A Tailor-Made Bride [Kindle Edition]

Karen Witemeyer (Author)

Book Description

Jericho "J.T." Tucker wants nothing to do with Coventry, Texas's new dressmaker. He's all too familiar with her kind--shallow women
more devoted to fashion than true beauty. Yet, except for her well-tailored clothing, this seamstress is not at all what he expected.
Hannah Richards is confounded by the man who runs the livery. The unsmiling fellow riles her with his arrogant assumptions and gruff
manner while at the same time stirring her heart with unexpected acts of kindness. Which side of Jericho Tucker reflects the real man?
When Hannah decides to help Jericho's sister catch a beau--leading to uproarious consequences for the whole town--will Jericho and Hannah find a way to bridge the gap between them?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Witemeyer's debut will grab fans in the historical romance crowd. She blends lively writing, storytelling prowess, and enough romance to keep readers satisfied. Hannah Richards opens her dress shop in 1881 Coventry, Tex., with little more than a dream to help women add beauty to their lives. Livery owner Jericho Tucker, however, finds nothing beautiful in her plans. Despite J.T's antagonism and Hannah's strong will, the pair find ways to meet in the middle and come out together. Sidelights include matchmaking on Hannah's part, a sinister rival, dangerous floodwaters, and two people who truly desire to follow Christ. Readers will ponder, with J.T. and Hannah, the difference between beauty and vanity: You may see a room full of harmless fashions, but if you open your eyes, you'll find that, in truth, it is filled with the temptations to indulge in sinful vanity, he says. If God had wanted the world to be a somber, colorless place, he would have made everything in black and gray, she says. Thought-provoking and entertaining faith-based fiction for sure. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From the Back Cover

When a dressmaker who values beauty tangles with a liveryman who condemns vanity, the sparks begin to fly!

Jericho "J.T." Tucker wants nothing to do with the new dressmaker in Coventry, Texas. He's all too familiar with her kind--shallow women more devoted to fashion than true beauty. Yet, except for her well-tailored clothes, this seamstress is not at all what he expected.

Hannah Richards is confounded by the man who runs the livery. The unsmiling fellow riles her with his arrogant assumptions and gruff manner, while at the same time stirring her heart with unexpected acts of kindness. Which side of Jericho Tucker reflects the real man?

When Hannah decides to help Jericho's sister catch a beau--leading to consequences neither could have foreseen--will Jericho and Hannah find a way to bridge the gap between them?

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 2550 KB
• Print Length: 352 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (June 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ASIN: B003N64I60
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #204,569 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

79 of 81 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The characters won me over May 18, 2010

By P. Smith

Format:Paperback

This is one of those books I looked forward to ever since I saw the cover art last year. The more I read about it, the more I wanted to read it. It didn't disappoint.

I know you shouldn't judge a book by a cover ~ but how many of us do just that? We either are drawn to the gorgeous dress (like on this one) or repelled by what we don't like on another. It's like that in life too. Jericho Tucker has done just that in this book. He takes one look at Hannah Richards and sees all the things he hates and fears. He certainly doesn't want to get to get entangled with the seamstress himself - no matter how nice she seems.

The two of them are like watching an old fashioned bumper cars at night. They slam into each other and seem to be causing quite a fuss ~ but beneath all the noise and clamor you see the sparks flying.

Jericho is a wonderful hero. He is two parts stubborn and three parts generous. Add in a little bit wounded, handy with his tools, protective, and thoughtful. He looks out for his sister, the widow that works next door to Hannah, his assistant, Tom, and even Hannah. He may not want to get involved with her, but he doesn't want her to get hurt or not have what she needs.

Hannah can't understand why the livery owner is so grouchy and mad at her - and yet helps her so often. Even worse, she finds she likes him far more than she'd like to admit. When she finds out he objects to her job and thinks she is trying to lead women astray by appealing to their vanity, she knows there is no hope he'll ever like her.

Hannah is great. She's determined, independent, kind and trusting. She is a little insecure and fearful, but she is willing to work hard to overcome any difficulties that come her way. She was a really like-able person.... I found myself wanting to have her for a friend. Maybe we could meet for hot cocoa in the morning after she went for her "constitutional." :o)

When you want to sit down with the characters in the book then you know the author has done an excellent job. Read more ›

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Terrific debut novel. June 8, 2010

By Holly VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

The cover of this book is what grabbed me first. So colorful. The story then hooked me and I read it quickly. Coventry, Texas is a pleasant little town with welcoming townspeople. Hannah Richards ends up there after an opportunity to open her own dressmaking establishment drops into her lap. Almost immediately upon arriving, she and the local liveryman engage in a verbal tug of war as they get to know each other, and ultimately fall in love. A few twists and turns along the way bring them closer together.

This is a light Christian story and perfect for a summer afternoon sitting in the shade. J.T. is rough around the edges and Hannah is charming and a bit too perfect! But, nevertheless, this is a charming novel with a western setting and engaging story.

A terrific debut novel. I look forward to more from Karen Witemayer.

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Tailor-Made for Readers May 20, 2010

By Darlene Franklin

Format:Paperback

I once gave a writing prompt for my writers group to come up with a couple with diametrically opposed occupations/world views. Think environmentalist and big oil. It's one way to look at the conflict essential for any good romance.

Karen Witemeyer starts with that premise in her debut novel, A Tailor-Made Bride. Hannah Richards is a dressmaker who believes beauty is God's gift to us. When she sets up shop in Coventry, Texas, she crosses swords with Jericho "J.T." Tucker, a livery owner who believes fashion=vanity: a sin. When Hannah's first customer is Jericho's sister, the reader knows the going will be rough for the couple before they find true love.

I couldn't wait to read Hannah and Jericho's story as soon as I read the opening lines:

"Red? Have you no shame, Auntie Vic? You can't be buried in a scarlet gown."
"It's cerise, Nan."

Buried in a red dress? That would raise eyebrows even today. Subtleties of red, scarlet, cerise? I don't know them--but Hannah does. I couldn't wait to know more.

Hannah not only makes beautiful clothes, but she also practices an exercise regimen that would shame many of us today. The author weaves the exercises effortlessly into the time period (1881) and into the story.

Check out Karen's story. You'll find it's tailor-made for you.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable! July 7, 2010

By Tanya Stowe

Format:Paperback

A Tailor Made Bride is a fun, engaging story. Karen Witemeyer successfully wove details of the life of a dressmaker and a liveryman into the romance, making the details not just interesting but delightful to read. Those details created a vivid, enjoyable picture of life in a small 1880's Texas town. Hannah and J.T.'s experiences make for a compelling story The characterizations are multi-dimensional and the faith challenges are not only realistic but resolved in a manner that is believable and honest. Not to mention the fact that the two of them are simply likeable! I wanted to spend more time with Hannah and her positive, upbeat attitude and J.T.'s determination to help those less fortunate makes him a real hero. The cover is wonderful and sparks the imgaination. All in all, A Tailor Made Bride makes for a great summer read!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not as Good as the Reviews July 29, 2010

By Joni

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this book based on all of the 5 star reviews, but was a little disapointed. It was well written, but lacked substance. It was a little boring in parts and very predictable.If you're looking for a more generic read with a light mood then you'll love this one, but if you're looking for a book that's more thought provoking, try Rekindled (Fountain Creek Chronicles, Book 1) by Tamera Alexander or Daughter of Joy (Brides of Culdee Creek, Book 1) by Kathleen Morgan.

More About the Author

Two-time RITA® Finalist and winner of the coveted HOLT Medallion and ACFW Carol Award, CBA bestselling author, Karen Witemeyer, writes historical romance fiction for Bethany House, believing that the world needs more happily-ever-afters. She is an avid cross-stitcher, shower singer, and bakes a mean apple cobbler. Karen makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at: www.karenwitemeyer.com.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

(What's this?)

#88 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality

#88 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality