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April Edwards, a young widow, is content to manage a farm with her fourteen-year-old brother and a one-year-old daughter. Nothing, after all, could be worse than being married to her deceased husband. Nothing, that is, until her unscrupulous brother-in-law decides to marry her. With no other recourse, April and her brother concoct a plan--one that involves the unsuspecting doctor’s assistant, Joel Larson.

Joel Larson doesn't want to be married. In fact, he’s perfectly happy with things the way they are, but when he’s sent to check on April’s sick child, things take an unexpected turn for the worse. In one instant, he finds a gun and a mandate to marry April staring him in the face. Can a marriage that begins with a shotgun be just the thing Joel needs or has April just confined herself to another miserable marriage?

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First published November 12, 2011

125 people are currently reading
350 people want to read

About the author

Ruth Ann Nordin

172 books713 followers
What's to say? I write a lot. I read often. I sleep little. Once in awhile, I've been known to clean the house. A number of kids live in my house and there's this guy they call dad and I call husband. All in all, it's a pretty good life. :-)

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5 stars
321 (46%)
4 stars
204 (29%)
3 stars
120 (17%)
2 stars
38 (5%)
1 star
13 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
Profile Image for Seon Ji (Dawn).
1,051 reviews275 followers
August 21, 2016
++Spoilers+

This is the first book by this author I was disappointed in.

The whole premise of the shotgun wedding was just not done well. It was completely unrealistic not only in the believability of the characters actions but the entire logic.

1. I doubt a judge would marry people against their will even if said judge was family. I believe it would be against the law. Since the judge is known as an "honorable" man in the previous book in this series, why would he do this? It is corruption!

2. Joel didn't have to say "I do" he did not have to sign the marriage license, AND he could have very well run off afterwards.

I personally did not care for the way the heroine had no problem being so selfish as to force a man to marry her because she was "scared" and needed protection. She didn't even consider going to the sherrif! Why? Why make a man miserable and ruin his life? I totally hated her for this.

I also didn't buy how the hero (Joel) all of a sudden after one conversation with the heroine (April), was ok with being married to her. IMHO neither H or h were likable and I can't fathom why they eventually fell for each other.

Sorry Ms. Nordin, I love all of your other books but this one just didn't cut the mustard with me.

I did finish it however, hoping it would improve, but after they married, the book became extremely dull and I skimmed a lot not finding much in the way of redeemability.

The conflict was almost non-existant, and the sole antagonist was absent through most of the book, just showing up in the end only to be easily thwarted and arrested.

I plan on skipping the next two books in the series which are, from what I have read in reviews, not to my tastes. Book 7 involves the couple from the book with the unattractive heroine which I have yet to read, and still may not, and book 8 has the hero going to a prostitute.. uh no...

I do plan to read the last one (9) which according to the GR summary looks promising.

Safety:

Hero-Virgin
Heroine-Experienced-widowed. Never enjoyed sex before hero.
Cheating-No
OM/OW-No
Rape-Attempted, thwarted, some detail that may disturb others
Violence-mild
Cursing-No
Sex-Yes a few times detailed nothing crazy
Adultery-No
HEA/ILY-Yes to both
Marriage-Yes forced upon the hero
Baby-Yes

Profile Image for  Gigi Ann.
631 reviews40 followers
March 21, 2012
I have been reading this series in the order it was written, even though each book can stand alone. Well, as I read them they are becoming very predictable. This one was even to far- fetched for my way of thinking. All the stories kind of follow the same premise, find a mate in an unusual way, get married, fall in love, and live happily ever after. Which is all right, because I do love a good Cinderella story. However, I need to take a break from reading anymore of her books for a while.
Profile Image for Amanda Richardson.
997 reviews10 followers
January 19, 2018
3.5 stars for this twist on a forced marriage. April is a widow with a young daughter and younger brother to take care of. Her deceased husband was a brute, not terrible but not great, and left her a little gun shy of men. Her brother-in-law shows up at her home, threatens her and expects to take his brother's place in April's bed and home soon.
April's daughter is sick and the doctor's assistant, Joel, stops by to check on the little girl. To Joel's surprise, he is threatened at gun point with marriage to April. He never wanted to get married and certainly doesn't want to be forced into marriage with a stranger. Joel is pretty childish, he sulks, he sighs and complains a lot.
Interesting plot with two people who didn't want to marry, let alone marry each other, and the outside forces that bring them together. Will they be able to make a marriage work and last?
There are some mildly passionate scenes in the book which help to advance the couple's relationship. Overall a light, easy old west read.
Profile Image for Pria.
673 reviews22 followers
January 9, 2024
Not too bad, just that there's nothing to remember or reminisce.
Profile Image for Judy.
3,275 reviews
December 28, 2011
Ruth does it again! Another exciting book in her Nebraska series. This time it is pesky baby brother Joel's turn. In A Bride for Tom we meet Joel. He is always picking on Tom and avoiding chores whenever he can. And full of mischief as well. This time the tables are turned though. Joel has been working with the local doctor so he can one day be one as well. Farm work was never his forte. A routine visit to do a follow up on young Nora Edwards changes Joel's life, and he did not consider it a good change. Being held at gunpoint and told he would marry Nora's mother, April, was not in Joel's plans. Young Sep did not care what Joel thought. With some unexpected help for April, Joel finds himself married, when he was determined to stay a bachelor.

