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Hymns of the West #4
Lily of the Valley
Howdy, Teacher! You don’t know me, but my kids talk bout you a lot. I been lookin fer a wife and mother fer a few years and was wonderin iffen we cood meet and get to no each other a bit. I’ll come after skool to git yer answer. Grover Miller
Unruly schoolchildren, three suitors, and too many things to do. When Ruth Brookings rejects one of the suitors, he refuses to accept no for an answer.
To make matters worse, when she prays for guidance, she’s answered with a challenge instead: To encourage her friend to find a wife—whether he wants one or not.
Will she lose her friend just when she needs a friend the most? Will she be able to weather the storms she’s about to face?
Unruly schoolchildren, three suitors, and too many things to do. When Ruth Brookings rejects one of the suitors, he refuses to accept no for an answer.
To make matters worse, when she prays for guidance, she’s answered with a challenge instead: To encourage her friend to find a wife—whether he wants one or not.
Will she lose her friend just when she needs a friend the most? Will she be able to weather the storms she’s about to face?
461 pages, Paperback
First published November 26, 2015
410 people are currently reading
360 people want to read
About the author
Faith Blum
44 books270 followersFaith Blum is a wife, mom, administrative assistant for the Author Conservatory, author, and pianist. She’s published 30+ adventurous historical fiction books featuring realistic romance that strengthens your Christian faith. She has received an honorable mention in the Reader’s Favorite awards. When not writing, you can find her cooking from scratch, reading, spending time with her husband, or chasing her toddler.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
April 25, 2017
Originally posted in the April 2017 Mini Reviews
This is by far my favorite Faith Blum book. Partially because I own a gorgeous paperback copy, but that’s not the point. The point is that this is the sweetest book in the world. I’ve always liked Ruth, and it was amazing to see a story focused on her. I’ve always loved the idea of being a teacher in a frontier-ish school, so that was another fun thing for me.
The only thing I didn’t like about this book is that all the characters seemed to think that falling in love before you’re engaged is a bad idea. Everyone is telling Ruth, “Don’t get too emotionally attached! You can’t make this decision based on emotions!” Well, good advice, except why get engaged unless you’re in love? To me, it seems like love is a pretty important component!
~Kellyn Roth
This is by far my favorite Faith Blum book. Partially because I own a gorgeous paperback copy, but that’s not the point. The point is that this is the sweetest book in the world. I’ve always liked Ruth, and it was amazing to see a story focused on her. I’ve always loved the idea of being a teacher in a frontier-ish school, so that was another fun thing for me.
The only thing I didn’t like about this book is that all the characters seemed to think that falling in love before you’re engaged is a bad idea. Everyone is telling Ruth, “Don’t get too emotionally attached! You can’t make this decision based on emotions!” Well, good advice, except why get engaged unless you’re in love? To me, it seems like love is a pretty important component!
~Kellyn Roth
October 11, 2019
Had to DNF at about 60%. I get that the villain is disgusting and slimy, but when we find out that his daughter left home because he "did things to her she didn't like" (this is coming from her younger sister) and Micah's immediate concern is to get the pretty younger sister out of the house before she gets any older...yeah, I just can't. I'm not sure what "not too bad" is supposed to mean in this context, but my imagination does not need to go there.
October 26, 2015
This was actually my second time reading Lily of the Valley. The first time I was a beta-reader so this second time, as I was reading it to review, I was going to skim it. Note the past tense. I found myself slowing down to enjoy it all over again! This is probably my favorite of Faith's works! I immensely enjoyed following the Ruth, Annabelle, and Micah in this book--their struggles seemed real and relatable.
Both times reading through, I laughed at the four boys' plot for Miss Brookings to get a husband. There are many moments to smile in this book but it is balanced with serious issues as well that causes the reader to think--like when Micah's struggle to obey God then filtered to his son struggling to obey those in authority over him. There really were not any areas in which I thought the pace was too slow--rather, there is a bit of action and adventure found within the pages.
I personally enjoyed the "romantic plot" in this book. I would say it is a conservative approach to reaching the marriage altar -- the characters strove to keep their emotions at bay while praying for God to clearly show them His will and there was no before-marriage kissing. I greatly appreciated that!
Some favorite quotes:
“She told me to wait. ‘God will reveal it to you when He is ready to. Just wait and be ready to obey when He lets you know,’ she said. I’ve never forgotten that advice and it has gotten me through many tough times.”
“I’m not sure he’s exactly the man of my dreams, but my dreams were so fanciful that no one could have fit into the mold."
"Let God lead you where He wants you to go, Micah. He'll work out the details."
Both times reading through, I laughed at the four boys' plot for Miss Brookings to get a husband. There are many moments to smile in this book but it is balanced with serious issues as well that causes the reader to think--like when Micah's struggle to obey God then filtered to his son struggling to obey those in authority over him. There really were not any areas in which I thought the pace was too slow--rather, there is a bit of action and adventure found within the pages.
I personally enjoyed the "romantic plot" in this book. I would say it is a conservative approach to reaching the marriage altar -- the characters strove to keep their emotions at bay while praying for God to clearly show them His will and there was no before-marriage kissing. I greatly appreciated that!
Some favorite quotes:
“She told me to wait. ‘God will reveal it to you when He is ready to. Just wait and be ready to obey when He lets you know,’ she said. I’ve never forgotten that advice and it has gotten me through many tough times.”
“I’m not sure he’s exactly the man of my dreams, but my dreams were so fanciful that no one could have fit into the mold."
"Let God lead you where He wants you to go, Micah. He'll work out the details."
November 30, 2015
This book is a little hard to write a review for. From the book description I really liked the plot, and I was excited to read Faith Blum's new book. The setting where the book took place was wonderfully done, and it felt very real. And I love the cast of characters in the book. It was a good clean story, and it brought up some interesting points.
But sadly there were a couple of things that kept me from enjoying the book as much as I had hoped. I really like books that have a good foundation of faith in them. But the way the faith way shown in this book felt a little to overpowering for me. There were many, many, places were I was either reading through full prayers or characters talking about what they learned, etc. Although as the book went on and got closer to the end it did get better.
But sadly there were a couple of things that kept me from enjoying the book as much as I had hoped. I really like books that have a good foundation of faith in them. But the way the faith way shown in this book felt a little to overpowering for me. There were many, many, places were I was either reading through full prayers or characters talking about what they learned, etc. Although as the book went on and got closer to the end it did get better.
July 9, 2018
This is an okay read. It is super Christian. None of these characters will do anything without praying about it first. It is squeaky clean and completely chaste. The heroine will not even hold the hand of a man she is courting; they have to be engaged first. Something about not engaging the emotions too early or something. Perhaps that is the best way to do things. But it makes for a pretty dull courtship, and I wonder how the marriage winds up.
Anyway... it's definitely not an exciting read. And it does get redundant. You see everything that happens and then have to read about those exact same events in rather lengthy journal entries written by the heroine.
Anyway... it's definitely not an exciting read. And it does get redundant. You see everything that happens and then have to read about those exact same events in rather lengthy journal entries written by the heroine.
August 20, 2020
I love Faith’s books. These books are really long but worth. I received #5 free and liked it so much I bought the rest (which I never do). I am going to read #5 again now that I know the characters. Rated G
June 19, 2018
Simply wonderful!
Faith Blum writes in a style that is comfortable and easy, something like a big fuzzy sweater you’d don on a chilly winter evening. Although this is part of a series, each book is a complete, stand alone, historical novel. The characters feel like friends you’ve known for years and they are all good people. Well, there is one bad guy, but in comparison to the antagonists in today’s literature, this guy is hardly PG rated. The rest is a bit like “Little House on the Prairie” takes a sanctified trip to the Hallmark Channel! If clean n cozy is your jam, this book is for you.
Faith Blum writes in a style that is comfortable and easy, something like a big fuzzy sweater you’d don on a chilly winter evening. Although this is part of a series, each book is a complete, stand alone, historical novel. The characters feel like friends you’ve known for years and they are all good people. Well, there is one bad guy, but in comparison to the antagonists in today’s literature, this guy is hardly PG rated. The rest is a bit like “Little House on the Prairie” takes a sanctified trip to the Hallmark Channel! If clean n cozy is your jam, this book is for you.
February 7, 2019
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the Christian novel Hymns of the West book 4: Lily of the Valley by Faith Bloom and this review was given freely.
A friends to more romance. 4 friends seek God's guidance with life trials and the subject of marriage and once again the kids in the story predict the marrying couple. Picking up with Ruth's story from book 1 of the series, four years after the widower Micah leaves Chicago, Illinois and moves to Montana with his 5 year old son Jeremiah, the now sheriff contemplates marriage for security and his son's sake vs a love match with his friend who just happens to be the new school teacher Ruth Brookings.
I purchased a copy of the Christian novel Hymns of the West book 4: Lily of the Valley by Faith Bloom and this review was given freely.
A friends to more romance. 4 friends seek God's guidance with life trials and the subject of marriage and once again the kids in the story predict the marrying couple. Picking up with Ruth's story from book 1 of the series, four years after the widower Micah leaves Chicago, Illinois and moves to Montana with his 5 year old son Jeremiah, the now sheriff contemplates marriage for security and his son's sake vs a love match with his friend who just happens to be the new school teacher Ruth Brookings.
May 11, 2017
Another great book in the "Hymns" series
In this book, it is Ruth's time for her love story. With many trials to challenge and test her faith, she come to realize that she truly has a wall of fire around her and has nothing to fear. Micah also learns patience as he waits for Ruth to come to love him and his son. Don't miss this delightful story of God's work in the lives of all the characters in book 4 in this series.
In this book, it is Ruth's time for her love story. With many trials to challenge and test her faith, she come to realize that she truly has a wall of fire around her and has nothing to fear. Micah also learns patience as he waits for Ruth to come to love him and his son. Don't miss this delightful story of God's work in the lives of all the characters in book 4 in this series.
May 1, 2018
This is a great Christian romance that I received for free! Really clean and well written. The only reason for 4 stars is that it is the 4th in a series and I would like to read the others to get a better feel for the characters. It is also good as a standalone. You can get it here > https://www.amazon.com/Lily-Valley-Hy... for free but I'm not sure for how long. (Kindle edition)
May 8, 2018
Like reading the Bible
I really would have totally enjoyed this story to a four or even five stars, but it ended up more like a Bible reading. It is one thing to write Christian fiction, but, personally, there is a saturation point when every page has Bible quotes, many pages being almost all. I will pull my Bible out when I want to read it, so I was disappointed that this story, which was a great story, bogged down so much.
I really would have totally enjoyed this story to a four or even five stars, but it ended up more like a Bible reading. It is one thing to write Christian fiction, but, personally, there is a saturation point when every page has Bible quotes, many pages being almost all. I will pull my Bible out when I want to read it, so I was disappointed that this story, which was a great story, bogged down so much.
August 29, 2018
A manual on Christian marriage
While this book had interesting characters and was well written, it was more a manual on living a Christian life, and particularly Christian marriage, than a novel. Very long, redundant prayers, journal entries that repeated just-told actions but with religious commentary, and long passages whose only relevance was to pound Christian values into the reader's thick skull ruined this book for me.
While this book had interesting characters and was well written, it was more a manual on living a Christian life, and particularly Christian marriage, than a novel. Very long, redundant prayers, journal entries that repeated just-told actions but with religious commentary, and long passages whose only relevance was to pound Christian values into the reader's thick skull ruined this book for me.
October 2, 2020
Book 4 in the series takes you to Montana and features school teacher Ruth Brookings. Ruth turns down an unwelcome request from a students’ parent and he does not take the rejection well. Sheriff Micah comes to her rescue several times leading his son Jeremiah to decide Miss Brookings might be a good candidate for his Ma. Each book in the series seems to get better. The book contains vivid descriptions of life in the old west and the trials those Christians face
May 29, 2022
How do Micah and Ruth get to their Lifetime 💞?
Ruth and Micah were characters from the 1st "Hymns of the West" 📗. "Lily of the Valley (Hymns of the West Book 4)" continues their Story some years later. How does God help Ruth start the School year as a new School Teacher, and end the School year as a Bride? I Highly Recommend You 📖 this Engrossing, Poignant, Inspirational, Western, Historical Romance to find out! ❤📖 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ruth and Micah were characters from the 1st "Hymns of the West" 📗. "Lily of the Valley (Hymns of the West Book 4)" continues their Story some years later. How does God help Ruth start the School year as a new School Teacher, and end the School year as a Bride? I Highly Recommend You 📖 this Engrossing, Poignant, Inspirational, Western, Historical Romance to find out! ❤📖 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
August 28, 2024
A Christian romance set in the 'wild West' - right up my street! I wanted to rate this higher as it was so nice to read a book with genuine Christian values and characters who really walk with Jesus. However, even as a pastor's wife myself, I found Ruth in particular sanctimonious and in places the gospel presentations were shoehorned in, in a jarring way. I also found all the characters' underreaction to a murder that happens baffling.
May 7, 2018
This book had a good story line. I enjoyed reading as she sought God's help in choosing her paths in all areas of her life. However, the story repeated a lot. Incidents would happen and then the diary would report the same incidents, with little to no added information. It seemed much text was added as filler rather than adding to the story.
June 25, 2018
Faith filled book.
The book was very enjoyable to read. I like the love you felt all through the book. It also had some suspense too. I didn't know what was going to happen with Mr Miller or if his sister would be nice or if she would want the children. It kept me going so I finished it in a day. Look forward to reading more of Faith Blum's books.
The book was very enjoyable to read. I like the love you felt all through the book. It also had some suspense too. I didn't know what was going to happen with Mr Miller or if his sister would be nice or if she would want the children. It kept me going so I finished it in a day. Look forward to reading more of Faith Blum's books.
May 6, 2017
This was a great story. Great storyteller.
This was a wonderful story, has great flow. I enjoyed this story very much and highly recommend this book. You feel like you know the characters.
This was a wonderful story, has great flow. I enjoyed this story very much and highly recommend this book. You feel like you know the characters.
May 19, 2018
She is a Lily of the valley.
Great book. I love how these old hymns of the church play into the story. A school teacher and a sheriff whose son can be a troublemaker make for a fun read. Add a town drunk and his children into mix for more fun.
Great book. I love how these old hymns of the church play into the story. A school teacher and a sheriff whose son can be a troublemaker make for a fun read. Add a town drunk and his children into mix for more fun.
May 29, 2018
Nice Chriistian story with real challenges
A faith based life is not always easy or kind, but this story shows that it is your perspective and how you address adversity that matters. Fun read!
A faith based life is not always easy or kind, but this story shows that it is your perspective and how you address adversity that matters. Fun read!
June 28, 2018
A Favorite!
Love author Faith Blum! Her storytelling skills are among my favorite ways to tell a story. The story of redemption , faith and forgiveness was throughout the storyline. I appreciate a Christian novel with realism, depth and humor. Really good!
Love author Faith Blum! Her storytelling skills are among my favorite ways to tell a story. The story of redemption , faith and forgiveness was throughout the storyline. I appreciate a Christian novel with realism, depth and humor. Really good!
September 28, 2020
Similar plot
Book 4 follows a similar plot structure as the previous books. Although this book is redundant as the main character journals the same thing that we as the reader just read on the page before.
Book 4 follows a similar plot structure as the previous books. Although this book is redundant as the main character journals the same thing that we as the reader just read on the page before.
May 24, 2018
Nice read
I enjoyed the story. Not to short like some free books. Characters seem realistic. I will read the entire series.
I enjoyed the story. Not to short like some free books. Characters seem realistic. I will read the entire series.
May 24, 2018
Christian writing done well
A happy western from a Christian 's view. Well written ,with characters that are loveable and believable. Easy reading enjoyment.
A happy western from a Christian 's view. Well written ,with characters that are loveable and believable. Easy reading enjoyment.
June 12, 2018
Wonderful story!
I enjoyed this book and all of the characters, but especially Ruth. I definitely recommend this book. I look forward to reading more by Faith Blum.
I enjoyed this book and all of the characters, but especially Ruth. I definitely recommend this book. I look forward to reading more by Faith Blum.
June 21, 2018
Great
Interesting characters with lots of background and history. Lots of information about the surroundings. Cannot wait for the next book.
Interesting characters with lots of background and history. Lots of information about the surroundings. Cannot wait for the next book.
April 30, 2020
I love this series!
Can't wait to read #5 and find out what happens with Jeremiah after he gets a new mom.
Can't wait to read #5 and find out what happens with Jeremiah after he gets a new mom.
June 9, 2020
This is fourth in a series of five, I think. I really enjoyed it, the characters are evolving from one book to the other in small ways. I love getting to know each one as I read each new book.
August 18, 2020
Loved it!
I love so many of the things in this old west, Christian romance! Strong family, strong faith, and sense of community are all important in this series.
I love so many of the things in this old west, Christian romance! Strong family, strong faith, and sense of community are all important in this series.
November 6, 2020
A story of faith
I enjoy Faith Blum's Hymns of the West. The theme of the hymn works its way into interesting stories. This one included family and good and evil.
I enjoy Faith Blum's Hymns of the West. The theme of the hymn works its way into interesting stories. This one included family and good and evil.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews