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Schoolhouse Brides: Teachers of Yesteryear Fulfill Dreams of Love in Four Novellas
Complications abound as love is encountered by four young schoolmarms in bygone days. In Schoolhouse Brides, one-room schoolhouses by the Lehigh Canal, on the prairies of Minnesota, amid the Blue Ridge Mountains, and in frontier Idaho are the settings for heartwarming lessons in life and love.
350 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2005
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491 people want to read
About the author
Yvonne Lehman
114 books68 followersYvonne Lehman founded and directed the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference for twenty-five years. She is author of 59 novels and 16 nonfiction books in the Divine Moments series. Yvonne enjoys mentoring beginning writers.
Her fiftieth novel, Hearts that Survive – A Novel of the TITANIC, (Abingdon), is available in bookstores and at the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, TN where she periodically holds book signings. The Divine Moments books (Grace Publishing) are a compilation of 45-50 articles written by various authors.
Her fiftieth novel, Hearts that Survive – A Novel of the TITANIC, (Abingdon), is available in bookstores and at the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, TN where she periodically holds book signings. The Divine Moments books (Grace Publishing) are a compilation of 45-50 articles written by various authors.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 16, 2017
My rating: 4.5
This is the second time that I read a Christian romance book and I am happy with the four novellas included here. This is how I can rank the novellas and why:
1. The Reluctant Schoolmarm
- This is the third novella in the book and I could definitely say that I love this story from start till the end. The unexpected situation that brought Grant and Christa together made it really special. It was like God made a joke in the beginning of their story but it ends happily.
2. Prairie Schoolmarm
- This is the 2nd novella and number 2 also in my rank. The story of Talif and Marin is an inspiration because of how patient and persevering Talif was on helping Marin's dreams come true. All his hard work paid in the end because not only they built the Church/School but they end up together.
3. School Bells and Wedding Bells
- This is the last novella in this book and ranks 3rd on my list. Haughty Meredith Rose aka Mercy was changed when she finally met Brit when she and her twin brother Marcus settled in Last Chance, Idaho. I just find the novella too short and the phasing of the story near the end is fast so their friendship was not able to be shown clearly. I felt that their relationship as acquaintances shifted abruptly to being in love. If the author could have just written more about the story of their friendship, I could have ranked this higher.
4. Dear Teacher
- This is the first novella and sadly to say that this is my least favorite among 4 novellas in the book. I liked the idea of Ernie and Judith's story grew because of Ernie's unsigned letters that his son Andy stealthily put in the mailbox at school. But the ending is meh. Imagine that Judith will gave up her teaching career just to live with Ernie's family, once they married, in the canal. Then it struck me that the setting was on 1890 so perhaps women should sacrificed for their husband/family. But when I read the succeeding novellas after this, the other women from those novellas didn't have to sacrificed their careers as teachers instead they, I reckon, will still be teaching even after they married. So I guess the ending for this is really not that good.
This is the second time that I read a Christian romance book and I am happy with the four novellas included here. This is how I can rank the novellas and why:
1. The Reluctant Schoolmarm
- This is the third novella in the book and I could definitely say that I love this story from start till the end. The unexpected situation that brought Grant and Christa together made it really special. It was like God made a joke in the beginning of their story but it ends happily.
2. Prairie Schoolmarm
- This is the 2nd novella and number 2 also in my rank. The story of Talif and Marin is an inspiration because of how patient and persevering Talif was on helping Marin's dreams come true. All his hard work paid in the end because not only they built the Church/School but they end up together.
3. School Bells and Wedding Bells
- This is the last novella in this book and ranks 3rd on my list. Haughty Meredith Rose aka Mercy was changed when she finally met Brit when she and her twin brother Marcus settled in Last Chance, Idaho. I just find the novella too short and the phasing of the story near the end is fast so their friendship was not able to be shown clearly. I felt that their relationship as acquaintances shifted abruptly to being in love. If the author could have just written more about the story of their friendship, I could have ranked this higher.
