Good book. Michael is twenty-seven and ready to settle down with a wife of his own. He admires his sister-in-law Rainee and wants a wife like her - sweet, genteel, educated. He corresponds with a woman back East who seems to fulfill his every dream and marries her by proxy. But when she arrives, Selina is far from what he expected.

Selina is a woman from the hills of Kentucky. She was ten when her mother died and left her father sunk in grief. She took it upon herself to care for the family, learning to hunt, fish, cook, clean, and do many other things. This left her with no time to go to school herself, though she made sure that her brothers went. Because she can't read, she depends on her friend to read Michael's letters to her and respond to them for her. Selina falls hard for the man who wrote such wonderful letters and can't wait to join him. Their first meeting is quite a shock for both Michael and Selina. Michael is stunned that she is the complete opposite of everything he wanted and doesn't hide his disappointment and anger. Selina is hurt that the man she has come to love so obviously doesn't want her. Michael is an honorable man, however, and will abide by his vows.

I have to say that I did not care for Michael at first. I thought he was judgmental and snobby and had no consideration for Selina's feelings. He won back a few points when he stood by her to introduce her to his friends and family. But he still has his vision of the perfect wife stuck in his mind and spent a fair amount of time and energy trying to get Selina to change to meet his expectations.

I liked Selina from the start. She is a strong and capable woman who has adapted to all the curveballs life has thrown at her. She is comfortable with who she is and refuses to be bullied into making changes just to please a man. She is kindhearted and sweet most of the time, but she can be stubborn when the situation calls for it.

I enjoyed the development of Michael and Selina's relationship. They are determined to make their marriage work; they just have to figure out how to deal with each other. I loved seeing Selina make a place for herself in her new world. It didn't take long for everyone else to accept her just as she was. It was great fun to see Selina refuse to change who she is inside. At the same time, she wanted Michael to come to love her. I liked the ways that she found to adapt to his ideals without losing her own. Her vivacity and uniqueness slowly began to work past Michael's tunnel vision, and he began to appreciate her. There were several sweet scenes where he does something that shows he's beginning to understand her, but he doesn't see that his feelings for her are growing and changing. It takes an unexpected visitor to show him that he has had what he wanted all along if he had just opened his eyes and heart to see it. The epilogue was a terrific update on their lives a few months later.. ( )

When Selina steps off the train and Michael finally notices she is his wife things don't go so well. He was not expecting his wife to be dressed in trousers and toting a rifle. The first thought through his mind was she was an outlaw. The other women walking down the sidewalk were starting at her.

Selina was already falling in love with Michael for his letters her friend would read to her. Selina did not know how to read nor write. Her friend would write the letters back for Selina, but failed to tell the truth. She elected to leave a few details out. Selina had no clue why Michael was trying to send her back home until he opened up about the letters. When Selina explained the truth about some things they both decide to try to make the marriage work.

The story was breath-taking. I loved how the author brought Selina's dialect to the story. It made me appreciate Selina more and she was more of a real person. I enjoyed seeing Selina and Michael's daughter get a long and start becoming a family. The tender moments when Michael made her something special for Christmas. Selina doesn't feel comfortable around the family but tries with all her spunk to make things work.

This is a story you will want to share with others and re-read later on. ( )

Well, I've found my first "favorite" book for 2012! This story was fantastic! It warmed my heart and thrilled that emotional part of me that enjoys a smoking romance. I love mail-order-bride types of stories anyway, but this one was better than most. There were so many heart-warming moments that I lost count. There were also great references to the scriptures and to what marriage should be like. I felt inspiration for my own marriage, and that doesn't happen with Love Inspired novels (sorry, but it's true.) I tend to love historical fiction, but not LI fiction, yet this story made me want to read more in this genre. In fact, I think this is my favorite LI novel ever. The plot and pacing were excellent, the story was full of great tension and believable emotion, and the hero and heroine shared the yummiest kisses I've ever read in a LI book. My heart melted every time they kissed. I felt the love and was inspired by it. Seriously!

Bottom line...Debra Ullrick outdid herself on this one. And I loved the fact that I also got to see Rainee and Haydon again from the first book, The Unexpected Bride. I enjoyed that story, too, but I absolutely adored this one. Selena was the most unique and lovable heroine that I've read in a long time. I fell in love with Michael as he fell in love with Selena. I really can't believe how good this book was... but then again, I can. Debra is a talented writer and this story should be on everyone's must-read list for 2012. If you love heart-warming historical romances that contain strong spiritual threads and great romantic tension (and if you don't mind shedding a tear or two, or three or four) then you'll love this book. I guarantee it! ( )