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High Country Bride (McKettricks #1)
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.
If Emmeline Hardi...more
If Emmeline Hardi...more
ebook, 448 pages
Published
December 1st 2002
by Pocket Books
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Read in January, 2012
Read for Fun!
Overall Rating 4.00
Story Rating 4.00
Character Rating 4.00
Challenges: 2012 TBR Challenge, Goodreads Read for Fun
Published in 2002
NOTE: I am so glad that I finally started the McKettricks from the beginning. I am a huge fan of LLM's humor and this book was full of her classic storytelling style!
What I Loved: Holy Hot Cowboy Brothers! These are some smoking hot Cowboys that are hard-headed, hot-tempered, and most off all having to do exactly what Daddy says. I love...more
Read for Fun!
Overall Rating 4.00
Story Rating 4.00
Character Rating 4.00
Challenges: 2012 TBR Challenge, Goodreads Read for Fun
Published in 2002
NOTE: I am so glad that I finally started the McKettricks from the beginning. I am a huge fan of LLM's humor and this book was full of her classic storytelling style!
What I Loved: Holy Hot Cowboy Brothers! These are some smoking hot Cowboys that are hard-headed, hot-tempered, and most off all having to do exactly what Daddy says. I love...more
I didn't feel the love!
Rafe and Emmeline seemed as much like strangers at the end as they did when they first met. There was almost no communication between them and I hardly ever felt like they really even liked each other. They were kind of just co-existing. Sometimes they'd go off alone and talk, but it was pretty boring and I didn't feel like they got to know each other that well. I think Emmeline had more meaningful conversations with Holt and Rafe with Becky.
A lot of times, I felt like th...more
Rafe and Emmeline seemed as much like strangers at the end as they did when they first met. There was almost no communication between them and I hardly ever felt like they really even liked each other. They were kind of just co-existing. Sometimes they'd go off alone and talk, but it was pretty boring and I didn't feel like they got to know each other that well. I think Emmeline had more meaningful conversations with Holt and Rafe with Becky.
A lot of times, I felt like th...more
Naja, ich fand den ersten Band der McKettrick Reihe nicht sehr gelungen. Das Buch war sehr langatmig und Emmeline die weibliche Hauptfigur war einfach nur schrecklich. Das Buch hat nicht wirklich Lust auf mehr gemacht.
Emmeline fand ich total arrogant und selbstsüchtig und ich bin einfach nicht mit ihr warm geworden. Anstatt Rafe einfach gleich zum Anfang zu sagen das sie Mist gebaut hat, rennt sie einfach rum als sei nichts passiert und denkt sogar zeitweise darüber nach, falls sie schwanger sei...more
Emmeline fand ich total arrogant und selbstsüchtig und ich bin einfach nicht mit ihr warm geworden. Anstatt Rafe einfach gleich zum Anfang zu sagen das sie Mist gebaut hat, rennt sie einfach rum als sei nichts passiert und denkt sogar zeitweise darüber nach, falls sie schwanger sei...more
3.5stars actually
In this origin story of the McKettrick series, patriarch Angus McKettrick is fed up with his wastrel sons and longs for grandchildren. He tells his sons that the first one to marry and produce children will inherit everything instead of the promised third! The brothers are shocked speechless with this turn of events but each is determined to win this contest. Having read this out of order I knew the outcome of a few intrigues but was glad to have some background filled in to rou...more
In this origin story of the McKettrick series, patriarch Angus McKettrick is fed up with his wastrel sons and longs for grandchildren. He tells his sons that the first one to marry and produce children will inherit everything instead of the promised third! The brothers are shocked speechless with this turn of events but each is determined to win this contest. Having read this out of order I knew the outcome of a few intrigues but was glad to have some background filled in to rou...more
4 STARS
The Mckettrick brothers have had a good time playing cards, nights in the saloons and flirting with women until their aging father decides that he wants grandchildren and heirs for his ranch. The first one to marry and have children will get the ranch - all of it. The race is on and Rafe Mcketterick the eldest puts an ad asking for wife...enter Emmeline - an orphan being raised by her brothel owning aunt - has done the one thing she and her aunt have feared...slept with a man for money. A...more
The Mckettrick brothers have had a good time playing cards, nights in the saloons and flirting with women until their aging father decides that he wants grandchildren and heirs for his ranch. The first one to marry and have children will get the ranch - all of it. The race is on and Rafe Mcketterick the eldest puts an ad asking for wife...enter Emmeline - an orphan being raised by her brothel owning aunt - has done the one thing she and her aunt have feared...slept with a man for money. A...more
So I LOVED this book and have fallen in love with this series! I was lucky enough to get and ARC of one of her other books in this series (review coming closer to release date) but after reading and enjoying it, had to start at the beginning. I'm happy to say, I wasn't disappointed!
