"The Chapel Car Bride," by Judith Miller

"The Chapel Car Bride," by Judith Miller

After a sheltered life in Pittsburgh, Hope Irvine is ready for a new adventure. When her father takes a position as a preacher in a railroad car converted into a traveling church, she's thrilled at the chance to accompany him. While accommodations in their new chapel car home are tight, Hope couldn't be happier putting her musical skills to good use and ministering to the people of West Virginia alongside her father. But when their chapel car arrives in Finch, West Virginia, they find a coal mining community that has hit hard times and is suspicious of outsiders.

Luke Hughes works for the coal mine when he can, but the struggling company doesn't always offer steady work. When Reverend Irvine and Hope arrive in town, Luke is intrigued by what the reverend can teach him--and by the lovely and kind Hope.

When Hope's desire to bring supplies and Sunday school classes to neighboring counties leads to her traveling with a flirtatious young mine manager, Luke is hard-pressed to suppress his jealousy. But when he begins to suspect the manager's motives are less than charitable, can he prove it without hurting Hope, or worse, putting her in danger?

This was one of those books that touched on a number of subjects, all equally as interesting to me.  I had never heard of Railroad Chapel Cars, so this was something new for me.  If you would like to read more about them, here is a link.  I found the details about the "hill country" people also interesting, and how hard their lives were made you stop and think.

The main story of Hope and Luke was lovely and made good lead characters.  Their hearts were in the right places for doing both God's work and serving others. Add a "villain," and the plot becomes more interesting.

Stars out of 5 : 4.5 I knocked off half a star as I had hoped that Judith would have added some author's notes to the back of the book, about how this book came about?  Overall though, I loved the book, Judith is a great storyteller and this book flowed along seamlessly.  Being a fan of Judith's writing already I knew I would be reading an interesting book.  Really well worth the read.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".