Courting the Country Preacher: Four Stories of Faith, Hope...and Falling in Love

5 stars, Inspiring Stories COURTING THE COUNTRY PREACHER: FOUR STORIES OF FAITH, HOPE...AND FALLING IN LOVE by ANGELA K. COUCH, CAROLYN MILLER, NAOMI MUSCH, AND KARI TRUMBO The Mountie's Rival by Angela K. Couch Set in Rowley, Alberta, Canada, 1907 This is the charming story of Jonathan Burton who is a rural preacher who has fears. Fears of not being enough for his congregation, he fears competition with his brother who is a Mountie. April Harvey is the daughter of the town drunk. She is always trying to prove to the townsfolk, that she is not the same as her father. She has a lifelong guilt for a decision that she made. I like how the author takes these two imperfect people and shows them that they are good enough and proceeds to make their lives better. A quote from this story and it is true. Kindness is key. Convincing the Circuit Preacher by Carolyn Miller Set in New South Wales, Australia, 1863 Jonas Hamill is the local circuit preacher who is filling in for a regular preacher in a town near his circuit. He is a widower who never desires to marry again. Dorothea "Thea" MacLean is an unmarried woman who lives with her parents. She thinks there isn't much hope in her finding someone to love and marry. It's interesting how God can take your impossible seeming life and change it to something possible and believable. A sweet quote. But faith in God brings joy and hope. A woman of her aunt's vintage. I like this. The Angel and the Sky Pilot by Naomi Musch Set in North Minnesota, 1905 Everett Shepherd is a preacher who used to work in the timber industry. He plans on going to several logging camps and spreading God's word among the workers. Angeline Adair is the daughter of Captain Adair, who owns the local mercantile. She works in the store for her father and fends off the unwanted attentions of the loggers. Captain Adair calls Everett a Sky Pilot, that's what the loggers call preachers. I think it sounds sweet. Mail-Order Minister by Kari Trumbo Set in Baker's Nook, South Dakota, 1889 Olive Torey's parents are looking for a preacher for their newly formed church. Their church had recently split into two factions They hope to get the new pastor interested in Olive, their unmarried daughter. Reverend Finch Presly has no idea that the elders of the newly formed church want him to marry their daughter. He doesn't want to marry her, but they keep running into each other in town. I like how each story is a complete story, though each is a short story, you are not left hanging and they are good for a "quick read." Highly recommend. I am thankful for the complimentary copy of #CourtingtheCountryPreacher from #BarbourFiction #NetGalley #BarbourPublishing I was under no obligation to post a review. #historicalfiction #inspirationalfiction #ChristianFiction #SouthDakota #Minnesota #Australia #Canada # AngelaKCouch #CarolynMiller #KariTrumbo #NaomiMusch #CanadianMounties