Customer Reviews

Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Orphaned Madeleine Mercer finds herself being ramrodded into marriage with her father's shady business partner. She heads from Boston to Golden, New Mexico, to answer Philip Smith's ad for a mail order bride. Honor, integrity, forgiveness, faith--issues of many kinds stand between Madeline and the man God has for her.

Dooley creates a new and compelling story with unique twists that set it apart from other mail order bride stories. A stand-out volume in the Love Finds You series.

As a confirmed armchair traveler, I love visiting new places via the page. I was excited about the "Love Finds You" premise of romantic adventures in unique historical settings (some of which are no longer in existence). I have read several nonfiction books about the plight of mail-order brides in the nineteenth century, so was anxious to read Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico by Lena Nelson Dooley.

Dooley excels in making the setting come alive. As I read Love Finds You in Golden I was immediately transported to the mining camps of New Mexico. After reading Dooley's lush, evocative descriptions I wish I could plan a vacation to this now quiet town.

The characters' faiths are a very real part of the novel. I really appreciated the fact that the characters live out their faith from day-to-day. Jeremiah finds the loving father figure he never had in devout Philip. Philip seeks God's guidance moment-by-moment in every situation he faces. Madeline's faith allows her to forgive in extraordinary circumstances. She is truly a mother to the motherless and brings her faith to bear in every situation. I appreciated the fact that the Christian message was proclaimed so clearly throughout every chapter of this novel. Madeline, Philip, Jeremiah, and Mr. Johnstone demonstrate the power of forgiveness and through God how we can forgive even the seemingly unforgiveable.

On the whole I enjoyed this historical romance, however there were a few issues that marred my opinion of Dooley's story. I found the villain, Mr. Johnstone not as clearly developed as some of the other characters and throughout the book I felt he came off as the "stereotypical" villain. I suppose it didn't help that I had read the dedication of the book and so immediately knew that Johnstone would be the villain. Since I didn't feel I got to know Johnstone as a person, even his transformation seemed less than believable.

Although I appreciated the way the characters' faith was present throughout the novel, I think there were times when the way this faith was demonstrated might be difficult for a non-Christian to understand. For instance, the way Philip "knows" exactly which letter to open. Throughout the novel God speaks to Philip in a way that is understandable to the believer, but may appear mysterious to the unbeliever because it is not explained fully.

Despite some difficulties, I still found myself wanting to pick up this book and continue to read to find out what was going to happen to the characters. I feel that Dooley's work has merit and I look forward to see what the future holds for her.

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical novel by Lena Nelson Dooley. It's now one of my favorite Love Finds You titles. The story structure reminded me of Tracie Peterson's style, but this author added her own personal touch to make it uniquely hers.

The writing style was smooth and intelligently put together. It was easy to read without feeling choppy. I got a bit misty-eyed a few times as well, which is not a frequent occurrence for me. That only happens when my heart is engaged, and in this case the author did a great job of making me care. The baby in the story was a big part of that bonding process. The author used that character well in connecting various situations and thus making my eyes water.

The theme of forgiveness was strong and beautifully written. I didn't see any flaws or downsides to this novel. The spiritual thread was strong and flowed naturally, which is not often the case with historical fiction. The church setting enhanced the novel and I adored the elderly man, Phillip.

The hero, Jeremiah, was dreamy. Though he had his weaknesses, they didn't feel contrived and just made him more intriguing and heroic to me. The heroine was strong in her own way, while remaining somewhat dependent like women tended to be in those days, especially women who had limited financial resources. Sometimes when I read a historical novel I get annoyed when the women seem atypically strong for that time period. This heroine was perfectly constructed in this case. I enjoyed spending time getting to know these characters. I highly recommend this book.

In 1890 Golden, New Mexico, elderly and ailing former miner Philip Smith explains to his best friend Jeremiah Dennison why he plans to place an ad in the Boston Globe for a mail-order bride. He has money without family and figures someone can nurse him until he dies or recovers while he would be helping a Lady in desperate straits to take such a position. Jerry tries to talk the man he considers his father out of doing this, but fails.

In Boston, Maddy Mercer grieves the death of her father when his former business partner Horace Johnstone informs her they will marry just like her dad wanted. With a responsibility for a newborn while also loathing the avaricious Horace and knowing she and her baby needed to escape a life of hell if married to him; kind hearted Maddy decides on the unknown. She responds to an ad for a mail-order bride placed in the Globe.

Unable to talk Philip out of doing the insanity, Jeremiah plans to persuade the bride to go home. Then he meets Maddy accompanied by baby Pearl and her devoted servants Frank and Sarah Sneed who nurture a dying Philip like he was their father; not understanding her Massachusetts secret toddles between them.

This is a pure golden historical romance starring a courageous caring woman, a wonderful old man, and the male hunk who loves both of them (and Pearl too). The strong lead cast and solid support characters bring alive the mining town in 1890, but it is the relationships that make for a strong Americana tale. Lena Nelson Dooley writes a warm wonderful winner.

Harriet Klausner

Dooley has penned another historical novel as part of the Love Finds You collection. Each thread is expertly woven in the story. Madeline Mercer, daughter of a deceased rich businessman in the East, answers a mail order bride ad. She needs to escape a potentially dangerous situation with her father's business partner. Her contact person in Golden is old Philip Smith, who feels he's following the Lord's direction. But Philip has invited Madeline for his friend, Jeremiah.

Dooley skillfully weaves a well-researched tale, set in 1890, brimming with history and intrigue. Did Philip hear the Lord correctly? Is it possible to weave a viable romance between two opposite people? Will Madeline's secrets remain in the East, or will they follow her as she tries to escape the threats to her life?

You'll love this tale, rich in detail; and the characters will live in your mind long after you've read the last page.

Review by Audrey Hebbert, M.A., author of Green Light Red light.

I struck it rich with this historical romance. I'd not read any of Lena Nelson Dooley's books before, but because of her excellent reputation, I knew I'd be in for a treat, which I was. This story is well crafted from start to finish. The mining town of Golden, New Mexico is described so well, I felt I was there hearing the stamp machine, experiencing the heat of the sun-drenched summer days, and seeing the adobe homes echoing the soft colors of the desert landscape. What brings this story to life, though, are Dooley's vibrant characters, with whom I enjoyed spending time. Strong but suspicious Jeremiah, warm and caring Maddy, and a host of secondary characters, including bighearted Philip, are likeable people. They pulled me into the story and were my fictional friends throughout. I longed to see good things come out of Maddy and Jeremiah's struggles and found his faith journey to be a highlight. I highly recommend Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico and am grateful for my review copy. Lena Nelson Dooley is now on my favorite authors list.

Ms. Dooley has crafted a delightful novel depicting the powerful ways God can lead the lives of his people if we allow him control. Philip Smith, a wise Christian man who wants to use his mining money to accomplish some good for another before he leaves this earth, places an for a bride. Trapped in an untenable situation back East, Medeline Mercer trusts God to lead her to a land of new beginnings by answering that ad. Jeremiah Dennison, dedicated friend to Philip, seeks to protect him from the woman he assumes to be a gold-digging Easterner and along the way discovers the true value of faith.

The opening chapters of this book were fabulous. I was immediately drawn into the drama surrounding Madeline's travails. In Golden, Jeremiah is the kind of hero every reader of western romance loves--rugged, strong, and just onery enough to make us all want to be the one to reform him. Philip, the Sneeds, and the Oldmans all played unique and well-drawn mentoring roles for the characters. Each of them had a quiet strength based on their personal relationship with the Lord, which manifested itself in the way they served others.

Madeline and Jeremiah's tale makes for a sweet romance and an enjoyable read. The end was a bit too tidy for my taste, but those who favor stories with a strong message of forgiveness and God's redemptive power will be quite pleased with this book. Overall, I am happy to recommend it.

In Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, Lena takes us off on a romantic, historic, and spiritual journey between several people. It is the 1890s, and Philip Smith, an elderly, sick, quite well-to-do miner instructs his young friend, Jeremiah Dennison, to put an ad in the newspaper for a bride. Philip has loved Jeremiah like his own son, and so he feels obligated to fulfill the old man's wishes, much to his dismay. Why does Philip need a young gold-digging wife to take care of him, when Jeremiah can meet all of his needs?

Madeline Mercer, of Boston, a fine, young Christian woman, finds herself in a terrible dilemma when a business partner of her recently deceased father, announces that she is penniless and must marry him. Also a friend of Maddy's dies in childbirth and insists Maddy take care of her baby, Pearl, before she passes away. Desperate to escape the horrible Horace, and have a means to support Pearl, Madeline answers Philip's ad and flees to New Mexico. Upon meeting him, she is shocked to see that he is so old, but soon grows fond of this kind, Godly man, who has offered to take care of her and the babe.

Jeremiah, is very suspicious of the lovely Madeline, but finds himself irresistably drawn to her as a moth to a flame; his best friends intended. Jeremiah also believes that even though he is not a Christian, he is a good man, and doesn't need God. Soon Maddy's past and Horace's lies and accusations catch up with her. Will she be able to stay in Golden, where her precious baby and Philip have grown to love one another so? And what exactly are the old miner's plans for her and Pearl? Does Jeremiah give in and let God take control of his life? And what horrible things does Horace do, all for the love of money? Has he gone too far for God's mercy and redemption?

This was a beautiful story of forgiveness, love, and redemption, as only Lena Nelson Dooley can tell it! I found myself, more than once, with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes...what a wonderful read with a surprise twist near the end!

I have officially read my first "Love Finds You" book!!! :) I'm know that they are all very much different and all by different authors, but I'm really looking forward to reading more of them. This was another book off my "won" shelf and after reading it, I really hate it took me so long to get to it. I enjoyed meeting the characters in Golden, New Mexico.
I have a feeling most who read this book will like Phillip's character the most. He was definitely my favorite! Actually, he's probably up there as one of my favorite characters in general. And I was very surprised at what happens with one of the characters. I don't see that with most books I read. Mrs. Lena has created so many wonderful characters in this story!
I didn't agree with most of the religious aspects of this story, but, I guess the main one I want to point out is the way one of the characters believed that God was working in his life. I don't believe that God works that way. For example: If I was hunting a nanny for my little boy. I wouldn't take a stack of resumes and pray over them and expect God to point me to the exact one He knew I should pick, without me even looking to see what the resumes said. Absolutely not!!!! BUT, this is a FICTION book, and I thought it was a cute addition to the story.
Aside from the religious aspects that I disagree with, I definitely recommend this book. I can't wait to read more from Mrs. Lena!

Love Finds You In Golden,New Mexico is another 5-star read for me from the very impressive Love Finds You series.

This author is great at developing characters you love and villains you hate! I read all but the last 15 or so pages in one sitting,because I did not want to put it down. I hope to see more books by this author. This book will hold your interest,and you will care about the characters.