When blindness strikes carpenter Joseph Drake, the prospect of a lifetime of darkness fills him with despair. But then his brother hires Katie Ellickson. The strong-willed, confident teacher knows what it's like to be outcast, alone—and she won't give up on Joseph, even when he's ready to give up on himself. He thinks blindness is his most difficult obstacle, until he finds a bigger challenge—trying to reach Katie's heart. Will she let him? Katie has secrets that she's carried with her to the Rocky Mountains. And there's a darkness of her own in her past, which she can't escape for long….
I think all men should read a Love Inspired romance. You know, just so they know what they're up against. 6'4", rippling muscles, strong, broad shoulders, dreamy golden brown eyes and wavy hair that curls oh so playfully around ones fingers and lays Adonis-like on a sculpted neck. Are you sighing, yet? Well get a grip! This is love INSPIRED and we're not here to focus on the 'outer man' so shake it off. Real women need to understand that our heroes are not only gorgeous lumps of mortal clay but also protectors of feminine virtue, intuitive, caring, kind and reassuring, all things and everything, and just what a slim-waisted woman needs them to be... "You look tired, Sunshine. Let me rub your shoulders. And by the way, I've fixed us a picnic. Lets go mosey down by the river and eat some chicken wings under the stars..."
AHHHHAHAHAHA!! :D
But kidding aside, I'm really not poking fun. I did enjoy this in my own way. I had just finished a rather serious, dark book and wanted a light palate cleanser and these little romances always do it for me. Clean, sweet, not too demanding, perfect for in-between chunksters.
I wont go into the plot (you can see that on the blurb) but I did find it interesting that our hero here is blind. Something like that grabs my attention, the "I'm standing by the underdog" gene, I guess. I want our hero to mount up with wings and conquer all. Blind. With both arms tied around his back, hornets circling and one leg in quicksand. Catherine Cookson, where are you?
CONTENT: PG SEX: None shown but rape is mentioned VIOLENCE: A couple of fights, a near rape and shooting. One or two instances of traumatic death. PROFANITY: None PREACHINESS LEVEL: Pretty mild. Characters pray and you'll hear things like "Oh God why did this happen to me?" but doctrinely there is nothing. No sermonizing as such.
One of the best Christian romances I have read in a long time. A blind man and a broken soul woman come together to see God's gifts for each other. I really felt like I knew deep inside these two characters. I feel this was very well written. The characters were developed completely and they were brought to life before my eyes... I can't wait to read more books by ms. Nissen.
Wow, just wow! This book was spectacular! The emotion that was written and the emotion that I felt was incredible. An amazing story of God’s promise to care for us, even when we think He’s not. And His incredible power of redeeming love.
Joseph Drake has been struck blind and is not dealing well with it. He is sure he will get his sight back.
His brother, also a Doctor, has hired Katie Ellickson to teach him to deal with his blindness. She had experience with it. Katie was also looking for a reason to leave Iowa behind her. A trusted church member had done her wrong and threatened to hurt those she loves if she spoke about it.
Joseph cannot see Katie but starts caring for her from what he can "see" of her character. He decides if he gets his sight back he will follow his feelings. If he cannot be a whole man again he won't follow his heart.
This is such a touching story. I had many moments of tear filled eyes.
The book kind of drew me in the beginning and then lost me and then drew me back. I loved that even though this is a Christian romance, there wasn't the big miracle at the end. Just two people finding love. Sweet book.
I had a chance to read a pre-publication copy of this book, and it is absolutely wonderful. Pamela Nissen is a fresh new voice in historical romance, and really an author to watch!
This was one of the worst Love Inspired Historicals I've read, yet. Which is a disappointment, because the historicals are usually better than the contemporaries.
The book starts out with Joseph Drake, who's had an 'accident' in his workshop, involving a fall. It SOUNDS like he hit his head and went blind, but then there's really no point to covering his eyes... unless he hit the ground with his face? Except we're not talking any wounds or punctures, so it makes NO sense.
It's all very trite and dramatic, from moment one. "Muh eyes! Muh sight! Muh independence!" And immediately his brother (who conveniently is a doctor) sends to Iowa for a 'teacher' to come help his brother adjust.
And as with ALL books written shoddily and the same, he resists, doesn't want anything to do with her, is spilling and falling and knocking over and angry. And as with ALL books with this regurgitated plot-line, there's the shallow but beautiful girlfriend who's SHOUTING AT HIM BECAUSE HE'S BLIND, while being utterly insensitive and twittering nervously and... GAH!!
And of course the teacher is gentle and patient and quietly assisting and bearing the brunt of his attitude/anger... it's all so stereotypical and cliche, I just. Couldn't. Do it.
NO. Stories should be fresh and interesting, drawing the reader in. Not the same as EVERY. OTHER. BLIND PIONEER story that's ever been written.
Bring on the tissues 😢. Joseph and Katie are perfect for each other and unfortunately tragedy had to bring them together. I read late into the night hoping to finish the story (I didn't make it😴) but if I had started earlier in the day I would have read it in a day. The message of redemption was weaved into every sentence but the inspirational part was very subtle. 😊 I really liked this author and I am hoping the remaining books in the series are as enjoyable.
Joseph does not want to work on handling his blindness because he is so sure he will not stay that way. Katie has come to help him but he resist her help. Very good characters in the story but a lot of sadness and trouble. Can they each learn to trust God to take care of them and their troubles?
She came to teach him after the accident blinded him. He just knew when the bandages came off he would be able to see again. He didn't. Pride and anger. She offered him peace and ability to move on. Great romanc
I picked this book out to read as a quick-read, feel-good, fun book. While it was certainly all those things, it had a surprising amount of depth, structure and a lovely writing style. Pamela Nissen is an excellent writer who is not inclined to go with the expected. In her forward, she mentions that she likes to have her characters go through the best and worst of life, just like normal people do. She follows through with this in Rocky Mountain Match. The characters are honest and genuine, endearing and irritating, in the way only characters that are REAL can be. The plot, while not incredibly imaginative, is dealt with in an original and pleasing way. This brought more tears than I thought it would, a feel-good but realistic ending, and ultimately... I can't wait to read the next book in the series! Highly recommended!
This series is about four brothers who find love. They each have their own unique story and tragedies. Trying to make a life after their parents' death, we watch each one grow in character and love.
This book is about Joseph Drake. He recently had an accident which caused him to go blind. Though he's hoping that it's only temporary, his doctor brother believes it's not. His three brothers send for a teacher who can teach him to live without his sight, but Joseph is very against it. He's very bitter and doesn't want to deal with anyone. But Katie has a special way about her. She's able to penetrate the rough exterior of Joseph's heart and get inside, but she has her own secret tragedy that she carries.
There were some very sad moments in this book. About half-way through, it seems several things happen at once that brings an interesting event to the life of Joseph and Katie. There's some pretty sensitive material that may not be suitable for young readers. The violence isn't bad, but there is mention of rapes happening to a close character that may be a bit hard for some readers to take. The events made me cry, but made me smile at the sweetness that came out of it all. The way the author wrote the final scene was very, very well done. I know many Christian authors probably wouldn't have included it, but it really helped to show us how Joseph helped Katie come to terms with her old hurts and replace them with something wonderful.
Rocky Mountain Match is Pamela Nissen's first Love Inspired Historical book. I applaud her for tackling difficult issues head-on. I look forward to reading more about Drake brothers.
Having the eyes of your burden enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints. ~ Ephesians 3:18
Time Period: Western, 1890's Location: Colorado, USA
I don't ever remember crying as much as I did when I read this book! However, it still was one of the best books I have read! It really was amazing, when your reading you don't feel as though you're reading it you feel like you're living it! It was so clear! It may be sad, but it is purely amazing and I would recomend it to almost every one I know!
Excellent book. I loved all the characters, and can't wait to read about the other brothers in future books. It was so well-written, and the story of these two broken and wounded souls touched my heart.
The main male character was strongly written and his angst was so believable. The main female character's insecurities were palatable. Their chemistry was great. Very enjoyable romance with a nice amount of focus on prayer and the battle of keeping faith in times of heartbreak.
Pamela is a new and really good author. I can't wait for her next book. I read these before I started entering books in Goodreads so am not sure when I actually read them, but they would be fun to reread this year.
I cannot fathom being suddenly rendered blind. I'm glad the author didn't take the easy route and give the hero a miraculous recovery, but dealt with his disability realistically.