Striving to create a home strong in the foundations of love, respect, and God's truths ...

Friday, March 9, 2012

"Sixty Acres and a Bride" by Regina Jennings

 

Rosa Garner is homeless.  Abandoned by her family and newly married, she must also leave her country after her husband and father-in-law die.  Traveling with her mother-in-law to her former home in Texas, they arrive only to find that the family homestead will be sold in three months' if they don't pay the back taxes - an astronomical sum.  With few choices before them, Rosa works hard to earn the money only to have an idea backfire and be faced with the prospect of an arranged marriage.  Can Weston, relative of her mother-in-law, save the family ranch - and her dreams of love?

Debut author Regina Jennings writes a whirlwind of a tale!  Faced with Rosa's problems I would be tempted to pull my skirts over my head and cry, but Rosa just pulls on her apron and works hard throughout.  She is obedient and respectful to her mother-in-law and often chooses silence instead of voicing her opinion - which often seems wise beyond her young years.

A rewriting of Ruth and Naomi's story, Sixty Acres and a Bride provides insight into how Ruth could have felt.  Decisions are seldom based solely one factor, and Jennings' complex plot provides a wealth of complications, versions of which the Biblical Ruth could have experienced.  Did she face personal peril?  Was food scarce now?  Did she long for another marriage?  Did she dream of faraway lands?  Did she lack opportunities and prospects, having been married to a foreigner?  This pondering of the true Biblical story was one of the best aspects of this story.

The other was the romance between Ruth and Weston.  

Several years a widower, Weston had his own issues to overcome before welcoming a new bride.  With time of the essence and complications in place, however, he is not given that luxury.  That does not keep him from being strongly attracted to Rosa's beauty, however, or to admire the strength of character that she exhibits every day.  With many unwilling to help Rosa learn the American customs she finds strange or to find ways to save the family land, only Weston sees Rosa for the wonderful creation she is, but his former pain holds him back - as does Rosa's fear of a second loveless marriage.  Their dance to find true love and healing is remarkable.

This is a fiesty, fun look at love in Texas 150 years ago, but don't take my word for it.  You can read an excerpt here or visit other reviewers on this blog hop.


If, of course, you'd rather just buy the book now, you can do that here.




Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history minor. She has worked at The Mustang News and First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She now lives outside Oklahoma City with her husband and four children. Meet Regina here.


Learn more about Regina by visiting her website, www.reginajennings.com.


Celebrate with Regina by entering to win a Kindle Fire and coming to her Author Chat Party on 3/27!



One fortunate winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Fire
  • Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/26/12. Winner will be announced at Regina's Author Chat Facebook Party on 3/27. Regina will be hosting an evening of chat, fun trivia and more! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, and some beautiful silver jewerly!
So grab your copy of Sixty Acres and a Bride and join Regina and friends on the evening of March 27th for an evening of fun.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP TODAY and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 27th!


I received a copy of Sixty Acres and a Bride from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

4 comments:

  1. This sounds like a must-read book. Thank you for a wonderful review. I'd love to win a Kindle Fire (who wouldn't:) and I appreciate the opportunity to participate.
    Congratulations to Ms. Jennings. We all enjoy hearing about hope in love and second chances.

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    1. Good luck with the contest! Wouldn't a free Kindle be great?

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  2. Hi, I'm a new follower of your blog. Found you through looking for reviews on this book.
    Great review! I just started the book and really enjoying it so far. I've also enjoyed reading through some of your posts and look forward to reading more.

    Cathy :)

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    1. Welcome, Cathy! I hope you enjoy our Nest and visit often. We're happy to have you!

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