To Love and Cherish, Bridal Veil Island Series #2
3.7
5
20
20
Historical Escape
Escape to a Beautiful, Historic Island Resort
Bridal Veil Island, Georgia
1898
Melinda Colson has been waiting months for Evan, the assistant gamekeeper at the Bridal Veil Island resort, to propose. Without an offer of marriage, she must return to Cleveland with the family she works for as a lady's maid.
Evan isn't afraid of hard work, and he hopes to be promoted soon. He wants to marry Melinda--but not until he's sure he can support her and a family.
Letters strengthen their romance until a devastating storm strikes the island. With no word from Evan, Melinda knows she must journey back to Bridal Veil in search of her beloved.
But the hurricane isn't the last calamity to shake up Bridal Veil. Melinda finds a new job on the island, but still no offer of marriage comes her way. Has she given her heart to the wrong person? Will she ever find a man to love and cherish?
As I began reading this story, I could imagine myself in this beautiful resort off the Georgia coast. Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller have mastered their talents with helping me escape to another time and another place. I was a bit frustrated with the story as far as Evan was concerned. Instead of expressing his thoughts about his future and his feelings for Melinda, he kept them to himself. Meanwhile, Melinda, with her "take charge" attitude, made up her mind to marry Evan, yet she gets the impression he doesn't have the same feelings for her. I would recommend this book as light romance but with interesting historical aspects.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Books as part of their blogger review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade CommissionâÂÂs 16 CFR, Part 255: âÂÂGuides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising
December 16, 2012
Great book, another wonderful story.
This book, To Have and To Hold, written by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller, is definitely a recommendation by yours truly! The story of Melinda Colsen and Evan Tarlow is a touching story, with lessons of love, trust, and Faith!
Melinda and her brother were among the highest of society before the death of their parents, which led to the revelation of financial struggles the family had, that left Melinda and Lawrence with nothing to their names, not even a shred of respect. Melinda stays behind in Cleveland, taking the role of ladiesâ maid to one of her motherâÂÂs peers, while Lawrence goes on his own way.
Bridal Veil Island is the winter get-away resort for many wealthy families from northern cities and states, and the home of Evan Tarlow, where he is hoping for a promotion from game and huntsman to a position where he can support Melinda and they can finally marry. Melinda wonders why Evan doesnâÂÂt propose, and every spring returns, still hoping, to Cleveland with her employersâ family.
After their return one summer, however, a hurricane struck Bridal Veil Island and the surrounding areas, leaving disaster and death in its wake. News of the hurricane reached Cleveland, and the household of MelindaâÂÂs employers. Melinda hadnâÂÂt heard from Evan in weeks, and now believed that he may have been injured, or at worst, killed in the disaster that occurred on Bridal Veil. Against the wishes and pleas of her mistress, she set out on a mission to return to the resort and make certain her love was alive and well.
With the mysterious and sudden return of Lawrence, MelindaâÂÂs brother, and his suspicious cargo, Melinda is hesitant but asks for his presence to accompany her on this unconventional mission. Together they set out for the devastated shores of the resort and surrounding areas.
Upon arriving, Melinda discovers Evan is alive and well. Against his better thinking, Evan agrees to MelindaâÂÂs securing employment on the island until the guest season began. With the arrival of the guests and investors came news of the President of the United Statesâ visit, and rumors and suspicions along with them. Nobody can be trusted, and everyone is held in suspicion. Can Evan trust Melinda? Can Melinda trust Evan, or her brother, Lawrence? Will Melinda see her dreams come true? Will Evan?
Going through trials that test faith, trust, and love can make or break a relationship and any individual. Seeing how they go through their trials, and the outcome (IâÂÂm not telling), gives me pause to think about my own response when faced with suspicion and doubt. A great read, and a happy addition to my favorite book shelf!
Provided by Bethany House Publishers for the purpose of review. A review I was happy to deliver!
December 14, 2012
LOTS OF LESSONS IN RELATIONSHIPS IN A GREAT BOOK
It is the late 19th century and Melinda Colson has lost both of her parents. Due to their debts and no inheritance, she is stripped of her wealthy and privileged lifestyle and thrown into being a common working ladyâÂÂs maid. Mrs. Mifflin, once her equal now her employer is petty, selfish, and difficult. MelindaâÂÂs past experience as a socialite gives her great insight into the demands of Mrs. Mifflin. This causes her employer to greatly value her to the point she wants MelindaâÂÂs life to revolve around her alone.
During their winter excursion at a resort named Bridal Veil, Melinda meets and falls in love with, the assistant gamekeeper, Evan. She is sure he feels the same way about her. Evan is everything she wants in a husband, and his proposal for marriage cannot come soon enough. Her desire to be married and have her own home is exacerbated by her frustrating job with peevish Mrs. Mifflin.
Hoping he will ask her hand in marriage before they leave the island makes Melinda very anxious. She hints, flirts, and does everything in her power to persuade Evan to marry her. When he just doesnâÂÂt get it, she resorts to pouting and throwing fits. Poor Evan hasnâÂÂt a clue what he is doing wrong! Her time is unexpectedly shortened by Mrs. MifflinâÂÂs decision to leave 2 weeks early to prepare for an important guestâÂÂs visit at home.
Shortly after their return home, a hurricane devastates the island. She is terrified Evan is injured or dead. Impulsively she quits her job and hurries back to the Bridal Veil. She is positive now they will be married. . He truly wants to marry Melinda but is waiting on a promotion to make sure he can support her so she wonâÂÂt have to work. When he explains this to her she is grows even more angry, arguing that she does not mind helping support their family. Their relationship continues to be strained and misunderstandings abound. Other events threatened to end their hopes of marriage completely.
I learned so many lessons in this book! Melinda was like many women. They have the unrealistic expectation that the men in their life can read their minds! Instead of just saying what they want they hint and get mad when he doesnâÂÂt understand! Like most men, poor Evan truly did want to please her and couldnâÂÂt figure out what he was doing wrong. This causes needless tension in relationships when openness and honesty is all that is needed.
Melinda was a prime example of making plans and not waiting on the Lord. She wanted her way and she wanted it right away! She was lucky Evan was so patient with her impatience and immaturity. GodâÂÂs timing is always right and we need to leave the âÂÂwhenâ and âÂÂhowâ to Him.
The book also had many wonderful examples of not making assumptions on appearances. Melinda, Evan, and her brother Lawrence were all victims of circumstances making them look guilty when they were not. Tempers flared and judgments were rendered when they were innocent of any wrongdoing. It is always best to seek out the truth before coming to any final conclusions. We canâÂÂt always see the whole picture.
I found this to be a fun book with a surprise ending. I look forward to reading the first book and the third one to be published in January 2013.
I received this book free from the Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade CommissionâÂÂs 16 CFR, Part 255
December 11, 2012
Great Book - can't wait to read the next one!
This wonderfully told love story is staged in Georgia and Ohio in 1898. The main text of the book takes place on an imaginary island, Bridal Veil, off the the coast of Georgia. Melinda is the companion of a wealthy woman from Cincinatti. Evan is one of the workers on the island. Melinda was raised in high society but due to her parents deaths, must now work for former friends. The story line follows her travels from the island to Cincinatti, and back to the island after a storm hits. The event reunites her with her brother, a mysterious character. His lifestyle choices are different than his sisters and she worries about him. Evan is the love of Melinda's life and she returns to the island hoping he will propose marriage. She is constantly reminded throughout the book to wait on God's timing and not try to push things along on her own, a good reminder to all Christians. The constant theme of a president visiting the island, makes for another story line all together. It is wonderfully told and makes the book hard to put down. I was always wondering who was on what side and how the situation would end. The book was a very quick read. I didn't realize until I finished that it is one in a series of books. The development of the characters was so good, I didn't know there was a whole book written about how they meet. That is now on my to read list and I look forward to the next book in the series: Bridal Veil Island.
This book was provided to me by Bethany House Publishing.
November 6, 2012
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