Customer Reviews

Brides and Blessings (Love Inspired #54)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sometimes opposites attract and sometimes they don't. Author Molly Noble Bull treats us to a glimpse of both realities in the inspirational romance Brides and Blessings. Identical twin sisters, separated since birth, discover life to be anything but a Patty Duke episode when they reunite and decide to switch places for six months in this engaging romp through Hollywood and a rural Texas town.

Mild-mannered, born-again Holly Harmon only has her sister's spiritual welfare in mind when she proposes the madcap switch. Holly senses the notoriously worldly Suzann Condry will benefit from time spent away from unforgiving cameras and sundry Tinsel Town temptations. Although understandably nervous about stepping into the designer shoes of a world-renowned actress, Holly finds an unlikely ally in Suzann's agent's brother, Dr. Shawn McDowell. And Holly discovers to her delight that not every Hollywood denizen is a callous phony who considers the concept of love as transient as a movie set. Shawn's love becomes Holly's lifeline in opening galas, hospital rooms, commercial shoots, and everywhere else those expensive borrowed shoes take her.

For sophisticated, glamorous Suzann, her role as the mousy church librarian promises to be her greatest challenge ever. However, little does Suzann realize the "script" also includes a devastatingly handsome "co-star" in the form of the church's newly hired youth pastor, Josh Gallagher.

Suzann struggles with her burgeoning feelings for this man, fighting deep-seated beliefs that God does not exist and that no one can possibly be as authentic as they appear. Besides, how can the wholesome, gentlemanly Josh continue to love her after Suzann confesses her deception? The process of coming to terms with this turmoil, further fueled by anxiety over a close escape from a mugger, propels Suzann closer to developing trust in Josh and other church members and, ultimately, in God.

Even though the ending for both sisters feels somewhat rushed, it proves a happy one on all accounts: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I only regret the book didn't afford a longer escape from the pressures of daily life.

This is one of the most captivating and emotionally moving love stories from a Refreshing Christain perspective. Molly Noble Bulls ability to simultaneously develop two plots and move from one into the other with such ease all while keeping the reader totally captivated was quite incredible. I highly recommend this wonderful love story!

This delightful story follows two heroines through their trials of faith and love; Ms. Bull tackles this difficult plot with fresh insight and exciting twists and turns. She has the gift of allowing us to know and like both sisters, and she writes of lovely places which we'd like to visit. The two heroes are the kind of men any woman would adore. Her other, lesser characters really make this story more colorful. The church and Hollywood settings are realistic and believable. The inspirational message is beautifully woven throughout the story. I've recommended this book, and have bought copies for friends.

I LOVED this story! Both stories in this book were excellent. They were both full of romance, promise, and Christianity. But, I feel they were rushed. For instance, near the end of the book one of the sisters find a lump on her breast. Then it's rushed through instead of dealt with properly. I think it would have been much better if the whole scene had played out. Both romances were wrapped up too quickly for my taste...Just image all the romance that could have gone into each of the stories were they allowed to be totally independent of each other! The author was rushed due to her 250 page limit, I get that...

I cannot give enough stars for this book! Like I said, it was absolutely wonderful!!! Just WONDERFUL!!!

A most heartwarming story with an interesting plot. Ms. Bull presents her characters as most believable and likeable. The twins' switching places causes just enough problems to keep the reader wanting to read more. I felt this was her best book by far.

Identical twin sisters, separated at birth, find each other as adults. One is a famous movie star, freshly dumped by her boyfriend and in serious need of a rest; the other, a small town church librarian. Knowing her sister needs to know God even more than she needs normalcy and a good rest, the church librarian and dedicated Christian, Holly, convinces her sister to trade identities for six months. Suzann Condry, the movie star, agrees, enchanted by the prospect of a normal life. However, the handsome assistant pastor at the church in Oak Valley, Texas, Josh Gallagher, takes notice of the slight change in "Holly," and soon finds himself preaching sermons about how a man will know the one woman God intends to be his wife. In the meantime, the real Holly discovers her own true love in the form of pediatrician Shawn McDowell, who was assigned to help her negotiate the pitfalls of Hollywood. But again, the slight differences in the new "Suzann" attract the attention of Suzann's old flame, a handsome star who sees getting Suzann back as just another ploy to obtain publicity. Both sisters have their problems as they negotiate each other's life and work through their own problems. Suzann discovers God is indeed real and does care for her, and that she's worthy of a good man's love, while Holly finds that true love stands by her through facing her worst fears. By the time of the big double wedding at the end, both sisters have learned a lot about life and love, and each other. I enjoyed this book thoroughly, and found myself rooting for each sister as she confronted her worst fears during the process of finding true love and happiness.

Molly Bull captures you from the first sentence with everyone's most cherished fantasy -- to live someone else's life. Add to that not one, but TWO, captivating romances, and you have a story to keep you entranced until the last page. She wastes no words as she keeps the story moving along until its "twin" satisfing conclusions. A must read!

This was a really fun book, with interesting characters and a plot that sounds totally unreal, made believable. Ms. Bull actually made the life of a small-town church librarian more exciting than that of a Hollywood movie star. Romance and yummy heroes for two.