Title: Mary’s
Blessing
Author: Lena Nelson
Dooley
Pages: 304
Publisher: Realms
Year: 2012
Note: I received a
complimentary copy for review from Charisma media. Other reviews can be read on the blog located
here: http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/
Mary’s
Blessing is a novel of love, forgiveness, and traveling through the rough
passages of life on earth this side of heaven.
While on a wagon train to Oregon, one couple finds themselves grieving
the loss of a little girl. Another
couple gives birth to identical triplets, but then a bittersweet story begins
to form the basis of this magnificent work of fiction.
In
today’s world, it is hard to imagine how many people lived in a time without
fast food, working from sunup to sundown, and giving birth wherever without the
help of a doctor. A man born of nobility
comes to America with his wife to open a store on the California coast. While en route through the wilderness, he
experiences tragedy. He then makes
decisions that are very hard, but the blessings that happen make a difference
in the lives of others on that wagon train.
Years
in the future we see one family who lives on a farm experience both the joys
and sorrows of life. Through the whole
story, readers will be enveloped in hope, forgiveness, and enduring love seen
through the eyes of the many characters.
Mary longs to be loved and though she knows she has been adopted, the
circumstances of that adoption are what keep her from having deep peace in her
life. Mary doesn’t doubt the love of her
adoptive family, but what happened to her birth mother and father? Since her adoptive mother’s passing years
before, her adoptive father has been a different man. Will he ever love her the way she longs to be
loved?
Daniel
is in love with Mary and wants to court her with the intention of marrying
her. They have known each other since they
were children in Oregon; however, no two people could have grown up more
differently. How are they to make a
marriage work when Daniel insists he knows what to do without even asking
Mary? Mary is strong-willed and has
taken care of her three siblings and father since her mother’s passing. She loves Daniel. Why can’t he recognize her as having a mind
of her own? Both of these young
characters look for building a bridge through their differences with the help
of the Lord. Will they succeed?
Mary’s
Blessing is riveting and enjoyable, so get a lawn chair and some lemonade and
settle in for a treat on a hot day in the summer sun. You won’t believe how fast time flies when
you’re busy turning the pages! Rating: 5+
