The Bridegroom (Stone Creek) [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Linda Lael Miller (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: HQN Books (2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1615233431
• ISBN-13: 978-1615233434
• ASIN: B002KHRBLC
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,915,706 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

In January of 2006, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Linda Lael Miller left the Arizona horse property she's called home for the past five years and listened to the call of her heart. Packing up her work-in-progress for HQN Books; her dogs, Sadie and Bernice, and her four horses, the author of more than 70 novels bid farewell to her home in the desert and returned to the place of her birth, Spokane, Washington.
The daughter of a town marshal, Linda grew up in Northport, WA, a community of 500 on the Columbia River, 120 miles north of Spokane. Her childhood remembrances include riding horses and playing cowgirl on her grandparents' nearby farm. Her grandparents' spread was so rustic that in the early days it lacked electricity and running water.

As delightful as this childhood was, Linda longed to see the world. After graduating as valedictorian of her high school class, she left to pursue her dream. Because of the success of her author career, Linda was able to live part-time in London for several years, spend time in Italy and travel to such far-off destinations as Russia, Hong Kong and Israel. Now, Linda says, the wanderlust is (mostly) out of her blood, and she's come full circle, back to the people and the places she knows and loves.

Before Linda begins her writing day, she takes her first cup of coffee while enjoying the scenic view of the wooded draw behind her new home. The first morning there, a snowfall blanketed the pine trees, something she had missed in the desert outside Scottsdale. Still enamored with the people she came to love in Arizona, she says she will still set books in that starkly beautiful area, and, of course, in other stories the action will take place in Washington.

Devoted to helping others pursue their dreams, the author will launch her sixth round of Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women in May of this year. A talented speaker, she donates all her speaking honoraria to her scholarship fund. The stipends are awarded to women who seek to better their lot in life through education.

It's no wonder the protagonists in Miller's novels are women her readers admire for their honor, courage, trustworthiness, valor and determination to succeed, despite overwhelming odds. 'These qualities make them excellent role models for young women,' Miller explains. 'The male leads possess equally noble traits that today's woman would be delighted to find in her life's mate.'

The author traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she made her first sale.

Although Linda has written successfully in other genres, she is best known for stories set in the West'stories like McKETTRICK'S CHOICE (HQN Books March 2006 paperback); THE MAN FROM STONE CREEK (HQN, June 2006 hardcover) and that very first novel, FLETCHER'S WOMAN, which is being reissued in 2006. Her stories, set in yesterday's world, and today's, are historical romances, romantic thrillers, and other contemporary tales. They consistently score on prestigious national bestseller lists.

Linda has come a long way since leaving her sheltered life in Northport at age 18 to experience the world. 'Growing up in that time and place, in a family grounded in Western values, served me well,' she allows. 'And I'm happy to be back home.'

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Bridegroom, July 28, 2009

By 

W - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Bridegroom (Stone Creek) (Mass Market Paperback)

I have waited for this installment of the Stone Creek series because I was intrigued by the promise young Gideon made to little Lydia Fairmont in A Wanted Man. The excerpt was promising. The story started off well ... but went nowhere in a hurry.

I liked the premise of Gideon rescuing Lydia from a horrible fiancee and bringing her (and her elderly aunts and housekeeper) to Stone Creek where he is to start an undercover job at the mine. Mining is a dangerous job, but Lydia never questions his safety or why such an educated man takes a job such as that. The lack of communication between Gideon and Lydia was depressing and made it hard to believe they fell in love throughout the course of the story. They were so lively as children that it was hard to believe the lackluster adults they had become.

It was nice to see many characters from earlier books but it almost seemed they appeared to fill a quota of book length, because several of them seemed to have no purpose. Actually, much of the book seemed to have no purpose. The plot promises suspense which never quite happens and several scenes in the book greatly resemble Ms. Miller's earlier stories. I had to force myself to finish reading the book, so this will be the last LLM purchase for me. Thanks for the good stories over the years, but I think it's time for me to move on.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Eagerly Awaited Bridegroom, July 30, 2009

By 

Karen "darkhorse" (PA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Bridegroom (Stone Creek) (Mass Market Paperback)

I have been waiting for this book for a long time. I knew when Gideon gave Lydia the letter to send to him if she was ever in trouble when they were children that a good book could be made when they were adults. I love the characters in the Stone Creek series, but I was disappointed in the length. There could have been more discussions between Gideon and his brothers about the mine and his conscience changing as he got to know the miners and their families. Lydia also needed to ask more questions about why he was working in a mine when he had a college education and two brothers in town who could give him a better job.

The book was too short. I did enjoy the talk about the missing twin brothers and hope and expect a new Stone Creek novel about them. I hope it is much longer and that the plot and characters are developed with more care. Linda is writing too many books too fast and her books are suffering. What could have been a 5 will get only 3 or 4.

I would still recommend this book because it continues the story of Rowdy and Wyatt. Sam O'Ballivan is also in the book, but doesn't say much. I liked the relationship between Lydia, Lark, and Sarah. I already wanted Gideon and Lydia to have a HEA after reading "A Wanted Man". I believe to really enjoy this book you would have to have read all of the Stone Creek series. It really doesn't stand alone.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bridegroom, October 26, 2009

By 

M. Nix - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Bridegroom (Stone Creek) (Mass Market Paperback)

When Lydia Fairmont finds herself in trouble, there's only one person she can turn to for help. Unfortunately, Lydia hasn't seen Gideon Yarbro in years. Lydia sends her letter anyway, and at the very last minute, Gideon arrives. The hasty decision Gideon makes to get Lydia out of trouble changes their lives, and not all for the better. Gideon may be married to sweet Lydia now, but he has an angry fiancé to deal with, and a dangerous job waiting for him back home in Stone Creek. Lydia loves Gideon, but she doesn't want to be wife in name only and Gideon doesn't think he can stay and keep Lydia out of danger. Will Gideon and Lydia have the chance to make their marriage a real one?

The Bridegroom's rich sensuality and authentic Old West storyline is classic Linda Lael Miller. While Gideon struggles with his decisions, his brothers Rowdy and Wyatt try to steer him in the right direction, reminding him that the love of a good woman is worth fighting for. Lydia is full of sweet fire and Gideon's sexy grin could melt any woman's heart. The Bridegroom is page after page of angst, excitement, and sizzling passion.


Nannette
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed