Heartland Wedding

After the Storm: The Founding Years #2

by Renee Ryan

Rebecca Gunderson's fresh start in High Plains, Kansas, is destroyed when a deadly tornado wrecks the immigrant's new home—and her reputation. Everyone knows Rebecca rode out the storm with the town's blacksmith, and no one believes her time with Pete Benjamin was totally innocent. To protect her, Pete offers Rebecca his hand in marriage…but the grieving widower can't give her his heart. Is Rebecca trusting her happiness to a man trapped in the past? Or will faith and trust finally bring them through the storm to a brighter future?

Genres: Love Inspired, Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical, Historical Romance, Love Inspired Historical

277 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 1, 2010

About the author

Renee Ryan grew up in a small Florida beach town. Surfing didn’t work for her, but that didn’t keep her from watching others tackle the waves. To entertain herself during those countless hours of “laying-out”, she read many of the classics. It wasn’t until the summer between her sophomore and junior years at Florida State University that she read her first romance novel. Hooked from page one, she spent hours consuming one book after another while working on the best (and last!) tan of her life.

Two years later, armed with a degree in Economics and Religion, she explored various career opportunities, including stints at a Florida theme park, a modeling agency, and a cosmetic conglomerate. She went on to teach high school Economics, American Government and Latin in between coaching award-winning cheerleading teams. Several years later, with an eclectic cast of characters swimming around in her head, she began seriously pursuing a writing career. What better excuse to avoid housework and ignore clocks?

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book in the After the Storm series. I had a hard time putting this book down! It kept getting better and better the further I read into it, and it kept my interest until the very last page. I liked the character development and the plight of the characters.

[Anna Marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I probably would have liked this better if I hadn't just read a Love Inspired (Surviving the Wilderness, Maggie K. Black) about a guy who's previous love was nasty to him until his self-esteem was shredded and he decided he was no good for anyone, and would never be able to love/make a woman happy. Going straight from that to this - a book about a guy who's previous love was nasty to him until his self-esteem was shredded and he decided he was no good for anyone, and would never be able to....

... you get the idea. Love, Inspired takes "nothing new under the sun" to new and staggering heights.

Let's start with the cover. The heroine has 'sunshine blonde', almost blinding hair with pale blue eyes, and she's super tall because she's Scandinavian. He's dark haired, towers over her super-tallness, has shoulders a mile wide, is a blacksmith (lifts heavy steel all day)... NOT THESE TWO.

And then the title. Wouldn't basically any marriage from the beginning of time to the present that takes place in the middle of ANY country be a 'heartland' wedding?! Wouldn't 'Saving Her Honor' be a little more... oh, I don't know, relevant?! Less banal? Aiyeeeee....

SO! We have two Norwegian immigrants, so fresh off the boat that they speak with heavy accents and can't read in English - named EDWARD and REBECCA. Oh, hey, about as American/English as you can get, not a shred of Scandinavian goin' on there. I would've been happier with Otar and Inga, I swear it...

Edward and Rebecca are shunned because they're 'immigrants'. Like this is abhorrent and NOT the norm? In 1860, the Statue of Liberty wasn't even built, yet... immigration was in full swing. This seemed ridiculous.

Rebecca lost her parents in a storm, so she runs out into a tornado to be sure her older (try 25-ish?) brother was smart enough to get inside. Pete grabs her, takes her into a shelter and saves her life, as the roof of his livery is ripped off moments later... which is where Edward lives/works, and where she was headed. But they were ALONE in a shelter, together.

Fast forward FOUR WEEKS... suddenly someone catty asks Rebecca where she spent the storm. Why? Four weeks later, is that even a thing? Haven't people moved on to the rebuilding and problems with sheltering in the meantime, etc. Rebecca is apparently stupid and can't say, "I went to find my brother at the livery, and both he and Pete took care of me during and after the storm, no worries?" She confesses she was alone with Pete in a shelter, but nothing happened.

(((sigh.)))

Pete's a loner since his wife died in childbirth. A wife who would NEVER have married him in the first place, hello. She was 'pampered and privileged' back in Massachusetts, the belle of the town. I'm sorry, but the pampered belle of the town wouldn't have EVER settled for a dirty, median-wage blacksmith. Not ever. Nor would she ever have left the East for the wilderness. This whole story is flawed in every. single. way.

So apparently first wifey hated him so much, she never cooked breakfast (or any meal), never said a kind word to him, and hated him through her long and miserable death. Which seems extreme and cliche, and since they didn't have servants she HAD to have cooked SOMETHING at SOME point... I don't even know.

