The Merry Widows: Mary (Harlequin Historical Romances, Vol. 372) [Paperback]

Theresa Michaels (Author)

Book Description

Series: Harlequin Historical Romance | Publication Date: June 1, 1997

The survivor of a bitter marriage, widow Marry Inlow stepped gently through life, quietly burying her dreams of true love and children along the way. Until a fierce stranger holding a bloodied child appeared on her doorstep, demanding entry into her world—and into her heart.

Rafe McCade would have sold his soul to the devil to save his little girl's life, but he bartered it instead to a soft-spoken angel with the power to heal his daughter's wounded body, and the tenderness to rescue him from the torments of his own bitter past.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Rafe McCade is finally bringing his daughter Beth home. After five long years of being separated from Beth because his wife didn't want a life with him, Rafe is a very wealthy man ready to start fresh with a daughter he hardly knows. But there are men who want him dead and won't necessarily spare his daughter to get what they want. When Beth is injured, Rafe is forced to take her to the nearest town, a little place called Hillsboro where the town doctor is drunk and the only people who can help him are the "merry widows." Expecting to find a brothel, Rafe finds three widowed women instead. And one of those women will touch him the way no woman ever has. Mary Inlow has been a widow for a year, but she doesn't grieve for her husband. Her ten-year marriage started as a dream and became a nightmare. Now she is happy in her new home, sharing it with her cousin Sarah and their friend Catherine. Then Rafe arrives with Beth and Mary's heart cries out for what she can never have - a child of her own. Though she opens her arms and her heart to Beth, she cannot let herself trust Rafe or the feelings she has for him. But while she is healing his daughter, he heals her soul. Readers have come to expect wonderful romances from Theresa Michaels, and she does not disappoint. Mary is the first book in the Merry Widows Trilogy and it promises to be as memorable as the Kincaid Trilogy. Set in New Mexico, this is Americana at its very best. I will be looking forward to Sarah and Catherine's stories!Nobody does it better than Theresa Michaels! She is an incredible storyteller who writes from the heart! Mary is pure magic! Once in awhile an author comes along that touches your heart over and over again-- Theresa Michaels is that author! A love story about what it means to be a family. This is a special book! Kristina Wright -- Copyright © 1994-97 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Harlequin (June 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373289723
• ISBN-13: 978-0373289721
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,157,173 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars AN EXCELLENT START TO 3 LOVELY WOMEN'S STORIES, February 16, 2005

By 

M. Hartmann "abayyan" (Milan, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Merry Widows: Mary (Harlequin Historical Romances, Vol. 372) (Paperback)

HILLSBORO, NEW MEXICO TERRITORY
Widowed, Rafe McCade and daughter, 6 year old Beth are finally coming home. Love the trail to his property.
Beth is a precocious, precious little girl who responds well to Mary Inlow.
Mary Elizabeth Inlow has been widowed this past year. And is still fighting her way through the damage done to her by her husband, Harry. [What a jerk!]

She, like the other widows, refuses to marry again and let another man dictate to her. But, oh, Beth is such a precious child. Maybe Rafe will leave his daughter with her and he tries to find the man or men who attempted to kill him and his daughter.

Well Balen, the scumbag, got what he deserved. And not a minute too soon. Shell Lundy, now, code or no code, didn't know what he was getting into. And Rafe let him live?

Just how far away was Rafe's canyon from Hillsboro? I was surprised that Sarah and Catherine let Mary travel with Rafe.

Rafe, with his silver-grey eyes and gorgeous furred chest really attracted Mary as no other man ever has.

What a wonderful beginning to an intrigueing trilogy - 3 widowed women turning away men wanting to court them. Women didn't or couldn't stay single in the frontier. Not many any ways.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - great characters - nicely paced story - maybe a definite keeper.

2.0 out of 5 stars Mary could heal Rafe's child, but not her own heart, June 15, 2004

By 

Anza Carrillo "heavenlyanza" (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Merry Widows: Mary (Harlequin Historical Romances, Vol. 372) (Paperback)

Mary Inlow, one of three widows in the town of Hillsboro, had survived a bitter, horrible marriage and was determined to make her own way in the world from now on. She was sure that no man would ever want her as his wife, she had surely heard that enough from her late husband. The dream of having her own little family, complete with a brood of children, would just be a dream, and nothing more. But when Rafe McCade shows up on her front doorstep with his injured daughter, asking Mary to heal his little girl, Mary can't help but feel a tug at her heartstrings. She loves the child, but can she love the man, too?

Rafe McCade and his daughter were nearly killed in an attack. His daughter injured, his first thought is to get her medical help, but the only doctor nearby was completely soused. The shopkeeper recommended Rafe take his child to the Merry Widows, which Rafe mistakes as a brothel. Once he lays eyes on Mary, he feels a stirring in his heart he hadn't felt for a very long time. Rafe has to concentrate on getting his daughter well - and to discover who is trying to kill him, and why.

I liked the premise of this book, and the reviews were good. It sounded like something I would like. Unfortunately, I never got involved in the story at all. The writing style just seemed so boring to me. I kept looking at my watch and the page numbers, and wondering when this book would end. That was disappointing, because I really thought that I would like this book. Mary was incredibly quiet and reserved, and even when she wasn't, I never really bonded with her as a character. I liked Rafe's love for his daughter, but I never grew attached to him as a character, either. Two stars for the ideas behind the story, but I can't give it any more than that.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!!!!!!!!!, January 19, 1998

By 

CYBERKID [e-mail] (RESTON, VIRGINIA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Merry Widows: Mary (Harlequin Historical Romances, Vol. 372) (Paperback)

ROMANCE AT IT'S BEST. MICHAELS IS A DREAM COME TRUE. I LOVED THE STORY. IT WAS GREAT. TOTALLY GREAT. HOORAY FOR MICHAELS!