Short-Straw Bride...a book review

Not too long ago I did an author spotlight with Karen Witemeyer, who happens to be one of my favorite Christian fiction authors.  A week or two later, I received an email from Bethany House and Karen's new book, Short-Straw Bride, was one of the choices to review!  I was so excited that I was able to read it and now to do a review of it.  **I want to make sure you know that I received this book for free from Bethany House in order to give an unbiased book review**

I'm being totally unbiased when I say that I loved the book!  Here is a short synopsis....
The four Archer brothers have been on their own since their parents died when they were young.  They've had to defend themselves from those who wanted to take their land and protect each other from those who wanted to separate them.  Each brother has special talents, but Travis, the oldest Archer, has taken on the role of leader and father-figure to the other brothers.  Then one day, everything changes.  Meridith Hayes dares to enter the forbidden territory in order to warn the Archers about a plot she overheard that could endanger them and their home.  She couldn't resist...she had met Travis when she was a young girl and he rescued her.  From that moment on Travis was her knight in shining armor.  This would be a way to return the kindness he showed her.  Unfortunately, through a series of unplanned events, Meridith has to stay at the Archer house for a few days, ruining her reputation.  The Archer men are honorable, so they agree to draw straws and whoever gets the short straw will marry Meridith.  As the oldest Archer, Travis feels it's his responsibility to take care of Meri.  But will responsibility develop into something more? 

First of all...just looking at the cover makes me want to open this book and read.  All of Karen's books have great covers!  Another thing I love about her books is the plot development.  This book was 363 pages, but I felt like I read even more because there was so much depth to the plot.  The characters came alive, they seemed realistic and likeable, and their inner conflicts were believeable.  Even one of the overall conflicts in the book (good vs evil) had a good amount of intensity and resolved itself in a believeable way.  And, of course, it had a great love story!  I loved the characters of Travis and Meri.  They weren't too good to be true, either.  It gets on my nerves when you read about a character that is amazingly beautiful/handsome, is flawless or resolves their flaws too easily, and can do no wrong.  You won't find that in this book.  There is a great balance with each character's physical and emotional flaws and their strengths.  If you'd like to see a book trailer along with one of her favorite recipes check out Karen's interview.

Blessings~Stacey