This is my first Jill Marie Landis book and I must say that it was great; this is a different take on the mail-order bride story. Kate Whittington, whose mother was a prostitute, was dropped off at an orphanage at the age of 9. She lived there (as a student/orphan and then as a teacher) until the orphanage was relocated.
With no relatives, little money and few options, Kate started looking for a new situation. For several months, she corresponded with a Texas widower/rancher who wanted a wife. After she accepted his proposal and married by proxy, she traveled to Texas. There, she had quite a shock ? the man had never heard of Kate and did not want a wife.
Landis has a wonderful way with words; the characters were engaging and real, the pacing was excellent and the plot had unique aspects. The only thing that did not ring true was the first sex scene; Reed might want to hold his wife, but completion seemed far-fetched for someone as injured as he was at the time.
I disagree with some of the reviewers who stated that they felt Kate would have been better off with Reverend Preston Marshall. Kate was a very strong character; I think she would have been safe with Preston, but not happy in the long run.
Life with Preston would have been a shadow of what she could have had with Reed. She was already deeply committed to Daniel; throughout the story, Kate showed that she wanted Reed. She just wasn't willing to accept the piece of Reed he was willing to give her at first.
Life with Reed would be a challenge; life with Preston would be oatmeal.
With no relatives, little money and few options, Kate started looking for a new situation. For several months, she corresponded with a Texas widower/rancher who wanted a wife. After she accepted his proposal and married by proxy, she traveled to Texas. There, she had quite a shock ? the man had never heard of Kate and did not want a wife.
Landis has a wonderful way with words; the characters were engaging and real, the pacing was excellent and the plot had unique aspects. The only thing that did not ring true was the first sex scene; Reed might want to hold his wife, but completion seemed far-fetched for someone as injured as he was at the time.
I disagree with some of the reviewers who stated that they felt Kate would have been better off with Reverend Preston Marshall. Kate was a very strong character; I think she would have been safe with Preston, but not happy in the long run.
Life with Preston would have been a shadow of what she could have had with Reed. She was already deeply committed to Daniel; throughout the story, Kate showed that she wanted Reed. She just wasn't willing to accept the piece of Reed he was willing to give her at first.
Life with Reed would be a challenge; life with Preston would be oatmeal.
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