An Unexpected Surprise

by Rosey Dow

Angie McBride has placed an ad for a mail-order bride--for her widowed brother-in-law and his motherless daughter. But when the beautiful Saundra arrives, Angie wonders if she's made a mistake and woven a very tangled web. Will Angie learn to leave matters in the hand of God?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction

170 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Rosey Dow is a best-selling and award-winning author. Her novel, Reaping the Whirlwind, won a 2001 Christy Award for excellence in fiction. A former missionary and lifelong mystery buff, Rosey now makes her home in the South where she writes and speaks full time.

Reviews

[Melmo2610 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this historical western romance. It’s a quick and easy read and good story.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good story. Angie is caring for her brother-in-law and niece since her sister died 3 years ago. Angie and Judy decide to put a ad in the paper for a mail-order bride and Angie signs Lane's name to the letters.

Saundra answers the ad. Everyone seem to like her, except Lane. He has been in a deep sadness since his wife died.

Angie was engaged to the farm hand, Barry, but she realizes she sees him more as a brother then a husband.

A wanderer comes to their door late at night cold and starving. Hans seems wonderful but is hiding something.

This is only told from Angie's viewpoint. I enjoy hearing boths sides but it was a really good book.

[Jennybug · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute short story. Page 33 was my favorite. It talked about the tradition of hiding a pickle ornament in the Christmas tree. My children love this fun German tradition.

Also, I thought this was kind of funny: Hans is telling about how important his job was in Berlin. He says, I had a job with 500 people under me. He then tells them he mowed the city graveyard. ha ha this made me chuckle. The book ended to quickly for me. I would have liked it if the author had "wrapped" up the story with everyone celebrating Christmas.