Pages

18 September 2012

Teresa Mathews Reviews Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer

Short-Straw Bride
Short-Straw Bride
by Karen Witemeyer
(Bethany House 2012)


Reviewed by Teresa Mathews
5 stars~*****

In this heart-warming tale, Karen Witemeyer weaves a beautiful story of love and trust. Since the death of their Pa fourteen years ago, as per his dying request, not one of the Archer brothers have set foot off their land. Except for the day Travis rescues a sweet little blonde that had become ensnared in one of his coyote traps. The pretty ten year old with the vivid beautiful blue eyes was very brave, hardly whimpering at all, while Travis freed her leg.



Since that day twelve years ago Meredith has never forgotten the sight of Travis Archer and how tender he treated her when she had gotten her leg caught in a trap on his land. Travis was always the hero of her thoughts and dreams as a child and even now that she is a grown woman she still finds no one seems to measure up to him. Not even Roy Mitchell, the man whom her aunt and uncle wish her to marry, the man she is sure is only wanting to marry her for the land her Pa left her when he passed away.

Spoiler alert:
After praying that the Lord would show her what she should do about marrying Roy, she gets her answer when she overhears him talking to one of his hired hands and she hears him call her a “cripple”. But worst than that she hears him sanction a plot that will burn the Archers barn that night so they will finally give up and sell him their land.

Meredith Hayes once again displays her bravery when she shows up on Archer land uninvited, and ends up at the wrong end of a rifle. Meredith is greeted by all four brothers and she has a hard time making them believe she is telling the truth about who she is and about Roy’s plot. When she finally raises her skirt a tad and shows Travis her leg, and he sees where the trap left a permanent mark on Meredith’s leg and he sees the limp that she is left with, he remembers the beautiful brave ten year old. Even after being told to stay in the house, Meredith jumps in to help prepare for the coming attack even at the risk of her own safety. When someone cuts the fence and slips in to set fire to the barn, Meredith find she is all alone, since all the Archer men are at different places guarding the land. So Meredith jumps in to put out the fire and is hurt in the process.

When Meredith’s uncle shows up to check on her, the only thing he is worried about is that she has been alone in the company of four men, so he demands that one of them marry her. Will Meredith really get her heart’s desire? Or will the Archer brothers leave her fate to chance by drawing straws? Will Travis really leave it to chance or does he already know he will be the one to take responsibility for Meredith, just like he has done with his brothers and their land?

Summary:
I have read three other books by Karen and thoroughly enjoyed all of them and this one was no different. It was such a sweet read I didn’t want to put it down. I promise this one should be placed at the top of that TBR list, you won’t want to miss it!

Thanks Karen, great job!


Karen Witemeyer's books can be purchased at AmazonCBDB & NLifeway and other Christian book stores. 


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

Additional giveaway: Karen has a signed copy of Short-Straw Bride for an American winner.

58 comments:

  1. Sounds like you really enjoyed this one, TERESA! Awesome review - the first one with a spoiler alert, I think. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ohhh, Karen Witemeyer, I haven't gotten to read any of hers yet, but I would love to win one of hers in ebook form. Here's hoping.

    jruth418(@)live(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nice review. I SO want to add this book to my collection. This is only book I don't have of Karen's! Looking forward to more releases from her!
    Amy C
    campbellamyd at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Awesome job, TERESA! Your enthusiasm for Karen's books really shine through!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Teresa - Thank you so much for the great review! So glad you enjoyed Travis and Meredith's adventure!

    ReplyDelete
  6. TERESA, Great job on this review! I know we all loved this book. ACK, I still don't have my audio review done and scheduled...

    ReplyDelete
  7. Would love to win! I haven't read any of her books yet!
    likesmusic2@consolidated,net

    ReplyDelete
  8. A Tailor-Made Bride print copy is what I would like to be entered for! Thank you. Kathleen
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  9. Karen is another new author to me and have been hearing how good she is. I am wanting to read her books now.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    azladijo(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I would like a printed copy. angelachesnut@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sounds like a good book. Haven't read her books , hope your books are in the library.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Did not print.again. looking forward.to reading your book. Hope your book is in the library. Would love to win incase they don't have your book in the library.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Finally my comment posted. Hoorah let's have a party. Now all I have to do is win.

    ReplyDelete
  14. HI EVERYONE...Sorry about running late getting on here. :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. MARIAN...I really did enjoy this book! :)

    JANELL, good luck in the drawing. :)

    KAREN, thank you so much...I'm a big fan of your work!!

    CARRIE, thank you.

    AMY, I see you love Karen's work as much as I do!

    DEBBIE, you are missing a blessing! lol!

    KATHLEEN, good luck in the drawing. :)


    ReplyDelete
  16. JO, all of KAREN's books are truly wonderful.

    ANGELA, good luck in the drawing. We'll keep in mind your preference for a printed book if you win! :)

    MAGGIE, the library is where I first found Karen's books. I was so excited when I read the first one I couldn't wait for the next one to come out!


    ReplyDelete
  17. TERESA, I have decided T.O.M. needs to be changed to Terrific Overcoming Mom. What do you think?

