REVIEWS
His Brother's Castoff
Title: HIS BROTHER"S CASTOFF
Author: Lena Nelson Dooley
Publisher: Heartsong Presents
ISBN #: 1-59310-078-7
Genre: Historical Christian Romance
Review by: Vickie McDonough
Anna Jensen has loved twice, and lost—both times. It seems her love was not enough to hold either man. Anna is convinced something is wrong with her. In an effort to hide her pain, she concentrates on building her sewing business—a business that will support her in her spinsterhood.
August Nilsson has loved Anna for years. Being the quiet brother of three, August couldn’t get up his nerve to approach Anna when he first met her. Before he knew what had happened, his brother Gustaf waltzed in and claimed her for his own. When Gustaf dropped Anna for the woman he believed God sent to be his wife, August struggled with his feelings. He still cared for Anna, but did he really want his brother’s castoff? Before he found the answer, another man had claimed Anna, leaving August alone to struggle with his jealousy and unrequited love.
Now, August has been given a third chance to woo Anna. But the businesswoman she’s become is not the same sweet Anna he fell for. Can August overcome his doubts and insecurities in order to make Anna his? Will Anna ever be able to believe there’s a man who truly loves her?
HIS BROTHER’S CASTOFF is the heart-touching sequel to The Other Brother, which was selected as a top-ten favorite historical by Heartsong Presents’ readers. Readers are certain to sympathize with both Anna and August. Poor Anna can’t seem to hang on to her men—but just maybe God had something better planned for her the whole time. August’s struggles with anger and jealousy are very realistic. You can’t help but ache for the man who has so much love to give, but can’t seem to find a release. It was encouraging to see him take his troubles to the Lord and find the answers he needed.
Lena Nelson Dooley has done an excellent job bringing to life the Swedish families of historical Minnesota. It’s wonderful to read about a time where family helped family and neighbor helped neighbor. Readers are sure to love HIS BROTHER’S CASTOFF and will be excited to know that Gerda’s story will be available January 2005.
Review By: Carolyn R. Scheidies, Author’s Choice Reviews
With one fiance married to another and the other dead, Anna begins to think there is something wrong with her, that she’ll remain single for the rest of her days. August who has loved her from afar since the moment he saw her, burns with jealousy for the brother who so easily captured her attentions then married another woman. Somehow he can’t get beyond thinking of Anna as his brother’s castoff. But God is moving in the hearts of these two stubborn Scandinavians. A story of two hearts learning to walk by God’s grace and, in the process, discovering God’s wonderful plan.
Review By: J. N. Graham
His Brother’s Castoff was a delightful read, with likable characters and a fast pace. The romance seemed light at first, but pays off with a satisfying and uplifting conclusion. Dooley does a wonderful job of making the characters leap off the page and keeping the reader interested. Appropriate for readers of all age groups, this novel will make you anxious to check out the other three books in Dooley’s series.
Readers' Comments:
I had enjoyed The Other Brother so much that I could hardly wait to read this book. I was not disappointed. I fell in love with August and Anna just as I did with Gustaf and Olina. The next book can’t come soon enough for me. TX
I finished His Brother's Castoff. It defines sweet romance. Likable characters. Enjoyable story. Scripture well woven through. And a satisfying ending. Melody
I did truly enjoy the story and thought that the tension and pacing were excellent. I felt as frustrated as he did there for a while. It came together nicely. It really was a sweet love story. I like the "defective" theme and the "without blemish" solution. That's powerful, spiritual stuff! Michelle Therese
Dear Lena, I enjoyed His Brother's Castoff. I loved it when Gustaf and August prayed and found the root of the jealousy. After August overcame his shyness, he became quite the romantic. I am looking forward to the next two novels. Sincerely, S. S.
It took me a while, but I finally got to read His Brother's Castoff. Lena, you created a smooth transition between this book and The Other Brother. You may not have intended it to be that way, but I found myself being able to get right into the story from where the previous one left off. I must say that I had more sympathy for Anna than I did previously. In the first story, I viewed her as spoilt and petulant. In this story she came through as a strong, but loving person. It seemed as though she grew up in this book into a lovely, sensible young woman.
It was nice to get to get to know the Nilsson family better, and to read about Olina enjoying Gustaf and her little girl. How delightful she had a son although it doesn't always work out that way. I had a friend in California who had five daughters. She and her husband finally decided that girls, not boys, were God's plan for their family.
Again thank you for writing such a wonderful, warm hearted romance. I have Double Deception and will read that as soon as I finish the present book I'm reading.
Your writing has helped me with character development, setting, and transition for my work. Reading other authors works is important. I pray that if God should allow me the privilege of getting a book published that it will be an inspiration and guideline to other writers. Thanks Lena. Keep up the good work. Blessings Diana L. Dilcher
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