Book Review: The Chapel Car Bride

From the Back:

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?

My Reflections:

Judith Miller is one of my favorite authors, and usually, I am racing through her books to devour the entirety. Her newest novel "The Chapel Car Bride" was however not one of those stories.

The character Hope and the plight of their little family intrigued me, but I found my interest lagging and the story line just a little lackluster.

The story opens in the spring of 1913. Hope Irvine and her father the Reverend Layton a chapel car missionary are on their way to Finch, West Virginia. The journey holds unexpected turns and Hope is relieved to finally make it to Finch, where she can finally settle in.

Hope is first acquainted with Luke Hughes on the trip to Finch where he rescues her from a group of rough and tumble men. When she arrives in Finch she is surprised to make his acquaintance once again. A sweet relationship blossoms between the two. However, trouble seems to be brewing under the surface of this little sleepy town, and it's going to take more than a preacher's daughter solve the town's predicament.

I enjoyed learning about the chapel car ministry. I was not aware this was even a historical event and enjoyed looking into it in more detail after finishing the book.

This is a clean fictional historical/ romance, and though I was not swept away by the story don't let my review sway your decision. I do look forward to reading more by Judith Miller in the future.

                                       About the Author

Judith Miller

Judith Miller is an award-winning writer whose avid research and love for history are reflected in her bestselling novels. Judy and her family make their home in Kansas. Learn more at www.judithmccoymiller.com.

Continue reading about Judith Miller