April was not sad to be a widow. Harvey had been a cruel man and continued living quite an immoral life. When his brother Lou comes into her home with intentions of staying around, she is willing to do anything to stay safe. When her fourteen year old brother comes up with a plan, April don't see any other way...even if she don't like it. Thus the need to force Joel Larson into marriage. Quite a disagreeable young man but there were no other single men who happen to come into her home when she needed a husband.

As usual Ruth's stories are full of humor and love. I enjoyed seeing all the Larson's from the previous books and getting to know a few of them better. There is the danger side in the story as well. Lou is still on the loose, there is a locked bedroom that April will not let Joel in nor will she talk about it, Joel is not going to just give in and be a happily married man, and of course Tom is going to enjoy every minute he can if he thinks Joel is suffering.
**Sexual situations within marriage.
**This historical western romance is rated R.
Profile Image for Tonileg.
2,243 reviews26 followers
May 10, 2017
Historical Western romance with a widow finding a husband quickly when her family is threatened with the small town doctor's assistant.
Mrs. April Edwards has to think about her little brother and her one year old daughter when she is forced to get married to avoid a nasty marriage to her dead husband's younger brother. So anyone will do and then the doctor's assistant, Joel Larson shows up to help with her sick daughter and they 'kidnap' him. Although the Larson family help with the set up, but this is a terrible plot, but everything is forgiven because April is very good looking?
I usually love Ruth Ann Nordin 's stories, but this one was far fetched.
225 pages and kindle freebie
2 and half stars
Profile Image for Karen.
1,047 reviews11 followers
January 2, 2019
The book feels like two frightened, wounded young people being enveloped in a blanket of Larson safety & love

Not an auspicious beginning married at gun point. Joel may have protested long & loudly but he didn't escape when opportunity knocked.

Joel got the family he'd wanted & April got a man who not only cherished her, he helped heal emotional scares for both siblings as well as a huge nurturing extended family.

I enjoyed the Larson brothers banter, Joel leading dicovery of fun & the way Joel assessed difficult situations & put them right.
Profile Image for Jacqueline Driggers.
369 reviews16 followers
June 23, 2017
This book gets one star because I DO NOT like books that include rape scenes.
AND BE FOREWARNED! This book begins with an attempted rape scene. The author totally lost me right now. Plus, the idea of a shotgun wedding with a stranger she barely knew mainly because he was handy? Yeah, that didn't work for me either.
Just not my cup of tea.
Profile Image for Christina.
321 reviews
June 30, 2012
Sweet story. A little drama, but overall very sweet.
5 reviews
April 8, 2016
Forced in to marriage


I didn't enjoy this as much as the previous books seemed a little silly. I liked the characters as always.
Profile Image for Timothy Hendricks.
477 reviews6 followers
September 26, 2019
This book had some what of a weird storyline, at least at first. Although, I do admit that I enjoyed reading the book. I guess the Author felt the need to turn the tables a little bit. We often read stories about women who are forced into marriages and then over time love blooms. Seldom do we read a novel where the man is forced into a marriage he did not want. But forcing a person at gun point was a little weird and based on certain comments at the beginning of the story I'd say the Author thought that too. The only time I have ever heard of something like that happening in real life is shotgun weddings where the man had been playing around with the woman and got her pregnant and then Daddy, Brothers, or other male kin showed up with shotguns to make the man responsible for getting their daughter or sister pregnant. However, it was kind of weird how it happened in this story. It is because of the storyline that I give it a 4. However, I thought the book was well written. I felt the pace of the story was good. I liked the characters. Although I don't quite understand the brothers of Joel Larson actually support April Edwards and her brother Sep which were forcing this marriage. That is another weird quirk of the story. I enjoyed the book enough that I plan to read the book written by the Author that covers the romance of Sep. I look forward to reading it. I also like the fact that this book has no profanity. The sexual dialogue is very mild and not overdone. It also takes up very little space in the overall space of the book. It seems to be the main reason the Author put it in is to show the difference between her mean deceased husband who forced himself on her and didn't care whether she liked it or not, and Joel Larson. Joel Larson is everything that April's deceased husband wasn't. He is kind, loving, and caring. I also liked how the author made Joel Larson real. Even though he was basically a good guy he had these little quirks that get on April's nerves. Like I say, I though this was an enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Debbie.
345 reviews
May 11, 2017
I loved this story. This one has a lot going on that will keep you turning pages and not putting it down. When Joel Larson the Dr.'s assistant goes out to the widow April Edwards house to check on her baby he doesn't expect to be held there until he is married to April. The rest of the story is what will keep you turning the pages. Why April's brother is insisting on a shotgun wedding. Where is the gold hidden and will April ever escape the past of her dead husband?
I highly recommend this book.
8 reviews
February 3, 2018
Entertaining and holds your attention

The author holds your attention by describing the surroundings and various characters in the story. I would recommend this book to those that enjoy a good western.
85 reviews
October 15, 2018
He decided it was nice being a married man pretty quickly!

Joel thought he would never be a married man, but date had other plans! It wasn't long before he had a change of heart once he got married!! You will enjoy this book!
949 reviews1 follower
February 12, 2024
This was cute overall, it was fun to see this trope to be kind of turned on its head and the guy is the one “trapped and forced to marry” I just felt like the relationship development was a little lacking
Profile Image for Bea Tea.
1,194 reviews
March 8, 2024
Have to admit I wasn't looking forward to Joel's story because he's been such a relentless little shit in earlier books.

Well, I loved it. He was looovely, the story was lovely, everything was lovely. So there, there you have my fulsome, in depth review: lovely.
Profile Image for Karilyn.
347 reviews15 followers
May 5, 2017
Excellent book.

I loved this his book! I felt like I was in Nebraska watching this all play out. This is my 1st book by Ruth, but not my last!!!
Profile Image for Cayla.
1,081 reviews36 followers
May 6, 2017
This was a good book, but it wasn't nearly as good as some of the others I've read by Ms. Nordin. The plot was good, but it just doesn't rank as a "favorite."
Profile Image for paul kinyon.
1 review
May 17, 2017
No

I dont leave comments and questions or concerns about the same time as the 6th grade and the other hand
Profile Image for Kathy Brickert.
3,465 reviews18 followers
June 5, 2017
Good story, if a bit far fetched. Not sure about the whole have to marry against his will bit, that wasn't reality, but a well written and very interesting story. Lovely read!
Profile Image for Phylis Collins.
2,847 reviews8 followers
June 28, 2017
Excellent

Shotgun Groom book 6 of the Nebraska Romance Series by Ruth Ann Nordin is an awesome story. The characters are believable and I liked Joel. Well worth reading. Thanks
Profile Image for April Worman.
5 reviews
July 9, 2017
Good but not great

I've read better but over all not to bad. Good ending and characters are worth rooting for. Wish it was a bit longer.
37 reviews
September 25, 2017
There again totally different situation, this one was quite humorous !
Profile Image for Barbara Bonner-wells.
61 reviews1 follower
February 11, 2018
Nice read

Good story line and well developed characters. I was disappointed with having to skip several pages do to more detail into the marriage bed than was warranted.
Profile Image for Judy.
3,275 reviews
November 24, 2011
Shotgun Groom by Ruth Ann Nordin
Nebraska Series Book 6
Ruth does it again! Another exciting book in her Nebraska series. This time it is pesky baby brother Joel's turn. In A Bride for Tom we meet Joel. He is always picking on Tom and avoiding chores whenever he can. And full of mischief as well. This time the tables are turned though. Joel has been working with the local doctor so he can one day be one as well. Farm work was never his forte. A routine visit to do a follow up on young Nora Edwards changes Joel's life, and he did not consider it a good change. Being held at gunpoint and told he would marry Nora's mother, April, was not in Joel's plans. Young Sep did not care what Joel thought. With some unexpected help for April, Joel finds himself married, when he was determined to stay a bachelor.

April was not sad to be a widow. Harvey had been a cruel man and continued living quite an immoral life. When his brother Lou comes into her home with intentions of staying around, she is willing to do anything to stay safe. When her fourteen year old brother comes up with a plan, April don't see any other way...even if she don't like it. Thus the need to force Joel Larson into marriage. Quite a disagreeable young man but there were no other single men who happen to come into her home when she needed a husband.

As usual Ruth's stories are full of humor and love. I enjoyed seeing all the Larson's from the previous books and getting to know a few of them better. There is the danger side in the story as well. Lou is still on the loose, there is a locked bedroom that April will not let Joel in nor will she talk about it, Joel is not going to just give in and be a happily married man, and of course Tom is going to enjoy every minute he can if he thinks Joel is suffering.

**Sexual situations within marriage.
**This historical western romance is rated R.
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
Profile Image for Judy Lavik.
286 reviews14 followers
July 8, 2014
This is the perfect example of a series done right!

I love books that are part of a series, because you get a preview of characters that will star in later books, and you can get a glimpse into the lives of the stars of previous books after their "Happily Ever After."

Some are disappointing. They barely do more than list the names of everyone at some gathering. If you're lucky, you'll find out if they have any kids. The Nebraska Historical Romance series goes so much further. The Larson family aware the stars of most of the books in this series. The first book, Her Heart's Desire, introduces us to the family. Ma And Pa have 6 children. The oldest is already married and has given them 2 grandchildren. By the time we get to the end of this story, which stars the youngest of the siblings, we discover that Ma and Pa will be having their 17th grandchild soon.

I believe that there are a few more books in this series (one of the siblings even gets a 2nd book when his wife develops amnesia and he has to woo her all over again. I can't wait, theirs was such a wonderful story.) I'm truly glad I haven't reached the end of the series as I am not yet ready to say goodbye to this family.

I guess this review focuses more on the series than on this book itself, but I suspect it's clear that I have loved them all, and the best one is always the one I just finished. Find out for yourself. I believe several of the titles are free or 99 cents.
Profile Image for Bethenia Dixon.
46 reviews16 followers
April 25, 2012
I am really enjoying this series. It is difficult for me to get into a new book sometimes because my mind goes on so many tangents and some books start off taking a few pages to see what is really going on. Ruth's books are instantly enticing, grabbing me from the very first sentence. The only downfall is that it is sometimes too easy to read and I don't leave having learned anything new. I like to read these books in between my more challenging books as a nice break. Through reading the series, I can see Ruth's growth as a writer and feel proud of her, especially after reading on her blog that she doesn't get paid for these books, she only does it for pleasure (I don't know if that has changed because the post was a little old).

I love how the characters grow with each new book, making me feel as if I am a part of their life. With the first book I read of the series, I could picture the town and surrounding country, as each landmark was described, they popped into my mind. Buildings sprouted up from the ground, trees plummeted from the sky into place, sidewalks were painted onto the ground. With each new book in the series, new places and people are established and I see the town grow as the years go by. I feel like I am living in these books, having my life as a bystander mapped out for me as I read.
Profile Image for Gretchen Fatouros.
Author 3 books3 followers
September 10, 2016
Love Ruth Ann Nordin's books and this series - mostly of the Larson family...

This is the best order to read these in (per Ruth Ann Nordin's website 05/14):

1 - Her Heart’s Desire (Nebraska Book 1) – Sally Larson’s romance
2 - A Bride for Tom (Nebraska Book 2) – Tom Larson’s romance
3 - A Husband for Margaret (Nebraska Book 3) – Joseph Conneally’s romance
4- Eye of the Beholder (Nebraska Book 4) – Dave Larson and Mary’s first book
5 - The Wrong Husband (Nebraska Book 5) – Jenny Larson’s romance
6 - Shotgun Groom (Nebraska Book 6) – Joel Larson’s romance
7 - To Have and To Hold (Nebraska Book 7) – Dave and Mary’s Second Book
8 - His Redeeming Bride (Nebraska Book 8) – Neil Craftsman’s romance
9 - Isaac’s Decision (Nebraska Book 9) – Isaac Larson and Emily Craftsman’s romance
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews

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