too!