Second-Choice Bride

Cactus Creek Book 1

De: Janice Cole Hopkins

Narrado por: Douglas Birk, Jennifer Groberg

Abby Carter was horrified with herself when she blurted out a marriage proposal to Preston King. A proper lady would never do such a thing, but her cousin had just jilted Preston, and she wanted to ease his hurt. She had cared for him much too long.

Preston is confused, but knows he needs a wife to help him ranch in New Mexico Territory, so he asks Abby to marry him. But will he ever purge Magnolia from his heart, and will they even survive the long journey west?

©2020 Janice Cole Hopkins (P)2021 Janice Cole Hopkins

Marriage of Convenience

After Preston is jilted by Magnolia, Abby offers to marry him and be the wife he needs to go west with him. He has a hard battle to forget Magnolia, but soon his heart is attracted to Abby. Their journey west is filed with adventure, challenge, danger, and romance. God has a plan for them and their future together. The story is inspirational and the characters are likeable.

The narration was not very well done. The women's voices sounded so much alike that I had a hard time keeping the characters straight. Mr. Birk's reading was jerky and he used unnatural expression in the conversations, I was not impressed with the performance.

I requested this audiobook from the author and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

Excellent

First choice might not of been the best choice. With working the ranch the focus will grow in their common interest. Cute story with adventure, twists of how they realize this was the best for them and love will grow.
Given audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion I

Heartwarming

This was a sweet, heartwarming story of love and hardship about a couple traveling west. Abby Carter offers to become his wife and accompany Preston King to his uncle’s ranch in the New Mexico Territory after her cousin breaks his heart. Their journey is long and arduous, with many heartaches and dangers, however they finally make it. Unfortunately their difficulties don’t end there. Though this story was long and drawn out at times, I found it interesting and entertaining. I thought both narrators did a wonderful job with the narration and really enjoyed the fact that it was a duet narration. I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook, however I have voluntarily provided this unbiased review.

Enjoyed this one!

After a hasty "I'll marry you" to her cousin's jilted fiance, Abby couldn't believe she had said that. However she have been attracted to Preston for a long time. He decided to wet her and they started their journey West. well he knew she was pretty she just never seemed beautiful to him, however, over the course of their journey that changed. They ran into a lot of hardships but they managed to get to their location.

This was a long but good listen. Full of fun and some shady characters. Many times I found myself wishing I was right there in the midst of them. A little suspense written in here and there to keep the reader intrigued.

Narrative was well done.

I received a free copy of this audiobook and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

Second choice may be the answer!

Would you ever want to be second choice? When Preston is dumped by his beautiful fiance, her cousin Abby comes forth and makes a bold offer. Marry her. She will go with him west and be his wife. Secretly she has loved Preston for a while, so this would be her dream. Preston is hesitant at first, after all, he was in love. Or was he? Weighing his options of staying or moving, he makes the decision, the two are married and off they go. But how does it turn out? Will Abby and Preston be compatible? How does Abby's family take it? And will they survive the trip? This is a fabulous story of true soulmates, love and survival. It's not an easy trek, and not only is it hard, but there are other unforeseen obstacles these two have to overcome. It's a great story as we move to Cactus Creek and find the true meaning of love and family.

Douglas Birk and Jennifer Groberg bring this historical western romance to life. They are the perfect team for these two characters, finding their way. Through illness, weather and life struggles, their voices pull the right amount of emotional pull to keep me invested in their outcome! I loved it!

Christian Historical Romance

Christian Historical Romance

I loved this story being told by two narrators! I just wish the voice of Preston was the main narrator's voice instead of the whiny sounding voice. All the other characters were good.
This story was filled with God's grace, wisdom, and mercy! Every difficulty that could have broken them, was turned to a better relationship with each other and God!
5 stars for the story and 4 for the narration.

Great Story!!

I loved this story. It had me hooked from beginning to end. It flowed very well and the narrators did an excellent job. The author developed the characters very good as well. I can't wait to listen to the rest of the series!

Not my preference

While the basic storyline was good there was way too much bedroom talk. We didn't need to know every time a married couple made love.

The narrator made men's voices sound like sissies.

Romance, Adventure, and more

This is a marriage of convenience story that changes into a delightful romance filled with plenty of tension to give it a touch of suspense. It’s a book that’s hard to put down. The main characters are well developed and fun to get to know.

Abby is basically a slave to her aunt, uncle, and her beautiful and spoiled cousin, Magnolia. Her cousin loves when men fall in love with her—which they all do, and then she enjoys dumping them to find a new conquest. Abby must play chaperone to her heartless cousin. Preston falls under Magnolia’s spell like all the others, but this time it’s different—Abby falls in love with Preston as she sees his sincerity and depth of character. When her cousin callously jilts him, Abby surprises herself by doing the unthinkable. Will Preston ever purge Magnolia from his thoughts so he can see the treasure standing before him?

This is a story that will delight and charm the reader for hours while keeping you at the edge of your seat to see how this can possibly resolve in a happy ending.

Fabulous

This book is sooo good.!! It was capitavating from word one. Loved seeing their love grow from infatuation to being a first family of their ranch.