Love Finds You in Branson, Missouri

by Gwen Ford Faulkenberry

Ellie Heinrichs dreams becoming a
famous Broadway actress.
Instead, Ellie is cast as a rural heroine in Branson’s
outdoor drama, The Shepherd of the Hills. In a
grudging attempt to get in touch with her character,
Ellie translates her great-grandmother’s diary and
is soon swept up in a tale of love and loss, wisdom
and faith.
As Ellie grows close to Will Howard, her director
and a descendant of the original shepherd of the
hills, she finds her grandmother’s experiences
merging with her own. And when the past offers a
chance to repeat itself, Ellie must decide whether to
pursue her dream at all costs…or allow

Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance, Christian, Fiction, Contemporary, Christian Romance

311 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Gwen Ford Faulkenberry lives and writes in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. She and her husband, Stone, have three young children: Grace, Harper, and Adelaide. Gwen is the author of God’s Heart for You, a gift book published by Penman Paper, and she has written hundreds of products for DaySpring® Cards, as well as several novels in the popular Love Finds You™ romance line. A professor of English at her local college, she holds a Master’s Degree in Liberal Arts. Gwen has served as a ghostwriter for major publications.

Reviews

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this Love Find You for several reasons. First, the faith thread that was woven throughout was well written without being "in your face," and the characters showed that God will redeem us no matter what mistakes we have made. Second, the use of Ellie's great-great grandmother's diary threaded in the storyline was well choreographed. Third, the minor storyline with Ellie's best friend Audrey added a surprise punch. Finally, the double theme of God's grace and family love and bonds are evident everywhere in the story.

I have enjoyed all the books in this series but this one is a standout.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.It was about Elle Heinrichs who is a actress who wants to be on Broadway.She ends up doing a play in Bronson Missouri.Her Mom gives her her grandmother diary which she starts reading while doing the play and finding out what her Grandmother went through.Se also finds herself interested in the director of the play.

[ames · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly not the most inspiring work of a christian fiction novel but kind of a fun read! The author seemed to use multiple of the same kind of similes and overused phrases but this book was definitely good for a little giggle here and there. Wouldn’t really recommend as a good read but more just for the fun of it being in Branson. As a local it was so fun to see regional theaters and restaurants and such mentioned in a published book, even if some of the adventures in town were a little over exaggerated or just so far fetched and absurd. 10/10 would recommend if you’re a Branson local, 0/10 would recommend if you’re looking for an adequate piece of literature. Sorry, Gwen.

[Kim Hampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story with a great message. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the detailed descriptions of all the clothing and room furnishings. I loved that the author used real places in Branson as the backdrop for the story. I recognized most of them, including Blue Eye, Missouri, where my friend lives.

[Billie Flaming · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've read things unpublished better than this.

The writing style is weak, and the details are too abundant and take away from the story and characters. The characters don't feel real.

The writer tells the reader what is going on. The writer tells, doesn't show.

[Erin]

I'd been wanting to read this book for a while, as I've lived in Branson for almost two decades. The book had a good presentation of coming to faith in Christ, but overall the writing was poor, the main female character was whiny and uninspiring, the main male character was forgettable (I put down the book for a few days and literally couldn't remember who he was when I picked it up again), and I didn't like the rewriting of Branson's history because the town already has a perfectly good history that doesn't need to be embellished. I felt like the great-grandmother's diary was kind of a forced addition and Ellie didn't heed anything she could have learned from it. I ended up skimming through a good portion of this book.

Overall, I found the portrayal of modern day Branson mostly accurate, though as someone who regularly goes to Silver Dollar City (and was there the day before I read the scene where the characters visit), that part was the most unrealistic.

The faith content was absolutely the best part of this book, but this is not one I'll be keeping on my shelf.

[Aimee Irvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose not to give this one a 5 star bc there was a few scenes that I was surprised was in this book for it being a faith based book such as the one part where Ellie and Will are doing a heavy passionate make out session, Ellie's friend and her brother end up sleeping together, but nothing happens other then they lay beside each other the one evening. Then there was a lot of alcohol only bc Ellie's fam owns a winery place. But besides these few issues overall the book was really good and there is some sad too. Enjoyed reading this book!

[Cinda Coyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just did a trip to Branson. Thought this would be a cute book to read while on the road. Lots of places listed that we had gone to or seen while on our trip. A very cute love story with history of Branson thrown in from her great-great--grandmothers diary. The characters from her Grandmothers diary had ties to "The Shepherd of the Hills." Have not read that book. A classic written in the early 1900's. Now I need to read that book....so I can tie the characters back to this book. Very relaxing read.

