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Having lost her Georgia home, along with her brother and mother, to the war, Molly Stewart is left penniless with a broken father. She signs up with the Pelican Rapids Mail-Order Brides agency in Minnesota, and Mrs. Ella Milton matches her with local farmer, Luke Ferrell. An attraction develops between Molly and Luke after months of corresponding, and they decide to marry. Knowing her father will never agree to the match, Molly runs away to Pelican Rapids, taking her grand piano with her—the only thing saved when Sherman’s army burned her home. Luke is smitten with the sweet, beautiful Molly, and will do anything to win her love, even building onto his small farmhouse to accommodate her piano. Molly admires her handsome fiancé, but rumors that he still loves another woman disturb her, and he wants to keep delaying their wedding day. And why is he reluctant to discuss his past? But Molly realizes she hasn’t been totally honest either. When she reveals to Luke the reason her piano is so important to her, it opens wounds in Luke’s past that threaten their happiness.

219 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 30, 2020

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Elaine Manders

46 books336 followers

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5 stars
126 (68%)
4 stars
45 (24%)
3 stars
9 (4%)
2 stars
3 (1%)
1 star
2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Marilyn.
1,309 reviews
February 1, 2020

A masterful and vivid read that gave way to a beautiful faith message of forgiveness, God’s grace and love. Molly was a resilient young lady that lost a lot during the Civil War. When an opportunity came to be a mail order bride she had fortitude and determination to follow through despite the circumstances of her dad. Luke was a strong and hardworking man wanting the best for Molly. What an amazing twist of events for him to be able to have her grand piano in his home. But watch out, trouble brewed on their wedding day. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Molly’s New Song and the 4th of July celebration that brought happiness and a new song. I look forward to reading more books by Elaine Manders, as I’ve enjoyed each one of her Christian Historical stories.

I received a complimentary e-book from the author and was under no obligation to write a review. All thoughts are my own opinion.
Profile Image for Rainelle.
2,277 reviews133 followers
May 23, 2020
Molly and Luke’s story is a sweet story to read. The author maintains the story around the two lead characters. The plot of the story held my attention page after page. The tragedy of the families during the war, pulled me into the story. The writer helped the reader to see the trials that both Luke and Molly go through. This is a good story to read and see love bloom. I voluntary reviewed this ARC after receiving a free gifted copy.
1,293 reviews4 followers
January 31, 2020
Another heartwarming historical (post Civil War era) Christian mail-order bride romance of Elaine Manders' about a young woman from Georgia and victim of Sherman's rampage, who seeks a new life out west. However complications evolve when it is learned that her new fiance was indirectly involved as a Yankee and her father learns the truth. A young couple, both deeply involved in their faith, must learn to forgive to move forward to marriage. Highly recommended for anyone who favors an excellent historical love story.
99 reviews2 followers
June 8, 2021
Another good story

This author never fails to publish a great story! It is about a strong southern lady who defied her father and goes north to marry a yankee! Boy does that cause issues with her dad who can’t seem to let the war be in the past. And then in the middle of the wedding there is an objection! Fun story!
Profile Image for Shonda.
Author 10 books50 followers
February 1, 2020
A wonderful story on forgiveness and God’s redeeming love. Great characters that you can’t help but fall in love with. A sweet clean romance that is sure to melt your heart.
787 reviews8 followers
February 3, 2020
As happened to so many young women after the Civil War split the country in two, Molly Stewart, a young lady from Georgia felt a devastating loss. Her Mother and her Brother both perished. She decides not to accompany her father to her Aunt's home, and signs up with a Mail Order Bride Agency in town. She is eventually matched to Luke Ferrell, a young man in Pelican Rapids, MN.
Luke had fought against the Confederacy during the War and had issues with the way his unit handled things. He eventually was transferred and put the past behind him. Now he just needs to share a secret with Molly that he has kept hidden from her. Will Luke marrying a southern girl bring back the horrors he felt while fighting the war? Can he share his past and will Molly come to forgive him?
I truly loved how the characters developed and came to life in this book. The plot was a little different than many in that Molly's prize possession arrived in Pelican Rapids a week before she did! I highly recommend this book and this series. They are all fun and exciting, holding you to the read until the end.
I received an ARC of this book and am choosing to leave an honest review.
Profile Image for Linda.
Author 65 books693 followers
March 14, 2020
I love Elaine Manders’ books, and Molly’s New Song is another wonderful story written by this author. Vivid description evoke the atrocities and difficulties of war experienced separately by Molly and Luke, leaving both broken and hurting. A product of her time, Molly understands how deeply she is breaking societal mores by running away from her father to become a mail-order bride. Luke is strong yet gentle, and filled with integrity. His frustrations with a friend’s mother who tries to push her daughter off on him are realistic and at times amusing. I felt bad for him as he tried to remain polite yet firm about his plans to marry Molly. Molly is sweet and her guilt at leaving home without telling her father and her grief over the loss of her mother and brother was handled with sensitivity. Historical details are accurate and provide information about the era without feeling dry or textbookish. Messages about salvation and forgiveness are woven throughout the story.

I received a copy of this book from the author, and a review was not required, positive or otherwise. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Lori.
219 reviews16 followers
March 31, 2020
After reading this wonderful story, I need to go back and read the first four books. This is a post civil war story. It is about relying on the Holy Spirit’s leading in our lives. And as Molly and Luke show, that can only be done when we pray to Him often and listen to His voice. How honesty and forgiveness can strengthen a relationship. It is a clean, sweet historical story. Molly, a southern lady, wants to save her father who is a broken man at the time so her idea to become a mail order bride is hatched. She is to marry Luke a farmer. The only thing she really has that is left over from her mom is her piano. So, she ships this ahead of her arriving, not telling Luke. Luke is bewildered to say the least. He has no room in his little house for a piano. But he is determined to make his new bride happy and seeks a way to build upon his house. At first Molly is clueless as to why Luke’s house is so small. There are a lot of giggles and humor and fun in this book. I loved the bible verses at the begging of each chapter that related to the chapter. I highly recommend this book.
3,828 reviews20 followers
February 13, 2020
Molly and Luke both ran away to escape difficult situations. The Civil War was terrible especially in the Union's treatment of southern civilians in the war zone. I don't blame Luke for going to extreme measures to escape it. Molly's father has never gotten over how his wife died when Union soldiers burned their plantation and he won't let her marry one of them. She runs away to marry Luke, who has a dark past she doesn't know about. This was a story of redemption and working together to build a new future. It was nice to catch up with the mail order brides from the previous stories in this series.
Profile Image for Tracy Sylvester.
1,043 reviews9 followers
March 27, 2024
Molly Stewart decides to take her love life into her own hands instead of leaving it to her father. She finds herself becoming a mail order bride and heading to Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. Luke Ferrell is awaiting his new bride and trying to make sure the home is full set for her which means adding onto the home to include the piano she shipped and he didn't know about. I found this to be an incredibly sweet, clean, historical read. A story about love being able to overcome even the toughest of circumstances.
2,408 reviews13 followers
July 15, 2020
Molly’s New Song

This was a good story. Molly lived in Georgia after the civil war. Her father could not seem to get anything going as far as recovery from the war. Molly decided to become a mail order bride. She was writing to Luke and he offered marriage,only he lived in a Northern State. She slipped away at night due to her father not wanting her to marry Luke. This story has its twists and turns. You will enjoy this story.
7,822 reviews53 followers
April 4, 2020
Post Civil War era, Molly loosing so much, had the courage to be a MOB with letters and agreeing to marry a farmer. She had a piano shipped, of which he built on a room for her. The wedding was planned but secrets needed to be told before,a love was born when they met. Cute series to read about these brides.
Profile Image for Melissa Main.
53 reviews5 followers
May 9, 2023
Sweet mail order bride love story

This is a sweet Christian romance involving a mail order bride. A sweet woman from Georgia answers the call for a bride from a former Union soldier. Baggage from their past threatens their future, and this heart-warming tale is one you won’t want to miss.
Profile Image for Kimberly.
67 reviews3 followers
March 24, 2024
It was a fun read. Very quick read. I liked that it was a clean, Christian book. I loved that she didn't drag out the drama between the 2 main characters-will they get together or not. Some is fine, but drug out half the book gets a little old. This book avoided that and I appreciate it. If you want just a light, quick, clean read-this book is for you.
2,243 reviews21 followers
October 3, 2025
Good

A book that covers some tough issues from the civil war. It was amazing how Luke went to such extremes to build a place to fit Molly's piano and preferences. I liked how the town actually helped get things done in time. Glad relationships were healed, or at least, begun to heal, toward the end. A nice read.
Profile Image for Robin.
1,289 reviews17 followers
February 4, 2020
I love mail order bride books for their historical information and the wonderful love stories. This author made the story come very much alive and show the need for forgiveness no matter what. I received an advance reader copy from the publisher. Opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Dorothy Roller.
480 reviews3 followers
March 30, 2020
I loved this story.

Wonderful story that was so good to read. Great hero, great heroine, great supporting characters, wonderful plot. It's all good. I highly recommend this story and the rest of this series.
238 reviews2 followers
November 27, 2020
Molly's New Song

A wonderful clean, Christian historical Western romance. Beautifully written, with lovely characters who now the importance of God in their lives. I just love this book and can't wait to get to read more of this. Thank you.
Profile Image for MaryEllen.
3,141 reviews33 followers
February 11, 2022
Great story
This overtly Christian story focuses on communication, bravery/cowardice, and forgiveness.

We see many of our old friends from previous stories, and get to celebrate the Fourth of July.
192 reviews
June 14, 2024
A Good Story

I liked all the characters… the story line Kept you reading… This makes you wonder if there were this many women willing to marry a man they did not know.. It makes me pray my Greats had a decent life… and how they met the men they married.
130 reviews7 followers
February 1, 2025
Such an endearing read.

Love knows no bounds when truth is told. Such a beautiful story of sacrifice and new beginnings. Recommended to all who have a heart and believe in true love.
Profile Image for Janet Swiftbird.
1,878 reviews6 followers
February 8, 2020
A true celebration

A man repentant for what others did to the South. A woman who lost everything to the North.
Good storyline with nice characters to round out the story.
5,522 reviews69 followers
February 15, 2020
Molly's New Song(Brides of Pelican Rapids Book 5)

A very good story about love and forgiveness and trust and friends and marriage and Molly finds happiness with her husband
Profile Image for rob.
398 reviews3 followers
February 18, 2020
Sweet

This was a sweet and short Christian love story that was wholesome and had a good message to it. H
Profile Image for Becky Bowen.
397 reviews2 followers
April 28, 2020
Good

Been reading this whole series. Really enjoying this writers style. I cAnnot put down her books. Great way to spend a afternoon
270 reviews1 follower
June 8, 2020
Forgiveness

What an interesting story. Honesty in all things was a message within this story. I enjoyed the message if love the piano player told. Well done.
Profile Image for Debra Miller.
246 reviews
February 7, 2021
Great book!

I'm really enjoying this series. Strong women and nice young men. This one matches a woman of the south and a soldier of the north who learn to love.
Profile Image for Judy.
1,853 reviews13 followers
May 17, 2021
Molly and Luke 💞

Sweet story of love at first sight. However, both Luke and Molly have secrets. Will they have the courage to speak of them?
242 reviews
February 22, 2022
Another good clean easy read that keeps you wanting to read it. Historical fiction, heartwarming, love story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews