Sixty Acres and A Bride by Regina Jennings

Fabulous debut novel with stunning cover to match!

Sixty Acres and A Bride by Regina Jennings
Bethany House February 1 2012
Paperback 371 pages
Review copy provided by the publisher via HNR, thank you!
Review originally posted in Historical Novels Review Magazine, August 2012
Burton Book Review Rating: 4.5 Shiny Texas Lone Stars

With nothing to their names, young widow Rosa Garner and her mother-in-law return to Texas and the family ranch. Only now the county is demanding back taxes and the women have only three months to pay.

Though facing eviction, Rosa can't keep herself from falling in love with the countryside and the wonderful extended family who want only her best. Learning the American customs is not easy, however, and this beautiful young widow can't help but catch wandering eyes. Where some offer help with dangerous strings attached, only one man seems honorable. But when Weston Garner, still grieving his own lost love, is unprepared to give his heart, to what lengths will Rosa go to save her future?

This vibrant debut novel blends two cultures of the 1870’s as two widowers go back to family in Texas after tragedy befalls them in Mexico. The young and beautiful Rosa Garner accompanies her mother-in-law, both needing a fresh start, only to find that the old home has accumulated a huge sum of property taxes. Touching on biblical references, the family welcomes the two widowers with open arms and helps them achieve security.

Weston Garner is intrigued by his new cousin Rosa, but he is not willing to let go of his guilt over his wife’s death and believes he wouldn’t deserve to love again. Rosa and Weston strike up an unorthodox agreement even as they each battle their own fears and wariness, yet the entire community support them in spite of their own resistance. The entertaining characters were fleshed out and convincing while the plot explores many themes such as heritage, honor, customs, abuse and insecurity. Rosa’s intelligent and witty character was easy to root for, as she was a stranger among friends and refused to take anything for granted. A journey of faith, friendship and love, this historical romance will please lovers of the Western themed novel.

*I cannot wait to see what's up next for author Regina Jennings! And this cover was absolutely perfect for the main protagonist, Rosa. The author says the sequel is with the editors! (HAPPY DANCE!) Bethany House Publishers have not failed me yet with their supply of fresh voices in Christian historical fiction. Love in The Balance is Book Two, available March 2013.
(edit to add my review link here)

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