“Love Finds You in Mackinac Island, Michigan” by Melanie Dobson Book Review

By Ruth on August 4, 2012 in book, Christian fiction, historical fiction, review, romance
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As the Gilded Age comes to a close, Elena Bissette’s once-wealthy family has nearly lost its fortune. The Bissettes still own a home on fashionable Mackinac Island, where they will spend one last summer in the hope of introducing Elena to a wealthy suitor. But Elena is repulsed by the idea of marrying for money.
Quickly tiring of the extravagant balls, Elena spends most evenings escaping back into Mackinac’s rugged forest. There she meets Chase, a handsome laborer who shares her love for the night sky. The two begin to meet in secret at an abandoned lighthouse, where they work together to solve a mystery buried in the pages of a tattered diary.
As Elena falls in love with Chase, her mother relentlessly contrives to introduce her to Chester Darrington, the island’s most eligible bachelor. Marriage to the elusive millionaire would solve the Bissettes’ financial woes, and Elena is torn between duty and love.
Melanie Dobson has written ten contemporary and historical novels including five releases in Summerside’s Love Finds You series. In 2011, two of her releases won Carol Awards: Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa (for historical romance) and The Silent Order (for romantic suspense).
Melanie received her undergraduate degree in journalism from Liberty University and her master’s degree in communication from Regent University. Prior to her writing career, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family and a publicist for The Family Channel. She later launched her own public relations company and worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for more than fifteen years.
Melanie and her family enjoy their home in the Pacific Northwest. The entire Dobson family loves to travel and hike in both the mountains and along the cliffs above the Pacific.
When Melanie isn’t writing or playing with her family, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, line dancing, and reading inspirational fiction.
For more about Melanie Dobson and her books, visit www.melaniedobson.com.

Love Finds You in Mackinac Island, MichiganLove Finds You in Mackinac Island, Michigan by Melanie Dobson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First off, this is your typical Christian historical romance.  It has all the elements that make this an easy summer read, and of course, there are the charming elements that you love about stories like this.  The characters are basically delightful, and Christian principles are clearly definitely present.  You will find nothing offensive in this book.  No sex, no profanity, sweet romance, nice ladies and gentlemen of old.

For me, this was way too typical and unrealistic.  Well-written, yes.  I loved Chase, and I appreciated Elena.  There was the typical overbearing mother and lenient father (kind of like “Pride and Prejudice.”)  In fact, in many ways, this was Jane Austen’s classic tale all over again.  Until I wrote that line, I had not seen the similarities–there are many.  Marry for money, not love.  Unscrupulous men.

I would recommend this book to the true romantics in our midst.  There were a couple parts that did surprise me, but mostly it is straightforward and sometimes just a little too sappy for me.  But all in all, I enjoyed it.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

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RuthView all posts by Ruth
Ruth Hill is an entertainment journalist, digital media strategist, and creative professional who believes in the power of storytelling to inspire, encourage, and connect people. With years of experience interviewing actors, filmmakers, authors, and other creative professionals, Ruth has developed a passion for discovering the stories behind the people who bring entertainment to life. Her interviews and reviews reflect her appreciation for authentic storytelling, meaningful performances, and the creative individuals working both in front of and behind the camera. Through her digital media business, Media From the Heart, Ruth works with actors, filmmakers, authors, and organizations to help them connect with audiences through social media strategy, video production, YouTube optimization, website development, and digital marketing. A Washington State native, Ruth lives in the Yelm area and is the proud mother of an adult daughter. A former music educator and lifelong creative, she continues to pursue her passion for music, writing, and the arts. At the heart of everything Ruth does is her Christian faith, which inspires her commitment to seeing the best in others,

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