About the Book:
Author: Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller
Publisher: Bethany House
Publication Date: 2013
Series: Bridal Veil Island (book 3 of 3)
Genre: Fiction; Christian, Historical
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review: Working as the live-in tutor for the kind-hearted and welcoming Bridgeport family, Callie Deboyer has been accepted by their family as one of their own. Mrs. Bridgeport wants to see Callie make a prestigious match this summer, leaving Callie with mixed feelings about her work that which has stirred uncertain emotions in Callie about what God may want of her future. Every year, the family winters on Bridal Veil Island, only this year her duties have doubled with the recent marriage of the family’s nanny. Upon arrival to the cottage at the family’s winter getaway, a replacement is found giving Callie the opportunity to take her eldest pupil, Thomas to his tennis and golfing lessons. Where the tennis instructor is a rude, demanding man, Callie cannot help but be intrigued by the kind-hearted golf pro, Wes. Unbeknownst to her, Wes isn’t what he seems. Complicating matters is Wes’ own interest in Callie – especially the hard-to-impress attitude she affects. With uncertainties and questions of God himself, Wes’ own future leaves him wondering, what comes next?
The first time I fell in love with the pairing of Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller’s proses was in the delightful series, “The Broadmoor Legacy.” It was a historical backdrop that focused on the characters instead of getting lost in the history, using it as more of a backdrop than focus. Likewise, this new series doesn’t burrow itself in the historical notions and delightful language, losing the integrity of the characters. Instead it feels lackluster as a result of its setting (one that sounds so beautiful). Helping things along are the cute antics of the three Bridgewater children and the early back-and-forth between Wes and Callie. Before things close, the latter tapers out, leaving the reader feeling bereft – as if Wes and Callie’s love is more “convenient” than real. This is all because there’s a “sudden” admittance of love before the inkling is even planted that the relationship had grown to that. This plot device is one that endlessly bugs me as a reader. The rewarding part of a romantic relationship is what comes as a result of a friendship and this one just didn’t cut it for me. Sure, Wes and Callie are “cute” together as are their conversations; it’s the entire plot that seemed clichéd – there is a truth withheld and leads to the standard “break up” prior to a quick resolution in the final few chapters.
As a setting and idea, they don’t come any lovelier than this. That’s not to say that nothing about the book is redeeming, it’s just that the concept wasn’t as pleasant as I suspect these authors are capable of. The predictability is there in its earliest stages and the novel doesn’t recover from it. I really wanted to like this one. It had all the “right” makings for a good historical page-turner. For me, it just didn’t live up to that high expectation.
Synopsis: Callie DeBoyer is unsettled as she arrives at Bridal Veil Island with the Bridgeport family. She’s just received a letter from her parents, missionaries in coastal Africa, stating they are in dire need of more personnel. Should Callie give up her governess job and join her parents in their important work? Is God calling her to the mission field, or does she just want to escape the emotional scars of being jilted by her former beau?
When she enrolls young Thomas Bridgeport in golf lessons, Callie meets Wesley Townsend, who urges Callie to take lessons, as well. During their time at the golf course, Callie comes to care for Wesley–until she discovers hidden secrets about his past.
Then expensive jewels go missing from various homes on the island, and suspicion is aimed in Callie’s direction. As the investigation continues, Callie wonders if she should escape it all by going to Africa. After the secrets he kept about his past, will Wesley ever be a man she can honor and trust for the rest of her life?
With thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of this book for reviewing purposes.
On the Bookshelf 