The Wedding Journey

Irish Brides #1

by Cheryl St.John

The mysterious inheritance is the answer to a prayer. Now Irish lass Maeve Murphy and her sisters can come to America! She's sure happiness awaits her, even if it won't—can't—come from widowed ship doctor Flynn Gallagher. Yes, he made her his assistant, but she's not foolish enough to fall for the man all the eligible, wealthy female passengers admire.

Flynn Gallagher may have his pick of ladies, but only one cares as he does for the sick and poor. Flynn vowed never to marry another woman who could break his heart. With Maeve, has his heart found safe harbor at last?

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Love Inspired, Love Inspired Historical, Christian

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 1, 2012

Reviews

[SuperWendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was OK. The characterization of the couple was thin and there was quite a bit of telling. Also I felt the inspirational elements were clunky and heavy handed. What I really enjoyed though was the "life on a ship" stuff. Think of it like a floating boardinghouse with a good sprinkling of "found family." I was invested enough in that aspect of this story that I've already picked up book 2 in the trilogy.

[Donna Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual Cheryl St.John has crafted another keeper. Great characters that are warm, caring and totally believable. Wonderful details are woven in about life aboard an immigrant ship and the devastation of the potato famine in Ireland. The Murphy sisters are forced to leave the only home they've ever known when their Dad dies. After the funeral, when they are packing to leave, they find a letter addressed to their Mother and a deed to a home in America. With no money and no opportunties for jobs, the three sisters decide to spend the last of their money on passage to America. The people and conditions they encounter on their trip are a wonderful cross-section of humanity, both the good and the bad. The heroine Maeve's journey is heart warming and wonderful. This book is definitely going on my keeper shelf.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good book. Maeve and her sisters are headed to America, escaping the poverty and disease in Ireland. Thanks to her quick thinking during a dockside emergency, Maeve ends up as the doctor's assistant. He helps her sisters secure other positions on the ship. Maeve is a sweet, optimistic young woman who has a gift for healing. Flynn has spent the last several years working as a ship's doctor and running away from the memories of his wife and son. Working with Maeve, she opens his eyes to what he has been doing, and he starts to feel again. I really enjoyed seeing the various people on the ship - the sisters, the captain and his wife, their friends and even the mean girl. All of the characters were very real as I read the book. I'm looking forward to the next one.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been on my kindle forever yo read. I'm so glad I've gotten to it. This story sucked me in fron page one. It's been a fun and meaningful journey of love on the sea. The characters are so endearing. I can't wait to read book two of this mini series.

[Virginia Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cheryl St. John is a wonderfully talented author of memorable historical romance reads, and she has created a remarkable love story called "The Wedding Journey". This book is the beginning of the "Irish Brides Series" from Harlequin's Love Inspired Historical brand. I love reading historical romance for many reasons, all of which are to be found in "The Wedding Journey". I have always lived in historical romance. I just “reside” in the modern world. From as far back as I can remember, I was always drawn to times of old, ladies and gentlemen from another era, and clothing and customs from days gone by. My mother and I always lived with her parents, and I grew up with values from an older generation. I was also lucky enough to hear stories passed on from several generations, play dress-up in wonderful clothing from different decades, and be taught manners and behavior from a more courtly society. "The Wedding Journey" is the first story of the three Murphy sisters, Maeve, Nora, and Bridget, who are grieving the loss of their father, and wondering how they will make ends meet. An unexpected windfall comes in the form of an inheritance from a man who once loved their mother. He had purchased a home outside Boston, MA, and left it as a place for their mother to live should she ever come to America. Their mother had died a decade ago, and now without both parents, the sisters decide to leave Ireland and cross the ocean to the land of possibilities. They determine to find temporary employment on the voyage to their new home, and Maeve becomes the assistant to the handsome ship's doctor, Flynn Gallagher, who is a widower. Flynn is as Irish as the Murphys, but he comes from a background of wealth and privilege far removed from the humble origins of the sisters. Nonetheless, he is captivated by the sincerity and innocent charm of the lovely Maeve Murphy. Petite, red-haired, and blessed with a fresh complexion and sparkling blue eyes, Maeve stirs feelings in Flynn's grief-stricken heart. His deep sorrow at the loss of his wife and young son to cholera had left him emotionally scarred and driven him to seek advancements in the prevention and treatment of disease, allowing him little time for personal considerations. His admiration for the genuine warmth and care for others possessed by Maeve and her sisters helps him to begin to communicate more with others and to find enjoyment in the simple everyday pleasures of life. The jumble of passengers on this voyage are headed across the sea for a wide variety of reasons, and many of them will find their lives changed by the crossing. The author has written an amazing and involving story line, with the ship itself being a "world within a world". I was fascinated by the travel necessities of the times, and how people had to adapt for survival on this type of ship voyage. My eyes were also opened to the devastation of the Irish people due to disease and the potato famine. Beginning in 1845 and lasting for six years, the potato famine killed over a million men, women and children in Ireland and caused another million to flee the country. Small wonder that the promise of the land of milk and honey that was America in the mid to late 1800's drew people from far and wide, and that their dreams and emotions were quite intense. "The Wedding Journey" is indeed the journey of a lifetime, where hearts are revealed and hope is reaffirmed. Highly recommended for lovers of great historical romance.

