Customer Reviews

Love Finds You in Bethlehem, New Hampshire

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
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What a wonderful surprise this book was. It was the first Love Finds You book I have read and also the first of Lauralee Bliss' books. I loved it. The New Hampshire mountain setting became a character all its own interacting with the main characters. Readers will long to visit Bethlehem, New Hampshire. The love story between two unlikely people, Sara McGee and Tom Haskins is tender. Readers will find themselves wishing Tom and Sara would just talk about things instead of making so many assumptions. However, that is what makes them human and the story endearing.

Tom Haskins has a wonderful life for himself. He is beginning to receive notoriety for his paintings, lives comfortably in his hometown. He has everything except a wife. He advertises for one. Sara McGee has a few precious items that belonged to her mother, and not much else. Her response to Tom's advertisement isn't even penned by her, for she cannot read or write. Theirs is an unlikely relationship and a beautiful love story.

The characters are strong, flawed, and faithful. The scenery is beautiful. Grab a cup of hot chocolate, a cozy blanket, and curl up on your favorite couch for a good winter read.

In 1890 artist Thomas Haskins placed an ad for a mail order bride though he has doubts about the wisdom of finding a wife this way. Sara McGee of New York City responds. She arrives by train to his resort town of Bethlehem, New Hampshire. However, he wants her to go back home because his first impression is she is dressed shabbily and uneducated. Sara is also hurt by first impressions when his best friend Lawrence Boshen ridicules her and Tom fails to defend her

However, he is an ethical person who decides to have his sister Claire mentor brash Sara on decorum of a lady. She has doubts about belonging here; Sara considers fleeing back to the streets of the city she came from. As she falls in love with him, socialite pianist Annabelle Loving decides Tom is perfect for her and offers him a trip to Italy to study art that he cannot refuse. Sara knows she cannot compete with the educated upper crust wealthy musician so she leaves for home; not realizing Tom wants his mail order bride to be his wife.

This is a nice Pygmalion like spin to the classic mail order bride historical romance. The Gilded Age story line is fast-paced from the moment a hesitant Sara arrives in town like a fish out of water and never slows down as she wins the hearts of everyone starting with his sister. Fans will enjoy this fine entry as Tom learns a good artist can become a great artist when he learns the meaning of love and passion.

Harriet Klausner

Love Finds You in Bethlehem, New Hampshire is a good read. The author does a wonderful job of taking the reader into the setting. She pens Bethlehem as a delightful place, one I wouldn't mind visiting. I've taken a few painting classes and enjoyed her hero, who is a painter. The author is so good at describing the tools and tricks of his trade that I wondered if she's a painter also. I could almost smell the oil paint. You'll be rooting for the heroine from moment one, hoping and praying that life will turn around for her. Tha author built such a sweetheart of a character with deep faith in God who's placed in a world that's not always friendly, especially to those down on their luck. If you're a historical romance fan, this one is sure to please.

This was the first "Love Finds You In" book that I read, and I'm hooked on the series now! "Love Finds You in Bethlehem, New Hampshire" is a charming, well-written book. I enjoy mail-order bride books, so I loved this one. It was a unique enough mail-order bride storyline that I didn't get bored. I would highly recommend this book, as well as the "Love Finds You In" series!

I have read several from the 'Love Finds You' series, and enjoyed this one the most, so far. It is a sweet and simple love story of a mail order bride, trying to find her place and hoping to be loved. The author is very talented with words and painted the town of Bethlehem very charming. The only problem I had with this book was the main male character's sudden change of heart from one female to the other with barely an explanation. It seemed a bit unlikely. Other than that, if you like love stories that are, as I stated above, 'sweet and simple', this book's for you!

I liked the story setting and the idea of the plot. I also appreciated the spiritual aspect of it and the cute, timid romance as well.
I was disappointed with the shape of the characters. It seemed like the writer allowed their characters to be molded by the situation. Also it was a bit repetitive and predictable at times.
Overall it was a nice read. I completed it in two days, so I wasn't dissatisfied with it. :)

Being a fan of inspirational romance novels and having grown up in New Hampshire, I was particularly eager to read Love Finds You in Bethlehem, New Hampshire. This is a sweet and tender romance that beautifully captures the atmosphere of a resort town in the White Mountains. The love story that blossoms between Tom and Sara is fraught with complications, yet through their journeys--individually and together--they find true love, both refined through their fires. I highly recommend this book!

Love Finds You In Bethlehem, New Hampshire brings a very real town to life during the Gilded Age. Tom wants a wife and is willing to get mail-order bride of upstanding character. Sara needs a home, and life on the streets of New York is hard on her. Though they meet under circumstances colored by assumptions on both sides, their story unfolds in the proper time and both of them learn much about each other, about God, and about themselves.

If you like a sweet read in an interesting historical setting, or know someone who does, this would make a perfect gift for them. Real historical details and characters are woven into this story and its beautiful setting. I'm ready to hop a plane and head to the White Mountains now.

If you are a fan of inspirational romances, I know you'll enjoy Love finds you in Bethlehem New Hampshire. I haven't read a lot of romances, so please be patient with me if I state the obvious in this review.

The book opens with the hero's point of view, which I found refreshing. In fact, Thomas has a lot of the characteristics I associate with the heroine of a romance. He's talented and kind, loves the Lord and seeks His will. But he's a little insecure and follows the leading of his friends and mentors, which isn't always the right path. On the other hand, Sara, the heroine, is confident and independent. The dynamic between them sets up interesting situations and advances the plot.

Tom and Sara's relationship is at the heart of the story, but other people are important to them and help them resolve conflicts within themselves, as well as between the two of them. The book is full of well developed characters I responded to; some I liked, others I didn't. But many of their actions seemed rushed to me. After one or two meetings, conversations and actions became quite intimate, as if they had known each other for years, or at least months. I kept wondering how they knew so much about each other, or why they responded as they did to virtual strangers. In spite of this, Bliss populated Bethlehem with some great people that I would love to have as neighbors.

The book's greatest strength lies in the theme of inner beauty versus outer appearances. As they both turn to God for direction in their lives, Tom and Sara rely on scripture to teach them His truths, which culminate in His blessings. They both struggle with the contrast between her poverty and the wealthy socialites who visit Bethlehem, and they both have to compromise a bit. I loved that Sara, the strong, independent woman, learned from Proverbs 31.

Pros: Strong characters, beautiful setting, and a well developed theme.

Cons: Relationships are rushed, lots of clichés and terms aren't always appropriate to the era.

I'm not a huge fan of romances, and if you aren't either, you probably shouldn't read it. But for the rest of you, I think this could be your next book.

The original review was posted on Pix-N-Pens.

After reading this book, I want to go live in Bethlehem, New Hampshire. Or take a nice long holiday there. The setting is one of the main characters in this easy read from Lauralee Bliss, as is expected from a Love Finds You in... book. As I read, I felt myself walking down the streets of this delightful town more than a hundred years ago. I didn't want to leave.

Beyond the setting, Lauralee creates vibrant, real-to-life characters that touch your heart. Tom Haskins - a young artist, beginning to make his mark on the world, mentored by the famous Mr. Astor. When he suggests Tom take a bride to further his career, Tom, inspired by a young couple he meets, takes out an ad in a New York City paper. Annabelle Loving, the wealthy socialite, interested in Tom's work and precisely the woman Mr. Astor had in mind when he made his suggestion. She could be the key to Tom's success. Sara McGee, the destitute young woman who arrives in Bethlehem in response to Tom's ad and who is nothing like Tom expected.

Against this beautiful backdrop, as the holidays approach, what will each of these people learn about each other? And about themselves?

Another winner for Lauralee Bliss and Summerside Press. Be sure to add it to your list of "must reads" this holiday season.