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02 August 2012

Teresa Mathews’ Review of Regina Jennings’ 60 Acres and a Bride

Sixty Acres and a Bride
Sixty Acres and a Bride
By Regina Jennings


4.5 Stars

In this beautiful story of love and devotion Regina Jennings has woven a sweet tale that will tug at your heartstrings. The year is 1878 and our beautiful heroine, Rosa Garner has had her life turned upside down when her husband along with her father-in-law are killed in a mining accident in Mexico. After their tragedy Rosa decided to go with her mother-in-law Louise Garner back to the family homestead in Texas when her family disowned her for deciding to follow the Christian example Louise has set before her.


When Rosa and Louise arrive in Lockhart, Texas they are upset to find out the renters that had been staying at the homestead while the Garners were in Mexico, had not paid any taxes and Louise now had only three months to pay the $166.00. Louise and Rosa work hard to get the farm running again, Rosa even uses her talent of embroidery to earn some extra money, hoping it will be enough to pay the taxes when the time comes. Rosa is a hard worker and a fast learner, and she is not afraid to try anything, so when Aunt Mary and Uncle George, Louise’s in laws, need help shearing their sheep, Rosa jumps right in. That is how she meets her husband’s cousin, Weston Garner. There is something about Wes that draws Rosa to him, especially when he tries to shield her from the vicious comments some of the ladies of the community are saying about her.

Weston Garner is a haunted man, he blames himself for things in his past that were not his fault. When he first meets Rosa he thinks she is just a worker his uncle has hired to help with the sheep, Rosa in return thinks he is another one of the cowboys her mother-in-law warned her about speaking to, both were shocked to find out they were wrong. After spending time together they realize they share feelings for each other, but both harbor secrets from their past that may keep them apart.

When the time comes to pay the taxes will Rosa and Louise have enough money or will Rosa once again be without a home and no where to go? Will they become so desperate that Louise will send dear Rosa to do things under normal circumstances she would never think of doing? Will this be what brings Rosa and Wes together at last or will it drive them further apart?

I loved how Regina took the Biblical story of Naomi and Ruth and through Rosa and Louise’s story showed us what it must have felt like to leave behind all you have ever known, family and traditions, and follow someone you have not known for long to a faraway place you have never been. Regina did a superb job of portraying Rosa’s devotion to her mother-in-law by working hard to take care of her and doing what she was told even when she didn’t understand the ways of this new land. As I was reading this I was amazed this is Regina’s first book and when I read the story behind it I was in awe of the power of God and how He can work things out for us. I cannot wait to read more from Regina in the future as she is a truly talented author.


Regina's books can be purchased through CBD, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other book stores.  


GIVEAWAY:  Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week’s contest.  Drawing will be late Saturday.  Regina's debut book in your choice of format*. Void where prohibited by law. *International winners will only receive the book in ebook format not as a paperback.

45 comments:

  1. Another great "TERESA" review as always! I'm looking forward to reading REGINA'S new release, but since that won't be 'til March, I had better keep chipping away at my tumbling over TBR pile!

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  2. Some people don't like retelling of biblical stories like this, but I always have. Thanks for reviewing this book. Looking forward to it.

    Patty
    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  3. Would love to win this book! We study Ruth in a Bible Study at church!

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  4. I think TERESA also has writing blood, don't you think so DIANA? Looking forward to her fist book. ;)
    Great review, T., as always! :)

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  6. It appears so, MARIAN! :)

    DEBBIE-One of my favorite books in the Bible, besides Esther! :)

    PATTY-This is totally different than the Biblical story of Ruth, there are just comparisons that are so similar. It's so clever how REGINA did that!

    Good luck in the giveaway, ladies!!

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  7. Another lovely review. You all have a talent for writing reviews that catch the reader's attention. Of course I'd love another chance to win.

    katelynmwhitley@yahoo.com

    Thank you for the extra chances!

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  8. Yep, another great review. Diana and Teresa, I look forward to reading your first books... we'll be able to say, "I knew them back when...." lol. Thanks for your take on the book Teresa!! I will get around to reading it eventually!! Looking forward to the next great book by Regina!

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  9. Why thank you, KATELYN! And I would have to say the same for you, young lady! :)

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  10. LADETTE! You are too funny! I don't know about TERESA, but I have no aspirations to write a book. My imagination just isn't good enough. I stunk in creative writng in school. haha

    I know y'all are tired of me after seeing me all week, but TERESA had an appointment and will be back in awhile to respond.:)

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  11. Great review, I can't wait to get started on this one! The cover is absolutely gorgeous and I've always loved biblical retellings. I'd love to win the pre-order of Regina's next book!

    ecriggs1990(at)aol(dot)com

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  12. We never get tired of seeing you around here, DIANA!

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  13. Thank you, MARIAN! I never get tired of seeing your smiling face either. Makes my day...everyday!
    !
    LIZ, I agree! TERESA does such a good job! This cover has just got to be one of my absolute favorites-ever.

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  14. This looks like a very interesting book. I would love to win it! Sincerely, Nancy Meacham-Cole, aka Marriott Cole (pen name)

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  15. DIANA and MARIAN
    Thank you my sweet BFF's. Not too sure about the writing skills but thank you anyway! :)

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  16. I'm back again! Wanting to be entered for Regina's new book, Love in the Balance, coming out in March 2013. Kathleen
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

    "*AND YET ANOTHER CHANCE TO WIN!!!* Even if you have already entered on another post, leave a comment on Teresa Mathews' great review of Sixty Acres and a Bride for another chance to win it, OR a pre-order of Regina Jennings' upcoming book, Love in the Balance!"

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  17. KATHLEEN I GLAD you came back AGAIN!! That's what we want, we like it when our friends come by. :) Good Luck!

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  18. I am not sure if I entered--think so but please count me in for a chance in the drawing. The cover is so inviting and this is my favorite genre--historical love stories.
    Thank you for the opportunity to enter.

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  19. Can't wait to read the book. Thanks for the opportunity.

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  20. Thanks for the review, TERESA!

    PATTY & DEBBIE - I love retellings, too, but I'd rather say Sixty Acres is inspired by Ruth and Boaz, not a retelling. Rosa and Weston are characters of their own. Their story goes further than scripture tells us. :)

    KATELYN - I agree. Their reviews reflect the warmth and welcome of their personalities.

    LADETTE - Thank you! Happy reading.

    LIZ - Good luck on the drawing and thanks for commenting.

    NANCY - Thank you for stopping in.

    KATHLEEN - Nice to see you again.

    SPANGLDLADY - I bet they got your name in the hat, now.

    LORI - Good luck and God bless!

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  21. SPANGLDLADY You are entered but sweetie we need your EMAIL ADDRESS! Thanks!

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  22. LORI you are WELCOME! Have you already left your email address? If not please come back and left it for us!!

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  23. I love stories that are inspired by Ruth and Boaz! It is fun to read what their lifes may have been like.
    samanthaakuiper(at)gmail(dot)com

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  24. SAMANTHA...I know you will love this one too!

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  25. Thanks for the Review, the Book Cover looks so pretty. I would love to win this Book, it sounds so good.
    Blessings

    ingrids62448(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  26. INGRID you are very welcome! It is a wonderful book and the cover is just GORGEOUS!

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  27. SAMANTHA - I agree. That's my favorite thing about writing is I get paid to daydream what it would have been like if...

    INGRID - The art dept. does an excellent job on their covers! Good luck.

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  28. Looking forward to getting to read both books on my trip back to Nicaragua!

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  29. MELODY...I know you'll have fun. Be safe! :)

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  30. Thanks for yet another amazing interview, Teresa!!! I am not doing so good with road trips and we have made our way back and are in MD. I meet with the Maryland/DC members of ACFW tomorrow before returning home.

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  31. I like how you continually support Christian Fiction authors!
    Thanks for carrying the torch in this review, Teressa (AND for the giveaway).
    My best to Carrie on her trip.

    Ganise

    ganise_4life (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  32. GANISE, thanks, and we want to support our Christian readers, too! Keep me in prayer for safe travel. Thanks!

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  33. CARRIE, it's so great to hear from you. How was Amish country? Did you buy any souvenirs...a quilt perhaps? They are expensive but beautiful! Been praying for you, gf!

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  34. This sounds really good.
    BC
    wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

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  35. I love the cover of this book! BC

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

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  36. WENDY and MARISSA-totally agree with the both of you! And I believe BC warrants you 2 entries so gotcha both entered-twice!

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  37. Thanks, GANISE for the prayers!

    DIANA, I have many lovely quilts my mother made for us over the years so no quilts. Bless her heart, she'd quilt even when her arthritis was bad--kinda like me writing my stories. We went to Valley Forge, too, which did my colonial heart such GOOD!!!

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  38. I love stories based on people from the Bible and Regina has a wonderful story here and I can't wait to read.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

    BC

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  39. Thanks for coming by, MISSKALLIE! You are such a blessing to all of us here at OTT!

    CARRIE, well then you could have bought me one! lol So glad you got to go to Valley Forge! Bet that was cool!

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  40. YAY! WENDY MARPLE won a copy of a preorder of REGINA'S book, or her debut book...the choice is yours, WENDY! CONGRATS!

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