The Chapel Car Bride

Author: Judith Miller
Genre: Historial Romance

​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?

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

One of the things that drew me to read The Chapel Car Bride by Judith Miller was the concept and the cover. So I was very excited to read it, however, it did not meet my expectations.

Don't get me wrong, this is a very well-written book, but I was longing for the story about the bride (Hope) and her groom and at least a little tension on how she becomes one, but it just wasn't there. 

From the outset we know who the villain is and this bothered me because I would have liked to guess (along with Hope) which beau to trust of the two who were trying to court her. Yes, there was deception involved but not in the way I was expecting. Also, there were few exciting moments that would urge me to keep reading. Instead, I had to force myself to finish the novel. Not a good sign.

The history of the Chapel Car was intriguing and I loved the faith displayed by Hope, her father and Luke, which is always a plus. Unfortunately, that alone could not save this book for me.

​Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

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Reviewer: Becky Hrivnak
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The Chapel Car Bride, written by Judith Miller, was a book I was very excited to read.

I loved the concept of the book about a Pastor and his daughter who traveled in a Chapel train car, staying in different train stops along the way and encouraging the small towns that didn't have a church or Pastor. They ministered to the people in a WV mining town where the mine was controlled by a greedy owner who didn't pay the miners enough and limited their ability to purchase anything except through the company store. Because of this, the miners resorted in finding other ways to supplement their income, illegally. Throughout the entire book, we wait to find out who the bride (and groom) will be. 

Although I've loved many of Judith Miller's books for many years, I felt that this book was not one of my favorites. It was okay. It seemed to take a long time to get to where we were going in the book. A lot of going up and down the hill, a lot of going into the woods or the mine, but not a lot of thriller moments in between. Just because it wasn't my favorite doesn't mean that it couldn't be for another reader...and I will definitely read other books she comes out with, but this one did nothing for me. 

I was given this book by the publisher. All thoughts and comments are my own.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

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Reviewer: Sabrina Wade

Novel woven in determination, persistence, grace, love, and of course hope. Enjoyed reading this novel. It may have been fictitious, however I viewed it as a teaching novel. No matter the motives of people who choose to execute good deeds to cover their​ evil, blessings are still reaped. And sometimes we don't have to tattle on others, eventual what's done in the dark will be brought to the light in due time.

 Worth reading!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

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