Review Copy Gratis Author

[Paula-O · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book in PDF file from the author Cheryl St John, I loved reading "The Wedding Journey". this story is about three young ladies from Ireland.Maeve-Nora& Bridget, a sad beginning where the girls lose their "Da" and he is buried reminding them of the time when they lost their Mother years ago. Soon the landlord explains they must leave the only home they have known so his family can move in.
The girls start cleaning and putting items they will take with them not knowing where they will go or what they will do. In the midst of this they find a picture with letter and deed to a home in America that someone named Laird O'Mallery had sent to their mother many years ago begging her to come to him.
Now they had a plan, they would travel to America and see if this home was still there. It takes all they have to come up with monies to travel on this journey. Soon they are on the docks looking for the ship "Annie McGee".
there is much confusion on docks and soon a incident where a donkey and cart rears up when it is mishandled and a child is found wounded laying underneath, Maeve runs to help instantly and saves the childs life by stopping the flow of blood with a make-shift tourniquet. the Dr of the ship is much impressed and offers her a job as his assistant. She is reluctant to take it at first but when her sisters help her to remember they will need monies when they get to america to live on, she accepts. The good dr also tells her sister of jobs they can do and they are most grateful, one a governess and the other to help in galley.
The young boy has two brothers and they two are soon put to jobs on ship and life is better then they have ever had. The long journey forges many friendships among the passengers, there are births and deaths before the journeys end.
You will like to read how this story unfolds for the good doctor and his assistant along with some of the other passengers. I did....

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

, this story is set in 1850, Maeve Murphy and her two sisters have just buried their father having lost their mother some time before. The landowner wants them off the land and the cottage where they live. Set at a time in history during the Irish famine the three girls decide to sell whatever possessions they have and buy passage to America, they had found a letter and deeds to a cottage just outside Boston, that a past love interest had left their mother, after he had moved to America many years previously
While waiting to board the ship a small boy is badly injured, Maeve immediately comes forward to help the child, back home she was the villager's go to person if you were ill or hurt. When the ships doctor arrives he's so impressed with her treatment of the boy, he offers her a job as his assistant on the voyage. Dr. Flynn Gallagher is a widower and unlike Maeve and her sisters he's from a very wealthy family. He offers to find jobs onboard ship for Maeve's sisters as well. It very soon becomes apparent that the single women on the ship soon see Flynn as husband material. Maeve feels positively dowdy next to the other women, but Flynn seems more drawn towards her, than the others vying for his attention.
The whole story is set onboard a ship travelling from Ireland to America. While the author had obviously done her research as to what life onboard a ship in 1850 was like, it did seem like an idealistic view, I'm sure conditions were much worse than are portrayed here. The characters are very engaging and easy to relate to as well. I would have like a bit more chemistry between Maeve and Flynn. There is a slight religious tone to the story but it fitted in with the characters personalities and backgrounds. Overall this story was charming.

[Catherine Richmond]

Famine, disease, and poverty have swept Ireland. The death of her father, leaves Maeve and her sisters without resources. Packing to leave their rented home, they find the deed to a house in Massachusetts and decide to head for the US. When Maeve helps an injured child at the dock, she draws the attention of Flynn Gallagher, the ship's doctor. He enlists her as his assistant for the voyage. She's attracted to his compassion and medical knowledge, and his Pierce Brosnan-good looks, but knows a romance can never be - he's upper class and she's lower.

Many Irish, including my ancestors, immigrated to the US. I knew tight quarters and poor rations onboard encouraged disease and death - necessitating health inspections on arrival. But I didn't know about the campaign to improve conditions. Author Cheryl St. John shows life aboard an immigrant vessel, including fascinating details of injuries and medical care. I loved this shipboard community and was almost as sad as Maeve when the end of the voyage approached.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such an uplifting story! Without giving too much away, it begins with three sisters and is the story of how they must deal with the tragedy of losing their father and what becomes of them as they are now on their own with no place to live and no one to take care of them. Circumstances end up with them finding themselves on a journey from Ireland to America with hopes of starting a new life. Onboard the ship, one of the sisters shows her compassion and medical knowledge to an injured orphan and consequently becomes an assistant to the doctor. They develop a very strong friendship and relationship as the story tells the many trials and tribulations they go through along the journey. God and prayer are a huge part of this book and remind us all what the power of prayer can do. Would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for inspiration and a little hope in their lives!!

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maeve and her sisters leave Ireland after the death of their father. They manage to find passage onto a ship heading to Boston. Each sister ends up with a job thanks to the doctor. Maeve works for the doctor, Bridget works as a governess, and Nora assists in the ship's galley. As the journey continues, Maeve and Flynn (the doctor) grow closer to each other. When he's finally able to put the deaths of his wife and son behind him, is he ready to face a future with Maeve? And what about her other sisters?

This is the first of a 3-part series. Maeve is gentle at times but hasn't figured out how to think before she speaks. I have that same problem. Flynn wrestles with his grief and is afraid to let anyone get close. I've also been there. Overall I enjoyed this book very much. I can't wait to read Bridget and Nora's stories.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

set of 3 books
3 Irish Christian sisters arrive in America during the potato famine in Ireland and after their parents die to receive a mystery house as an inheritance.
The first sister helps out on the ship. She seems to have some medical skills that she learned from the folk lore of her grandmother. She applies these to helping the ships doctor. In the midst of the journey an abandoned baby is found which she takes under her care along with her sisters.
A little contrived - she falls in love with the doctor, and they marry before getting off the ship.
Still - a good story.

[Dakota · Rating 3 out of 5]

not bad, made me want to read the next books just to see what happens in the series. I would label it as Christian or Inspirational fiction to warn those who don't like that, and there are a lot of references to that.
I like the characters and I thought the story was well laid out. It doesnt center on the romance though more of the journey itself with a romance in between.

[Vickie McDonough · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wedding Journey is a charming story about a kindhearted woman whose life changes in an instant when she rushes to aid an injured boy. I look forward to reading about Maeve's two sisters and their journey from Ireland to America.

[Fedora · Rating 4 out of 5]

First in the Irish Brides trilogy, following three sisters as they journey to America to escape the famine in Ireland.

A lovely read, with likeable characters and reminders of hope and the power of faith and love.

[Dorothy Roller]

Ms. St John really knows how to write historical romances and in unexpected places as in this story. This is set in the mid 1800’s aboard a ship sailing from Ireland to America. I felt as if I was drawn into this story and was in every place with three sisters who just lost their father and are told to leave their property within a week. They have nowhere to go until the find a framed photo of their mother and Nora the oldest finds a hole in the back of the fabric of the frame and sees an envelope that she takes out and she reads the letter it held. It’s from a man who loved their mother and asked her to marry him but she made her choice marry another man. He tells her of a cottage he bought for her in America and they hold the deed to the property as well as the letter. Now they have a place to go to. The Murphy sisters find what they can to get enough money to go to America buy selling what treasured belongings they could and keeping the letter to their mother that has a deed to a property in America that her former love bought for her and any relatives who come to America to escape the poverty in Ireland.
They reach the docks to find the ship they will sail on and a young orphan boy is hurt on the docks and Mauve Murphy jumps right in to help this child. He is was badly hurt on his leg and bleeding quite a lot and she forms a tourniquet with a stick someone found for her on the docks. Then uses it to tighten her scarf around his leg to help stop the bleeding. The ships doctor is so impressed with her that he asked her to be her assistant on the ship. This boy has brothers that have to stow away on the ship as they saw him going aboard.
I was drawn into the story like I watched everything happening aboard the ship. I felt in the background taking in everything from the higher-class ladies snubbing the immigrants to the cooking fires each family had with their rations for the day to cook their meals next to others no matter what classes they were this was on place they became the embodiment of the ship as one. At all other times it was so different except for the few women of the higher classes that would associate with others especially the three Murphy sisters.
There is tragedy, a newborn found in the shelves in the galley where the eldest sister finds the newborn and no mother around and instantly takes charge. A woman is found dead from a fall when she tries to go overboard.
They experience the awfulness of burial at sea. There are other things when a fight breaks out and one knifes the other all for their food allotment and they he is thrown overboard as his punishment. Another burial at sea for the dead man who leaves behind a wife and a bunch of kids. Life on a ship crossing the Atlantic Ocean is a very trying experience for anyone and for some it’s too much. Then a budding romance between Mauve and the handsome doctor which is a bit here and there leaving Mauve a bit wondering.
This is a well written and beautiful story and full of history with a bit if Ireland, and life aboard a sailing vessel to transport immigrants to America and what all it can entail and how to adjust to the painful facts of life onboard a ship and all the illnesses they can get. There is so much to this story that Ms. St John had to do a lot of research to write it. I applaud her for her inspirational story and all that is obviously seen in life aboard a ship like this in the mid 1800’s. This story is filled with faith, inspiration, prayers, troubling times, and finally redemption for some as they overcome some tough parts of their lives and finally given up to the Father above so they can move on and enjoy the new life awaiting them in a new place.

