Monday, January 11, 2010

‘Love Finds You in Bridal Veil, Oregon’ by Miralee Ferrell – Book Review

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Summerside Press, based in Minneapolis MN, has a series of novels called ‘Love Finds You.’  The books in the series are named after American towns with unusual but intriguing names.  This book, ‘Love Finds You in Bridal Veil, Oregon’ is the third book in the series based in Oregon, a state I have not set foot in –yet!


If memory serves, this is the first Christian historical romance novel I have ever read.  I had heard about this book, and was intrigued.  The story centers on Margaret Garvey, a school teacher in the lovely town of Bridal Veil, Oregon at the turn of the twentieth century.  Bridal Veil, at that time in history, was a logging community; the town was built by Bridal Veil Lumbering Company, a company which existed in real life.  Most of the commerce in Bridal Veil was based on that trade.


Margaret has suffered many losses in her short twenty years.  Four years earlier, she was being courted by Nathaniel Cooper.  Sadly for her, her father, Jacob, was not happy about the relationship.  He took steps to cause them to separate, a situation which broke Margaret’s heart.  Nathaniel moved out of town to start a new job without speaking to her, and Margaret was confused and in despair.


Four years later, she is the school teacher at the town’s little schoolhouse.  She continued to live with her father.  Her mother had passed along years earlier.  Tragedy struck Margaret’s heart and life again, when her father died quickly and unexpectedly. 


At that time, a young man named Andrew Browning, a logger with the lumber company, began to court her.  He had been asked by Margaret’s father earlier on to take care of Margaret if anything ever happened to him.  When Margaret discovered Andrew had made that promise to Jacob, she questioned whether or not Andrew really cared about her, and was again wondering why so many people had betrayed her in life.


There is an interesting side story of two orphans, Samantha and Joel, who made their way to Bridal Veil after escaping from a cruel guardian.  They had many interesting escapades during their time in that lovely community.    



The story takes a turn when Nathaniel returns back to town to take a job at the logging company.  The paths of Nathaniel and Margaret cross.  Nathaniel discovered upon his return (through an interesting twist) that Jacob, Margaret’s father, had intervened four years earlier; Margaret wanted to marry him, but that was not to be.  Margaret is placed in the unenviable position of having to choose between two suitors.  She ultimately does make a decision (you will have to read the book; the secret’s safe with me!).   


I found this to be a sweet story of love and care for others.  Bridal Veil is portrayed as a small town whose residents watch out for each other.  It was wonderfully refreshing to this city slicker!  It made me want to visit, although Bridal Veil today is a ghost town whose current chief claim to fame is its postmark on wedding invitations.  It sounds like a beautiful and scenic part of the U.S.A.  I have never visited that part of the country, and the author's portrayal of it brought it to life for me.  It makes me want to see it for myself!



I was also touched by the faith and love for the Lord exhibited by Margaret and Andrew in particular, in this story.  Miralee Ferrell did a wonderful job in showing that following the Lord is the right path to take – and He will never steer you wrong!  Other important spiritual truths strongly covered in this novel are prayer, forgiveness, faith, trust, and God’s sovereignty.  Her primary goal in writing is to bring glory and honor to God – and she certainly succeeds in this story!   


Miralee’s next book, ‘Finding Jeena: A Novel,’ comes out in April 2010 (looking forward to that one!).  Other novels in Mrs. Ferrell’s repertoire are ‘The Other Daughter,’ and ‘Love Finds You in Last Chance, California.’  She is a wonderful ambassador of the Lord's love!

15 comments:

Miralee Ferrell said...

Andrea, thank you so much for your lovely review of my historical romance. I appreciate you not giving too much of the story away and am thrilled you enjoyed it. I hope your readers will, as well. And if you ever get a chance to pick up one of my other books, I'd love to hear your thoughts on those, as well!

God bless,
Miralee Ferrell

Andrea Schultz said...

Miralee -

Thanks for stopping by my blog - and you're very welcome! I made a very deliberate attempt to pique interest without giving away too much! Glad you approve - seriously!

I do hope to catch up on your catalog of work, and look forward to 'Finding Jeena: A Novel'!

Blessings -

Andrea

CherryBlossomMJ said...

Andrea -

Do you mind if I share a "bit" of your review? http://christianhistoricalfiction.blogspot.com

Andrea Schultz said...

Cherry Blossom -

What do you have in mind? : )

Andrea

Unknown said...

Hey Andrea! ***waving***

I enjoyed this review very much!
I have Miralee's other book...Love finds you in Last Chance California.
Now,I'm really looking forward to reading this one, too.

~Debra

CherryBlossomMJ said...

How about this?

http://christianhistoricalfiction.blogspot.com/2010/01/lfy-bridal-veil-oregon-by-miralee.html

Miralee Ferrell said...

Debra,
I'm so glad you enjoyed the review and look forward to hearing what you think of Last Chance and Bridal Veil. Thanks for stopping by!

CharryBlossom...You are a sweetie! Thank you so much for posting the review and your thoughts on the Christian Historical blog. Way cool! If you end up reading my book, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Blessings!! Miralee

Roseanna White said...

Eagerly awaiting this one! And currently reading an advanced copy of Finding Jeena--only three chapters in, but I'm really enjoying it! Miralee's a talented writer and lovely woman to count as a friend. =)

Miralee Ferrell said...

Hi Roseanna, I'm so glad you posted about Finding Jeena, my sequel to The Other Daughter...thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying it and I'm happy to say it's past the proofreading stage now and headed for the printer the first of next month...and it's available for pre order on Amazon and CBD. Anxious to hear what you think when you finish!
Hugs!
Miralee

Andrea Schultz said...

Hi Ladies -

Thanks to all for stopping by! And thanks to CherryBlossomMJ for the kind words and the link to the review! It's nice to help each other, isn't it?!

Miralee - looking forward to your next one, 'Finding Jeena.' And Roseanna, I would LOVE to read your 'A Stray Drop of Blood'

I am loving the blogosphere and the world of Christian publishing!

Blessings -

Andrea

Julie Lessman said...

Andrea, just the title and cover alone are enough to hook me into this book, but your review really gets me chomping at the bit to get a hold of Miralee's latest. I LOVED her other books, especially Love Finds You in Last Chance, CA, mostly because I am a historical reader and writer. Not to mention as Roseanna pointed out, Miralee is a lovely person and friend.

And the first Christian historical romance novel you have ever read???? WOW, thank you Miralee for getting this lady on board!! The Christian market has some of the best historicals out there!!

Cool blog, Andrea!

Hugs,
Julie

Unknown said...

Hi, Andrea...

Let me also chime in to tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed your review, and this book is definitely going on my wish list! I have read Miralee's other LFY book, and it had a historical setting as well....you might want to try it if you liked this new one so much. :o)

I got to your blog from Margaret's post on the CHF blog, so I'm glad that you let her feature your review!

Blessings for a great day!
Christy

Anonymous said...

Sounds beautiful. Just found you through Carman. have a great week! :O)

Miralee Ferrell said...

Hi Julie my friend!! So nice of you to stop by and for leaving such nice comments. I agree, it's wonderful that Andrea has finally discovered Christian historical fiction. Wahoo!

Christy, I've been trying to get in touch with you...could you email me at miralee@gorge.net? Thank you for stopping in!

Destrella...the area around Bridal Veil is beautiful...so glad you found us here!

Blessings to all, Miralee

Andrea Schultz said...

Thanks, ladies! Thanks for the kind words, and thanks for dropping by! And please check out Miralee's book if you haven't already!

Blessings -

Andrea

 
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