A WAGER WITH THE MATCHMAKER by Jody Hedlund, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #newRelease
A SHANAHAN MATCH Book #3PAULA'S REVIEW:
Bellamy McKenna strikes another match. This time Kiernan Shanahan is the target of his expertise. This was a peek at the Irish immigrant life in St. Louis in 1849. I learned a lot about the Irish who came to America and made a real go of it.
Kiernan tries to prove himself a businessman but the bad element of society wanted to see him fail. Lots of interesting facts about brickmaking and the need for safe building materials after the great fire. I can attest to lots of brick buildings in St. Louis, having lived there for 20 years.
The characters were well drawn. Alannah wanted to be near her brother and live peacefully but a bully had other ideas. Clever Bellamy wagered that she would fall in love. A favorite character was Zaira who saw Alannah as a friend and not merely a maid. And I loved when Kiernan gifted Alannah with the books.
Ms. Hedlund brings together a caring hero, a skittish heroine, danger to mix things up, and a faith thread that shows the characters doing their best to honor God.
*A complementary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House through Interviews and Reviews via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*5 stars and a solid faith thread
BackCover Blurb:
After
her brother's entanglement with an Irish gang threatens their family's
safety, Alannah Darragh flees St. Louis and her troubled past, seeking
refuge as a maid for the affluent Shanahan family. Alannah's resolve to
avoid romance is tested by the undeniable attraction she feels for
Kiernan Shanahan. Determined to maintain her position and the safety it
provides, she vows to resist the pull of her heart despite the growing
bond between them and their undeniable chemistry.
In the wake of
a devastating fire, Kiernan Shanahan sees a shrewd opportunity to
invest in a clay mine and brickyard to aid the city's rebuilding. To
secure his venture, he seeks a wealthy bride with a substantial dowry.
However, the matchmaker he consults has different plans. As danger looms
and Alannah fights to keep her brother safe, Kiernan's protective
instincts draw them closer, but a future together seems too far out of
reach. It will take a miracle--or a wager with the wily matchmaker--to
form a match between the unlikely couple.
Award-winning author
Jody Hedlund presents a sweeping finish to her Irish matchmaking series
with sizzling chemistry and closed-door romance for fans of the marriage
of convenience trope, Mimi Matthews, and Elizabeth Camden.
Bethany House Publishing, May, 2025
Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:
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