Monday, May 22, 2017

The Chapel Car Bride

GIVEAWAY

MILLER, JUDITH
THE CHAPEL CAR BRIDE

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 accommodation 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 his 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 Review:

I love discovering unknown-to-me bits of history in the pages of a novel. I mean, seriously, a chapel car ministry? How cool is that? Imagine a train car set up as a chapel with a small section at the back blocked off for living quarters. It's the original tiny house! And the chapel car can be disconnected and left behind to minister to the people in small communities along the railroad line. How did I not hear about this before? Such an awesome backdrop for a historical romance.

And then there's the discontent and wariness of close-knit coal mining towns in West Virginia. Poor wages, dangerous work, unfair treatment by mine managers. It all adds a sense of danger and even some intrigue to the plot.

Hope is eager to prove herself as she accompanies her father on his ministry tour for the first time. She"s not prepared for the abject poverty she encounters, the rough-and-tumble existence in the remote mining towns. But the girl has grit and determination and a love for the Lord that fuels her desire to serve through her music and children's ministry.

Luke is the family breadwinner, providing for his mother and siblings on his limited mining income. He"s as intrigued by the chapel car as I am. :-) A man of faith, it isn"t long before he becomes enmeshed in the Irvine's lives and ministry...with a certain fascination for the preacher's daughter.

A sweet inspirational romance rich in historical details and filled with captivating characters. A joy of a read.

Book provided courtesy of Bethany House and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Chapel Car Bride, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you put your email address in your comment please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email remember to put the title to the subject line so it is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May28 2017. Offer open to International readers. Good luck!

54 comments:

  1. This is the first I've heard of this book. I've read a book or two by Judith so I know I like her writing. You're so right about not hearing of a Chapel on a train, what an interesting premise for a story! The only other one I've read books on is where the author stages a church on one of those old stern-wheeler paddle boats. That would be fascinating! Thanks for bringing this book to my attention. I'm popping over to the digital library to request it :-) (Adding my name to the pot to boot!)

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. I think this might just be my favourite Judith Miller book. The chapel car is such a unique twist. Good luck, Trixi.

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  2. I have this book coming in the mail soon. I thought the storyline was an interesting one and the cover is so pretty. Enjoyed your review!

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    1. Thanks, Tracey. The cover is lovely, isn't it? Hope you get to read it soon.

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  3. oh this sounds like a wonderful story. i have written the title down. great review
    quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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  4. Good Morning Kav,
    I have enjoyed every book that I have read by Judith Miller. And I almost bought 'The Chapel Car Bride' couple of weeks ago, but I thought that maybe my husband or children would give it to me for Mother's Day.

    Have a great day!

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    1. I've enjoyed her books as well. This one is extra special in my opinion. Good luck, Tammi. (And if you don't win it here maybe you can get it for you husband for Father's Day. Bwahahaha!) Good luck.

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  5. This one sounds like a must read, Kav. Thank you for sharing this book with its beautiful cover.

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  6. I've never read anything by Judith Miller (though a few of my sisters have), but I just discovered this book on goodreads recently and added it to my "to-read" shelf. I'm excited to see that you've got it up for grabs here!😃
    Elly -Indiana-

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    1. This would be a great introduction to a Judith Miller book, Elly. Good luck!

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  7. In the past, I read ALL of Judith's books! I am so ready to read a new one by her! This one sounds great...THANKS, Kav, for your review/giveaway.
    jacsmi75 at gmail dot com

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    1. It's one of her best, Jackie. So many great layers to the story. Good luck!

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  8. Thank you for the review on The Chapel Car Bride. I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the chance! <3 2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  9. I had no idea train cars were used this way and this book sounds fascinating. I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the opportunity, Kav.

    Dblaser(at)windstream(dot)net

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    1. Isn't it a cool piece of history? Really interesting backdrop for a historical romance. Good luck, Diane.

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  10. Ooh, I love this! lattebooksAThotmailDOTcom

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  11. Great review, KAV! I love this cover! Thank you for the chance.

    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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  12. Like you, I enjoy learning about history through reading fiction. There are several authors who really have a knack for finding obscure historical facts and weaving a novel around them. Judith Miller is one of them who does it well.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. She definitely is. Her research is meticulous and she always finds the most interesting tidbits to share with her readers. Good luck, Pam.

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  13. I have read many of Judith's novels. Among my favorite are The Carosel Painter and the Bridal Veil Island series. Would love to win this one. Thanks. paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet

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    1. I loved the Bridal Veil Island series as well. And The Carousel Painter. Brings back happy reading memories. This one is awesome too. Good luck, Paula.

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  14. I'm not familiar with this author but this book sounds really interesting. I'll be checking out her other books. Thanks for the review.
    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

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    1. Oh, do check her out. I bet your library has some of her books. This would be a great introduction as well. Good luck, Pam.

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  15. Near my home, there is a Christian retreat where they have railway cars turned into bunks for the campers. I am pretty sure they're authentic railcars -- wonder if they are similar to the chapel cars? So interesting!
    Dianna

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    1. That's a neat idea. Like the box car children! LOL. It's a fascinating bit of history, I think. Good luck, Dianna.

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  16. This sounds like a really good book. And I didn't know train car chapel existed either, really interesting!

    samanthabis23 at gmail dot com

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    1. A unique way of sharing the gospel. I wonder if it could still be used in remote places and foreign missions? I think I need to do more research. Good luck, Samantha.

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  17. I have been seeing this book and it is on my wish list, thank you for the chance to win a copy!

    wfnren at aol dot com

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  18. I just heard about this book and wanted to read it! teshaw(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

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  19. Very interesting to hear that train cars were made into chapels. Love to read this!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. It's an interesting piece of history, isn't it? Good luck, rubynreba.

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  20. That is an interesting little bit of historical info. I have heard of itinerant preachers, so I guess this might be a little like that.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Yes -- but itinerant preacher in a very cool way! LOL Good luck, Patty.

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  21. Sounds Great Thanks iamabho (at) gmail (dot) com

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  22. I really want to read this one! It intrigues me =)
    pocoauthorATgmailDOTcom

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  23. Sounds really good! I love books with historical tidbits! lelandandbeckyATreaganDOTcom

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    1. You'll love this one then. So fascinating. Good luck, Becky.

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  24. Very interesting history that I wasn't aware of either. I'm looking forward to reading this one. Thanks for the review and giveaway. d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com

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    1. It's so interesting I wonder why we all don't know more about it? Would make a great history project for a kid. Good luck, Donna.

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  25. You gave such a great explanation of the Chapel Car. I Love it. I really didn't know how interested I was in this title until your review. :-) ------ tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. I am totally captivated by the whole chapel car thing. LOL Good luck, Terrill.

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