Schoolhouse Brides: The Reluctant Schoolmarm/School Bells and Wedding Bells/Dear Teacher/Prairie Schoolmarm (Heartsong Novella Collection) [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Yvonne Lehman (Author), Colleen L. Reece (Author), Wanda E. Brunstetter (Author), JoAnn A. Grote (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2005

Complications abound as love is encountered by four young schoolmarms in bygone days. In Schoolhouse Brides, one-room schoolhouses by the Lehigh Canal, on the prairies of Minnesota, amid the Blue Ridge Mountains, and in frontier Idaho are the settings for heartwarming lessons in life and love.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

The lives of four schoolmarms are complicated by unexpected encounters. Judith questions her calling when a widower and his troubled children enter her life. Marin offers her services as a schoolteacher and soon faces unforeseen challenges, including a less-than-desirable student. Christa gets off a train in a quaint mountain village only to find herself entangled in a web of deceit. A disillusioned Meredith moves to Last Chance, Idaho, and finds herself stuck in a place whose name describes her situation only too well. Can these women find a place in their hearts for love?

About the Author

Colleen L. Reece is a writer who brings Christianity and family together in her books Joy to the World: A Treasury of Holiday Traditions, Stories, Prayers, Poetry, Recipes, and More and Apples for a Teacher: Lesson Plans for Life. Reece also writes romance fiction and was voted Favorite Heartsong Author in 1993 and 1994.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Incorporated (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593108370
• ISBN-13: 978-1593108373
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #524,030 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Fiction > Romance
  • #64 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Romance > Anthologies
  • #85 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Evangelism > Missions & Missionary Work

More About the Author

Wanda Brunstetter is an award-winning romance novelist who has led millions of readers to lose their heart in the Amish life. She is the author of almost 50 books with more than 5 million copies sold. Many of her books have landed on the top bestseller lists, including the New York Times, Publisher's Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and CBD. Wanda is considered one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre, and her work has been covered by national publications, including Time Magazine and USA Today.

Wanda's fascination with the Amish culture developed when she met her husband, Richard, who grew up in a Mennonite church, and whose family has a Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Meeting her new Mennonite sister-in-laws caused Wanda to yearn for the simpler life. In their travels, she and her husband have become close friends with many Amish people across America. Wanda's desire to explore their culture increased when she discovered that her great-great grandparents were part of the Anabaptist faith.

All of Wanda's novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Many of her books are well-read and trusted by the Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.

Wanda's primary attraction to the Amish is their desire to live a devout Christian life that strives to honor God, work hard, and maintain close family ties. Whenever she visits her Amish friends, Wanda finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties, which is in stark contrast to the chaos and busyness that plagues so many modern "Englishers." Time and time again, Wanda loses her heart in the Amish life, and she hopes her readers will, too. For more information, visit: www.WandaBrunstetter.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Collection of Novellas, January 28, 2006

By 

Hannah Lane (Georgia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Schoolhouse Brides: The Reluctant Schoolmarm/School Bells and Wedding Bells/Dear Teacher/Prairie Schoolmarm (Heartsong Novella Collection) (Paperback)

It took me about four hours to read, and boy, was it worth all the time. I loved this collection. I enjoy reading these types of books, but the whole "teacher" aspect grabbed me because that is my dream occupation. I truly enjoy the reading material that this gave me.

DEAR TEACHER: A young teacher, Judith King meets Ernie, a widower with two kids who attend her class. With a little matchmaking on his son's side, they end up becoming attracted to each other, but both feel unworthy of one another at the same time! When Ernie makes a huge mess of things with a question, he feels he has lost his chance. But, first guesses may be wrong.

PRARIE SCHOOLMARM: Marin Nilsson, a Swedish immigrant to America, finds her Swedish neighbors in need for a school. She creates her own little class with some help from a very attractive family friend, Talif. But when Marin is asked to tutor Talif, Marin makes a mess of words! But a surprise from all the older male students may have Marin reconsidering her hidden feelings for Talif.

RELUCTANT SCHOOLMARM: When Christa comes to town to meet her uncle, surprising timing have the townspeople believing that she is teh beloved town doctor's fiancee'. When Grant, the doctor, tells them his fiancee will be teaching the town children, they all believe taht she is the one. But when the real fiancee comes to town, Christa and Grant both reconsider the situation of her leaving and the fiancee staying.

SCHOOLBELLS AND WEDDING BELLS: When circumstances put Meredith Rose and her brother, Marcus Macrae into teh town of Last Chance, Idaho, she is horrified at the fact that she may have to teach. But when it is the handsome, kind town boss, Brit, she reconsiders. But a scary man in the town is attracted to Meredith Rose, and Brit promises to protect her. But when the pursuer gets too close, Meredith finds out of Brit's true feelings.

*The only one that was a little slow and boring was the second novella, PRARIE SCHOOLMARM, it was a little hard to understand, due to some Swedish language used to make it seem real.*

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Read, January 17, 2008

By 

J. Hickman "tn_momma" (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Schoolhouse Brides: The Reluctant Schoolmarm/School Bells and Wedding Bells/Dear Teacher/Prairie Schoolmarm (Heartsong Novella Collection) (Paperback)

I really enjoyed the stories in this Novella. I have a soft spot for teachers from days past, and I think these ladies did a fantastic job portraying the realities and hearts of many young women who were put in a one room classroom with very little resources. The Christian perspective was very touching. A great read for mother and daughter alike.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars schoolhouse Brides, February 20, 2007

By 

Nadia N. Rehmani "Nadia N.Rehmani" (U.S.A) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Schoolhouse Brides: The Reluctant Schoolmarm/School Bells and Wedding Bells/Dear Teacher/Prairie Schoolmarm (Heartsong Novella Collection) (Paperback)

This was a very good book,I wasn't familiar with this writer,but she makes an impression in this book