Most of the characters are horribly cliched, too. Percival, the town dandy. Cassandra, the flippant town beauty. The gossipy mercantile owner's wife, the three dirty town brawlers, the heart-o-gold sheriff and elderly, overworked doctor. The potential doctor replacement - Dr. Gruesome - wants to dig up the cemetery and do experiments, AND TOLD THE TOWN BOARD THIS. What the what?!!
Not on your life!! It was absurd. It was ridiculous. It was shallow and two-dimensional.

Rebecca had a 'lonely' childhood... with her brother Edward. He moved to the states when he was old enough, and at that point her parents turned to each other and shut her out, but we're told her child hood was lonely, too. I don't... can't... there were PEOPLE in her school and church. Friends. Girls like Cassandra and Emmaline. What the farts?! Anyhow, because her parents were SOOOOOO close, she's afraid her marriage is going to be as lonely as her childhood. Except that the marriage example she'd had showed that marriage was *ANYTHING* but lonely, so... WHAT?! WHAT IS THIS?!?!?! It makes no sense!!!!

Rebecca works at the boardinghouse and has superhuman powers. We know this, because on pg 95, she takes a pan of biscuits out of the oven with her fingers, and then sets them on the counter, wiping her fingers on her apron. NO OVEN MITTS OR TOWEL. I. Can't. Even. The writing drove me about bonkers in this thing.

Rebecca takes Bess (a non-verbal girl as a result of emotional trauma - overdone literary ploy, that) under her wing. Pg 98 says "Rebecca had never seen someone look so normal on the outside and yet be so incapable of speech". ((((O_o))))) Please... help........ bad writing... killing.... me....

Pete takes a cat under his wing. Two days later, the cat has a litter of TWO healthy kittens. I've... they... aren't there usually more kittens in a litter...?!?!? Why? And what's the point of the two? And why make it weird...? It makes no sense!!!! Then the cat 'swipes at Rebecca's ankle'. Women in 1860 wore dresses that brushed the ground - HOW is it possible for the cat to get through the calico skirting surrounding Rebecca's ankle to swipe at it, again????

Then Pete & Rebecca marry. But it's not going to be a REAL marriage, we're told. Except neither of them believed in divorce and both were believers, so... it's going to be a forever sham marriage? You know better, I know better... you CANNOT believe Pete & Rebecca don't know better. The author wants everyone to be idiots. We're not.

Rebecca promises Clint apple pie for dessert, goes to the kitchen and makes KRINGLER, whatever the heck that is. The author goes on and on about Norwegian recipes in her post-book letter to us, but never describes any ingredients, helps us eve know what it IS, for that matter. Bad, bad, writing...! Alls I know is that it ain't apple pie - she just lied to Clint. Nice lady.

The rest of the book is Pete not knowing how to be a husband after having been a husband, because he did it wrong the first time, and it couldn't possibly have a different outcome with different variables like, oh, say, a different woman, a different situation, sadder/wiser, etc. It goes ON, and *ON* and **ON**, until you want to rip your hair out. Because you K.N.O.W they're gonna get on like a housefire, if the author ever stops being heavy-handed and over-dramatic...

And 'SWEET'. We have to talk about the word 'Sweet', at this point. I swear, everyone and everything in this book is 'sweet'. He smiles sweetly. The flowers are a sweet gesture. She gives him a sweet look. The dish was sweet. The kittens are sweet. His LAUGH is sweet - he's freakin' 6'5, covered in coal and sweat, and he looks so sweetly at her. Pick another word. ANY OTHER WORD. Please?!

No. Just no. Not a good read.
I mean, I favor the Love, Inspired historicals
over the moderns and suspenses,
but NOT this one. No chance.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rebecca’s story takes place in 1860s in western Kansas. As a recent immigrant from Norway, she is mocked by some of her new town’s residents. But her strong faith helps her to see her through the tough situations in front of her. Second in a series. Ok as a stand alone.

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet book! What gossip brings about ends in Love!

[Frode · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fears, guilt, broken past relationships, indecision: all this plays in both lead characters. They struggle with the fear of being rejected, the fear of living up to expectations, and the fear of making mistakes. These fears form barriers in relationships. Both Pete and Rebecca had unmet expectations in past dealings with family, and the possibility of making the same mistakes again immobilizes their abilities to let go of the past and look to the future.

