Prairie Rose

A Town Called Hope #1

by Catherine Palmer

Hope and love blossom on the untamed prairie as a young woman searching for a place to call home happens upon a Kansas homestead during the 1860s . . . A Town Called Hope, the inspiring series set in post Civil War Kansas, is the creation of best-selling romance writer Catherine Palmer. In the fast-paced "Prairie Rose, " impulsive nineteen-year-old Rosie Mills takes a job caring for the young son of widowed homesteader Seth Hunter in order to escape the orphanage in which she was raised. Rosie's naive view of love and her understanding of what it means to have a Father in heaven are quickly put to the test. Afraid of being wounded again, Seth struggles to freely open his heart--to his hurting son, to a woman's love, and to a Father who will not abandon him. Together Rosie and Seth must face the harsh uncertainties of prairie life--and the one man who threatens to destroy their happiness.

Praire Rose launches a series sure to satisfy readers who expect solid biblical values in a wholesome, exhilarating romance.

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

262 pages, Paperback

First published August 8, 1997

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Catherine Palmer lives in Atlanta with her husband, Tim, where they serve as missionaries in a refugee community. They have two grown sons. Cathy is a graduate of Southwest Baptist University and holds a master's degree in English from Baylor University. Her first book was published in 1988. Since then she has published over 50 novels, many of them national best sellers. Catherine has won numerous awards for her writing, including the Christy Award, the highest honor in Christian fiction. In 2004, she was given the Career Achievement Award for Inspirational Romance by "Romantic Times" magazine. More than 2 million copies of Catherine's novels are currently in print. The Author's Work With her compelling characters and strong message of Christian faith, Catherine is known for writing fiction that "touches the hearts and souls of readers." Her many collections include A Town Called Hope, Treasures of the Heart, Finders Keepers, English Ivy, and the Miss Pickworth series. Catherine also recently coauthored the Four Seasons fiction series with Gary Chapman, the "New York Times" best-selling author of "The Five Love Languages."

Reviews

[Challice]

DNF. Nothing wrong. Sweet Christian romance. Just not in the mood.

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

fav cheesy comfort read.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was nearly going to get a four-star rating from me--it was refreshingly light on the angsty-ness, not overly inside the character's heads, the characters had time to get to know each other to make their falling in love plausible, and there weren't any ridiculous plot twists. However, it stretched my credulity a bit that Rosie was so eager to leave the orphanage that she didn't even say good-bye to any of the children there--some of whom were presumably her friends or who would have been hurt at her sudden and silent departure--not to mention that she had NO possessions to gather. I get that she didn't really have clothes, but no childhood treasures like a shiny pebble, a pretty feather, a makeshift doll? And no hygiene items? A comb? A toothbrush (or whatever they used back then)? Or *ahem* feminine hygiene items? It only would have taken two or three sentences to explain that she dashed back, grabbed her few things, said a good-bye to the others and then left. Ok, so this bugged me a little, but I was prepared to overlook it. But then she did it again! Not only did Rosie again not say good-bye to her friends when she decided to go back to Kansas City (set aside Seth for the moment--what about Chipper and the O'Tooles?), but she actually had a few possessions to her name now (a spare dress or two, plus her fee for running the mercantile/toll collection) which she again left behind. Even if she could live with only one dress (and why do that when you have more than one?), how was she going to make it the several days journey back to Kansas City with no money and, oh yeah, no food either? *end rant* I wanted to like this book. I mostly did like this book. But I was left frustrated at the end by these things that could have been avoided with just a little forethought.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little did I know when I started reading this book, how much I would like this author. She wrote a lovely story of a poor orphan girl who would just like to have a life outside the orphanage. She was passed over many times by families looking for a child just because she wasn't the prettiest or strongest little girl. But the orphanage itself, enjoyed her help there with the other children so much, they really didn't want her to leave as a young adult. But, she did figure out a way to leave. Gently, the signs of something other than a servant life loomed within her mind. This time God did have exciting things in mind for her and at the same time introduced a widower into the story who needed God and a companion in his life. I won't give too many details as it was so fun to read, and now I am reading the next book in the series...Enjoy!

[Daisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by Catherine Palmer, and I must say it was an enjoyable read. It was easy to like Rose from the very beginning, and I loved to watch her grow both as a person and spiritually. However, this isn't the first book I've read of late where the primary characters (the ones that we know will ultimately grow in love and get married) don't talk to each other. Historically, is it thought that men and women simply never shared their thoughts with one another? There were a number of times I wanted to shout at both Rosie and Seth to speak their thoughts/concerns out loud to one another. But then I guess the book could have been over in half the time.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have ready by Catherine Palmer and I really enjoyed it. I love the touch of the inspiration fiction with the historical romace setting. I look forward to reading others by her.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great beginning! I really liked the German guy. I felt sorry for him!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author was new to me, but I'm glad I picked up her series at the suggestion of my local librarian, who is urging patrons to become acquainted with some of the older books in the library, rather than just browsing the new section. There was a lot more depth than I had expected, both spiritually and historically.

The series is a Christian historical fiction, set on the Kansas prairies. Seth Hunter, a young Civil War veteran, is returning to his homestead from a trip back East to reclaim his young son Chipper from relatives who have raised him after the death of his mother. Because Seth fought on the "wrong" side of the war, his son's Uncle Jack tries to keep Seth from taking Chipper. Jack follows Seth to Kansas City, where he tries to take Chipper by gun violence. The attempt is thwarted by a young woman named Rosie, who is the cook and helper from a local orphanage. When she learns that Seth was intentionally coming by the orphanage to hire a boy to help on his farm, she offers herself instead; she can cook, clean, garden, launder, and even take care of Chipper. Seth agrees to a six-month trial.

A widower with a broken heart who has no idea how to care for his little son, and an orphan girl who struggles with feelings of abandonment are thrown together to face a harsh, unforgiving land.
I'm looking forward to Parts 2 and 3 of A Town Called Hope.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this so much I added books 2 and 3 to my to-read list and will most likely search out more of Catherine Palmer's work.

Set shortly after the American Civil War, Prairie Rose is the story of Rosie Mills, a nineteen year old woman abandoned at birth and raised in an orphanage, and Seth Hunter, a widower with a five year-old son he barely knows and a soddy house on the prairie. Rosie leaps at the opportunity to work for Seth and care for his son. But life has made Seth a hard man. He struggles to know how to love his son, and Rosie's zest for life baffles him. Plus life on the prairie is difficult work. It will take God to bring it all together.

The characters are well-drawn and realistic. The circumstances that keep Seth and Rosie apart are believable. The writing is solid and easy to visualize. A very enjoyable read.

[Beth Glass · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had the right amount of intrigue to keep you wanting to read to the very end. I ❤LOVE soooooo much about this book. Rosie's faith, determination, intelligence, and caring personality made everyone in the story a better person well almost everyone. There were a couple of people she couldn't change, but I don't want to spoil anything. I ❤LOVED how the author showed the struggle within Seth on letting go to embrace the future. I❤LOVED how the little boy even changed from being irritate at his father to understanding him. The main characters really never had a family and they each learned what that meant. This was such a sweet moving story on leaning on God and each other. I highly recommend it.

[Taryn Spearey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very good first book. Rosie Mills takes a chance on finding a home and husband to call her own. She moves to Kansas to help a widower, Seth Hunter, a man who wants to keep his son with him and not let his sister's brother.

What was most frustrating to me was how Seth had such a hard time connecting with his son. This is eventually explain why he has this problem. I love how Rosie was trying her hardest to get father and son to build a strong relationship.

I'm so happy with how the story ended for Rosie and Seth. I can image that hey end up having a very happ life together. Although, I hope we get to see them in the other book in the series.

Awesome historical fiction!!

[Debby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rosie Mills was abandoned as a baby in Kansas City, MS. She's now 19 and running the orphanage kitchen. When she sees a man shoot at another and his son, she intervenes and ends up going with them to their Kansas prairie home to care for his house and son. She constantly tries to improve the area and their situation. Eventually she creates a meeting place/town called Hope. Eventually Rosie and Seth Hunter come to appreciate and love each other. Clean, well done - nice description of pioneer prairie life.

[Naomi McCullough · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute, touching book to read at the cusp of spring! It was easy to imagine that I was on the prairie with Rosie. She was inspiring, whimsically charming, and her story touched my heart.
Seth, on the other hand, roused the fierce desire in me to propel myself into the story and shake him. He gave her so many conflicting lights-go, stop, wait, maybe? I don't know, go again, etc. It was....enough by the end of the book but I enjoyed it.
Did I know this was a series when I began....no. Now I have more books on my tbr.

[Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, this is the worst cover possible of this charming book. But goodreads doesn't have the edition I own, apparently.
Lovely book! I enjoyed Rosabloom Cotton Mills story intensely, even if her methods of matchmaking were slightly chaotic. It's a story to be read during Spring and Summer. There are so many bits that make you chuckle, gasp, or tear up. <3 Perfect for lovers of Love Comes Softly.

[Jay Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rosie is Beautiful!

I really enjoyed Prairie Rose! I may have highlighted more passages within this book than I ever have. Not necessarily due to the storyline but because of the wisdom, the Godly truth, in the message. I truly enjoyed Rosie! Here absolute devotion - dedication - to God was refreshing. I looked forward to reading Books 2 & 3. #GoodRead (by Renee Cornwell)

[S. Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great 1st book in the series A TOWN CALLED HOPE.

Rosenbloom Cotton Mills (Rosie), abandoned as a baby inside a cotton garment at a Christian orphanage, is looking for a family, a home, and mostly ~someone to love. She is brave, although somewhat naive, in her search and must depend on her faith to guide her through to her ultimate destiny.

[Patricia Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this light read with its colorful characters with true human natures. Catherine captured a real sense of place and time in history as well with attention to facts I found interesting. I never realized how a prairie could be so rich.

[Delora Renfro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

My favorite era to read about. To hear how the settlers lived through tough times of insect invasions, harsh weather, fires and floods yet persevered is encouraging.. I have such respect for early settlers. Great author!

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prairie Rose

Prairie Rose is a wonderful story of the New Frontier. Brings love and laughter to a new town. Don't miss this delightful bunch of folks.

[Kbarker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked it a lot. A well written story. Is a historical Christian fiction book.

[Pam McCallister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the way the story plays out

[Penny Knutson · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good reading

[M · Rating 1 out of 5]

The best part were the Scriptures.

[Shelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet love story, quick and easy read.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Christian inspirational book!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story with some insight to early pioneer life. I like the way Rose is proactive and ambitious.
It was slow in places and the romance was very bumpy. The ending was just okay for me.

[Renee Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful story of falling in love and the challenges along the way.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those prairie stories I like. Our heroine leaves New York City to travel with a man with a young son. She is the hired help. On the homestead, another man falls in love with her causing jealous feelings in her boss. A good-feel story.

[Angela M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story line and easy read.