A Bride for Donnigan

A Bride for Donnigan- Women of the West, book 7

If you're new to Christian fiction, or Christian historical fiction, I suggest you begin by reading this book.
It's well-written, clean romance,
the storyline is solid, and Janette Oke writes in a way that will keep you interested
throughout the book. A Bride for Donnigan is really a good
book.
I wish more Christian fiction/Christian historical fiction writers of today would imitate Janette Oke, and put more substance and depth into their
books, and less frivolous, page-filling blether. Please authors, put aside your pride, and read this book, and learn how
to write in a dignified manner that is worthy of respect, and above all, worthy to be called Christian.
Janette Oke takes you on two show more wonderful journeys that eventually join, beginning one in London and one in America. One is the
story of Kathleen, a neglected stepdaughter, who finally decides to leave her family in London, by agreeing to be a
mail-order bride for an unknown groom in America. Another is the kind farmer Donnigan, who is quite lonely and in need
of a feminine influence in his life, to make his house a home. He pays for the ticket for his unknown mail-order bride to arrive
by passenger ship in Boston harbor.
Donnigan is the utmost gentleman, and Kathleen tries to be the wife she thinks he needs, but without actually communicating that
to him directly. They work things out, and their marriage knits together through many trials and situations. Donnigan begins a search
for Jesus, and through his bible, he finds out how to guide his family and be a Godly husband.
Romans 10:8-13 show less

As always Janette OKs writes another book I will read for years. The internal struggles they had about finding the answers that led to their eternal peace was so beautifully written. I really felt like it was a great representation

This is the story of how Donnigan gets a bride, Kathleen O'Malley. Kathleen has had it hard growing up after her father died and left her a stepmother to raise her that treated her more like a servant. So when the chance came for her to board a ship and travel to America to marry and start a new life she took it. Donnigan Harrison anxiously awaits Kathleen's arrival. He can't believe he actually "ordered" himself a bride sight unseen. Yet the loneliness on the western frontier made him take the plunge. When they finally meet, get married and move out to his farm, Donnigan is discouraged when Kathleen doesn't seem to want to want to talk or take an interest in the farm. Kathleen though has been taught by her stepmom to keep her thoughts show more to herself and never express your emotions. They both learn though what the other one needs and you begin to watch their marraige flourish.
This story gave a good understanding of why someone would travel across the sea to marry an unknown and why a man would send for a woman like that. Donnigan was a good man and Kathleen had a little spunk to her. You might think the book is all about "A bride for Donnigan" but it is much more than that. I wasn't sure I was liking how fast the story moved along in Donnigan and Kathleen's life, but I really liked the whole theme of how Donnigan wanted his life to make a difference in his family's life. His searching for answers about God and if He exists was a great ending to this story. I haven't read a Janette Oke book for a long time, but reading this one reminded me just how much I appreciate her as an author. This was definately a story worth reading and then keeping. show less

A pleasant light historical novel featuring Kathleen O'Malley, who decided to answer an advertisement for a bride in the USA, rather than continue her pitiful existence in London.

Most of the book covers her new life, learning to live with a stranger from a different culture, and also discovering God. Fairly strong Christian message at the end, but presented without being too preachy. Well-written with believable characters.

Three-and-a-half stars, really. I read this before, probably about ten years ago, but had forgotten everything other than the basic plot opening.

"Well-known and loved storyteller Janet Oke presents a beautifully told tale in her best tradition. With both anticipation and anxiety, Donnigan, a man surviving on the Western frontier alone, and Kathleen, a young girl thousands of miles away with limited prospects of finding a husband and stirrings of adventure in her heart, are at last united to begin their lives together."