Rating: 4 Stars
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Summary: She's Finally Found a Place to Call Home... How Far Will She Go to Save It?
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With nothing to their names, young widow Rosa Garner and her mother-in-law return to their Texas family ranch. Only now the county is demanding back taxes and the women have just three months to pay.
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Though facing eviction, Rosa falls in love with the countryside and the wonderful extended family who want only her best. They welcome her vivacious spirit and try to help her navigate puzzling American customs. She can't help but stand out, though, and her beauty captures attention.
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Where some offer help with dangerous strings attached, only one man seems honorable. But when Weston Garner, still grieving his own lost love, is unprepared to give his heart, Rosa must decide to what lengths she will go to save her future. Read an excerpt: http://ow.ly/9sK2C.
Review: Regina Jennings puts a fresh spin on the well-known and often retold story of Boaz and Ruth in her debut novel, Sixty Acres and a Bride. While the overall plot is somewhat predictable, the Texas setting, Mexican protagonist, and finely crafted details, create unique intricacies. The novel began a bit slowly for me as I tried to connect with the characters. Both Rosa and Weston have back stories that are gradually revealed over the course of the novel. As a result, the reader grows to know the characters and connect with them by the end of the novel.
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Rosa is a unique heroine, who can be called a woman-child. Her Mexican ways are not always welcome or understood in her Texas town. She faces harsh judgement for actions which would be considered normal and acceptable in her Mexican village. Jennings captures the pain of discrimination through Rosa's character. Rosa displays an admirable character and faith despite her many hardships; and her willingness to sacrifice her future for her mother-in-law is particularly poignant. While her past and present struggles make Rosa a woman, she also possesses an endearing child-like innocence and spunk that lightens the tone of the novel.
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Weston is, in many ways, the classic hero: strong, confident, and possessing an admirable character. As a pillar of the community, he could easily reject Rosa, believing that an association with her would mar his reputation. Instead, he becomes her friend and protector. As he struggles with his growing attraction to the young Mexican beauty, his scarred past is slowly uncovered, revealing a layer of self-doubt and pain. The love story between Rosa and Weston is not easy or painless, but there is a tenderness and perfection amid the rough patches.
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Jennings' description of the Texas landscape and the sheep ranch is a welcome departure to the more traditional settings of historical fiction. The details of the daily chores involved in running a ranch and the struggles in covering expenses add realism to the plot. So often ranch life is romanticized in novels, and I appreciated Jennings' less glamorized approach.
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Sixty Acres and a Bride is a strong introduction to the work of Regina Jennings. I look forward to reading her future novels.
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Rosa is a unique heroine, who can be called a woman-child. Her Mexican ways are not always welcome or understood in her Texas town. She faces harsh judgement for actions which would be considered normal and acceptable in her Mexican village. Jennings captures the pain of discrimination through Rosa's character. Rosa displays an admirable character and faith despite her many hardships; and her willingness to sacrifice her future for her mother-in-law is particularly poignant. While her past and present struggles make Rosa a woman, she also possesses an endearing child-like innocence and spunk that lightens the tone of the novel.
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Weston is, in many ways, the classic hero: strong, confident, and possessing an admirable character. As a pillar of the community, he could easily reject Rosa, believing that an association with her would mar his reputation. Instead, he becomes her friend and protector. As he struggles with his growing attraction to the young Mexican beauty, his scarred past is slowly uncovered, revealing a layer of self-doubt and pain. The love story between Rosa and Weston is not easy or painless, but there is a tenderness and perfection amid the rough patches.
-
Jennings' description of the Texas landscape and the sheep ranch is a welcome departure to the more traditional settings of historical fiction. The details of the daily chores involved in running a ranch and the struggles in covering expenses add realism to the plot. So often ranch life is romanticized in novels, and I appreciated Jennings' less glamorized approach.
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Sixty Acres and a Bride is a strong introduction to the work of Regina Jennings. I look forward to reading her future novels.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from LitFuse through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
About the Author: Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University Oklahoma City Regina
Learn more about Regina by visiting her website, www.reginajennings.com.
Read an Excerpt:
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