A Match Made in Texas 4-in-1: Historical Texas Matchmaker Romance

Authors: Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings and Carol CoxDry Gulch Texas certainly has some characters in it!I come to this book having already read three of the four authors, of which I love their work. Having said, I thoroughly enjoyed Regina's story and found all of these stories moving and funny.Some characters to not remain in Dry Gulch which I found to be very interesting and smart as a writer. Taking you out into a different setting, it made the stories better and made me want to to back to Dry Gulch and see what was new and who was up to what!Having read some of Karen's previous works, I was happy to revisit a character that was in her previous books. It was a sweet sweet story for another Archer brother. The Archer brothers are a family to be reckoned with and to see the young Neill come out into his own was such a reward as a fan of her work. (I actually want to go back now and re-read the Archer brother stories.) She gave Neill such a tender heart and really put this man in a test to show how much responsibility he could manage in tough circumstances. I will read this story again and again!Regina's story of a school teacher who has become the town's responsibility was very moving. I loved that you cared for Grace but you never felt sorry for her. Regina did a great job of describing Grace, how she felt as a productive member of the community, being a school teacher and losing that status and her sight and just trying to make her life work. I wanted hope for her and for her to have a happy ending. Regina wrote this story in such a way that I couldn't wait to see how Grace would make it in her new world.Carol has written stories that I love to revisit and this is one of them. I grew up being around my great grandparents and the aunt in this story reminded me of them. Ornery, set in her ways, doesn't mince words. I liked her immediately. The timid caretaker that the nephew brings to the aunt's ranch was almost too meek for me but then she grew on me. She found her place in the story and I enjoyed her journey but I just loved that aunt!Mary has always been a favorite author of mine. We are both from the same state and she holds a special place in my reading heart. Mary usually writes about cowboys and to have her write about a school teacher was a breath of fresh air. Hannah is a young teacher, daughter with many siblings and a woman with way too much responsibility. She loses her mother way too early in her life and her father, Mary writes the man in such a way that you despise him in some places and (nearly) cheer for him in others. I loved the way she wrote Marcus, a man in love with a woman since he was a youngin'. I could see him in my imagination, lanky and tall, watching this beautiful young woman and just being too shy to try and tell her how he feels. He wants to have his moment in the sun beaming down on him and all he keeps getting is rainclouds and wet.I read the book in about three or four days. Some stories just in one day or a day and a half. It was a great read!

I really enjoyed most of this book. I's a novella written by 4 different authors - two of which are on my favorites list.(1) A Cowboy Unmatched by Karen Witemeyer - This was my favorite of all 4 stories. It was actually a continuation of her 3 book series (it could be book 4) about the Archer brothers. It can also be a stand along book, so no worries if you haven't read the series. Neil Archer has been on a two year quest to earn enough money to buy a farm. He ends up working for a young pregnant widow whose father-n-law wants to take her unborn child. Neil takes Clara and her one day old son home to his brothers farm to proctor her from her father-n-law. It a very sweet romance. Karen writes a great story thar draws you in from the beginning. 5 stars(2) An Unforeseen Match by Regina Jennings - This was my first book by this author. It will not be my last. Clayton works for a newly retired school teacher who is going blind. Clayton was marked as a young child as a horse thief. Because of the scar across his face he tends to hid from people. But Grace is different. She is almost blind so there's really no need to hide his face from her. Grace can't imagine why someone as handsome as Clayton would be interested in her. Another sweet romance. 4.5 stars(3) No Match For Love by Carol Cox - I really did not care for this story. The story line was okay, but it all seemed rushed. The main characters, Andrew and Lucy, were underdeveloped. There was no chemistry. Every felt rushed. I honestly forced myself to finish parts of the story. 3 stars at best(4) Meeting Her Match by Mary Connealy - A shy banker, Mark, has been in love with Hanna since they were kids. Unfortunately, every time he is around her he becomes tongue tied or falls over his own meet. The small town of Dry Gulch, Texas decides to take matter in their own hands and force them to marry. Good chemistry. Sweet characters. 4 stares.All in all I would give the book 4 - 4.5 stars.

1. Neill Archer is traveling, doing odd jobs to earn cash to buy a ranch. Clara is a widow whose roof he has been sent to fix. She has big problems and reason not to trust the stranger. He has a big heart and determination to keep her safe.2. Clayton had plans to win a homestead in a race. Then his horse broke a leg and had to be put down. He had to earn enough money to buy a horse in time to compete with thousands of other hopefuls. Grace would soon be totally blind. She could no longer teach so the town bought a rundown homestead for her and started bringing in meals. Clayton answered an ad in the paper to fix up the place. Both were in for a surprise.3. Lucy has an unwelcome suiter and needs to get out of town. Andrew has an aunt who has been acting a little off and he needs a companion for her.4. Hannah, a 22 year old school teacher has always helped others. Even when her own life was a mess. Mark, the very shy son of the local banker, has loved Hannah since he was eleven years old. He gets tongue tied just being near her. How will he ever let her know how he feels?

All 4 books were very well written with likable characters, but none of the stories had conclusive endings. All the the endings were as if the authors were tired of writing and just quit. I like a nice decisive, all strings tied off, I's dotted and T's crossed. The first story left so many untied strings, I really thought the printer cut off the last chapter, but they all ended that way.

A Match Made in Texas: A Novella Collection by Mary Connealy, Karen Witemeyer, Carol Cox, Regina Jennings. A collection of short stories of couples who find their happy ever after.

This was an excellent book. Two of the authors were among my favorites and two authors were new to me. I will definitely be reading more by all of these authors. 4.5 stars

A well put together bunch of western faith romance type books. An entertaining read with decent plots and characters. The length of the books is what detracts from the depth and development which could be had in full length books. Enjoyed it.

Good book of 4 stories. Easy to read