Patterns of Love

By Robin Lee Hatcher

Book Overview

My dear Beth, Though Uppsala, Iowa, takes its name from a city in my native Sweden, life here is different from what I have known. With my parents' blessing, I have taken employment in the home of Mr. Bridger, a dairy farmer, caring for his ill mother and two young, orphaned nieces. It is most unlike me to leave home, even in a temporary manner. But the need is great and Hattie Bridger and the children are so endearing. As for Dirk Bridger, he is an unhappy man, but also loyal, hardworking, and honorable. And, I should add, quite handsome. My younger sisters were smitten the instant they saw him. Young flirts And with beauty to match. I, on the other hand, am considered to have common sense to attend my common looks. But, friend Beth, I am afraid my heart betrays my wisdom--for I, too, long to be seen as beautiful. Not just by anyone. By Dirk Bridger. Your friend, Inga Linberg In rural Iowa, life is both the planter and uprooter of dreams. As love, long delayed, springs to life in the heart of a young Swedish immigrant, one man struggles with his withered ambitions--and new blessings that could take their place if he would but allow them room. Patterns of Love is Book Two in the Coming to America series about women who come to America to start new lives. Set in the late 1800s and early 1900s, these novels by best-selling author Robin Lee Hatcher craft intense chemistry and conflict between the characters, lit by a glowing faith and humanity that will win your heart. Look for other books in the series at your favorite Christian bookstore.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0310231051
• ISBN13: 9780310231059
• Release Date: March 2001
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.77 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 18 years and up

Customer Reviews

Tender, touching, and full of hope

It's easy to see why this book has won so many awards. It touches a reader on so many levels and searches the human heart. Dirk is a true hero, a man who gives of himself to others, even when it means letting go of his own dreams. And Inga is a woman who loves with her whole heart. This is a perfect historical romance, well deserving of every accolade that has come its way. I highly recommend it.

Romance Writers of America RITA Winner!

There is a good reason that RWA's published members awarded PATTERNS OF LOVE the prestigious RITA Award. It's excellent. The love story is tender and real. The hero is to die for. If you want a romance that touches your heart, this one's for you.

Excellent

This is one of the best books I've read this year--maybe even in years. Wonderful depth of emotion. The characters are vividly drawn and real. I could not put it down.

Beautiful Americana

In 1897 Iowa, dairy farmer Dirk Bridger, though not a church-going individual, visits the home of Reverend Linberg to ask the pious father of five daughters to help him. Dirk's mother is ill and needs rest to recover. This leaves Dirk in a lurch because someone must care for his small orphaned nieces while his mother heals. Dirk explains that he does not have a lot of money to pay the volunteer any sizable sum. The Reverend's plain, oldest daughter Inga volunteers to care for the children. At the farm, Inga quickly falls in love with the two cute little girls and Dirk. However, though no one perceives it, Dirk hates his present responsible life. He had never planned to be a farmer. He took over the family homestead when his older brother and sister-in-law died so that his mother and nieces could have a home. Inga is the first person to perceive that Dirk resents being a farmer. She tries to show him that he can still be responsible for everyone and have his dreams fulfilled too. She begins to turn the house around and all the occupants, except Dirk, quickly fall in love with her. Eventually, even Dirk begins to find himself attracted to the young lady. Now if he can handle a wee bit more responsibility, he may find that she will actually reduce his workload and add happiness into his life. The underlying pattern to a Robin Lee Hatcher historical romance is that they are all great. Her second tale in her "Coming to America" series, PATTERNS OF LOVE is a fabulous Americana romance that has two charming lead characters, an intriguing story line, and a fantastic supporting cast (including a stupendous secondary romance that could have been a novel of its own). The trick of correspondence between the female protagonists from the various novels in this series adds a brilliantly designed link that allows readers a glimpse at the other lead female characters. This is one series that deserves five thumbs up. Harriet Klausner