Review: The Nativity Bride (Novella)

The Nativity Bride (Novella)
By Miralee Ferrell
The 12 Brides of Christmas, #7
Barbour Publishing (Shiloh Run Studios), 2014


Summary

Deborah Summers has waited five years and prayed for Curt Warren to return to Goldendale, Washington, passing up another marriage proposal by believing in her first love. When tragedy finally brings him home, will a rift with his father drive him away too quickly?


My thoughts

The Nativity Bride by Miralee Ferrell is #7 in The 12 Brides of Christmas series, which consists of 12 old-fashioned romances with a new short story releasing every Monday through December 22.

Miralee always creates appealing characters and interesting storylines in a historical setting - and is able to accomplish the same in this novella set in Goldendale, Washington during the month of December, 1880.

We meet the teenage Curt and Deborah five years earlier as Curt leaves home to pursue a woodworking apprenticeship, and this gives the story some depth. It was easy to be drawn to this character who, in spite of his seemingly rebellious tendencies, only longed for his father's approval and acceptance. Curt had no personal relationship with God at the time he left Goldendale, and the spiritual growth that took place during the years between is enjoyable to see. And I especially admired Deborah because of her commitment and care of her ailing mother.

The Nativity Bride is a story of forgiveness and restored relationships, both physical and spiritual. This is the only I've read from the 12 Brides collection, but I enjoyed this cozy Christmas read and am glad to recommend it.

The Nativity Bride can be purchased online at Amazon and B&N.

Miralee Ferrell

        Miralee Ferrell and her husband, Allen, live on eleven acres in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge in southern Washington State, where they love to garden, play with their dogs, take walks, and go sailing. She is also able to combine two other passions—horseback riding and spending time with her grown children—since her married daughter lives nearby, and they often ride together on the wooded trails near their home.
        Ironically, Miralee, now the author of eight books, with many more on the way, never had a burning desire to write—at least more than her own memoirs for her children. So she was shocked when God called her to start writing after she turned fifty. To Miralee, writing is a ministry that she hopes will impact hearts, and she anticipates how God will use each of her books to bless and change lives.

Connect with Miralee on her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Thank you to Miralee for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.