One ranch. Three sons. Only one will inherit...and on one condition. Tired of waiting for his sons to settle down, Arizona-territory rancher Angus McKettrick announces a competition: the first son to marry and produce a grandchild will inherit Triple M ranch. Now, three distinctly different, equally determined cowboys are searching high and low for brides.
Kade McKettrick’s got five mail-order brides-to-be camped out at the local hotel, all more than eager to provide him with the heir that will win him the Triple M ranch. But Kade, the newly appointed marshal, has his hands full with a troublesome outlaw gang. Why, then, is he so easily distracted by pretty “Sister Mandy”—who most assuredly is not the nun she claims to be? On the run from her outlaw stepfather, Mandy Sperrin hides beneath her solemn disguise, and vows to keep her wild, passionate nature from the respectable citizens of Indian Rock. Yet when the handsome marshal makes it clear that he wants her, Mandy gives in to her heated desires....
This item is eligible for our 4-for-3 promotion. Eligible products include select Books and Home & Garden items. Buy any 4 eligible items and get the lowest-priced item free.
Here's how (restrictions apply)
Veteran romance author Miller braids together numerous storylines in the second entry in her late-19th-century McKettrick Cowboystrilogy (after High Country Bride), yet all of them lack depth. Angus,patriarch of the McKettrick clan, sets his three sons against oneanother with his proclamation that the first to marry and father achild will inherit his Arizona ranch. Kade McKettrick, not to beoutdone by his recently married brother, Rafe, has sent for amail-order bride. Improbably, he gets six, none he would marry, whileMandy Sperrin, who's on the run and masquerading as a nun, tweaks hislibido. Mandy's disguise fools everyone but Kade, even though shetakes a job in a hotel and doesn't know a syllable of Latin when askedto offer a prayer. Though Mandy's plight will inspire sympathy-she'sfrom a broken home and yearns to belong somewhere-the hot-bloodedMcKettrick men, who are always spoiling for a fight, are merestereotypes. Miller compensates with an overstuffed plot involvingrange wars, stolen gold and murder, but these subplots often feelsketchily drawn and unresolved (a threatened range war fizzles; aposse decides to return home mid-chase). A mile wide and an inch deep,this western romp, while charming at times, lacks the richcharacterizations that established Miller as a bestselling author.Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Review
“You’ll adore the McKettricks. . . . Get set to enjoy this series.”
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.'
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 starsDoesn't deserve the low ratings it's been getting!, June 28, 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: Shotgun Bride (McKettrick Cowboys Trilogy #2) (Mass Market Paperback)
I personally don't see why this book is getting so many low reviews. It seems the biggest complaints are the lack of romance and too much "fiction". This book had all of the elements of a good story, with several twist and raw scenes of the old west that make a western historical fiction so engaging. True, there was not tons of sappy romance, but the readers need to remember that these boys are marrying to gain a ranch, not for love, but I did not find it lacking in "romance". The only reason that I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was the situation with Angus and Concepcion. I love the fact that these two married after so many years, but the announcement that they were expecting a baby was a bit out there, given their age. (Angus is pushing 80). Otherwise, the book is worth the read, and one that does not deserve the low ratings.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 starsShotgun Bride, February 4, 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: Shotgun Bride (McKettrick Cowboys Trilogy #2) (Mass Market Paperback)
I really enjoyed the book. Mandy had to endure many hardships, including losing her entire family in two weeks time, one member (her brother) being killed by her to save her husband's life.
Despite her background Kade knew their was only one woman for him, Mandy! There are laughs and tears and moments of gentleness in this novel. Enjoy!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
This review is from: Shotgun Bride (McKettrick Cowboys Trilogy #2) (Mass Market Paperback)
I am not sure why everyone is giving his book such low ratings. I read all kinds of romance and I really loved this book. I won't get into the story at all ... other reviewers did a good job of that. I look forward to the 3rd book in this triliogy. I have read book 1 and 2 and have loved them both!!!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
First Sentence:
Kade McKettrick rode slowly into Indian Rock, that raw and ragged afternoon at the tail end of winter, hat pulled low over his eyes, the collar of his muddy black duster raised in a futile effort to warm his ears. Read the first pageKey Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Amanda Rose, Indian Rock, Sister Mandy, Gig Curry, Bloody Basin, Sue Ellen, Arizona Hotel, Old Billy, Wild West, Captain Harvey, Holt Cavanagh, Mamie Sussex, Cree Lathrop, Father Herrera, Kansas City, Sarah Fee, Becky Fairmont, Davy Kincaid, Doc Boylen, Sam Fee, Pappy Kincaid, Cave Creek, Jesse Graves, Miss Mandy, Sweet Jesus
New! Concordance
|
Text StatsBrowse Sample Pages: Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
