A Bride for Sterling

by Parker J Cole

  Geweldig – Splendid

  Goedemorgen – Good morning

  hoofdkaas – gelatinous mass of the boiled and ground up meat of a pig’s head.

  Prachtig – wonderful

  Welaan! – Well then!

  Erwtensoep – Split pea soup with sausage or ham

  Rookworst – red smoked sausage

  Hete Bliksem – (Hot lightning; named because it because it contains a lot of moisture from the apples (or pears) in it, so it stays hot very long and people burn their tongues on it ;-) in their eagerness to start eating, because it smells delicious; mashed potatoes with bacon, apples and cheese

  appelflappen – apple turnover

  Welkom – Welcome

  Mijn naam — My name is…

  Dominee – Reverend

  Ouderling – Elder

  Daag – Good morning or Good bye (depending on the time of day)

  Dank u/je— Thank you (a difference between formal and informal)

  Graag gedaan – You’re welcome

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  I love writing about my state. Michigan is a gem of wonder. Surrounded by the Great Lakes, we experience its menopausal tendencies – sudden heat flashes in the middle of January and then chills in the middle of July. Or, most common, experiencing every season in a day – winter in the morning, spring at noon, summer at three, and autumn at six. There’s a saying: “If you don’t like the weather in Michigan, wait a minute.”

  Yet, I love living here and studying its fascinating history.

  Of particular interest to me is the Dutch American community in Holland, Michigan. My interest in Dutch culture came from reading the late Betty Neels’ novels published by Harlequin. Betty Neels had married a Dutch man and lived for about fifteen years in Holland. Many of her books involve a Dutch doctor, preferably an adel (Dutch aristocracy) and an English nurse, mirroring, what I would call her own love story.

  When I had the opportunity to write about the Dutch presence in Michigan, thanks to the graciousness of Christine Sterling, our fearless leader of the Proxy Bride series, I leapt at the chance. Yes, I know the Dutch actions in history have not always been the best; but it’s part of history. You live and learn.

  The Dutch Calvinists (Separatists) had left their homeland to escape religious persecution. This move was extreme. No one wants to leave their homeland, the land they love. As one book I read stated, “Oppressed in conscience, hungry in body, poor in pocket, but with dauntless spirits and dogged Dutch determination, these brave men began to look for a haven of rest and a land of plenty somewhere beyond the sea. But these men were patriots. Though half-starved and oppressed, they still loved their country with a deep and tender love.” History of Michigan, Moore, A Charles, 1915: page 530

  About the time A Bride for Sterling takes place, the Dutch, led by Reverend A. C. Van Raalte, had built up what was once the territory of the Ottawa Indians (Odawa), an area of swampland and forests, into a community with its own train depot, businesses, and thriving industry and shaped it into the likeness of the country of their birth.

  Being a preacher’s daughter, church politics concerning leadership are fascinating to me which is why that element is included in the story. The denomination of Elder Collingsworth’s church is not named for deliberate reasons. Yet, in the time period of the story, there was a painful division among these Dutch Separatists. In 1857, doctrinal tension would ultimately form two factions: Reformed Church in America (RCA) and Christian Reformed Church (CRC). The tension is hinted at in my book although not elaborated on and is not part of the machinations of Clyford Montgomery.

  Michiganders are known for being resilient, bouncing back from calamity and going on with life. Could it be that the spirit of the Dutch, in one small part of the state had something to do with that?

  It sounds so cliché but there’s a reason why clichés work. I hope you enjoyed reading A Bride for Sterling as much as I enjoyed writing it. Any and all mistakes are mine alone.

  Till next time!

  I hope you have enjoyed this book in the brand-new series, The Proxy Brides. New books will be released every other week through 2019.

  If you enjoyed this story, I would appreciate it if you would leave a review, as it helps me reach new readers and continue to write stories that appeal to you.

  Leave a review here:

  Upcoming Proxy Bride Books (2018 Series)

  A Bride for Jeremiah by Christine Sterling

  A Bride for Clay by Marianne Spitzer

  A Bride for Nathan by Barbara Goss

  A Bride for Abel by Cyndi Raye

  A Bride for Finn by Linda Ellen

  A Bride for Carter by Wendy May Andrews

  A Bride for Sterling by Parker J. Cole

  A Bride for Henry by P. Creeden

  Books are released every two weeks! Join my newsletter to make sure you see the 2019 publication schedule!

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Parker J. Cole is an author, speaker, and radio show host with a fanatical obsession with the Lord, Star Trek, K-dramas, anime, romance books, old movies, speculative fiction, and knitting. An off and on recovering Mountain Dew and marshmallow addict, she writes to fill the void the sugar left behind.

  Find out more and sign up for the mailing list at www.parkerjcole.com

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  WORKS BY PARKER J COLE

  Edgy Christian Romance Novels

  The Sins of the Flesh Series:

  Many Strange Women (Book 1)

  The Other Man (Book 2)

  Vengeful Vows (Book 3)

  Sweet Inspirational Novels

  Michigan Sweet Romance Series:

  The Cure

  Time to Say Goodbye

  Contemporary Romance

  Java Cupid Series

  Java Blend

  Sweet Historical Romance Novels

  Silverpines Series:

  Wanted: Man of Honor

  Wanted: Stonemason

  Wanted: Fire Chief

  Lantern in the Window Series:

  Lantern of Hope

  Lantern of Charity

  The Proxy Bride Series

  A Bride for Sterling

  A Bride for Valentin

  A Bride for Wen Hui

  The Pinkerton Matchmaker Series

  An Agent for Arielle

  An Agent for Brielle

  Short Story Collection

  Wish Upon a Strawberry Shortcake

  Thriller Novel

  Dark Cherub

  Anthology Works

  Birds of Passage Anthology: April and Mr. Grim

  Realms of Our Own: Godforsaken

  Beatitudes and Woes Anthology: The Door to Wishes

  WRITING AS PARKER PAYNE

  Ascent of the Gem Bearers Series

  The Druid’s Spear (Book One) with Lee Thornton III

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