Twice a Bride: A Novel - eBook
4.4
5
32
32
WARM, LOVING AND ENTERTAINING READ
My first impression of Mona Hodgson's novel was the gorgeous cover with a picture of a young woman that reminded me of a young Judy Garland in appearance, and that's the way I saw Willow Raines Peterson throughout this entire warm and involving read.
Having not read the first three books in The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek series did not detract from my getting to know the characters and story behind the Sinclair sisters and their brother-in-law Pastor Tucker Raines, Willow's brother, prior to this story written around Willow. Even though placed in the year of 1898, we see that Cripple Creek is a burgeoning town filled with like characters working hard to build their town that we might still see across our nation in the present day. Of course, we have much more modern day conveniences now, but it was a time of running water, plumbing, telephones, iceboxes, (refrigerators) ovens and other inventions of rough nature. It worked for those living in this historical era.
We first meet Willow, Tucker and his wife Ida Sinclair Raines at the graveside of their father. The family watched Willow closely, because she now felt twice the sorrow having just lost her husband, Sam, in a drowning incident; and just having spent time in an asylum for depression. Ida and Tucker tried to convince Willow to live with them at the parsonage, but Willow preferred to live independently. Willow soon became a boarder at Hattie Adams' Boarding House, the same home of the Sinclair sisters for a length of time after their mother's death and their father, Harlan Sinclair moved to Paris to conduct business.
Willow depending deeply on God's grace and mercy is determined to find employment to support herself. She is a talented artist. Enters Trenton Van Der Veer, a professional photographer a new resident of Cripple Creek whose heart had recently been broken by his ex-fiancé'. Trenton has a speech impediment and has been scarred by a temperamental and controlling father all his life. Even though Willow and Trenton can't seem to understand one another after their first meeting - he puts her to a test to prove her talent before he decides to finally hire her as his assistant. Their relationship evolves into one of admiration and respect. Could this be a potential romance?
Mona Hodgson artistically and talentedly twists story into story to bring about this delightful town of characters all closely related in one respect or another. The story becomes even more fun and complicated when the sister's father re-enters their lives. He brings with him a big mysterious surprise that baffles one and all. That dear landlady, Hattie, became my favorite character as she is beloved of all the book's personalities.....and turns Harlan's head just enough to make one wonder if there is romance in the air for Hattie.
Ms Hodgson writes in an entertaining manner, holding interest and particularly proficient in showing God at work and bringing the conclusion of her story to show Gods glory. Well done, Mona Hodgson - thank you for adding to my joy in reading.
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah for this review. The opinions expressed are my own.
April 22, 2013
Lighthearted Read
Twice A Bride is a novel written by Mona Hodgson and is the 4th book in The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek series. The setting is in the late 1800s and Willow Peterson is a young widow who decides to pursue her dreams to become an artist. Willow's brother and his wife live in Cripple Creek and she decides to settle down there. Willow becomes employed by Trenton Van Der Veer to be a portrait painter and they start to develop feelings for each other. However Trenton's ex-girlfriend (Susanna) comes to Cripple Creek to try to win Trenton back. Who will he end up with? My thoughts: I enjoyed reading this book. Although I didn't read the previous three books in the series, the plot of this book stands alone. I would recommend this book to others.
January 22, 2013
Enjoyable historical romance
Twice a Bride was the fourth in series Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek. I haven't read any of the other books but it didn't hinder my understanding of any of the characters. There were a few instances when I ran into a character that I knew their story was told in one of the previous books, but the author did a good job giving us just enough information to get a picture of what happened. I enjoyed the story as well as the historical aspect of women starting to enter the workforce and it being mostly accepted. One negative for me was all the characters in the story. They were difficult to keep straight at times. I'm sure if I had read the others in the series that wouldn't have been an issue. A good story if you enjoy Historical Romance.
I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for my review
January 17, 2013
Dull and Disinteresting
This is my first time reading Book #4 about The Sinclair Sisters in Cripple Creek. I have no knowledge or opinions of the other series however. This novel 'Twice a Bride' focuses on recent widowed Willow getting a job as a photographer/painter for Trenton. Trenton is trying to start fresh in Cripple Creek, but his sordid history with Susannah, seems to have no end in sight.
The beginning seemed to really drag on, and I felt unattached from the other characters in the book. I would have loved to get to know Willow's deceased husband at least, to feel the connection between the couple, but he was cut out of the story from the start along with the other relationships creating a choppy unemotional group. Overall it was hard to relate with the many people throughout, and I was left with a rather simple, predictable romance, without drama or intrigue.
January 12, 2013
Welcome to Christianbook.com! Sign in or create an account
Cart
0 items
Checkout
We now accept PayPalfor ALL orders
