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As Minda Becker set off on her journey to Paradise, Nebraska her mind whirled with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. She decided to leave her old life in search of the type of love she’d heard her sisters talk about but had yet to experience. She had found a wonderful man named Norman Dale who had agreed to marry her having gotten to know each other through letters. Minda was ready to start a family of her own and was more than willing to take on Norman Dale’s child after his wife had succumbed to the fever. As the carriage pulled up to her new hometown she could hardly contain herself. Although she didn’t quite receive the welcome she expected from her husband to be, she could not deny the feelings igniting within her when she finally laid eyes on him. She was whisked to the altar, the man she planned to end her days with giving her the kiss of her life after they were pronounced man and wife. Minda felt like her wildest dreams had finally come true but unfortunately her elation was short-lived.
Brixton Haynes felt trapped. He was still grieving the death of his brother but now he had to contend with 3 children and a stranger for a bride. He couldn’t be angry at the children, they were flesh and blood after all and he dearly loved them. He’d promised his brother on his death bed that the children would not be separated and he knew deep down in his heart he would die trying to keep that promise but he also knew very well that he’d never be the family man they needed. His bride, on the other hand, he had no qualms about hating. How dare she send his brother to an early grave by putting such heavy demands on him? If it wasn’t for his hard work in preparation for Minda’s arrival, the children would still have a father and Brixton would still have his brother. He may have promised to take Norman Dale’s place at the altar but there wasn’t a chance in hell he was going to settle down and play happy families with the woman who had torn his apart. To think she didn’t even feel she was to blame! Well, Brix had learnt his lesson with women the hard way and was not about to be made a fool of by this stranger, however beautiful she may be. In his mind, Minda owed the Haynes family big time and Brix is more than ready to collect.
Minda and Brix are wonderful characters whose individual strengths and weaknesses balance each other out fantastically. A varied, interesting supporting cast and a detailed setting also add a great deal of weight to Marrying Minda. The plot captured my interest from the start. I felt Minda’s disappointment and Brixton’s anger. I couldn’t see how they were going to get out of the mess they had found themselves in and the author kept me guessing with great plot twists and turns. However, it is the underlying message that struck a chord with me - the devastation caused by deception and the misunderstandings that can arise from jumping to conclusions. Minda feels completely betrayed when the reality of the situation sinks in. She naturally feels for the children though and nurturing them does seem to ease some of her tensions. Brixton’s anger stems from the hurt he feels for losing his brother and he needs someone to blame. As they work through their problems, with a little help from some unexpected turn of events, it becomes apparent that there is something between them, despite the lies and hurt feelings. It was a joy to see their love develop and the intimacy that blossoms was very well written.
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