Rita® Award winner and Christy Award finalist Lori Copeland delivers the third and final book in her popular Belles of Timber Creek series. One True Love is a heart-lifting story of love, faith, and courage from the author of Three Times Blessed and Twice Loved. Readers of Lori Wick, Beverly Lewis, and Tracey Bateman will be enchanted by One True Love —indeed, anyone who loves beautifully written, inspirational Christian romance will be thrilled to accompany one of its most accomplished authors to the American West for an eventful and unforgettable adventure of the heart and spirit.
Lori Copeland was born on 12 June 1941. She had a relatively late start in writing, breaking into publishing in 1982 when she was already forty years old. Over the next dozen years, her romance novels achieved much success, as was evidenced by her winning the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award, The Holt Medallion, and Walden Books' Best Seller award. She has been inducted into the Missouri Writers Hall of Fame.
Despite her success in more mainstream romantic fiction, in 1995, she decided to switch focus. Her subsequent books have been in the relatively new subgenre of Christian romance. She has also collaborated with authors Angela Elwell Hunt or Virginia Smith on a series of Christian romance novels.
Lori and her husband of over forty years, Lance, live in Springfield, Missouri, surrounded by the beautiful Ozarks. They have three grown sons, three daughter-in-laws, and six wonderful grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters. She and her husband are very involved in their church, and active in supporting mission work in Mali, West Africa.
One True Love by Lori Copeland – The FMC in the third book in this series takes some hard knocks in life, and she deserves her happy ever after! Happy Reading!
This plot was pathetic. Copper breaks her ankle and the bones are so warped she has to join this wagon train traveling from Texas to Colorado Springs in OCTOBER to stop at a fort to have a one of a kind doctor set the ankle. This fort is only 40 miles away and since a wagon train SHOULD BE accomplishing 10-15 miles a day, this journey should take maybe, MAYBE a week allowing for delays. I swear this journey was a month. I don't what they were doing except Lori Copeland had to make this journey take forever so Copper *eyeroll* and Josh would have ample time to fall in love. After the doctor does surgery on her ankle, Josh, the wagon master - leader -whatever he was - takes Copper BACK to Thunder town and rejoins with the stupid wagon train THAT'S TRAVELING IN THE WINTER after dinking around with Copper for at least three days. ALDKFJASLDKFJ. He tells her to wait for him then she thinks he left her and married someone else so she goes to this random town in Kansas for six weeks then goes back to Texas. Of course he's there and he hadn't gotten married, and they decide they need to trust one another and they get engaged. I. Cannot. I don't think Lori even tried to make this an interesting plot and I don't think she did a lick of research on wagon trains. One book about the Oregon Trail would tell you that it was a bad idea to travel in the winter. And then the trip Copper took from Texas to Kansas back to Texas in a freaking stagecoach, again in the winter, is just stupid. I'm done.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
When Copper saw her best friend Willow get married and her other best friend Audrey getting close to another man, she resigned herself to being the spinster schoolmarm. When one day there's a fire in the school house, Copper falls rescuing two children, further injuring her already injured ankle. THe local dr can't fix her ankle, but the grandfather of the saved children knows of a surgeon that can work miracles. They send her off on the wagon trail, where she has to follow Josh Redlin's order. Josh, the man she swears is her mortal enemy. Josh, the bane of her existence. Josh, the man who refuses to tell anyone anything about himself. Josh, the... actually, the more she gets to know him, the harder time she has remembering what she hated about the man in the first place. The longer the trip takes the worse it is for her ankle, but she can't deny that she doesn't mind spending a little longer with a certain someone, secrets and all. I made the mistake of not looking at the actual order of the books and just going by the titles. I assumed that One True Love would come before Twice Loved which in turn came before Three TImes Blessed. So when I started reading and was not understanding the references I assumed it was from a different series, not that it went twice, three, one. I didn't really need to read the first 2 books though, it could be a stand alone book but am now going to read the first 2 books
A spitfire woman and a preacher turned wagon master find love on the Texas praire.
It was nice getting to read Copper and Josh story. Copper was a very independent woman until something hard happened. Then she had to trust others and that was hard for her. One she had trust the most was Josh who she couldn't stand. But with God help and Josh persistence love finally prevailed. Both had trust issues to get through. But they both had a great group of friends to stick by them. Looking forward to going back and reading Eli and Audrey story.
This was just fair. I didn't realize when I started it was a book 3 of a series. So I felt like I was missing a lot of information. And it wasn't good enough to want to read the other books in the series.
One True Love is the third book in the Belles of Timber Creek trilogy. This is the first book I read of the series. The other two books were definitely referred to, but it wasn’t a problem to read just this one.
Copper is the only one of her friends Willow and Audrey who is yet unmarried. Copper determines she’ll pour herself into her new teaching job, but the very first week of school there is a fire, and Copper is severely injured. She is taken by wagon train to Colorado to see the only doctor who can possibly help her to walk again. The wagon train is led by none other than Josh Redlin, whom Copper has had a dislike for since the moment they met.
The time frame is shortly after the Civil War, and the book takes us through the relationships and difficulties encountered on the journey to Colorado. Copper is a strong, independent female and Josh is a....well, a strong, independent male. So you can guess where that’s going. But Copper is unable to care for herself, so she finds she has to humble herself over and over, as she must rely on the goodness of others for her every need. I thoroughly enjoyed the details of the journey, but I do love westerns!! It amazes me the dangers and difficulties that people of that era confronted on a daily basis. A broken leg could change the entire course of a person’s life as well as the way they were perceived. There was no sensitivity to being disabled in those days. Copper was a woman of faith, but she mixed strength with self-reliance, which ended up appearing a bit like arrogance. Josh also was a man of faith, and the fact that he had the position of wagon train leader made for some tension between himself and Copper. He had the authority, and all Copper had was a bit of an attitude and plenty of opinions. But through the days of their traveling, she saw that Josh was a man of character and a man of God. She couldn’t argue with his care and concern for those who were part of their party, and his respect for each person, regardless of their position. She and he have a history of animosity toward one another, but he treats her well. Oh, they disagree....on plenty. But little by little, their mutual animosity turns into something else. Interestingly, and true to character, they both deal with that transition differently. And both learn plenty in the process.
This book is quite sweet. I would actually even recommend it for teens, with the following caveat. It is authentic in it’s time and tone. This translates into the use of the “n” word in one place. It’s appropriate in the context, but I feel like I need to mention it. Of course, there are all of the tensions that were specific to that era, which includes the constant threat of Indian attack. Those things just add to the authenticity and insight that this book offers on life in the old west. Yes, there’s romance, but it’s definitely chaste and not at all racy or inappropriate. There is also some implied violence, but it’s not exploited. For those reasons, I would consider this book for teens. Of course, the parents need to make the final call on that. Overall, I would classify this book as an enjoyable, easy read with a fairly simple plot. I wouldn’t call it remarkable, but it’s good. Three out of five stars.
The series of the books started out OK. The first book in this series had a story line that kept a person reading,
Then in book two the lazy writing comes to the fore about 1/4 way through. Now this, book three, that sloppy writing is full blown.
More tragedies, silly stupid tragedies. And then so much is missing or not remembered by the author. And full blown lies by the hero make it a sad old book to be read.
Hero says, "I will write you and send it when I get to a place to send. Each week, I will write."
For the first three weeks she gets letters then months go by and no word.
Well come to find out he is in Dallas, not Colorado Springs or even dead, as was hinted.
He never wrote her from Dallas or Colorado Springs like he promised, but then got angry at her for not waiting for him to come back to a town she believes he has no ties to.
Of course he tells her best friends not to tell her he was the one that bought the house they are all living in. Secrets kept from the heroine why? A test for someone he claims to love?
He won't tell her about the reason he has to go to another woman in Dallas, but then gets angry at her for being upset and assuming the Dallas chick is he wife.
Sloppy writing for Ms. Copeland, I do not understand why, perhaps she started this series and then got behind and could not meet the deadline. Then you add to that, the meds she was to take, she decides not to take some, then they blame her when it is running short. Now if, she swallowed it or not, the same amount of meds would be left over. But no she has to be put down for 'wasting' the meds. Her leg hurts he so bad, she can barely sleep, yet she waddles all over the wagon train camp.
Oh yes I forgot the missing child. Now this part is really dumb. The child is in her wagon all day, from before she got up to when she went to bed and felt the child when she stretched her very sore leg, yet the child never heard them calling her? Dumb, times three.
I say thank goodness I borrowed this book from the library and did not spend a cent on it. If you must read it, to conclude the series, them do not waste a dime, borrow it from somewhere. Or better yet know the wagon master in book two gets the heroine, Copper, in this one. She is the one that does all the changing, seeing how brash her personality is and goes all meek. (rolls eyes).
I can go on and on about the mess Ms. Copeland made of this novel, book three, but for the sake of room, I best stop here, I already said more than I intended to.
Title: ONE TRUE LOVE Author: Lori Copeland Publisher: Avon Inspire March 2010 ISBN: 978-0-06-136494-5 Genre: Inspirational/historical
Copper is excited to finally start her new job teaching school, but tragedy strikes the first day. Due to a series of unfortunate events, the school house catches fire and two children fall down and are left in the blaze. Copper is able to rescue them, but in doing so she falls, further injuring a leg that she can barely walk on.
The town doctor doesn’t know what to do to care for Copper, other than keep her drugged until the wagon train can come through and take her to a larger town and a more knowledgeable doctor. But unfortunately, the train that comes is Josh Redlin’s and he is a man that Copper cannot get along with at all.
Copper and Josh butt heads until Josh finally lays down the facts to Copper, making her see reason. They agree to stay out of each others way, but Copper is forced to seek Josh out for some minor things while en route. What will it take for her to realize that the one man who drives her crazy is the one that she needs?
ONE TRUE LOVE is the third and final story in the Belles of Timber Creek series. I enjoyed getting to know Audrey, Willow, and Copper in the earlier books, but even if you haven’t read the series all the way through, you’d be able to read ONE TRUE LOVE without getting lost. However, if you want to know what brought the girls together in Thunder Ridge, then you’d want to start at the beginning.
I enjoyed getting to know Copper better, and hearing the story that finally brought her and Josh together, since I saw the sparks in the second book. ONE TRUE LOVE is a delightful story that will not disappoint. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $12.99. 244 pages.
The entire Belles of Timber Creek series was fun to read. Following along the journey of three quirky, but lovable, opinionated and adventurous friends. This book is the final book coming after Twice Loved and then Three Times Blessed and it was a great way to fully get to know Copper. From the first chapter of the first book I knew that Copper was my favorite and was eager to hear her story. Now that I have, I'm glad to have read this series as it was a great time in a triple romance.
This book has so much more than the rest of the series in a way of Biblical lessons for me. Learning to let go and let God as well as true forgiveness of one's self are true hard lessons. In this story they are shared in a very vivid light. I highly recommend the entire series as well as other series and books from author Lori Copeland.
*Thanks to Kendra of HarperCollins for providing a copy for review.*
Third in the Christian romance series, Belles of Timber Ridge, One True Love is the story of Copper Wilson, who, with her friends, Willow and Audrey, has survived the Civil War and is living in the little town of Thunder Ridge, Texas. Willow and Audrey have found husbands, but Copper worries she will remain a spinster. Then, while rescuing her students from a fire in the school, Copper breaks her ankle. Now she must travel by wagon train to reach the only doctor skilled enough to save her foot. Copper spends her days in pain and, to make matters worse, she must put up with the arrogant wagon master, Josh Redlin. But along the dangerous route to Colorado, Copper falls in love with Josh, learning that he is a God-fearing Christian willing to take risks in order to live out his faith. But Josh is a man with secrets and Copper isn’t sure that Josh’s past will allow her to be part of his future. This is a sweet, light romance. The Christian elements work well, but the plot is predictable and the characters are rather two-dimensional.
I needed a book for a trip I was taking. I read the first book quite some time ago. I didn't realize I was reading the third book till relationships with past characters were confusing. I lost interest and skimmed the last part of the book. I was bored and wanted the general idea of how the story would end. I usually enjoy Copeland books, but this one bugged me. Okay, even if I had read book 2 first, I believe this book would have still bugged me. Cooper was ridicules. Her foot injury was annoying. She was in constant pain the whole time, even while sitting around, but she could endure excruciating pain while riding a horse (her women friends saddle for her because she was told to stay put by the wagon master)so she could confront another family traveling too close to their wagon train. She didn't accomplish anything by riding out there anyway, other than show she was stubborn. Cooper was a silly stupid girl. Not one of Copeland's best stories or characters.
Well, I have to say that I really enjoyed this series of stories! Book three, One True Love was just as interesting as book two! These books are really quick read books, and I read book two in one day as I did book three! I just could'nt wait to see how it all turned out. There were a few things that I would have liked to have known, but were never finished in the books, such as, whatever happened to all of Silas's money once he passed, where did the banker and his mean wife end up living and did the undertaker, Mr. Buryings ever find his own true love???? Just silly tidbits that I wondered about one the stories were over, but I was just curious to know! I guess I will never know! I can't wait to read more of Lori Copelands books!
Copper and Josh clashed every time they are together. But when Copper re-injures her ankle, Josh is more than happy to let her join friends on his wagon train so she can get to a doctor who may be able to correct the damage. After a few run-ins, they call a truce and are actually civil to each other. They face some hardships along the trail, but Copper finally sees herself in another traveler, and asks for God's help to change. Things begin to be much better between them and maybe a spark of romance is flickering. I really enjoyed this series. Lori Copeland is one of my favorite authors. She ends the series so we know what is happening with these three friends--Willow, Audrey, and Copper.
One True Love: Belles of Timber Creek, Book Three was the other book I got. It too did not read like the traditional Christian romance where one of them has to find God before they can live happily ever after. However, the characters in general were more religious than in Walker's Wedding, and my search of Amazon did not turn up a mass-market version of this book. Cooper hurt her foot and gets put on a wagon train to meet up with a specialist. The train is headed by a guy with whom she has evidently had issues in the past. Guess what happens? This was a quick easy read, but I didn't find it to be one of Copeland's better works.
I think this was my favorite book of the series. Maybe because Copper had the limelight without having her two friends take up a portion of the action. For whatever reason, I felt that I was able to connect more with the main characters. Even though this book was only from Copper's POV, I still felt drawn into Josh's character also. And what a character he was :)
Following the themes of the first two books, this book had some majorly heart wrenching scenes but it was balances nicely with other events.
Nice story with the message being that God's timeline doesn't always fit with yours and trusting God with your needs as opposed to your wants. The main character of Miss Copper Wilson starts out as a *slightly* spoiled and opinionated teacher but through a series of trials and hardships comes to see that life isn't always what we wish.
Lori Copeland almost always delivers a good read and this book fits that bill nicely.
So, the story line was good, but I just don't care for this author's style...this is the third book of hers that I've read. I can't pin point exactly what it is I don't like....maybe it's too easily written....sometimes slow.
When some people want a fluff or escape read they pick up a mystery or a fantasy or a john grisham, etc. Well, I pick up Historical Christian Novels (they always have some clean romance as well). So that is what this was. It was pretty good, though I skimmed past some parts that I found too annoying. I'll probably read more by this author in the future though. :)
I was unsure of how to rate this book. The quality of writing was consistent with that of the other two books. I was glad to see that Cooper finally stopped her whining against Josh and realized that she was way too self centered, but in light of this I was unsure why she went to visit her aunt instead of staying and helping her friends. Over all this series was okay - mildly likable.
Okay, so I started reading this one first, but I was so lost, I had to find Book 1 and Book 2 and read them. No wonder I was so lost, this book starts the day after Three Times Blessed ended. I do believe this was my favorite of the 3. It follows the wagon train headed to Colorado Springs.
Not my favorite of this series. Kinda felt like this book was an after thought. While it wrapped up the 3 stories, Copper's story felt cheated. As a whole, I loved the series, just wish Copper's story had a little more meat.
Out of the series, this one was probably my favorite. Copper could be very unlikeable and the antagonism between her and the wagon train guide ended very abruptly but I still enjoyed this for the chuckle it gave me and entertainment value alone.
A good book about how a teacher saves her students in a fire. When she goes back for 2 more kids, she ends up slipping and hurting her ankle badly. So much so, she is sent far away to be seen by a specialist. She meets the wagon master Josh, whom she despises...