HEIRLOOM BRIDES
Cathy Marie Hake, Colleen Coble,
Kristin Billerbeck, Gina Fields
Barbour
2001
ISBN 1-577-48974-8
Romance

After being orphaned on the wagon trail, Charity is forced to accept a position as Ethan Cole's nanny in order to stay with the group. As they travel, he finds her generosity both foolish and irritating, but grows to love her, though he believes that she is too far above him to return that love. Charity, in the tradition of girls of that time, has been keeping a string of buttons. When the 1,000 one is given to her, it is supposed to be from the man who will marry her. Accidentally, Ethan gives her the fateful button, forcing her to make a choice. Before that can happen though, crisis strikes, and may steal one of the children she has grown to love.

The next story involves Ethan's daughter, Charity. Crippled since birth, she believes she will never marry. After once again being rejected, her parents send her to visit her grandmother in Johnstown. There, she is able to find love with a man who can see beyond her physical limitations, but will mother nature take it all from them when the fatal flood sweeps through the town?

The third story moves forward to the 20's when Charity's granddaughter runs away from her wicked stepmother to live with her older sister and work for money to bring the youngest sister out to live with her in San Francisco. A carpenter's apprentice helps her find work in a wealthy man's home, where she finds her faith tested sorely. Though attracted to the young man who helped her, he is keeping secrets that confound her.

The final entry takes place in the current time. Carly Simmons is a social worker who is noted for her generosity and faith at the hospital. Her latest case is the most challenging, as the client wants
nothing to do with her or her faith. As she pushes though, she is able to turn his life around, but pride may keep them apart. A homeless man with few prospects can not offer to tie a woman he loves to his fate.

Some these stories were better than others, and all of them might have been turned into very good novels on their own. There is nothing preachy about this book, and it is perfect for someone in the mood for a quick story.

 

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore

Rating: 

 

 

For your convenience click below on one of the icons if you would like to order a book.