Serendipity

Title: SERENDIPITY
Author: Cathy Marie Hake
Publisher: Bethany House
August 2010
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0321-3
Genre: Inspirational/historical

Maggie Rose is the only woman in Carver’s Holler, and she cares for a bunch of old men. She barters for a living, and makes soaps, lotion and perfumes from roses. Now her uncle is pushing her to marry—only trouble is, there’s no eligible men. Maggie says that God would have to bring a groom by.

That very evening, during the worst snowstorm the areas seen in years, Todd Valmer and his mother are kicked off the train when his mother suffers a stroke. He is given vague directions to the doctor’s house—but the directions lead him to Maggie Rose—the area healer. There are no other doctors in the area.

Todd Valmer is desperate. His mother needs a caregiver when she doesn’t recover as quickly as he hopes. He offers Maggie Rose a position as his wife, caring for his mother and for his house while he works the fields—but this does not a marriage make. Wills clash…is there any hope that love will follow?

I’ve loved some of Ms. Hake’s books, so I was anxious for the opportunity to read SERENDIPITY. I don’t have to review this book, as I bought it with my own money, but I’m going to because I have an empty spot on my blog.

I couldn’t get into this book as quickly as I wanted to. The old men wanted to kick Todd and his sick mother out because they are “Yankees,” but really, they are from Texas. Since the story is set in Arkansas… well. Which one is further north? Plus the ending left much to be desired. This is not my favorite Cathy Marie Hake book. I see a lot of five star reviews for this book. I’m sorry to be one of the lower ones. But don’t let my opinion influence you. You might love it. $14.99. 336 pages.