Best-selling author Cathy Marie Hake is critically acclaimed for her compelling blend of humor and romance. When Todd travels to Virginia to bring his widowed mother to his Texas farm, illness alters his plan. Maggie makes a living by selling soaps and perfumes, using old family recipes. Marriage is the farthest thing from her mind-until Todd shows up on her porch, seeking help for his ailing mother. Maggie's heart skips a beat. And when the handsome Texan proposes to her, life suddenly begins to change for the dark-haired beauty.
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"Cathy Marie Hake has done it again. The reader of this novel will find themselves laughing histerically, frowning, and almost crying in grief as this book goes on. The emotions run ragged in this romance novel of unexpected love. Do you fight for your love? Because these two surely do."
— Melanie (4 out of 5 stars)
“A sweetly charming and richly emotional tale of love, hope, faith, and charity that will delight not only Christian-fiction fans, but also anyone who enjoys a well-written historical romance.”
— Booklist“The chapters end in such a way that readers will be compelled to continue reading. Hake’s characters, particularly Maggie, are endearing. Like the rose theme that integrates the story, the romance sweetly blooms.”
— RT Book Reviews (4 stars)" Not one of her best romances, I was a little disappointed. "
— Jamilla, 2/10/2014" This story started off cute, but soon ran into an over abundance of misunderstandings and too much nagging mom. Overall it was a cute story line, but I found myself becoming annoyed with the petty misunderstandings that were continually blown out of proportion and the mom who kept falling into the same behavior over and over again. "
— Monica, 2/1/2014" This was a cute book though heavier on the Christian than I'm used to in a Christian fiction book. I felt bad for Maggie- I thought she gave, gave, gave. Todd was definitely a little dense and his mother was awful. Of course, if this sort of thing really happened this might be more how it plays out but I like a little more happy/romance and a little less criticism. Of course, they all learned things in the end... "
— Cheryl-Lynn, 1/31/2014" Gosh, just read this last month and cant remember a thing about it. Must not have been that good. "
— Laura, 1/23/2014" At first I didn't feel like finishing it. Then I did. Not my favorite Cathy book, but still pretty good. "
— Ginnie, 1/17/2014" This book was too frustrating... I was mad at the Husband and mother in law pretty much the entire time...Stupid! "
— Melissa, 1/16/2014" Yikes! Not good writing! The characters are flat and predictable. The dialogue stilted and unrealistic. The plot and setting cliche and ho hum. Not worth it. "
— Laura, 1/14/2014" Blech. Crappy crappy writing. Sometimes I can overlook it, but not right after Blood, Bones, and Butter. "
— Amara, 1/4/2014" I liked the heroine and the story had some cute moments, but most of the other characters drove me crazy. It was overly preachy for my tastes too and not nearly enough romance. "
— Kara, 12/29/2013" There are many ways that people misunderstand each other and hide their true feelings especially in relationships. What are we afraid of people doing if they find out we care. It is always great when two people who really belong together find each other. "
— Diane, 11/23/2013" I listened to this book on CD. The narrator was fantastic. It took me awhile to get into it but couldn't stop listening to it near the end. "
— Brigitte, 11/4/2013" This is one of my favorites. Maggie and Todd have conflict due to miscommunication and cultural differences. Something very common in marriages. "
— Kimberly, 10/26/2013" An enjoyable, quick read with likeable characters and a good plot line. "
— June, 10/8/2013" Not my favorite from this author, I got a little bogged down. It lacked some character development and the way the characters spoke seemed to change throughout the book. "
— Melmac, 8/30/2013" Enjoyable read, although I did feel the story was a bit lacking on background, & a little rushed. Finished it and thought wow that was fast. "
— Mary, 9/4/2012" I didn't like this book at all really compared to her others, but I must own all her books. The story was sweet just a little slow. And a little confusing about some points. And frustrating. "
— Haley, 8/2/2012" I normally love her books, but this one was below par. "
— Borud, 7/20/2012" I liked this book as far as a decent Christian romance goes. I do not like it as well as other books I have read published by Bethany House. Mainly, I found the story line to be quite unrealistic, just to good to be true. If a reader can get past that, then it's an okay read. "
— Heidi, 4/21/2012" I did not enjoy this one as much as I remember enjoying her other works. The husband was much too austere and domineering to be likable. I found myself mad at him for most of the book and sorry for the girl who married him. She had it rough and it didn't seem like anyone gave her any credit. "
— Catherine, 1/16/2012" I did not enjoy this one as much as I remember enjoying her other works. The husband was much too austere and domineering to be likable. I found myself mad at him for most of the book and sorry for the girl who married him. She had it rough and it didn't seem like anyone gave her any credit. "
— Catherine, 5/21/2011" Enjoyable read, although I did feel the story was a bit lacking on background, & a little rushed. Finished it and thought wow that was fast. "
— Mary, 5/10/2011" completely tolerable B-grade christian historical romance <br/>suffers from a little whiplash in some sections -- love him, leave him, love him, leave him <br/> "
— joy, 5/2/2011" This is not one of her better ones. Lots of drama and heart ache and almost no humor. "
— Susan, 4/27/2011" Just okay. I actually liked the beginning quite a bit, but thought it lost momentum about two-thirds of the way through. "
— Laurie, 4/10/2011" I liked this book as far as a decent Christian romance goes. I do not like it as well as other books I have read published by Bethany House. Mainly, I found the story line to be quite unrealistic, just to good to be true. If a reader can get past that, then it's an okay read. "
— Heidi, 3/22/2011" Not my favorite from this author, I got a little bogged down. It lacked some character development and the way the characters spoke seemed to change throughout the book. "
— Melmac, 3/1/2011" I didn't like this book at all really compared to her others, but I must own all her books. The story was sweet just a little slow. And a little confusing about some points. And frustrating. "
— Haley, 2/22/2011" There are many ways that people misunderstand each other and hide their true feelings especially in relationships. What are we afraid of people doing if they find out we care. It is always great when two people who really belong together find each other. "
— Diane, 2/13/2011" I can't say I disliked it, but I wasn't impressed.<br/>It was pleasant filler between other reads. "
— Caiti, 2/5/2011" I liked the heroine and the story had some cute moments, but most of the other characters drove me crazy. It was overly preachy for my tastes too and not nearly enough romance. "
— Kara, 1/13/2011Cathy Marie Hake is the author of over twenty novels and a registered nurse who worked for many years in an oncology unit. In addition to writing inspirational love stories, Cathy adores classical music, romantic getaways, and Diet Pepsi. She lives with her husband, two children, and two rescue dogs in Anaheim, California.
Laurie Birmingham is an experienced stage actress. She has appeared in many theaters around the country, and has recently returned to the Milwaukee Rep. Laurie lives with her rescue dog, Odi, in Milwaukee.