I wrote my first love letter when I was twelve years old. He was eighteen.
Jack Romano.
Sigh.
That summer my parents had spent several months in Australia. My dad had been invited to teach in a university there and so they parceled us off to friends and relatives and to spend a summer in an amazing place.
I had a fun summer with Uncle Jim and Aunt Linda, long-time friends of my parents. Their daughter was several years older than I was and introduced me to the more grown-up world of a high schooler, The Cars, and, of course, Jack.
Looking back, I have no idea why I thought that he would have even noticed me. Did I mention I was twelve?! Yet he was a kind boy and that is probably what set my heart aflutter. I looked forward to all the youth group activities.
When I returned home, and Jack went off for his first year at college, I sent him a letter. I’m actually glad I don’t recall what was in it. But I can imagine! I wonder if he ever thinks back on the silly little girl who had such a crush on him. Did the letter make him cringe or smile?
How about you? Who was your first love letter written to?
The Telegraph Proposal
by Gina Welborn, Becca Whitham
Published by Zebra Books
Publication Date October 29, 2019
Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Western, Clean Romance
Setting: Montana 1875 – 1900
Main Character Ages: 18-24, 25-34
Written for: Adults
Pages: 336
Synopsis:
A Montana Brides Inspirational Romance Book 3
In the rough and rugged Montana Territory, the journey to true love is filled with unexpected twists--and sweet rewards--for daring frontier women who faithfully believe every heart has a home . . .
With the help of the Archer Matrimonial Company, Yancey Palmer has finally put Hale Adams, the man she's loved for ten years--sometimes not wisely or well--behind her. Yancey is so sure of her love for the man the agency matched her with, she readily promises a friend that she'll help Hale with his mayoral campaign without chasing him.
Hale has also engaged the services of the matrimonial agency. He's so pleased with one lady, he requests that she join him in Helena to commence a sixty-day courtship. But instead, the Archer ladies arrive in town to reveal the true identities of both Hale's and Yancey's matches: each other. Can they look past their misunderstandings and hurt to see that they are still a perfect match?
I received a complimentary copy of this book. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.
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Poor Yancey! She fell in love with Hale when she was ten and he rescued her from a bully. Throwing herself at him every chance she got, trying to make him jealous, and breaking up his courtship with her older sister only caused him to despise her.
When I read the synopsis, I knew this would be a great story! It only hinted at the tangled web that had been woven for Hale and Yancey.
I enjoyed reading this story. I felt deeply for Yancey’s pain over Hale’s rejection and especially for her grief when she found out the man who finally drew her affections away from Hale was none other than Hale. And he hated her and blamed her for being responsible for the deception!
Contrary to what I expected, Yancey was a complex woman with a generous heart and a passion to serve. She had a great maturity and was wonderful in coming up with amazing ideas for Hale’s campaign. And she had great wisdom that she was able to use to encourage her friends. I loved that she cared enough for Hale that she wasn’t willing to accept his love when his heart wasn’t ready.
Unbeknownst to Hale and Yancey, while they worked on his campaign, their friends and family were embroiled in drama surrounding counterfeiting and human trafficking. The principals in this drama were known due to the way the story was written so it wasn’t a mystery, yet it was unknown how things would work out.
Hale suffered from mistrust and unforgiveness. He needed to be able to get past these and there is a spiritual component here as he learned how to let these things go.
I felt a little lost at the beginning as events from the past were hinted at. This is likely because this is the first book in the series I have read or it could have been due to the way facets of their history were slowly revealed. So it might help reading this series in order.
If you enjoy historical fiction with a spiritual element, then The Telegraph Proposal and the Montana Brides series is not to be missed!
Gina & Becca's The Telegraph Proposal Pinterest Board
(click here to go directly to the board on Pinterest)
Giveaway
(1) winner will receive:
$50 Amazon Gift Card- Huckleberry Haven Gift Box
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight October 28, 2019 and last through 11:59 PM EST on November 4, 2019. US only. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
a Rafflecopter giveawayFollow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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About Becca Whitham
Becca Whitham (WIT-um) Award-winning author, paper crafter, and Army wife, Becca and her twelve-foot long craft cabinet follow her husband of thirty-five years wherever the army needs a good chaplain. She thinks the cabinet should count as a dependent. So far, neither the army nor the IRS is convinced. In between moves from one part of the country to the other, she writes stories combining faith and fiction that touch the heart. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America.
About Gina Welborn
Gina Welborn is the bestselling author of twenty inspirational romances, including the Montana Brides Romances from Kensington Publishing. She’s a member of Romance Writers of American and American Christian Fiction Writers. Sharing her husband’s passion for the premier American sports car, she is a lifetime member of the National Corvette Museum and a founding member of the Southwest Oklahoma Corvette Club. Gina lives with her husband, four of their five children, a rabbit named Hobbit, and two cats that don’t realize rabbits are edible.
Sounds like a good read.
This sounds like a very good read and a very good page turner! I love the cover, it is Beautiful. I would love to read it. Thank you for sharing your book review.
I really enjoy historical fiction and this book sounds like a really great read. Very pretty cover.
Good Morning! Thank you for the book description.These tours are great and we have found some terrific books so thanks so much.
I love all your quote memes!
I’d be happy to send them to you if you want them. 🙂 You can e-mail me @ phyllis at amongTheReads dot net
What a cute story about your first love letter! I was boy crazy when I was a teenager.
Can’t imagine the idea of marrying someone I wasn’t in love with.
Thank you, Dianna! I was super boy crazy, too. Which I guess is obvious. 🙂
Sounds like a great book!
Thank you for being part of the book tour for “The Telegraph Proposal” by Gina Welborn & Becca Whitham. Sounds like a wonderful book and one I can’t wait to read.
Think my first love letter was in 7th grade about the time we thought we knew what true love was and that special someone caught you eye. As I remember it, it was also a time when boys were clueless and we more or less “arranged” things to happen. Brings a smile to remember and oh so glad he wasn’t the one. 🙂
2clowns at arkansas dot net
I am very excited to read this book!
Thank you for your review. I would love to read this book. I love this cover.