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by Vickie McDonough
Dancing Word Reviewer
Title: Temporary Husband
Author: DiAnn Mills
Publisher: Heartsong Presents
ISBN: 1-586-60926-2
Genre: Inspirational/Historical/Romance
Spinster Nettie Franklin's mission is to make the drunken men of Mesquite,
Nebraska, see the error of their ways. Instead of achieving her goal,
Nettie ends up in jail for hounding the saloon's patrons. Before long,
Riley O'Connor-the town drunk who disappeared years ago-is thrown into the
cell next to hers. At first Nettie is repulsed to see the man again, but
during the next few days of her incarceration, she comes to realize Riley
is a changed man-a Christian man.
Though she enjoys getting to know Riley and discussing God's word, she's
miserable from being locked up for so long in the primitive facility. When
the opportunity arrives to get out of jail, Nettie jumps at the chance,
even if it means marrying Riley to do so.
Once Nettie and Riley are free from confinement, both realize they leaped
into a marriage without seeking God's will. When the judge refuses to
annul their union, Nettie realizes she is stuck with a not-so-temporary
husband. But Riley's home is a ranch in Montana and hers is in Nebraska.
Can they reconcile their difference and make a home together? Or will
their pasts collide with their future, destroying any hopes of a happy
marriage?"
DiAnn Mills hits a home run with Temporary Husband, the story of
two people who never expect to marry but are suddenly thrown together. I
loved how Riley and Nettie are stuck together in jail and forced to get to
know each other. The situation is sometimes humorous and other times heart
wrenching. Readers will be encouraged that even though bad things happen,
God can take the situation and turn it into something good.
Mills' gifted storytelling deftly guides readers through a different kind
of romance. I wondered if I'd lose interest since Riley and Nettie married
early on in the story, but I didn't. Their struggle to make sense of their
impulsive decision and to figure out the next step was engaging. The
rustic setting came alive with rattlesnakes dropping from the roof of
Nettie's sod house, the cow chips used for fuel, and a bear attack. The
gently woven faith message is certain to inspire readers. Temporary
Husband was a delight to read and reemphasizes why DiAnn Mills
continually remains one of Heartsong Presents' favorite authors.
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