Review of Spring Creek Bride by Janice Thompson

Ida Mueller has big ideals and high standards, forged by her godly German upbringing in the formerly sleepy town of Spring Creek, Texas. The railroad boom has changed her landscape, but not her heart. She still longs for the innocence of a bygone day, even if that naive era was only two years prior. Since her mother’s death, Ida grows big shoulders to carry heavy yokes, like the cooking, cleaning, helping, and one other thing. She adopts the way her mother championed causes, like a 19th Century Esther. Her latest cause, to clean the town of the ruffians who have invaded it. Her crusade leaves no room for romance in her life . . .

. . . until Mick Bradley arrives on the train from Chicago, with his shiny shoes and handsome attire. Mick has an agenda on his mind, and it isn’t the beautiful, wild-haired young lady who nearly runs him over on the street. He has come to build his empire, one whiskey drink and one slot machine at a time no matter who stands in his way—even a force he hasn’t reckoned with.

Janice Thompson’s story of cultural transition colliding with age-old faith held a particular power in showing how religious prejudice and good intent can miss God’s will. Each character, though flawed, held a unique glory, and showed a lovely portrait of God’s grace. Some surprises unfold with the recurring theme of opening one’s heart to love—some for the first time, and others, for a second chance at true happiness.

Spring Creek Bride has one of the loveliest examples of cover art I’ve ever been drawn to. It was a nice taste of local history, Texas style, along with a sassy love story of two stubborn wills finding common ground through God’s matchmaking. A fun and enlightening read.