“See those iron ore ships? They’re not moving; the wind is too strong and the waves too high. It’s too bad you’ll not be able to make it out to the island.”
Ann & I were in St. Ignace, Michigan, taking a few days for a side trip while on the way to a youth workers conference in Muskegon. The store clerk’s statement, recognizing that we were tourists, definitely caught us off guard.
“Oh no, that can’t be. We’ve already been out to Mackinac Island on the ferry.”
“The ferry? I wondered which captain was running today? When the weather turns this bad, most boats and freighters just don’t go out on the lake. Oh, I hope I didn’t worry you?”
Worried? Us worried? We’d traveled this far to get to Mackinac and we weren’t going to let some ol’ wind and waves stop us. We both looked at each other and with some fear & trepidation remaining, chuckled at the very recent memory of our two-way ferry ride to Mackinac Island. The waves were close to 10-12 feet. The ferry was probably a 60-footer with about 50 people on board. Neither Ann or I are “water people” – we’re just not that comfortable off dry land. We didn’t get sea-sick, but we hunkered down in the lower passenger bay, stared wide-eyed out the small windows at the monstrous waves, felt the pitching of the ferry, up and down, back and forth for the 20 minutes or so it took to cross over to the beautiful tourist island that is Mackinac.
I mention this because it came to mind as I was reading Erica Vetsch’s first publication, The Bartered Bride, from Heartsong Presents. Erica did such a fine job of weaving her plot twists and turns throughout her story, I felt like I was back on that ferry: looking forward to getting to the final destination, yet wondering what each up and down was going to do to me in getting there. An utterly delightful read. Plus, not only do I know the author… I’m her pastor.
I have to confess, I wasn’t thrilled to be reading a Christian historical romance novel at first. It’s probably not the first section of the bookstore/library I’m heading to when needing something to hold in my hand and stir my brain. But this book was really fun. From Jonathan Kennabrae’s initial outrage at his aged grandfather’s machinations to arrange a marriage that will help salvage the family business, to Melissa’s secret night-time rendezvous (which get Jonathan into a very dangerous fix), to her mother’s master-control setting for her daughter’s life, and to the rail-clenching finale, this was fun and thrilling ride!
For any who aren’t familiar with this new release, here’s a bit about the book:
Duluth, Minnesota in 1905 boasts more millionaires than any other U.S. city. Tycoon Abraham Kennebrae intends to marry his grandsons off to three of the wealthiest heiresses in town and allow Kennebrae Shipping to gain control of Duluth Harbor.
Tempests rage, in the board room, the ball room, and on treacherous Lake Superior. Will hearts and helms survive? Will God prove Himself sovereign over wind, waves, and weddings?
Jonathan Kennebrae, oldest of the three Kennebrae brothers, finds himself backed into a corner. Marry heiress Melissa Brooke or lose his own considerable inheritance. Can he find a legitimate reason to avoid the wedding and still keep his fortune? But as the wedding day approaches, does he want to escape?
Melissa Brooke, only heir to her father’s empire, is bartered by her parents into a marriage contract to a man she’s never met. Can she trust him with her deepest secret? Can she trust him with her heart?
About the Author:
ERICA VETSCHis married to Peter and keeps the company books for the family lumber business. A home-school mom to Heather and James, Erica loves history, romance, and storytelling. Her ideal vacation is taking her family to out-of-the-way history museums and chatting to curators about local history. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Calvary Bible College in Secondary Education: Social Studies. You can find her on the web at On The Write Path.
As Erica’s pastor (and let me tell you, she needs a fair bit o’ shepherding, I can be the first to tell ya!), it’s been a blessing having Erica and her family as a part of our congregation. She can brighten a teaching discussion like you wouldn’t believe. Her thoughtful insights and questions during such discussions prove to be a delightful challenge. Peter and the kids are just plain fun to be around (especially at the annual New Year’s Day party they host). However, every once in a while, it’s fun to “turn the tables” on a parishioner and ask them some thought-provoking questions. I had a few for Erica about the writing of books.
But you'll have to come back tomorrow for those... I'm out of time & space for today. See you then!
This book was purchased by this blogger for his own personal reading.