A Vote of Confidence (Sisters of Bethlehem Springs, The) (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Beautiful and single, Guinevere Arlington knows her “place” in the early twentieth century. She just refuses to stay there. Gwen loves her life in Idaho—the mountains, the town, her independence. But when she runs for mayor—and falls in love with her opponent—Gwen realizes winning may come at too high a price.

From the Back Cover

In A Vote of Confidence, the stage is set for some intriguing insight into what it was like during 1915 to be a woman in a “man’s world.”

Guinevere Arlington is a beautiful young woman determined to remain in charge of her own life. For seven years, Gwen has carved out a full life in the bustling town of Bethlehem Springs, Idaho, where she teaches piano and writes for the local newspaper. Her passion for the town, its people, and the surrounding land prompt Gwen to run for mayor. After all, who says a woman can’t do a man’s job?

But stepping outside the boundaries of convention can get messy. A shady lawyer backs Gwen, believing he can control her once she’s in office. A wealthy newcomer throws his hat into the ring in an effort to overcome opposition to the health resort he’s building north of town. When the opponents fall in love, everything changes, forcing Gwen to face what she may have to lose in order to win.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (May 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310258057
• ISBN-13: 978-0310258056
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #33,908 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Sisters of Bethlehem Springs books, August 22, 2009

By	Lori Kasbeer (Florida) - See all my reviews

Set in the early 1900's, in Bethlehem Springs, Idaho, twins sisters Guinevere and Cleo are making up for lost time. Guinevere, or Gwen as her friends call her, grew up with her Mother surrounded by education, culture and training. Her twin sister Cleo grew up with their father and is a self acclaimed tomboy. Despite growing up apart they have a close relationship.

A Vote of Confidence begins with Cleo suggesting that Gwen should run for the upcoming Mayor election. The only contender so far is Mr. Hiram Tattersall who is known to frequent the bars at all times of the day. Only because of Gwen's love for her town, did she decide to throw her hat into the Mayor race.

What Gwen didn't count on was bachelor Mr. Morgan McKinley throwing his hat into the Mayor race also. Morgan McKinley is also busy building the New Hope Health Spa, in hopes of catering to the rich and poor. Morgan finds he is falling for Gwen's charms and persuades Gwen to give him piano lessons. In the midst of this budding romance someone is trying to sabotage Morgan's New Hope Health Spa. Both Morgan and Gwen find themselves questioning decisions they have made and had to learn to trust one another, despite past broken hearts.

Robin Lee Hatcher made these characters come alive. I found myself smiling while reading this book. It was a relaxing and enjoyable book. I look forward to more of The Sisters of Bethlehem Springs books.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another Great One, June 3, 2009

By	L. Germany "mom2tnt" (Ridgeland, MS United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Seeing a woman express her independence today is nothing out of the norm, but in 1915? It was unheard of. Did you realize that two women ran for president of the United States, one in 1872 and one in 1884? This was LONG before they were allowed to vote, but nothing in the law permitted them from running. And Hillary thought she was a groundbreaker!

Guinevere is living in Bethlehem Springs when the mayoral campaign begins. She has been living a quiet life there for quite a while, but she notices things that she thinks should change and she definitely does not agree with the current administration. Her sister and her father tell her that she should run.

Things look promising until a handsome stranger move into town and wants to build a spa. Scandalous! Guinevere has to battle him for the mayoral seat, battle the feelings she begins to have for him and those battles are small compared to the deep seated battles she will face in the male dominated world. In the end, will she receive a "vote of confidence"? She definitely received mine!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More like 4.5 stars. I really enjoyed the romance in this one!, May 26, 2009

By	Michelle Sutton (Arizona) - See all my reviews

Another enjoyable romantic historical tale by Robin Lee Hatcher. Ahhhh...
While the storyline is typical for a western historical romance, I still found the characters fun and the plot enjoyable. Sure, it's formulaic--because it's supposed to be that way. But even though I knew it was supposed to have a happily ever after ending, I was never bored with the story. I get tired of the same old same old stuff and this was a really fun read for me. Not too fluffy and not too sweet. I literally enjoyed every page. In fact, I kept waiting to get bored and it never happened.

The romance was the best part of the story because it seemed natural and believable to me, and not contrived. The dialog was also very well done. I felt like I was living in the town along with the characters. The author really knows how to crank up the romantic tension and bring a couple together in such a way that it will make you sigh when they finish kissing. I really enjoyed the historical aspect of the story with the whole women voting plot and the mayoral race. The hero was, of course, divinely heroic and a perfect match for the heroine. :) Overall this was a great read. I'd recommend it to anyone.