Whirlwind

Only in Gooding #3

by Cathy Marie Hake

When Millicent Fairweather boards the Opportunity to journey to America, she's confident a better life awaits. Before she knows it, she's taken out of steerage to be a nanny to a delightful little boy who quickly wins her heart. Widower Daniel Clark isn't sure about the pretty bundle of energy who takes the nanny position, but he figures the voyage is only one week.

When disaster strikes, Daniel seizes the chance to rescue Millicent and her sister. A most convenient marriage ensues...only Daniel realizes his heart has been lost to Millicent, while she views it all as a business arrangement. Will this whirlwind marriage have a chance as Daniel sets out to woo his oblivious wife?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction, Christian, Historical, Fiction, Christian Romance

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

As a child, Cathy Marie Hake had an imaginary playmate. Now "grown up," she indulges in a host of imaginary friends as she writes. She teasingly says she decided if those voices in her head were talking, she might as well write down what they said and make a living by doing it. She met her sweetheart in the High School department at church and married him after finishing nursing school. They live in Southern California and have two children and two dogs (one of them even moos - one of the dogs that is, not the kids). Faith in God, a loving family, and a wacky sense of the ridiculous keep her going.

Known for surfing across the kitchen on a dropped dill pickle slice, waterskiing on sea anemone spit, and using Right Guard® as hair spray; she considers herself living proof that God does, indeed, possess a healthy sense of humor.

Cathy loves classical music, romantic getways with her husband, and Diet Pepsi Free®. "I need chocolate to survive, love my friends, and enjoy a deep personal relationship with the Lord. Although an extrovert, I'm very conservative on a personal level."

In her writing, Cathy attempts to capture a unique glimpse of life and how a man and woman can overcome obstacles when motivated by love. In her inspirational pieces she enjoys the freedom of showing how Christ can enrich a loving couple's relationship.

Reviews

[Sonja Rosa Lisa ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ein humorvoller und auch gefühlvoller Liebesroman, der mir richtig gut gefallen hat. Die Geschichte spielt im Jahr 1892 und hat mich ein bisschen an die Fernsehserie "Unsere kleine Farm" erinnert.
Es geht um Millicent und Daniel, die sich auf einem Schiff kennenlernen, mit dem beide nach Amerika auswandern wollen. Millie ist in Begleitung ihrer Schwester und ihres Schwagers, Daniel reist mit seinem kleinen Sohn Arthur.
Es dauert eine Weile, bis Millie und Daniel zueinanderfinden, und bis dahin geschehen noch viele schöne und weniger schöne Dinge, so dass es niemals langweilig wird.
Das Buch ist leicht christlich angehaucht, d.h. es wird öfters mal gebetet und es gibt Bibelzitate.

[Ellie]

I would firstly like to say that I don’t ever usually leave negative reviews just for the sake of it, but with this book I genuinely want to warn others thinking of reading it. I have read several other novels by this author which I really enjoyed, but I was taken aback by this book in comparison to the others I have read. Daniel starts off as a man who likes to have his way, but overall is a kind man. By the end of the book he was a controlling tyrant and I could barely tolerate finishing the book. I am a Christian and believe in wives submitting to their husbands, but the micromanaging control Daniel exerts over Millicent is genuinely worrying. He gives her a list of things to do every day as if he doesn’t at all trust her, an adult, as capable of making basic decisions on what to do. He tells her off constantly, doesn’t listen to her input, and suppresses her spirit until she seems to me to be extremely stifled in her marriage. Definitely would recommend this author, but please don’t read this book, especially impressionable young girls who are seeing a false example of a healthy Christian relationship

[Noella Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great story line. I had so many laugh out loud moments 😃. Looking forward to my next book by Cathy Marie Hake. Please keep them coming!!

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is my least favorite book that I have read by this author. I feel like it is not written as well as some of her other books. The plot idea is good but could have been executed better. In the story, a widower named Daniel marries a nanny for the good of others; the story talks about their new life together in Gooding, Texas. As I read the story, I really didn't care for Daniel at all-he was just plain annoying and seemed so uncaring. Although I know that during this time period men had certain expectations for their wives, and they were raised in a different culture than people are today, I still disliked Daniel. Another problem that I have with this book is that unrealistic happenings occur, and certain events are not weaved into the story very well-they were hapharzardly thrown into the plot. Furthermore, a lot of conversations that occur between the characters do not make any sense. However, on a positive note I think that the author's incorporation of characters from some of her other novels was clever. In addition, I like the way she set up the novel for a sequel. The story also shows how forgiveness, prayer, and compromise are vital in growing one's relationships with others, so while there are some obvious issues with this novel, I still give it a two-star rating because of its life lessons.

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really fun book. Great story line, characters and plot. It was clean and interesting and funny in places, heartbreaking in others. Uplifting and feel good read.

[Alicia Wiebring · Rating 4 out of 5]

Einfach cute Romance wie wir es lieben. Ende war ein bisschen in die Länge gezogen aber nichts zu meckern 👍🏻⭐️

[J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe the problem was that I read it as an ebook but, despite an interesting plot, the flow of the story was exceedingly disjointed and choppy. I kept rereading parts thinking I had skipped a paragraph. There was no spacing between paragraphs that skipped to new settings and characters. It felt like whole sections of the book had been cut out, dropping you in the middle of one scene after another. That's alright as a plot device once in a while, but not over and over again. A very frustrating read. I wish the author would rewrite this one. I have enjoyed a couple of her other books. 4 stars for the idea, 2 stars for the execution of the idea.

[Amanda Tero · Rating 4 out of 5]

As book three in the “Only in Gooding” series, I’ve enjoyed a bit of variety with the different novels. This one began overseas and the bulk of it was set onboard. I found the theme of children adorable and loved the characters who love children.

Once again, Hake threaded a strong Christian thread in the novel. The characters are real and they struggle, but they come to Biblical conclusions and seek godly counsel.

It didn’t seem like the romance thread was super strong in this one. While both characters admitted to themselves that they were “falling for” the other person, in the end, it took them longer to actually act upon their romantic thoughts.

Another one that I can recommend to most readers.

[JoyfulJules · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed parts of this story, but I liked the first two in the series better.

[Sabine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Millicent Fairweather ist das Kindermädchen für die beiden kleinen Mädchen im Haushalt von Herrn Eberhardt. Als der Vater beschließt die Mädchen in ein Internat zu geben, ist Millie arbeitslos und beschließt mit ihrer Schwester Isabelle und deren Mann nach Amerika auszuwandern. Mit ihren bescheidenen Vermögen können sie sich nur eine Überfahrt für die dritte Klasse leisten und wohnen zusammengepfercht mit anderen Gästen auf dem unteren Deck des Schiffes.

Daniel Clark ist ein vermögender Geschäftsmann, der nach dem Tod seiner Frau und seines ungeborenen Kindes alles verkauft hat um in Amerika mit seinem kleinen Sohn Arthur neu anzufangen. Als ihm kurz nach dem Ablegen des Schiffs auffällt, dass Arthurs Kindermädchen doch nicht mitgekommen ist, lässt er unter den Passagieren nach einer geeigneten Kandidatin suchen und findet so Millie. Durch einige tragische Windungen geht Millie am Ende eine Zweckehe mit Daniel ein und stimmt zu, zusammen mit Isabelle mit ihm nach Gooding zu gehen, wo er bereits einen Laden gekauft hat. Können die beiden mit Gottes Hilfe doch noch die Liebe finden?


Auch der dritte Band der Gooding Reihe ist wunderschön geschrieben. Wie ich auch bei den anderen beiden Büchern erwähnt habe, sind christliche Bücher eigentlich nicht mein Genre aber Cathy Marie Hake hat mit ihrer Gooding Reihe etwas ganz wundervolles geschaffen. Millie ist ein Wirbelwind und es nicht gewohnt, dass jemand anderer die Regeln aufstellt und obwohl der gutaussehende Daniel ihr Herz höher schlagen lässt, so ist es doch schwer für die sonst so unabhängige Frau. Und umgekehrt ist der doch eher förmliche Daniel bald schon hoffnungslos überfordert mit der quirligen Millie, die sein Leben aus seinen sonst so sorgsam geplanten Bahnen wirbelt. Dazu einige Nebengeschichten um die Bewohner von Gooding, die einem schon aus den anderen Büchern bekannt sind, und man kann das Buch kaum aus den Händen halten. Ein paar Handlungsfäden werden hier weitergesponnen und neue bahnen sich an.Ich muss gestehen, dass dies bisher für mich der schönste Band der Reihe ist und der kleine Arthur hat mir ebenso wie Millie schnell das Herz gestohlen. Ich bin gespannt, ob die Bewohner von Gooding ihren neuen Arzt finden und was die nächste Geschichte bringt. Ich sollte noch erwähnen, dass öfter Bibelzitate erwähnt werden und Zärtlichkeiten über ein paar züchtige Küsse nicht hinausgehen. Wer wie ich damit kein Problem hat, der wird eine wunderschöne Geschichte finden, die von mir volle 5 Sterne bekommt.

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read the first two books in the series, but I think this novel can stand well on it's own. Starting at the beginning would help with history of some characters and you really don't want to miss out on them, so I recommend reading them all.

This was a delightful story. It included humor, serious moments and some great characters. I especially enjoyed the closeness of the families and the town of Gooding.

There are some instances in this book that I'd love to talk about but that would mean adding spoilers. So, I'll refrain from doing so. I will say that if like historical romance, that has some depth to the story, you will love Whirlwind.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book like her others was an enjoyable read. The last half of the books brings in characters from some of her other books which was nice. The reason I gave this a 3 (if I could it would be a 3.5) is that I didn't care for the end of the book. I felt like it was really rushed and some parts didn't seem to flow as well as they could have if more detail and time were given. Either they edited out a chapter or two to shorten the book or the author felt rushed to finish is all I can think of. It was still a good read and I would recommend it to others.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can always count on Cathy Marie Hake to write a truly enjoyable book. When life is stressful, it's like having a breath of fresh air!

[Leah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like Daniel, he was so controlling and could be a real jerk. The rest of the book was good and cute, but Daniel just ruined the book for me.

[Joleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

London, Spring 1892

Characters:
Millicent Fairweather: Governess just released from her duties
Frank and Isabelle Quinsby: Millicent’s brother-in-law and sister
Audrey and Fiona Eberhardt: Millicent's charges sent away to boarding school
Daniel Clark: On-board widower in immediate need of a nanny
Arthur Clark Sweetest little toddler
Orville Clark: Daniel's cousin, a cheat who sold him the sub-standard mercantile

This book started out so promising… Millicent’s loss a 4-year governess position, a decision to begin a new life with her sister and brother-in-law in America, someone on-board needed a nanny immediately, so she took the position for the trip. But an issue at Ellis island meant a marriage of convenience and new lives for the two sisters.

It was the characters' odd ways that bothered me. Like split personalities…everyone but Isabelle it seemed — erratic. Daniel started out brusk and a bit demanding, then became gentle and proper at times, then dictatorial with little feeling for Millicent's feelings after a tongue lashing. Wishing to care for her but treating her almost like a military subordinate. He was all over the place.

Millicent was no different. Sometimes she’d be hurt, then she’d act like the subordinate, then she’d change her mind… that he was right even though she felt he was wrong, feeling like an outsider in her own home and then wanting him to love her. Her feelings changed on a dime.

I didn’t honestly come to this conclusion until the last quarter of the book when it kept getting worse. Then I started rolling my eyes. When I roll my eyes my star-rating goes down.

And those stupid lists!!! I wanted her to rip them up and tell Daniel she's his wife not servant.

The ending was somewhat predictable, but it took place so quickly. Within four days there's a near stabbing, then an utterly shocking pre-dawn agreement, of which Millicent was in the dark…literally, then two additions to the family who were calling Daniel "Daddy". In four days!!

Eyes rolling here. Most readers would think it’s sweet. I’d be in that minority. To me this part could have been extended to a more realistic degree…discussed and looked forward to, and treasured, and preparation with the children on the ship could have been shown, etc. I don’t know, it just felt off to me.

I liked the book, but would I read it again? Nope. I would have done things in the last half so differently to not frustrate the reader. (Or at least this reader) 😊

[Ellen White · Rating 5 out of 5]

London 1892 Millicent was surprised that Mr Eberhardt was sending his two daughters ages six and eight to a woman academy. They leave at five, and her services are no longer needed. Isabelle with her husband Frank and Millicent are on a ship the Opportunity making the week’s trip.
Arthur traveling with his young son, who was 1 1/2 years and a nanny that left before sailing. Trying to find someone to be suitable for the week. Millicent definitely had the experience, but she was young, pretty and unmarried , which was high drawbacks as far as he was concerned,
Daniel can be generous, tends to be doctoral, inapt as a father. While she is great with children, but stiff and formal around people. A marriage of convince , not realizing that this is what they both needed. Enjoyable, funny and with good characters to follow in this story.

[Lee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Many authors can make the reading of inconsequential events interesting with humorous touches, and Hake does so with a few passages, such as the young children sliding down the stairs early in the book. However, there are too many accounts of mundane matters, such as the process of cleaning a store hit by a dust storm, that lack this clever treatment. Nor could I bring myself to share the characters’ inordinate worry over such commonplace concerns as whether a ship's engines starting would wake a young child.

This dawdling over the run-of-the-mill makes it all the more frustrating when what could have been one of the most exciting scenes in the novel instead takes place offstage and is described by the characters in only the briefest manner.

[Adilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK. First of all, Millicent's job as a nanny was literally the cutest freaking thing. She is sooo good with kids, and it just warmed my heart. Also Arthur was a star in this book, and I love kids more than anything, so this aspect just demanded a high rating. A 1.5 year old!! So cute. If kids are in a book I will absolutely love it.

Anyway. The plot was insane. Like it was so cute and heartwarming, and then it got insanely tragic but I'm not complaining because I actually really love the marriage of convenience trope. And this was done wonderfully, just lacking a little more romance. Either way, the progression of Millicent and Daniel's relationship was realistic and beautiful. It was certainly rocky, as to be expected, but in the end it all worked out. Their happy ending was everything.

[Brianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh.....some of this I really liked. The romance was cute, the characters were fun. But it lacked....I don't. depth? It felt like pages and scenes and dialogue were missing. And then all the sudden, it was Annie's story for a few POVs? To me, that's a big no-no. Only give POVs to people that were introduced in the beginning. Please don't head-hop.

And Daniel had a few moments of being...not great. Obviously, people are flawed and I like that. But for heaven's sakes, dude. CHANGE. Clearly you're not making your wife happy. So please. Do something different. And Millie too. It was like they were stuck in a round-a-bout, constantly fighting and ticking each other off.

So, yeah, not great. But it wasn't awful either. *Shrug.*

[Hannah]

I did not love this book much at all. It’s marketed as a marriage of convenience so I don’t think my review will be a spoiler at all?

I liked Daniel a lot less once they got married. Heavens, I didn’t even like Millicent as much once they got married. They were sweet and fun and I liked the whole voyaging and nanny thing and even the very last few pages was a fun twist! But this romance was very lacking and I found everyone but Isabella and Arthur annoying. My favorite part of the whole book was a certain couple from the previous book.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story! In the first half of the book, Millicent and Daniel have a very professional working relationship. They have real problems arise and handle them calmly, working through them together. Then the twist, tragedy strikes, and Daniel proposes a marriage of convenience to help both of them. With their relationship on a different level, they have to learn to work together in a whole new way.... but I like the way it all turned out!! This was a wonderful story!!

[Olivia Hotchkiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun, breezy read for the books *insert wink here* I loved reading yet another book from the wonderful world of Gooding, Texas. I enjoyed this one a little more than the others because the romance aspect didn’t feel as rushed. It was definitely unexpected, with a good bit of sorrow in it early on in the story. I loved reading about the peace that some of the characters found after a brutal accident. It was a lovely read and I can’t wait to read more from the Wild West.

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one too. This one is about Millicent, her sister, and her brother-in-law Frank. Millicent was a nanny but when she had to leave she does not want to do that anymore so now she wants to design dresses. Her sister is a seamstress and Frank is going to manage their shop. They have decided to immigrate to the United States and open their dress shop. While aboard ship Millicent is asked to be a nanny to Daniel's son.

[Manna_Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn't as well done as others by this author. The events felt disjointed, transitions between scenes were not always smooth or logical. I had to back up to reread to catch what I may have missed, only to find there was nothing to catch. The characters' described personalities felt at variance with how they actually behaved. Too much going on from one minute to the next. A little chaotic. Just generally awkward and dissatisfying. I was glad to finish. Though, not the worst I've read!

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not sure what happened with this book but it’s NOT at all like the other books in the Gooding series . The plot line is so hard to follow, the conversations jump around so much , the main male character is a complete controlling jerk all the time (and doesn’t get better) , and you don’t get enough back story on some other characters to make sense of what they’re saying . Very random thoughts, very confusing. The other books are cute and funny romances , but this one is just a hassle .

[Kimberly Storey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness!!!! I couldn't put it down! I was up till the wee hours of the morning because it was so good! Not even half way thru the surprise twist threw me for a loop! Loved EVERY word of this book! I'd have to say this book is probably my favorite so far of this series! It makes my heart so very happy how Cathy Marie Hake always shares the love and full message of Christ thru her books.

[BookNerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Millicent is a great character and seems like she would be fun to be around. I love her love of children. It was great to glimpses of characters from the previous books in the series.

I hope one of the next books in the series will show Isabelle getting through her grief and finding love again.

[Margaret Hardie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would almost give this a four star . . . but I am being picky.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love! Love! Love!

[Julynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Milicent Fairweather and her sister, Isabelle whether tons of hardship in this tale but the overcoming of it was sweet indeed. Nice wrap up for the Gooding Series.