Second-Choice Bride

Cactus Creek Book 1

By: Janice Cole Hopkins

Narrated by: 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.

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

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!