Maggie Brendan

I liked this old west story of Crystal trying to run a ranch after moving from Georgia. The descriptions put me right in the scenes, especially the snow scenes that reminded me of the winters I spent in Wisconsin.
Crystal may have been a Southern Belle but she was tough and proved herself on a trail ride to move cattle to Denver for sale. She had a strong faith and sought God for the answers and support when she was in need. Luke was the foreman of the ranch and was a great cowboy but had to grow up a lot spiritually and in the romance department.
Great start to an interesting series. Well plotted and paved with solid characters and a strong faith thread.
* I purchased this book from a library sale. All opinions are my own.*… (mere)

Maggie Brendan never leaves a reader without a good story that is hard to put down. In this story of mail-order brides there is competition, disapointment and ultimate love.

Greta Olsen had long looked at the success of her sister's marriage after answering an ad for a mail-order bride. Longing to start a life of her own she too answers an add. After months of tender and sweet letters Greta boards a train and sets off to meet the kind man that she has been corresponding with all this time. However, she is in for a shock as she steps of the train. Her dreams, hopes, expectations are shattered when she is met at the station by another mail order bride who answered the same add and a man other than the one the add was for.

To top it off she soon learns Jess, the man she thought she had been writing all the this time had no knowledge of any ad. In fact he had no intention of marriage. His life was filled with his business and his heart else where. Now she was faced with the facts that not only was she not expected by the groom she had competition for his heart - his work and another woman.

Very delicately Brendan unfolds a story of unlikely love in places where we least expect it. A turning of hearts toward one another when the one surrenders to God and allows His hands to shape the situation.

Pick up a copy at your local bookstore.

Thanks to Revel for this review copy.… (mere)

Maggie Brendan has done it again. This is the first book in a new series that promises to be just as engaging as the last series she wrote. It will draws readers in to the story and leaves them wanting to see more of the story unfold.

Catherine Olsen is a beautiful lady touched by tragedy and heartache living in Holland. She has struggled to hang on to her life as it is turned upside down. However, after the sudden and unexpected loss of her parents the finally tragedy shatters Catherine's heart. Left with the charge of her two sisters Anna and Greta, and longing for a new start in life Catherine answers an add for a mail-order bride. Through the correspondence with Peter Anderson Catherine falls in love with the caring and tender Peter Anderson.

Across the world in Wyoming Peter Anderson is the only son of a doting and controlling mother. Clara, Peter's mother, has his life planned. She has given him the farm that was once her and her husband and she has chosen the "perfect" bride for him. Dorothy is a Cheyenne socialite and is deemed a perfect match despite the fact that Peter has no feelings past friendship for the beautiful lady. Wishing to find someone to share love with Peter places an add for a mail-order bride and begins correspondence with Catherine Olsen. In her letters he finds a woman that truly is his answers to prayers. Not telling his mother his plans, Peter brings Catherine to Wyoming to be his bride.

Thus begins the tale that will bring the reader to the edge of their seats. Brendan has done an excellent job at making her characters real and believable. Will the things left unsaid by Peter and the secret heartache that Catherine has hidden tear the two apart. Or will their individual faith and their united love be enough to overcome these things and begin a healing process for Catherine. Is love really enough?

This story is written so well that it is an easy and quick read. I found myself in tears when the fullness of Catherine's heartbreak is revealed. I then found myself angry at those who dared to meddle in the matters of the heart. I wanted more than anything for the truth to come out before it was too late. Truly this is one story that does keep the reader guessing until the end what the ultimate outcome will be.

Excellent job Maggie Brendan! I can't wait to read the following stories in this series.

Thank you Revell for this review copy.

Available September 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.… (mere)