Courting Miss Hattie

You know that old saying: Never judge a book by it's cover?
It's true. At least when it comes to Courting Miss Hattie.

In selecting books for this 100 book challenge, I've pretty much tried to avoid the romances with the traditional romance covers. If you know me, you know I'm new to this romance novel thing and am having to work through some long held prejudices regarding this genre. Plus I'm still dealing with an embarrassment issue, where I don't want anybody to see me reading these things.

When I picked this one up over at Carousel Paperbacks, I nearly put it back on the shelf when I saw the "much too pretty people" in the unrealistic pose. But something about the title intrigued me and the teasers on the back made it sound promising.

Boy am I glad I didn't miss out on this story!
Pamela did a great job with developing the plot, details within the story and the characters.

And, oh my goodness!
Courting Miss Hattie left me with a major hankerin' for some fresh peaches.
Mercy sakes have I gotta get me some of those!
Don't worry, it's nothing that'll cause me to loose control of myself in the produce isle of the HEB.

Synopsis: Courting Miss Hattie
Hattie Colfax is a smart, hard-working, Arkansas woman with a beauty that shines from the inside. Strong inherited facial features keep the men from considering her to be attractive and has been overlooked as a potential marriage partner. But Hattie's not one to whine about being an old maid, even though she does desire a man and a family of her own.

At the age of twenty-nine Hattie finally gets a suitor, a recent widower with a houseful of young children. As a pragmatic woman, Hattie knows the match is more for practical purposes than for love and is willing to explore the option. But does this suitor want more from her than a replacement mother for his kids?

Reed Tyler has been working as a plowboy for Miss Hattie's farm since he was a child. Reed has farming in his blood and longs for the day when he'll own land, and no longer having to sharecrop. Since the death of Hattie's parents, Reed has developed a solid friendship and deep respect for the lady farmer that's five years his senior. She's come to be almost like a member of his family. So when this new suitor comes to call on Hattie, is Reed unhappy about it because he doesn't like the man and knows too much about him, or is there something about his relationship with Hattie he hasn't acknowledged?