From Award-Winning AuthorMaine 1940 – Nessie McDonald, daughter of a recently deceased lighthouse keeper seeks a husband by Thanksgiving to share the work and responsibility of warning sailors off the rugged Maine coast. She advertises in the Bar Harbor News for a husband and cooks gourmet dinners for each would-be husband’s interview. Kyle Cameron, the injured seaman she rescues from the sea, … rescues from the sea, doesn’t qualify because he must return to his home in Australia to run his enormous sheep station. Yet Kyle, lying on a cot in the kitchen with a broken leg, points out each of Nessie’s aspiring husband’s unsuitability by reading spiritual advice aloud from Lady Jane’s New England Cookbook, Nessie’s mysteriously discovered heirloom. Kyle pokes fun at each applicant suitor with hilarious Aussie advice.
When Kyle must return home, he cooks up a recipe of his own.
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I have enjoyed reading a number of Ms. Greene’s books so was looking forward to reading Recipe for a Husband. I was not disappointed. I was immediately drawn into the story with the rescue of a shipwrecked man from the icy waters of Bar Harbor with its thundering waves and dangerous riptide. After the recent death of her father, Nessie and her blind mother need help in the keeping of the lighthouse and Nessie has decided to advertise for a husband. The recovering Kyle has his own ideas about this plan and the tension begins. The book is a quick and delightful read. Nessie is a great cook and hopes to woo a husband with her cooking. Readers are treated to a number of the recipes that Nessie thinks will bring her a spouse. Throughout the story, the author weaves a thread of faith in a caring God, a God who can even use an heirloom cookbook to help a desperate gal find a husband. I can’t wait to read more from this author. I read a complimentary copy of the book and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.
The lighthouse in Bar Harbor, Maine, has been home to generations of Nessie McDonald’s family. Her father passed away during the summer of 1940, and she has been keeping the light working to protect ships from running aground in the inlet until autumn. Nessie’s mother has been blind for many years, so moving anyplace else would be difficult for her. Winters on the coast are harsh, and doing what is necessary to maintain the light and care for her mom will be almost impossible.
Nessie’s Bible is as her spiritual lighthouse, showing her all she needs to know about the Lord. She struggles for direction for the upcoming winter and as a last resort placed an ad in the Bar Harbor Times for a husband. To not marry for love is not her preference, but she will do so if it keeps her mother where she feels safe.
Before getting the first call from a prospective husband, Nessie rescues a man from a schooner destroyed during a storm. Her mom helped her move the man to the kitchen of the cottage, then Nessie set the man’s broken leg that would keep him from leaving anytime soon. Kyle is from his family sheep station in Australia, seeking to sell wool, and was the only survivor from the storm. He hasn’t heard of such a reason to marry before, but as the candidates come to dinner, he tries to warn Nessie and her mom what he thinks each of the men is really like. Nessie kind of wishes that Kyle didn’t have to return to Australia as she thinks he would be a good hard worker when his leg heals. Because the scripture, recipes, and advice shared in Lady Jane’s New England Cookbook has not yet elected the right man.
Nessie, her mom, and Kyle are delightful! They are hardworking people of faith, even if Kyle can’t do a thing while laid up on the cot. Kyle is so funny to listen to when he converses with the dinner “guests”, as is Nessie when she responds to him. Conversations flow without a wasted word.
There are so many things in this story that I like, one of which I have thought about in recent days. The scripture reference to Isaiah 55:8-9 is well applied, showing how we can look at the Lord and our circumstances. Descriptions of the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean are even sweeter knowing that the author has either visited or lived at the locations of her writings, making it even more appealing than I have heard of before. This fine historical drama woven together with a beautiful faith has a little of everything: an interesting profession, the potential for romance (or at least a marriage), humor, cooking and recipes, and the love of a family. The end definitely brings surprises, and I was sorry to say goodbye to Nessie. If you are a fan of the author or sweet, inspirational historical fiction, I highly recommend it!
From a grateful heart: I received a copy of this from the author and a positive review was not required.
Nessie McDonald is in a mess! Her recently deceased father has left her solely responsible for the keeping of the lighthouse in Bar Harbor Maine. Too much work for one small woman who also looks after her blind mama. The coming of the winter will be brutal and she decides she needs a husband to help her by Thanksgiving. She advertises in the paper!
Kyle Cameron has been found by her floating in the water just off the coast after a bad storm that sunk the ship he was on. She and her mom haul him up to the lighthouse and set his broken leg. You would think this might be a solution to her problem but no, he must return to Australia and his sheep ranch.
Thus begins her interviews of prospective husbands that she cooks gourmet meals for in her small kitchen with Kyle looking on.
This was a fun story full of humor. A dilemma for sure for Nessie. What does she do and how many prospects answer her ad? A good light read for a relaxing evening at home.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise.
Greene’s latest is a fun, quick read perfect for the holiday season when reading time often gets shorter. I enjoyed the characters, even though their situation seemed unresolvable at several points. The Australian words and phrases helped me to almost hear Kyle’s voice, and their explanations, of illywhacker for example, were helpful since I am largely unfamiliar with many of the words.
I recommend this book for Greene’s fans and those who are looking for a quick read during a busy season, an enjoyable break during the rush.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author but was under no obligation to post a positive review. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.
I thought this was a fun book to read. I liked Nessie and Kyle and their banter. There were also recipes sprinkled throughout the book. (A bonus). I enjoyed reading this book.
I received a copy of this book from the author and was not obligated to write a positive review.
What a wonderfully warm, romantic, suspenseful read, with undertones of our loving God and His faithfulness. It is a fast, full and satisfying little novella you will love and share with everyone! A great Thanksgiving read and gift for everyone on your holiday list
GG
Recipe for a Husband by Anne Greene
Sounds like such a fun read from this author that I love reading her works.
This one starts in Bar Harbor, Maine a place we have visited. It’s 1940’s.
Her younger daughter and her are near the ocean and the man is being pushed from the sea into the rocks.
Nessie is blind and runs the lighthouse and she was able to rescue the man from the ocean.
Nessie has also tended to his broken leg after removing his pants. It’s just October and they talk of the Thanksgiving holiday approaching in 4 weeks time. He’s from Austrailia.
Love that the mother knits even though she’s blind, just like me. Love hearing of the cookbook and the recipes inside along with a verse from the Bible-so cool!
Their father/husband had died 3 months ago. Kyle recuperates in the area and is looking forward to going back home to his sheep farm.
Like hearing of the work schedule for the week-very similar to mine but she also climbs the 100 steps to the light to maintain it. They are not sure they can maintain it during the winter months so they will advertise with hopes of getting married before the holiday.
They have to search the nearby waters for Germans…Love they can walk to the harbor to get lobsters right off the boat-she will cook dinner for the potential husband.
Recipes included. Kyle will be present when she entertains the man at dinner but he’s got an ache in his heart….
Love hearing more of the locale as I know there are islands nearby that you can find sand dollars on!
Beautiful Thanksgiving love story. Light read, fun and did I mention the recipes are included-priceless!
Other works by the author are summarized at the end. Felt this story had a bit of everything-something for everyone including: God, romance, mystery, comical encounters with spouses to be, mysteries of the sea, cooking with love.
I received this review book from the author and this is my honest opinion.