A native of southern Illinois, Stephanie Grace Whitson has lived in Nebraska since 1975. She began what she calls “playing with imaginary friends” (writing fiction) when, as a result of teaching her four homeschooled children Nebraska history, she was personally encouraged and challenged by the lives of pioneer women in the West. Since her first book, Walks the Fire, was published in 1995, Stephanie’s fiction titles have appeared on the ECPA bestseller list numerous times and been finalists for the Christy Award, the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, and ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year.
Her first nonfiction work, How to Help a Grieving Friend, was released in 2005. In addition to serving in her local church and keeping up with two married children, two college students, and a high school senior, Stephanie enjoys motorcycle trips with her family and church friends. Her passionate interests in pioneer women’s history, antique quilts, and French, Italian, and Hawaiian language and culture provide endless story-telling possibilities.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Miss Fannie Rousseau is a young woman of privilege traveling west to uncover the truth behind a family secret.
Mr. Samuel Beck is on a mission to atone for past failures that still haunt him.
Their meeting aboard a steamboat to Montana sparks an unlikely attraction. They are opposites in eery way . . . except in how neither one can stop thinking about the other.
Will the end of the journey bring the end of their relationship, or is it just the beginning?
If you would like to read the first chapter of A Most Unsuitable Match, go HERE.
Learn more about Stephanie and her books on her Website
MY REVIEW:
A Most Unsuitable Match is an intriguing love story set in the late 1800’s. Recently orphaned Fannie Rousseau has learned that her father’s estate is in financial straits and has also discovered that she has a maternal aunt that she never knew existed. Desperate for a family connection, Fannie sets out on a journey up the Missouri river into the wilderness in search of her aunt.
Samuel Beck has left the security of his father’s business to find his runaway sister. His search takes him on the same route as Fannie and when it becomes evident that Fannie is virtually alone, he and his new friend Lamar appoint themselves her new guardians.
Samuel and Fannie’s journey north is fraught with danger, mishaps and adventure. Their destination of Fort Benton is at first disappointing but they soon meet people who support and encourage them. Samuel and Fannie are both increasingly drawn to each other but both believe that they are unworthy of the other’s love.
A Most Unsuitable Match is filled with interesting, realistic characters and situations that held my attention until the end. The plot makes some unexpected twists and all the issues are not resolved with a happily-ever-after. I enjoyed witnessing the personal and spiritual growth of both Fannie and Stephen. The epilogue reveals some after-the-fact information about one of the secondary characters that makes me wonder if a sequel might be in the works.
All in all, A Most Unsuitable Match is a most satisfying historical romance. I would recommend it as well as Whitson’s other novels to historical fiction lovers.
