June

Brides of the West #2

by Lori Copeland

Lori Copeland continues her historical romance series, Brides of the West, with book 2, June. Mail-order bride June Kallahan arrives in Seattle from Michigan to discover that her intended, Eli Messenger, the assistant to a famous evangelist named Isaac Inman, is ill. After he dies, June stays on to work at the local orphanage, where she realizes Inman is allowing the orphans to go without in order to build a showy tabernacle. A romance blooms between June and Parker Sentell, a friend of Eli’s, as they try to convince Inman of the errors of his thinking. Readers will learn the important lesson that God is ever faithful, even when we don’t understand his plan or purpose in our lives. June delivers a lighthearted, entertaining story along with strong moral values and a Christian worldview.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Romance, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Christian Romance, Historical

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Lori Copeland was born on 12 June 1941. She had a relatively late start in writing, breaking into publishing in 1982 when she was already forty years old. Over the next dozen years, her romance novels achieved much success, as was evidenced by her winning the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award, The Holt Medallion, and Walden Books' Best Seller award. She has been inducted into the Missouri Writers Hall of Fame.

Despite her success in more mainstream romantic fiction, in 1995, she decided to switch focus. Her subsequent books have been in the relatively new subgenre of Christian romance. She has also collaborated with authors Angela Elwell Hunt or Virginia Smith on a series of Christian romance novels.

Lori and her husband of over forty years, Lance, live in Springfield, Missouri, surrounded by the beautiful Ozarks. They have three grown sons, three daughter-in-laws, and six wonderful grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters. She and her husband are very involved in their church, and active in supporting mission work in Mali, West Africa.

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast, light read about recognizing God's purpose for your life. I am really enjoying this mail order bride series!

[Blondish And Bookish · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not realize this was Christian Fiction when I started the book, and as I don’t generally read that genre I am not addressing that part in my review. But I like to finish any book I start, so here we are!

June and her two sisters sign up to be mail order brides to “decent, God-fearing men”. June heads off to Seattle, only to find her future husband deathly ill, and he expires shortly after her arrival. Somehow she seems to have the ability to support herself, while working hard collecting money for the church.

Ok, so this is a slight improvement over the first book in the series, Faith, but still not great. June was again not a super likeable character. She was kind of annoying—especially when she informed her friend, May, that “there is always time for church!”. Um, excuse me, but May is single handedly caring for an orphanage full of orphans that have no money, little food, little clothing, no resources, and at the same time providing hospice care for her dying aunt. You know, June, just maybe May DOESN’T have time for church right now?? June could have offered to come over early on Sunday to help prepare breakfast for the orphans and help get them dressed and ready, and to feed and care for the sick aunt, but no. She just informs May that May’s best efforts aren’t good enough for her. I woulda smacked her.

And what kind of town is that, where they ignore starving orphans so that they can build a fancier church? No one has money to spare for a little food for the children, but they give till it hurts for the sparkly bedazzled new church—that Reverend Inman wants to build as a tribute to his late wife. Repeatedly, June asks the Reverend if some money can be spared for the kids, and he turns her away each time because the new church is more important. When she starts a small side business and donates that money to the orphanage, the Reverend gets angry because all the money should go to the church. When she gets people to donate separate money for the kids, the Rev gets mad because June should be spending all her time working for the church. Really didn’t like Reverend Inman much.

After her intended, Eli, dies, June clashes with his best friend, Parker. Despite that, June finds feelings stirring within her when she’s around Parker. I actually liked Parker, because he was a good guy (and he didn’t like the Reverend either!).

As expected, everyone eventually sees the error of their ways and it all ends happily ever after. It’s just hard to be satisfied with the story when so many of the characters aren’t likeable.

[Miss Clark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Huh, not really much to say. Mining town. Predictable romance. Girl leaves. Guy follows. They declare their love. There is plenty of faith discussions. Etc. Yep.


2021: Again, need to check reviews before bothering with a reread.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun, well-written novel with great characters. I really enjoyed June's story, and I found some of her predicaments to be highly entertaining.

[D.J. Lang · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am about to add a whole lot of books by Lori Copeland -- I was told my mom would like her books. I did not realize that I was reading them out of order, but I read each one within a 24 hour period so it wasn't an issue. Clean romance. The book reminded me of an old tv series titled "Here Come the Brides". The series is fun (both the tv and the books), ludicrous at times; still, I thought back to some recent tv series and movies I've watched and they were ludicrous as well. The book series is also highly Christian, but somehow I didn't mind it. The books were a good diversion.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book about a mail order bride....loss and redemption.

[Rochelle Saldaña · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book had serious potential at the beginning. However, I couldn’t get past the sappy, forced Christianity. Don’t think I’m against that. I have been a Christ-follower for my entire life. This was just over the top, forced, and unrealistic.

[Tamara Tilley · Rating 3 out of 5]

June leaves for Washington to become the wife of a pastor. When she arrives, she finds her betrothed is ill. Not thinking it anything too serious, she gets to know the other people that belong to the Evangelistic Crusade that Eli (her betrothed) has dedicated his life to. When Eli passes away, June wonders if her decision to become a mail-order bride was God's plan for her. Confident that it was, she decides her new calling is to stay on and help see Eli's dream of building a tabernacle dedicated to God realized. When Eli's best friend, Parker Sentell speaks of his displeasure about the tabernacle, June realizes not everyone is as excited about the Reverend Inman and his crusade. June soon begins to spread herself thin working with the crusade, ministring to logging camps in the vacinity, and helping out her friend whose Aunt runs the local orphanage. When the needs of the orphange begins to pull at June's heart strings, she begins to wonder if it is really God's will that the tabernacle be built, or just the obsession of Reverand Inman. When her feelings begin to grow for Parker Sentell she finds herself in a quandry of a different sort.

