Synopsis:~  No one steps on Archer land. Not if they value their life. But when Meredith Hayes overhears a lethal plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, a twelve-year-old debt compels her to take the risk.

Fourteen years of constant vigilance hardens a man. Yet when Travis Archer confronts a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can’t bring himself to send her away. And when an act of sacrifice leaves her injured and her reputation in shreds, gratitude and guilt send him riding to her rescue once again.

Four brothers. Four straws. One bride. Despite the fact that Travis is no longer the gallant youth Meredith once dreamed about, she determines to stand by his side against the enemy that threatens them both. But will love ever be hers? Or will Travis always see her merely as a short-straw bride?

What inspired you to write Short-Straw Bridek

As this story developed in my mind, inspiration came from several sources, but the main catalyst came from the musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. The Archer clan has four brothers instead of seven, and the men don’t sing and dance while they do their chores. Nor are they all redheads. However, they do have names that fit a pattern. No, they aren’t named after alphabetical Bible characters. Instead, my four brothers were named for heroes from the Alamo. Travis, Crockett, Bowie (although he only answers to “Jim”), and Neill.

Share a little about your main characters

Travis is the oldest of the Archer clan, the head of the family since his father died when he was 15. All he cares about is his brothers and his ranch, and he does everything in his power to keep them safe. Following their father’s dying request, no Archer ever leaves the ranch. As boys, they hunkered down to prevent do-gooders from separating them, and as boys, they fought side-by-side against those who thought they could take the land from them by force. Now as men, they remain isolated as a matter of habit and control. None of them has ever crossed their property’s boundary since the night their father died. None except Travis. And only the one time. But that innocent act 12 years ago is about to come back to haunt him.

Meredith Hayes has harbored secret affections for the young man who rescued her from a hunter’s trap a dozen years ago, even though she’s never seen him since that day. Now that she has a suitor in truth, however, she’s determined to put away all thoughts of her childhood hero. Until she overhears a deadly plot to destroy the Archers. When no one takes her pleas for help seriously, it becomes clear that she will have to take action herself if there is to be any hope of warning Travis in time. But when her good deed goes awry and disaster after disaster strikes, will she be stuck with a man who resents her interference, or is there a chance her childhood dreams might finally come true?

Describe Short-Straw Bride in five adjectives

Fun, adventurous, tender, spunky, sigh-inducing.

Your favourite paragraph from Short-Straw Bride

This is from the prologue, where a teenage Travis is rescuing ten-year-old Meredith after she trespassed onto his land and ended up with her leg stuck in a steel trap.

Travis slid his arms around Meredith and lifted her from the ground. The little warrior never cried out, just tightened her grip on his neck as he pushed to his feet. He examined the ground for the smoothest path to the road, even when it meant going out of his way. It was crazy, really—this urge to protect her. He’d spent the two years since his father died building barriers to keep the outside world out. But when this slip of a girl looked at him with trust blazing in her bright blue eyes, all he could think about was protecting the one piece of the outside world that had found a way in.

What do you hope readers take away from your story?

There is power in community. God calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves, to carry each other’s burdens, and to be people of hospitality. However, we live in a dangerous world, and often we choose to protect ourselves through isolation. We might smile and say hello, but we don’t welcome people into our homes. Even in our churches, we tend to keep relationships on a surface level, not wanting anyone to get too close. They might see our faults, hurt us, or ask more of us than we are ready to give. But God designed us to lean on one another. To confess to one another. To draw strength and encouragement from one another. How can we love our neighbors if we wall ourselves off from them?

Travis has to learn to tear down his physical barriers as well as his emotional ones. He must surrender his control to God and trust others with burdens he’s never allowed anyone but himself carry. It is a grueling journey, but in the end, the rewards of love and fellowship far outweigh the hardship of the struggle.

Lovely having you visit again, Karen ~ thank you! Can’t WAIT to read Short~Straw Bride 🙂

Relz Reviewz Extras
Reviews of A Tailor-Made Bride, Head in the Clouds & To Win Her Heart
Karen’s FamilyFiction Plus interview
Visit Karen’s website
Buy Karen’s books at Amazon or Koorong