Friday, August 27, 2010

Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson


Sixteen women, all with different stories and backgrounds,
join the Ladies Emigration Society and board the train headed to Nebraska. These women have been lured to leave their pasts behind with promises of "free prime homesteads" and an ability to "take control of their own destinies".
Caroline is a typical southern belle whose family will have nothing to do with her after her marriage to a Yankee soldier. Ella is a widow - a large girl with no hope of ever marrying again. She and her mother, Zita, have lost their farm during the war and hope to begin anew. Ruth is proud of her deceased husband's legacy, and is determined to pass that on to her son, Jackson. Sally is a divorced, rough Tennessee gal who becomes responsible for sewing and caring for chickens. Hettie is running from a past she wants to keep secret and yet she can't avoid helping those in need. When they discover that the people are secretly calling them the Ladies Desperation Society and that they've been deceived, anger and confusion abound. These women will discover a strength and determination to make it in this untamed land together.
When I first began the book I struggled to keep us with all of the names and characters, but soon the author narrows the story down to the "Fav-Five". I especially enjoyed reading the verses at the beginning of each chapter as the women learned to give control of their destinies to God and to "Hope On - Hope Ever". I can honestly say I enjoyed the book from beginning to end.

A big thanks to Bethany House for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

1 comment:

Stephanie Grace Whitson said...

Thank you so much for taking time to read Sixteen Brides and share your review with others. I appreciate it greatly!