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.