Review: The Unexpected Bride

Debra Ullrick

Rainelle Devonwood is on the run. Desperate to escape her brother's cruelty and avoid a forced marriage to a man whose heartlessness exceeds even that of her sibling, Rainee places a "Groom Wanted" ad and finds herself a husband in the Utah Territory.

Problem is, her groom-to-be doesn't know he has a bride. Haydon Bowen has lived through one disastrous marriage, and has no plans to ever risk his heart again. So when his brother accepts a mail-order bride in Haydon's name, he's none too pleased. Still, since a member of his family is the sole reason the young woman is so far from home with nowhere to go, he and his family take Rainee into their home until she can find another groom.

Now Rainee and Haydon face a mutual problem…avoiding the lure of romance. Haydon is determined to never love again. Rainee, feeling the sting of his rejection, simply wants to find another groom and disappear from the Bowens' lives.

But God has other plans.

THE UNEXPECTED BRIDE is chock full of joy and sorrow, laughter and tears, and a whole spectrum of other emotions. As Rainee peers over her shoulder in fear of her brother's inevitable arrival, Haydon's gentle nature and protective instincts leave him more than susceptible to the young beauty's charms. Rainee's bright spirit and curious nature make her a completely lovable character, while female readers will lose their hearts to Haydon within a few pages.

Debra Ullrick knows how to spin a tale, and how to develop living, breathing, walk-off-the-page characters. Readers will fall in love with this spunky heroine, the gentleman hero, and the entire Bowen family—especially little Abby. Kitty also becomes a valid character, but I won't spoil the storyline by talking about her. Warning: Do not open this book unless you have time to read it all the way through…