High Country Bride is about the McKettrick men Rafe, Kade, and Jeb who live with their father on the Triple M ranch in Indian Rock which is in the middle of the Arizona territory in 1884. Their father, Angus McKettric...more
High Country Bride is about the McKettrick men Rafe, Kade, and Jeb who live with their father on the Triple M ranch in Indian Rock which is in the middle of the Arizona territory in 1884. Their father, Angus McKettric...more
Emmeline leaves Kansas City behind as she wakes up to coins sitting beside the bed when she wakes up. She remember's a man she thinks his name is Holt, carrying her up to the bedroom of the brothel her aunt runs. Desperate to get a way from the humiliation she answers a mail order bride ad and heads to Texas as the wife of Rafe McKettrick.
Rafe doesn't meet Emmeline at the stage-coach but, his brother Jeb does. As they are standing there out flies Rafe out of the saloon which makes a wonderful im...more
Rafe doesn't meet Emmeline at the stage-coach but, his brother Jeb does. As they are standing there out flies Rafe out of the saloon which makes a wonderful im...more
Excellent book. This is the first in the McKettrick family books. I love this family and all their passions and drama. Rafe had no intention of settling down anytime soon, until his father laid down his ultimatum. So he sent off for a mail order bride. Emmeline had fled Kansas City, certain her reputation was in tatters. When she arrived in Indian Rock, expecting to be met by her new husband, she found him brawling in a saloon. One of her brothers-in-law took her out to the ranch, and Rafe showe...more
I really liked this book and I am craving the rest of the series...My sister told me about this series and said, "they are not smutty and you will love the female main characters because they are strong-willed and quick to speak their opinions!" She was right on...Set in 1884 having a woman with strong and vocal opinions is "taboo", but I sure enjoyed it! **Angus McKettrick decides that he is getting older and wants to see his three sons, Rafe, Kade, and Jeb, settle down, get married, and provid...more
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Meh. This didn't do much for me. Perhaps because it's a little dated?
Rafe, the main male character, was a hot-headed, rash, stubborn tool. He had all the wooing skills of a wild boar. I think the "mail-order bride" trope can be very romantic when deployed deftly but here, it was not. Possibly living in a house with 4 other people put a damper on the whole romance thing. And Rafe himself wasn't exactly overwhelmingly romantic, either.
And Emmeline! What a twit. Combination of TSTL, Mary Sue, and...more
Rafe, the main male character, was a hot-headed, rash, stubborn tool. He had all the wooing skills of a wild boar. I think the "mail-order bride" trope can be very romantic when deployed deftly but here, it was not. Possibly living in a house with 4 other people put a damper on the whole romance thing. And Rafe himself wasn't exactly overwhelmingly romantic, either.
And Emmeline! What a twit. Combination of TSTL, Mary Sue, and...more
An OK, if Fanciful, Western About 3 Brothers Vying for a Ranch
Miller writes well enough and serves up a sometimes entertaining, if fanciful, story, but I found it disappointing. It's not a serious historical...and I thought the beginning was a bit shaky.
The story, set in Arizona in 1884, tells of three brothers--the McKettricks--(obviously a set up for the series), and their father, Angus, who owns a 30,000-acre cattle ranch. The author describes the three brothers, who are in their late 20's, a...more
Miller writes well enough and serves up a sometimes entertaining, if fanciful, story, but I found it disappointing. It's not a serious historical...and I thought the beginning was a bit shaky.
The story, set in Arizona in 1884, tells of three brothers--the McKettricks--(obviously a set up for the series), and their father, Angus, who owns a 30,000-acre cattle ranch. The author describes the three brothers, who are in their late 20's, a...more
4 1/2 stars. Excellent beginning to the stories of 4 brothers set in 1880's Arizona. Patriarch Angus McKettrick decides his sons need to settle down and tells them that the first to marry and produce a grandchild of either gender will get the lion's share of their ranch. Rafe, the oldest son, immediately sends for a mail order bride, determined to win their father's contest. Meanwhile, in Kansas City Emmeline is bored out of her mind. Raised by her aunt who runs a brothel, Emmeline has been kept...more
First Line: "Angus McKettrick hated every thorn and cactus, every sprig of sagebrush, every juniper tree and jackrabbit and hunk of red rock for fifty miles in all directions, and if he could have scorched the land bare as a pig's hide at rendering time, he'd have done it, yes, sir."
This book must have been pretty meh, because it has only been a few days since I read it and I'm already forgetting most of the story line. Neither the hero nor heroine was particularly engaging. I found Rafe to be o...more
This book must have been pretty meh, because it has only been a few days since I read it and I'm already forgetting most of the story line. Neither the hero nor heroine was particularly engaging. I found Rafe to be o...more
Only one thing to say about this book.......it tries to do too much until the reader becomes annoyed and despondent with the main female character and everyone else.
