A spinster teacher...a grieving widower...a marriage of convenience and a second chance with the man she's always loved.
When Samuel Walker proposes a marriage of convenience to Rose Hatfield so soon after the death of his wife, she knows he doesn't love her. She's loved him since their school days. Those long-suppressed feelings spring to life as she marries him. She must sell her childhood home, quit her teaching job, and move to a new city.
Marrying Rose is harder than Samuel expected, especially with the shadow of his deceased wife everywhere in his life. And he has two young children to consider. Peter and Emma need a mother's love, but they also need to hold close the memories of their real mother as they grieve her loss.
Life as Samuel's wife is nothing like Rose hoped, and even the townspeople, who loved his first wife, make Rose feel like an outsider. The work of the farm draws the two of them closer, giving hope that they might one day become a happy family. Until the dream shatters, and the life Rose craves tumbles down around them. Only God can put these pieces back together, but the outcome may not look anything like she planned.
When Samuel Walker proposes a marriage of convenience to Rose Hatfield so soon after the death of his wife, she knows he doesn't love her. She's loved him since their school days. Those long-suppressed feelings spring to life as she marries him. She must sell her childhood home, quit her teaching job, and move to a new city.
Marrying Rose is harder than Samuel expected, especially with the shadow of his deceased wife everywhere in his life. And he has two young children to consider. Peter and Emma need a mother's love, but they also need to hold close the memories of their real mother as they grieve her loss.
Life as Samuel's wife is nothing like Rose hoped, and even the townspeople, who loved his first wife, make Rose feel like an outsider. The work of the farm draws the two of them closer, giving hope that they might one day become a happy family. Until the dream shatters, and the life Rose craves tumbles down around them. Only God can put these pieces back together, but the outcome may not look anything like she planned.
MY THOUGHTS.....
This book evokes so many emotions! Longing, disappointment, and despair are present but there are also glimpses of satisfaction, encouragement, and hope. I was captivated by this author's descriptive powers, and I immediately fell in love with the principal characters. Rose Hatfield was very deserving of love and appreciation, and I admired her decision to help a grieving Samuel Walker and his two young children, but I was so afraid that Rose would be hurt. Would this special arrangement lead to her heart being bruised, battered, and even broken?
I love historical fiction and I was especially drawn to this story that's set around Hamilton, Ohio in 1877. Scars from the Civil War were still fresh and author Sandra Merville Hart allows us to see the area as it might have been after that time. It is, however, Hart's portrait of this 'family in the making' that gave me all of the feels. It may seem cliche to say that this should be a Hallmark movie, but I do believe that it is worthy of the original Hallmark Hall of Fame presentations!
Hart shares the classic tropes of friends to more and marriages of convenience, but this book will also appeal to fans of historical Christian fiction. A Not So Convenient Marriage is a delightful story of love, hope, and faith!
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love historical fiction and I was especially drawn to this story that's set around Hamilton, Ohio in 1877. Scars from the Civil War were still fresh and author Sandra Merville Hart allows us to see the area as it might have been after that time. It is, however, Hart's portrait of this 'family in the making' that gave me all of the feels. It may seem cliche to say that this should be a Hallmark movie, but I do believe that it is worthy of the original Hallmark Hall of Fame presentations!
Hart shares the classic tropes of friends to more and marriages of convenience, but this book will also appeal to fans of historical Christian fiction. A Not So Convenient Marriage is a delightful story of love, hope, and faith!
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Award-Winning and Amazon Bestselling Author Sandra Merville Hart is thrilled that her next Civil War series “Spies of the Civil War” will release in 2022! Book 1 of the series, Avenue of Betrayal, is set in Washington DC in 1861. Boulevard of Confusion and Byway to Danger (Books 2 & 3) are set in Richmond, Virginia, in 1862. Actual historical spies will influence the lives of fictional characters in a series where everyone has secrets.
Sandra is on the Planning Committee for Faith & Fellowship Book Festival. She served in the past as Executive Editor for DevoKids.com where she also contributed many historical articles. She teaches writer workshops. She's a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and other writer groups.
Sandra Merville Hart loves to uncover little-known yet fascinating facts about our American history to include in her stories and drags her husband along on her adventures. Thankfully, he also enjoys these fact-finding missions.
Connect with Sandra on her blog, Historical Nibbles, where readers find posts relating to historical food/recipes, book reviews, and American history.
Connie, thank you so much for this lovely review! The memes you created are perfect! Sandy Hart
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