Short Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer
Christian Romance/Historical Fiction. 365 Pages. 5 Stars
Synopsis:
No one steps on Archer land. Not if they value their life. But when Meredith Hayes overhears a lethal plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, a twelve-year-old debt compels her to take the risk.
Fourteen years of constant vigilance hardens a man. Yet when Travis Archer confronts a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can’t bring himself to send her away. And when an act of sacrifice leaves her injured and her reputation in shreds, gratitude and guilt send him riding to her rescue once again.
Four brothers. Four straws. One bride. Despite the fact that Travis is no longer the gallant youth Meredith once dreamed about, she determines to stand by his side against the enemy that threatens them both. But will love ever be hers? Or will Travis always see her merely as a short-straw bride?
My Review:
Well, that was quite a ride! 😀 This was my first Karen Witemeyer book, but it will certainly not be my last!!! (I’m heading straight to Amazon to buy book 2 as soon as I finish this review!) I don’t typically read romance. I like it as a side plot, don’t get me wrong, but most romance centered books are waaaayyy too sticky sweet for me, not to mention…well, distastefully vulgar. The synopsis for this one was so intriguing, however, that I ventured to give it a try. (I’m a sucker for the hero rescues damsel and the spitfire-not-so-damsel softens the rugged hero.) And, boy, am I glad that I did. The setting, first of all, was one of my favorites: 1800’s draw me in nearly every time. I can dig the western vibe too. The writing was very good, the style and the technicalities were sound. The plot was intriguing and well-paced. I LOVED her characters!!! And I can’t wait to see more of them. While the book is refreshingly clean, there are some thematic elements surrounding marriage which I would want potential young readers to be aware of. Overall, a hearty thumbs up!
More:
The second book in the Archer Brothers series is Stealing the Preacher (5 Stars)
Novella 2.5 is A Cowboy Unmatched (which can also be found in the collection by various authors A Match Made in Texas)
I have rated and reviewed the second book on Goodreads. I haven’t read the novella yet, but I fully intend to do so. I’ll rate, review, and update here when I get around to reading it.
These function as standalone novels, but I would still recommend reading them in order to avoid spoilers.