Margaret Brownley is the reason I bought this book and so I read it first. I've read, and enjoyed several books by Robin Lee Hatcher, but am not familiar with the other two authors.
In the intro, five ministers are talking about the strangest couplings they'd ever seen. They proceed to try to outdo the other preacher with their wild tale of unlikely marriages. Then, the stories begin. At the end, the ministers wind up the stories by claiming that they each have seen the most unlikely marriage.
SPITFIRE SWEETHEART (Mary Connealy) --
Maizy MacGregor has worked at her father's side since the death of her mother, years ago. She's an excellent cowboy but a bit reckless. When she causes Rylan Carsten's severe injuries, endangering his livelihood as a rancher, she becomes Rylan's caregiver. Her father insists she does the housekeeping chores in a dress and behaves in a more ladylike fashion. When Rylan's only cowboy quits just before their cattle sale, Maizy steps into the position. When Rylan asks to marry her but wants her to stay in the house and act ladylike, she's devastated. Can he accept who Maizy really is?
A LOVE LETTER TO THE EDITOR (Robin Lee Hatcher) --
Molly Everton is devastated when she learns that her father, editor of the town's newspaper, hired newcomer Jack Ludgrove to be the new editor. Molly wanted that position; her father tells her that her progressive opinions were off-putting to most men. Now, Molly is looking to see how she can send Jack on his way, so she can be the editor. Jack thinks Molly writes for the paper due to nepotism, not talent. Both have a great deal to learn about the other.
A COWBOY FOR KATIE (Debra Clopton) --
Katie Pearl has a problem. Her father died in a recent tornado, that devastated her ranch. She was found alive, days after the accident, under the house, along with her father. Now, folks call her crazy and men want to marry her to get her ranch and lands. So, she threatens to shoot the men and everyone in town is leery of Katie. She comes to town to hire someone to help her recover, by helping her rebuild. Treb Rayburn needs a horse; he's come to town to find a job until he can buy a horse and continue on his travels. Katie hires him and he suddenly realizes that Katie was far more wounded by the tornado than folks realize.
COURTING TROUBLE (Margaret Brownley) --
Jesse asks lawyer Brock Daniels to take her case; she's called the Black Widow in town. Grace Davenport's two previous husbands died under questionable circumstances and now Billy-Joe was shot after an argument between Grace and Billy-Joe. The hanging judge has arrived and Grace's provided lawyer loses most of his cases. Thus, Jesse brings 56 cents to Brock, who was trained at Harvard and practiced in Philadelphia. He's recently moved to the area and takes civil cases.
No matter how this is couched (see the ministers discussing unusual marriages -- above), I just don't see a cultured, Harvard-educated man marrying a poor, backwoods-type. The only thing I can see is if Brock gets his fulfillment from raising Jesse to be a lawyer. This just didn't ring realistic to me.
In the intro, five ministers are talking about the strangest couplings they'd ever seen. They proceed to try to outdo the other preacher with their wild tale of unlikely marriages. Then, the stories begin. At the end, the ministers wind up the stories by claiming that they each have seen the most unlikely marriage.
SPITFIRE SWEETHEART (Mary Connealy) --
Maizy MacGregor has worked at her father's side since the death of her mother, years ago. She's an excellent cowboy but a bit reckless. When she causes Rylan Carsten's severe injuries, endangering his livelihood as a rancher, she becomes Rylan's caregiver. Her father insists she does the housekeeping chores in a dress and behaves in a more ladylike fashion. When Rylan's only cowboy quits just before their cattle sale, Maizy steps into the position. When Rylan asks to marry her but wants her to stay in the house and act ladylike, she's devastated. Can he accept who Maizy really is?
A LOVE LETTER TO THE EDITOR (Robin Lee Hatcher) --
Molly Everton is devastated when she learns that her father, editor of the town's newspaper, hired newcomer Jack Ludgrove to be the new editor. Molly wanted that position; her father tells her that her progressive opinions were off-putting to most men. Now, Molly is looking to see how she can send Jack on his way, so she can be the editor. Jack thinks Molly writes for the paper due to nepotism, not talent. Both have a great deal to learn about the other.
A COWBOY FOR KATIE (Debra Clopton) --
Katie Pearl has a problem. Her father died in a recent tornado, that devastated her ranch. She was found alive, days after the accident, under the house, along with her father. Now, folks call her crazy and men want to marry her to get her ranch and lands. So, she threatens to shoot the men and everyone in town is leery of Katie. She comes to town to hire someone to help her recover, by helping her rebuild. Treb Rayburn needs a horse; he's come to town to find a job until he can buy a horse and continue on his travels. Katie hires him and he suddenly realizes that Katie was far more wounded by the tornado than folks realize.
COURTING TROUBLE (Margaret Brownley) --
Jesse asks lawyer Brock Daniels to take her case; she's called the Black Widow in town. Grace Davenport's two previous husbands died under questionable circumstances and now Billy-Joe was shot after an argument between Grace and Billy-Joe. The hanging judge has arrived and Grace's provided lawyer loses most of his cases. Thus, Jesse brings 56 cents to Brock, who was trained at Harvard and practiced in Philadelphia. He's recently moved to the area and takes civil cases.
No matter how this is couched (see the ministers discussing unusual marriages -- above), I just don't see a cultured, Harvard-educated man marrying a poor, backwoods-type. The only thing I can see is if Brock gets his fulfillment from raising Jesse to be a lawyer. This just didn't ring realistic to me.
Amanda S. (homemomma) reviewed Four Weddings and a Kiss: A Western Bride Collection on + 38 more book reviews
This novel starts out with a young preacher determined not to marry the girl he loves. She's unconventional and he's positive she's not going to be accepted by his parishioners. She's wild and unruly, and actually plays...games! For pete's sake, who wouldn't have a problem with that?! It's up to his four older, wiser - and meddlesome - companions to show him the errors in his thinking.
These four novellas are a delight to read. They pack a wollop of a punch from four very talented authors and ring true. A woman who doesn't dress the way others think she should? Another who's accused of murder? When God decides to put people together, watch out. He's going to get His way, come what may. Each story hits home with a different theme we can all learn from. Forgiveness of others, loving someone for who they are, seeking God's direction in situations, trusting others, etc, the lessons don't stop. This is a fun set of novellas I will read over and over again - if not for the lesson, at least for the chuckles.
How many of us started out with someone we thought might not be right for us? Maybe he didn't have the background you thought he should, either his parents or yours objected to the relationship, or maybe, as in my case, his name wasn't right and he didn't like cats. I mean, come on! How is this going to work?! But one thing I've found, God knows what He's doing. Sometimes, we just need to let go and let God take control.
*My thanks to the publisher for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. These thoughts are my own, and I was not required they be positive.*
These four novellas are a delight to read. They pack a wollop of a punch from four very talented authors and ring true. A woman who doesn't dress the way others think she should? Another who's accused of murder? When God decides to put people together, watch out. He's going to get His way, come what may. Each story hits home with a different theme we can all learn from. Forgiveness of others, loving someone for who they are, seeking God's direction in situations, trusting others, etc, the lessons don't stop. This is a fun set of novellas I will read over and over again - if not for the lesson, at least for the chuckles.
How many of us started out with someone we thought might not be right for us? Maybe he didn't have the background you thought he should, either his parents or yours objected to the relationship, or maybe, as in my case, his name wasn't right and he didn't like cats. I mean, come on! How is this going to work?! But one thing I've found, God knows what He's doing. Sometimes, we just need to let go and let God take control.
*My thanks to the publisher for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. These thoughts are my own, and I was not required they be positive.*
