A Most Inconvenient Marriage

I very seldom buy Christian fiction because I have found a lot of it to be extremely heavy-handed, bordering on smug and sanctimonious. Ahem! Now that I've enraged everyone, I do like some well done Christian fiction as well as secular works that integrate Christianity without being "Christian" books. For example, Sharon Sala, one of my favourite authors, writes mainstream romance books where characters talk openly about God and their relationships with God, and they pray openly. Several secular historical romance authors that I like also make God and church involvement part of their characters' lives. This book, however, is one of the very few Christian romance books that I have actually bought, as opposed to downloading for free. The synopsis and the sample appealed to me and I knew I could always return it if it became too heavy handed for me, so I decided to try it. I'm glad I did because I thoroughly enjoyed it. The author wrote very well, the book was well edited, the pace was even, leisurely but not too slow, the characters were likeable and the plot was extremely engaging; it held my interest and I consider the book to be a keeper. What I especially liked was the way the author deftly integrated the characters' religious faith into story. There was nothing "fire and brimstone" or "preachy" about this book. Characters talked about their faith and discussed topics like war, killing, death and dying, making peace with God and others, forgiveness, God's plans for or God's hand in one's life, and love for one's family and others, all within the context of Christian beliefs and values, and the author did it with a gentle hand. In addition, the hero and heroine were depicted as human; the author managed to write scenes that hinted at their sexual attraction with the resulting sexual tension, without being overtly sexual. At the same time, the author depicted their relationship as being based upon not only sexual attraction, but more importantly, upon shared values, goals, beliefs and experiences. I highly recommend this book to tweens and up. It's a given that the book will likely appeal a Christian audience that routinely reads Christian fiction, but I think it might have broader appeal. Christian readers who don't usually read Christian fiction but who do like clean romances might like this book. I'm not sure if it would appeal to anyone not of the Christian faith, although it has nothing negative to say about non-Christians and does not proselytize. I enjoy books with protagonists who are atheists, Buddhist, Jewish, or of other faiths, so this book could appeal to someone who likes clean historical romances and is open minded.

I enjoyed reading this book. It had a different spin to it, which was interesting. The heroine character was likable. I liked the hero, but I believe one of his decisions could have been a tragic mistake, and he was very blessed when things worked out the way they did. I understand to some degree each of their issues and choices, but at some point, when they were aware of their true feelings, a conversation should have been had versus just going along, but the conversation not occurring was part of the story. Romantic scenes are included as a part of the reading, but appropriate for a Christian book. Overall I liked this book, found the characters and story to be intriguing, and would recommend it to others.

Abigail married Jeremiah Calhoun on his death bed as a favor to him and to provide a home for herself. When she arrives at the dead man's horse ranch, she meets his mother, who is grieving the loss of her son, and his disgruntled and ill sister. His mother is very grateful for Abigail's help on the ranch and Abigail soon feels at home. Until the day a man arrives at the ranch claiming to be Jeremiah Calhoun. When his mother and sister confirm that he indeed is their son and brother, she cannot deny the truth. So who did she marry and why did he insist she marry him? Jeremiah has no interest in Abigail since his heart is set on marrying his childhood sweetheart, Laurel. However, when Laurel heard the news that Jeremiah had died, she opened her heart to the doctor. Now that Jeremiah has returned, her affections are torn between two worthy men. In the meantime, Abigail has no intention of leaving her new home. She knew Jeremiah's mother and his sister needed her help and she needed a home. Jeremiah doesn't want Abigail to stay in his home. How will Laurel feel about Abigail's continued stay? But his mother insisted that Abigail would not be forced to leave. How can Jeremiah win his sweetheart's heart if the woman who had claimed to be his wife for the past months was still living on his ranch. This is such an interesting story, with great character development. The story flows nicely and is never boring. If you like a Christian romance that is not preachy, this book will please you.

Abigail is a nurse during the civil war at a prisoners hospital, while there she becomes the nurse for a patient who is going to die. He has his arm amputated and then gets infection in it, he fought the infection more then most men did and becomes Abigail's favorite patient. And so this man asks Abigail a dying wish, he wants her to marry him and go to his families horse farm to help his mother and take care of his sick sister. Abigail thinks and prays about it and says yes. When she arrives the family had already received the federal governments notice that their son Jeremiah had died. The mother loves Abigail from the beginning, but Racheal the sister is bitter to everyone, but Abigail gets right to work and they fall into a happy routine. Everything is going wonderful until Jeremiah comes home alive and shocked to find he has a wife especially when he's engaged to another, Abigail is shocked because this is not the man she married. Between this point and the end is where the real story begins. There's things told about the war that are interesting and you feel for people on both sides. Then there's the mystery of who Abigail married, that one I figured out faster than the author gives the answer. Then you have the neighbors kids pulling pranks on Abigail that made me laugh out loud to. And Jeremiah with a war injury that makes him need Abigail's help, and so they need to work together. Now add in stealing, murder, attempted murder from the bad groups that formed after the war, death, and then more than one romance and you have the perfect book.

The year is 1865 and nurse Abigail Stuart has no home waiting to welcome her after the War Between the States. When a dying man asks her to marry him and care for his mother and sister in the Missouri Ozarks, Abigail is hoping she can find a new place to belong. She arrives as Jeremiah Calhoun's widow and throws herself into rebuilding the farm, using her personal funds to pay for breeding the fine mare Captain Calhoun left behind. She builds relationships with Ma and the cantankerous chronically ill sister Rachel. When Jeremiah Calhoun arrives home very much alive and not the man she married, he accuses Abigail of trying to steal his property. The dream of returning home and marrying his sweetheart Laurel has kept him alive through years of war and the pain of an awful wound. How is he supposed to resume courting Laurel with a woman who claims to be his wife hanging around? Abigail is adamant that she will not leave until the new foal is born, since that was her personal investment in the farm, and Jeremiah reluctantly agrees because he can see that Abigail has been good for his family. Abigail offers to help Jeremiah with his continued recovery from his war wound, and her physical therapy completely restores his leg's range of motion. As the months rolls by Abigail comes face to face with parts of her past, and outlaws threaten the community. Meanwhile their inconvenient marriage continues to foil Jeremiah's plans with Laurel, but is he finds he may not be in such a rush to pursue his old flame after all. I enjoyed this story, but found the development of the relationship between the characters rather unrealistic. The leap between the initial antagonism and supposedly falling madly in love was too fast and unbelievable for me. It is always fun to read stories set around where I live, though, and I am looking forward to the second novel in this series.

I like most books by Regina Jennings. This one would have been awesome if it was an actual marriage of convenience story, but it did have a unique plot. There was a little mystery in the beginning about who Abigail had actually married. In all, it was a good read.

I really liked this book. It had an intriguing synopsis and I just couldn't pass it up. How do you marry a dying man so you can take care of his sister and then, a few months later, meet the man you married........only he isn't - the man you married, I mean. Is that confusing enough? Abigail, a Civil War nurse, married a dying patient at the end of the war. He was worried about his mother and his sister Rachel. Abigail needed a home so she married and buried Jeremiah Calhoun. Then she traveled to the Missouri Ozarks and introduced herself to her mother-in-law and her very ill and prickly sister-in-law. She pitched right in and did everything she could to help her new family. She was pretty well accepted by everyone, even her husband's sweetheart, Laurel. Laurel was more than interested in the town doctor. Then Jeremiah Calhoun came home from the war. This plot made for a very interesting and engaging book. It was funny, tender, and sweet. No preachiness, but God figured into everyone's lives. I really enjoyed the book and recommend it. Grab it. It's a good price, too.

I really enjoyed this book. She was a nurse during the Civil War. Abigail marries a confederate soldier because she had nowhere else to go, and he wanted her to help his 'sister'. He dies, as they expected, and she travels to the ranch to help his mother & sister. A few months later, a man, Jeremiah, arrives with a limp & has the name of the man she married. He had left for the war with promises to another female. this female is stuck wondering about which man she really loves. And there is horse stealing and people shot. Danger around while 4 people wonder who loves who, while 2 feel they should honor their decision to marry years before. And there is a sick sister. Very entertaining. - - Working together on the ranch/garden & with horses, and just talking gives Jeremiah & Abigail plenty of time to get to know one another.

I love Ms Jennings heroines, they are vulnerable yet feisty, but with big hearts. A sweet story with some comedic twists and witty dialogue. An enjoyable story.

A Most Inconvenient Marriage by Regina Jennings is a Christian historical romance. It is a highly amusing read that had me smiling over some of the situations portrayed. It was a comedy of errors with various plots and match making. Abigail nurses the injured prisoners during the American Civil War. On his deathbed Jeremiah Calhoun marries her, leaving her his ranch and horses, and extracting a promise that she will nurse his sister Rachel, and take care of his mother. Following the war, Abigail is welcomed with open arms by Jeremiah's Ma. Abigail is making a success of the farm when her life is interrupted by the arrival of Jeremiah himself! This is most inconvenient, especially as Abigail has never seen this Jeremiah Calhoun before. Who did Abigail marry? Who is the real Jeremiah? The novel deals with a number of themes, including that of forgiveness. Rachel harbours unforgiveness in her soul, it oozes from every pore, making her bad tempered and bitter. Can she ever be persuaded to let go of her grudge and anger? Regina Jennings shows that the state of one's soul can be revealed in ones personality. Abigail has a sunny disposition, is concerned with justice, and goes out of her way to help and to work hard. She has her eyes and heart on God, always trying to do what is right. A Most Inconvenient Marriage has its very light-hearted moments. The neighbours children, Josiah and Betsy, love playing pranks on Abigail. She in her turn, turns the tables on them - the results are highly amusing. Regina Jennings portrays very real and likeable characters. There are some wonderful moments of sparring between Abigail and Jeremiah. Both can give as good as they get, and the reader is royally entertained. The characters are in a close knit community. They help each other when needed, and band together to fight a group of bushwhackers. God's plans are revealed within the story, showing that His plans are not always our plans. His plans are far better for us, than we could ever imagine. The theme of healing runs throughout the novel. There is physical healing needed for wounds from the war and illness, as well as healing needed for the soul. There are several love matches and triangles within the novel. These make wonderful reading, and are reminiscent of some of Shakespeare's comedies - A Midsummer Night's Dream springs immediately to mind. I found myself laughing at some of the scenarios, particularly those involving the skunk. A Most Inconvenient Marriage was the first novel I had read by Regina Jennings, but I will be reading more. She is a highly amusing writer whose work is very much grounded in God, and I can certainly recommend picking up her book for a highly entertaining read.

Very sweet and romantical book for comfy couch hours. I have to admit, the love triangle seemed a little forced from time to time (that girl! Why couldn't she decide?), but well, you gotta do something to keep it exiting, right?

I really enjoyed this book. It was cute, funny and had a touch of sadness, Abigail and Jeremiah were a hoot and the kids an added bonus

An entertaining story with characters I found to be realistic. I enjoyed the humour & the pace of the writing