4. Dear Teacher
- This is the first novella and sadly to say that this is my least favorite among 4 novellas in the book. I liked the idea of Ernie and Judith's story grew because of Ernie's unsigned letters that his son Andy stealthily put in the mailbox at school. But the ending is meh. Imagine that Judith will gave up her teaching career just to live with Ernie's family, once they married, in the canal. Then it struck me that the setting was on 1890 so perhaps women should sacrificed for their husband/family. But when I read the succeeding novellas after this, the other women from those novellas didn't have to sacrificed their careers as teachers instead they, I reckon, will still be teaching even after they married. So I guess the ending for this is really not that good.
May 13, 2025
Four young ladies faced the challenges of life prior to 1920, questioning their purpose and direction. Oddly enough, God led each of them to an unexpected teaching position.
Judith landed a position in Lehigh Canal, working primarily with children of families delivering coal to cities up and down the canal. What she didn't expect is to find love from two children and their widowed father.
Marin traveled with her family across the sea and settled in the Minnesota prairie. When she started a school for the children in their little community within her family's sod home, she received an unexpected student who changed her life.
After a strange encounter and a case of mistaken identity, Christa filled the much needed role of teacher for a small community in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Who knew that a visit to her Pastor Uncle would lead to her forever?
After Meredith was left at the altar, her twin brother Marcus was called to serve the community of Last Chance, Idaho, as pastor. Desperate times called for Desperate measures, and after a twenty-seven hundred miles track across the country, Meredith and Marcus find the life God planned all along.
"Schoolhouse Brides" is a compilation of four novellas of placing one's hope in Christ and trusting Him to lead in courage, love, and purpose.
Judith landed a position in Lehigh Canal, working primarily with children of families delivering coal to cities up and down the canal. What she didn't expect is to find love from two children and their widowed father.
Marin traveled with her family across the sea and settled in the Minnesota prairie. When she started a school for the children in their little community within her family's sod home, she received an unexpected student who changed her life.
After a strange encounter and a case of mistaken identity, Christa filled the much needed role of teacher for a small community in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Who knew that a visit to her Pastor Uncle would lead to her forever?
After Meredith was left at the altar, her twin brother Marcus was called to serve the community of Last Chance, Idaho, as pastor. Desperate times called for Desperate measures, and after a twenty-seven hundred miles track across the country, Meredith and Marcus find the life God planned all along.
"Schoolhouse Brides" is a compilation of four novellas of placing one's hope in Christ and trusting Him to lead in courage, love, and purpose.
September 5, 2025
One book 3 stories by different authors. short stories.
Stories take place long ago when women taught school in one room buildings that were most often both school and church. Think Little House On The Prairie days. All grades were in a one room school. All three stories take place in those kinds of schools.
These are great stories, even younger kids can read no dirty words and no sex. Just good wholesome stories.
Stories take place long ago when women taught school in one room buildings that were most often both school and church. Think Little House On The Prairie days. All grades were in a one room school. All three stories take place in those kinds of schools.
These are great stories, even younger kids can read no dirty words and no sex. Just good wholesome stories.
April 25, 2021
After a slow start, this collection of schoolmarm romances picked up steam. Mind you, this is a collection of Christian - western historical romances, so "steamy" was not part of the equation, so to speak.
I have always had a soft spot for western historical romances that feature school teachers. If anyone has any book recommendations, please... hit me up :)
I have always had a soft spot for western historical romances that feature school teachers. If anyone has any book recommendations, please... hit me up :)
November 5, 2017
Four distinct stories linked by the career challenges presented to four teachers in schools in the early years of the 20th century who also had to learn to trust God to direct their hearts and as well their lives.
September 24, 2019
I am reviewing the story by Wanda Brunstetter Dear Teacher. This story is about Judith King who enjoys teaching. Then she meets someone who questions her life decisions. She must decide between teaching and romance. A nice romance story that’s an easy read.
November 19, 2018
Sweet stories from the late 1800's. Some better than others.
May 15, 2020
A good variety of schoolmarms in the early 1900's each having a one room schoolhouse.
April 17, 2021
Dear Teacher 1
Prairie Schoolmarm 2
Reluctant Schoolmarm 3
School Bells and Wedding Bells 4
Good stories but seemed rushed (short story version)
Prairie Schoolmarm 2
Reluctant Schoolmarm 3
School Bells and Wedding Bells 4
Good stories but seemed rushed (short story version)
June 20, 2021
Easy read and chapters are short, if you don't have much time. All different stories.
December 14, 2021
4 short stories - a great quick read. Awesome stories. Uplifting messages.
July 28, 2022
loved this book
January 12, 2025
collection of 4 stories about teachers who found their true love nice thing about story collections you can put them aside to read something else and not have to wonder where you were at
July 1, 2016
Schoolhouse Brides
Dear Teacher by Wanda E. Brunstetter - 4 stars - I genuinely enjoyed this story. The H&H were both so admirably vulnerable that you just couldn't help rooting for them the whole time. I was in severe want of an epilogue at the end!
Prairie Schoolmarm by Joann A. Grote - 4 stars - I enjoyed reading about the Swedish families in this story, you don't often get to read about the entire family in most historical romances. It was a nice change of pace. Marin initial harsh reactions to Talif were cringe-worthy! His dedication was admirable. I appreciated the epilogue but it would've been nice to see even further into their future. I also wonder if there is another story for Elsbet, Marin's poor, lovelorn sister. I really felt for her and I sincerely hope there is one.
*Taken from my review of The Immigrant Brides Collection. This story is also a part of that collection.
The Reluctant Schoolmarm by Yvonne Lehman - 4.5 stars - This story was a delight to read! I appreciated that even though there was a mix up, there was no open deception being perpetuated, it put me at ease while reading. I was also happy that there were no villainous men or women in the story. The H&H were very admirable individuals and I'm happy everything worked out. An epilogue would've been amazing!
School Bells and Wedding Bells by Colleen L. Reece - 3 stars - This story wasn't really my cup of tea. I thought it was an interesting choice to tell the story from their present day, almost in memories. I didn't like the lackluster attempt at a villain. If he was a legit threat than the way the townspeople, and the Hero handled him was too laissez-faire to be admirable. If he wasn't a threat, than why was the heroine literally hiding from him? I don't know. It was okay, but not my taste.
*I've also reviewed the last two stories out of the four as a part of this collection: The Reluctant Brides Collection: Love Comes as a Surprise to Six Independent Women of Yesteryear
Dear Teacher by Wanda E. Brunstetter - 4 stars - I genuinely enjoyed this story. The H&H were both so admirably vulnerable that you just couldn't help rooting for them the whole time. I was in severe want of an epilogue at the end!
Prairie Schoolmarm by Joann A. Grote - 4 stars - I enjoyed reading about the Swedish families in this story, you don't often get to read about the entire family in most historical romances. It was a nice change of pace. Marin initial harsh reactions to Talif were cringe-worthy! His dedication was admirable. I appreciated the epilogue but it would've been nice to see even further into their future. I also wonder if there is another story for Elsbet, Marin's poor, lovelorn sister. I really felt for her and I sincerely hope there is one.
*Taken from my review of The Immigrant Brides Collection. This story is also a part of that collection.
The Reluctant Schoolmarm by Yvonne Lehman - 4.5 stars - This story was a delight to read! I appreciated that even though there was a mix up, there was no open deception being perpetuated, it put me at ease while reading. I was also happy that there were no villainous men or women in the story. The H&H were very admirable individuals and I'm happy everything worked out. An epilogue would've been amazing!
School Bells and Wedding Bells by Colleen L. Reece - 3 stars - This story wasn't really my cup of tea. I thought it was an interesting choice to tell the story from their present day, almost in memories. I didn't like the lackluster attempt at a villain. If he was a legit threat than the way the townspeople, and the Hero handled him was too laissez-faire to be admirable. If he wasn't a threat, than why was the heroine literally hiding from him? I don't know. It was okay, but not my taste.
