Customer Reviews

His Unexpected Wife

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

As much as Annie Trevelyan loves her father and stepmother, and as much as her father is against her pursuing her dream of becoming an actor, she is determined to do so. Colin is a friend of the family that has been away for 10 years. Colin is looking for a wife, buying a ranch and setterling down in San Francisco.

Annie's father is sending her away to a finishing school in San Francisco to take her mine off becoming an actress and ask Colin to escort Annie and her chaperone Margaret there.

Reads this fantastic love story to find out if Annie's dream to become an actress comes true and if Colin finds a wife.

I really enjoyed Mail-Order bride maybe it was my over eagerness to see the story continue. I am glad we moved onto the 1894's and some female rights but.. I just couldn't get behind the characters like I did with the parents story in Mail-Order Bride. Why was Annie such a spoiled young imp? Didn't she get any of her step-mother's maturity and demeanor? It was a good story and all but just didn't grasp my attention. Then again it's just me and I still will rush out to buy McKade's books Winter Hearts and Outlaw Bride where very good :-)

The book is definately a disappointing follow-up from Mail Order Bride. Its so hard to like Annie, who is out for herself and very immature. Usually in historical romances a 20 year old is a little more mature. So it makes it difficult to root for her and Colin, when all you want to do is smack her in the head.
I love Maureen McKade's books, and I would tell you to read this, just to get closure from the whole Trevelyan tale. But man oh man, Kate and Trev raised a brat!!!!!! I expected way better. Sorry, Ms. Mckade...

After several years away, Colin McBride returns to Colorado to visit a married couple who were his closest friends. He's surprised to see that their daughter, Anne Trevelyan, has grown into a beautiful young woman. Colin is only visiting for a short time before heading to San Francisco, where he plans to buy a ranch, marry, and settle down. His friends ask him to escort the lovely Anne to San Francisco where they have enrolled her in a finishing school. Although he's concerned about escorting such an attractive woman hundreds of miles, he cannot say no to his friends.

Anne is attracted to the handsome Colin, but she's determined to seek fame and fortune as an actress. Her parents are not in favor of her ambitions, which is why they are enrolling her in the finishing school. Anne has other plans though, and surmises all she needs to do is flirt with her companion enough, and he'll allow her to do as she wishes. But when passion rages between them on the trip, Colin wants to marry her. Anne is determined to devote her time to her career, and a husband doesn't fit into the equation.

When I picked up this book, I was unfamiliar with this author, but the premise sounded interesting. Unfortunately, this has to be one of the worst books I've ever read. Colin was likeable, but Anne was immature and self-centered. What he saw in her is a mystery to me. The characters were one-dimensional, and never engaged my emotions. I virtually lost interest in the story, and could care less what happened to the characters. Additionally, the writing seemed awkward and didn't flow well. I have no idea why I finished this book, because it was painful to get through even with the skimming I did at times. Save yourself the agony by passing on this one.

Face it, Annie Trevelyn is a spoiled brat, progessive thinking for her day or is she trying to rebel by being shocking. She is very naive or just ignores her father's knowledge that actress usually end up being kept by some man. He didn't want that for his child.

The problem is that she is not a very lovable brat at that. And Colin McBride or "Laddie" as Trev knew him wasn't exactly interested in that kind of wife. Colin, at thirty two, should have been a bit smarter than to trust her. And to get into trouble by befriending her actor troup, wow!

But let's face it - she is the personification of many of todays kids - I guess there are some in all generations. [grin]

I will admit to being supprised at who turned out to be the villian - I never guessed

Recommended --M [with questions] but I did love finding out about Kate and Trev's extended family.

I am a very big Maureen McKade Fan . I have got 2 of every book that she has . I waited so long to read this one . But when I got it I sat down to read it and I have to say I was crying at the end becuse it was so painful to read . It was a very disapointing night . This is one book that I will not be keeping :-( It was very laging in many areas . Along with unbelivable . I am usally able to loose my self in her books and forget any kind of day the world has put me threw but not this one. You know it a great book if you laugh and rut on the people in it but this one you sipmly can not.

In 1894 Colin McBride returns to Denver after a long absence to see his friends, Trev and Kate, while his leg still heals from the mining accident three months ago. There are a few extra children since he last saw the Trevelyans. Even more shocking is to see how grown up the two youngsters he remembered giving piggyback rides to but especially twenty years old Kate, who is now a beautiful young lady instead of the four year old he remembers.

Annie and her father have argued over her future as she wants to be an actress and has turned down several marriage proposals while Trev feels the stage is not a place for a wholesome woman. Her parents have decided to send Annie to a finishing school in San Francisco and appoint Colin as her escort since he is heading to California to start a ranch. On the journey west, Annie plans to seduce Trev into what she wants, but one thing leads to another and soon adult love blossoms between these two unlikely individuals.

HIS UNEXPECTED WIFE is an engaging Americana romance due to the gender battle between the dynamic lead couple. The support ensemble provides depth that brings alive the gay nineties in several western locales while showing off author Maureen McKade’s ability to draw convincing, in-depth characters. Though the pace seems slower than a nineteenth century Oregon Trail wagon trip because of an unnecessary element of suspense, the war between Annie and Trev makes for an enjoyable reading experience.

(...)

This is the sequel to MAIL ORDER BRIDE and it is a fine story, but doesn't live up to MAIL ORDER BRIDE, so in that, it is somewhat disappointing. HIS UNEXPECTED WIFE is enjoyable, but first read MAIL ORDER BRIDE for complete characters images and explanations.

Face it, Annie Trevelyn is a spoiled brat, progessive thinking for her day or is she trying to rebel by being shocking. She is very naive or just ignores her father's knowledge that actress usually end up being kept by some man. He didn't want that for his child.

The problem is that she is not a very lovable brat at that. And Colin McBride or "Laddie" as Trev knew him wasn't exactly interested in that kind of wife. Colin, at thirty two, should have been a bit smarter than to trust her. And to get into trouble by befriending her actor troup, wow!

But let's face it - she is the personification of many of todays kids - I guess there are some in all generations. [grin]

I will admit to being supprised at who turned out to be the villian - I never guessed

Recommended --M [with questions] but I did love finding out about Kate and Trev's extended family.

Face it, Annie Trevelyn is a spoiled brat, progessive thinking for her day or is she trying to rebel by being shocking. She is very naive or just ignores her father's knowledge that actress usually end up being kept by some man. He didn't want that for his child.

The problem is that she is not a very lovable brat at that. And Colin McBride or "Laddie" as Trev knew him wasn't exactly interested in that kind of wife. Colin, at thirty two, should have been a bit smarter than to trust her. And to get into trouble by befriending her actor troup, wow!

But let's face it - she is the personification of many of todays kids - I guess there are some in all generations. [grin]

I will admit to being supprised at who turned out to be the villian - I never guessed

Recommended --M [with questions] but I did love finding out about Kate and Trev's extended family.