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Wildflower Brides: The Wedding Wagon/A Bride for the Preacher/Murder or Matrimony/Bride in the Valley
Four noteworthy authors of Christian romance fiction join together to recreate life-and love-on the Oregon Trail. Each author takes a leg of the journey and intertwines their story with the characters and events of the other stories while developing a new romance plot. Watch as Bethany starts the journey with a letter of proposal, a trousseau-laden trunk, and a heart full of hopes to make a first home out of The Wedding Wagon. Roll along toward Chimney Rock with Emma who dreams of being A Bride for the Preacher. Run away with Megan who is sure to encounter Murder or Matrimony by the time the trail reaches Idaho. Follow Penny into Oregon and see if she will become the newest Bride in the Valley.
352 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2003
3 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Boeshaar
64 books322 followersAndrea Kuhn Boeshaar has been married for more than 30 years. She and her husband, Daniel, have three adult sons, daughters-in-law, and two precious grandchildren. Andrea's educational background includes the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, where she studied in English, and Alverno College where she studied in Professional Communications and Business Management.
Andrea has been writing stories and poems since she was a little girl; however, it wasn't until 1984 that she started submitting her work for publication. Eight years after that, she was convicted about writing for the Christian market. She read books in her genre (Inspirational Romance & Women's Fiction), studied the market, and worked hard to hone her craft.
Andrea has been writing stories and poems since she was a little girl; however, it wasn't until 1984 that she started submitting her work for publication. Eight years after that, she was convicted about writing for the Christian market. She read books in her genre (Inspirational Romance & Women's Fiction), studied the market, and worked hard to hone her craft.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 3, 2010
The Wedding Wagon portion of this book was very good. I enjoyed "seeing" how the love between Josh and Bethany grew. The advice given to Bethany from Granny Willodene was priceless. We should all seek to follow her words, "Commit your marriage to the Lord, and it'll all come out right."
A Bride for the Preacher portion was like a dream--a man with an eye single to the glory of God. Even though you see this romance blooming even before the characters it doesn't distract from the wonderful feeling of true love. When they were talking about the Oregon Trail and how long they've got to travel Emma said, "But there's still such a long road ahead." Jesse replied, "We don't have to travel it all at once, remember. Just a day at a time. Let's just leave the future in God's hands." I think this is great advice to anyone anywhere in life. There is also a great interpretation of David's life starting on page 125 in Jesse's speech to the group.
Murder or Matrimony portion wasn't as intriguing to me as far as a love story goes; however, it was interesting as a storyline. I was totally shocked when the truth came out to Bernie about the killer he was really after. Maybe I was just blinded by the love story, I don't know.
Bride in the Valley portion had some "scary" moments when a little doubt would creep in about whether this story would end the way the reader was hoping. This was the most "see it coming a mile away". It was nice to see how they got to know each other better without being able to be open about their feelings. I related to Penny so well, especially when she said, "I'm so impatient, Lord." Then she remembered the message from the last Sunday's meeting where the Pastor read Isaiah 40:31 that says, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Good reminder of the strong place God will take in our lives if we will let Him.
I guess I really like the Christian romances because they are good, clean romance without all of the vulgar sexual scenes. I also like reading something that brings God into the characters lives because He plays such an important role in my life. I couldn't make it without Him.
A Bride for the Preacher portion was like a dream--a man with an eye single to the glory of God. Even though you see this romance blooming even before the characters it doesn't distract from the wonderful feeling of true love. When they were talking about the Oregon Trail and how long they've got to travel Emma said, "But there's still such a long road ahead." Jesse replied, "We don't have to travel it all at once, remember. Just a day at a time. Let's just leave the future in God's hands." I think this is great advice to anyone anywhere in life. There is also a great interpretation of David's life starting on page 125 in Jesse's speech to the group.
Murder or Matrimony portion wasn't as intriguing to me as far as a love story goes; however, it was interesting as a storyline. I was totally shocked when the truth came out to Bernie about the killer he was really after. Maybe I was just blinded by the love story, I don't know.