*I've also reviewed the last two stories out of the four as a part of this collection: The Reluctant Brides Collection: Love Comes as a Surprise to Six Independent Women of Yesteryear
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February 12, 2015Synopsis from amazon.com: The lives of four schoolmarms are complicated by unexpected encounters. Judith questions her calling when a widower and his troubled children enter her life. Marin offers her services as a schoolteacher and soon faces unforeseen challenges, including a less-than-desirable student. Christa gets off a train in a quaint mountain village only to find herself entangled in a web of deceit. A disillusioned Meredith moves to Last Chance, Idaho, and finds herself stuck in a place whose name describes her situation only too well. Can these women find a place in their hearts for love? \nThis four novellas in one book was pretty much par for the course for its kind. Fairly rushed stories without a lot of character development. Predictable but nice. It was a good and quick beach read.\nMy favorite story was Christa. I just found the case of mistaken identity amusing. \n
October 10, 2016
A 4 in one book. 1. Dear Teacher is about school teacher Judith King who meets Ernie Snyder through his son and her student. 2. Prairie Schoolmarm is about Marin Nilsson a Swedish immigrant she becomes the local teacher and her neighbor Talif Siverson joins her class to improve his English skills and to be close to the teacher. 3. Reluctant Schoolmarm is about Christa Walsh who is mistaken for the school teacher who is thought to be on the train with her doctor fiancée, Grant Gordon. She reluctantly agrees to teach school so as not to hurt the children hearts. 4. School Bells and Wedding Bells is about twins Marcus and Meredith Macrae. He's a preacher called to serve in Last Chance, Iowa and Meredith goes with him. She is talked into being the teacher by Briton Farley founder of the town. The Christian romance stories were an easy read.
January 14, 2011
I actually ended up picking this one up... to read one night, as I'd left my current read outside in my car!
Never got my current read back inside, and plowed through this book over the next nights...
another one of those easy evening reads, that honestly had me at times with rising tears, a torn heart, and truly going to God with some stuffs... again, a moment where you know He has purposed the read for such a time as this.
Never got my current read back inside, and plowed through this book over the next nights...
another one of those easy evening reads, that honestly had me at times with rising tears, a torn heart, and truly going to God with some stuffs... again, a moment where you know He has purposed the read for such a time as this.
May 19, 2007
Complications abound as love is encountered by four young schoolmarms in bygone days. In Schoolhouse Brides, one-room schoolhouses by the Lehigh Canal, on the prairies of Minnesota, amid the Blue Ridge Mountains, and in frontier Idaho are the settings for heartwarming lessons in life and love.
March 16, 2009
my grandmother gave me this book, so, although leery, I was obligated. it turned out to be fun for me-I enjoyed comparing the novellas to each other. i wouldn't necessarily recommend this book to anyone, but it's fun (as i previously stated)...for whatever that's worth.
December 31, 2009
4 in 1 novellas. This book reminded me of staying at my Grandmothers house. She used to give me Heartsong Presents books to read and I liked them. They aren't my favorite type of books, but since they remind me of my time with her I do love to pick them up now and then.
June 24, 2010
It is hard to give one rating to a book of four novellas written by four separate authors. I particularly enjoyed the scandanavian story, Prarie Schoolmarm. It was interesting to see what was the same and what was different in four separate schools that existed around the same time.
September 8, 2015
I picked this book up because of the cute cover and the quaint subject matter.
I enjoyed the stories and the characters. It was fun to read what school was like in a one-room school house - so different from school as I know it.
Fun, quick reads.
I enjoyed the stories and the characters. It was fun to read what school was like in a one-room school house - so different from school as I know it.
Fun, quick reads.
June 7, 2008
This book had 4 different books each by different authors. Two of the books were good, one was OK and the other i couldn't read it. Didn't draw me in.
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December 15, 2010I enjoy books from this time period. It reminded me somewhat of the "Little House on the Prairie" books, but not nearly as good. It's not a book that I'd highly reccomend.
January 29, 2011
Different stories that teach you patience and trust in God. Taught me how to forgive fully and how to put others before me.
April 8, 2011
Good book!
July 10, 2011
Delightful collection of stories with a christian theme. Each one alone can be read in an hour or two & great for a "Pick me Up" or to put a smile on your face :o)
July 24, 2011
cute short stories
August 6, 2011
4 very different novellas about frontier teachers. Sweet easy read.
October 30, 2011
I think I would have liked reading 1 long story better than the 4 short stories. It almost seemed like some of the stories just ended abruptly. I did enjoy it, though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews