In Lena Nelson Dooley's Brides of Minnesota, the brothers of the Jenson family are the focus of an intriguing trilogy of novellas. In addition to hearing about each brother's experience finding a wife, we also learn about the challenges faced by Swedish immigrants in Minnesota.

The three stories are "The Other Brother," "His Brother's Castoff" and "Double Deception." I believe "Double Deception" is my favorite of the three stories.

Overall, the stories were enjoyable and consistent. Dooley did a good job of illuminating and describing the changes brought about by relocating so far to begin a new life. There was also a clear message of faith, which I always value. However, I thought the "tell not show" element of storytelling weighed down a lot of the narrative.

I liked the trilogy as a whole, especially since they were connected and focused on the same family.

You'll like Brides of Minnesota if you're looking for a book with a consistent theme running through all the stories.

I received an advanced review copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I am voluntarily leaving this review.

An interesting read with characters interconnected through the 3 stories. Readers will learn about forgiveness, overcoming jealousy, and not letting circumstances define you. Powerful lessons in three interesting romances.

This is a good collection of stories from Barbour Publishing featuring a great author. Fun, interconnected stories that hold your attention and keep you reading. A good book to read in those times that you need light, enetertaining reading. I look forward to reading this one again.
Sweet, clean reading with no bad language or embarrassing scenes.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to give a positive review. This is my honest opinion of the book.

I really loved the three connecting stories in this book !!
In the first book a bride comes all the way from Sweden to marry her fiance. Only to find out from his older brother that he married someone else in another town. This causes a domino effect in the first two stories. The stories all deal with anger and jealousy. As well as forgiveness. The third story has a lot of twists and turns and is my favourite story of the three.
I just wish that the sister in this story has a happy ending as well. It never said if she met and married anyone as well.

This was a collection of three stories that take place in Minnesota in the late 1800s. They were sweet and faith-based. Each was well written and very detailed. My only complaint is that for novellas, it was at a pace with not enough to keep my attention so it seemed to drag. I recommend for anyone that likes these genres.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

Brides of Minnesota by Lena Nelson Dooley is a book with three interconnected stories. This is an inspirational historical romance. It is very Christian based with lots of scripture references and a clean way of living by the Swedish families. All the stories are well developed and full of God’s guidance. I loved the area and characters described in the three stories. It held my interest and was hard to put the book down. I recommend this book to any Christians that love a good, clean romance.

Netgalley provided me with an advance copy for my honest review.

Brides of Minnesota is 3 stories in 1 and part of the 50 States of Love Series. The stories follow the unexpected love between 4 women who think because of their circumstances that they won't find love again only to find the love of their life with God's guidance. The stories of 4 women who are living in the late 19th century in rural/small town Minnesota. The stories follow a Swedish immigrant family in Litchfield and how God shows them the path he wants them to take. Through love and understanding these couples become the people they're supposed to be with the perfect person God has given them. They have their hardships and misunderstandings but with God's help work through the issues to have a life together with God guiding the way.

The Other Brother brings together Olina Sandstrom and Gustaf Nilsson. Olina arrives in America thinking she is marrying the man she loves but is confused when his oldest brother shows up to get her in New York after coming over from Sweden. Gustaf is angry because he has to solve his brother's problem like he always does, so trying to soften the blow of his brother's marriage to another woman. He ends up just blurting it out. Olina is taken to the Nilsson farm where she tries to figure out what to do, not revealing that she has been disowned by her family. Olina & Gustaf are attracted to each other but try to ignore the emotions because he's supposed to be about the offer marriage to another woman and she's trying to get over his brother. Olina sends a letter home but when she receives a very disturbing reply she reveals that she has been disowned by her family. Gustaf's sister & Olina make some dresses for themselves and the dresses catch the attention of the mercantile owner and are asked to make her a dress, When she brings her sister-in-law to them and she wants several dresses before she leaves for home they set up a temporary shop in the hotel. The dresses are such a success that they start a shop in the house Gustaf has bought that they thought would be perfect for the shop. They move in and Gustaf starts to spend time with them at meals to keep an eye on them. Olina and Gustaf end up falling in love. When he falls off the roof Olina realizes she loves him. Gustaf has known for quite awhile that he loves Olina and even had broken up with the woman he'd courted for years. Olina writes to forgive her father when she finds her way back to God with Gustaf's help. She's disappointed every time she doesn't receive a reply. Olina receives a surprise visit from her mother who tells her about her father's death but that he had wanted to forgive her before he died. Olin's mother stays for the wedding.

His Brother's Castoff is the love story of Anna Jenson and August Nilsson. August has been in love with Anna since he first saw her shortly after arriving in Litchfield. He's also been trying to fight his jealousy of the men who have courted her including his brother Gustaf. Anna is a month away from marrying her fiancé when he decides to go on a hunting trip to earn a lot of money. They fight when she tries to warn him off and as it turns out Anna was right because he comes home 2 days before the wedding dead and the funeral is held on her wedding day. Anna takes this as a sign from God that there isn't a man who will love her as much as she wants him to. While helping at the dress shop Anna gets to know August better and worries about him when he goes hunting and a snow storm hits. Anna takes over Olina's half of the dress shop which is doing so much business that it moves into town thanks to the mercantile owner's suggestion. Gerda & Anna move into an apartment above the stores. Anna and August become friends and start getting closer. When a stranger and his daughter show up in town and the stranger & a farmer show some attention to Anna. August's jealousy comes back and puts a wedge between them. August & Anna confide in Gerda and Gustaf about the feeling. they have for each other. Anna realizes she's in love with August when he's injured when the town livery burns down and he went in after a horse, August starts courting Anna and goes to Minneapolis to buy a buggy & horse but when he's late Anna worries. August returns home he takes Anna for a ride where he proposes. He builds a house near Gustaf and realize that the paths they've travelled was what God intended for them.

Double Deception follows the romances of Lowell & Ollie Jenson and Marissa and Clarissa Voss. Rissa LeBlanc shows up as a visitor to Litchfield with her father in His Brother's Castoff. She returns in this book and catches the attention of both Lowell and Ollie. Lowell had met her on her first visit and Ollie meets her on this one. Thinking that they are falling for the same woman puts tension and distance between the brothers. Their father wants them to heal their differences but it hasn't really worked when he becomes sick and dies he puts in his will that they can't sell their half of the farm for a year & Ollie decides to build his own house for his future family because they can't seem to get past the discord. Ollie is getting all of Rissa's attention until one day when Lowell comes to town and she starts giving him attention. Ollie believes something is wrong and they can't figure it out and Lowell thinks she needs their help. Clarissa and Marissa are making friends and have been wanting to get away from their stepfather for a long time but can't figure out how because of how he's treated them. Neither brother likes Rissa's father and they can't agree on how to handle the situation of why her feelings have changed. Deciding to go away to think Lowell goes hunting and comes across the twins together, When they lie to him about why they're in the forest together he goes to get August to take care of the farm while he takes Ollie to the twins. Together Lowell and Ollie get the truth out of the twins and Ollie goes to get the sheriff who comes and they come up with a plan to catch their stepfather in his scheme. The sheriff catches their stepfather and he is so angry that he rants at them when he's arrested and after they testify at the trial after he's convicted. Marissa and Clarissa are brought to the Jenson farm and are taken under the mother's wing and she teaches them how to cook and do household chores. They want to learn about God so the Jenson's teach them and take them to church. Once the trial is over and the twins decide to stay Lowell and Ollie propose and are accepted and they have a double wedding.

Lena Nelson Dooley is an amazing author...the story line of this novel captured my attention from the first chapter...until the end. Enjoy this story...I did!

If you are like me, who was raised partially in Minnesota, this is a cute set of short novellas that emcompass a beautiful representation of the state. Like the other 'Brides of...' books, this one is clean, full of happy endings, and faith. I recommend these to those who want an easy, but fulfilling read.

Brides of Minnesota

3-in-1 Historical Romance

by Lena Nelson Dooley

Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Barbour Books

Christian , Romance

Pub Date 01 Dec 2017


I am reviewing a copy of Brides Of Minnesota through Barbour Books and Netgalley:


In the first story The Other Brother we are taken back to 1891 where we meet Olina Sandstorm. Olita had come to America to Marry Lars. But can she Marry a man she doesn't even really know, when her heart is still grieving?


In the second story His Brothers Cast Off we are taken back to 1894 Minnesota where we are introduced to Anna Jensen who will soon be marrying Olaf Johanson she dreams of starting a family but Olaf leaves on a three week trip a month before the wedding, despite Anna pleading with him not to go, she has a bad feeling about this trip, despite Olaf's promise to be back in time for the weeding.


This will be the one time Olaf wasn't able to keep his promise to Anna and ends up getting killed!


In the third story Double Deception we are taken back to 1895 where we meet Clariss Voss and Pierre Le Blanc. Clarissa has come from New Orleans to Minnesota to visit her twin sister. Marissa and Clarissa lost their Mother when they were both ten. Clarissa and Marissa only want to get Pierre Le Blanc Out Of their lives.

Clarissa and Marissa want to believe they can be forgiven for the sins Pierre made them commit, the robberies, but can it really be so easy?

