This is my first experience reading the genre of Christian romance. I think this is also my first experience reading a western romance. It's about a beautiful widow who raised her daughter and orphaned nephew all by herself for the past 9 years. She hired a really great guy to help her transport her loads cotton to Jefferson Trace (I don't know what it is :P Seems like some kind of big trade center? )for sale. They traveled together for 9 days on two wagons and experienced multiple challenges including bear attack, wolf attack, harassment by men, heavy rain, and a wagon stuck in the middle of a creek. In the process the hero and heroine fell in love because they found each other beautiful, smart, kind, brave, forgiving.....etc. I'll say the hero does appear to have no fault. He can do anything, but he's also kind and humble. He's so perfect the heroine even thought he was "Christ-like." I think the details about the daily nuances of wagon travel are interesting to read. The romance itself is not "extremely" interesting because there was very little obstacle or angst. The hero gets along perfectly with the heroine's daughter and nephew. The daughter and nephew get along perfectly with the hero's dog. The heroine was worried the hero was not a fellow Christian, the hero didn't have a lot of money, and her father wouldn't give his blessings to the marriage. All three issues were resolved so quickly, they were almost non-issues :P But because the world is in such turmoil in 2020, I prefer mundane happiness to angst :P ( )

This was my first book by this author and I really liked her style of writing. I walked the trail with these people and got to know them and understand them. They weren't perfect people, but love can help one overlook others faults.

Susannah Baylor, a young widow, finds herself having to take her cotton crop (two full wagons) along the Jefferson Trace to the cotton buyers at the port, and she must get there in time. But her friends say it is too dangerous, just her and her young nephew she is raising and her 9 year old daughter. So, reluctantly, she asks Henry, a man with a reputation as a drunken layabout to help her haul her cotton. Susannah doesn't care for Henry and can be very "bossy" in her own way, but Henry agrees to help her. Susannah will discover that the rumors about Henry are not true and that Henry is a solid worker who puts in a full day and then some. But she must also learn to guard her tongue, as he really does know what he is doing. Henry is a great guy, who is learning how to be around this family and making an impact upon all of them in a good way.

I loved traveling the trail with these people. I liked watching the change in each one and the little girl was so precious. She instantly fell in love with Henry and his dog, "Blue Dog". There will be danger and adventure on this trail, with two people "butting heads" a lot, but the romance is there and in the end Henry will have to prove himself once again for Susannah's vow to not be broken. Looking forward to reading more in this series.

343 pages
2014 published
Howard Books ( )

Caryl McAdoo tells the story of a widow struggling to get her cotton to market with a fresh, down-home style readers are sure to love.

The Characters: The characters are so well rendered. I loved getting to know Henry, Sue, Becky, Levi and Blue Dog! By the end of the book they begin to feel like family. At every turn, one of the characters would say something that would surprise me and reveal even more about who they were and what events and setting formed them into such strong personalities.

The Romance: Romance was very light and sweet. Some of this was due to the plot. This book is categorized as historical romance, but I'd consider this book more historical women's fiction. Not even the married characters kiss. Physical affection was limited to hugs or holding hands.
However, this allowed a fresh, clean approach to the relationship as the character's feelings for each other were shown through gestures of friendly kindness instead of in a romantic way.

The Plot: The main character's vows cause problems that are the main internal conflict we see affecting these characters over and over again. I won't give spoilers, but I will say the resolution to her vow to her earthly father is resolved in a believable way. The resolution to Sue's vow made to her Heavenly Father seemed contrived in contrast. So much so, it was a distraction as I tried to figure out the motivation for it for the rest of the book.

The Setting: The wagon trail setting has been visited before by many authors, but the author gives us a fresh look at life on the trail and throws us several exciting twists to keep the story moving.

Content Advisory: British spelling of the expression "wise-a**" was used once. (pg. 225) I was very surprised to find this in an inspirational book. It seemed extremely out of character for main character Sue to think this since she's a devoted Christian who "minds her p's and q's," and she's not British, but Texan.

Overall Impression: It is Caryl McAdoo's talent and personal writing style, her way of looking at people and situations that gives this story it's bright sparkle. I look forward to seeing how she uses her talent in the future.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. ( )

Title: Vow Unbroken
Author: Caryl McAdoo
Pages: 368
Year: 2014
Publisher: Howard Books
Sue was a young impetuous girl who ran away to marry the young man she loved without the blessing of her father. Hardly married a year, she lost her husband in an accident, unknowingly pregnant and facing an unknown future. As a result, Sue makes a vow to never marry again without her father’s blessing. The reason behind making the vow readers will learn about in the pages of the book.
Though widowed for four years, Sue now decides that instead of selling her cotton to a man who proved himself a liar and thief, she believes herself capable of traveling a hundred miles to sell for higher profit elsewhere. Heeding wise counsel, she recruits a worker to go along with her that being Rebecca, her 9-year-old daughter and her nephew Levi.
Throughout the story, the main characters of Sue, Rebecca and Levi along with Henry, the man she hires, encounter danger, romance, and many challenges on the route that bring Sue to a new place of understanding what the Lord desires to change in her heart. While some of the hardships humble Sue, it is encouraging to see the female character examine her thoughts, words and actions toward others.
Sue’s main focus, other than receiving her father’s blessing for an upcoming marriage, is that she not be unequally yoked. The hardest part is waiting for the Lord’s timing, along with the right words and ways to share the gospel message with the man she loves so deeply. As I continued reading the book, I fell more in love with the development of the characters, seeing their faults, confessing sins as well as asking forgiveness.
While it is a fictional piece, I was reflecting how much Sue’s greatest desire was to focus on keeping the Lord always before her. Her spontaneous prayers and supplications reminded me that we all can bring our hearts before the Lord any time. I was also reminded that knowing the word and living out the word can be two totally different things. Our flesh and spirit are always in battle against each other, which is reflected in what Paul writes in his letters regarding the same battle.
I loved this novel a bunch. The gospel message was always a part of the story. It was as natural to the tale as breathing is to mankind. I sure hope the audience reads, enjoys and shares this novel from a new author. Personally, I hope to see more from this author soon.
My rating is 5 stars.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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