Marry in haste, repent in leisure–Mrs. Hale is about to find out how painful that repentance can truly be. Julia Hale ran off to be married in Gretna Green, following romance instead of common sense. But her tale isn’t turning into a happily ever after. Her new husband is gone and she doesn’t know where–or if he’s ever coming back. Julia has no option but to head home to the family she … she betrayed by eloping and to hope they’ll forgive her. Especially now that she might be carrying a baby from her brief marriage.
Carolyn Miller’s clean and wholesome Regency romances continue with The Making of Mrs. Hale, following familiar characters as they learn how restoration can occur by finding hope and healing through a deep relationship with God. Full of rich historical details and witty banter, this series continues to draw in fans of Jane Austen, Sarah Ladd, and Julie Klassen.
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The Making of Mrs. Hale (2018) by Carolyn Miller is the final novel in her Regency Brides: A Promise of Hope series. This book comes in all forms including eBook, and is 336 pages in length. With a full-time job and a very busy six-year old at home, this novel took me four days to read. I received a copy of this book in paperback form from the author via her publisher, Kregel Publications. I also purchased an eBook copy of this book from Amazon on December 10, 2018 to review. In no way has this influenced my opinion of the story. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. I give The Making of Mrs. Hale 5 STARS. This novel is a Regency-era Christian Romance set in England.
Carolyn Miller cannot write a bad story if she tried. I have enjoyed and loved every book she has written so far, and The Making of Mrs. Hale is one of my top favorites. The plot line is highly engaging, the characters are beautifully crafted, but it is the themes that Mrs. Miller discusses in her novel that really set Mrs. Hale apart.
Carolyn begins this story with her main characters already married. The reader never really gets to see Thomas and Julia court. Instead, we readers are shown about 18 months into their marriage and things appear awful. When Julia is forced to return home without her husband she is destitute, sick, and broken. One of the very first things her immediate circle of family and friends relates to her is that she needs to divorce her husband and leave him behind. Thomas has NEVER fit their ideal as a good match, so to Julia’s family and friends he should be something Julia can get rid of easily like garbage. But, Julia loves her husband. She doesn’t understand him or what path he is on, but she loves him. Why can’t people accept her choice? Why must there be so much harsh judgement? Why does she have to leave him just because things are rough right now? And, why would people counsel her this way?
Ten years ago, I was with a group of teacher friends at a conference. We were out for dinner and the man who would be my husband was our server. As my best friend, Lara, tells it, sparks were immediate. At one point in the night, I announced to my friends that I had met my future husband. Of course, they all chuckled thinking I was enamored with a handsome man, but I knew. The thing is though NO ONE in my family was impressed. They actually tried many times to break me and Robert up. My mom was not OK with me being with a mere server, and thought he was out to get all my money — funny thing though, I don’t have any money to get! My brothers hated Robert and said mean things about him almost every chance they could find. And my dad, weeks before I got married, counseled me against marrying Robert because he was worried Robert would steal my retirement. Once I explained that Robert would have to be with me for 32 years before we would ever see my retirement, my dad backed down and finally approved my marriage. My family’s distrust and dislike of the man I had chosen to be my life partner broke my heart. I never once had the feeling that Robert was there to steal from me or take advantage of me. I knew he was the man God chose for me! Who cares about his job? He has a job, it makes him happy, and he makes decent money. Isn’t that enough? In actuality, my heart broke by my family’s insensitivity, their assuming I wasn’t good enough for a man for any other purpose than to be taken advantage of, and their meanness. It made me realize that my family did not respect me one iota, and that hurt deeply. In this sense, I 1000% relate to how Julia feels throughout this entire novel.
The first two years of my marriage were ROUGH. About five seconds after we said, “I Do,” our life took drastic turns for the worse. I’m talking BIG, SCARY things. I was counseled several times to divorce my husband. But, I refused. I didn’t say my vows on October 23, 2011 to pay lip service to God, my husband, or to our family and friends present that day. I said my vows because I meant them. Robert and I made a covenant with God and I am not about to leave just because things get hard. In our world today where jumping ship at the slightest sign of trial or suffering is normal, it is refreshing to read a story where a heroine and her hero refuse to give up on one another when the world yells at them to do so. I absolutely respect Julia’s character for honoring God and her husband by sticking it out, by finding out the truth before she made assumptions, and by remaining firm even when things felt so unstable. I applaud Julia’s ability to follow God, to forgive her husband and herself, and to ignore the screaming of the world around her. And, I applaud Carolyn Miller for writing a novel that is not afraid to profess this important message to today’s modern readers.
Thomas’s journey in The Making of Mrs. Hale reminded me of Joseph’s falls and risings in the Bible. Like Joseph, Thomas falls and rises twice. In Genesis, Joseph is thrown into a pit (fall #1) and later sold into slavery by his brothers. In The Making of Mrs. Hale, Thomas is thrown into a pit — a literal jail cell — and betrayed by men he believed were close to him. Like Joseph, Thomas does get out of this pit, but it is more like he pulls himself out of the pit. He “earns” his way out of the pit by doing what he (Thomas) thinks is best. I have always imagined that the young Joseph “earned” his way into Potiphar’s house by acting impressive, but I’ve always seen this time in Joseph’s life as being one sided and not really getting God’s purpose for him. Thomas, too, tried to do things on his own terms. Eventually, both men end up back in a pit: Joseph goes to jail for a crime he did not commit (fall #2), and Thomas reaches the bottom of the barrel because of the evil machinations of men. It is in their second pits that both Joseph and Thomas realize that only God can truly pull someone from despair. If we don’t repent and reconcile to God, we will always end up in some kind of pit that we’ll never fully get out of. Only by walking WITH God can we ever find the way out of darkness and onto His chosen path. I really love this juxtaposition of Thomas to Joseph that Mrs. Miller uses in order to remind her readers that without God we are living pitiful lives!
The Making of Mrs. Hale is an excellent story. I loved every minute I spent with Julia and Thomas, and appreciate how much I connected with this couple as a couple. I very much recommend this wonderful novel. If you are looking for a well written, highly engaging, thoughtful Regency-era story, then you must purchase a copy of The Making of Mrs. Hale immediately!
We first met Julia Hale in Winning Miss Winthrop, when Julia ran away to Gretna Green to marry Thomas Hale in defiance of her family’s wishes.
But, as the old saying goes, “Marry in haste; repent at leisure.”
Julia is left destitute after her husband disappears. Six months later, she has sold everything she can and has no choice but to return to her friends and family in London and ask for help. They are pleased to welcome her home, believing she is either an abandoned wife or (possibly) a widow. They are less pleased when Thomas Hale returns home …
This means The Making of Mrs Hale follows one of the lesser-used romance tropes: a married couple falling in love. Or perhaps they are rediscovering their love, as Julia clearly still has feelings towards Thomas and vice versa. But Julia has to fight to keep what she has—a marriage to a man she loves.
There is also an exciting suspense thread. Thomas is concerned his ending up in a Spanish prison may not have been an accident. This threatens him, Julia, and their attempts to rebuild their relationship while surrounded by disapproving family members.
I have always been a big Regency romance fan, and Carolyn Miller has established herself as a leading author in the Christian Regency genre. Her research is spot on, yet never gets in the way of the story (I wish this was universal, but I find there are more authors who think they can write authentic Regency than actually can).
In contrast, Carolyn Miller consistently comes up with realistic yet detailed plots.
She fills her novels with realistic, complex characters facing issues that are true to the historic period, yet resonate with modern readers. Her novels are also definitely (and perhaps defiantly) Christian. They’re not just “clean”. Her characters are forced to evaluate themselves and their relationship with God, which is a refreshing contrast to a lot of the fiction being published by CBA publishers. Overall, I recommend Carolyn Miller and The Making of Miss Hale to anyone looking for genuine Christian Regency fiction.
Thanks to Kregel Publications and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
“I have known what it is to hold onto bitterness and resentment; it is not something I wish for anyone I care about to dwell with. Unforgiveness is a poison that shrivels the heart. It means a person cannot truly live in the present as they’re always thinking about the past.”
Oh, what a most excellent conclusion to A Promise of Hope series! This book can definitely be read as a stand alone, but reading the first two books (Winning Miss Winthrop and Miss Serena’s Secret) will heighten the reader’s understanding of Julia and Thomas on their incredibly rocky journey together. As is her trademark, the author Carolyn Miller infuses this well-written story with her beautiful writing style, wonderful and oftentimes amusing dialogue, broken yet unforgettable characters, and strong spiritual threads.
Julia, if you have been following the series, is no longer the whimsical selfish young girl. Thomas is no longer the selfish, angry, amoral young soldier. Time, distance, and tragic circumstances have forced both to grow up and mature. Julia’s compassion makes her a lovable character and Thomas’ selflessness and persistence in his love for Julia makes him a hero as they battle their past, present, and perceived future. Their conversion scenes are soul-stirring. And the intrigue and mystery woven into the story are the icing on the cake.
The secondary characters make the story so much more delicious – Catherine/Jon (from Winning Miss Winthrop), Serena/Harry (from Miss Serena’s Secret), and Lavinia/Nicholas (from A Legacy of Grace series) have prominent roles in this book and seeing them was like meeting old friends again.
If you enjoy historical romance, especially set in the Regency era, you will want to read this book! All of Carolyn Miller’s books!
I was given a copy of the book from Kregel Publications and was under no obligation to post a review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
‘She should have known it was too much to ask for help from a God she scarcely believed in.’
When I read Carolyn Miller’s very first novel, I knew I had found a wonderful author. Miller writes a top-notch Regency and does it very well. If you’re a fan of Jane Austen, give this author a try.
This last novel in Miller’s ‘A Promise of Hope’ series in her Regency brides format, tells Julia Hale’s story. Julia ran off to Gretna Green to marry Thomas Hale in the last book, going against the wishes of her family for love. Now her husband is gone and she has no idea where to find him or even if he will return, so she goes home, bedraggled, hungry and moneyless, hoping her family will forgive her and take her in.
Major Thomas Hale has spend all his life trying to get away from his horrible past, but he can never avoid the consequences of his actions. He is being marked by those who want nothing more than to eliminate him as a threat to their existence. He can’t seem to shake those who pursue him and now he may lost his wife forever.
Will this broken hearted wife and downtrodden husband manage to make their marriage work? Even if everyone is against them? Will they find the strength to hang onto what they vowed to do?
Carolyn Miller has written a super good one this time, although all her books are great. I’ve been waiting for Julia’s story and I was not disappointed. Miller takes us to their heartbreaks, joys and hopes and even their relationship with Christ. There were points in the story where I wept at the goodness of God. Miller has outdone herself here. I loved her wonderful spiritual theme of redemption and forgiveness! It was akin to hearing a great sermon. Bravo! Highly recommended.
*My thanks to the publisher and author for a preview copy of this book. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.
Miller has crafted an exquisite masterpiece! I appreciate the strong spiritual truths of love and forgiveness within this novel. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Miller.
Recommend to readers who enjoy inspirational, regency fiction.
I borrowed a copy from my library. I’ve expressed my honest opinion.
I’ve always enjoyed Carolyn Miller’s storys and I liked this series. This was well written but still my least favorite of the series. All in all I recommend it because ervery one is different and she’s still a skilled author. I understand the not wanting outside people to get in the middle of a marriage and fighting for the marriage to survive. I think she did a good job in expressing this. However, given the past of Mr. Hale I can see where the concerns come from. I think if the h & H were more: thanks for your concern we understand where you’re coming from but this is for us to work out. Also, Mr. Hale seemed a little too unrepentent of his poor choices at times. Otherwise the process of them coming together and the mystery were interesting. I will continue to read and be excited for all of Caroly Millers books.
The Making of Mrs. Hale is the third book in Carolyn Miller’s Regency Brides: Promise of Hope series and definitely worth reading especially those who love Regency novels evocative of Jane Austen.
When Julia Hale finds herself without money, a home, with a possible child on the way and a husband nowhere to be found her only option is to go home to her family hoping that they will forgive her for her betrayal.
Major Thomas Hale is on the run after being imprisoned for months, but evading his enemies is becoming just as big of a challenge as finding and making things right with his estranged wife. His past has come back to haunt him and has all but destroyed the trust of his best friend and wife.
Both Julia and Thomas need to find the strength it takes to find restoration in their relationships with family and that of God’s before finding redemption in their marriage.
I really enjoyed this book and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more books by Carolyn Miller in the future.
I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.
The Making of Mrs. Hale, by Carolyn Miller, is a captivating novel set in Great Britain during the Regency era. Though it happens to be the third book in the Regency Brides: A Promise of Hope series, it can be read quite well as a stand-alone novel. With elements of mystery, adventure, romance, and faith, this story is thoroughly intriguing and entertaining from beginning to end. From the characters’ clothing, to their mannerisms, and especially to the vocabulary of their thoughts and speech, this well-researched novel fully succeeds in immersing the reader in the history and culture of the time period.
