Customer Reviews

Love Blooms in Winter (The Dakota Diaries)

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Love Blooms In Winter

by Lori Copeland

The Dakota Diaries

Set in North Dakota in 1892, Mae Wilkey has been keeping an eye on her elderly neighbor, Pauline, who seems to have no family. But when Mae searches through Pauline's desk, she finds a name and address of a man in Chicago, Tom Curtis. She writes Tom two letters begging him to come and care for his relative if indeed Pauline is related to him. Tom believes all his relatives have passed on, but comes out of curiosity as his family was not close and he might have a relative he didn't know about. When he arrives in North Dakota, he expects just a simple meeting and then to leave, but he finds himself on a new adventure, dealing with an accident, a runaway train, and a town full of interesting people.

I thought this was going to be a good book just by looking at it, and I wasn't disappointed. The story line was fun and interesting and the characters were are unique. I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars!

In 1892 in Dwadlo, North Dakota, town postmistress Mae Wilkey worries about the mental health of her nonagenarian neighbor Pauline. Mae notices the increasing signs of dementia and wants to contact Pauline's family but the older woman cannot remember if she has any. However, Mae finds the name of Tom Curtis in a drawer. She sends the Chicago and North Railway executive a telegram which he ignores as he assumes a prank has occurred. When she wires him again, he decides to go to South Dakota to learn the truth though he doubts he has a relative there.

Tom and Mae are attracted to one another, but she is almost engaged to town lawyer Jake Mallory though they have not set a date after six years together. Mae likes the way Tom treats her fourteen years old younger brother mentally challenged Jeremy and Pauline with patience and respect. Love Blooms In Winter during the Dakota Boom; as Tom, Mae and the townsfolk deal with two train wrecks assisted by an elephant while knowing God is there for them.

This is a warm inspirational Americana romance starring two likable protagonists and a strong quirky support cast. Although Tom is too perfect, fans will enjoy this entertaining late nineteenth century tale as runaway trains, mentally challenged people, elephants and herring leads to the blooming of love in wintry North Dakota.

Harriet Klausner

I always know that when I pick up a Lori Copeland book I will be privy to something special!

A peaceful and gentle spirit flows through the characters of Mae and Tom. Not that they didn't have their feisty moments because they did! Mae is a pistol when needed but she is a godly and committed woman who cares for her younger brother and an elderly neighbor while working as the small railroad town's postmistress. With a long time boyfriend who doesn't seem eager to propose, Tom catches Mae's eye when he comes to town and they become good friends.

This is a lovely story about self-sacrifice with the sweetest romance thrown in. Any fan of historical fiction will be sure to turn the last page with a smile on their face and a sigh of contentment.

I was provided a copy by Karri James of Harvest House Publishers through FIRST Wild Card Tours for review purposes only. I was not required to write a positive review, only my opinion of the book, which I have done.

This was a really great Christian historical and I'm so glad I got the chance to read it! The setting is North Dakota in the 1890's. Mae Wilkey is the local Post Mistress and is left with caring for her young brother Jeremy when her father passed away. Not only is she caring for Jeremy but also for her elderly neighbor Pauline. Pauline is all alone and her health is quickly fading. In a desperate move to find any family of hers to help care for her, Mae finds an address of Tom Curtis and writes him pleading to help take care of Pauline. After ignoring Mae for a while, Tom finally decides he'll go and visit Pauline and Mae to find out if he really is related to her.

When Tom shows up to determine if Pauline is her kin, Mae and him instantly become friends. Their relationship is a bit rocky because they can't agree on what to do with Pauline but they can't deny the instant attraction and connection they have. The dialogue between Mae and Tom is great, they really have a lot of fun together and I felt like it was very genuine!

I really enjoyed Mae and her dedication to doing what is right and to follow how she believes God wants her to live. I wish everybody cared for their elderly as much as Mae.

There is a spiritual tone to the book though I did not really feel it was overwhelming or pushy. Just a subtle reminder that God is in control and will work things out in to a blessing for those that believe!

This is the second book I've read my Lori Copeland and I found myself enjoying this one a lot! Looking forward to more by this author!

Thank you to FIRST Wild Card Tours for proving me a free copy of the book in exchange for my personal and honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

I just finished Love Blooms in Winter by Lori Copeland.

I always enjoy books by Lori Copeland. Her writing is fresh and fun and full of life and faith. This book was a perfect example of what I love about her books.

Book Description:

A romantic new book from bestselling author Lori Copeland that portrays God's miraculous provision even when none seems possible.

1892--Mae Wilkey's sweet next-door neighbor, Pauline, is suffering from old age and dementia and desperately needs family to come help her. But Pauline can't recall having kin remaining. Mae searches through her desk and finds a name--Tom Curtis, who may just be the answer to their prayers.

Tom can't remember an old aunt named Pauline, but if she thinks he's a long-lost nephew, he very well may be. After two desperate letters from Mae, he decides to pay a visit. An engagement, a runaway train, and a town of quirky, loveable people make for more of an adventure than Tom is expecting. But it is amazing what can bloom in winter when God is in charge of things.

Pauline was hilarious. One of the most creative characters I've read about in a long time. She made me laugh and she brought so much fun to this story.

Mae and Tom are wonderful characters who learn a lot together in a short amount of time. They grow in their faith and learn to trust God in bigger ways. I loved reading their story!

There are other characters in the book that are just as loveable. I look forward to reading more about them all in upcoming books!

Lori Copeland did a wonderful job developing this story in a way that brings you fully into the lives of the characters. I laughed and cried, felt joy and sorrow as I journeyed through this book. She also added a historical element to this book that I appreciated. The impact of the railroad on our country was tremendous and we see a part of that while reading this book.

Thank you to Harvest House for sending me this book for my honest review!

I enjoyed this book. The story revolves around a small town the end of the railway line. I love the quirky Characters in this town. We have Mae who is trying to watch out for her elderly neighbour Pauline who is suffereing dementia and is alone, Mae's brother who has special needs but is special also. Then there is Tom who Mae writes to thinking hes Pauline's relative and should be caring for her. There is also Jake who has been Mae's beau for 6 years. There are other intriguing characters who make the book lively. Pauline is a magnet for all the stray animals around and there is a scene when Tom is confronted with them and we learn he is not comfortable with dogs. I felt for him as I have a fear of dogs and wondered how I would cope in a similar situation. Tom is a Railway man with a good job and pays a visit to see if Pauline is a relative. I found the book interesting and loved the story. There were times I wanted to take Mae aside and help her wise up but she is a special lady with a heart of gold. The books shows how small towns help each other and work together. I hope there will be more books as I really enjoyed this book. Great read.

I got this book from Netgalley to review.

What a delightful romance story! I must confess, I have my reservations when it comes to Christian romance novels. Typically they all seem the same to me and just a little bit on the cheesy side. In an effort to keep things "clean" authors typically go to the other extreme and come up boring and dry. Copeland successfully tells a clean romance while keeping it fresh and interesting, not an easy task!

Mae Wilkey enjoys a quiet life in her small hometown in Dwaldo, North Dakota. She has a job at the Post Office, takes care of her younger brother after their father's death and assists an aging neighbor in her care. She has been dating local lawyer Jake for six years and is waiting for the day he puts a ring on her finger. When Pauline's health deteriorates beyond her ability to help, Mae desperately searches for any living relative to take care of her. She finds Tom Curtis's name and address on a slip of paper in Pauline's desk and thinks she's struck gold!

Tom's arrival in Dwaldo quickly turns Mae's life upside down. Their immediate attraction is undeniable but her loyalty to Jake keeps her denying it. A tragic accident brings the whole town together and makes Mae question what is important and where her heart truly belongs. She has to decide if she has the courage to follow her heart or if she will stay loyal to the life she's always known.

Copeland successfully blends love and Christianity in an uplifting story that was a pleasure to read! Her characters are interesting and loveable and immensely relatable. I look forward to continuing her series "The Dakota Diaries" to see what she comes up with next!

It's 1892 in the small town of Dwadlo, North Dakota just as winter is beginning to set in. When I refer to Dwadlo being a small town, it is just that. All the buildings in town from the post office, general store, bank and the residents homes are all within a few short blocks either way. The train station literally ends at Dwadlo and here is where we find the setting of our story and meet the characters from Love Blooms in Winter, book 1 in the Dakota Diaries series by Lori Copeland who is fast becoming a personal favorite writer for me.

Here we meet Mae Wilkey who runs the post office within the general store and helps out when she can with the customers who come in for various supplies. Mae is also the sole provider for both herself and her younger brother Jeremy, who is 13, but mentally acts like 9 due to issues with his birth. Mae's parents died and now she cares for Jeremy as well as Pauline, a 92-year-old woman who needs constant care to due her age and mental capability. She lives alone caring for all the towns stray animals who are constantly finding their way to Pauline's home. Mae fears that once she marries Jake, the local well-to-do lawyer, there will be no one left to care for Pauline.

So Mae takes it upon herself to find out of Pauline has any living relatives who might be able to care for her. While cleaning out Pauline's desk, she uncovers the name and address of Tom Curtis, but the problem is, Pauline in her moments of clarity can't remember if he's related to her or not. So Mae sends a letter explaining the circumstances in hopes that Tom is in fact related to Pauline and can come care for her in the time she has remaining.

When Tom Curtis receives Mae's letter, he thinks it's a practical joke being played on him by one of the railroad employees. However, when a second letter arrives, Tom makes arrangements to check out the details of the letter and arrives to pay Mae a visit. What he doesn't plan on, is that his so-called routine life is about to get the biggest upheaval he will ever know.

I received Love Blooms in Winter compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and was captured in Mae's story. Not only in caring for her mentally challenged younger brother Jeremy, but also for her neighbor Pauline. Mae is a true do-gooder with a heart for everyone. She tries her best to be the best she can, even though she has been waiting six long years for Jake to ask her to marry him. She is by far, my favorite character in the book, because she is always putting everyone else's needs above her own. I can't wait to read the next book in this series as Lori Copeland writes her stories so well, you feel like you're part of the action! I rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars.

ISLAND BREEZES

Six years! Can you imagine a woman waiting six years for a proposal from the man she's been seeing?

Mae Wilkey is not the run of the mill woman. She has a loving heart and doesn't rest until she tracks down a relative of the 92 year old neighbor lady whose mind has been playing hide and seek with her.

Mae has been taking care of her special little brother since his birth, working as the postmistress and trying to do what she can for Pauline. She has her hands full and needs help.

Now she's planning on having a bit more breathing room when she and Jake finally marry. Especially since Tom has been located and has been persuaded to take care of his little old auntie.

What could possibly go wrong? Just remember that God has a sense of humor.

You all know how much I enjoy historical Christian fiction. It is my favorite genre of books to read. And one of the most well known authors in this genre is Lori Copeland. I don't think I have ever met someone who likes historical Christian fiction that has not heard of her before. So when I saw her new book, Love Blooms in Winter, I just knew it would be on my wish list:)

Like I said above, Lori Copeland is a well known name in Christian fiction. She did not disappoint with this book. It is somewhat humorous and yet, a lot of good lessons in here as well. Waiting on the Lord is well worth it and at times, you have to decide and take your chances.

The whole plot of the story is a young woman who takes care of an older lady, Pauline. Mae knows she is getting older and having trouble remembering things and she gets worried. When Mae goes looking for Pauline's relatives, all she can find is a piece of paper with a name and an address on it. So she writes this man, explaining everything that is going on. You also find out that Mae is almost engaged to a man in town but he will not propose to her. There is not a lot of excitement and there aren't many young single men. You get the idea:)

In the meantime, The young man she wrote, Tom, gets these letters but thinks at first they are a joke from his co-workers. When he finally decides to make a visit and see if he knows this older woman he also gets a raise in his job. So he has something to come back to. Well, as you can see, this gets pretty interesting:) I don't want to spoil it too much for those who have not read this book, but it gets pretty fun. There is a side plot too of Mae's best friend who happens to be a lady who raises pigs:D Boy does she get hysterical! One of my favorite parts is when Mae and Tom are in the general store and get playing around with the root beer. Guess who happens to walk in? You got it!

Needless to say, a fun quick read. This is a smaller book and good for the person who likes a faster read. Definitely worth the price though! Nothing questionable at all in this book! Give me more like it:) Looking forward to the next one in the series as well.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for my review purposes from Harvest House Publishing. I did not receive any monetary compensation. All thoughts are 100% mine.