Do you know what I'm speaking of, dear readers? Beauty and the Beast of course! Out in 3D, today. I'm very excited to go see it, possibly sometime next week, with a group of friends from church. It is my favorite movie by fa- well, not by far since I saw Tangled. But it still is number one. The music, the characters, the selfishness of one and selflessness of the other, the music, the real love in the story. Not just between Belle and the Beast. The love that the enchanted servants have for each other and their master, and of course Belle's love for her father that gets her stuck in the castle with the grumpy hero in the first place. Oh, and the music!
Now, I am not going to say anything more about the movie or the music. I am planning a future post that centers on what I consider to be the perfect collection of Disney songs(thank you Miss Dashwood for the lovely idea).
So, after struggling to find a book to review I finally settled on A Bride for Donnigan by Janette Oke.
I received this book for my fourteenth or fifteenth birthday. It was a gift from my parents and I remember wandering around the back yard reading it one late spring afternoon. It is part of what could be called a series, the Women of the West series by Oke, though not one of the books in the series actually relates to another. (Rambling, moving on now)
Synopsis: The story centers around Kathleen O' Malley, who "hawks" rolls for a baker in England to support her step-family. Her step mother also constantly trying to improve her and marry her off, but her slight disability (one of her legs is a few inches shorter then the other, causing a pronounced limp and a crooked, and sore, back) makes it difficult. One day she sees an advertisement for "Mail Order Brides", and though at first against the idea, when she learns her step mother is to re-marry and she will basically be a servant, she decides to sign up.
We then are introduced to Donnigan Harrison (while she's on her way), a hard working rancher in America, who decides to send for a bride at the last minute. He does his best to prepare a comfortable house for his new bride, and looks forward to the day when she will make it a home.
The story isn't just about their relationship, however, but shows the differences between the other bride's and their new families. *SPOILER* Also, the Harrison's search for "what's missing" in their lives, which leads to a very tender scene at the end. *END SPOILER*
I love this story, and I certainly recommend it.
I just have to say though, what is it with evil step-mothers?? I happen to have one(Step-mother that is, nix the "evil") and I know she loves me very much!
Have you read A Gown of Spanish Lace by Janette Oke?
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, Melody, I have not. I have been watching for it when I shop at flea markets and such (I prefer buying used books). Have you read it? And if so what did you think of it?
ReplyDeleteYes, I have read it! I mentioned it because it's my favorite book by Janette Oke (and I've read a good amount of hers). It's a rather unrealistic story, but I don't really see that as a bad point. :P I liked it quite well.
ReplyDeleteI prefer getting books from the library. =D tehe
Well, of course the library is a wonderful thing, but I like to own a book and know that I can come back to it at any time. :) Of course when I have no Idea whether or not I will actually enjoy something, that when the library (or a good friend who owns the book in question) is a very handy thing!
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