The Daughter’s Predicament by Mary Davis – Book Review, Preview

Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do.

Ephesians 6:1

This admonition is spoken in several places in the Bible and, as Paul points out there, brings a promise of long life to those who do this.

Yet, what if your parents are making unreasonable demands? What if what they are asking is selfish or is contrary to your desires?

Imagine if the command was “Obey your parents when it is comfortable” or “Obey your parents when you want to.” I guess that would be the same as just leaving these verses out of Scripture, wouldn’t it.

Sometimes doing the right thing is difficult. Yet the fruit of obedience is so worthwhile.

The Daughter's Predicament
by Mary Davis

Series: The Quilting Circle #2
Published by Mountain Brook Ink
Publication Date May 1, 2019
Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Clean Romance
Setting: Washington Gilded Age – US – 1875 – 1900
Main Character Ages: 18-24, 36-60
Written for: Adults
Pages: 293

Synopsis:

Can a patient love win her heart?

As Isabelle Atwood’s romance prospects are turning in her favor, a family scandal derails her dreams. While making a quilt for her own hope chest, Isabelle’s half-sister becomes pregnant out of wedlock and Isabelle--always the unfavored daughter--becomes the family sacrifice to save face. Despite gaining the attention of a handsome rancher, her parents are pressuring her to marry a man of their choosing to rescue her sister’s reputation. A third suitor waits silently in the wings, hoping for his own chance at love. Isabelle ends up with three marriage proposals, but this only further confuses her decision.

A handsome rancher, a stranger, and an unseen suitor are all waiting for an answer. Isabelle loves her sister, but will she really allow herself to be manipulated into a marriage without love? Will Isabelle capitulate and marry the man her parents wish her to, or will she rebel and marry the man they don’t approve of? Or will the man leaving her secret love poems sweep her off her feet?

I would like to thank Mountain Brook Ink for giving me this copy of the book. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.

Also in this series: The Widow's Plight

Isabelle is faced with the conundrum of obeying her parents and showing love to her little sister or disclosing the full truth to her fiancé. Her desire to marry for love is cast aside by her stepmother who only wants the best for her own daughter, not Isabelle.

Author Mary Davis did such an amazing job at showing the turmoil that Isabelle faced. The way she was so torn between her heart’s desire and love for her sister showed her compassionate nature very clearly, and honestly, I was in a quandary for her as well. Added to this was the fact that the suitors were such good and noble men. Though Isabelle was not in love with any of them, it was easy to see any of them being an excellent choice.

I can’t say that I was surprised by the conclusion of the story or the revelation of the secret admirer’s identity. I was silently suggesting the solution to the characters as I read. Yet that didn’t make this any less enjoyable a read. The ending was very satisfying. Captivated by the story even though I thought her parents were ridiculous in even expecting this sacrifice from Isabelle, I thoroughly enjoyed it and understood the motivations behind all their choices.

Characters from The Widow’s Plight, the first book of The Quilting Circle series, appeared in this one yet the stories stand alone. I do hope to see the rejected suitors return in future books of the series.

Readers of historical Western romance need to add this to their collection!

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