    ReplyDelete
  18. YES!! CARRIE that is much better...I can do ALL THINGS through CHRIST who strengthens ME!!Phillipians 4:13

    ReplyDelete
  19. Would love to Win one of your books "TO WIN HER HEART" Thank you for the contest .Dana
    jashbk@earthlink.net

    ReplyDelete
  20. Would love to win! I've only read one of Karen's books - SHORT-STRAW BRIDE - and I loved it!

    Frequentreader19 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  21. MELANIE..good luck in the drawing. All of Karen's books good so anyone one of them will be a treasure. :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Love Karen's books!

    missionwife@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I tho't I had entered this, but do not see my name. I've tried numerous times to win this book. Maybe this will be my lucky day. It sounds so good.
    Maxie ( mac262@me.com )

    ReplyDelete
  24. MELODY, KAREN's books are like ice cream....a real treat! lol!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. MAXIE...Good luck in the drawing. Here's hoping you win! :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Oh, I have short-straw bride but I wouldn't mind winning another of Karen's books. thanks

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I have read all Karen's books but this one. I love the opportunity to read this one. Thanks!

    ldwrncpn@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  28. Good luck APPLE BLOSSOM!! Maybe you'll win and you can pick which one you'd like. :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. LORI...good luck in the drawing! I know if you win you will love this one!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Sure would love to win this one--right up my reading alley! :D Please enter my name. I haven't read Karen's work but would love to. Blessings! Darlene

    spangldlady[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  31. DARLENE...you are entered. I know you will love Karen's books!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I would love to be entered to win! Thanks for the chance to win! makeighleekyleigh @ yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Short-Straw Bride was such a fun book to read. I enjoyed Meridith and all the Archer brothers and look forward to reading more about them. I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that Karen is writing a book focusing on one of the brothers.
    Thanks for the chance to win one of Karen's books.

    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  34. PAM wouldn't that be great to read about the Archers again?! Good luck in the drawing!

    ReplyDelete
  35. TERESA, I can do all things through Christ (except eat liver--does that count?) So glad KAREN is doing this next Archer novel, yay! Oh, and we have a 200th Follower, yay!!! But we are trying to square that away as we have a teeny bit of confusion. Should be announced shortly!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Would love to win this book. Haven't gotten to read any of your books yet, so this would be a good time to start.

    seraphinangel7@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. MAXIE ANDERSON is our 200th Follower!!! Congrats, Maxie, you will receive your choice of any of KAREN's books!!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. AMEN CARRIE!!! I'm with you on the liver...yuck!!

    ReplyDelete
  39. JUANITA you are right Short Straw Bride is an excellent place to start! Good luck in the drawing!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Thanks, Carrie. This is the first time I have won anything of this kind. (besides just a reg. drawing. Will email you with my choice. :) God Bless All of you. Maxie ( mac262@me.com )

    ReplyDelete
  41. MAXIE CONGRATS!!! How exciting to be our 200th follower!! See your persistence paid off! YEA!!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Sounds like a great book! I would love to win! I've read one other book by Karen Whitemeyer and really enjoyed it. I love a variety of genres, but I think historical fiction is my fav! :)

    ReplyDelete
  43. Thanks Teresa, I have one of Karen's books and I know I'll love it when I read it. I hear SO MANY compliments on her writing and about Karen too!

    I skipped the spoilers BTW!

    Looking forward to more about Karen and what's coming up from her.

    ReplyDelete
  44. This book sounds great would love to read it.

    ReplyDelete
  45. AMANDA it is a great book, one that you don't want to put down!

    DEBRA I loved it so much..I may have gotten carried away a little on the review. ;) lol!

    PAT maybe you'll be blessed to win a copy! Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Thank you for your sweet comments to everyone!!! Kathleen
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  47. Karen Witemeyer is a new-to-me author. I have her book Short-Straw Bride on my to-read list and have heard great comments about it on Goodreads - Christian Fiction Devourers group.

    Loraine
    Lpertelt@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. I have loved all of Karen's books, can't wait to read this one!

    Patty
    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Awww..thank you KATHLEEN, in case no one has noticed I love to read but even more I LOVE to TALK!! lol! You know it's bad when your 17 year old son tells you "mom I hope I don't marry a girl that likes to talk like you do" :D Had to laugh!!

    ReplyDelete
  50. LORAINE, you have been missing out! :) Good luck in the drawing

    ReplyDelete
  51. PATTY, I have loved everyone of Karen's books also! Good Luck in the drawing!

    ReplyDelete
  52. I already have Short-Straw Bride but I would love to win one of the other books. Thank you for the great review!
    samanthaakuiper(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  53. SAMANTHA...you are welcome and good luck in the drawing! :)

    ReplyDelete
  54. Enjoyed this review with the spoiler alert! :) Thanks for the giveaway!

    Jes
    jswaks at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  55. Dana Wilkerson Spille, you are our overall winner for the weekly drawing! CONGRATS!!! You will receive To Win Her Heart, which you requested!!! And which Karen won the Carol award for, woot!!! Check your email!!!

    ReplyDelete

Google Analytics