I give The Brides Of Minnesota five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Gustaf is always fixing his younger brother’s mistakes and taking on his responsibilities. This time, that means he has a heart-broken ex-fiancée, half a world from home on his hands. August has always been jealous of his older brother Gustaf, but falling in love with his ex is too much, right? Lowell and Ollie think they’ve both fallen for the same women, but why does she give both of them the cold shoulder at different times?
Each novella in Bride of Minnesota is a tale of love at its finest (even when work is required) and the faith it takes to make that work. Honestly, the collection is lacking only one thing—a story for their sister.

Lena Nelson Dooley understands the immigration struggles of the Swedes and it makes it easier for her to write about the Swedes in Minnesota and their brides.

Olina is supposed to marry Lars, but he fell in love with another woman and married her before Olina got to Minnesota. She has to find a way to support herself. With the help of Lars' sister, Gerda, she opens a dress shop.

August is in love with Anna and always has been, but she was his brother's "cast-off," and August didn't want the comparison between him and Gustaf.

Ollie and Lowell met a mysterious woman and fell in love with her. The mysterious woman happened to be identical twins and Ollie and Lowell each fell in love with a specific twin.

These are cute stories that while away an afternoon each. Life in Minnesota is interesting and Lena gives a good picture of that life.

The Brides of Minnesota collection is a five star book, with two thumbs up, and a dress in the latest fashion.

My thanks to Barbour Books for allowing me to read this book.

Brides of Minnesota is a fantastic historical collection. I was immediately pulled into this well written book. I strongly recommend this to fans of good clean historical books.

Brides of Minnesota is a book that pulls you in immediately. When the book starts on wood saying, "oh to be on land again, to feel safe." but would she ever feel safe again? What a beginning to grab you in, Isn't it? This book is exciting and delightful and downright enjoyable, Elaborate, entertaining, and fascinating. The one thing that I loved the most about this book is that it wasn't afraid to show their love for the LORD, nor should day, Amen? I really love this book and I hope when you get this book you will too.

Solid 3-in-1 historical, Christian romance following a Swedish family as they journey to, and settle, in Minnesota. Very enjoyable read.

An excellent historical love story set in Minnesota. The characters are well written and the love story struggles interesting. God is at the center of the stories and I love seeing people come to know the Lord in most believable story lines. Highly recommend.

I received an ebook from net galley. The review is my own opinion of this book.

This book grabbed my attention from the start. I love this time period and I'm a Minnesota girl and could relate to a lot of the things that the author wrote about.

The story was intriguing to me, clean and of a Christian nature. I have read some of this author's books and think I will continue to do so.

I received an ebook copy of this book from NetGalley for my review. All thoughts are my own.

This was a lovely set of stories. It's 3 complete stories in one and I loved seeing this Swedish family find love. It started with Olina and Gustaf. I loved seeing the obstacles they overcame to be together. August's story was a great one as well. I enjoyed watching them fall in love in spite of his hesitation due to feeling "less than" his brother. I loved getting to know these characters as the stories were interrelated.

Brides of Minnesota is three short stories written by Lena Nelson Dooley. Each story builds on the previous one so there are many of the same characters in each story though the focus on main characters changes.
The first story is The Other Brother. Olina Sandstrom arrives in America to learn that her betrothed has married someone else while she was on her way from Sweden. Her father disowned her when she decided to travel to America. She has no money to return and does not know what she will do. Lars older brother, Gustaf Nilsson, meets the ship and tells her he will take her to the family farm while she makes a plan for the future. Will she be able to stay in America or will she be able to earn her way back to Sweden? Will her prayers soften her father’s heart so she may return?
The next story, His Brother’s Castoff focuses on Gustaf and his brother August. Gustaf and August have been competing for years but not when it comes to women. Will August be able, with the help of God, to look beyond his jealousy and pursue a relationship with the one he loves in spite of her previously dating his brother?
Double Deception wraps up the trio. When a well to do father and daughter arrive in town things may not be as they first appear. The story focuses on Ollie and Lowell Jensen who have both noticed the new young lady but with differing opinions of her at different times. Is she attracted to one of them? Or is she playing with both of them? Will the brothers turn on each other or will their focus on God keep them loving and trusting each other?
I enjoyed this book and read it quickly as I didn’t want to put it down. The characters earned a place in heart from page one and I wanted to see their dreams come true. God is the main focus of each story as the characters pray and do their best to follow His will for their lives. It not to the point though that the stories feel “preachy”; just a part of everyday life. I give this book 5 of 5 stars and recommend it to everyone who enjoys historical Christian romance.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I have read this format of book before and hoped it would be a similar with the generations but I wasn't too disappointed to find out it was about brothers! I liked the stories, they were sweet and heartwarming, reminding us all we need to forgive.