The Accidental Bride (A Big Sky Romance) [Paperback]

Denise Hunter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 3, 2012 | Series: A Big Sky Romance

When a wedding reenactment turns real, Shay finds she’s an accidental bride.

Shay Brandenberger is raising her daughter in Moose Creek, Montana, on her childhood ranch, nestled against the Yellowstone River. Despite the hard work, she can’t seem to keep her head above water—and now the bank is threatening to foreclose. She prays for a miracle, but the answer she receives is anything but expected.

Having agreed to play the bride in the Founders’ Day wedding reenactment, Shay is mortified to be greeted at the end of the aisle by none other than Travis McCoy, her high-school sweetheart—the man who left her high and dry for fame and fortune on the Texas rodeo circuit.

Then the unthinkable happens. Thanks to a well-meaning busybody and an absentminded preacher, the make-believe vows result in a legal marriage. But before Shay can say annulment, Travis comes up with a crazy proposal. If she refuses his offer, she may lose her home. If she accepts, she may lose her heart.

Shay isn’t sure if the recent events are God’s will or just a preacher’s blunder. Will trusting her heart to the man who once shattered it be the worst mistake of her life? Or could their marriage be the best accident that ever happened?

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Denise Hunter is the best-selling author of several novels, including The Trouble with Cowboys and Barefoot Summer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (January 3, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595548025
• ISBN-13: 978-1595548023
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (127 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #314,184 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Denise Hunter is the nationally published bestselling author of The Convenient Groom and The Trouble with Cowboys. She has won The Holt Medallion Award, The Reader's Choice Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist.

In 1996, inspired by the death of her grandfather, Denise began her first book, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her husband says he inspires all her romantic stories, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

When Denise isn't writing she's busy raising three heroes-in-the making with her husband.

You can learn more about Denise through her website www.DeniseHunterBooks.com or by visiting her FaceBook page at https://www.facebook.com/authordenisehunter

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#50 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality

#50 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Accidentally on the Right Path January 1, 2012

By akb--bookworm VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

3-1/2 Stars

I usually steer clear of Christian Literature. I am a Christian, but most Christian fiction I've read I've felt like I've been preached at while the storyline flounders and the writing is less than stellar. I'm not sure why I put those prejudices aside to pick up this story, but I did find myself enjoying this story, even if it wasn't perfect. And, I've come away with a new favorite scripture.

Fourteen years (yes, 14 years) after being left at the alter by her High School sweetheart, Shay Brandenberger finds herself facing him--HIM, Travis McCoy--at the alter at the town's Founder's Day Wedding Reenactment. When it turns out that a marriage certificate is filed by mistake, Shay finds herself married to Travis! Shay is in pretty dire straits right now after her husband of 10+ years left her and subsequently died, she can't keep up with the work on her ranch to keep it out of foreclosure, and she breaks her foot. Travis sees this as an opportunity to sweep in and prove to her how much he regrets his actions and to beg for a second chance.

Things I liked:
1. Application of Scripture: I really liked how scripture was used to help Shay work through her hang-ups. She spent most the book hung-up about something (don't want to give spoilers *grin*) and as she came to realize this, a friend helped her find a way to overcome by sharing her experiences and her inspiration in scripture. Then, we watched as Shay worked to apply that principle in her life.
2. Fun Storyline: yes, there is some elements of disbelief one must suspend, but the storyline was fun and a bit lighthearted for the most part.

Things I didn't like:
1.... Cinderella Complex: I'm finding I don't really like the modern Cinderella storyline where the female can't save herself and so a Prince Charming comes along to sweep all her troubles away and take care of everything with no work on Cinderella's part. Yes, I know Shay kept insisting she'd pay him back for everything and I know she was injured, but I couldn't help draw the parallels. It wasn't the entire theme of the story, so I was able to overlook it for long periods. Even Travis' actions in the end showed that he thought he could just buy his way out of "the dog house."
2. Travis didn't earn any trust: Travis wanted to prove that he changed, that he could be trusted, that he chose Shay. However, he never really showed that other than throwing money at the problems. When he had an opportunity to show he could really be trusted and would choose Shay, he didn't. He never made "the grand gesture" showing he cared for her over everything else. And again hinting at the ending, the actions Travis took were a bit underhanded and not at all the romantic gesture needed to help Shay know he could be trusted. And it really wasn't about making "the grand gesture of choosing Shay," but of TALKING to her about things instead of...well, instead of what happened.
3. Writing: the writing was a bit simplistic. Uses of phrases like "It was hotter'n the dickens already" were used.

So, I'm glad I took a chance on this book to read something uplifting. Even though this is part of series, each book is a stand-alone book. I haven't read the first book but never felt lost as each book is about a different couple in the same small town.

Big Sky Series
A Cowboy's Touch (A Big Sky Romance)
The Accidental Bride Read more ›

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Big LOVE for the Big Sky book! December 20, 2011

By Amyrjoy

Format:Paperback

Reaching the end of the aisle, Shay gets the shock of her life, only to receive yet another one days later- that walk to the end of the aisle was REAL. She was really, truly married to the man she once loved and who broke her heart over a decade ago.

Now, as her debt looms over her head, she agrees to remain married to her Travis, for her daughter Olivia and their livelihood. What happens next, despite the protests of Shay herself, is a couple falling deeply in love in the months to come.

I LOVED reading this book. It was a smooth read, with memorable quotes. My favorite one was when the author described Travis' eyes as "cloudy with a chance of pain." Ms. Hunter graced the pages with words that brought joy to my heart as well as smiles, laughter, and anticipation. The entrance of the whole plot was brilliant- a reenactment. For this historical romance kinda-girl, it was what drew me in to the book in the first place. I loved the setting, a place where someday I wish to visit- Montana. I loved the faith-filled characters, who, like us, endure hardships as well as God's blessings.

This is a MUST HAVE for your bookshelf because I am sure you will want to read it again and again! I could not put it down!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Sweet Love Story: The Accidental Bride by Denise Hunter January 16, 2012

By Renee Chaw

Format:Paperback

Some author's write stories that grip you, some write stories that scare you and some write sweet romances. Denise Hunter, author of The Accidental Bride and A Cowboy's Touch from the Big Sky Romance series, falls into the latter category. When you read a book by Ms. Hunter you're bound to be swept away by a light-hearted romance, simply put her books are good readin!'

In The Accidental Bride we are once again in Moose Creek, Montana and some characters from A Cowboy's Touch make cameo appearances. Shay Brandenberger was left at the altar by Travis McCoy here high school sweetheart. Years later, at the request of a friend Shay agrees to participate in the reenactment of a Founder's Day wedding without knowing who the "groom" is. Thanks to the minister performing the ceremony Shay gets married to the last man she'd ever want--her ex fiance. Modern day cowboys and independent heroines butt heads and make for some sizzling chemistry.

While I don't quite understand how Shay and Travis ended up officially married since they never technically said vows to each other this story is just so romantic! I'm such a sucker for the knight in shining armor and that's just what Travis is. It may not be the most believable story, in fact some things didn't make a whole lot of sense to me but I liked it anyway. Denise definitely writes heroes you wish you could meet and frustratingly stubborn heroines who you'd sometimes like to slap but they are what make her stories. If you're looking for a book to read on a lazy Sunday afternoon this is it.

4.5 out of 5 stars

*I received my complimentary review copy from the publisher in exchange for posting my honest opinion of the book.*

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The accidental bride August 5, 2012

By glamis14

Format:Paperback

I loved this book. I couldn't put it down!!! I love a good romance. I felt like i was part of the story. I wanted the next book. I bought it at Barnes & Nobles & didn't know that there were more in the series. I am excited to read the next book that Denise Hunter has out.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE IT July 18, 2012

By Kym McNabney VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

THE ACCIDENTAL BRIDE is the first book I've read by DENISE HUNTER, and it won't be the last. I spotted the cover of this book sometime ago, and instantly wanted to read it. The title was intriguing, as well as the blurb on the back cover. Sadly, it sat on my bookshelf for some time before I was able to get to it, having other books I was committed to reading first.

Shay Brandenberger is struggling to raise her daughter on her family ranch after her husband up and left, then late succumbed to an early death. Despite her determination and prayers, she's about to lose the only home she's ever known.

Travis McCoy is back in Moose Creek, Montana after more than a decade. Little did he know he'd be roped into being the groom for the Founders' Day wedding reenactment. And the bride is no other then Shay, the woman he ran out on the day he was to be married back when they were teens.

Thrown together, Shay and Travis make the best of a bad situation. At least that's how Shay sees it. Travis is hoping for something entirely different. A lifetime with the woman he never stopped loving.

Right from the first page I was sunk. DENISE HUNTER is an amazing writer, with a talent for weaving together a remarkable story with a unique plot. I read THE ACCIDENTAL BRIDE in only a few shot days, not able to put it down. What a great twist on the convenient bride scenario.

I took forward to reading more of MS HUNTER'S books in the future. Next on my list of books to purchase is A COWBOY'S TOUCH. The first story in A BIG SKY ROMANCE.