With a genuinely intriguing plot, The Making of Mrs. Hale is exceedingly clever and character-driven. This novel creatively explores the themes of loss, love, redemption, honor, courage, and forgiveness through a varied cast of entertaining and interesting characters who are richly developed and compelling. The characters are vulnerable and thoughtful. They possess a genuine believability that makes them truly relatable and unforgettable. Their struggles, insecurities, fears, and beliefs are truly authentic and moving. Their fortitude and determination in the face of trials and uncertainty is truly inspiring. I still feel emotionally connected to the characters because of their sincere and desperate longing for the grace and the forgiveness they needed in order to find healing for the heartaches they had endured and the mistakes they had made.
The Making of Mrs. Hale is a story of grace and second chances. Offering different possibilities and fresh perspectives, it is a story of perseverance and forgiveness. This novel is a rousing story of two hearts in search of the truth that is necessary for reconciliation and renewed hope. It is a book that beautifully depicts the gift of God’s grace that is freely offered to all.
I can easily recommend this book to readers of historical fiction who also enjoy mystery and appreciate romance as well. Ms. Miller has certainly created a compelling novel that is well worth the reader’s time and attention. I found this novel very enjoyable to read. The Making of Mrs. Hale is honest, tender, emotionally stirring, and ultimately uplifting. I recommend it wholeheartedly.
*I was given a copy of this novel by the publisher. A review was not required. The review I have written contains opinions that are entirely my own.
This book has me interested from the first page! It takes a while to get the story sorted, and you figure out what’s happening but it still keeps you interested! I loved watching Julia’s growth in this story and seeing her and Thomas forgiven and move on together. I also really enjoyed how different this story was then most.
This was my first book by Carolyn Miller but it for sure won’t be my last! She has me hooked!
Carolyn wove a beautiful regency tale that leaves you with a happy sigh, and wishing the story hadn’t ended quite so fast.
There were a few parts I thought were a little much with the sexual content and the innuendos.
*I received this book from Just Read Tours for an honest review. All opinions are my own*
The Making of Mrs. Hale #3 Regency Brides, A Promise of Hope by Carolyn Miller
As the title suggests, this story is about the making of Mrs. Julia Hale. She has married for love, going against what her family and the echelon of society dictates. However, her young marriage is anything but “happy” as she hoped. Instead, it is filled with heartache, trials and a disappearing husband with no idea of when he plans to return–if ever. Left with barely the funds for everyday needs she must decide what her next step is. Will her family accept her with open arms and forgive her or at least offer her a place of sanctuary and a place to heal?
Her husband, Major Thomas Hale, is in trouble once again. Only this time it lands him and his men in prison. He is at least comforted, somewhat, knowing that he made financial arrangements for Julia in the event his mission takes longer than he anticipated. Can he and his men escape and he return to his wife or will he remain in the dreary prison for the rest of his life?
Carolyn Miller has penned a wonderful story with realistic characters that face life’s difficulties and challenges as well as hope, grace, mercy, forgiveness and a steadfast faith. There is a wonderful message of hope and redemption woven throughout the story. Giving hope in the midst of the choices we make and the most dire circumstances we may experience, Christ can overcome all things. There are a few unexpected surprises and twists to the story-line which had me guessing as to the outcome. I loved the authors notes at the end of the book giving some insight into elopements of that time period. As always, these notes show the amount of research and the attention to details of the characters and the era the story is set by the author. A wonderful ending to the Regency Brides series.
~I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher (no monetary gain were exchanged), this is my honest review~
The Making of Mrs. Hale by Carolyn Miller is the third book in the Promise of Hope series.
One of my favorite genres is historical fiction and within that Regency is special. So when I discovered Carolyn Miller wrote in this time period, I just had to try her books. I immediately fell in love with her stories and the people who inhabit them. I have devoured each one as they came out. This one is exceptionally good.
Hope resonates through this book, even in the midst of hopeless situations.
A hasty marriage finds Julia and Major Thomas Hale at odds with eachother, mostly because Thomas has gone off on some business and has not returned, putting Julia in a precarious position. Julia has been left to fend for herself. She has run out of funds and slinks back home to London, only to find her brother and her mother gone from their residence.
Trouble seems to follow Thomas. Some might find this unrealistic, but I know of several people who fit the adage: If he didn’t have bad luck, he would have no luck at all. Thomas has landed in a Spanish prison, thinking he has left Julia provided for. There is much intrigue as the story plays out.
Carolyn Miller shows family loyalty but sometimes at the cost of showing little mercy.
Several characters take a journey of faith as they learn to forgive, repent and find their bearings and, yes, hope once more. One of the best parts was the clear-cut message of the Gospel. This was done in an authentic way as people seek the Will of God and as others help to water the faith that is there. Hard subjects such as imprisonment, poverty, and infidelity are handled with finesse and grace.
It is nice to see old friends from Carolyn’s other books dropping by and having a part in the story, too.
If you haven’t tried a book by Carolyn Miller, I highly recommend you do.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
Ms. Miller has outdone herself with this one! “The Making of Mrs. Hale” reaches new heights of emotional and literary talent!
Join Thomas and Julia on a roller-coaster ride as the try to navigate the muddied waters of a marriage that began with lies and struggles to continue through misunderstandings and betrayal. Can forgiveness truly reach down SO far?
I am SO excited about this book! It was everything I could’ve wanted and then some, everything I’ve come to expect and appreciate from this amazingly talented modern-day Jane Austen, and more! I can’t even begin to put into words how moving and thoroughly enjoyable this book was!
Having been through an ordeal myself, I can appreciate the very real struggle to forgive and move past the unforgettable and seemingly unforgivable. This book spoke to me and moved me in a way not many have done.
Bravo, Ms. Miller! You’ve, once again, managed to tackle a tough subject with the authorly skill that only a true master of the craft could!
It is so amazing the way Carolyn Miller’s books keep getting better and better. The Making of Mrs. Hale is by far the most intensely emotional story Carolyn Miller has written so far, in my opinion. The turmoil the H&h go through is heartbreaking and can bring you to tears.
The characters have been in previous books by Carolyn. Julia Hale is the younger sister to Lord Winthrop from Winning Miss Winthrop. The Hero, Julia’s husband, is Major Thomas Hale, Lord Winthrop’s former best friend.
Julia and Thomas fell in love against Julia’s brother’s edict that Thomas stay away from his young sister. Since getting her mother and brother’s blessings was impossible, the two run of to Gretna Green to be married. The book begins with Julia knocking at another of her brother’s friend’s door looking for help for her and the baby she has with her. Viscount Carmichael and his new wife Serena, from Miss Serena’s Secret, take them in and take care of them until Julia’s brother and mother get back in town. It appears Major Thomas Hale has deserted his wife and left her destitute without enough funds to care for her and baby Charles.
I truly enjoyed reading this book. Carolyn Miller is such a wonderful author and is so talented. Her stories are clean and wholesome. Something I look for in a book and am grateful to find in her books. So if you are in to clean, wholesome, historical romances, you will love this, and all her other, books. Pick up your copy and Enjoy!
I received a complimentary copy of this book without expectation of compensation and I voluntarily leave this review. All opinions are purely my own.
The Making of Mrs. Hale is one of those books readers will either love or hate. It is a given that it will offend a number of Christian readers who want the characters in the books they read to be spit shined and perfect little Christians. I’m afraid these readers need to give this particular book a pass because it is a gritty tale filled with some of the unfortunate truths about real life and sometimes that isn’t very pretty. I personally believe that the author managed to convey her story amazingly well with tactfulness and grace and a wonderful read is in store for those willing to read it with an open mind.
This book was not at all what I expected and I loved being surprised by how Julia and Thomas Hale’s story worked its way out. Many twists and surprises helped keep me guessing and I loved seeing how Julia matured into a woman who stood up for herself rather than being dominated by her mother.
The Making of Mrs. Hale is a beautiful story of redemption and faith that will bless its readers as they watch the Lord at work in the Hale’s lives. Although I read it in digital galley form, I definitely plan to purchase a bound copy to add to the rest of the series on my bookshelf.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Kregel Publications through Netgalley. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
I have absolutely fallen in love with Carolyn Miller’s regency romances!
The Making of Mrs. Hale, book 3 of the Regency Brides: Promise of Hope series kept me up to the wee hours of the night reading and caused not just a few incomplete chores.
Julia Hale, a young society woman, runs off to Greta Green to marry. Against her mother and brother’s wishes she marries a man considered to be a bit of a cad by most in their societal circle.
Julie finds herself a new bride, seemingly abandoned by that cad of a husband, destitute, sick and just barely surviving. When she makes her way home, with a babe in arms, friends and family rejoice at her return and provide refuge, while protecting her from those with wagging tongues.
Understandably, Julia’s mother and brother are livid at her seeming abandonment. Yet, the young bride holds out hope that her new husband will return to her, remembering the deep love they had for one another.
Julia finds the path to healing and forgiveness to be rather bumpy, but understanding God’s great love and forgiveness provides the courage she needs to keep moving forward.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from JustReadTours and the publishers and am not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions therein, are entirely my own.
