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Seattle Brides #1
A Bride for Noah
Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith, beloved authors of the Amish of Apple Grove series, team up again in an exciting new series for devoted fans and new readers.
It’s 1851, and Evie Lawrence is penniless and heartbroken after a failed romance. When a kind elderly man announces his plan to move west and make his fortune, Evie jumps at the chance to go with him and start a new life. She says goodbye to the only home she’s ever known and sets out for the Northwest.
There she meets Noah Hughes, a handsome young man who has gambled everything he owns on the chance to make a fresh start. Living the rugged life of a lumberjack, he too is determined to one day make his fortune. The last thing he’s looking for is a bride…so why can’t he get Evie out of his mind?
In this first book of the Seattle Brides series, two people learn what it means to move beyond their expectations and embrace the very best God has for them.
It’s 1851, and Evie Lawrence is penniless and heartbroken after a failed romance. When a kind elderly man announces his plan to move west and make his fortune, Evie jumps at the chance to go with him and start a new life. She says goodbye to the only home she’s ever known and sets out for the Northwest.
There she meets Noah Hughes, a handsome young man who has gambled everything he owns on the chance to make a fresh start. Living the rugged life of a lumberjack, he too is determined to one day make his fortune. The last thing he’s looking for is a bride…so why can’t he get Evie out of his mind?
In this first book of the Seattle Brides series, two people learn what it means to move beyond their expectations and embrace the very best God has for them.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2013
80 people are currently reading
380 people want to read
About the author
Lori Copeland
194 books537 followersLori Copeland was born on 12 June 1941. She had a relatively late start in writing, breaking into publishing in 1982 when she was already forty years old. Over the next dozen years, her romance novels achieved much success, as was evidenced by her winning the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award, The Holt Medallion, and Walden Books' Best Seller award. She has been inducted into the Missouri Writers Hall of Fame.
Despite her success in more mainstream romantic fiction, in 1995, she decided to switch focus. Her subsequent books have been in the relatively new subgenre of Christian romance. She has also collaborated with authors Angela Elwell Hunt or Virginia Smith on a series of Christian romance novels.
Lori and her husband of over forty years, Lance, live in Springfield, Missouri, surrounded by the beautiful Ozarks. They have three grown sons, three daughter-in-laws, and six wonderful grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters. She and her husband are very involved in their church, and active in supporting mission work in Mali, West Africa.
Despite her success in more mainstream romantic fiction, in 1995, she decided to switch focus. Her subsequent books have been in the relatively new subgenre of Christian romance. She has also collaborated with authors Angela Elwell Hunt or Virginia Smith on a series of Christian romance novels.
Lori and her husband of over forty years, Lance, live in Springfield, Missouri, surrounded by the beautiful Ozarks. They have three grown sons, three daughter-in-laws, and six wonderful grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters. She and her husband are very involved in their church, and active in supporting mission work in Mali, West Africa.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
April 28, 2013
A nice, light read from Lori Copeland. Evie partners up with a "kindly, older gentleman" and heads out west to make her way in the world. There she meets Noah who has gambled everything on a fresh start in life. Noah as been badly hurt by a woman before, so he is less than happy to see Evie show up--but he can't stop thinking about her.
I love that the book is based on real people. I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline of building a new settlement in virgin territory. Evie was really irritating for the first half of the book. Yes, she had gone/was going through some rough time, but her actions ranged at times from slightly annoying to totally obnoxious. Thankfully, she matured some and became a much more likeable character later in the book. Miles, Evie's partner, starts out a kindly man and ends up being a royal pain throughout most of the book. I enjoyed most of the other characters in the book--let's face it, you're not supposed to like some of them! The storyline was great, but things just seemed to wrap up so perfectly in just a chapter or so which detracted from the book somewhat in my opinion.
I received a digital copy of this book from Harvest House through NetGalley.com for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I love that the book is based on real people. I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline of building a new settlement in virgin territory. Evie was really irritating for the first half of the book. Yes, she had gone/was going through some rough time, but her actions ranged at times from slightly annoying to totally obnoxious. Thankfully, she matured some and became a much more likeable character later in the book. Miles, Evie's partner, starts out a kindly man and ends up being a royal pain throughout most of the book. I enjoyed most of the other characters in the book--let's face it, you're not supposed to like some of them! The storyline was great, but things just seemed to wrap up so perfectly in just a chapter or so which detracted from the book somewhat in my opinion.
I received a digital copy of this book from Harvest House through NetGalley.com for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 5, 2013
What a fun story. Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith have done it again. A page turner you won't be able to put down until the end. You'll laugh, you'll cry. And in the end you'll be glad you read this excellent story about the settling of Seattle. All the things that could go wrong certainly do. But there are so many things that go right also. The lumberjacks turn out to be a lovable bunch. So helpful and protective of the women who show up at their camp. And the native Americans add their own humorous situations to the story.
Good twists and bad twists. This story about has it all, and it's all enjoyable!
Good twists and bad twists. This story about has it all, and it's all enjoyable!
April 10, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. Good, well developed, likable characters.
Evie was a lady before her time. Strong and independent. Noah was adorable. Together they made a great team. The secondary characters were also very enjoyable, with the exception of Miles, Noah's uncle, Evie's partner. He was nice, just not always forthcoming with information.
Having read book two, Rainy Day Dreams, before reading book one, I can tell you that it is equally enjoyable. We get to see more of, Noah and Evie, as well as the other secondary characters, plus new friends
Evie was a lady before her time. Strong and independent. Noah was adorable. Together they made a great team. The secondary characters were also very enjoyable, with the exception of Miles, Noah's uncle, Evie's partner. He was nice, just not always forthcoming with information.
Having read book two, Rainy Day Dreams, before reading book one, I can tell you that it is equally enjoyable. We get to see more of, Noah and Evie, as well as the other secondary characters, plus new friends
April 19, 2018
A Bride for Noah is a heartwarming, if not somewhat frustrating, story of love, betrayal, deception and faith. Evie Lawrence, after getting fed up with a life of being a servant, embarks on a journey to change her life. Evie decides to go to Seattle, Oregon Territory and open a restaurant and is able to talk her current employer, Miles Coffinger, into becoming partners with her on the deal. He agrees to finance the venture, with some help from Evie, and Evie is the cook and mastermind.
Once in Seattle she meets Noah Hughes, her Miles' nephew who works at the settlement's lumber company. They but heads because she brings with her not only his uncle, but three other women to work in the restaurant and that disrupts the lumber camp full of women-starved lumberjacks.
What comes next is a lot of fun, heartache, more butting of heads and eventually love, but between who? This book is well-written with both Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith collaborating together. The characters are well-developed, though I did want to but a few heads together myself while reading this book, but I enjoyed it none the less. If you enjoy clean, historical, Christian romance, you are sure to love this fabulous story. Enjoy!
I borrowed this book from my local library.
Once in Seattle she meets Noah Hughes, her Miles' nephew who works at the settlement's lumber company. They but heads because she brings with her not only his uncle, but three other women to work in the restaurant and that disrupts the lumber camp full of women-starved lumberjacks.
What comes next is a lot of fun, heartache, more butting of heads and eventually love, but between who? This book is well-written with both Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith collaborating together. The characters are well-developed, though I did want to but a few heads together myself while reading this book, but I enjoyed it none the less. If you enjoy clean, historical, Christian romance, you are sure to love this fabulous story. Enjoy!
I borrowed this book from my local library.
April 12, 2019
The ending kind of ruined this book for me. Evie seemed more than a little naive and selfish in the beginning. She wanted to start a business partnership with a near stranger and showed up in across the country just expecting everyone to do things for her. Somehow, despite not particularly liking her, I was still interested to see how the story would move forward. We find out early on that Noah was betrayed in the past and the authors did a good job of letting us know a bit of what happened at a time. The story was getting to the point when he would need to overcome his resentment to trust Evie and then he just did. They completely skipped over his growth to a budding relationship. Then instead of working with the plot they had, they brought in some manufactured drama when Noah runs off to pout like a two-year-old over nothing. And James, who followed Evie because of her inheritance was inexplicably willing to start from scratch? I would have enjoyed the book more if it had ended just before the boat showed up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2021
So much potential, but a great disappointment. Evie, like many women in the 1850’s who lose family, has to figure out how to survive. She talks her employer into entering a business venture in the West. The story is built around a real place with actual historical characters, and that is the only positive thing I can say. I would expect someone trying to make a success out of nothing to be more innovative, adaptable, etc. Instead, the first 1/3 of the book Evie is unrealistic and unreasonable and expects everything to fall into place for her because that’s what she wants. The rest of the book is spent miraculously making that happen. It’s all too easy and unbelievable.
The book felt juvenile in the writing and dialogue. The characters weren’t developed and the love relationship didn’t evoke the emotions it should have.
I already bought the second book and I will read it, but hopefully won’t have to suffer too much
The book felt juvenile in the writing and dialogue. The characters weren’t developed and the love relationship didn’t evoke the emotions it should have.
I already bought the second book and I will read it, but hopefully won’t have to suffer too much
July 28, 2022
O livro conta a história de Evie Lawrence, uma jovem sem família que termina o noivado com um homem que ela percebe que não nutri amor por ela, e resolve abrir um restaurante no acampamento madeireiro, num novo território.
Lá ela conhece o sobrinho do seu sócio Noah Hughes, e entre planos, índios, lenhadores, jovens mulheres e muita confusão, o romance floresce.
As coisas que mais gostei na historia, a coragem de homens e mulheres em sair das cidades e desbravar esse mundão de meu Deus, e a protagonista é ótima, corajosa, visionária, esforçada e as vezes engraçada, no decorrer da história dei alguma boas gargalhadas. Alias mesmo os personagens secundários eram legais.
E as informações históricas que a autora disponibiliza e esclarece foram muito boas. Por exemplo, você sabe por que a cidade de Seattle se chama assim? Se quiser saber, vai ter de ler o livro, ou pesquisar no tio Google
Lá ela conhece o sobrinho do seu sócio Noah Hughes, e entre planos, índios, lenhadores, jovens mulheres e muita confusão, o romance floresce.
As coisas que mais gostei na historia, a coragem de homens e mulheres em sair das cidades e desbravar esse mundão de meu Deus, e a protagonista é ótima, corajosa, visionária, esforçada e as vezes engraçada, no decorrer da história dei alguma boas gargalhadas. Alias mesmo os personagens secundários eram legais.
E as informações históricas que a autora disponibiliza e esclarece foram muito boas. Por exemplo, você sabe por que a cidade de Seattle se chama assim? Se quiser saber, vai ter de ler o livro, ou pesquisar no tio Google
February 14, 2026
This is probably being way too harsh on this book to rate it a 2; it's a 2.5, really. I enjoyed the story well enough once I got into it, and there were fun bits and everything and the story itself wasn't bad. I just kept getting annoyed at Evie in the entire first 3rd of the story. I feel like I read 3 chapters back to back where all she does is complain that things don't go her way and then BLAME Noah as if it's his fault when she and her partner just don't have any idea what they're doing. If she would just stop stomping her foot and saying "Be reasonable and treat me like a business woman!" After a while it got better, but that kind of left a sour taste in my mouth.
April 10, 2018
Not my favorite book. I couldn't get much emotion for either Evie or Noah, other than annoyance. She had totally selfish demands at the beginning of her time at the logging camp, and he was ridiculous in his heartbreak over her. The rest of the book was good, but the main characters rubbed me wrong.
December 30, 2021
I got this from the library because it is set in the Pacific Northwest before Washington state existed. It was slow at first and hard to get into but eventually it got better. I liked Evie and Noah's characters and especially Chief Seattle. It was interesting to read at the end of the book that some of the people in the story were real early settlers in the area.
September 4, 2024
"A Bride for Noah" by Cheryl Wright is a historical romance set in the American West. It centers around a mail-order bride and her journey as she builds a new life and finds love. The story combines elements of romance, adventure, and personal growth. If you enjoy heartwarming tales of love and resilience in historical settings, this book could be a delightful read for you.
August 23, 2018
It was pretty good, Evie just didn't seem to have much of a personality to me though. And it seemed so sudden the way Noah and Evie fell in love. And the title...I mean, really? They couldn't come up with a better title than "A Bride for Noah"?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2019
I so enjoyed this book set in the early days of Seattle! It was great fun seeing familiar names and learning more about what it might have been like back then. I really like both authors and felt like they did a good job at breathing life into the characters.
March 7, 2020
Very interesting characters are woven through this story
I was thrilled to find that the Chief actually lived. I know nothing of the city of Seattle, other than Sleepless in Seattle.
I was thrilled to find that the Chief actually lived. I know nothing of the city of Seattle, other than Sleepless in Seattle.
February 29, 2020
Loved this ! My toddler years were spent near where this book took place ! :)
October 31, 2020
Nice clean story with very strong female characters.
January 14, 2021
An ok read, I had to push through to finish. Thankfully, the end was the best part.
June 14, 2025
interesting historical setting. Didn't care much for the characters.
April 1, 2025
A lot of unnecessary drama??
September 22, 2013
A Bride for Noah was a wonderful trip back to Washington state, or in the 1850's Oregon Territory. With the wonderful description, I felt like I was looking out on Washington state again and viewing Mount Rainer. It is a beautiful area of our country and a fantastic setting for this story.
The story focuses on Evie Lawrence, a house maid to an older couple in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She is doing what ever she can to keep a roof over her head, since she was kicked out of her family home after she had lost her parents and then her grandparents, who the house belonged to, by her uncle. She is engaged to be married to a dock worker named James, whose affection is lacking. One day while cleaning, Evie overhears her employers talking about a letter they just received from their nephew, Noah. Noah had recently arrived to the Oregon Territory with a logging company, hoping that the area would be more to him then just logging, but a place to start up a new town.
Evie's employer, Miles Coffinger, views himself as an investor, however, his investments have all failed to date, much to the displeasure of his wife With the news from his nephew, Miles believes his new venture idea would thrive. He offers up the idea to Evie about getting her a few other girls to go with her to start up a business out there. Evie isn't sure, but decides that it would be a wonderful idea to start up a restaurant. So with Miles help, Evie hires on three more women to travel with them.
Upon arriving to the Oregon Territory, nothing is as Evie envisions. There is nothing but a mining camp and mud, lots and lots of mud. However, there arrival isn't as sour as Evie sees it, but a welcome distraction to the men of the logging camp.
From here we follow Evie trying to achieve her dream of building a restaurant, why battling the time constraints of the logging camp, and a business partnership with Miles that isn't all that it was thought to be.
Evie was an interesting character to follow. She started out quiet and willing to go with the pace of things until she realized what she wanted to do. She didn't want to be put down or degraded by anyone. Her determination grew and she was bound to fight against the social constraints against her at the time.
Noah was a good hero for this story. He was quiet hero. He focused on his job and respected those around him and he valued people around him who were willing to work as hard he did.He also had a past to over come, and he had to learn to trust and listen again.
There were also several characters that were fun to read. The orneriness of Cookee and Ethel to Miles' ideas that just didn't seem to pan out as he hoped. It was great also to learn about the history of this area. I didn't know much about how the logging industry of the Oregon territory was started and this book offered a glimpse into it.
I really enjoyed this story.
Thank you to Harvest House Publishers, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
The story focuses on Evie Lawrence, a house maid to an older couple in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She is doing what ever she can to keep a roof over her head, since she was kicked out of her family home after she had lost her parents and then her grandparents, who the house belonged to, by her uncle. She is engaged to be married to a dock worker named James, whose affection is lacking. One day while cleaning, Evie overhears her employers talking about a letter they just received from their nephew, Noah. Noah had recently arrived to the Oregon Territory with a logging company, hoping that the area would be more to him then just logging, but a place to start up a new town.
Evie's employer, Miles Coffinger, views himself as an investor, however, his investments have all failed to date, much to the displeasure of his wife With the news from his nephew, Miles believes his new venture idea would thrive. He offers up the idea to Evie about getting her a few other girls to go with her to start up a business out there. Evie isn't sure, but decides that it would be a wonderful idea to start up a restaurant. So with Miles help, Evie hires on three more women to travel with them.
Upon arriving to the Oregon Territory, nothing is as Evie envisions. There is nothing but a mining camp and mud, lots and lots of mud. However, there arrival isn't as sour as Evie sees it, but a welcome distraction to the men of the logging camp.
From here we follow Evie trying to achieve her dream of building a restaurant, why battling the time constraints of the logging camp, and a business partnership with Miles that isn't all that it was thought to be.
Evie was an interesting character to follow. She started out quiet and willing to go with the pace of things until she realized what she wanted to do. She didn't want to be put down or degraded by anyone. Her determination grew and she was bound to fight against the social constraints against her at the time.
Noah was a good hero for this story. He was quiet hero. He focused on his job and respected those around him and he valued people around him who were willing to work as hard he did.He also had a past to over come, and he had to learn to trust and listen again.
There were also several characters that were fun to read. The orneriness of Cookee and Ethel to Miles' ideas that just didn't seem to pan out as he hoped. It was great also to learn about the history of this area. I didn't know much about how the logging industry of the Oregon territory was started and this book offered a glimpse into it.
I really enjoyed this story.
Thank you to Harvest House Publishers, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
November 4, 2013
Title: A BRIDE FOR NOAH
Authors: Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith
Publisher: Harvest House
October 2013
ISBN: 978-0736953474
Genre: Historical
Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith, beloved authors of the Amish of Apple Grove series, team up again in an exciting new series for devoted fans and new readers.
It's 1851, and Evie Lawrence is penniless and heartbroken after a failed romance. When a kind elderly man announces his plan to move west and make his fortune, Evie jumps at the chance to go with him and start a new life. She says goodbye to the only home she's ever known and sets out for the Northwest.
There she meets Noah Hughes, a handsome young man who has gambled everything he owns on the chance to make a fresh start. Living the rugged life of a lumberjack, he too is determined to one day make his fortune. The last thing he's looking for is a bride...so why can't he get Evie out of his mind?
In this first book of the Seattle Brides series, two people learn what it means to move beyond their expectations and embrace the very best God has for them.
A BRIDE FOR NOAH is a cute historical romance based on the beginning days of the founding of Seattle, Washington. The authors use some real life people and events to set the stage for the fictional characters that come to make Seattle their home—before it’s anything more than a lumber camp.
The story starts slowly. But it is engaging. Evie and Noah don’t get along at all, she’s bullheaded and stubborn and he’s trying to keep her safe and out of trouble. An impossible chore, since trouble seems to go looking for her. She has an impossible dream, her supplies are stolen, the Indians are amorous, and … anything that possibly could go wrong does.
Noah too is struggling. He wants to be invaluable to the camp and realizes he’s the most expendable man there. He’s just trying to do his job, and he can’t help it that his job seems to thwart every idea that Evie has. One had to keep reading to see if Evie can make her idea pay – or if she’ll be on the next boat out. If you like historical romances, be sure to pick up A BRIDE FOR NOAH. Discussion questions and some of the real-life history and notes are included at the end. $13.99. 320 pages. 4 stars.
Authors: Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith
Publisher: Harvest House
October 2013
ISBN: 978-0736953474
Genre: Historical
Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith, beloved authors of the Amish of Apple Grove series, team up again in an exciting new series for devoted fans and new readers.
It's 1851, and Evie Lawrence is penniless and heartbroken after a failed romance. When a kind elderly man announces his plan to move west and make his fortune, Evie jumps at the chance to go with him and start a new life. She says goodbye to the only home she's ever known and sets out for the Northwest.
There she meets Noah Hughes, a handsome young man who has gambled everything he owns on the chance to make a fresh start. Living the rugged life of a lumberjack, he too is determined to one day make his fortune. The last thing he's looking for is a bride...so why can't he get Evie out of his mind?
In this first book of the Seattle Brides series, two people learn what it means to move beyond their expectations and embrace the very best God has for them.
A BRIDE FOR NOAH is a cute historical romance based on the beginning days of the founding of Seattle, Washington. The authors use some real life people and events to set the stage for the fictional characters that come to make Seattle their home—before it’s anything more than a lumber camp.
The story starts slowly. But it is engaging. Evie and Noah don’t get along at all, she’s bullheaded and stubborn and he’s trying to keep her safe and out of trouble. An impossible chore, since trouble seems to go looking for her. She has an impossible dream, her supplies are stolen, the Indians are amorous, and … anything that possibly could go wrong does.
Noah too is struggling. He wants to be invaluable to the camp and realizes he’s the most expendable man there. He’s just trying to do his job, and he can’t help it that his job seems to thwart every idea that Evie has. One had to keep reading to see if Evie can make her idea pay – or if she’ll be on the next boat out. If you like historical romances, be sure to pick up A BRIDE FOR NOAH. Discussion questions and some of the real-life history and notes are included at the end. $13.99. 320 pages. 4 stars.
October 17, 2013
by Lori Copeland & Virginia Smith
Harvest House Publishers
Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith, beloved authors of the Amish of Apple Grove series, team up again in an exciting new series for devoted fans and new readers.
It's 1851, and Evie Lawrence is penniless and heartbroken after a failed romance. When a kind elderly man announces his plan to move west and make his fortune, Evie jumps at the chance to go with him and start a new life. She says goodbye to the only home she's ever known and sets out for the Northwest.
There she meets Noah Hughes, a handsome young man who has gambled everything he owns on the chance to make a fresh start. Living the rugged life of a lumberjack, he too is determined to one day make his fortune. The last thing he's looking for is a bride...so why can't he get Evie out of his mind?
In this first book of the Seattle Brides series, two people learn what it means to move beyond their expectations and embrace the very best God has for them.
My Review:
While the concept of an old fashioned romance is nothing new, Copeland and Smith bring a fresh new look to an old sort of story. We all know the boy meets girl scenario, boy doesn't want to get married, but can't get girl out of his mind. It's a common place theme and this type of story is a dime a dozen in the Christian genre. This novel however, presents a whole new take on this proven formula: they threw an old man in. With these unusual circumstances in mind, it really sets the backdrop for an exciting romance. I would venture to guess that a single girl traveling with an old man even back in the day was somewhat... different. Similar to women joining the military. All that to say, give this book a chance. Whether you've given up on the genre, don't read it at all, or love it with all your heart; the characters will steal your heart and plenty of your time too. A lovely new addition to the market - can't wait for more from this writing team!
This book was provided by the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review.
Harvest House Publishers
Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith, beloved authors of the Amish of Apple Grove series, team up again in an exciting new series for devoted fans and new readers.
It's 1851, and Evie Lawrence is penniless and heartbroken after a failed romance. When a kind elderly man announces his plan to move west and make his fortune, Evie jumps at the chance to go with him and start a new life. She says goodbye to the only home she's ever known and sets out for the Northwest.
There she meets Noah Hughes, a handsome young man who has gambled everything he owns on the chance to make a fresh start. Living the rugged life of a lumberjack, he too is determined to one day make his fortune. The last thing he's looking for is a bride...so why can't he get Evie out of his mind?
In this first book of the Seattle Brides series, two people learn what it means to move beyond their expectations and embrace the very best God has for them.
My Review:
While the concept of an old fashioned romance is nothing new, Copeland and Smith bring a fresh new look to an old sort of story. We all know the boy meets girl scenario, boy doesn't want to get married, but can't get girl out of his mind. It's a common place theme and this type of story is a dime a dozen in the Christian genre. This novel however, presents a whole new take on this proven formula: they threw an old man in. With these unusual circumstances in mind, it really sets the backdrop for an exciting romance. I would venture to guess that a single girl traveling with an old man even back in the day was somewhat... different. Similar to women joining the military. All that to say, give this book a chance. Whether you've given up on the genre, don't read it at all, or love it with all your heart; the characters will steal your heart and plenty of your time too. A lovely new addition to the market - can't wait for more from this writing team!
This book was provided by the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review.
January 9, 2016
A Bride for Noah is #1 in the Seattle Brides series by Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith. It's a historical Christian romance in not-yet-settled Seattle in the Oregon Territory in 1851.
Evangeline Lawrence is a housemaid for an older gentleman named Miles and his wife in Tennessee. Miles' nephew Noah Hughes writes to him and says Miles should send some females out to the Oregon Territory. as there are almost none.
Evie doesn't have much to tie her down in Tennessee, so she decides she'd like to try her hand at opening a restaurant in the Oregon Territory. Miles, who loves to invest in business ventures, decides to help her get started.
What I liked:
*I thought Copeland and Smith did very a nice job drawing up the setting and the characters.
*Evie and Noah were very likable as the protagonists.
*The incorporation of several historical figures and some actual events were very well blended in to the story.
What I disliked:
*This book felt slow to me. It was a very gentle romance with very little interaction between the protagonists until the last quarter of the book. When I select a romance to read, I want lots of interaction between the two main characters. This book felt more like a Christian historical fiction with a bit of romance on the side. The story was very good, but both the title and the genre description at my local library led me to believe that main focus of the book is romance.
I'd recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction, Christian fiction, and of clean romance if you don't mind the romance being a gentle one. I have been reading Lori Copeland books for a while, though not her Amish ones, and plan on continuing to do so! This was my first Virginia Smith book, but I have put two of her others on my "to read " list!
Evangeline Lawrence is a housemaid for an older gentleman named Miles and his wife in Tennessee. Miles' nephew Noah Hughes writes to him and says Miles should send some females out to the Oregon Territory. as there are almost none.
Evie doesn't have much to tie her down in Tennessee, so she decides she'd like to try her hand at opening a restaurant in the Oregon Territory. Miles, who loves to invest in business ventures, decides to help her get started.
What I liked:
*I thought Copeland and Smith did very a nice job drawing up the setting and the characters.
*Evie and Noah were very likable as the protagonists.
*The incorporation of several historical figures and some actual events were very well blended in to the story.
What I disliked:
*This book felt slow to me. It was a very gentle romance with very little interaction between the protagonists until the last quarter of the book. When I select a romance to read, I want lots of interaction between the two main characters. This book felt more like a Christian historical fiction with a bit of romance on the side. The story was very good, but both the title and the genre description at my local library led me to believe that main focus of the book is romance.
I'd recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction, Christian fiction, and of clean romance if you don't mind the romance being a gentle one. I have been reading Lori Copeland books for a while, though not her Amish ones, and plan on continuing to do so! This was my first Virginia Smith book, but I have put two of her others on my "to read " list!
March 30, 2013
First of all I must thank Harvest House Publishers, Lori Copeland, and Virginia Smith for a wonderful opportunity to read this book in advance. Then I must thank NetGalley for getting us all together in order for this to work.
A Bride for Noah is a Christian read, but it's not just for Christians. The story that the characters and the authors have to tell is interesting, moving, and would resonate for any reader. Evie is down on her luck. She is currently without any close family, but a letter arrives her employer's house and it sparks an idea. She travels to the west coast with slightly misconstrued expectations, but she means well. She slowly becomes friends with the girls in her group and sort of becomes the leader among them. Compared to before, this journey has brought her many things. Noah, the male lead in this romance, has also traveled to the west coast to seek his fortune. He also has his own dreams and his own hopes.
When the two meet their headstrong personalities cause them to clash. Each has demands for the other and neither seem to be willing to give up ground. Amongst all this the ladies who had traveled with Evie are also looking for husbands among the lumberjack camp men. Being the only women in the camp has afforded the group of women many attentions.
Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith has written a truly interesting read with many flavors: romance, adventure, humor. I managed to read this book within a day. Though it's not a novel that will leave your life changed and it's not an epic, it has its own flair and it is the perfect book for a light read. It's guaranteed to leave you feeling good. I would recommend this book to anyone who isn't looking for something super intense or heavy, but is looking for a novel that will leave them feeling good.
A Bride for Noah is a Christian read, but it's not just for Christians. The story that the characters and the authors have to tell is interesting, moving, and would resonate for any reader. Evie is down on her luck. She is currently without any close family, but a letter arrives her employer's house and it sparks an idea. She travels to the west coast with slightly misconstrued expectations, but she means well. She slowly becomes friends with the girls in her group and sort of becomes the leader among them. Compared to before, this journey has brought her many things. Noah, the male lead in this romance, has also traveled to the west coast to seek his fortune. He also has his own dreams and his own hopes.
When the two meet their headstrong personalities cause them to clash. Each has demands for the other and neither seem to be willing to give up ground. Amongst all this the ladies who had traveled with Evie are also looking for husbands among the lumberjack camp men. Being the only women in the camp has afforded the group of women many attentions.
Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith has written a truly interesting read with many flavors: romance, adventure, humor. I managed to read this book within a day. Though it's not a novel that will leave your life changed and it's not an epic, it has its own flair and it is the perfect book for a light read. It's guaranteed to leave you feeling good. I would recommend this book to anyone who isn't looking for something super intense or heavy, but is looking for a novel that will leave them feeling good.
January 19, 2014
The beginning Seattle. An Adventure in logging, love and more.
Evie feels she can leave Tennessee and start over. She travels with an employee who she has a partnership with to start a restaurant. Two other ladies are with them too. When she cannot get help from the loggers, it doesn't stop her from getting ladies to help her clear off lady for a restaurant. Love that part a lot.
Turns out land belonged to Noah so she forms a partnership with him too. Noah can hardly believe his Uncle brought women to logging site. He is kept busy trying to keep the women out of the men's way so they will work. But turns out he finally has to allow women near men to get the work done on time.
Just as Evie and Noah are about to start a relationship someone from her past shows up. It turns everything upside down. But love wins out eventually.
I love how the Indians and white men worked together because often the Indians are portrayed in a poor light. I have Indian blood and was taught to be proud of it.
Relationships have hard moments of truth sharing before marriage in many cases. Yet not all.
Ethel and Cookee show how opposites can attract and find the strength in each other. I loved their lives.
All the characters you will warm to and feel like you are there watching it all.
Noah had been stung by a woman partner in the past so found it hard to believe Evie when she shared the truth.
A beautiful story of the beginning of a town.
Evie feels she can leave Tennessee and start over. She travels with an employee who she has a partnership with to start a restaurant. Two other ladies are with them too. When she cannot get help from the loggers, it doesn't stop her from getting ladies to help her clear off lady for a restaurant. Love that part a lot.
Turns out land belonged to Noah so she forms a partnership with him too. Noah can hardly believe his Uncle brought women to logging site. He is kept busy trying to keep the women out of the men's way so they will work. But turns out he finally has to allow women near men to get the work done on time.
Just as Evie and Noah are about to start a relationship someone from her past shows up. It turns everything upside down. But love wins out eventually.
I love how the Indians and white men worked together because often the Indians are portrayed in a poor light. I have Indian blood and was taught to be proud of it.
Relationships have hard moments of truth sharing before marriage in many cases. Yet not all.
Ethel and Cookee show how opposites can attract and find the strength in each other. I loved their lives.
All the characters you will warm to and feel like you are there watching it all.
Noah had been stung by a woman partner in the past so found it hard to believe Evie when she shared the truth.
A beautiful story of the beginning of a town.
March 24, 2013
I really enjoyed this book, but then again I enjoy anything with Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith's names on it. This book is what I would call a light read. No edge of your seat suspense or lives hanging in the balance, just some good old fashioned hard work and history, with some romance thrown in.
I loved Evie, or rather I loved her strength and determination to see her dream fulfilled. And poor Noah, just wanting to do his job and do it well he keeps getting thwarted by Evie and "the ladies" who traveled from Tennessee to the Oregon Territory with her to start her restaurant. You take a bunch of men in a lumberjack camp and throw in a couple of females and well,,,,,, But Noah has no idea where his own heart will lead and that journey takes him places he never wanted to go again.
I think, surprisingly enough, my favorite person in this book was Chief "Seattle." I loved the wisdom that came through even when he didn't say a word. The fact that he and several others in the book were based on real people and events made this book all the more enjoyable. This is Book 1 in the Seattle Brides series and I cannot wait to read the next book! Do not miss this book! It is an enjoyable read and a good history lesson all rolled into one!
I was provided a copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I loved Evie, or rather I loved her strength and determination to see her dream fulfilled. And poor Noah, just wanting to do his job and do it well he keeps getting thwarted by Evie and "the ladies" who traveled from Tennessee to the Oregon Territory with her to start her restaurant. You take a bunch of men in a lumberjack camp and throw in a couple of females and well,,,,,, But Noah has no idea where his own heart will lead and that journey takes him places he never wanted to go again.
I think, surprisingly enough, my favorite person in this book was Chief "Seattle." I loved the wisdom that came through even when he didn't say a word. The fact that he and several others in the book were based on real people and events made this book all the more enjoyable. This is Book 1 in the Seattle Brides series and I cannot wait to read the next book! Do not miss this book! It is an enjoyable read and a good history lesson all rolled into one!
I was provided a copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 19, 2014
A woman is inadvertently given the opportunity by her employer to move to the west and make something of herself. After making the decision to cut ties with her fiancé, she takes her employer up on his offer. Dragging along some husband-seeking friends with her, Evangeline Lawrence sets out to reform part of the west, starting with a restaurant in the middle of a settlement made up entirely of a lumberjacking community. Evie herself is a woman on a mission; she is determined and hardheaded, and for the most part sensible. Noah Hughes, the man who is not of her dreams, is equally stubborn; however, he is a man with a troubled past which sometimes manifests itself when he deals with Evie.
While reading “A Bride for Noah” I truly appreciated the sensory details that were often included. I could actually place myself in Evie’s shoes, and visualize the camp to an extent. One can certainly appreciate the research that must have been put forth to compile facts about lumberjacks and the Indian traditions of that era. I highly recommend this book, if just for the laughs it evokes. (rev. Jael B.)
DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of A Bride for Noah was provided by Harvest House Publishers in exchange for our honest review. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer. No compensation was received for this review.
While reading “A Bride for Noah” I truly appreciated the sensory details that were often included. I could actually place myself in Evie’s shoes, and visualize the camp to an extent. One can certainly appreciate the research that must have been put forth to compile facts about lumberjacks and the Indian traditions of that era. I highly recommend this book, if just for the laughs it evokes. (rev. Jael B.)
DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of A Bride for Noah was provided by Harvest House Publishers in exchange for our honest review. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer. No compensation was received for this review.
November 12, 2013
A sparkling romance reminiscent of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Here Come the Brides, Virginia Smith and Lori Copeland’s A Bride for Noah combines a classic love story with an engaging historical setting.
Unhappy with her fiancé and suspecting his motives for proposing were purely financial, Evie Lawrence risks everything to leave Chattanooga and travel across the country to a rough, remote logging settlement in Northwestern Washington. With the help of her eccentric employer, Miles, who becomes her business partner and financier, Evie plans to start a restaurant. Loggers need to eat, right? And she knows how to cook. But then she meets Noah, Miles’s handsome nephew. Second in command of the camp, Noah regards Evie and her crew as an interruption to the work his men need to accomplish, and he seems to oppose Evie’s efforts at every turn. That’s bad enough. What’s worse is the almost irresistible attraction Evie feels towards Noah. Throw in a local tribe of Duwamish Indians, whose Chief Si’ahl ends up being the namesake for the new settlement, as well as a host of secrets, misunderstandings, and miscalculations, and the mix turns out to be a delightful read, as tasty as any of the connoctions that Evie might have served in her restaurant.
Unhappy with her fiancé and suspecting his motives for proposing were purely financial, Evie Lawrence risks everything to leave Chattanooga and travel across the country to a rough, remote logging settlement in Northwestern Washington. With the help of her eccentric employer, Miles, who becomes her business partner and financier, Evie plans to start a restaurant. Loggers need to eat, right? And she knows how to cook. But then she meets Noah, Miles’s handsome nephew. Second in command of the camp, Noah regards Evie and her crew as an interruption to the work his men need to accomplish, and he seems to oppose Evie’s efforts at every turn. That’s bad enough. What’s worse is the almost irresistible attraction Evie feels towards Noah. Throw in a local tribe of Duwamish Indians, whose Chief Si’ahl ends up being the namesake for the new settlement, as well as a host of secrets, misunderstandings, and miscalculations, and the mix turns out to be a delightful read, as tasty as any of the connoctions that Evie might have served in her restaurant.
February 23, 2014
It's 1851 and Evie Lawrence is working for Miles and Letitia Coffinger and as Miles is reading a letter from his nephew, Noah Hughes, to his wife, Evie overhears the suggestion to bring a load of women to Oregon Territory. Evie is engaged to James but one evening she finally sees the light and a different plan starts forming in her mind. She confronts Mr Coffinger first to see if he'd be willing to be a partner in a new restaurant in the Oregon Territory then she breaks off the engagement with James and soon finds herself, along with Miles and three other ladies on her way Oregon.
The plan doesn't go as well as she planned, Miles didn't have the money she thought he did and now she finds herself owing a bank money and the owners of the lumber company are very unhappy when women show up. The women didn't know just how rough the wilderness would be and find themselves having to work harder than was bargained for, oh, and there are Indians too!
I found this a peaceful smooth and fun book to read, I found myself chuckling in a few spots and just about had to brush away a couple of tears. Anytime I do that when reading I consider it a good story. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, "Rainy Day Dreams", to come out in April.
The plan doesn't go as well as she planned, Miles didn't have the money she thought he did and now she finds herself owing a bank money and the owners of the lumber company are very unhappy when women show up. The women didn't know just how rough the wilderness would be and find themselves having to work harder than was bargained for, oh, and there are Indians too!
I found this a peaceful smooth and fun book to read, I found myself chuckling in a few spots and just about had to brush away a couple of tears. Anytime I do that when reading I consider it a good story. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, "Rainy Day Dreams", to come out in April.
July 29, 2016
Noah Hughes jokingly wrote to his uncle and aunt about the desperate need for females in the settlement. His uncle sees the opportunity and a chance to see an investment. Evie Lawrence partners with Noah's uncle (and three other ladies) in hopes of starting a restaurant in the new town on the West Coast. Little do they realize, the town is a lumber camp and they will need to build their lives up from the ground.
Everyone begins their Seattle life as an escape from their past. Noah wanted to escape a lying woman while Evie runs from an unloving finance. Their new beginnings revolve around a newly created lumber camp. There is no town, just a camp with hundreds of men and an Indian village nearby. Noah and Evie constantly fight for their dreams. Between their battles, they find each others' dreams and hard work remarkable. As they fall in love, their ultimate test will be trust. A Bride for Noah begins and ends with trust. Putting their trust in God will give them the peace, comfort, and answers they seek in their earthly walk and human relationships.
Time Period: 1851
Location: Seattle, Washington, USA
Reviewed from a NetGalley copy. Thank you, Harvest House Publishers!
Everyone begins their Seattle life as an escape from their past. Noah wanted to escape a lying woman while Evie runs from an unloving finance. Their new beginnings revolve around a newly created lumber camp. There is no town, just a camp with hundreds of men and an Indian village nearby. Noah and Evie constantly fight for their dreams. Between their battles, they find each others' dreams and hard work remarkable. As they fall in love, their ultimate test will be trust. A Bride for Noah begins and ends with trust. Putting their trust in God will give them the peace, comfort, and answers they seek in their earthly walk and human relationships.
Time Period: 1851
Location: Seattle, Washington, USA
Reviewed from a NetGalley copy. Thank you, Harvest House Publishers!
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