Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer

No one steps on Archer land. Not if they value their life. But when Meredith Hayes overhears a lethal plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, a twelve-year-old debt compels her to take the risk.

Fourteen years of constant vigilance hardens a man. Yet when Travis Archer confronts a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can't bring himself to send her away. And when an act of sacrifice leaves her injured and her reputation in shreds, gratitude and guilt send him riding to her rescue once again.

Four brothers. Four straws. One bride. Despite the fact that Travis is no longer the gallant youth Meredith once dreamed about, she determines to stand by his side against the enemy that threatens them both. But will love ever be hers? Or will Travis always see her merely as a short-straw bride?

CHRISTINA'S REVIEW: Another book from Karen Witemeyer to read and enjoy. I picked this one up from the library and loved it. I am so glad that Deseret Book has been putting more books like these on their website to give me ideas of what to read. I have ventured away from only reading LDS fiction and have started reading some Christian fiction.  This will not disappoint. The author pulls you in from the very first page. As a young girl Meredith trespasses on Archer land and meets Travis who becomes the hero of her dreams. When she meets Travis again her dreams and reality crash together. She has always loved him but how does he feel? She is forced to marry one of the four brothers and they draw straws, which isn't a flattering way to be chosen as someone's bride. Travis has always put his land and his brothers first. Will that change? Will he be able to love Meredith as much as he loves his land or will the land always be top priority? Meredith struggles to help her hero throughout the book. She is always trying to help him whether he wants her help or not. She loves him and only wants him to love her back. It is a cute love story; clean romance. Good read. I enjoyed the book.

Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer

Adelaide Proctor is a young woman with her head in the clouds, longing for a real-life storybook hero to claim as her own. But when a husband-hunting debacle leaves her humiliated, she interviews for a staid governess position on a central Texas sheep ranch and vows to leave her romantic yearnings behind.
When Gideon Westcott left his privileged life in England to make a name for himself in America's wool industry, he never expected to become a father overnight. And five-year-old Isabella hasn't uttered a word since she lost her mother. The unconventionality of the new governess concerns Gideon--and intrigues him at the same time. But he can't afford distractions. He has a ranch to run, a shearing to oversee, and a suspicious fence-cutting to investigate.
When Isabella's uncle comes to claim the child--and her inheritance--Gideon and Adelaide must work together to protect Isabella from the man's evil schemes. And soon neither can deny their growing attraction. But after so many heartbreaks, will Adelaide be willing to get her head out of the clouds and put her heart on the line?

CHRISTINA'S REVIEW: Another enjoyable book from Karen Witemeyer! I liked this story but it wasn't my favorite of all the books she has written. Adelaide is a likeable character. She loves to read and is looking for her own happily ever after like in books. She makes a foolish choice to follow after a man but it eventually ends up with her following a different path. She prays a lot in the story and puts her faith in the Lord to make sure she is following His plan for her. I think this one the characters are more religious than her others which is not a negative. It is a clean romance and a cute story!

A Tailor-Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer

From Goodreads.com:
Jericho "J.T." Tucker wants nothing to do with Coventry, Texas's new dressmaker. He's all too familiar with her kind--shallow women more devoted to fashion than true beauty. Yet, except for her well-tailored clothing, this seamstress is not at all what he expected. Hannah Richards is confounded by the man who runs the livery. The unsmiling fellow riles her with his arrogant assumptions and gruff manner while at the same time stirring her heart with unexpected acts of kindness. Which side of Jericho Tucker reflects the real man? When Hannah decides to help Jericho's sister catch a beau--leading to uproarious consequences for the whole town--will Jericho and Hannah find a way to bridge the gap between them?

Christina's Review: I have read several books from Karen Witemeyer recently. I have enjoyed all of them. JT and Hannah have chemistry. Hannah is a dressmaker and gets an incredible gift to open her own dress shop. JT thinks it is shallow because beauty should come from within. His mother put outward beauty first so JT labels her as shallow. The main characters debate over and over again whether looking pretty is evil and vain or not. Hannah is cute and sweet and JT is outwardly gruff but sweet and thoughtful inside. It is a clean and cute romance. It was an enjoyable read. I really liked the plot and the characters. Once you read one of her books you will want to read more!