Brides of Culdee Creek
by Kathleen Morgan
Daughter of Joy
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Click here to buy from www.chapters.indigo.ca
A Review by Natasha:
Dear Reader,
Most people today are cynical
to some degree. Most critics would have a very cynical view
of the complex and deliberately righteous portrait of womanhood
that Kathleen Morgan creates in Daughter of Joy.
In many ways our main character, Abigail, is a proverbs
31 woman. She is hard working, she manages a household well,
she stretches out her hand to those in need. Strength and
honour are her clothing. She speaks with wisdom and kindness.
But most of all, she is a woman who fears God. Okay, she
sounds too good to be true but she is not, believe me. She
has had many adversities in life. She has had an unfulfilling
marriage and her husband and son have both died within a
short period of each other. She takes a job as a housekeeper,
not so much for the money, but more as an escape, a time
away from all she has known to try and make sense of her
life. Even in her brokeness she tries to serve God. And
this is the beauty of this story. For the heart that truly
seeks to serve the master, to listen to His voice, will
always be used for His purposes. But before you run away
with the picture that Morgan has created a picture perfect
fictitious little world, let me just say a few more things.
Racism, adultery, and rape do no belong in a fairy tale.
Morgan's handling of these issues, as well as familial strife
and unforgiveness, is subtle and very personal to the characters
involved. Her heroine is not out to change the world. Merely
to confront herself and to challenge herself to have an
attitude that she knows is right to a little "halfbreed"
girl who has known nothing but rejection from a 'Christian'
society. And her searching father, who though sinned against,
is also recklessly sinning. The plot is intricate and frankly
takes some unexpected turns until we come to an expected,
yet satisfactory, ending. This book would, in fact, be a
great gift for a non-Christian friend. It can easily be
presented as a great love story that has Christian values,
yet it is so much much more. Pick up a copy today and let
me know what you think.
Thoughtfully yours,
Natasha
A review by Tracy:
Daughter of Joy was
the second book of Kathleen Morgan's that I read, the third
in the Brides of Culdee Creek series. Lady of Light,
being the first I read immediately before. Even though I
read them in reverse order (unintentionally), it didn't
affect my enjoyment of the books. Each book stands alone
individually although once you've read one you will want
to read the others to find out the story on the other characters
and the family members in general! Right now, I'll be looking
for book 2 and book 4, which is just coming out!
Abigail Stanton's whole
life was rooted in her faith, a faith she now clings to
solely to survive. In the wake of losing her husband and
young son, Abby sets out alone, bereft and heartsick, to
discover what God wants her to do. When he leads her to
Conor MacKay's doorstep, though, the very foundation of
her beliefs starts to shift. As the volatile rancher's new
housekeeper, Abby is supposed to keep his affairs - and
his equally capricious little girl - in order. Why, then,
does she feel confusion, passion, desire, and anything but
order every time they are together? Conor tries to hide
his own seething emotions beneath a cold facade, but there
is something about his prim new housekeeper that sets him
on edge. And the more ruthlessly he attacks Abby's faith,
the more his defenses crack. As Abby and Conor draw closer
to the flame of their attraction, they must grapple with
their deepest beliefs and fears. In opening their hearts
again, both risk even greater loss for a chance at the greatest
love of all. (c) back cover, Daughter of
Joy
I really enjoyed this story!
I didn't want to put the book down and carried it around
the house with me, sneaking a few minutes here and there
throughout the day until evening when my two munchkins were
tucked in bed and I could read as long as I desired (usually
far into the night!)
The story itself is very
memorable. I can still picture the country kitchen and old
Bessie and imagine Abby bustling about in there or sitting
across the table from little Beth, watching her munch on
the freshly baked cookies. I can still feel the tension
between Abby and Conor, see the sparks flying between them.
I can feel the compassion flowing from Ella, reaching out
in friendship to Abby when she first arrives at Culdee Creek
Ranch. I can also feel her pain when she realizes her husband
has been seeking physical fulfillment elsewhere and her
decision to risk her life in having another baby so that
she is able to be physically close with her husband. I expect
Book 2 will be about Ella's choice to bear another child
and her faith in God.
The characters are strong
and deep, reflecting very real pain and fears, but also
a very real desire to know God. The story is a rendition
of the Prodigal son with Conor's lost son returning home
to Culdee Creek, as well as Conor, himself, finding his
way back to God. Somehow, the story of the prodigal son
is a timeless one and never seems to age in a well told
story as this one is.
I also thought that the
struggles and decisions that Abby was having were true reflections
of struggles that many people have in choosing to date or
not date someone of the like faith. I've seen first hand
how difficult it is to choose to be obedient to Christ and
not follow one's heart and longing for a person who is not
a follower of Jesus. As hard as it was for Abby to refuse
Conor, she knew she couldn't be unequally yoked with him
as he was away from God. This is one point in the story
that I was a little teensy bit disappointed with. I was
surprised that Abby would feel called to marry Conor when
he hadn't yet returned to God. Perhaps, her later leaving
and giving him time to work things out on his own, was a
"coming to her senses" when she realized he was
attempting to please her and not God. I thought she had
made a premature decision before that time and was glad
to see her correct it here. Even though I was slightly disappointed,
I have to admit it was very realistic and noble for her
to follow through on her intentions not to depart from God's
will in her life. If only we were all that dedicated all
the time.
The plot keeps you moving
along and you can't wait to read "just one more chapter."
I was never really taken by surprise by any of the events,
except for one (which I shall not mention in fear of spoiling
it for anyone who hasn't yet read this book!)
This is a wonderful Colorado
prairie romance! If you like country stories filled with
God's redemptive love, a little romance, and colourful characters,
you'll love Kathleen Morgan's, Daughter of Joy.
Woman of Grace
Click image to buy from Amazon.com
Click here to buy from www.chapters.indigo.ca
I haven't had the privilege
of reading the second book in the Brides of Culdee Creek
series yet!
