A Bride For Donnigan by Janette Oke

A Bride For Donnigan by Janette Oke ISBN-13: 9781556613272 Trade Paperback: 222 pages Publisher: Bethany House Publishers Released: 1993

Source: Personal library.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Kathleen O'Malley stood on the deck and watched the land she'd called home for more than a dozen years slip from her view. Even though Kathleen had not been happy with her situation, it was all she had ever known. Now her only certainty was that she was bound for America to marry a man whose name she did not even know and whose face she had never seen.

On the other side of the Atlantic, Donnigan Harrison anxiously awaits Kathleen's arrival on a prairie farm. He has known the wonder of a dream fulfilled--a snug frame cabin, the sturdy log barn and outbuildings, a fine herd of livestock, and crops in the field that made his eyes sparkle. Yet Donnigan felt lonely and had limited opportunities for finding a wife. Donnigan's anticipation is overshadowed with terrifying uncertainties--What have I done?


My Review:
A Bride For Donnigan is a Christian historical set in the American West during the pioneer time period. It's a part of the Women of the West series, but the books aren't connected to each other so you can read them in any order. These novels are quick reads.

The setting and historical detail created a nice yet still somewhat vague (as to exact time period) backdrop for the events. The story followed Kathleen's life from seventeen-years-old until she has a large family of her own. Kathleen and Donnigan have to overcome misunderstandings about what they think the other partner wants out of marriage and the sorrows of losing and raising children.

The Christian element was woven into the story, and it was the focus of the story near the end. Kathleen and Donnigan both realize there must be a God, but they don't know anything about him and there's no preacher available. They glean what they can from the Bible and, after some misunderstandings caused by various Christians not clearly answering their questions, finally come to understand how to make things right between themselves and God.

Married sex was implied (as babies were born). There was a very minor amount of "he cussed" style of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


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