by Mary Connealy
My rating: 4.5 of 5.0
New--The 12 Brides of Christmas! You're invited to a Christmas wedding...that is twelve of them! Discover the joy of an old-fashioned Christmas romance with these twelve heart-warming stories. Brand-new stories from renowned inspirational fiction authors will take you into the heartland of historical America. Releasing each week starting October 6, you'll want to read all of them.
#1: The Advent Bride
Melanie Douglas is alone on the Nebraska plains, teaching school to get by. She finds a unique box with hidden drawers to use over the advent season to engage a young boy in his schooling. When Henry O’Keeffe sees a positive change in his son, he has to see for himself what this new teacher is doing.
- File Size: 3389 KB
- Print Length: 51 pages
- Publisher: Shiloh Run Studios (October 6, 2014)
- ASIN: B00NTI2YXG
My rating: 4.5 of 5.0
New--The 12 Brides of Christmas! You're invited to a Christmas wedding...that is twelve of them! Discover the joy of an old-fashioned Christmas romance with these twelve heart-warming stories. Brand-new stories from renowned inspirational fiction authors will take you into the heartland of historical America. Releasing each week starting October 6, you'll want to read all of them.
#1: The Advent Bride
Melanie Douglas is alone on the Nebraska plains, teaching school to get by. She finds a unique box with hidden drawers to use over the advent season to engage a young boy in his schooling. When Henry O’Keeffe sees a positive change in his son, he has to see for himself what this new teacher is doing.
Review:
Melanie is alone struggling to be a good teacher in a small community in 1875. She gets a “bargain” of room rent with a bitter, but influential, woman in town who complains about the time she comes in and complains about every chore not being done properly. In addition her landlady continually threatens to get Melanie fired.
Melanie loves the children she teaches and does everything she can to help each one. Still, she is frustrated by seven year-old Simon who has lost his mother and constantly acts out in class. Melanie tries to speak to Simon’s father, Henry/Hank, but he insists that it is her job to find a way to control her students.
Melanie discovers an old box in her rented room and is able to engage the energetic boy in uncovering the puzzle and the prizes as an advent adventure. Even Hank is pulled into the after school activity, providing needed father and son time. Melanie and Hank develop a growing friendship which scares Hank. Then Melanie’s bitter landlady brings accusations that could be devastating.
Advent holds a special place in my heart so this title caught my eye. Melanie is a natural, lovely and patient young woman. I was rooting for her from the very start until the end of the story. I loved the advent box element and made a note that I want the box and contents. Ms. Connealy is able to share a gentle faith through her cute, sweet love stories. If you haven’t read any of her titles yet this would be a quick read to get a nice taste of her fine writing. This is a very quick and charming read.
I received this title from the publisher through NetGalley for an honest review.
Great review! Since I haven't read any of Ms. Connealy' s stories yet, I will have to get this one and give her a try.
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