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Deep in the Heart of Texas #2
Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas
In the German community of Poetry, Texas, Belinda Bauer spies an opportunity. The tiny town is filled with loggers and railroad men in need of wives, so she sets herself up as a marriage broker. She writes little poems to be printed in newspapers all over the country, and, one by one, women begin to arrive in Poetry. There's only one problem: Belinda doesn't have a clue what she's doing and all the brides marry the wrong men! One client is particularly unhappy. Georg Kaufman, the local barber, has lost more than one prospective wife to Belinda's fumbled attempts. For some reason, she just can't seem to find Georg's perfect match, though it's not for lack of trying. Is there a poetic ending in store for Georg and for Belinda herself?
310 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2009
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875 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
April 6, 2015
{This blog is Two Years Old this week! Eeek! It’s party time! Everyday till Friday there’ll be a new review and giveaway! On Saturday a Double giveaway and wrap-up will be posted! Get your noise makers out and let’s celebrate!}
About this book:
“In the quaint community of Poetry, Texas, Belinda Bauer spies an opportunity. The tiny town is filled with loggers and railroad men in need of wives, so she sets herself up as a marriage broker. At her invitation, potential brides begin to arrive in Poetry. There’s only one problem: Belinda doesn’t have a clue what she’s doing and all the brides marry the wrong men! One client is particularly unhappy. Georg Kaufman, the local barber, has lost more than one prospective wife to Belinda’s fumbled attempts. For some reason, she just can’t seem to find Georg’s "perfect match," though it’s not for lack of trying. Is there a poetic ending in store for Georg— and for Belinda, herself?”
Series: This book was part of the (now-out-of-print) series, “Love Finds You” but since the publisher is no longer active, author Janice Hanna has republished this book in e-book form with a new title “Mismatched in Texas” by Janice Thompson.
Spiritual Content- Song of Solomon 2:10 at the beginning; Talks about God, His plan, Him having the perfect match & trusting Him; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Prayers; Church going & mentions of Church going; Hymns are sung; A couple Scriptures are quoted; The Song of Solomon are called romantic; Mentions of those in the Bible; Belinda has a strong Faith.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘dumb’; A mention or two about tobacco.
Sexual Content- a couple not-detailed kisses and Two semi-detailed kisses; a mention of a couple kissing; A mention of a couple’s height and them kissing (“The top of her head barely reached his shoulders. That might prove to be problematic, should they decide to kiss.”); A little bit of Staring & Noticing; Love, matchmaking, falling in love, & the emotions.
-Belinda Bauer
-Georg Kaufman
P.O.V. switches between them.
Set in 1904
310 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Five Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars (and a half)
This was so good! Only Miss Janice could pull off such a great plot! There was a lot of Spiritual content as well that was wonderful! This book is so funny (I was laughing nearly the whole time I was reading it!) and I loved the message that God has the perfect matches already planned!
Who wants to win a copy?!
Link to review and Giveaway!
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
About this book:
“In the quaint community of Poetry, Texas, Belinda Bauer spies an opportunity. The tiny town is filled with loggers and railroad men in need of wives, so she sets herself up as a marriage broker. At her invitation, potential brides begin to arrive in Poetry. There’s only one problem: Belinda doesn’t have a clue what she’s doing and all the brides marry the wrong men! One client is particularly unhappy. Georg Kaufman, the local barber, has lost more than one prospective wife to Belinda’s fumbled attempts. For some reason, she just can’t seem to find Georg’s "perfect match," though it’s not for lack of trying. Is there a poetic ending in store for Georg— and for Belinda, herself?”
Series: This book was part of the (now-out-of-print) series, “Love Finds You” but since the publisher is no longer active, author Janice Hanna has republished this book in e-book form with a new title “Mismatched in Texas” by Janice Thompson.
Spiritual Content- Song of Solomon 2:10 at the beginning; Talks about God, His plan, Him having the perfect match & trusting Him; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Prayers; Church going & mentions of Church going; Hymns are sung; A couple Scriptures are quoted; The Song of Solomon are called romantic; Mentions of those in the Bible; Belinda has a strong Faith.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘dumb’; A mention or two about tobacco.
Sexual Content- a couple not-detailed kisses and Two semi-detailed kisses; a mention of a couple kissing; A mention of a couple’s height and them kissing (“The top of her head barely reached his shoulders. That might prove to be problematic, should they decide to kiss.”); A little bit of Staring & Noticing; Love, matchmaking, falling in love, & the emotions.
-Belinda Bauer
-Georg Kaufman
P.O.V. switches between them.
Set in 1904
310 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Five Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars (and a half)
This was so good! Only Miss Janice could pull off such a great plot! There was a lot of Spiritual content as well that was wonderful! This book is so funny (I was laughing nearly the whole time I was reading it!) and I loved the message that God has the perfect matches already planned!
Who wants to win a copy?!
Link to review and Giveaway!
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
October 19, 2009
This is an amazing book! I would love to see it made into a movie. The whole time I was reading this book, I was laughing. The characters in this book are so funny! I loved them all. The way Janice paired them all off was genius. She really showed how God’s plan isn’t always our own, and when that happens we need to be joyful and realize that God has something better for us than we had for ourselves. I don’t normally like poetry, but in this book it is very down to earth. The poetry isn’t so deep that I can’t understand it. (I’ll admit it… I don’t get deep poetry. Don’t like the stuff at all.) Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas is an excellent book that I think anyone will enjoy.
May 17, 2024
I really enjoyed this story. I especially loved the way Belinda wanted so much to bring joy to people, but needed to remember not to 'outpace' God's timing. I loved that Georg also had learned to be content, but then was reminded that it's okay to want 'more' if it's according to God's will. The lessons each were taught, especially by wise and Godly parents and friends were a good reminder for us all!
As to 'Belinda's Brides' . . . what a HOOT! I know Janice Hanna's work is good for some fun, but gracious, with all the brides coming in to Poetry, and the sometimes matches, and sometimes mismatches . . . I was giggling through a fair bit of the story!
As to 'Belinda's Brides' . . . what a HOOT! I know Janice Hanna's work is good for some fun, but gracious, with all the brides coming in to Poetry, and the sometimes matches, and sometimes mismatches . . . I was giggling through a fair bit of the story!
September 17, 2011
I felt that this book had a bit of a slow start but picked up after the first few chapters when all of the brides began arriving. A nice twist on the typical mail-order bride story, and a lot of colourful characters filled the little town of Poetry! I liked the cute, poetry-related names that all of the shops had, and the poetry written by Belinda, Georg and Peter was quite fun. While I did thoroughly enjoy reading this book, it didn't really have that spark that made it stand out from other historical romances. It had some quirky characters and Belinda's job as a marriage broker wasn't one that I'd read about before, but all in all, Belinda and Georg's relationship was pretty standard for a romance novel. Perhaps not the most original historical romance I've read this year but definitely one of the more enjoyable. If you're looking for a novel that you can rely upon to provide you with all the elements of a good romance and a couple of quirks, then definitely check out this book. I'll definitely be looking out for more books from this line. 7/10
August 23, 2009
Great story. Love how they have a running them with Poetry terms and poems throughout the story. Great story of a match maker who tries to find a perfect match for the men in her town. Even if she thinks her perfect match should be matched with someone else in the beginning. In the end she learns that no matter what, she can't be God, she can only allow opportunities to happen and allow God to take control
October 16, 2024
Very clean and interesting story. It was almost too religious but not annoyingly so. Some might find all the references to prayer a bit much. I liked that not all the intended matches were perfect. I have actually been through Poetry. It is definitely a small town. I recognized most of the town names. The people were interesting but not always consistent, that is the main reason I didn’t give 5 stars. Definitely an author I would read again.
March 6, 2015
SUMMARY: Belinda Bauer in her ivory tower…. In the German community of Poetry, Texas, Belinda spies an opportunity. The tiny town is filled with loggers and railroad men in need of wives, so she sets herself up as a marriage broker. She writes little poems to be printed in newspapers all over the country and one by one, women begin to arrive in Poetry. There’s only one problem: Belinda doesn’t have a clue what she’s doing and all the brides marry the wrong men! One client is particularly unhappy. Georg Kaufman, the local barber, has lost more than one prospective wife to Belinda’s fumbled attempts. For some reason, she just can’t seem to find Georg’s "perfect match," though it’s not for lack of trying. Is there a poetic ending in store for Georg— and for Belinda herself?
REVIEW: This LFY book is full of laughter as the heroine, Belinda Bauer, sets up her matchmaking service for the overwhelmingly male, small Texas town of Poetry. She combs the newspapers from all over the US and begins bringing in specific women for gentlemen who have decided to prevail upon her services. But Belinda's matchmaking skills lead to many "mis-matched" couples who find their true love to be someone else in town. Belinda, along with many others in the town, find that life is so much better when they follow God's lead rather than man's and that God's timing is always perfect.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "Don't ever let me hear you say that again!! You are the prettiest girl I know, and your heart is prettier still. If you don't believe that, just ask the Lord. He will convince you that you are created in His image. He doesn't make anything less than perfect."
"If she'd learned anything at all over the past few months, it was this: walk at least one pace behind the Almighty, never in front."
",,our lives are the greatest stories we will ever write. And if we write them well, others will read those stories and learn from the things we've done. How we've lived. How we've treated others. It's all in there."
REVIEW: This LFY book is full of laughter as the heroine, Belinda Bauer, sets up her matchmaking service for the overwhelmingly male, small Texas town of Poetry. She combs the newspapers from all over the US and begins bringing in specific women for gentlemen who have decided to prevail upon her services. But Belinda's matchmaking skills lead to many "mis-matched" couples who find their true love to be someone else in town. Belinda, along with many others in the town, find that life is so much better when they follow God's lead rather than man's and that God's timing is always perfect.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "Don't ever let me hear you say that again!! You are the prettiest girl I know, and your heart is prettier still. If you don't believe that, just ask the Lord. He will convince you that you are created in His image. He doesn't make anything less than perfect."
"If she'd learned anything at all over the past few months, it was this: walk at least one pace behind the Almighty, never in front."
",,our lives are the greatest stories we will ever write. And if we write them well, others will read those stories and learn from the things we've done. How we've lived. How we've treated others. It's all in there."
December 3, 2009
This was my second book in a row by Janice Hanna (aka. Janice A. Thompson), and I really enjoyed it as well. I love the different spin she put on Mail-Order Brides...it was witty, charming, and romantic, all at the same time!! Mail-Order Bride stories are a favorite of mine, so when I saw this book was going to be released, I knew I had to have it. I'm so glad I got the chance to read it, and now share my review with you.
It's 1904 in Poetry, Texas, where Belinda Bauer lives with her family and works in her Aunt Hilde's store, Poetic Notions. (Let me say here that I love how some of the stores/businesses are quaintly named with references to poetry!) Greta is Belinda's cousin, as well as her best friend. She is a little skeptical when she first hears Belinda's idea to become a Marriage Broker.
Greta and Belinda have been friends with Georg Kaufman since grade school, and Belinda feels led to use Georg as her first customer...without his knowledge!
Belinda searches newspapers from places as far away as Boston, Philadelphia, and New York to find the "perfect" wife for the men of Poetry. She believes that her heavenly Father will help her as she searches, but she also claims that finding a perfect match "comes down to science".
When the brides start arriving, not every couple works out as Belinda had planned. This leads to some hilarious, as well as heart-breaking, situations! A few of the couples end up in love "at first sight", for which Belinda is very thankful.
**************
A couple of the store/business names that I mentioned above are: Rhyme and Reason, Limerick's Livery, Sonnets and Bonnets, just to name a few. Don't they pique your interest? Are you intrigued? I hope so! Be sure to pick up your own copy of Love Finds You in Poetry Texas to find out what happens to all of the brides that show up in Poetry, as well as the men they were chosen for. You will not be disappointed! :)
It's 1904 in Poetry, Texas, where Belinda Bauer lives with her family and works in her Aunt Hilde's store, Poetic Notions. (Let me say here that I love how some of the stores/businesses are quaintly named with references to poetry!) Greta is Belinda's cousin, as well as her best friend. She is a little skeptical when she first hears Belinda's idea to become a Marriage Broker.
Greta and Belinda have been friends with Georg Kaufman since grade school, and Belinda feels led to use Georg as her first customer...without his knowledge!
Belinda searches newspapers from places as far away as Boston, Philadelphia, and New York to find the "perfect" wife for the men of Poetry. She believes that her heavenly Father will help her as she searches, but she also claims that finding a perfect match "comes down to science".
When the brides start arriving, not every couple works out as Belinda had planned. This leads to some hilarious, as well as heart-breaking, situations! A few of the couples end up in love "at first sight", for which Belinda is very thankful.
**************
A couple of the store/business names that I mentioned above are: Rhyme and Reason, Limerick's Livery, Sonnets and Bonnets, just to name a few. Don't they pique your interest? Are you intrigued? I hope so! Be sure to pick up your own copy of Love Finds You in Poetry Texas to find out what happens to all of the brides that show up in Poetry, as well as the men they were chosen for. You will not be disappointed! :)
July 12, 2015
This was a sweet and cute story, but I felt that I had to grind my way through it a bit. I loved how the heroine was clueless about her chosen matchmaking profession and how everything wound up righted in the end by the grace of God himself. It was a book worth reading for me, but not worth owning.
August 22, 2019
This story was sickly sweet; hero clueless and non-heroic, everybody with a very surface spirituality that came across as totally unreal, no chemistry between any of the couples. I gave it two stars instead of one because I did read it all the way through, so something must have kept my interest.
December 24, 2023
I loved the idea of this book but the writing was just not great :(
Too many “heart dropped to her toes”-s and “clamped her hand over her mouth”-s. A lot of the imagery just didn’t make a lot of sense—why were people SPRINTING everywhere?
Overall, cute idea and fun read, but the rough writing was distracting from the story.
Too many “heart dropped to her toes”-s and “clamped her hand over her mouth”-s. A lot of the imagery just didn’t make a lot of sense—why were people SPRINTING everywhere?
Overall, cute idea and fun read, but the rough writing was distracting from the story.
December 26, 2011
Just an adorable story. match.com circa 1904. And I always enjoy novels set in Texas, even in towns that barely exist anymore, and I appreciate authors who are unashamedly Christian and can weave that into their stories.
March 15, 2012
What a great novel!!! Definitely was a page turner, and it kept you on your toes the whole time. The romance that blossomed and the mysteries that came were what kept me entranced to keep reading and not put it down. The ending was spectacular!!!
February 11, 2021
This book was very good. Every character was well thought out, even if they played a minor roll. There were many humourous parts which made this book a quick and enjoyable read. The romance was very cute and fun, and at parts it could make your heart ache. After reading this, a part of me wished that I could have been one of those mail-order brides going to Peotry, Texas. I enjoyed this book entirely and completly recomend it!
October 8, 2023
It was a quick and fun read. I liked Belinda's good heart, a bit sad to see her attempts failing but that makes the story realistic. I also liked the slow burn romance between Georg and Belinda, how he slowly started to see her in a different light. But I dare say that I hate what happened next, the whole Georg, Adeline and Belinda triangle. I guess it just isn’t to my taste.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2024
OH MY GOODNESSS THIS WAS SOOO GOOODDDD.
Incredibly wholesome, incredibly clean and incredibly inspiring! I loved hoe the author emphasised how the Lord can turn our biggest mistakes into something beautiful and how he has our love story already written in the book of life!
Big 5 stars from me!!! 💗💗💗
Incredibly wholesome, incredibly clean and incredibly inspiring! I loved hoe the author emphasised how the Lord can turn our biggest mistakes into something beautiful and how he has our love story already written in the book of life!
Big 5 stars from me!!! 💗💗💗
Read
March 24, 2017 This is a delightful well written story. Belinda is a wonderful character whose heart is in the right place but she has a tendency to run ahead of God. George, Belinda's friend for many years, is a very moral and upright young man. Matching making is the theme of the story and my oh my how well Ms. Thompson handles this theme. Highly recommend this lovely story.
October 29, 2019
I am such a sucker for a good mail order bride story! I really enjoyed the townsfolk of Poetry, Texas!! I laughed with them, cried with them and rejoiced with them!! I loved that every component of this book included God!! Loved it!!
May 27, 2020
Sweet poetry
Gentle numerous story of days gone past of mail order brides too good to be true. Slight mention of travel money and cost in lean financial times but lots of traveling ladies. Easy to read and predict but love their God focuses town- oh to have that today.
Gentle numerous story of days gone past of mail order brides too good to be true. Slight mention of travel money and cost in lean financial times but lots of traveling ladies. Easy to read and predict but love their God focuses town- oh to have that today.
November 8, 2023
There’s a quote from a review on the cover of this book, “I didn’t just read this novel. I fell into it head first and couldn’t put it down!” So true!! Even though by the end of the first page, I knew exactly what was going to happen, I still couldn’t get enough! Such a sweet book!
June 11, 2024
3.5 stars, but I wasn’t sucked in enough to round up to 4 stars
The story was cute, but really felt to me like it dragged on for the last half of the book. I feel like the book could have been half as long and would have been better for it.
The story was cute, but really felt to me like it dragged on for the last half of the book. I feel like the book could have been half as long and would have been better for it.
July 10, 2025
Fairly predictable plot but I really enjoyed the characters and the story. It’s been a long time since I read a whole book in the same day but I did it with this book! Really enjoyed it for a fun fiction read.
March 24, 2019
Not normally the kind of book I read but a friend lent this one to me. I enjoyed the story and the humor in it.
April 2, 2019
After the last book I read, I needed something light. This was perfect. I found myself chuckling quite a bit.
May 13, 2019
Okay, so this book! So good! I loved it!
June 30, 2019
Poetry Lives
One of the sweetest best written books I have read in a VERY long time. The characters are some off the best developed you could visualize them, and they lived!
One of the sweetest best written books I have read in a VERY long time. The characters are some off the best developed you could visualize them, and they lived!
March 1, 2020
Cute comedy of errors makes for a sweet story. I would read it again and I do recommend it
April 22, 2020
Nothing super special, but such a fun, clean, and entertaining read! Loved the spiritual content.
February 23, 2022
Such a great book very hard to put down.
November 3, 2022
Just okay.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews