MY REVIEW:
Just when you think you’ve read about all the mail-order bride stories that could possibly be written, Maggie Brendan releases another one. Set in the growing city of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Deeply Devoted features Catharine, a young woman who has fallen in love with Peter through their six-month correspondence. The story begins when Catharine arrives from Amsterdam for her wedding unexpectedly accompanied by her two younger sisters. And that is just one of the secrets she has hidden from her new husband-to-be. Like a good sport, Peter manages to overcome his shock and proceeds to marry Catharine anyway, even when his own mother attempts to stop the wedding. During the following weeks, the newlyweds experience many ups and downs, challenges, and surprises – some that even threaten their marriage and their future.
Deeply Devoted is another fine example of why Maggie Brendan has found her place as one of my must-read authors. The story was easy to read and I finished it in less than a day. Characters are well-developed and even the primary characters have flaws. One particularly obnoxious character actually ended up with a few redeeming qualities by the end of the book.The plot is perfectly paced and the novel background has been well researched. Afirm reliance on God is a prevalent theme without being heavy handed.
For anyone who enjoys romantic historical westerns, particularly those that feature mail-order brides, Deeply Devoted would be a perfect choice.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
European Mail-Order Bride Finds Love Against All Odds
Acclaimed romance writer Maggie Brendan’s latest offering from the “Blue Willow Bride” series, Deeply Devoted (ISBN: 978-0-8007-3462-6, $14.99, 336 pages, September), introduces readers to Catharine Olsen, a mail-order bride arriving in America from Holland. She carries not only the anticipation of her marriage to Peter Andersen but also the residual pain of a tragic past, her mother’s Blue Willow china, and has her two younger sisters in tow. The fact is, in Wyoming, the single men outnumber the women five to one, so Catharine’s surpassing beauty and willing spirit are priceless gifts for Peter.
In spite of initial culture shock and necessary adjustments, Catharine finds a love with Peter that enraptures both her heart and mind. She is greatly troubled by Peter’s mother’s endeavors to sabotage their precious marriage. Catharine becomes terrified that her haunting past will be discovered, as the story unfolds with tremendous detail and extraordinary characterization.
Brendan’s previous work has received high rankings and praise in the Romantic Times, and she has also received the Atlanta Persistence Award from the American Christian Writers. Author Julie Lessman commented, “Maggie Brendan’s gentle style of prairie romance is reminiscent of Janette Oke, capturing the heart of both the Old West and the reader with romance that will make you sigh.”
Deeply Devoted is sure to captivate readers with its page-turning thrills and the hope of a deeply redemptive story.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Maggie Brendan is a member of the American Christian Writers (ACW), American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). She was a recipient of the 2004 ACW Persistence Award in Atlanta, GA.
Maggie can be found on her blog, http://SouthernBelleWriter.blogspot.com and is a resident blogger on http://BustlesAndSpurs.com. Her book, No Place For a Lady, the first in the Heart of the West series received a 4.5 star review from Romantic Times. The Jewel of His Heart, book two, received a 4 star review from Romantic Times. A Love of Her Own will release was released June 1st. She has begun writing another historical series called The Blue Willow Brides. Maggie was quoted in, Word Weavers, The Successful Writer’s Critique Groups. She led a writer’s critique group for six years.
A TV film version of No Place for a Lady is currently in development for possible movie production. She recently spoke at a Regional Church Bookstores and Libraries conference in Marietta about The Value of Christian Fiction. She has participated in three of LifeWay Christian Store’s Annual Fiction Event Day. She recently had a book signing at the Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando on June 2010.
Maggie is married with two grown children and four grandchildren. She has a love for the West and all things western. When she is not writing, she enjoys reading, singing, painting, scrapbooking and being with her family. She lives in Marietta, GA.
