Matthew

December 12, 2011
Matthew Graham, the oldest of eight siblings, told the Republic of Texas land office that his wife, Hannah, made him eligible to stake a family ranch claim. Now Matthew must find and present a wife named Hannah within 30 days. Luckily, he meets Hannah Foley, who accepts Matt’s unusual marriage proposal with alacrity, thinking herself too plain to be picky. Despite her unorthodox marriage, she is determined to fit in with the Graham family and find the gumption to dig deeper into the mystery of Matthew’s parents’ death and the disappearance of his five-year-old brother. While the premise is simplistic and Lang relies too much on chestnut western vernacular to enhance the setting, the sweet, engaging romance between Matthew and Hannah allows the story to mosey along at an agreeable trot. With seven siblings, Hannah’s grandmother, colorful neighbors, and unresolved mysteries, there are plenty of yarns for Lang to expand upon in future outings. Agent: Bradford Literary Agency.