America
19th Century
Sarah, My Beloved
Back of the Book:
Sarah Woodward has come to Kentucky as a mail-order bride. But when she steps off the stage coach, the man who contacted her through the Marriage Made in Heaven Agency informs her that he has fallen in love with and wed another woman. Sarah is disappointed, but she feels that God led her to Little Hickman Creek for a reason. With her usual stubborn determination, she refuses to leave until she finds out what that reason is.
Rocky Callahan’s sister has died, leaving him with two young children to take care of. When he meets the fiery Sarah Woodward, he proposes the answer to both their problems—a marriage in name only. Sarah soon comes to love the children, but Rocky is afraid that she’ll never survive as a farmer’s wife with her privileged upbringing. Can he let go of the pain in his past and trust God’s plan for his life? Will she leave him or will they actually find a marriage made in heaven?
My Review:
Sharlene is a very good writer, and I very much enjoyed reading this book. Literally the only thing I wondered about was why the “married in name only” thing was not spelled out when Sarah and Rocky made the wedding arrangements. I had no idea they were keeping things chaste until they were already married and it came up. I think that would have been a good conversation to read about before-hand. It wasn’t a bad thing, but I was confused as to how they had come to such a mutual agreement without it being discussed. (I hadn’t read the back of the book before-hand.)
But other than that I loved it. I like how Sharlene goes into a little detail about the intimacy Sarah and Rocky share over a kiss. Most authors of Christian books steer clear of writing in detail about any intimacy at all, even when the people are married. Now, I’m not saying I want all the details of their bedroom engagements. That wouldn’t be appropriate. But reading about how he touched her face and the passionate kiss they shared is romantic to imagine and encouraging to me. It lets me know that some day I will experience the same thing. Plus it makes for a good read.
I was a little concerned that this book would be a repeat of the last one in that a single woman marries a man who already has kids. But after reading it, it feels like a completely different story. The situations were unique from Liza and Ben’s and we even get small glimpses of how Liza and Ben’s story continues.
Overall it was a very enjoyable book. I can’t wait for the next one.