Short-Straw Bride, historical romance, Texas, 1882, by Karen Witemeyer, my online critique partner and friend.
Of course, I like this book. If I hadn't liked it, Karen would have heard about it long before now. What surprised me about how engaging it is is this: some weeks ago (that's how behind in doing book reviews I am), I picked it up just as a refresher. We were discussing it on ACFW book club and I wanted to remind myself of the details from when I'd read it a year ago — chapter by chapter, week by week.
I was going to skim. Instead, I reread every word. In a day. Doing nothing else on my to-do list. Karen's writing is smooth and engaging. Her characters are broken but still mature, easy to like and relate to, easy to root for, and not so easy to put down.
Yes, this is straight-forward boy meets girl, boy gets stuck in an awkward situation and chooses to be honorable, marriage of convenience, or rather not so convenient marriage that teaches both characters a few things about love. Meri learns about yielding her wants to God and trusting Him to care for her. Travis learns about surrendering and trusting God to protect his loved ones. And in true fashion, God comes through and both are blessed beyond their expectations.
Interesting trivia: Short-Straw Bride is the first proposed title of Karen's that Bethany House has accepted as the actual book title. The title is quite visual for the cover with Travis holding four straws, one for himself and each of his brothers, with Meri peeking over his shoulder. One of the most touching scenes in the book is near the end when Travis explains those straws to Meri.
Also a great part of this story is seeing the juxtaposition between a disfunctional family that loves and a disfunctional family that doesn't. Again scripture is proved true: Love covers over a multitude of sins.
I highly recommend all Karen Whitemeyer books.
