Customer Reviews

The Winter Pearl (Steeple Hill Women's Fiction #16)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For Honor Rose McCall, existence was one continuous nightmare. Life with her ruthless uncle had been horrible enough while her Aunt Harriet had been alive, but now that she had passed away, the nightmare threatened to grow ever darker. Under the threat of marriage to her uncle, Lucas Scythe, Honor flees from her home in a desperate attempt to escape what she would consider a fate worse than death. Not willing to let Honor go, Uncle Lucas trails her, fully intending to drag her back for his bride.

Finding help in the form of a young minister, who kindly assists her in any way possible, Honor begins struggling within herself. Although she has much to learn, she realizes that she does not deserve the kindness being shown her and knows she must leave as soon as possible, all the while harboring love for a man who may never reciprocate her feelings or even know they exist. As she waits for the time when it will be possible for her to leave, the long shadow of danger still follows her.

The Winter Pearl is an uplifting story set in Colorado's dangerous days of 1888. Set near Christmas, this captivating novel evokes the spirit of the holidays and leaves the reader feeling warm and fulfilled. The Winter Pearl is a fine, expressive work and has the able fingerprints of Molly Noble Bull on each absorbing page. Two thumbs up!

Craig Hart (...)

I really wanted to be excited about reading this book. I should have known that through the average reviews and the predictable story line, this book wouldn't be anything exceptional. The plot seemed forced and the suspense wasn't... suspenseful. The plot, and even the relationships felt rushed, which made me care less and less for the characters and their "happy ending." I wasn't very fond of Honor McCall from the beginning. To me, she seemed like a weak-minded woman, despite the situation. I didn't think Seth was portrayed realistically either; it is possible to create reserved characters and still portray human emotions. None of the characters jumped out at me and said, "I'm someone worth caring about." I try to read books with gripping characters and stories that pull you in and don't let go. This wasn't one of them. I finished this book with a sigh of relief that it was finally over, and a disappointment at the wasted time and money. I guess it was a sweet enough story, but it's not for me.

THE WINTER PEARL is a wonderful book full of hope and forgiveness in the Lord. Nobody depicts the lives of ordinary folks in the Old West, and the part faith played in their lives, than Molly Noble Bull.

When young Honor McCall's beloved Aunt Harriet dies, she is left to the unmerciful clutches of her abusive Uncle Lucas. When Honor runs away from home to escape her abusive Uncle Lucas, her life takes some drastic turns. She finds a little bit of solace in a church, where she runs for temporary shelter. While in the house of God, she commits a petty crime since she has no money. The guilt from this crime follows her throughout the story. She escapes from her hometown by purchasing a stagecoach ticket. Jeth Peters, a handsome minister from a local town who presided over her aunt's funeral, happens to be a passenger on the same stage coach. When the stage coach is robbed, Honor is injured and widowed Jeth Peters brings her to his home: a boarding house run by his mother. While Jeth and his mother nurse Honor back to health, they teach her about faith and God.

Honor falls for the handsome Pastor Jeth Peters, and Jeth is smitten with Honor. However, he cannot actively pursue her until she accepts Christ as her Lord and Savior.

Meanwhile, Uncle Lucas makes a spiritual journey on his own and as the story unwinds, the reader discovers that Uncle Lucas is connected to Jeth Peters in a most unusual way.

This is the first book I've ever read by Molly Noble Bull and I loved it! Her writing style was fresh and the words just flowed from the page, making the reader eager to finish the story. There was also a sprinkling of intrigue in the story as Honor and Uncle Lucas make their physical and spiritual journeys. I highly recommend this book as a nice, well-written, and emotional read.

The Winter Pearl is a great read. Molly's characters stay on your mind long after the end of the book. Her settings are rich and and believable, and the story is heartwarming. To see people overcome their struggles through the loving hand of God is the theme that touched my heart and reminded me that even in the lowest depths, God still loves us.

The rugged weather and brash stage robbers of 1888 in Colorado are the least of Honor McCall's worries. Running from a cruel and lecherous uncle, Honor is temporarily working at a boarding house owned by a kind preacher's mother, all the while anticipating her pursuer at any moment. And although she has difficulty trusting, Jeth's openness and caring gentleness toward Honor cause emotionally cathartic changes in her life.

The Winter Pearl by Molly Noble Bull is more than a lovely romance with endearing characters; Ms. Bull challenges the reader to consider the cost of forgiveness and to remember that nothing is impossible to our Lord. The main theme is not the growing attachment of two young lovers, but the unconditional love available to those who follow Jesus, and ultimately others touched by His followers.

In her truly inspiring story, Ms. Bull impresses readers with the importance of forgiveness and reliance on God, which is the greatest love story of all. - Anne Walker, Christian Book Previews.com

If you are looking for a wonderful historical story of faith, hope, love, and redemption, THE WINTER PEARL tops the list! Molly Noble Bull's characters are so real that I related to them immediately. I felt sympathetic to Honor the moment I began her story. I'm sure you will, too. A MUST READ!

This is the first book I read by Molly Noble Bull. Let me tell you, I have a very hard time putting the book down when I had to. I thought the story flowed smoothly and had a powerful meaning behind it. From beginning to end, you see Honor and her Uncle Lucas change. I loved this book so much that I let a co-worker borrow it. Molly has definately become one of my favorite authors. Even if you're not a Christian, check out this book, it's AWESOME!!!!!

Molly Noble Bull's THE WINTER PEARL is delightful, intriguing, compelling, and heartwarming. From the first line, the story pulls you into the world of Honor McCall and keeps you turning the pages for answers to a series of hints about future events. The plot is so well crafted that, when the story ends, you think, "Of course, this is the perfect ending for this story."

The deftness with which Bull handles the spiritual growth of the individuals who people her book is a testament to her own faith.

This is a book you don't want to miss. You'll have to decide whether to read it all in one sitting because it compels you not to put it down, or whether to stretch it out over several sittings so you can slowly savor every word. It's that good.

Molly Noble Bull writes a moving tale of innocence threatened. Honor McCall must flee a horrible future in the hands of her cruel uncle, but tarnishes her integrity in the process. How can she restore her self-respect and win the affection of the gallant minister who has captured her heart? Or does anything else matter but escaping the danger that still stalks her? The author has a refreshing voice, and the plot takes delightful and unexpected turns. Keep a tissue in hand and settle in for a warm winter's read.