Judy D. -
Helpful Score: 1
The Unexpected Bride by Debra Ullrick
Hayden Bowen was married once and that was more than enough. His wife passed away and his brother thought he was doing Hayden a favor by answering an add a woman put out for a groom. Jess was wrong! Hayden picked the woman up at the stagecoach, after having to fight off a drunk who was trying to force himself upon her. He chose to let Jess tell her about what he did. Only Jess was too hurt from Hayden horse, Rebel, kicking him because of Hayden's anger. Now what was he to do with this beautiful doe eyed gal? He reminded himself of his failure to Melanie constantly so that he would keep his heart protected. If he opened up at all, this gal would surely slip right under his shield.
Rainelle Victoria Devonwood, known as Rainee, was running from a dangerous situation into another unknown. From the letters Hayden has sounded like a wonderful Christian man. And he had protected her from that man by the stagecoach. He was a rather handsome man and well muscled. Her mother would turn over in her grave to know how improper Rainee was being by looking at a mans muscles. Her father was from England and her mother from the South. Her father liked all the proprieties he grew up with and mother went along with it. So Rainee had learned how to become a lady, but she was still rebellious on the inside. They had both died two years ago and for some reason her brother hated her. If she did not leave her home she would have either died at his hand or by the old man her brother had sold her too. Only she has arrived at Idaho and it seems Hayden does not want her either.
This book was so full of lovable characters. Hayden's family lives on their farm in the three house built by close together. Hayden has a home, Jesse and his wife, Hannah and than the big home is his mother, Katherine, brother Michael and sisters Leah and Abby. Five year old Abby is so sweet and endearing as well as Miss Kitty the big pig who thinks she's a dog. Only problem is Rainee's great fear of pigs.
Hayden Bowen was married once and that was more than enough. His wife passed away and his brother thought he was doing Hayden a favor by answering an add a woman put out for a groom. Jess was wrong! Hayden picked the woman up at the stagecoach, after having to fight off a drunk who was trying to force himself upon her. He chose to let Jess tell her about what he did. Only Jess was too hurt from Hayden horse, Rebel, kicking him because of Hayden's anger. Now what was he to do with this beautiful doe eyed gal? He reminded himself of his failure to Melanie constantly so that he would keep his heart protected. If he opened up at all, this gal would surely slip right under his shield.
Rainelle Victoria Devonwood, known as Rainee, was running from a dangerous situation into another unknown. From the letters Hayden has sounded like a wonderful Christian man. And he had protected her from that man by the stagecoach. He was a rather handsome man and well muscled. Her mother would turn over in her grave to know how improper Rainee was being by looking at a mans muscles. Her father was from England and her mother from the South. Her father liked all the proprieties he grew up with and mother went along with it. So Rainee had learned how to become a lady, but she was still rebellious on the inside. They had both died two years ago and for some reason her brother hated her. If she did not leave her home she would have either died at his hand or by the old man her brother had sold her too. Only she has arrived at Idaho and it seems Hayden does not want her either.
This book was so full of lovable characters. Hayden's family lives on their farm in the three house built by close together. Hayden has a home, Jesse and his wife, Hannah and than the big home is his mother, Katherine, brother Michael and sisters Leah and Abby. Five year old Abby is so sweet and endearing as well as Miss Kitty the big pig who thinks she's a dog. Only problem is Rainee's great fear of pigs.
Ashley B. (Ashley1010) reviewed The Unexpected Bride (Bowen, Bk 1) (Love Inspired Historical, No 90) on + 67 more book reviews
This book was a little gut-wrenching to read at times, but I really liked it overall. Rainee is a tough woman who has been through so much loss and hardship but is determined to escape to a better life. She is also struggling with the woman she wants to be versus the woman she was raised and expected to be. The animals on the Bowen farm are a great addition to the story. They include Raven, Miss Piggy, and especially Kitty. The way the animals are written into the story brought a smile to my face to the very last page.
