5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very touching story, June 22, 2010
This review is from: The Sister Wife: Brides of Gabriel Book One (Paperback)
This is a very touching story of a young lady, Mary Rose Ashley, who is travelling by ship from Liverpool to America and in her journey she meets ship builder Gabriel MacKay. They fall in love and get married while still in the ship. When reaching America, they headed to Nauvoo, where Mormon prophet Joseph Smith preaches revelations he received directly from God. Among those revelations, the prophet says that polygamy not only is acceptable but also is encouraged. He orders Gabriel to marry Mary Rose's best friend, Browyn and that sets a spiritual conflict on Mary when facing this very difficult and unusual situation, that would shake her life and faith. Then there is Enid, who plans to become Gabriel's first wife regardless prior spouses...
The author was very successful and she had the sensibility to describe all the deep emotions of the characters involved in the story in a richness manner. We suffer with them, we joy with them, we learn with them. The historical aspect of this book shows a lot of research by the author on the early years of the Mormon church and how and why the concept of polygamy was introduced in the Mormonism. Without taking sides on what is right or wrong, Diane lets the reader thinks and reaches his/her own conclusions.
It is truly a magnificent romance and it deserves to be in the permanent library of any serious reader. And I am eager to read how this story will develop through the series "Brides of Gabriel".
This book was written by Diane Noble and was published by Harper Collins that were kind enough to send me a copy for reviewing.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Sister Wife, July 25, 2010
This review is from: The Sister Wife: Brides of Gabriel Book One (Paperback)
Lady Mary Rose Ashley agrees to follow her grandfather, the Earl of Salisbury, to America. Little does she know her grandfather has signed away all of their properties to the Prophet Joseph Smith, leaving her no choice but to continue forward with her grandfather's plans whether she likes it or not. Once aboard the Sea Hawk, Mary Rose continuously questions the rightness of the Saints' doctrines and enlists the help of Gabriel McKay, the only man on the ship, who seems to lack faith in God.
After witnessing a miracle, they both believe Joseph Smith's church is God's `one' true church on Earth. Before the ship docks at the Boston harbor, Mary Rose and Gabriel exchange vows. Soon after arriving at the decreed Holy City, tragedy shakes their new found love, forcing another bride for Gabriel on their marriage, Mary Rose's closest friend.
Excerpt:
"Love has nothing to do with it. I've already explained--and really, Mary Rose, I shouldn't have to keep going over it." He let out an exasperated sigh. "I've not fallen in love with Bronwyn. I don't deny I care about her. Her husband was my friend. But every ounce of love in my heart is yours alone."
He touched her face, letting the backs of his fingers trace her jawline. The gesture was so familiar, so intimate, she could easily have wept. Except for the image that came to her: her husband touching Bronwyn's face with the same intimacy, perhaps as soon as this night.
She drew in a deep breath and then stepped back, crossing her arms. "Perhaps the Prophet has interpreted God's edict correctly--and I'm not the only first wife in Nauvoo to wonder--but tell me, Gabe, why did it have to be Bronwyn? And why does it have to be marriage? . . ."
End of excerpt.
Packed with allegories, The Sister Wife, the first book in the Brides of Gabriel series, goes beyond the telling of a simple story. It reaches into the depths of your soul and makes you question what you would do in Mary Rose's shoes.
Multi Silver Angel Award recipient, Diane Noble creates a wonderful cast of characters in a world many of us could never possibly understand. Noble uses Mary Rose to draw the reader little by little into the story until we are left more heartbroken with each decision made beyond Mary Rose's control.
The setting, whether at sea, in Nova Scotia, or on the banks of the Mississippi is superbly crafted. Noble has a true gift in weaving her words together to create an unforgettable tale. However, emotionally, this is one of the most difficult pieces of fiction I have ever read. In a culture where monogamous marriages far outweigh those of polygamy, I found it difficult to accept the decisions of Noble's characters even though she gives them rock solid motivations. But I have to say, it was that difficulty, the warring of said decisions as well as the heartache of the consequences, which drew me and kept me riveted to the story.
As a romance reader I have certain expectations from my books, such as the promised happily ever after. I did not feel as though Mary Rose came to any resolution about her situation other than to carry forward with her husband and his thirst for godlike status with each wife he obtains. And spiritually, Mary Rose continues to waver clear up to the last pages between the new faith of the Mormon Church and that of the one taught her by her mother when she was but a small child.
Speaking of the last pages, at first I was confused, and then upset when I came to the end. The story ends with a cliffhanger, or so I assume. The last chapter stops on a hook before picking up at a later date in the epilogue.
Even though I felt robbed of a satisfying ending, I guess the real question is will I read the second book in the Brides of Gabriel Series? The answer to that question is, yes. Without a doubt.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Marlys Gillies, July 13, 2010
This review is from: The Sister Wife: Brides of Gabriel Book One (Paperback)
I loved The Sister Wife and I look forward to reading her second book in the Brides of Gabriel series. I found myself experiencing such mixed feelings as Mary Rose's life was thrown into the pain of sharing her husband with another woman. Diane Noble was able to express on paper the heart of a woman torn between the love of a man, her husband, and the friend she had grown to love and cherish. She was also being torn between the God she met at her mother's knee and the God that was leading her down this painful road.
I can't wait to see where the next book takes her!!
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