The Vigilante's Bride, by Yvonne Harris

The Vigilante's Bride has an intriguing plot including a feisty red-headed orphan, a young vigilante, and a rustler groom-to-be.  Unfortunately, the author seems to have found her plot insufficiently fascinating.  Instead of merely developing the interest she had already created, Yvonne Harris added a temporary element of a wound that "required" indecent exposure to heal.

I hate to give spoilers, but this paragraph contains some.  We all recognize that some wounds may require access to the air in order to heal, so it is possible that the character needed such treatment.  In that case, the story would have been just as romantic (and much less disturbing) if his mother figure had handled his care rather than a woman to whom he was not married.  Revealing clothing or the lack thereof does not make romance; loving and selfless care for another individual does.  The most unfortunate aspect of The Vigilante's Bride is that it could have been a great clean story, but it was ruined by an incident that has only a tenuous connection to the main plot line.

As a result of the book's focus in that particular section, I would not recommend the book to anyone despite its plot.  It is unfortunate when a good book is ruined by one specific element, especially when it is unnecessary to the plot.

I received this book free from Bethany House as part of their book review bloggers program.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Love and Respect, by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

In Love and Respect, by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, he expands upon the simple concept that men should love their wives and women should respect their husbands  He explains the crazy cycle of unhappy marriages and then carefully explains how the energizing cycle that leads to the rewarded cycle that characterizes happy marriage.

Dr. Eggerichs used the acronym C-O-U-P-L-E to summarize the loving treatmenent of their wives.  The elements are closeness, openness, understanding, peacemaking, loyalty, and esteem.  Another acronym, C-H-A-I-R-S, is intended to show women how to respect their husbands.  Its letters stand for conquest, hierarchy, authority, insight, relationship, and sexuality.  Eggerichs found a way to make his suggestions memorable for those who newly understand them.

The amazing thing is that Emerson Eggerichs managed to be so even-handed in his dealings with men and women.  He clarified exactly what each of the terms he used meant and gave specific instances of the methods for their use.  In conclusion, Love and Respect is worth recommending to everyone.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.