Bride in the Valley portion had some "scary" moments when a little doubt would creep in about whether this story would end the way the reader was hoping. This was the most "see it coming a mile away". It was nice to see how they got to know each other better without being able to be open about their feelings. I related to Penny so well, especially when she said, "I'm so impatient, Lord." Then she remembered the message from the last Sunday's meeting where the Pastor read Isaiah 40:31 that says, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Good reminder of the strong place God will take in our lives if we will let Him.
I guess I really like the Christian romances because they are good, clean romance without all of the vulgar sexual scenes. I also like reading something that brings God into the characters lives because He plays such an important role in my life. I couldn't make it without Him.
January 21, 2023
so i got this book for free out of a little free library and did not realize it was christian romance. i don't mind a little god/faith in general when reading romances but the horrible advice the bride bethany got in the 1st story was enough to make me quit the book. i finished the 1st story and didn't read any further. the basic advise was for this orphan girl who is in the middle of the hardest part of her life and confronting her fears is told to stop caring about her husbands family and only care about her husbands wants and needs and essentially subjugate her emotional needs to his ego is total crap advise. but she eats it up, is dismissive of her best friend/sister-in-law and her father-in-law and it makes her husband happy to see she's prioritizing his needs over her nurturing relationships with the rest of the family and her own needs. #gross
September 17, 2023
This book has four stories. One I loved, one was at times hard to follow, and the other two had endings which were not my favorite. I loved the Oregon Trail setting, and the historical details were very interesting. Others may enjoy it overall more than me.
May 23, 2024
Four stories within one book. Four different authors. I really enjoyed three of them, one was just ok, barely. I liked the idea of each story beginning where the last one ended. Had a great since of continuity. Nice book.
July 14, 2019
A bit corny but enjoyable.
October 8, 2019
Three OK Short stories about a wagon train to headed west. S
November 29, 2020
Ok read. The first two stories were new. I had already read the last two stories before.
April 13, 2014
I bought this at a library book sale, and because I haven't done a four-popper in a while, pulled it from the pile. Unlike other four poppers, though, this one is unique. It's four writers with four stories, but all from the same wagon train going over the Oregon Trail. So you meet up with the same characters in all four stories! The concept intrigued me. Of course (it being chrischun) nobody dies, nobody freaks out and hurts other people, there are no Indian attacks... it's all sugah n' spice n' ever-thang nice. But we all go into chrischun novels knowing they're completely devoid of reality, so there ya go.
The first story was annoying. I got maybe six pages before stopping. It was about Bethany, who fell for Dr. Josh via letters (NOT in the book), married him practically sight unseen, and then headed west with him. She is HIGH. MAINTENANCE. and had the quintessential overload of stuff with her, and I... wasn't up for the lessons we all know she would learn. She wasn't endearing enough for me to deal with all dat.
The second story was cute, if not a little simple: girl headed west with her family is disrupted from her life plans to go to an East Coast college and become a woman doctor, but when she meets handsome preacher dude, he convinces her that life plans can change. But the story is so over-simplified, that for the rest of this story (and the remaining two) her pouring over medical volumes half her life is completely thrown away. I wasn't happy about that.
Story three was the best out of them, as far as plot goes. Megan is trying to outrun bad memories and a scarring experience by going west with her brother's family. A Pinkerton agent is on her trail with a wanted poster that says she's a murderer. Great plot, but the character development was rock bottom, with badly explained psychotic behavior of her SiL... and half the other characters, for that matter. Her brother wasn't developed well, Anna was badly sketched out (haha)... it was a great storyline, but with a crappily written cast. I still liked it, but... I'm just sayin'.
