Sandy M’s review of The Bride Blunder (Prairie Promises, Book 3) by Kelly Eileen Hake
Historical Inspirational Romance published by Barbour Books 11 Dec 09
I don’t read a lot of inspirational romances, but once in a while my interest is piqued. I was intrigued by the blurb on this book, it sounded like it could be fun and, I hoped, not overly preachy, as some inspirations tend to get. I’m happy to say that I enjoyed The Bride Blunder quite a bit.
Daisy and Marge are cousins and both carry their grandmother’s name, Marguerite, thus the reason for their nicknames. Daisy is the pretty one, the one expected to marry well. Marge is bookish and a little plain, the one Daisy goes to whenever a problem crops up.
There is a wedding in the works, Daisy has found the man of her dreams, though Marge doesn’t care for him. But she’s happy for her cousin. When a marriage proposal by letter arrives addressed to Marguerite, Daisy realizes it must be meant for Marge because the sender, their friend Gavin Miller, is on her guest list for the wedding, so he knows Daisy is off the market.
Excited that Gavin returns her feelings, Marge makes her way west to the man she’s always hoped would be more than a friend. However, her hope and joy are soon dashed when she learns the truth- Gavin really wants Daisy. But for Gavin’s faulty memory and Marge’s rush to grab happiness instead of her usual overthinking every situation, she’d still be in Boston with a whole heart.
Gavin is stunned when it’s Marge who steps off the stage instead of Daisy, the bride he sent for. It doesn’t take much for him to realize his mistake. But what’s done is done. Marge is the one here and he’ll live up to his obligations. But it’s Marge who puts the brakes on the marriage Gavin is prepared to go through with. The woman wants him to prove he truly desires to marry her.
And the man tries. He really does. He gets it wrong part of the time. The other part he does pretty good at. His confusion and frustration create smiles and teasing he doesn’t appreciate, but the poor guy goes with the flow, all the while becoming more and more attracted to his bride-to-be.
I enjoyed their gradual getting to know one another, though it is peppered with two other romances taking place at the same time. I would have liked more of the story to be dedicated to Gavin and Marge, despite the fact that I also like Amos and Midge very much. Daisy’s story goes in a direction you don’t expect, especially because she’s the golden girl, the one everybody loves. I’m curious to know if perhaps she might get her own book. I like the way Ms. Hake took her situation and I’d like to see what happens with the budding relationship that culminates from it.
I think it interesting that Ms. Hake went with Amos and Midge’s story to focus on faith in God. It works and she’s done a good job with this couple. All the characters have their moments asking God for direction in life and it’s done mostly through prayer, leaving Amos and Midge to bring home the inspired message in the book. I was a little dubious at times of some of the prayers offered up, but that’s a small nitpick overall.
The characters are engaging and charming. Their plights are common for their day and their reactions are believable. The author balances everyday life with prayer and church so it’s not overdone and preachy. A very enjoyable story.
Grade: B
Summary:
In the Nebraskan Territory of 1859, Gavin Miller writes home to request the hand of Miss Marguerite Chandler. Unfortunately, while he never forgot Marguerite was the French word for Daisy, he’d failed to recall that the two cousins shared their grandmother’s name, and Marge was the nickname of the wrong Miss Marguerite Chandler! When his surprise bride comes to Buttonwood, unexpectedly followed by the very cousin he’d meant to marry, will Gavin be able to solve The Bride Blunder?
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
