Review: An Inconvenient Marriage: The Keeping Of Jake Mitchell

Ruth Ann Nordin's recent romantic novel is at heart a love story with a different twist. Instead of the usual conventional elements prevalent in this genre wherein an initial attraction leads to a stirring of romance and a flowering of passion culminating in an exchange of vows, An Inconvenient Marriage: The Keeping Of Jake Mitchell presents an approach with a different twist.   

Set in Virginia in 1899, the narrative focuses on two principal characters, Jake Mitchell, a successful banker and confirmed bachelor and Sue Lewis, a feisty spinster who is a very competent librarian and is very well liked by the library's members. 

The story unfolds when Sue is determined to persuade Jake's bank not to foreclose on her parent's farm. Day after day Sue returns to the bank to harass its executives to convince them to work something out in order that her parents and siblings will be able to continue to work their farm. However, nothing seems to help- that is, until one day something happens that will forever change her life as well as that of Jake Mitchell.

Jake's father had recently died and he was named sole beneficiary of a considerable inheritance. However, there were some very important conditions in his father's will before he could receive his inheritance. He had to marry a woman of the Christian faith and who does honorable work, provided she doesn't live with her parents. She also had to be a virgin and must be close to her family. On the other hand, he only had to remain married for six months in order to receive his inheritance.

As Jake was a very astute and competent businessman, he proposes to Sue and offers her one half of his inheritance if she would marry him and stay married for six months.

This would be a "win win" situation for both of them, for Sue would not have to marry old man York, who had proposed to her in order to pay off her family's debts, and Jake would receive his inheritance. Jake also agreed to pay Sue her share on the day they are married.

Sue accepts Jake's business offer as well as the agreed upon platonic relationship that would ensue between them. However, matters don't exactly work out the way the couple had initially planned. In fact, Sue, who was always beset by self-doubt, manages to overcome her inadequacy as she is transformed from an unattractive spinster to a beautiful woman. And to the excessive consternation of Jake, Sue captures the attention of every unmarried man in town. 

Jake keeps Sue totally in the dark when he intercepts gifts of flowers intended for her from potential suitors. They are all quite aware of the business transaction between Jake and Sue and were willing to wait the six months until the marriage would be annulled.

Adding a little hilarity, Nordin weaves into her story the slapstick tomfoolery of Sue's siblings who, after accepting Jake into the family, are determined to keep the couple wedded. And as we discover, there were other individuals who likewise didn't want to see the annulment of the marriage and who go to great lengths in making sure that this will not come to pass.

Nordin has crafted two lovable and charming characters that continually portray sincere sentiments that draw her readers in. Moreover, each page is filled with little details that resonate with meaning pertaining to the understanding of true love, respect, good character, hornable living, consideration, honesty, loyalty, empathy, and compassion that all make for a loving and lasting marital relationship. 

Click Here To Read Norm's Interview With Ruth Ann Nordin