Story four had the best characters. In this one was about Penny (SiL of Bethany from story #1), who's traveling in a separate wagon with her professor father. She's a spunk of a girl who says just about any thought that comes into her head, and she's got it bad for Dillon (the rich folk's second wagon driver). And of course, she tells him. (("You're my hero.")) He thinks she's a fruit-loop, but loves her for it. But there's NO storyline to this tale. The authoress had no idea what to write, so she thought... um... maybe a river crossing. And then... hm. Maybe a head injury would kill a chapter or two? And then... ((meh.))
MOSTLY it was enjoyable, though. And the idea of four related stories was cool. So it was a four-star.
The first story was annoying. I got maybe six pages before stopping. It was about Bethany, who fell for Dr. Josh via letters (NOT in the book), married him practically sight unseen, and then headed west with him. She is HIGH. MAINTENANCE. and had the quintessential overload of stuff with her, and I... wasn't up for the lessons we all know she would learn. She wasn't endearing enough for me to deal with all dat.
The second story was cute, if not a little simple: girl headed west with her family is disrupted from her life plans to go to an East Coast college and become a woman doctor, but when she meets handsome preacher dude, he convinces her that life plans can change. But the story is so over-simplified, that for the rest of this story (and the remaining two) her pouring over medical volumes half her life is completely thrown away. I wasn't happy about that.
Story three was the best out of them, as far as plot goes. Megan is trying to outrun bad memories and a scarring experience by going west with her brother's family. A Pinkerton agent is on her trail with a wanted poster that says she's a murderer. Great plot, but the character development was rock bottom, with badly explained psychotic behavior of her SiL... and half the other characters, for that matter. Her brother wasn't developed well, Anna was badly sketched out (haha)... it was a great storyline, but with a crappily written cast. I still liked it, but... I'm just sayin'.
Story four had the best characters. In this one was about Penny (SiL of Bethany from story #1), who's traveling in a separate wagon with her professor father. She's a spunk of a girl who says just about any thought that comes into her head, and she's got it bad for Dillon (the rich folk's second wagon driver). And of course, she tells him. (("You're my hero.")) He thinks she's a fruit-loop, but loves her for it. But there's NO storyline to this tale. The authoress had no idea what to write, so she thought... um... maybe a river crossing. And then... hm. Maybe a head injury would kill a chapter or two? And then... ((meh.))
MOSTLY it was enjoyable, though. And the idea of four related stories was cool. So it was a four-star.
August 30, 2009
This is a Christian Historical Fiction book that contains four separate stories (about 100 pages each) that involve four different couples that find love and faith on the Oregon Trail. If you don't like Christian literature this is not a book for you.
Book 1: Bethany marries her best friend, Penny's older brother Joshua. He is a doctor on his way west with the rest of his family. The newlyweds were married before the left for Oregon. Joshua loves his new bride but he thinks she loves his family more than him. Bethany was an orphan who lived with her uncle so she is so excited to have a real family. Will things work out between them? Will Bethany learn to show her husband that she loves him?
Book 2: Emma Harris finds the young preacher on the trail extremely attractive, but has vowed that she will never marry because she wants to become a doctor. Rev Brewster notices that Emma stays away from the other girls and that is because she is reading medical books all the time. Does Emma stay away from the young preacher? Will she keep to her goal?
Book 3: Mary Crawford joined her brother and his family on the Oregon Trail in a hurry. Bernie Williams is trying to find out why? Everyone thinks the two are sweet on each other but what is really going on? Why is he curious about Mary? What will he do when he finds out the truth? Who tried to kill Mary?
Book 4: Dillion Trier is a servant working for the richest and meanest family on the Oregon Trail. He has an eye for Penny, Joshua's sister, and she is in love with him. There are two obstacles 1. Penny's father and his approval. 2. The people Dillion works for don't want him to do anything except drive the wagon and threaten they will fire him if their piano doesn't make it to Oregon safely. What happens when the piano breaks? What happends when Penny suffers a concussion?
Book 1: Bethany marries her best friend, Penny's older brother Joshua. He is a doctor on his way west with the rest of his family. The newlyweds were married before the left for Oregon. Joshua loves his new bride but he thinks she loves his family more than him. Bethany was an orphan who lived with her uncle so she is so excited to have a real family. Will things work out between them? Will Bethany learn to show her husband that she loves him?
Book 2: Emma Harris finds the young preacher on the trail extremely attractive, but has vowed that she will never marry because she wants to become a doctor. Rev Brewster notices that Emma stays away from the other girls and that is because she is reading medical books all the time. Does Emma stay away from the young preacher? Will she keep to her goal?
Book 3: Mary Crawford joined her brother and his family on the Oregon Trail in a hurry. Bernie Williams is trying to find out why? Everyone thinks the two are sweet on each other but what is really going on? Why is he curious about Mary? What will he do when he finds out the truth? Who tried to kill Mary?
Book 4: Dillion Trier is a servant working for the richest and meanest family on the Oregon Trail. He has an eye for Penny, Joshua's sister, and she is in love with him. There are two obstacles 1. Penny's father and his approval. 2. The people Dillion works for don't want him to do anything except drive the wagon and threaten they will fire him if their piano doesn't make it to Oregon safely. What happens when the piano breaks? What happends when Penny suffers a concussion?
April 10, 2012
This is a fluffy Christian historical romance I was given for free. I used to love reading pioneer stories but I probably would have found this too light for my tastes even when I was 12. The book has four stories about four young women all on the same wagon train going to Oregon. The historical research is nice, especially in the first story when it talks about what they needed to pack and what books they used as resources. As far as the women... meh. To paraphrase one of the romantic conversations from one of the better stories:[return][return]Woman: I'd love to be a doctor but there are so few women doctors. And all the good schools are back east, and we're going to Oregon![return]Man: Maybe that's not God's will.[return]Woman: What is His will?[return]Man: Marry me.[return]Woman: Okay.[return][return]One of the stories involved a Pinkerton agent, and that was the worst one of the lot. It had so much potential, too. The names and situations were confusing and the romance was totally unbelievable.[return][return]I would never have read this if it hadn't been given to me. Mind you, I liked this more than some of the other romances I've forced myself through this year, mainly because I love the historical aspect. It sure made me wince at times (see above conversation), but maybe that's a reflection of my own fallout with faith.
October 20, 2011
this is a book of 4 stories all same characters and same wagon train going to the west, each story about different couple who are prominent in the their story. I is a good quick read as they are short stories. different authors do each one. I you like stories about wagons going west and folks getting closer as they travel, this is good one to read.
September 10, 2014
Wow! I don't know how I managed it, but I found another wonderful book like Gold Rush Christmas where Four different writers write stores in one book, but each one continues with the same characters in each story. I love reading Christian books like this. Wildflower Brides was about pioneer families traveling the Organ Trail in 1860. I loved each story.
May 10, 2016
Wildflower Brides is about four romances blossoming on a wagon train along the Oregon Trail. Four different authors. The hardships along the trail. All four stories involve the people on the wagon train. A very good story if you like reading about the old west. A must read.
Read
December 3, 2008YA Boe
Read
March 12, 2009JF-YABoe
March 6, 2010
Slow read...may not read it?
Only read 1 story not my kind of read!
Only read 1 story not my kind of read!
Read
November 8, 2012Although the Kansas Homes series is unique, this set of novels, all featuring romances on the Oregon Trail, does have certain similiarities.
Want to read
July 12, 2016"The Wedding Wagon" by Cathy Marie Hake
"A Wedding for the Preacher" by Sally Laity
"Murder or Matrimony" by Pamela Kaye Tracy
"Bride in the Valley" by Andrea Boeshaar
"A Wedding for the Preacher" by Sally Laity
"Murder or Matrimony" by Pamela Kaye Tracy
"Bride in the Valley" by Andrea Boeshaar
April 5, 2019
A perfect light and gushy romance read,
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews