The Festive Bride


MY REVIEW:

Widower Roy Gibbons is at the end of his rope trying to be both father and mother to his young daughters. They need a woman’s touch and they have requested a new mother for Christmas. Alma Pickens is in absolutely no hurry to marry. She is content living with her father and taking care of him and their home. Her father’s newest plans changes everything for Alma but she is not certain she is happy about it.

“The Festive Bride” is a somewhat different story about an arranged marriage. Although both Roy and Alma have agreed to her father’s suggestion, neither is sure it is a good idea. With interesting characters and some unexpected twists, this sweet Christmas romance is another fun addition to the 12 Brides of Christmas collection. It is just right for a long winter’s evening by the fire or any cozy reading spot.

This book was provided for review by Shiloh Run Studios.



When Roy Gibbons finds Alma Pickens as a mother to give his daughters for Christmas he thought it would be a simple arrangement. But this is the only wedding Alma will have, and she is determined to make it festive. Will this bride be more than Roy bargained for?

More About The Festive Bride with Diana Brandmeyer

Diana’s novella is a poignant story of love between a widow and a widower, which reflects her own personal experience–though she didn’t have to fall in love quite so fast!  

The 12 Brides of Christmas stories all feature gifts and that’s where Diana began thinking about her story. “I wanted to set my novella long enough after the Civil War that healing had begun; it was a time for the country to breathe.”

It took some thinking to find out what was available at the time that could be used. “I wasn’t sure paint would have been used on glass. I asked my son, an artist about the paint Alma uses for Roy’s gift and found out I was on the right track.”

As she wrote, she fell in love with the quirkiness of her heroine’s character. “She was fun to write. I named her after a friend of mine which could be what made her so special.”

Diana’s own family traces back to Revolutionary days, though she wouldn’t want to be a pioneer herself.  “I like reading about this time period, love looking at the old houses and wondering what it would be like…but live during that time? No. I’m way too spoiled by microwaves, cell phones and warm cars!”

Diana is thrilled to be part of The 12 Brides of Christmas ebook collection. “This has been one of the most exciting writing endeavors I’ve had, 12 authors one topic—Christmas!”

For her, personally, Christmas was a simpler time growing up. “Our family Christmas’s were not huge affairs. My mom stressed the importance of making gifts and the love that goes with that effort is worth more than an item you can buy.”

Who is Diana Brandmeyer?

Diana Lesire BrandmeyerA multi-published author, Diana Brandmeyer began her career in 1987 writing devotionals for children. From there, she “followed the stories that God placed in my heart. I’m not saying He told me to write them, but the ideas that I get I feel do come from him. At first it was contemporary fiction, then I was led to write about the journey my family took to become well blended. Now I’m writing a historical fiction novel. I love the surprising way God works.”

She writes historical and contemporary novels and a non-fiction book based on her experiences joining two families into one:  We’re Not Blended-We’re Pureed, A Survivor’s Guide to Blended Families.

Together, Diana and her husband have three sons, several daughter-in-laws and an adorable grandchild. She lives in Illinois, not far from where The Festive Bride takes place.

For more information, you can visit Diana’s website: http://dianabrandmeyer.com/

Or find her on social media: FacebookTwitter, and Pinterest