Historical Romance Book Review: Romancing the Bride

Publisher's Description

Marrying a stranger to save a ranch is one thing; losing the land on their wedding day is another.
Desperate to keep the ranch where three of her children and a husband lie buried, Annie Gephart must marry or sell. Which of the few bachelors in town would consider a surprise proposal to wed a plain widow with a rebellious daughter, a spirited boy, and unpaid taxes--without laughing in her face?

Jacob Hendrix has never fully let go of his ranching dreams despite ending up as a small Wyoming town's marshal. The job wouldn't be so bad, except he's more errand boy than lawman. When Annie proposes marriage without a single coquettish bat of an eyelash, can he commit himself to a woman he hardly knows for a choice piece of property he'd be an idiot to pass up?

But taxes aren't all that threaten Annie and Jacob's plans. Cattle rustlers, crumbling friendships, and wayward children make this marriage of convenience anything but. When they lose what they've sacrificed everything to save, will the love of a stranger be enough?

Romancing the Bride is the first book in the Frontier Vows Series by award-winning Christian romance author Melissa Jagears. If you like heartwarming marriage-of-convenience stories, you'll love this sweet romance filled with endearing characters.

Click her to purchase a copy of this novel for yourself. 

My Review

Romancing the Bride, the first book in the Frontier Vows series by Melissa Jagears, is a delightful historical fiction novel. Incorporating its own unique twist on the mail-order-bride saga, this book is engaging and unexpected. It only took a few paragraphs for me to know that I would thoroughly enjoy this novel. At all times, this book successfully balances history, romance, faith, and even a bit of mystery, making the story thoroughly readable and entertaining. 
 

The characters in this novel are wonderfully endearing and well-developed. They are authentic and multifaceted, and their fears, hopes, desires, convictions, and choices make them heart-warming and relatable. Even though the characters struggle through real trials that test their faith, the light of God’s grace and mercy shines through with hope, forgiveness, and restoration. These enduring themes of grace and second chances are integral to the story and are also deeply inspiring.

Romancing the Bride is a meaningful novel of renewed hope and second chances. It is a story of faith, trust, and new beginnings. It is a story of love, forgiveness, and redemption. From the first page to the last, this well-written novel is a pleasure to read. It is honest, tender, emotionally stirring, and ultimately uplifting. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

*I was given a copy of this book by the author. A review was not required. The review I have written contains opinions that are entirely my own.

My Reflection

Within the pages of Romancing the Bride, there is an emphasis on the importance of prayer and patiently waiting on God for help and answers. When they endeavor to solve problems through their own strength and determination, the characters continue to struggle and peace eludes them. However, through patient prayer and humble submission to God’s compassionate sovereignty, the characters find peace in God’s timing and in his wisdom. Their faith grows stronger and their trials become bearable when they turn to God in prayer and place their trust wholly in him. Many novels entertain. Some novels point to the power of prayer. Romancing the Bride is a novel that does both exceedingly well.

About the Author: Melissa Jagears

"Much to her introverted self's delight, ACFW Award winner and double INSPY finalist Melissa Jagears hardly needs to leave her home to be a homeschooling mother and novelist. She lives in Kansas with her husband and three children and can be found online at www.melissajagears.com, Facebook, Pinterest, and Goodreads." --Biography from Melissa Jagears' author page on Amazon.com.