Title: Clementine: Christmas Quilt Brides Book 15
Author: Kimberly Grist
Genre: Inspirational Christian Western Historical Romance
Book Blurb:
An orphan longing for security, a reclusive rancher bound by the stipulations of his inheritance, and a proxy marriage that will meet their needs in ways they never expected.
Clementine has nothing to her name but a quilt and some second-hand clothing. She's aged out of the orphanage and can't afford to be choosey. But she is determined to make the best of things. "If it's true that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, surely any minor flaws like my sassiness will fade away with the aroma of fresh bread."
Disappointed in love, Caleb Ellis is content to live a reclusive lifestyle on the outskirts of his family's ranch. But his father had other ideas and left a condition that he must marry to obtain his inheritance. Time is not on his side, so he has arranged to marry a woman he's never met by proxy. "Anyone growing up in an orphanage, desperate enough to apply as a mail-order bride, is bound to be practical, biddable,and self-sufficient. I'll leave her to her own resources and she should leave me to mine."
This is book 15 in a multi-author project - Sweet Clean Historical Western Christmas Romance.
My Review:
All she wants is a family of her own, but can she soften Caleb’s heart and give him a home filled with warmth and love? Clementine is an emotional mail-order bride, historical Christian, western romance. The characters will capture your heart, especially Clementine. The romance is slow-burn and historical accurate. What makes this book so wonderful is sweet Clementine. I couldn’t put it down and neither will you.
Let’s start with the characters. Caleb is a cantankerous rancher who must marry to keep his ranch per his father’s will. He’s had bad luck choosing a bride and is jaded toward women and love. He mistrusts Clementine when they first meet. Kimberly Grist writes a classic grumpy hero. Did I swoon over Caleb? No, but I understood where he was coming from. The author also writes from a historical point of view. I’m sure there were many men like Caleb back in the day.
Then there’s sweet Clementine. She’s full of sunshine and positive thoughts. She’s an orphan who agrees to be a mail-order bride. She’s not asking for the world, just a home and a family. I liked her from the beginning. It’s a bumpy road to love but Clementine trusts in God to provide. My heart went out to her many times.
The romance is slow-burn, historical, inspirational, western romance. There is no hopping into bed, but a rare historical romance written for the time period. Kimberly Grist brings new meaning to heartfelt grumpy-sunshine romance. I harkened back to reading Christy by Catherine Marshall (one of my favorite books) while reading this book.
If you live for historical inspirational western romance with heart, you’ll want to read this book.
My Rating: 5+ stars
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Author Biography:
Kimberly Grist is married to her high school sweetheart, Nelson, who is a pastor in Griffin, Georgia. She and her husband have three adult sons, one with Down syndrome, and they have a passion for encouraging others with family members with special needs.
Kim has enjoyed writing since she was a young girl; however, began writing her first novel in 2017.
"I believe you should come away refreshed and inspired after reading a book. In my personal life, I wear so many hats working inside and outside the home. Despite my best efforts, sometimes life just stinks. Bad things happen. I need and want an outlet, an opportunity to relax and escape to a place where obstacles are met and overcome."
Combining, History, Humor, and Romance with an emphasis on Faith, Friends, and Good Clean Fun, Kim's stories are written to remind us how God can use adversity to strengthen us and draw us closer to Him and give us the desires of our heart in ways we may never expect.
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Reviewed by: Nancy