Second-Choice Bride

Cactus Creek Book 1

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.

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.

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

Trusting God.

I enjoyed reading this book. Showed how all people go through hard times but how trusting God and prayer helps to deal with life and its troubles.

Interesting enough to finish

I like the story overall but at times it felt like there are too many extreme events that resolve way too easily. For example Magnolia who seems like a narcissist suddenly changes overnight. It felt like a novella where every thing happens quickly.
Aldo I didn’t like the male narrator. The voice for the main character that he used was not good to my ears and intonations were not natural.