The Spinster Brides of Cactus Corner

Frances Devine, Lena Nelson Dooley, Vickie McDonough, Jeri ODell
Barbour Books (2007)
ISBN 1597895830
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (5/07)

“The Spinster Brides of Cactus Corner” is four Christian romance stories written by four different authors.  Romance is in the air for India, Anika, Elaine and Jody, four unmarried women, whose lives are intertwined in Cactus Corner, Arizona. 

“The Spinster and the Cowboy” by Lena Nelson Dooley

When Fred Cunningham died he left a letter asking Joshua Dillinger to help his daughter run the ranch for a while.  Joshua remembered riding horses with India when they were children.  He’d always wondered what had happened to the nine-year-old whirlwind with the brown braids.  India didn’t remember Joshua but she couldn’t help but notice him.  He stood out in the crowd with his new cowboy clothes and good looks.  India is content running her father’s ranch until Joshua shows up.  When Joshua opened that letter he had no idea how much it would change his life.

“The Spinster and the Lawyer” by Jeri Odell

Tucker Truesdale was in love with Anika Windsor and asked her to be his wife.  Anika carried a sign and marched for women’s rights.  Tucker declared, “No wife of mine will march around with some silly sign or support this disagreeable cause.”  Their differences in opinion destroyed their relationship, or did it?  Tucker is Cactus Corner to litigate a land dispute; Anika is the opposing lawyer.  As Anika gave her closing argument Tucker realized that Anika was following the teachings of Jesus Christ by fighting “for the least of these.”  Perhaps they weren’t so far apart in ethics after all.

“The Spinster and the Doctor” by Frances Devine

Dr. Dan Murphy is the new physician in Cactus Corner.  When Dan goes to the saloon to investigate the origins of the child, rumors start to fly.  The good ladies in the town are just sure he is fraternizing with “those” kind of women.  His explanation is a simple one he was doing what doctor’s do, giving medical advice.  Dr. Dan’s compassion surpasses the prejudices against women who earn their living with their body.  Elaine Daly defends the doctor’s reputation despite the risk of her own.  When illness hits the town the “Saloon ladies” and the “upstanding ladies of the town” work side-by-side nursing the sick.  
 

“The Spinster and the Tycoon” by Vickie McDonough

Jody was devoted to the orphanage where she was raised, she was trying to raise money to purchase the old mercantile property to expand the dormitory when she found out it had been sold.  Aaron Garrett had purchased the old mercantile building, sight unseen, with the understanding that it was right next to the railroad.  When he arrived in Cactus Corner only to discover that an orphanage stood in his way, he had to come up with a plan.  Aaron decided the answer to his problem was to convince Jody that the orphanage needed to be moved. Convincing Jody might not be easy but loving her was.

“The Spinster Brides of Cactus Corner” is four stories created around Cactus Corner and its orphanage.  The backdrop is the 1860’s Arizona.  The lives of India, Anika, Elaine and Jody are intertwined.  Each woman is unmarried and labeled a spinster.  Frances Devine, Lena Nelson Dooley, Vickie McDonough, Jeri ODell have done an excellent job developing the plot and characters.  While I enjoyed each story, my favorite was “The Spinster and the Tycoon” – Ms. McDonough uses humor to tell her story.  I couldn’t help but laugh at the description of Jody being arrested.  The authors did an outstanding job of incorporating Christian values through out their stories.  Fans of romance will enjoy “The Spinster Brides of Cactus Corner.”

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