Faith

November 1, 1998
Prolific author Copeland (With This Ring, LJ 2/1/98) kicks off another historical Western series with this pleasing tale of mail-order brides set in 1872. When their pastor father dies suddenly, leaving little money, three sisters realize that they need to take drastic action to survive. Each answers a newspaper ad soliciting Christian brides. Faith goes to Texas, where her intended, a well-to-do rancher named Nicholas Shepherd, seems to be having second thoughts. While her wedding is repeatedly postponed, Faith meets a local widower and decides to teach his blind son Braille. In time, Nicholas begins to realize that he may have lost Faith to another man. Although this is not the freshest premise, Copeland endows his characters with enough liveliness to make the book a fun light read. Recommended, especially for Copeland's growing group of fans.