This book took me a long time to finish. I think since it is the first in the series that every future character needs to be introduced but it takes away from the build up of the story, takes away from the main character.I kept thinking about who the other brothers would end up with and wanting to read their story.
This is going to...more
This book took me a long time to finish. I think since it is the first in the series that every future character needs to be introduced but it takes away from the build up of the story, takes away from the main character.I kept thinking about who the other brothers would end up with and wanting to read their story.
This is going to...more
Angus McKettrick announces that the heir to his ranch is the son that marries and produces a heir first. The race is on! This book pulled me into it. A bit of scandal, romance, adventure, and readability made the perfect weekend read. Strong female characters but realistic. Romance but not over the top.
My five star rating isn't claiming that this book is going to be classic literature or stretched my brain by creating deep thoughts. It had room to grow, for example it could have worked on chara...more
My five star rating isn't claiming that this book is going to be classic literature or stretched my brain by creating deep thoughts. It had room to grow, for example it could have worked on chara...more
Would give it 3.5 stars if I could. But it's not a solid 4.0 stars for me.
I really had a hard time liking Rafe and Emmeline. I liked Holt and Kade and Jeb, but Rafe was a little too much, Emmeline was just plain annoying, she did a lot of stupid things and she didn't apologize for anything, Rafe acted the same way. I guess they were to peas in a pod. They were both spoiled and immature. Toward the end I didn't even care.how they got together. I read this story out of order. Read Kade's story fir...more
I really had a hard time liking Rafe and Emmeline. I liked Holt and Kade and Jeb, but Rafe was a little too much, Emmeline was just plain annoying, she did a lot of stupid things and she didn't apologize for anything, Rafe acted the same way. I guess they were to peas in a pod. They were both spoiled and immature. Toward the end I didn't even care.how they got together. I read this story out of order. Read Kade's story fir...more
This offered a bit of a different twist with the heroine thinking she'd slept with her new husband's brother. I thought Rafe was to Emmeline at times, and I thought, given his initial reaction, that his turn about to telling her he loved her was too much of a turn. Also, Becky's leaving the brothel business was barely touched on - that seemed to have been a bit too easy.
But... I liked Emmeline, and, overall, I liked Rafe. The story had good pacing and I had a hard time putting it down at times....more
But... I liked Emmeline, and, overall, I liked Rafe. The story had good pacing and I had a hard time putting it down at times....more
Not my first book of hers but it quickly became my favorite, probably because its set in the old West. I loved all the characters her books are always so well written, but with really rich complex characters, its great. I loved the fact it was in Arizona not your typical choice I'd guess for a western romance. Rafe and his brothers popped off the page they were so animated. The women were strong and independent which I loved, just really good characters. The story was romantic and thought provok...more
Feb 14, 2009
Wendy
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
romance lovers/cowboy lovers
A really fun book! I enjoyed this read a lot. Emmiline is a brave young women trying to find her place in the world. When she runs away from home in Kansas City by marrying by proxy through a mail order Bride service, she unwittingly signs on to the McKettrick family. Rafe is a man trying to win the ranch before his brothers do. So sent away for a bride. Neither of the two know what to expect from one another, but are definately drawn to each other. This is a story not only of love found but of...more
This is really 3.5 stars for me. I'm not the biggest fan of the western (very much an east coast girl) but I liked this story. I liked the McKettrick family (even if I kept mixing up the younger brothers for a while - I eventually got it straight). And I liked Rafe and Emmeline. What keeps it from a higher rating is the fact there were some cliches in the writing. I thought most of the dialogue was good so when a cliched description or element sneaked in it took me out of the story for a bit. St...more
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Ok, so I love me some Mckettricks!!! This is the first in the McKettrick series and is the story of Rafe and Emmeline. First off, I totally fell in love with Angus, the dad! He is a hoot! It's a historical romance with not much depth, but it is so stankin' sweet! I have to say there are a few "steamy" parts..so if that's not your thing beware. But, they aren't every other page, so you could skip over it. Rafe is a hard headed piece of work, but Emmeline keeps him in line! It's just a good little...more
Angus McKettrick assessed his life and issued a challenge to his three sons: the first to marry and produce a child would inherit his ranch instead of him splitting it between them. Rafe, the oldest of his sons by his deceased wife, Georgia, takes immediate action by contacting a mail order bride service and gets himself a wife. Emmeline leaves Kansas City, Missouri to join her new husband in the Arizona territory, sight unseen. She is also hoping to leave behind quite a few secrets.
