Stone Creek, Michigan, April, 1901 — Maggie Galloway and Thomas Harper clash after their sons collide in a fistfight. Both widowed, they’re each doing their best as single-parents. Outgoing Maggie has dreams for a home of her own and a business to provide for her son as she searches for God’s path for her life as a widow. Reserved Thomas struggles to establish his new pharmacy and take care of … and take care of his four rambunctious children, while wondering how a loving God could take his beloved wife.
When Thomas becomes deathly ill, Maggie is recruited to nurse him back to health. Taking the children in hand, as well, is more than she bargained for, but she is drawn to help the grieving family. Both nurse and patient find themselves drawn to each other but promptly deny their feelings.
A baking contest sponsored by the Silver Leaf Flour Company brings former beau, Giles Prescott, back into Maggie’s life. When Giles offers Maggie a position at their test kitchen in Chicago, he hints that, along with assuring her a good job, it will allow them to possibly rekindle their relationship.
But then a charlatan comes to town, and tragedy soon follows. Maggie and Thomas discover the miracle potions he hawks aren’t so harmless when an epidemic hits Stone Creek. Thomas and Maggie realize they must work together to save lives.
Maggie finds herself caught up in battles within and without—the battle to help the townsfolk in the midst of illness and chicanery, and the battle to know which man—Thomas or Giles—deserves to win her heart.
Written for the General Market (G) (I): Contains little or no; sexual dialogue or situations, violence, or strong language. May also contain some content of an inspirational/religious nature. Similar romance novels in this genre may be categorized as: christian romance, inspirational romance, christian fiction, and clean, wholesome romance.
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Not what I would normally read, however this was a very moving story about faith and how God works in mysterious ways. A very sweet romance. I was pleasantly surprised by Secrets and Wishes. Highly recommended.
Kathleen Rouser has once again written a superb, thought-provoking story which has a strong spiritual theme woven throughout. In Secrets and Wishes, she follows the developing romance of Maggie Galloway and Thomas Harper, an apothecary in 1901 Stone Creek, Michigan, while at the same time keeping you guessing as to the outcome. Historically accurate, the story carries the reader back to a time when the roles of the apothecary included stitching up wounds and handing out minor prescriptions without a doctor’s signature. I found the herbs and remedies used at the turn of the 19th into the 20th century intriguing. I was privileged to read an advanced copy of Secrets and Wishes.
Secrets and Wishes takes place at the dawn of the twentieth century. It’s a tender story of two adults dealing with the grief of losing spouses and raising children on their own, a situation that is not uncommon in any generation.
Maggie Galloway, a baker, and Thomas Harper, a pharmacist, are each searching for a fresh start. While Thomas is the new pharmacist in Stone Creek, MI, Maggie is considering leaving town. These two get off to a rough start and find the road to friendship anything but smooth.
The author has developed multi-dimensional characters and has thoroughly researched of the period in terms of the social norms and medical practices. While it is identified as the sequel to Rumors and Promises. the story stands alone and is as enjoyable as the first book.
Secrets and wishes
This is a historical set in 1901. Maggie is a widow and Thomas is a widower. When they first meet they have a lot of disagreements. She has one son and he has four children. Thomas is trying to make go of it being a pharmacist. So much different in those days.
There is lot of sickness going around and Thomas ends up being one of the worst. Maggie turns out the one caring for him.
One part I loved in the book was the mention of the Kickapoo Indian tribe. That is one that is not mentioned much.
I found the book very enjoyable and entertaining. I need to read more from the author since I definitely enjoyed the writing.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write an positive review.
Set in 1901 Michigan, this wonderful novel highlights what the world was like before medicine was regulated. Natural remedies were the base of many of the ‘cures’ that were circulated among the people. Doctors and pharmacists were just being introduced to various pills that could replace some of those remedies, however, their potency was sometimes in question. Unfortunately there were swindlers who road into town with their ‘medicine show’ to entertain and sell their famous tonics to the unsuspecting public. But those tonics didn’t really kill anyone, did they?
A most enjoyable story of a pharmacist and a pharmacist’s widow who seem to be on a course to save the town.
I received this ARC through CelebrateLit. All impressions and opinions are my own.
This is a nice story about a woman who loses her husband and is left to support her child by herself. In this time period it was hard to find a job for a woman. Maggie does have a gift of baking and it pays off win she wins a prize in a baking contest. I love the time period and how the author makes the story come alive.
I thought it was interesting to read about the 1900s and especially about the new pharmacy in town. Maggie’s husband used to be a pharmacist so she knows a lot about medicine. She clashes with the new pharmacist in town when her son and Thomas’s son have a fight. It was funny that the boys were fighting over whose dad was the best pharmacist. It is hard to imagine that during this time period, aspirin and other drugs were just being introduced. Some people, like Maggie were skeptical of this new medicine practice.
Thomas sure has his hands full with a houseful of kids and a new pharmacy to open. When he becomes very ill, Maggie is thrown into caring for him. Oh my that was an adventure just having her try to be civil to him and try to control his unruly bunch of kids. Having lost his wife has been hard on all of them. The author gives us some great characters who try to outdo Maggie in the baking department and it leads to some sharp words and fun moments.
There are a few surprises and a new person in town that stirs up trouble that makes the story enjoyable. The town faces tragedy while Maggie and Thomas try to work together to overcome the crisis. The new man in town was my least favorite character because he was arrogant and pushy. does make friction between people wherever he goes and kinda thinks he is better than others. Overall a nice story from a time period where new discoveries in medicine were happening and a woman with a dream that she hopes to see happen.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
irst, I loved the cover on this book, and the word pictures as I read, drew me in.
I enjoyed this read, and see individuals here hurting after losing their spouse, and having a hard time moving on. The story takes place in 1901 Michigan, and a different time, prior to drug regulations, and the aftermath of a charlatan.
Another part of this story is a woman who has lost her beloved husband, and a man who has lost his dear wife, and while both are grieving, he is having a hard time coping with his life and taking care of his three children. One could almost laugh when you see what his sons do to his housekeeper, but they are a handful but you will find a chuckle or so.
As I was reading I discovered that there was a previous book, but facts were brought forth and I was not at all lost.
You can see Maggie leaning towards an old boyfriend, but found myself rooting for Thomas, but she is a woman of faith, and you will wonder to the end whom she will end up with.
I received this book through Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review.
3.5 Stars
While this is the second book in a series (and my first introduction to Kathleen Rouser), I didn’t feel at all like I was coming into the middle of a story. Secrets and Wishes definitely stands on its own.
To me, this book felt very episodic which, to be fair, is how the description reads. For my personal taste, the overarching conflict just wasn’t enough to really engage me in the story. I did, however, enjoy spending time with Thomas, Maggie, their children, and some of the residents of Stone Creek, Michigan as well as the information and knowledge Thomas and Maggie have about medicine and other healing remedies, adding a unique angle to the story.
Rouser takes readers to a small town and introduces them to many of the blessings and challenges of the small town in 1901. There are also the dangers that threaten their way of life (and in one case their actual lives) through the introduction of outsiders.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.