Romancing the Bride

GIVEAWAY

JAGEARS, MELISSA
ROMANCING THE BRIDE

Marrying a stranger to save a ranch is one thing; losing the land on their wedding day is another.

Desperate to keep the land where three of her children and her husband lie buried. Annie Gephart must marry or sell. Which of the few bachelors in town would consider a surprise proposal to wed a plain widow with a rebellious daughter, a spirited boy, and unpaid taxes -- without laughing in her face?

Jacob Hendrix has never fully let go of his ranching dreams despite ending up as a small Wyoming town's marshal. The job wouldn't be so bad, except he's more errand boy than lawman. When Annie proposes marriage without a single coquettish bat of an eyelash, can he commit himself to a woman he hardly knows for a choice piece of property he'd be an idiot to pass up?

But taxes aren't all that threaten Annie and Jacob's plans. Cattle rustlers, crumbling friendships, and wayward children make this marriage of convenience anything but. When they lose what they've sacrificed everything to save, will the love of a stranger be enough?

Romancing the Bride is the first book in the Frontier Vows series by award-winning Christian romance author Melissa Jagears. If you like heartwarming marriage-of-convenience stories, you'll love this sweet romance filled with endearing characters.

My Review:

A marriage of convenience story with heart and grit! Love the Wyoming setting -- haven't read many stories that take place in this state...in fact, this might be the first one! Jagears works her time-traveling magic with all her excellent historical details. From ranch life to a small town steeped in mystery and some of the unusual duties of the Marshal. And, of course, the harsh realities of a woman's life in this rugged man's world.

As far as the hero goes -- Jacob definitely earned a spot on the swoonworthy podium! Because, once committed, this man pursues not just Annie, but her children as well.  Prepare for curled toes and smelling salt moments! And he's a man of faith; deliberate in the way he pursues the Lord's will in his life. Gotta love a hero with that kind of singular focus.

Annie is beleaguered and overwhelmed and still reeling from the violent death of her husband and everything that has transpired since then. My heart hurt and my body ached for her. Vulnerable and wary, she has a lot to figure out before their marriage of convenience has a chance of growing into something more meaningful. Loved the way the romance slowly builds in fits and starts. Had me on tenterhooks the whole read.

But then there's all the sinister things going on in town and somehow, the Marshal's new family is caught up in the middle of it. Plot twists led to some unexpected revelations and I like that not absolutely everything was tied up in a neat little bow. Not that there isn't a happily ever after -- there is, but it's a realistic one. Which kinda makes it all the sweeter somehow.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Romancing the Bride, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahoo.ca. If you leave an email in your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 26 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!