The story st...more
The story st...more
*Really more like a high three, closer to a four than three though. Probably 3.5 to 3.75 stars. I really wish I could do fractions here...*
This was my first book by Linda Lael Miller, I've heard such good things that had high hopes for this book. I wasn't disappointed. How I felt about this book was probably best described by a friend of mine - it's like a Jayne Ann Krentz book; good, but not earth shattering, always reliable though. That is a very good thing in my book! I love an author I can c...more
This was my first book by Linda Lael Miller, I've heard such good things that had high hopes for this book. I wasn't disappointed. How I felt about this book was probably best described by a friend of mine - it's like a Jayne Ann Krentz book; good, but not earth shattering, always reliable though. That is a very good thing in my book! I love an author I can c...more
Apr 30, 2008
Colleen (NerdyWoman) Kayter
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical
Every now and again, I really enjoy reading Western Historicals. As the first story in the McKettrick series, High Country Bride introduces an entire cast of characters and the series-length plot which can only be defined as 'epic.'
My only wish for this story would be that the hero, Rafe, were more likeable. He's capable of being kind and considerate, but sometimes he's such a jerk, you almost want to see him get his come-uppance. All his brothers are much more appealing and I couldn't help but...more
My only wish for this story would be that the hero, Rafe, were more likeable. He's capable of being kind and considerate, but sometimes he's such a jerk, you almost want to see him get his come-uppance. All his brothers are much more appealing and I couldn't help but...more
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Hmmm, so you never really know what you're going to get when you pick up a "romance" novel. I was hoping for a clean story, but didn't quite get what I wanted. I actually enjoyed the plot and thought the story was fun. I liked the main characters and I'd be tempted to read the rest of the series. However, even though Emmeline and Rafe are married their love scenes are a little too discriptive for my taste. I actually thought they lost a lot of their chemistry after they were together. For me a l...more
This is my first book by Linda Lael Miller and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The McKettrick men are a stubborn lot with a wild streak a mile wide. The father, Angus, passed it down to all of his sons.
Angus wants grandchildren and his sons have no desire to settle down, so he tells them the first to marry and sire him a grandchild will get the Triple M Ranch -- the others will have to settle to work for the "winner."
Rafe is the first to find himself a bride-through the mail. Emmeline arrives not know...more
Angus wants grandchildren and his sons have no desire to settle down, so he tells them the first to marry and sire him a grandchild will get the Triple M Ranch -- the others will have to settle to work for the "winner."
Rafe is the first to find himself a bride-through the mail. Emmeline arrives not know...more
I rather enjoyed this western romance. This was the first in a trilogy. I haven't read a Linda Lael Miller in a long time. Emmaline Harding is running from a mistake she make signs up for a mail-order bride. She is sorry and glad to leave the aunt that raises her in a somewhat boardinghouse/brothel, but she spends most time away as school.
Rafe McKettrick is the cowboy she is lucky enough to get as husband. His father makes a crazy demand that makes Rafe send off for a mail-order bride.
Eventually...more
Rafe McKettrick is the cowboy she is lucky enough to get as husband. His father makes a crazy demand that makes Rafe send off for a mail-order bride.
Eventually...more
When Angus McKettrick, the patriarch of this family, decrees that the first son to marry and produce an heir gets the whole enchilada (he's quite rich you know), Kade, Rafe and Jeb hit the ground running to find a bride. This is Rafe's story.
Mail order bride, Emmeline Harding leaves Kansas City bound for Indian Rock, Arizona as the wife of Rafe McKettrick. The journey is less rocky than her arrival. Rafe apparently wants a bride to produce a child and nothing else. The romance is typical - she...more
Mail order bride, Emmeline Harding leaves Kansas City bound for Indian Rock, Arizona as the wife of Rafe McKettrick. The journey is less rocky than her arrival. Rafe apparently wants a bride to produce a child and nothing else. The romance is typical - she...more
This is book one in the McKettrick Cowboys series. Angus McKettrick, owner of the Triple M ranch, is tired of his three sons' wild ways and thinks they should settle down and get married. So, using the ranch as bait, he proposes a contest to his sons. Whichever one of them gets married and produces a grandchild will become sole owner of the ranch. Rafe, the oldest son, sends off for a mail-order bride and marries Emmeline Harding, a woman who is running away from her fall from grace. Little does...more
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| Round Lake Librar...: High Country Bride | 4 | 9 | Nov 21, 2012 03:17am |
Twenty-four years after she sold her first novel, Linda Lael Miller is having what anyone would call a stellar year.
The self-proclaimed barn goddess and author of novels set in the West of today and yesterday is celebrating exciting career milestones. With 70-some books to her credit, Linda is watching her modern-day McKettrick Men trilogy soar to the top of all the national bestseller lists, and...more
More about Linda Lael Miller...
The self-proclaimed barn goddess and author of novels set in the West of today and yesterday is celebrating exciting career milestones. With 70-some books to her credit, Linda is watching her modern-day McKettrick Men trilogy soar to the top of all the national bestseller lists, and...more
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