[Rebecca "Rebaka" Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Finds You in Branson, Missouri is a story of dreams and how sometimes dreams can go in a different direction than you plan. Ellie gets a chance to see a small portion of her dream come true. There were several surprises that she encountered. I saw several different love stories in this one story, one being through the diary and the growing love between her and Will. I have enjoyed every book in this series. It is unfortunate that they have discontinued the series.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable look at the lifelong dreams we have and their cost to us if we pursue them. Do we ask for and seek God’s wisdom? Faith and God’s direction are a big factor in the happiness snd fulfillment of several characters who might have ended up very different people otherwise.

[Susan Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story, but it didn't really hold me to the story. I have to really like the characters and had a hard time relating. They didn't seem real. Will was okay and Audrey, but the others seemed manufactured.

[Pamela Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clean, refreshing read which intertwines people, relationships, geography, and faith. Inspiring!

[Salinn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this story...the plot was cool but I felt that the interactions between the couples were a bit much for my taste.

[Tara Irlbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. The incredible details put me right in the story.

[Genevieve · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wasn't my cup of tea unfortunately. It seems like quite a few of the Love Finds You books haven't been hitting home for me the past months :(

[Lisa Auvigne · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a great book. The ending is kind of small. I thought I missed something when I got to the end. With it not being a seris that carryover it left an open ending.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Completely enjoyable. A fun quick read with both sorrow and joy!

[Joyce Mante · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book to read. I enjoyed learning a little bit about Branson and the story line was good. I liked the parallels between the past and the present.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Title: LOVE FINDS YOU IN BRANSON, MISSOURI
Author: Gwen Ford Faulkenberry
Publisher: Summerside Press
August 2011
ISBN: 978-1609361914
Genre: Contemporary romance

Ellie Heinrichs dreams becoming a famous Broadway actress. Instead, Ellie is cast as a rural heroine in Branson’s outdoor drama, The Shepherd of the Hills. In a grudging attempt to get in touch with her character, Ellie translates her great-grandmother’s diary and is soon swept up in a tale of love and loss, wisdom and faith.

As Ellie grows close to Will Howard, her director and a descendant of the original shepherd of the hills, she finds her grandmother’s experiences merging with her own. And when the past offers a chance to repeat itself, Ellie must decide whether to
pursue her dream at all costs…or allow love to flourish in the beautiful Ozark hills

I have enjoyed most of the Love Finds You series, and was sad when they decided to discontinue them. When I found LOVE FINDS YOU IN BRANSON, MISSOURI someone was getting rid of, I was happy to take it off their hands so I could read it. I have been to Branson – went to college at School of the Ozarks and have been to the Shepherd of the Hills productions. This book would be sooo good…. Right?

I’m sad to say it wasn’t. I couldn’t relate to the characters at all. It was all too coincidental. Ellie gets a job in Branson. The very next day her grandpa somehow has bought, furnished and gifted Ellie with a luxury condo on the lake. Complete with everything her little heart desires except groceries. Even a lovely note from “Opa.” I could go on, including waxing eloquent as another reviewer did, about a houseboat magically going through a dam to go from one lake to another, but I won’t.

I couldn’t connect with these characters at all and I was greatly disappointed in this book. More telling than showing, not engaging, and uninteresting. Ouch.

There are still a few Love Finds You books I haven’t read, and I will when I can, but this was definitely not one of the best.

Available in ebook, paperback, and hardcover. 320 pages.

[⚜️XAR the Bookwyrm · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have enjoyed a good bit of the Love Finds You series, and was totally bummed out when I found out that they decided to discontinue them. I made it a mission to read all of the series, and hopefully owning the ones I really enjoyed. I started purchasing them when they came on sale, without having read them beforehand, simply because I knew the price would go up the rarer they became. This is one I'm really wishing I had read before purchasing.

I thought much of the plot was way too coincidental. Ellie gets a job in Branson, yet it seems that her grandfather has anticipated this and has somehow has bought, furnished and gifted Ellie with a luxury condo on the lake. Complete with everything her little heart desires except groceries, but that's covered in a lovely note from “Opa”, giving her $1000 for groceries. That's totally unrealistic! For me, that's like 3 months worth of groceries!

In addition, I couldn’t connect with these characters at all. Ellie was very whiny about her situation and seemed to want to be handed everything, rather than actually work for it. She was uninspired, shopping and eating at chain stores, rather than think for herself and create a unique style and food preference. Will felt like a very bland hero, and I just didn't care if he got the girl or not.

I thought that this book had a lot of telling the reader about everything, rather than showing them, which made the book not very engaging, and largely uninteresting. I didn't feel like I was seeing the real Branson in this story, like I felt I had with some of the other locations visited in the Love Finds You books and I was greatly disappointed overall.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great romance built around the theater in Branson Missouri. It has been a while since I read this book. I've been lax in getting my reviews done because my computer was down. I do remember I really enjoyed this book and due to the main character, Ellie, transcribing from German her Grandmothers diary, there is a love story within a story. I did finish this book quite quickly which usually means it was an easy and enjoyable read. I feel really badly that I can't do a proper review but it has been too long since I read the book to go into particulars. Most of the Love Finds You books are really great and this one didn't disappoint me.

Here is the info that was on the back of the book: Ellie Heinrichs longs to leave home for Broadway. Instead, director Will Howard casts her as the rural heroine in Branson's outdoor drama! Looking for inspiration, Ellie turns to her great-grandmother's pioneer diary and discovers a story of love, loss, wisdom, and faith. Will Ellie pursue her dreams---or discover her own romance in the Ozarks?

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, with romances you're 98% guaranteed to get a happy ending. What makes a romance special is in the getting toward that ending. Faulkenberry's book is one of those specials. There are not just one but three romances in this novel - one in the past and two in the present - and each has to do with following your heart in regard to what you want to do with your life. Sometimes, you find that once you get what you want it's not so great after all. Sometimes, you find yourself following the expectations of others. Nearly all of the main characters here experience these things. I'd guessed the revelation in the final pages early on, but I wonder if the characters ever did. Yes, this was a book where I wish there had been more. It ends at the pre-requisite happy ending, but I wanted it to continue.

[Cheryl · Rating 1 out of 5]

Blech. The "heroine" of this story was so dull and unrelatable. How dull you ask? When her new love interest asks her where she wants to eat, she replies that she likes Olive Garden. She shops at J. Crew and Coldwater Creek.

She has everything handed to her, a fully furnished condo, a paying job as an actress which she doesn't appreciate, a Broadway audition despite having an agent that does nothing for her at all, a friend who conveniently lives in NY, family with money, I could keep going.

The plot was so convoluted and ridiculous and everything was related to everything else, even the stray dog had been abused by the obvious villainess.

The writing was terrible and filled with far too many descriptions of clothing and Italian food being eaten by Germans.

I don't recommend this book to anyone with half a brain.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually started reading this as a joke because I needed a book for a train ride and met my own husband in Branson. And I am we'll acquainted with all the stuff the author described. I ended up liking it better than I thought simply because I liked the characters. Some plot lines and situations were a little contrived, and there were some errors about Branson in general, but I only knew them because I lived there. Cute, fun read. Not super deep, and the ending was a little rushed. I'd recommend it to fellow Branson friends but not push it on anyone else.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK, romance is NOT my favorite genre, but this was a cute story. With several good messages weaved into the story.

There were some logistical things that bugged me about the story like what was Will's last name? At the beginning of the story it was "Howard" but at least once it seemed to get flipped with the William in Great-Great Grandmother's diary. I also found it interesting that that Ellie often referred to her mother by her first name, same with references to Audrey's father.

Regardless, the story kept my interest and it was a happy ending.

[Teresa Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet romance that actually was a romance. This book actually has a kiss within the first few chapters. There was a somewhat unexpected twist about midways through the book (hum, didn't see that coming), followed by a second romance, some sadness, and a very sweet ending. Only thing that would have made it better would have been an epilogue.

[Pauline · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was loaned to me and isn't what I'd normally read, but it was interesting in that I've visited the table rock area. Pretty good story but a bit confusing in the end. Not sure I understand the connections yet. Maybe I didn't read close enough all the way through. It was alright as a simple and quick read.

[Lissie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book. From page one till the end it's very romantic. Adult content in this book and not recommended for younger kids. I loved this book and the feel of it. Really cool how the two main characters abstain from after marriage stuff till after they're married. I know it is a struggle, but they do it and feel better afterwards because they made the right choice. Recommend.

[Jill Twigg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness! This was really hard to put down and I didn't want it to end. Ellie is reading her great great grandmother's diary and sees how her life may be paralleling with her own. The side story of Audrey and Beecher is almost as interesting as Ellie and Will. Can't wait to read another.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book, but it had more worldliness in it than I like in a specifically Christian book. I really liked the story line over all, the connections were interesting, and I love Branson. :)