Review: "Short-Straw Bride" by Karen Witemeyer

Reviewed by *Katie McCurdy for Legacy of a Writer

5/5 Stars

THE BOOK: 

Four Brothers. Four Straws. One Bride.

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.

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:

Once again, Karen Witemeyer has penned another wonderful read!! Short-Straw Bride pricks your interest with the prologue and by the second chapter, I was captivated. After reading two other books by Witemeyer, I know to expect a book that will entertain, enthrall, and warm your heart all at the same time—and she’s done again with Short-Straw Bride!

I really enjoyed getting to know Meredith and the Archer men. The story behind why the Archer’s are so feared and never leave their land was very interesting and well woven into the story. I always know that Witemeyer will have something different an unqiue in her books—character quirk, interesting predicament or place—and this one is no exception. Even after finishing the book, I am still stuck on Archer’s land.

Watching Travis and Meredith learn and grow to love each other after marriage was so memorable. You can’t help but cheer for them as the book progresses. The romance between the two is warm and funny—a few scenes even get the blood pumping! (Though nothing ever too descriptive, in my opinion. No worries! ;-)

Short-Straw Bride had a very fun and different story plot from what I have been reading recently—so a delightful change of pace for me! All in all, I loved it. Each book that I have read by Witemeyer, I have fully and completely enjoyed, and Short-Straw Bride is no exception.

* I reviewed this book for the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance. Thanks to the publishers, Bethany House, for sending me a review copy. It was not required that I give a positive review, but solely to express my own thoughts and opinions of this book, which I have done.