Send to KindleABOUT THE BOOK…….
Love lost doesn’t mean love lost forever.
Can unexpected romance deliver a second chance for two deserving widows?
Full of resolve, young widow Willow Peterson decides to pursue her dreams to be an artist as she settles into a new life in the growing mountain town of Cripple Creek. When she lands a job working as a portrait painter with handsome entrepreneur and photographer Trenton Van Der Veer, the road before Willow seems to be taking a better-than-anticipated turn.
With questions tugging at several hearts in town, including the Sinclair Sisters’ beloved Miss Hattie, change is traveling down the tracks as several unexpected visitors make their way out West. Will the new arrivals threaten the deep family bonds of the Sinclair sisters and the roots of love that are just taking hold for Willow?
Filled with the resonating questions that all women face, this romance awakens hope against grief, love against loss, and dreams against life’s unexpected turns.
MY REVIEW………………
My first impression of Mona Hodgson’s novel was the gorgeous cover with a picture of a young woman that reminded me of a young Judy Garland in appearance, and that’s the way I saw Willow Raines Peterson throughout this entire warm and involving read.
Having not read the first three books in The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek series did not detract from my getting to know the characters and story behind the Sinclair sisters and their brother-in-law Pastor Tucker Raines, Willow’s brother, prior to this story written around Willow. Even though placed in the year of 1898, we see that Cripple Creek is a burgeoning town filled with like characters working hard to build their town that we might still see across our nation in the present day. Of course, we have much more modern day conveniences now, but it was a time of running water, plumbing, telephones, iceboxes, (refrigerators) ovens and other inventions of rough nature. It worked for those living in this historical era.
We first meet Willow, Tucker and his wife Ida Sinclair Raines at the graveside of their father. The family watched Willow closely, because she now felt twice the sorrow having just lost her husband, Sam, in a drowning incident; and just having spent time in an asylum for depression. Ida and Tucker tried to convince Willow to live with them at the parsonage, but Willow preferred to live independently. Willow soon became a boarder at Hattie Adams’ Boarding House, the same home of the Sinclair sisters for a length of time after their mother’s death and their father, Harlan Sinclair moved to Paris to conduct business.
Willow depending deeply on God’s grace and mercy is determined to find employment to support herself. She is a talented artist. Enters Trenton Van Der Veer, a professional photographer a new resident of Cripple Creek whose heart had recently been broken by his ex-fiancé’. Trenton has a speech impediment and has been scarred by a temperamental and controlling father all his life. Even though Willow and Trenton can’t seem to understand one another after their first meeting – he puts her to a test to prove her talent before he decides to finally hire her as his assistant. Their relationship evolves into one of admiration and respect. Could this be a potential romance?
Mona Hodgson artistically and talentedly twists story into story to bring about this delightful town of characters all closely related in one respect or another. The story becomes even more fun and complicated when the sister’s father re-enters their lives. He brings with him a big mysterious surprise that baffles one and all. That dear landlady, Hattie, became my favorite character as she is beloved of all the book’s personalities…..and turns Harlan’s head just enough to make one wonder if there is romance in the air for Hattie.
Ms Hodgson writes in an entertaining manner, holding interest and particularly proficient in showing God at work and bringing the conclusion of her story to show Gods glory. Well done, Mona Hodgson – thank you for adding to my joy in reading.
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah for this review. The opinions expressed are my own.
ABOUT MONA FROM ARIZONIA…..
The author of nearly forty books, Mona Hodgson writes historical fiction for adults and picture books and readers for children. In 1987, Mona began writing articles, poems, and short stories for publication and has had several hundred printed in more than 50 different publications. Her publishing credits now include The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek historical fiction series, The Quilted Heart eBook novellas, nearly 30 children’s books, and contributions to 11 books for adults.
Mona is a speaker for women’s retreats, schools, educators and librarians, and at writers conferences throughout the United States and Canada. She holds professional memberships in Women Writing the West, American Christian Fiction Writers, Pikes Peak Writers Group, Romance Writers of America, Christian Authors Network, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.
What does Mona like to do when she’s not writing? Picnic, read to kids, visit museums, play Wii Tennis, sink her toes into wet sand at the beach, retreat with her sisters, explore new places, gaze at sunsets and share lunch with a friend. Mona Hodgson is the author of Two Brides Too Many, Too Rich for a Bride, and The Bride Wore Blue. Mona’s writing credits also include nearly thirty children’s books, including Real Girls of the Bible: A 31-Day Devotional,Bedtime in the Southwest, and The Princess Twins and the Tea Party. One of Mona’s favorite things to do, besides writing or eating dark chocolate, is to speak at women’s retreats and conferences. Mona lives in Arizona with her husband, Bob.
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WEBSITE – http://www.monahodgson.com
Barbara, thank you so much for your thoughtful review of Twice a Bride. I’m so glad you’re enjoying Miss Hattie and The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek. Blessings to you, and Happy Reading!