Adventure Between the Pages: Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer

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Age Appropriate For: 15 and up for marital themes

Best for Ages: 18 and up

Description: 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?

This book had been sitting on my Kindle for a few months. Several of my friends kept raving about Karen Witemeyer, so I decided to give her a try thinking it would be a nice, light, one-time read. Boy, was I in for a big surprise.

It was so refreshing to have a strong Christian message without feeling preachy. I know it is hard for many authors to find that happy medium. If they want some pointers, study Karen Witemeyer. Her messages are woven seamlessly into the story, yet make you feel stronger in your faith. I don’t know how she does it, but I plan to study her work.

Travis? I wish I could marry a guy like him. He was human, had faults, but had a strong, sustaining faith. He has respect for Meredith and other women and is a real leader. I love how he develops.
Finally! A book set in Texas that actually sounds like Texas. So many books sound like Hollywood’s version of Texas, which, if you live here, is far from the truth. Witemeyer is a Texan so that helps, but she did an excellent job of representing the state I call home.

This book is for older reads due to the fact most of it takes place after they are married. There were a couple of conversations that might make younger and sensitive readers squirm a little, but nothing is described at all. I am pretty sensitive, but nothing talked about took away from the enjoyment of the story.
I highly recommend this book to those who love romance, cowboy stories, and faith-building fiction.


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1 comments

  1. ha ha ha. You are too good at making me interested in books I usually would pass over!!!

    ReplyDelete