I wholeheartedly loved this story and all it entailed and I really did feel as if I was right there watching everything unfold. It is masterful storytelling and I highly recommend this book.

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE MURPHY SISTERS WERE WOMEN OF CHARACTER

What an inspiring tale of hardship, trials, adventures, and faith. The story will begin in 1850 in Castleville, Ireland at the funeral for the father of Nora, Bridget, and Maeve Murphy. As if dealing with the death of their father, they are being forced to move by the landlord. Now, these three young women must face new trials, make life-changing decisions, and forge a new path for their future. Ireland holds no ties and the land of opportunity in America is calling them.

“Into Your care, we place ourselves, Lord,” she prayed aloud. “Show us the path You would have us take and bless us as we seek a new home and a new start. Thank You for hope.”

I was so moved by this tale, the faith in God that these three young women have throughout the story. How they trust God, moving forward to board the Annie McGee and keep the faith along the journey. Each of the three sisters will find employment along the journey, Maeve as the doctor’s assistant, Nora in the kitchen, and Bridget as a governess for the Atwater’s three daughters.

The story is a fascinating journey across the sea but isn’t without trials and hardships. An abandoned newborn, several deaths, plenty of injuries, a murder, and life about a ship are described where the reader feels they are there. The story includes people of upper and lower classes, facing challenges, opening their mind and heart to deal with heartache of the past, and a love story. While this story covers many people, it is a love story between Dr. Flynn Gallagher and Nora Murphy. “A generous, compassionate, gifted and beautiful woman who has a lot of love to give.”

“Trouble me is all you’ve done. Challenged me. Frightened me. I don’t believe you’ve spared me a thing. You’re just you, and that’s enough. More than enough. You made me look at myself. You’re perceptive, and you never missed a chance to point out my self-defeating actions. Your plain truths were just what I needed. I was running away. From myself, from things I was too cowardly to deal with. I thought if I kept busy enough I’d never have to face things that were painful. It doesn’t work that way.”

[Gemma]

DNF at 66%.

I've really enjoyed some of Cheryl St John's books in the past, but this one wasn't for me. I'm not a Christian, so clearly this wasn't aimed at me, but I've read a handful of Christian romances with varying success.

I do better with religious books which focus mostly on doing good, than those which put too much reliance on Jesus taking the wheel, and the certainty of an interventional god.

I struggled with all the religious declarations, and with characters that often felt quite one dimensional. And what dirt-poor woman in this era would casually cut up a monogrammed linen shirt if given to her for baby clothes? Maybe the same one who throws her skirt overboard because it's covered in blood. Cold water would easily get the blood out, and it's just so wasteful for someone in whom thrift would've been deeply ingrained. And one who was used to seeing death and injury.

I also struggle to imagine her acting as if she expected a classless society aboard ship? Given the era, surely class/wealth divides were natural (even if repugnant) to her?

Suffice it to say that once you find yourself analysing a novel and nitpicking your way through, it's time to give up.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice beginning to a trilogy. Set after the Irish potato famine, most of the book is about a voyage to America. Maeve’s character was a delight, and I’m glad she was first. Her “can do” spirit is contagious. I look forward to hearing more about her sisters in the next two books. Flynn Gallagher is another character I enjoyed. He seemed very real in his attempt to deal with his past heartache. I intend to read the rest of this series.

[Fay Risner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story about life on a sailing ship transporting Irish passengers to America during the Irish Potato famine. The focus was on one of three pretty Irish sisters looking forward to a new life near Boston. Each was hired to work during the trip for passengers that had money. The focus is on a romance between one sister that is assistant to the ship doctor.

[Danielle Henrikson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took a long time for me to get into this book. It was rather slow in the beginning. The writing isn't great or very thought provoking. It is just like reading a Hallmark Movie, perfect for a rainy/snowy Sunday afternoon.

[Jacqueline · Rating 3 out of 5]

extra 1/2 star

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Just wonderful and positive. However, there are so many loose ends! I think they might be answered in other books though.

[Tysha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet book. It doesn't fully end though. It is in a series that's not separated enough for me to say a stand alone.

[Mary Shreffler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, young, innocent Meuve and her sisters are alone and in their way to America. Flynn is sad, hopeless and sailing on a ship to America as the doctor. Together they have a wonderful story

[Michelle Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not a bad little novel.
It isn't really a romance in the sense that while we see the hero and hroine spend time together and share work, they don't seem to be really developing a love relationship. There is a little mild flirtation and they do admire each other but it just does not feel lke they are in love.

At one point, Maeve seems more like a grief counselor to Flynn than anything else.
Maeve deals with her troubles so easily, she is so patient and understanding that she does not quite feel like a real woman.

This is an inspirational novel and references to God (Christian version) are liberally interspersed throughout the book, so if some find that offensive this is not a title for them.

The characters don't have much depth, which is to be expected I imagine since there so many people in such a slimited number of pages. They all end up being very friendly and close with each other, which is sweet but a little hard to take if one likes more realism in thier romance reading.

I would like to know the answer to the little mystery but we are not given the answer. I did spend some time trying to figure it out.

I will read the next in the series just because I want to know about the baby and I would like to know if Mrs. Fitzwilliam was really seeing her granddaughter onboard the ship.

THis is not a bad read, I just kept waiting for the romance to devolp between the hero and heroine, for me it never really happened.
Yes at the end we are told they are in love, they marry but I honestly don't feel that I read a romance at all. This isn't a bad novel just not what I hope for when reading Cheryl St. John.
She wronte one of my favorite romance novels ever," The Secondhand Bride", in that novel we spend more time with the main characters and get to watch that relationship develop. We understand why they love each other. THat is my standard for this author and unfortunately, this book does not live up to that.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of The Wedding Journey through Goodreads as a first-read.

The three Murphy sisters have no option but to find a new home following the death of their father. With the Ireland people impoverished by the potato famine and aristocratic landlords without a conscience, the sisters embark on a ship for America. After finding a letter to their late mother and a deed to a house in America hidden behind a painting, they once again are given the hope they had been praying for.

When a young boy is gravely injured following an episode instigated by the assistant of the ship's doctor, Maeve Murphy actions instinctively and saves the boys life when the assistant can't be bothered with a hurt street urchin and walks away. Doctor Flynn Gallagher, upon hearing what happened, fires his assistant and hires Maeve. Having spent all but a tiny amount of their money on passage, Maeve's sisters are thrilled to have a source of income aboard ship.

As time passes and they work closely together, Flynn realizes he has finally found a woman who shares his passion for healing and genuinely cares for others. But can Flynn move past the loss of his wife and young son to a devastating illness? And can he convince Maeve that she is his future?

While reading this book, I found myself taking my time - simply because I didn't want it to end! I have read several novels by Cheryl St. John previously, and I have enjoyed each and every one of them. This one was no exception! I look forward to the remaining books in the series, and will read each and every one.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cheryl St. John writes sweet inspirational romance. She does a great job putting the reader in the historical setting and making the characters real. Maeve was especially real, both in appearance and character.

[Liz Flaherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book.

[Highland-dreamer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book second, even though it is technically first in the series. Perhaps that is why I didn't like it as much, I'm not sure. Overall, it was good and an enjoyable read.

[Nellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, clean, easy read romance. I will start the next one right after this one.