June was an enjoyable book. Though it was slow in places and predictable I continued to read, wanting to know how it ended. This wasn't a fast past book or page turner, but I enjoyed the characters, the setting, and Lori Copeland's easy way of writing.

[Sherri · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn't my favorite of the trilogy. Not a page turning thriller, but enough to keep me reading on just how it would end, albeit a little predictable and fast. June came across as young and naive. Easy,clean read.

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series about 3 sisters who answer ads to be mail-order brides. The story really flows well and has a solid Christian message. The outcome is a bit predictable, but I would have been disappointed with any other outcome.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in the series, so another mail order bride. Interesting turn of events shows this character how God works for a purpose, even if we don't understand why.

[Crystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read and did not care for the first book of this series but felt I should give the second a shot. Unfortunately I also did not care for this book. I've read many Christian fiction novels but this one was a bit much for me. Given it involves a preacher I did expect more mention of religion than other such books, but even so the balance was a bit off for me. As with the first book I had a hard time seeing the romantic connection between the two main characters. There was so much focus on how they didn't get along and very little on moments between them that worked that it was difficult to imagine them in love. Considering how I met my husband (online), I am a sucker for a good mail order bride story. I may try one more in this series to see if I can connect with those characters better.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

June is the youngest Kallahan sister and her book is the second book in this series. The ad she answers takes her to Seattle, Washington where her groom to be is a preacher. What I appreciated the most from this was her her determination to get church services out to the miners and to help the children at the orphanage. I have to admit though at first I thought I started the wrong book because her sister Hope has already replied to an ad and is living in Kentucky at the beginning of this book. I don’t quit know why the author wrote them like this but it is what it is.

So far these are excellent mail order bride stories.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

June is an excellent book! It shows God's love, mercy and forgiveness throughout the entire book. June starts from home as a Mail Order Bride for Eli Messanger. She meets a friend along the way and they become thicker than thieves. When they arrive, June is a bit disappointed that he has shown up but instead she meets her idol, Rev. Inman that Eli has talked about. Eli of course is sick and doesn't make it but his friend, Parker has a hard time with it. June tries to help them both come to terms with their unrealistic dreams. I loved it!

[Julynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice read about Seattle, a ministry, a mail order bride, an orphanage, and a log camp.....with topsy turvy twists and unmet expectations.....broken faith restored, strong faith shaken and repentance for missing God's best....it was a good book. I loved when in the last chapter, we get to see Faith, Nicholaus and Mother Shepherd again! I enjoyed June and Samantha's friendship and seeing a community come around the orphanage to help out. Parker and June's relationship was redemptive in the end....looking forward to reading about sister Hope next!

[Vickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little long and boring

This book had its good moments that were interesting and enjoyable to read, but it also had pages of writing I just skipped because it was so long and boring. The story got better as it went along. I did like the main characters, but they rarely interacted until the ending. I wouldn’t read this book again, but I do love almost all of Lori Copeland’s books, so this one was an exception.

[Latrice Pearl · Rating 4 out of 5]

June goes to Washington to marry a young preacher. When she arrives he is ill and dies shortly after. June decides to stay and finish his holy works. She likes the people and the town. She becomes friends with Sam who's aunt runs the local orphanage. When Sam's aunt dies, she and Sam work to save the orphanage. Only there's one problem, June has to choose between her fiancé's dream or saving the orphanage. Well written Christian romance. I enjoyed reading this book.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I read this book many years ago, but I was looking for an audio book I could listen to while exercising. The book is good but predictable. I didn't like the preacher who wanted all the money funneled for his tabernacle rather than going to the orphans. It was sad how people gave to the tabernacle while there were more urgent needs. In the end, all works out.

[Kathy Knutsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A typical romance with humor, questions , misunderstandings. But this one was woven with Christian objectives and goals by characters and how they thought they should be interpreted. The development of the characters included listening to God and using a new set of guides. Guides of God and what was really important

[Kristy Hurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unshakeable faith and a determination like you've never seen keep June doing the Lord's work when her betrothed dies. The Lord uses her to teach other people many lessons through her works and boundless love. He provides her a perfect match as well, but that relationship has turmoil initially. Excellent book!

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story, although it was a little predictable.
And it might be nit-picky, but I didn't like the way the author wrote how Ben spoke. It came off very fake to me. All I could picture in my mind when I read his parts was the giant in the Disney version of Jack and tree beanstalk. Lol!

[Kimmie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first discovered these types of stories when I was about 10 ish and just absolutely fell in love. This being my very first of historical romance I believe that it really changed my reading forever. I wish every time I opened up a historical romance book that it would be just like this series.

[Rose Eskridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

June is a fabulous book!

Lori Copeland is my very favorite author! She brings characters to life so well, ya feel like ya are being drawn right into her story, plus she always tells about Jesus,

[Erin Woodall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice, quick read. June was a very stubborn woman, but she stuck to what she believed in. I learned several new phrases and words from Sam - she was a lot of fun. It was a good book, kind of predictable, but that's ok.

[Salinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this story pretty well. I did find it to be disappointing that June goes into the logging camps to preach services. The story was sweet though and very mild romance. I did enjoy it.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was as good as the first. I’m finding a peace in these books and appreciating them more. My grandmother was amazing - asking me to promise to read this series.

[Terry Yaceyko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok Story. Wouldn't read it again.

[Louise King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming Christian romance

[Sandra Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet

This story was sweet. You can really see the love for God that June has, you can feel her faith in human kind. She’s sweet and therefore her love for Parker is sweet.

[Robin Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story with real Christian struggles.