From the prologue: Ten-year-old Meredith Hayes balled her hands into fists as she faced her tormentor, "Hiram Ellis! Give me back my lunch bucket this instant!"

From chapter one: "I don't think I can do it, Cass." Meredith peered up at her cousin through the reflection in the vanity mirror. Cassandra pulled the hairpin from her mouth and secured another section of Meredith's braided chignon. "Do what?" "Marry a man who wants me only for the land I can bring him."

Short-Straw Bride is one of my all-time favorite, favorite, favorite, favorite books. I absolutely love this marriage-of-convenience. Is it a true marriage of convenience? Maybe. Maybe not. The two marry due to circumstances, close to a "shot-gun wedding" if you will. (Though our hero and heroine are innocent of any impropriety.)

Meredith Hayes, our wonderful heroine, overhears a terrible-horrible plot. She's being "courted" by a villain (though she didn't know it at the time). She rides out to the Archer ranch to warn the four Archer brothers....and her time there on the ranch becomes extended after she suffers an injury....her guardian/uncle demands that one of the Archer brothers steps up and does the right thing and marry Meredith.

I really love this super-sweet and delightful romance. I loved Travis Archer. I loved Meredith. I loved ALL of the Archer brothers. I loved everything about this one.

My original review:

This isn't my first Karen Witemeyer book; however, it is the first Karen Witemeyer book that I absolutely LOVED, LOVED, LOVED. Short-Straw Bride is a Christian historical romance; it is set in Palestine, Texas in the 1880s.

In the prologue, Travis Archer saves the then-ten-year-old Meredith, her leg having gotten trapped in a hunting trap. The incident stays with her, as you might imagine. First, because she can't forget Travis Archer, he is forever her hero, the stuff of her dreams, despite the fact that that isolated incident is the only time she's seen him. Second, because it left a scar on her leg and the damage to the bone prevented it from growing as it should; one leg being slightly longer than the other.

The novel opens with Meredith all grown up and living with her aunt and uncle who are her guardians. They have arranged a marriage for her with an up-and-coming businessman, Roy Mitchell. Meredith prays for a sign, an indication one way or another if she should marry the man her guardians have chosen for her, or, if she should be stubborn and refuse their choice. And the sign, when it comes, is definite: she not only overhears him calling her a cripple, she overhears him making unethical arrangements to acquire land. He WANTS the Archer land, and since the Archer brothers won't sell, won't negotiate, won't budge, he's decided that if he burns their barn down, it will be a good first step to getting what he wants.

So what's a woman to do? Well, she does try going to the sheriff--or the deputy?--but when she's not taken seriously, when she's instead ridiculed for being a silly woman with a vivid imagination, she does what she must: she rides out to the Archer land herself to warn them. The problem? She doesn't have the time to ride out there and back before nightfall. And she wasn't counting on her cousin giving into the pressure of revealing her whereabouts. So her heroic ride to warn them just in time turns into a compromising reputation-killer. Her uncle demanding that one of the four Archer brothers step forward to marry her....

I admit this one could sound a bit silly to some readers, but, oh how I loved it!!!! I loved Meredith! I loved Travis! I loved their relationship, their marriage, their courtship-coming-after-marriage. I loved seeing how Meredith's presence on the Archer farm transforms the place, transforms the brothers. I loved just about everything in this one!!! There were quite a few giddy-making scenes!

Will Short-Straw Bride appeal to every reader? I doubt it. It's definitely for those that love Christian fiction, those that love Christian historical romance. I could see it having some appeal to non-Christians who love and seek out clean romance novels (smut-free romance novels). ( )

RTC . . . Soonish! ( )

I enjoyed this story! It captured my attention from the beginning, and it was hard to put down. I actually listened to it as an audio book, through Audible. I definitely plan to look for more books by Karen Witemeyer. ( )

After their father’s death, four boys are left alone, and Travis takes charge of the family. He breaks off almost all interaction with everyone else, and posts signs warning trespassers should stay away. But at 14 years of age, Meredith crosses onto their land, gets her leg caught in a trap, and is rescued by Travis, earning him her undying love. Years later, grown up Meredith tried to repay the kindness, and circumstances now bind them together. Their story is a tender one, but the road to happiness is a rough ride. The characters and the storyline are both intriguing, and the well-written tale is entertaining. ( )

Review originally posted on my Blog.

Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer is an absolutely delightful historical romance with a charming cast of characters. Meredith Hayes' long time crush on Travis Archer turns to love when he marries her to salvage her ruined reputation. With a bit of determination and a lot of faith in God, Meredith is determined to capture her husband's heart.

Meredith Hayes is headstrong, stubborn and feisty. She is also quite loyal, loving and kind-hearted. While she sometimes acts impetuously, her heart is always in the right place. When faced with uncertainty, she relies on her faith in God to guide her.

Travis Archer is a man of his word. Keeping his promise to his dying father to protect the Archer land, he and his brothers have isolated themselves from their neighbors. But their seclusion is a double-edged sword. While they have protected themselves from their enemies, they have also avoided any possible friendships as well. With Meredith's insight, a helping hand from an unexpected source and trust in God, Travis slowly begins to tear down his both his physical and emotional barriers.

The romance between Travis and Meredith is beautifully written. Their courtship is sweet and slow, which adds depth and authenticity to their growing feelings. Meredith's hero worship of Travis quickly turns to a deeper and more mature love. While Travis is a little slower to realize what his feelings are, it is always apparent to the reader he harbors strong emotions for Meredith.

I absolutely loved the relationship between Travis and his brothers Crockett, Neill and Jim. They are well drawn characters that I greatly enjoyed getting to know. Their scenes together are laugh out loud funny and their unshakeable devotion to one another is quite touching.

Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer is a wonderful novel that will resonate with anyone who enjoys a sweet romance. The spiritual aspect of the story is subtle but integral to the plot and the growth of the characters. Plenty of action and a suspenseful storyline keep the novel flowing at a brisk pace.

All in all, a heartwarming and emotionally satisfying story that I highly recommend.
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