Customer Reviews

High Country Bride (The McKettrick Series #1)

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book made me laugh out loud. I loved how Rafe was totally in the dark about what Emmeline was doing or thinking. I laughed at the antics of Becky and her daughter. Rafe breaks your heart with his sweet, albeit misguided, offers of a hot brick and a nightgown. I totally loved this book. I really cannot explain why, it just seemed like a fun romp in the southwest. A cowboy and his mail-order bride. I haven't read much of Ms. Miller, but I do know that I will definitely be purchasing the second offering in the McKettrick series. Hopefully Ms. Miller won't stop at Kade and Jeb. I need to see a novel about Holt, too!!

The first in a new series, HIGH COUNTRY BRIDE was a quick, entertaining read. It is the fairly fast-paced tale of Rafe McKettrick, one of three brothers forced to compete to be the first to produce an heir in order to inherit a sizeable ranch, and Emmeline Harding, niece of a brothel madam, and, maybe, a prostitute, who is his mail-order bride. This novel is thick with fun, interesting characters, love (so many couples!!), and a certain amount of mystery in the shape of one "Sister Mandy" who everyone doubts is actually a nun. I look forward to seeing how marriage turns out for the other McKettrick boys.

As a Linda Lael Miller fan I am always excited when something new of hers comes out. I was not disappointed with High Country Bride. This is the first in a trilogy about three brothers who are being forced by their father to marry and father an heir if they want control of family ranch. This is difficult in a town where there are no desirable women. High Country Bride is the story of the oldest brother Rafe and his mail order bride Emmeline. This book is funny, sad and a little maddening all in one. There were times when I wanted to shake Emmeline for being so silly and others when she broke my heart. Rafe is a great hero and I look forward to his brother Kade and Jed's stories.

Angus McKettrick, melancholy over yet another birthday without grandchildren to bounce on his knee, has made a decision. His three rowdy sons need to settle down, and he lays down a challenge. The first one to marry AND produce a grandchild, boy or girl, will inherit the majority of the Triple M ranch. The young men are stunned, angry, and each is determined to be the winner of this "contest." Rafe, the eldest, feels Angus's decision is unfair. To lose his inherited right to head up the ranch's operation would tear him apart. So he reluctantly gives up his freedonm and sends off for a mail order bride.

Emmeline Harding can't hold her liquor. She doesn't find this out until after she wakes up in her aunt's brothel with a pile of gold coins on the nightstand beside her bed. Fearing the worst, Emmeline flees town as a mail-order bride. But will she have to confess her dubious past to her unseen husband?

A wonderful tale begins right from the start of this novel. Each character, including the secondary characters, is well drawn. The plot is believable and keeps the pages turning. The only thing I would have liked to see is more of Rafe! It is a little weighted on the inner conflict of Emmeline. Otherwise, a great read!

Emmeline is the young lady from the big city that signs up to be a mail order bride after she's decided that she's compromised herself. Leaving her home and her family behind in a somewhat strange display of stubbornness our young heroine takes the journey out to Arizona to meet a man's she never met and signs up to be his bride. Despite the fact that his advertisement states plainly that his bride must want children, and soon, she seems insulted and surprised when she shows up and is treated like a brood mare. Rafe does expect to make children and quick and, no, he doesn't carry tender feelings for the young miss he's never met. (Why would he yet?)

Getting through this awkward and unnecessary beginning starts the actual story which really involves no more than the young miss being frightened that her compromising past has caught up to her and that she might lose Rafe. (Though I was rather disappointed that her past situation wasn't cleared up to her after, ahem, it was proven that she was indeed a lady.... you read me?) In this case she seemed as dull-witted as her husband.

There are some cute moments here and some charming characters (loved Dad Angus and the maid...) but overall the story was too forced. In order to write a novel with the story line involved the writer had to both dumb the hero and heroine down and make them incredibly pig-headed. Because most of the "obstacles" could have been cleared up by either conversation or an observation.

But I was rather taken with the sexy younger brothers of Rafe who always seemed to figure things out before he did. So I'm definitely going to give their stories a chance.

It has been a long time since I have read such a fun, and interesting romance novel!!!!! I felt like this broke the mold of your normal average historical romance. Fast paced, Interesting story, one of the few that didn't bore me with sub-story lines and forced mystery. The only mystery here? "are these two going to actually make it?" Most books of this catagory are very predictable, always leading up to a big climax that falls short of really surprising anyone. THIS BOOK IS NOT THAT WAY! I rushed out and got the second in the series ( SHOT GUN BRIDE) and I'm sad to say... it was SOOOOOOO boring I had to force myself to stay with it.. I am about to read the third and I AM HOPING that MILLER gets back on track! Sometimes I feel like her books are rushed and thrown together, not very well thought out... a result of pumping out too many novels! BUT PLEASE READ THIS ONE IT IS A WONDERFUL ESCAPE !!!!!!

I love most of Linda Lael Miller's books and this book is no exception. I can't wait till the next books about the McKettrick brothers (Kade & Jeb) comes out. This book about Rafe McKettrick is a must read...

This book was very readable and interesting. It is fun to read a trilogy
because you know the characters and feel acquainted with them.

Emmeline Harding grew up in a brothel, shielded by her loving & protective aunt (the madam). One night she decides to don sexy clothes and get a glimpse of the world of the ladies of the night. She meets a handsome stranger, drinks too much wine & wakes up in a bed, with a handful of gold coins left for her. She decides to change her life, and ansers an ad from the Happy Home Matrimonial Service. She is married by proxy and goes out west to meet her groom. Rafe McKettrick, has lead a life of carousing. Now, the only wat he can inherit the triple M ranch is to produce a legetimate grandchild. He requests a mail order bride "healthy, with good teeth. must want children. soon." What he gets goes far beyond his request, as Emmeline and Rafe fall madly in love.
Sensuality rating = 7

I loved this book! I thought it romanic and funny and loved the way the brother's fought and made up after! I want to read about Kade, Jeb, and especially their half brother Holt. So much love in this family. I think Sister Mandy deserves one of the brother's!