Title: Short-Straw Bride
Author: Karen Witemeyer
First published July 9, 2012
365 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780764209659 (ISBN10: 0764209655)
Rating: 4.19
Overview
Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer is a thrilling tale of danger, sacrifice, and unexpected love. When Meredith Hayes overhears a sinister plot against the Archer brothers, she risks everything to warn them.
Travis Archer, the man who once saved her life, is now a hardened and wary rancher. But when he sees Meredith again, he can’t turn her away.
Despite the dangers that loom over them, they must stand together against a common enemy. As they fight for justice and survival, Meredith finds herself falling for Travis once again.
But with their pasts and secrets threatening to tear them apart, will they ever be able to find true love? Don’t miss this heartwarming and action-packed story of the Short-Straw Bride.
About the Author
Karen Witemeyer is a bestselling author who writes heartwarming historical romance novels. Her stories are filled with humor, strong-willed heroines, and handsome Texas heroes that will make you swoon.
In 2019, she was voted as the #1 Readers’ Favorite Christian Romance Author by Family Fiction Magazine. Karen is a firm believer in happy endings and has won multiple awards for her writing.
When she’s not writing, Karen enjoys cross-stitching, sipping tea, and playing board games with her family. She lives in Abilene, TX with her husband, who is a hero in his own right for taking care of the household chores while Karen is busy writing.
Karen is also generous with her readers. Every month, she gives away two inspirational historical novels to members of her newsletter list and provides extra bonus content on her website.
If you would like to learn more about Karen and her books, or join her subscriber list, please visit her website.
Editoral Review
Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer is a refreshing take on the historical romance genre that readers will undoubtedly enjoy. Published on July 9th, 2012, the novel tells an intriguing tale of love, vengeance, and redemption with a unique twist.
Karen Witemeyer, the author of the book, is a bestselling author of multiple Christian romance novels. Her books revolve around strong and independent female characters set in the Old West.
The plot of Short-Straw Bride centers around Meredith Hayes, a young woman who is forced to marry the man who drew the short straw in a family feud between their two ranches. She marries Travis Archer, who has a reputation for being a hard and unfeeling man.
According to the rules, they have to remain married for a year before they can divorce. As the plot unfolds, we see Travis and Meredith forced together, fighting their attraction towards each other while also dealing with the remnants of the family feud.
The setting is the rugged Texas countryside, and the author beautifully paints the landscape and the intricate details of the era. Karen Witemeyer’s writing is fluid, and her attention to detail is commendable.
Her writing style is simple yet compelling, making it easy for readers to connect with the characters and setting. The book’s themes of love, honor, and forgiveness are recurrent throughout the novel, making it emotionally stirring.
The character development is excellent, and we see each person evolving over the course of the story. Karen Witemeyer beautifully creates each character, and they all have their unique personalities and quirks.
One limitation of the book is that the author tends to rely on some historical stereotypes, and some readers may find it a bit cliche. However, Karen Witemeyer doesn’t shy away from difficult issues such as racism, misogyny, and sexism, which adds gravity to the story.
Short-Straw Bride is an exceptional book that will transport readers to a bygone era and leave them feeling completely satisfied. It’s perfect for those who love Christian historical romance novels.
I rate this book an 8/10 and recommend it for anyone looking for a beautifully written and suspenseful novel.