Cora's Deception

Brides of Cedar Creek #1

by Mildred Colvin

It’s 1833 Missouri, but Cora Jackson has no intention of losing herself on a prairie where the nearest neighbor is two miles away. Her city beau, George Merrill, promises to rescue her, and she eagerly watches for him. Then she meets Aaron Stark, a strapping farmer who intrigues her and soon sets her heart pounding.

Before long, betrayal, abandonment, and a brush with death shake Cora’s beliefs. Although she’s changed and can never return to the safe deceptions of her childhood, she still clings to them, wanting to believe what is easier than truth. Love for Aaron grows in the midst of Cora’s turmoil, bringing safety and contentment—until George shows up.

Aaron Stark falls in love when he first sees Cora emerge from a hollowed sycamore tree after a blizzard, but this girl could never love him. He can’t read nor write, and he ain’t nothin’ but a dirt-poor farmer. Yet, when Cora seems to warm to Aaron, her old beau steps between them with convincing words. How’s a feller supposed to know what to believe when everything points against him?

Lies—easier to believe than truth.

Note: Cora's Deception is expanded and rewritten from formerly published book, Cora.

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

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2003

About the author

Mildred Colvin has been writing sweet inspirational romance since 2001, and is an award-winning author of eighteen novels in both historical and contemporary themes. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, and is active in two very special critique groups. She is also active in her church and enjoys special times with her husband, children, and grandchildren. Her hobbies, when she has time, include quilting, photography, and gardening. Of course, reading is more than a hobby. It’s a way of life. Mother of Jonathan Colvin

Also writes under the name M.J. Conner

Reviews

[Courtney | Soul of a Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just wanted more. Every character kind of frustrated me at some point. This concept had good bones and I mostly enjoyed what I read, but it simply felt like it didn't live up to its potential in my opinion.

[A. Reiter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only gets 3 stars because I deliberately sought it out. Free. Predictable. Passed the time. Unremarkable save for some honest depictions of early backwoods settlers.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before I get into what I liked, there were two things about this book that did not work for me. First, the cover shows a woman with too contemporary a look for a story set in the 1830s. Secondly, throughout the story, I kept trying to find the reason for the title, deception. Many possible titles occurred to me, but none of them had to do with deception after about the first fourth of the book. That being said, I enjoyed the setting of the book, as I was less familiar with the original settling of southwest Missouri. But again, a quick Google search showed me that the city was founded approximately two years before the time in which the story alleges it was a community of more than three hundred persons. These kinds of inconsistencies keep me from giving Colvin a chance to draw me in with the remainder of the series. It was ok, but there are so many other options out there, I don't plan to read anymore of her work unless it shows up on my free list.

[Jodi Ralston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this one up because I read a Heartsong by M. J. Conner, which is a sister team, part of whom is Mildred Colvin. Style is definitely on par with M. J. Conner's. This one is a bit fast and has a few moments of melodrama and cliche. And it never really explains the born again concept (and I'm not entirely sure it is historically accurate, though I can't say it isn't either). On the whole, well written and realistic feeling.

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, but not as exceptionally delightful as others I've read in the Heartsong series.

[Micaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved this book! not the usual cheap cookie cutter romance paperback; rather, an excellent little love story, which includes characters accepting Christ as their Savior :) one of my favorites