Saturday, August 31, 2013

Book Review: A Bride for All Seasons by Margaret Brownley, Robin Lee Hatcher, Mary Connealy, and Debra Clopton Published by Thomas Nelson

The last 2 books I read that were made up of short stories/novellas compiled into one book had characters that were the same between the stories.  This one, however, didn't have any characters in common between the stories.  It did have the common factor of the "Hitching Post Mail-Order-Bride Catalogue" and how with a few "innocent" changes, the letters don't always reach their recipient the same way that they left the sender...

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Book Description from the publisher:

It all started with an ad in a mail-order bride catalogue . . .Melvin Hitchcock of the Hitching Post Mail Order Bride Catalog isn’t dishonest—not exactly. If he tweaks his clients’ applications a bit, it’s because he’s looking out for their best interests.
This charming bouquet of novellas introduces  four Hitching Post  prospects in the year 1870, each one eager for second chances . . . and hungry for happiness. Year in, year out, they'll learn that love often comes in unexpected packages.
"And then Came Spring" by Margaret Brownley
Mary-Jo has been unlucky all her life. But who would guess she’d travel halfway across the country to meet her match . . . only to find him dead!
"An Ever After Summer" by Debra Clopton
Ellie had no idea she's not what Matthew ordered. And what's wrong with being a "Bible thumper" anyway? She's determined to show him she's tougher than she looks-and just the girl he needs.
"Autumn's Angel" by Robin Lee Hatcher
Luvena would be perfect for Clay if she didn't come with kids. But kids are a deal breaker, especially in a rough-and-trouble mining town. ­ The trouble is, there's no money to send them back . . .
"Winter Wedding Bells" by Mary Connealy
David's convinced he's not long for the world. He needs someone to mother his boys when he's gone-nothing more. Can plucky Irish Megan convince him to work at living instead of dying?
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I really enjoyed reading this book and finding out how the characters allowed God to work out the difficulties that they encounter.  Being novellas/short stories, they were easy to read in one setting.   I enjoyed the historical aspect of the stories, too, being set in 1870.  

Included with the book are a "Reading Group Guide" with questions to discuss, and "An Interview with the Authors".
I would recommend this book to others who, like me, enjoy inspirational love stories.  
Paperback                  $15.99   available here
Length400 Pages
Publication DateJune 18, 2013
Company
  • Thomas Nelson
ISBN-101401688535
ISBN-139781401688530
Height8.2"
Width5.4"

I received a free ebook copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I did not receive any other form of compensation.
       


Danish Festival 2013

The Danish Festival "kicks off" with the Danish Festival band playing for the free concert on Thursday night.  My mom and I missed it this year as we were setting up the craft booth tables.  But my dad and the kids went and had fun.  A family friend (Pastor Dickson) invited my dad to bring the kids to his house to see his model trains.
 
Friday:
 
We usually do the kids' activities towards the end of the day and then go home afterwards.  This year, we took the free shuttle downtown and walked down to the park


William went up to the clown and requested a "white dog" all by himself!!! (I was using the "guard house")






Andy "blowing" the poof into the end of the tail











Sarah waiting since she wasn't going to get her face painted


William told the girl what he wanted her to paint!





Sarah with the crown she made














Wolverine!


A butterfly!  It was a bit dark and I wasn't a fan of the blue lips, but she liked it


The craft area

A tiger!














Emily getting her Cloud Leopard



Sarah wasn't going to get a balloon because they can pop, but I asked the clown to make her an elephant



She really liked him





We finally found a baby toad!  We usually see them when we come to the free concerts, but hadn't this year.

A little bit of our booth:









Play time!


This year, there was a huge inflatable slide right next to our booth!  Emily spent most of her time on it (It was free!)
 




William asked me to go on the slides with him





Emily talked me into going with her.  I thought that Will was coming too, but he bailed at the last second.  

William decided he did want to go after all and wanted me to go again.  I was not a big fan (any fan, actually) of the slide, but you do what you have to for your kids!


Fireman parade (we usually have left already for the kids activities so we haven't ever seen this parade)  The fire engines go past silently and then come back with their lights and sirens on.  We left before the lights and sirens part!


























Even without the sirens, the engines were pretty loud








Saturday:

We had to run to the store before going to the craft sale, and we saw hot air balloons!






We saw this one sitting on the ground on the way to the store and when we swung back around afterwards, it was being deflated.



Waiting for the parade


We sat on the corner near the craft sale so Grandpa wouldn't have to walk as far (sore feet)

Here comes the parade!





Mrs. Wilkin works in the office at the school (She's the one waving at us!)





Pastor Dickson's car kept stalling and he had to leave the parade route


















The school personnel
The red arrow is pointing to the teacher Emily had for Kindergarten 

Orange arrow = Sarah's teacher last year
Red arrow = the school principal
Green arrow = Will's teacher for this year (and her baby)

















Baby Gretchen slept through the whole parade ☺


Emily's friend Nicole with her baton group (red arrow)



Andy really liked the superhero float!


The End!

Rest Time

Andy was the only one who actually slept

Sarah working on her knit hat


On Sunday, Grandpa and the kids finally were able to make connections with Pastor Dickson to see his model trains: