{"id":3367,"date":"2009-11-21T17:09:05","date_gmt":"2009-11-21T22:09:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/?p=3367"},"modified":"2009-11-21T17:09:05","modified_gmt":"2009-11-21T22:09:05","slug":"love-finds-you-in-lonesome-prairie-montana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/?p=3367","title":{"rendered":"Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie Montana"},"content":{"rendered":"

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour<\/a><\/strong><\/span> book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old…or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n


<\/p>\n

Today’s Wild Card authors are: <\/strong><\/div>\n


<\/p>\n

Tricia Goyer<\/a>
\n and
\n Ocieanna Fleiss<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n


<\/p>\n

and the book:<\/span> <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n


<\/p>\n

Love Finds You In Lonesome Prairie, Montana<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Summerside Press (December 1, 2009)<\/p>\n

***Special thanks to Amy Lathrop of LitFUSE Publicity Group for sending me a review copy.***<\/p>\n

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\n Tricia Goyer was named Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference “Writer of the Year” in 2003. Her book Night Song<\/em> won Book of the Year from ACFW in the Long Historical Fiction category. Her book Life Interrupted: The Scoop On Being a Young Mom<\/em> was a Gold Medallion Finalist. Tricia has written hundreds of articles, Bible Study notes, and both fiction and non-fiction books.<\/p>\n

Visit the author’s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\n Ocieanna Fleissis a published writer and has edited six of Tricia Goyer’s historical novels. She lives with her husband and their four children in the Seattle area. Connect with Ocieanna on Facebook<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Product Details:<\/p>\n

List Price: $12.99
\n Paperback: 320 pages
\n Publisher: Summerside Press (December 1, 2009)
\n Language: English
\n ISBN-10: 1935416294
\n ISBN-13: 978-1935416296<\/p>\n

AND NOW…THE FIRST CHAPTER:<\/span> <\/strong>
\n <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The sound of little girls\u2019 voices and the sight of the sun streaming through the tall, second-story window of the Open Door Home for Destitute Girls, a privately owned orphanage on upper Manhattan, told nineteen-year-old Julia Cavanaugh that the day had started without her. Julia, an orphan herself, now running the place for the owner, brushed a strand of dark hair from her eyes. She submitted to a second yawn as a twelve-year-old girl hopped onto her bed.<\/p>\n


<\/p>\n


<\/p>\n


<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s gonna ask her to marry him, don\u2019t you think, Miss Cavanaugh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Shelby.\u201d Julia wiped the sleep from her eyes and smiled into the freckled face staring eagerly at her. \u201cGive me a moment to wake before you go asking such things.\u201d Julia stroked the girl\u2019s cheek, her heart seeming to double within her chest with love for the youngster.<\/p>\n

The embroidery sampler she\u2019d fallen asleep working on still lay at the end of her bed. She picked it up and eyed the image of a small house she\u2019d copied from Godey\u2019s Lady\u2019s Book. Above the house, she\u2019d stitched the words Home Sweet Home in fancy script. Gazing around the broad room lined with small metal cots and bustling with little-girl chatter, Julia noted the embroidered pillowslips, carefully pressed\u2014albeit dingy\u2014curtains, and dandelions smiling from scavenged jam-jar vases. She\u2019d done her best to make the room pleasant for the girls\u2014and herself. She glanced at their faces and smiled, gladly embracing her role as caretaker.<\/p>\n

A less-than-subtle \u201cahem\u201d from Shelby reminded Julia she\u2019d been asked a question. She glanced at her young charge, still perched on the end of her bed. \u201cWhat did you ask?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFinally.\u201d Shelby eyed her with mock frustration. \u201cI said, do you think they will get married\u2014Mrs. Hamlin and Mr. Gaffin? Haven\u2019t you noticed the way they look at each other?\u201d Shelby\u2019s cheeks hinted of red. Her golden hair was already fixed in a proper bun, her hands and face washed, and her simple dress clean and pressed despite its patches and stray threads.<\/p>\n

\u201cShelby Bruce.\u201d Julia shook her head, as Shelby\u2019s two-year-old sister Beatrice wiggled onto Julia\u2019s lap with a squeal. Julia planted a firm kiss on the top of Bea\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarried? I don\u2019t think so,\u201d Julia continued. \u201cMrs. Hamlin would\u2019ve told us\u2014told me\u2014if she was being courted. Mr. Gaffin\u2019s just an old family friend.\u201d Julia wondered where on earth the girl got the notion that their headmistress wished to marry.<\/p>\n

Although they have been spending a lot of time together. Julia pushed the thought out of her mind as little Bea shuffled to a stand, planting her pint-sized feet on Julia\u2019s thighs. \u201cFammy fend!\u201d She pointed a chubby finger at her older sister, Shelby.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, Bea.\u201d Julia plopped the toddler on the floor and swiveled her toward the small bed she shared with Shelby. \u201cTime to straighten your bed.\u201d Then Julia eyed the twins. \u201cCharity, Grace, would you two virtuous girls fetch fresh water for the basin?\u201d<\/p>\n

Shelby pushed away from the bed, wrinkled her brow, and thrust her hand behind her as if to support her back\u2014a perfect imitation of their middle-aged headmistress. \u201cNow where did I put my spectacles?\u201d Shelby clucked her tongue as she waddled forward.<\/p>\n

Laughter spilled from the lips of the girls around the room. Encouraged, Shelby scratched her head. She plopped down on her bed then hopped up again as if surprised, pulling imaginary spectacles from under her rump. \u201cOh!\u201d she squealed. \u201cThere they are.\u201d<\/p>\n

The laughter grew louder, and Julia pursed her lips together to smother the impulse to laugh along with them. She planted her fists on her hips. \u201cThat\u2019s enough. All of you know what must be done before breakfast.\u201d The girls\u2019 laughter quieted to soft giggles hidden behind cupped palms as they scattered to do their chores.<\/p>\n

Shelby lingered behind, her form now straight and her eyes pensive. \u201cMaybe she forgot to tell you, Miss Cavanaugh.\u201d The young girl gazed up at her. \u201cThe way they look at each other\u2014it\u2019s like my ma and pa used to, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Julia folded a stray sandy blond curl behind the girl\u2019s ear. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, my sweet. If Mrs. Hamlin was getting married, we\u2019d be the first to know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Julia hoped her own gaze didn\u2019t reflect the sinking disquiet that draped her. Mr. Gaffin was a rich world traveler. If there was any truth to Shelby\u2019s suspicion, Julia couldn\u2019t imagine he\u2019d let Mrs. Hamlin continue to work with orphans. Perhaps they\u2019d get a new headmistress.<\/p>\n

Or maybe the girls would be separated, moved to new homes\u2026<\/p>\n

If Mrs. Hamlin got married, all their lives would be radically changed. And if Julia had to leave the orphanage, she had no idea what she would do. Julia swept that painful thought away and steadied her gaze at Shelby. She couldn\u2019t hide her true feelings from this girl. Julia took Shelby\u2019s hand and answered as honestly as she could.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think she\u2019ll get married, but if she does, God will take care of us, like He always has.\u201d Julia lifted her chin in a smile. \u201cAnd really, Mrs. Hamlin may be forgetful, but no one could forget that. I sure wouldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ardy, a shy Swedish girl, removed her dirty sheets from a small bed and then approached, taking Julia\u2019s hand. \u201cDon\u2019t ya think you\u2019ll ever be gettin\u2019 married?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cActually, there is something I\u2019ve been wanting to tell you all\u2026.\u201d Julia leaned forward, resting her hands on her knees.<\/p>\n

The two girls eyed each other in surprise, and Shelby\u2019s brow furrowed.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome closer.\u201d Julia curled a finger, bidding them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Shelby asked, her eyes glued to Julia.<\/p>\n

The girls leaned in. \u201cI\u2019d like to tell you\u2026that there\u2019s a wonderful man who\u2019s asked me to marry him!\u201d<\/p>\n

The squeals of two girls erupted, followed by the cheers of nearly three dozen others who\u2019d been quietly listening from the stairwell.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is?\u201d Shelby reached forward and squeezed Julia\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

Julia let out a hefty sigh and giggled. \u201cNo, you sillies. Well, at least not yet. Someday. Maybe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shelby pouted \u201cBut you said\u2026 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI said I\u2019d like to tell you I had a man. I\u2019d sure like to, but of course since I don\u2019t, I\u2019m happy to stay here with all of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The girls moaned.<\/p>\n

The squeak of the front door down on the first floor of the Revolutionary War\u2013era home-turned-orphanage drew their attention. They waited as Mrs. Hamlin\u2019s familiar chortle filled the air, along with a bash and clang of items\u2014hopefully food and supplies that she\u2019d picked up.<\/p>\n

\u201cJulia!\u201d Mrs. Hamlin yelped. \u201cJulia, dear, where are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cComing.\u201d Julia hurried down the stairs to help the older woman.<\/p>\n

Julia neared the bottom of the steps and paused, trying to stifle a laugh at the sight of the twinkly-eyed woman sprawled flat on her back. Scattered boxes and bags covered the donated rug.<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Hamlin! What on earth? Why didn\u2019t you get a steward to help you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I didn\u2019t want to be a bother.\u201d She cheerfully picked herself up. \u201cI was in such a hurry to show you all what I\u2019d bought. And to tell you my surprise. Such a wonderful surprise.\u201d Julia eyed the boxes and noted they were from R.H. Macy & Co. More than a dozen boxes waited to be opened, and she couldn\u2019t imagine the cost.<\/p>\n

\u201cI found just what the girls need, and on sale!\u201d the headmistress exclaimed.<\/p>\n

What they need is more food\u2014vitamin drops, too\u2014and maybe a few new schoolbooks. But Julia didn\u2019t dare say it. And somehow God\u2019s hand of providence always provided.<\/p>\n

\u201cNew clothes, I gather. That is a surprise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut only half of it, dear.\u201d Mrs. Hamlin rubbed her palms expectantly. \u201cI also must tell you my news. The best news an old widow could hope for.\u201d<\/p>\n

Julia followed Mrs. Hamlin\u2019s gaze toward the idle youngsters who\u2019d gathered on the staircase to watch. Her eyes locked with Shelby\u2019s, then she quickly looked away. \u201cNews?\u201d The muscles in Julia\u2019s stomach tightened.<\/p>\n

\u201cGirls,\u201d Julia shooed them away with a wave of her hand, \u201cyou know better than to eavesdrop. Off to chores with you. We\u2019ll have breakfast soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

The girls started to scurry off, but Mrs. Hamlin halted them with her words.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no,\u201d her high-pitched voice hailed. \u201cCome back. This news is for all of you.\u201d They circled around her, and she tenderly patted their bobbing heads.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Julia wasn\u2019t sure she\u2019d ever seen Mrs. Hamlin\u2019s cheeks so rosy or her eyes so bright.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m getting married!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

MY REVIEW:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie Montana<\/a> is a curl up by the fire story for those times when you would just like to relax. A historical novel, it takes the reader back to the days of orphan trains and wide open prairies where friends and neighbors are few and far between.<\/p>\n

When Julie accompanies several orphans to their new homes in Lonesome Prairie, she not only finds that she has missed the train back home but she has been promised in marriage to an old, unkempt miner. Pastor Ike saves the day by encouraging the miner to wait and sending Julia home with his sister. From that point on the story is filled with chuckles, drama, misunderstandings, and new friendships. As her time in Lonesome Prairie is extended, Julia finds herself with a growing faith and a new feeling of being part of a family.<\/p>\n

Will Julia make Lonesome Prairie her home? Will she and Pastor Ike overcome the barriers that keep them apart? I’ll never tell. Pick up a copy of Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie Montana<\/a> and find out for yourself.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8,34,41,44],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3367","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-books","category-historical","category-romance","category-western"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3367"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3367"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3367\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3379,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3367\/revisions\/3379"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3367"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3367"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.daysongreflections.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3367"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}