With rich historical detail and vividly-drawn and memorable characters, Carolyn Miller has another winner with her new book, The Making of Mrs. Hale. Miller’s knowledge of societal proprieties during Regency England and her beautiful writing bring the time period alive and give the reader a feeling of authenticity. The layered characters and complex plot kept me enthralled and turning pages. Miller excels in the pacing of the story and in disclosing piece by piece the backstory of the characters. The thread of redemption, forgiveness, and grace woven into the story felt a bit overdone to me during the latter part of the story, although it helped to show the growth in both Julia and Thomas.
With lots of suspense, intrigue, adventure and added wit, humor, and romance, this book neatly wraps up the Regency Brides: Promise of Hope series. It can be read as a stand-alone book, but it’s probably more enjoyable to read the other books first, as the characters make appearances in this one. I’m eagerly looking forward to Miller’s next series. Her books are definitely on my “must read” list!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Carolyn Miller’s Regency series are some of my favorites. And with The Making of Mrs Hale, these books are elevated to an entirely new level.
Major Thomas Hale and Julia Carlew shirked social conventions when they ran away and wed in Gretna Green, but their happily ever after is quickly crushed by reality. Julia hasn’t heard from her husband in more than six months, and Thomas questions whether his wife has waited for him.
As the story unfolds, readers quickly find there is something nefarious surrounding Thomas. And Julia struggles to find her voice now that she’s back under the care of her mother and brother, who make no secret of their opinions of Thomas.
Mistakes are made, each party is wronged in a way, but with the wisdom and guidance of a few familiar friends, can Thomas and Julia learn how forgiving blesses both he person wronged and the one who committed the offense?
Miller once again brings to life this time period, this time giving us a glimpse of both the titled ton and those who scrape together their living.
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.
This book gives several treats that I so love to get in a book. Doesn’t it seem most reads end with an engagement or wedding? This one starts with a married couple! That right there is something I love in a book! It also has a non perfect marriage. Any of you married to the perfect mate? Or think perhaps you are that perfect mate? ( or at least closer than yours?) This book deals with some real life raw issues …things that can occur in marriage.
So many books are written on the falling in love part, but after one takes their wedding vows, that’s the beginning of a new journey. I SO enjoy books that follow that journey. The author does a great job of dealing with the subject, and it has a wonderful hope and redemption message so well weaved into the story. The characters are real and engaging, the plot interesting and pulls in the reader, and the themes of love, faith, hope, and forgiveness are all beautifully done. Do yourself a favor and read this book! There is another element I love dearly, but I’m not one for spoilers so you will have to read it yourself!
I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
The Making of Mrs. Hale is the third and final book in the Regency brides:Promise of Hope series and it was a wonderful conclusion to the series. This book features Julia and Major Hale. Their story is a story that isn’t always featured in a Christian book and I felt it was a beautiful tale of redemption. Miller did a great job of showing how God can bring forgiveness even when there is infidelity. I felt the heartache of both the hero and the heroine. I also loved how the author tied up all the loose ends from the other two stories. I really do love these books by Mrs. Miller and I look forward to the next series of books by her.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and I have given my honest opinion
This book is perhaps a bit of a different romance in that the characters are married before the opening pages. Unlike still others, this is not a marriage of convenience story, either: their marriage begins in love but a hasty elopement, then endures separation and interference. The characters undergo tremendous obstacles to be together, both physically and emotionally, sometimes despairing of a happily-ever-after ending. After all of the pain and heartache, can they find true love together at last?
As with Miller’s earlier novels, the prose is beautiful and well-written, engaging the emotions as well as telling a compelling story about love, forgiveness, and endurance in the face of adversity. Julia is a strong female character with depth undiscovered before extreme trials forced her to plumb them, and her efforts on behalf of her husband and of little Charlie are inspiring. I did not care much for her impetuous and somewhat immature nature in earlier novels, but she won me over quickly in this book!
The spiritual component is strong and deeply engaging. Thomas is far from a paragon as the book begins and yet his humility and desire to honestly do right despite the past makes him so sympathetic that his status as a hero was unquestioned in my mind. The scenes toward the latter parts of his journey to faith were beautifully written and heartfelt.
I cannot believe that this particular series has come to an end, that the characters I have come to know and love are now settled and I must move on. Happily, another series is in the works and I have hope of revisiting these characters again in a secondary capacity. I highly recommend this satisfying conclusion to the series for those who enjoy Regency novels, whether or not they have read the previous books, and for those who enjoy fiction with a strong redemption message.
I received a review copy of this book from the author and publisher but was under no obligation to post a positive review. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.