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The Romance Bride #3
The Blacksmith's Bride
When Francine's husband is unexpectedly killed, she loses her posh livelihood. Alone and impoverished, she must find a way to make a living when she's never worked in her entire life. When she collides with the new handsome blacksmith, her entire world changes forever.
323 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2025
27 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Cecelia Dowdy
33 books186 followersLoving Luke (A Christmas Novella)(Cookies and Kisses):http://amzn.to/1LjHc3o
Raspberry Kisses
A sweet, charming romance is available to order:
http://amzn.to/1oSyRi3
I'm a Christian fiction author and I'm also a book reviewer. If interested in my novels, you can find them here:
https://www.amazon.com/Cecelia-Dowdy/...
Connect with me on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ceceli...
To find out more about me, visit my website and my blogs:
http://ceceliadowdy.com/
http://ceceliadowdy.com/blog/
https://ceceliadowdy.com/category/hal...
Raspberry Kisses
A sweet, charming romance is available to order:
http://amzn.to/1oSyRi3
I'm a Christian fiction author and I'm also a book reviewer. If interested in my novels, you can find them here:
https://www.amazon.com/Cecelia-Dowdy/...
Connect with me on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ceceli...
To find out more about me, visit my website and my blogs:
http://ceceliadowdy.com/
http://ceceliadowdy.com/blog/
https://ceceliadowdy.com/category/hal...
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 10, 2025
I enjoyed reading this book! The beginning certainly surprised me with quite a bit of drama.
The characters are wonderful and easy to like. My favorite is Benjamin. He carries with him extreme guilt over a situation that happened. The situation left his wife dead and his daughter mute. Esther witnessed a horrible murder and she hasn't talked since. She and her father move to Philadelphia in search of peace. Ruth and Joseph are truly God's hands and feet. They unselfishly open their home and hearts to those in need.
This is the first book that I've read by this author but I look forward to reading more by her!
I was provided a complimentary copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The characters are wonderful and easy to like. My favorite is Benjamin. He carries with him extreme guilt over a situation that happened. The situation left his wife dead and his daughter mute. Esther witnessed a horrible murder and she hasn't talked since. She and her father move to Philadelphia in search of peace. Ruth and Joseph are truly God's hands and feet. They unselfishly open their home and hearts to those in need.
This is the first book that I've read by this author but I look forward to reading more by her!
I was provided a complimentary copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 9, 2025
The Blacksmith’s Bride is a heartwarming story about love, persistence, faith, and learning to open your heart again after loss. I especially empathized with Esther—the blacksmith’s daughter—whose trauma leaves her mute after witnessing her mother’s tragic murder. It was touching to see how Benjamin cared for her while also offering protection and kindness to Francine.
However, a few elements didn’t work as well for me. The blurb focuses on Francine, yet she enters the story much later. Instead, the novel opens with Benjamin, his wife, and their daughter’s heartbreaking tragedy—an entire storyline not hinted at in the synopsis. This mismatch shaped my expectations going in and made the early chapters feel disconnected from what I thought the story would be.
There were also moments that felt melodramatic or included contradictions simply for emotional effect, which occasionally pulled me out of the narrative.
Still, if you enjoy stories about families navigating pain, loss, and the quiet possibility of hope afterward, this book may resonate with you.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
However, a few elements didn’t work as well for me. The blurb focuses on Francine, yet she enters the story much later. Instead, the novel opens with Benjamin, his wife, and their daughter’s heartbreaking tragedy—an entire storyline not hinted at in the synopsis. This mismatch shaped my expectations going in and made the early chapters feel disconnected from what I thought the story would be.
There were also moments that felt melodramatic or included contradictions simply for emotional effect, which occasionally pulled me out of the narrative.
Still, if you enjoy stories about families navigating pain, loss, and the quiet possibility of hope afterward, this book may resonate with you.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 31, 2026
Prepare to be hungry! Dangers of this book include: excess snacking.
Dowdy weaves a tale with a setting so strong, that you can smell the food on the table. The characters and history are just as real.
It is a Christian novel that is clean with perfect theology. However, I wouldn't put this book in the romance genre. While it certainly contains romance, it has so many more layers. It also is an in depth historical, and a story of family and Christian community. It is reminiscent of 'When Calls The Heart'. I really cared about each and every character, and every character finishes with a happy ending.
If you are anything like me, you might be concerned about how often books these days mangle historical POC and disabled characters. There's nothing to be concerned about here. Dowdy weaves a tale that is historically accurate and avoids virtue signalling. She isn't trying to rewrite history and disrespect the struggles these people went through and thus deny their strength. Nor is she trotting characters out for popularity. She is both honest and sensitive.
I highly recommend it to all Christian women. There is something in it for us all.
Dowdy weaves a tale with a setting so strong, that you can smell the food on the table. The characters and history are just as real.
It is a Christian novel that is clean with perfect theology. However, I wouldn't put this book in the romance genre. While it certainly contains romance, it has so many more layers. It also is an in depth historical, and a story of family and Christian community. It is reminiscent of 'When Calls The Heart'. I really cared about each and every character, and every character finishes with a happy ending.
If you are anything like me, you might be concerned about how often books these days mangle historical POC and disabled characters. There's nothing to be concerned about here. Dowdy weaves a tale that is historically accurate and avoids virtue signalling. She isn't trying to rewrite history and disrespect the struggles these people went through and thus deny their strength. Nor is she trotting characters out for popularity. She is both honest and sensitive.
I highly recommend it to all Christian women. There is something in it for us all.
November 5, 2025
This was an interesting story centered in the black community in Philadelphia after the Civil War. As Benjamin and Esther try to move on from a tragedy that caused Esther to become mute, they face challenges that eventually lead to healing, and God uses a faithful pastor and his family as well as a former "socialite". It was so interesting to read about the "social hierarchy" that existed among black people as well as white. People were treated differently depending on how "black" they were, and Benjamin was often seen as white because he was so light. In the end, it was obedience to God's Word, forgiving others, and trusting in Him that brought the future they all desired.
While I enjoyed the story, the writing was a little cumbersome, with a few too many descriptions that seemed unneccessary and repeating things.
I received a copy of this book from the author as an ARC, but this is an honest review.
While I enjoyed the story, the writing was a little cumbersome, with a few too many descriptions that seemed unneccessary and repeating things.
I received a copy of this book from the author as an ARC, but this is an honest review.
November 9, 2025
“What does Jesus want you to do?”
This is a new author for me; her writing style flows well and her characters are realistic and relatable. She weaves a Biblical foundation throughout the story.
Benjamin’s and Francine’s lives are an emotional journey past hurts, betrayals, and prejudices. In every society there are unattainable expectations and hurtful attitudes. Francine must learn to let God make her choices, not her pride and desires. Benjamin learns to move past his pain by helping others, like William, George, and Francine. Esther, his daughter, overcomes a tragedy to regain her speech.
I enjoyed the novel. I received a complimentary copy from the author and these are my voluntary and honest opinions. I was not required to leave a positive review.
This is a new author for me; her writing style flows well and her characters are realistic and relatable. She weaves a Biblical foundation throughout the story.
Benjamin’s and Francine’s lives are an emotional journey past hurts, betrayals, and prejudices. In every society there are unattainable expectations and hurtful attitudes. Francine must learn to let God make her choices, not her pride and desires. Benjamin learns to move past his pain by helping others, like William, George, and Francine. Esther, his daughter, overcomes a tragedy to regain her speech.
I enjoyed the novel. I received a complimentary copy from the author and these are my voluntary and honest opinions. I was not required to leave a positive review.
October 30, 2025
This novel has interesting characters, including a flawed and confused heroine.
The historical details felt natural and accurate. It was interesting reading about the ordinary life of black families facing many of the same problems as white people, but with the added burden of racism affecting almost every decision they make. The way people come together to help one another is heartwarming, and I think also an accurate portrayal of community life. I enjoyed this book and recommend it. It is a standalone and HEA.
The historical details felt natural and accurate. It was interesting reading about the ordinary life of black families facing many of the same problems as white people, but with the added burden of racism affecting almost every decision they make. The way people come together to help one another is heartwarming, and I think also an accurate portrayal of community life. I enjoyed this book and recommend it. It is a standalone and HEA.
November 22, 2025
This was a nice read but Francine really worked my nerves wanting to go back to the so called upper class when them people didn’t care anything about her especially when she was starving with her stomach touching her back. It’s odd that Charles would know about the secret account their dad set up for Francine but their dad didn’t tell her about it in his will. I’m glad that Francine allowed Benjamin to court her and I would’ve liked to have had an epilogue to see more of their life further in the future.
November 13, 2025
Some very real emotions in this book. It's well written, well thought out, and shows people at their rawest. The first chapter stunned me, but had me hooked. I fell in love with Esther and how her dad was taking care of her. Benjamin and Francine working through their issues kept me reading on and not letting go. Even Charles and George's story was skillfully written. All these stories were woven together to make a wonderful book!
January 3, 2026
This became one of my favorite reads by Cecelia Dowdy. When Benjamin's daughter, Esther, is only 12 she witnessed a horrible catastrophe. The result is she no longer can speak. Her father moves her to a new town where he can blacksmith in hopes a change of scenery will help her get back her speech and help him get over the loss of his wife. Lots of twists and turns in this story, but every page is incredibly enjoyable.
January 17, 2026
The Blacksmith's Bride by Cecelia Dowdy is a well-written romance with a touch of suspense, based on Christian principles. A beautiful story about a struggling blacksmith and his traumatized, mute daughter. The higher and lower black classes, how much of a percentage of black someone is, and the prejudices surrounding this are described very well. It is a faith-building book with wonderful, lifelike characters
that you get to know well.
that you get to know well.
November 5, 2025
Danger from corners not expected. She was left penniless after having much. Beating and abduction with no clue what is provoking her attackers. Benjamin comes to her rescue. Will he be her salvation? A very moving tale, both in feelings and action. A must read.
November 1, 2025
nice n story
Beautiful, meandering tale w/several interesting characters and storylines. This series would make a nice streaming show. Hello Netflix, you listening? :)
Beautiful, meandering tale w/several interesting characters and storylines. This series would make a nice streaming show. Hello Netflix, you listening? :)
November 2, 2025
This book was the best of the three. It had a toss and turns that I never saw coming. Looking forward to more books. Good story!
November 29, 2025
Can be read as a standalone but is part of an interconnected series.
This is the first book by this author for me.
Widowed socialite broke struggling with pride
Blacksmith widower with a traumatized little girl
Someone from the past seeking revenge
This is the first book by this author for me.
Widowed socialite broke struggling with pride
Blacksmith widower with a traumatized little girl
Someone from the past seeking revenge
December 30, 2025
Twelve-year-old Esther is a lively, creative girl until the day she witnesses the unthinkable. She becomes mute after the brutal death of her Ma. Pa, a blacksmith, is away, involved in the Civil War.
Benjamin Jackson's heart aches over the trauma his daughter has been through. He decides to relocate to Pennsylvania where Pastor Joseph and his wife Ruth are willing to help them.
Newly widowed socialite Francine DuPre is now destitute and struggling with facing her reality. She captures the attention of the lonely father.
The short blurb and stunningly beautiful cover kept catching my attention until I had the advanced reader's copy from the author in hand. I have been reading books written by Cecelia Dowdy for years now. I really enjoy them. I appreciate clean stories with characters who are drawn to the Lord. The author offers true-to-life experiences and historically accurate and interesting story lines.
I really liked the touches that bring the history to light with a storekeeper wrapping products in paper and characters using a handpump to bring up water at the schoolhouse well. The author's character dialogue works well too. I loved it when early on Esther would make up stories while observing people around her. The characters feel real to me. This is a good story.
Benjamin Jackson's heart aches over the trauma his daughter has been through. He decides to relocate to Pennsylvania where Pastor Joseph and his wife Ruth are willing to help them.
Newly widowed socialite Francine DuPre is now destitute and struggling with facing her reality. She captures the attention of the lonely father.
The short blurb and stunningly beautiful cover kept catching my attention until I had the advanced reader's copy from the author in hand. I have been reading books written by Cecelia Dowdy for years now. I really enjoy them. I appreciate clean stories with characters who are drawn to the Lord. The author offers true-to-life experiences and historically accurate and interesting story lines.
I really liked the touches that bring the history to light with a storekeeper wrapping products in paper and characters using a handpump to bring up water at the schoolhouse well. The author's character dialogue works well too. I loved it when early on Esther would make up stories while observing people around her. The characters feel real to me. This is a good story.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews