In this historical/ romance/ suspense novel, a young woman by the name of Katie Russell (main character) loves working as a telephone operator in Mercy Falls, California. Since her family isn't exactly what you might call "well off", Katie is expected to marry well and her family arranges an engagement to a wealthy man named Batholomew Foster. He may not have been what Katie pictured in the man of her dreams, but she knows that her engagement to Bartholomew will secure a strong financial future for her as well as her family.
One night, while Katie is working the phone lines, she overhears a frightening conversation between her friend Eliza and a familiar male voice. Katie tells the constable about what she heard right away, but when she gets to Eliza's house, she discovers that Eliza has gone missing, leaving only her infant child.
Katie believes the least she can do is take care of Eliza's little girl until they find her, only to discover that the lightkeeper has offered to take her. Katie doesn't trust this lightkeeper because he has become a suspect in Eliza's disappearance. He is so set on taking care of the child, though that Katie reluctantly gives him the child and finds herself helping him. Her finance Bartholomew does not like this arrangement at all, but it is out of his hands. Katie and the lightkeeper begin to investigate Eliza's disappearance on their own, which only draws them closer together. It becomes a dangerous situation because not only is Eliza's life on the line but also Katie's heart.
I received this book, The Lightkeeper's Bride by Colleen Coble compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and would have to rate this book at 5 out of 5 stars. For more information on the book, the author and where to purchase a copy, please read below:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Author Colleen Coble’s thirty-five novels and novellas have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Romance Writers of America prestigious RITA, the Holt Medallion, the ACFW Book of the Year, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, the Booksellers Best, and the 2009 Best Books of Indiana-Fiction award. She writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail and love begin with a happy ending.
A word from Colleen: God has been faithful, though the path has not been easy. Nothing worth doing is ever easy. God wouldn’t let me give up, and I like to think the struggle made me stronger. God has given me so much in my life, most importantly my great family, a loving church family at New Life Baptist Church, and my wonderful publishing family at Nelson Books.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Central Operator Katie Russell's inquisitive ways have just uncovered her parents' plan for her marriage to wealthy bachelor Bartholomew Foster. Her heart is unmoved, but she knows the match will bring her family status and respectability.
Then Katie overhears a phone conversation that makes her uneasy and asks authorities to investigate. But the caller is nowhere to be found. Mysterious connections arise between the caller and a ship lost at sea.
Against propriety, Katie questions the new lighthouse keeper, Will Jesperson. Then a smallpox epidemic forces their quarantine in his lighthouse. Though of low social status, Will's bravery and kindness remove Katie's suspicion and win her love. Katie and Will together work to solve the mystery of the missing girl and the lost ship as God gives the couple the desire of their hearts.
If you would like to read the first chapter of The Lightkeeper's Bride, go HERE.
I'm so glad you liked it! How great that it's your first book of mine. :)
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