A tornado wipes out part of High Plains, Kansas, where the story takes place. It’s tragic; buildings are destroyed or damaged, and some lives are lost. People are grieving, but life must go on. The town is a metaphor for the relationship between Pete and Rebecca. Both the characters and the town are in the rebuilding phase. Circumstance forces Pete and Rebecca's marriage; adjusting is difficult, but there is hope.

Some secondary characters play their parts. Rebecca’s brother, Edward, makes some attempts to protect her and her reputation. Mrs. Johnson, the vindictive town gossip, makes life difficult for Rebecca. Zeb and Will, good friends of Pete, try to encourage him and give him good advice. Mrs. Jennings, the boarding house lady, is helpful and friendly to Rebecca. Emmiline and Cassandra are friends and encouragers for Rebecca.

It’s a feel good story with a happy ending. Why not? It is a Christian romance after all. It was a quick read; there was some drama, some humor, and in my mind more introspection by the main characters than necessary to make the point. But that was the author’s way of building the story, and it worked. I liked the book as a diversion. And, well, I came from Norwegian immigrant stock, so there was a connection for me with Rebecca.

[Lori Stratton · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be fair to the author, this isn't my type of book. I "inherited" this book when my mom gave me her Kindle. She loves these types of books, and that's great. It's a historical Christian romance.
But aside from the genre, I don't think there's much to the story. There isn't much plot. But my real issue? I think there is a very racist scene dealing with indigenous people. When we know better, we must do better, and certainly, by now, we should know better.

[Cathy Hodsdon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Godly love.

Beautiful and godly. The nosy store keeper just hurried along what God had planned for Peter and Rebecca. It was sweet how it all worked out in the end. Where's the next book?

[Diane Spurlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

dry Good Tradin

I recommend reading this book it show compassion, love, adventure, romance with a moralistic spin of this era. Each character is vividly described. Catching my interest with a spin .

[Janice Particka · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are a lot of twists and turns in he book. It was very entertaining. I loved the book. It has a great ending.

[Daisey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute, inspiring, quick read. Clean

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read. Left the reader to question what happened to Mike and Misty?

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read and loved many of Renee Ryan's books and this one was another excellent work!

This is the second book in a three book series in the LI Historical line: After the Storm. It is a continuing series, so to fully appreciate and understand what's going on, they should be read in order.

A tornado hit the land a month ago (it happens in the first book). The citizens are still trying to recoup from the devastation and aftermath. The twins are still missing, yet some can just not give up hope that they will be found.

During the storm, Rebecca was dragged into the cellar by blacksmith, Pete Benjamin when her life is in great danger. Now the town busybody makes it known that perhaps she lured the poor, vulnerable widower into the cellar and took advantage of his weakened condition...In true Renee Ryan solution, she has them married in a quick ceremony.

Not living back then, I don't quite gasp the concept of why a marriage would make everything right, but it makes for an interesting story to see how they finally become husband and wife. The sexual tension builds throughout the story, leading to a couple passionate kisses. But Pete has a heart full of guilt for his dead wife and just cannot bare the thought of putting his new wife through that sort of torture...

You must read to the end to fully appreciate this book!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I enjoy 'marriage of convenience' stories, I went into this one expecting to like it. And I did.
I really liked how the author showed what happened with Rebecca and Pete during the tornado, and then the consequences of those innocent actions. I loved how Pete had a caring, noble heart, willing to do whatever would keep Rebecca safe. I also loved how he honestly tried to overcome his feelings of guilt and doubt brought about by the circumstances of his first marriage, and of the untimely death of his wife.
I really loved Rebecca. I have Norwegian relatives, and could just picture her . . . tall, and strong . . . and trying to figure out the English words for what she wanted to say. Her faith clearly was a big part of her life, and I loved how she was willing to lay things at God's feet to guide her in making a good marriage out of less-than-ideal circumstances.
Though the focus of this book was primarily on Rebecca and Pete, there were some minor scenes that have me intrigued as to what will happen next in High Plains.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book in a great series. This is the 2nd book in the After the Storm: The Foundling Years series.

Rebecca Gunderson is treated rudely just because she is from Norway. She and her brother have lived in High Plains, Kansas for awhile now and she has made only a few friends.

Pete Benjamin has been mourning and living in guilt for a year now. His wife Sarah died in childbirth as well as his son.

As the tornado hits Rebecca goes searching for Edward, her brother and only living relative. He works for Pete in the livery. She can't find Edward but as the storm worsens Pete takes hold of her to bring her to the cellar and shelter from the tornado.

The nasty and gossipy mercantile owner's wife, Matilda Johnson, has a hate for Rebecca and uses it to start rumors about her being a loose woman and forcing Pete into the cellar to weave her wiles on her.

What happens in most of the book is related to the nasty women gossip.

Great story.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally in love with this series! I think this one is my favorite so far. I just love the fact that redemption is seen throughout the whole story...actually the whole series. The characters are so loveable! Forgiveness is an issue we all struggle with and have to come to terms. The hardest forgiveness comes in forgiving ourselves and I think Renee portrays that beautifully in this story. Rebecca's patient loving finally does get through Pete in the end. Despite the fact that their marriage wasn't planned and that it came about rather quickly, the lessons they both learned were ones that are something everyone struggles with. And, I love the fact that she brings in the stigma that immigrants had back then! It's a key element in the story that ultimately is used for God's glory. Can't wait to see how the series ends!

[SheLove2Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Love Inspired Christian romance set in the 1800s Kansas. It was a decent read, but I had a few problems with it.

Pete was very much a beta hero, which is not my thing. He was also very back and forth with his feelings and could have done a much better job in dealing with his wife Rebecca. Hot and Cold are just cruel to a woman, but especially a woman who has been done wrong by society, and even more so to a woman who is truly good inside. I also thought his coming to his senses was a little rushed and didn't feel genuine.

Rebecca was an immigrant and didn't have an excellent command of English, but in any language, standing up for yourself is not a hard thing to do. She needed more backbone, even for the time period. I also felt she forgave Pete too quickly. He needed to earn her forgiveness.

C+

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this novella. Heartland Wedding is about a young lady who moves to High Plains to be with her brother. A tornado comes through the town and forces her to share a storm cellar with the town's blacksmith. A month later, the town has gossips going everywhere about that afternoon. The gossips becomes so intense that the blacksmith marries the lady to stop the gossips. But after they are married, Pete reveals that they can only have a marriage in name. Rebecca wants a real marriage...will she ever know what a true companionship is?

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was cute but not amazing. It was very different from the norm of the romance books I read and I liked it better then the "After the Storm" books of "today". I had a few problems with a few of the scenarios in the book but if given the chance I may actually reread it.
It made me grateful that we live in a day and age where you can spend time alone with a guy and not have people speculate that you were doing anything wrong. Even if they do it would not create the kind of chaos like what happened in this book.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rumors force a man to propose to a woman. He's a widower with lots of baggage. She's an immigrant with lots of . . . okay, only two bags, but emotionally, she's a bit of mess. She wants to marry someone to love her, to include her in his life in a way she has been left out of in her other relationships. Nothing like looking to a man to fulfill all your emotional needs.

Not a bad story, I guess, though the rumor mill and the trouble-making boys seem like straw men. "Oh, there's a problem," but it disappears into nothing.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very satisfying, enjoyable book to read; it held my interest from start to finish. The characters were well developed, and the historical details and background seemed authentic. The touches of Norwegian culture were a nice addition. I didn't want this saga to end, and plan to read the other two books in the series.

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I get frustrated when books, like this one, end before there is actually resolution for the characters. I do not believe the main characters have worked thru their problems enough to achieve a happy marriage. I feel like I've been left hanging. We were just getting somewhere and it ended.
Uh... What about the twins?

[Krissie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rebecca Gunderson's fresh start in High Plains, Kansas, is destroyed when a deadly tornado wrecks the immigrant's new home--and her reputation. Everyone knows Rebecca rode out the storm with the town's blacksmith, and no one believes her time with Pete Benjamin was totally innocent. To protect her, Pete offers Rebecca his hand in marriage

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in the series

Very good second book in the series! Strong characters, well written plot, read in one day. I rooted for the characters to find each other and love each other through the entire book!

[Michele Benchouk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable and quick read. The two main characters were very likable and easy to understand. The female lead was strong and bold and inspiring. She really did go after what she wanted in a Godly, "mannerly" way.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books from the Love Inspired series.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lackluster writing--too much tedious introspection.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, pure fluff read. There were a lot of loose ends that didn't get tied up because it's part of a mini-series but I enjoyed it.

[groundmar · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a quite story with a happy ending, with enlugh sappiness to do a Hallmark movie proud.

Cute, clean, sappy

[Melissa T · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun. Typical.

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this series