A Tailor-Made Husband was a surprising read because I didn't expect such a good mystery. I liked how it was possible to guess who was behind the crimes (and I did end up guessing correctly), but it wasn't obvious.

The romance was cute. I wouldn't have liked it as much if it would have been a marriage of convenience, just because that would have been the obvious and I liked that this was different. The characters were great and, even though I haven't read all of the previous 8 books, I didn't have any trouble following the storyline.

All in all, a very good historical romance read. I definitely recommend it for fans of this genre.

*I received a complimentary eBook copy of this book for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

A Tailor-Made Husband is set in the Old West. Ward Gleason is the sheriff of a small town and finds himself unexpectedly the foster father of an adorable four year old girl. He needs help, and finds it with Hazel, the girl who has been pining for him for years. Sadly, Hazel determined before he came home with Meg, that it was time for her to move to New York and her time to help him is limited.

This is a cute story with great characters. I enjoyed them. I particularly loved Meg and her innocent matchmaking. The romance has many moments that made me chuckle. Ward and Hazel are both unwilling to acknowledge and act upon their feelings for each other. It leads to awkward and entertaining moments. The town is made up of the usual kind of characters: the gossips, the troublemakers, the busybodies, and a few lawbreakers.

The book contains a bit of a mystery. Someone is causing mischief and making life hard for Ward. I figured out who it was and a motive early, but it was interesting to see him put the pieces together and come to the same conclusion.

This book is clean with a little bit of kissing. There are religious references and a smidgen of violence.

Source: I requested an electronic copy of the book from Netgalley. All thought and opinions expressed are my own.

<http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=63638>

This is book nine in the Texas Grooms series, however it is a stand alone book, This is the first in this series, that I have read and had no problem knowing what was going on. I did wonder if this was a part of a series and was hoping that it was, because it had a lot of fun and interesting characters in which I look forward to going back and hearing their love story.

Hazel Andrews is a self made woman. She must make some difficult decisions with her heart and with her career. Will the open window in her life be the one to take or is it just that, an open window.

Sheriff Ward Gleason is determined to be the best sheriff he can be, even if he must choose between his career and his life. When an unexpected gift is thrown into his lap, what is best for this new adventure.

I enjoyed getting to know the town of Turnabout, TX and look forward to hearing more from this town. If you like historical, western christian romance I think you will enjoy this book and series.

I enjoy stories of love developing between friends, and this was no exception. Hazel Andrews, the town seamstress, has loved Ward Gleason, the town sheriff, from afar. But she has waited long enough for Ward to notice her and decides to leave town, making a new life taking over her aunt's business. But Ward needs her help when he returns from a trip with an abandoned little girl named Meg, so how can she say no?

I enjoyed the town and friendship between Hazel and Ward. They had an easy relationship, which made for conflict in and of itself. Hazel is a strong woman who knows what she wants and doesn't mind standing her ground to get what she wants, even if it means walking away. I love that about her - tough love! Throw in a fake engagement and a town mystery and you have a fun story!

This was a sweet story with some twists and turns that will entertain all those who love a good romance.

Sheriff Ward Gleason returns to Turnabout with 4 year old Meg. He doesn't want her to go to an orphanage so he decides that she will stay with him until he can find a relative to take her in. Ward can't be with Meg all the time, so he asks his sister's best friend Hazel to help him out.

Hazel Andrews operates the town's dress shop, she is touched by Meg's story and is impressed by how well she is taking her change of situation. Hazel agrees to help watch her during the daytime.

Will Hazel and Ward be able to give Meg a family?

Meg is a darling girl, she has a sunny disposition and a trusting nature despite everything that she has been through. Meg brings out the best in Ward. He calls her "Half-pint" and reads to her at night.

Hazel has liked Ward for a long time but he never returned her interest, but she is determined to follow her dreams and move to New York to work with her aunt. It's hard to sell dresses now that people can buy them ready-made.

Ward is under a lot of pressure, both from the town and from himself. Ward still feels guilty for his sister's accident. He pours himself out into his job, it takes up most of his time since he doesn't have any deputies.

I was happy to be revisiting Turnabout, and that Hazel and Ward finally get their own story. Meg is a charming child who brings out the best things in both Ward and Hazel. Both our heroes are stubborn, and sometimes that holds them back, but it falls in place eventually. I liked seeing some of the familiar faces in Turnabout. And I liked how Hazel is a woman of faith and action. Great interaction and an engaging story throughout with high stakes and even a mystery! Highly enjoyable read!




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."

An unrequited love for an old friend, a baffling mystery that has the town in the uproar, and a sweet little girl to win the sheriff's heart, and a determined seamstress who knows what she wants.
The Texas Grooms series has proven to be both inspirational and entertaining. Both seamstress Hazel Andrews and Sheriff Ward Gleason have made appearances in the previous books, so I was excited to find about their destiny and road to their happily ever after. Mix in vandalism happening in the town, and a little Meg who is in desperate need of loving and affectionate family, and we have the makings of the story that captivated my mind.
Hazel was in love with her good friend's older brother, and the whole town knew about her affections. What a position to be in! Yet Hazel manages herself just fine, she is a kindhearted, smart, stubborn, generous person, she knows her mind, she is not afraid to go after what she wants, and say what she means. Truly a spunky heroine to be admired!
Ward lost his heart to little Meg when she was abandoned in a train he was traveling in. Meg adored Ward and the affection, kindness, and encouragement he showered her with. I loved those two together, they had a genuine bond from the first moment.
There is a lot happening in the town and in the lives of the protagonist, the story is full packed, maybe a little too much is happening and the development of the relationship was left in the background, as was their faith in God, and relying on Him during the troubles. This felt a bit like an afterthought whenever it was brought up in the tale.
The mystery didn't entice me so much as I was just waiting to see how they would figure out the culprit and how long it would take. My interest was to see how Ward, who had known Hazel for a lifetime and was aware of her feelings towards him, would suddenly change his opinion of her, and if his feelings would be authentic and believable. And that left a little bit to be desired, I would have liked to see a bit more about the process of his change of feelings.
Regardless, the story had a lot to offer. It was entertaining, mysterious, and gave a good look at the small town living back in the day. The secondary characters enhance the story with their antics, being an important part of the plot development.
An enjoyable historical novel with touch mystery and romance
~ Three Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

This is a historical. For some reason, I wasn't aware of this when I requested it from NetGalley. All in all, it is well written & enjoyable if you are into historicals and christian books.

This book is going to set your imagination ablaze. The author really knows how to take you to places where you can only imagine existed and you really see yourself right there with the characters like you are a member of the family or even child that is rarely seen or heard (at least as a child you think that way - remember?) This book is so right on historically and the mystery isn't so much of a major mystery but it is needed and enjoyed. If you are a Christian you will enjoy this - they even pray in this - can you believe that - not so far into it - now that is what I LOVE.......this gets you thinking and it keeps you on your toes and that is also something that I look for. You will not be disappointed.

Pretty run of the mill story of two people who cannot seem to put their romance, which there's practically none of, on the right "track".

I think I’ve read about half the books in this series, and keep coming back to them because I consider Winnie Griggs to be one of Harlequin’s most reliable authors. Also, this line – when not going overboard with the Christian preaching – produces a lot of easy-to-read Western historical romances that I like to read between longer, darker books.
Set at the VERY end of the nineteenth century, this is a little later than most historicals I read. A Tailor-Made Husband is one of the best books I’ve read by this author. I wasn’t annoyed by the little girl (I’ve been unable to get through some Christian books because the children are nauseating); in fact, I liked the scenes with her the most.
I was much more interested in the family and relationship than I was the mystery, largely because I knew from the outset who was responsible for it. That part of the plot was in danger of some pretty negative stereotyping of women, but I think the author managed to get around it. She definitely does this better than most authors in this Harlequin line.
This is a Christian line, but the first praying didn’t turn up until the 20% mark, and I was so surprised to see it there I was confused for a moment – I’d forgotten it was a Christian book. That works well for me, and I can happily skip over the praying parts without losing anything from the story.
Something I really dislike is characters saying way more when it should be far more – this is something that drives me mad in historical fiction.
And something that is only loosely related to the book: if you’re an author who loves to “fantasy cast” your characters on Pinterest, I’d recommend not using Anissa Jones as the inspiration for your cute kid, considering her tragic life and very early death!
This is a solid entry both to this series and to this Harlequin line, and it made for nice, easy read.