To Love and Cherish
By Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller
Published by Bethany House
Published on August 2012
Source: Finished Copy from Publisher
Summary taken from Goodreads:
A Story of Romance and Intrigue on a Beautiful Island Resort, From Two Bestselling Authors
When Melinda Colson's employer announces they'll be leaving Bridal Veil Island to return to their home in Cleveland, Melinda hopes her beau, Evan, will propose. But Evan isn't prepared to make an offer of marriage until he knows he can support a wife and family. Evan works as the assistant gamekeeper on Bridal Veil but hopes to be promoted soon.
Letters strengthen their love, but Melinda remains frustrated at being apart from the man she wants to spend the rest of her life with. Then she learns of a devastating hurricane in Bridal Veil and knows she must give up her position as a lady's maid and make her way back to Evan.
The destruction on Bridal Veil is extensive, meaning every available person is needed to help with cleanup and repairs. Melinda finds a new job on the island, but Evan seems even busier than before, meaning she still never gets to see him. Has she given her heart to the wrong man?
And when Melinda overhears a vicious plot against President McKinley, who is scheduled to visit the island, is Evan the one she should turn to? Will Melinda and Evan ever get the chance to stand at the front of a church and promise "to love and cherish"?
I love the cover of this book! It reminds me of a painting and in just absolutely gorgeous! I love the colors, the feel, and how it is a bit different than other Christian fiction covers out there.
As for the book, well, I struggled. My main problem- I didn't like Melinda or Evan. I felt like in writing Melinda, the author was making it obvious to the reader that she was at fault. I didn't appreciate that- especially when I didn't think she was altogether wrong for her feelings. Based on what I had read- Melinda and Evan hadn't simply been together for a month or two- they had been together for a few years.... I don't think it is extreme at all to be expecting some sort of marriage proposal. Now Even... well *shudders*. I really wanted Melinda to drop Evan throughout this whole book. He was a very weak character. I felt like he was the kind of person who never made decisions for himself but let life happen to him. I know I was supposed to be rooting for Melinda and Evan, but I kept waiting for the REAL hero of the story to arrive.
As for the vicious plot against President McKinley... well that didn't show up until the last few chapters of the book. A majority of the book is Melinda whining that Evan won't propose, and Evan acting completely oblivious to everyone and everything around him.
I was incredibly disappointed by the characters in this book and the book in general. I can recommend numerous other books before this one. I have determined that I may simply not like this author, as I felt the same way about her characters in other books.
