Monday, April 05, 2010

CFBA: Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson

Song Stuck on My Brain: Single Ladies by The Chipettes

Watched the Squeakwell last night. LOVED it. I'm a huge Chipmunks fan. My favorite as a kid. These new versions are great. :)



This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:



Sixteen Brides
Bethany House (April 2010)



by



Stephanie Grace Whitson





MY TAKE:

Loved this book. Sometimes historical prarie romances begin to feel a little 'been here, done that'. The story may be good, but it's not always very original.

This one didn't feel that way at all. I thought it was a very refreshing way of looking at that particular time and what widowed women faced. Especially the very young widows. The characters were strong and had very individual voices. It's great when you can tell which characters is speaking just by hearing their words and not being told who's words they are. It had me laughing out loud. Very much recomend reading this one.




ABOUT THE BOOK:

In 1872, sixteen Civil War widows living in St. Louis respond to a series of meetings conducted by a land speculator who lures them west by promising "prime homesteads" in a "booming community."

Unbeknownst to them, the speculator's true motive is to find an excuse to bring women to the fledgling community of Plum Grove, Nebraska, in hopes they will accept marriage proposals shortly after their arrival! Sparks fly when these unsuspecting widows meet the men who are waiting for them.

These women are going to need all the courage and faith they can muster to survive these unwanted circumstances--especially when they begin to discover that none of them is exactly who she appears to be.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Sixteen Brides, go HERE.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A native of southern Illinois, Stephanie Grace Whitson has lived in Nebraska since 1975. She began what she calls "playing with imaginary friends" (writing fiction) when, as a result of teaching her four home schooled children Nebraska history.

She was personally encouraged and challenged by the lives of pioneer women in the West. Since her first book, Walks the Fire, was published in 1995, Stephanie's fiction titles have appeared on the ECPA bestseller list numerous times and been finalists for the Christy Award, the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, and ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year.

Her first nonfiction work, How to Help a Grieving Friend, was released in 2005. In addition to serving in her local church and keeping up with two married children, two college students, and a high school senior, Stephanie enjoys motorcycle trips with her family and church friends.

Her passionate interests in pioneer women's history, antique quilts, and French, Italian, and Hawaiian language and culture provide endless story-telling possibilities.

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