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The Wedding #1
The Wedding Raffle
GERALYN DAWSON brings to glorious life the proud, passionate days of the Republic of Texas in a breathtakingly romantic tale of an independent widow and one hard, handsome Texan who tangle, tussle, and tumble into love.
With her family in danger, Honor Duvall needs the bravest man in Texas to help her save them. True, the thrice-widowed beauty's elaborate plan to lure him to her remote ranch is a little unethical, but she'll make it up to him. Or so she thinks.
Captain Luke Prescott, a renowned ex-Texas Ranger and bona fide hero, can't help but find his suspicions (among other things) aroused by the town's mysterious widow. But when he wins Honor's raffle for a valuable racehorse and arrives to collect, he soon discovers he wants a different kind of prize altogether. Honor doesn't want to sacrifice her heart, but Luke has the means to force her hand. After all, he holds the winning ticket.
With her family in danger, Honor Duvall needs the bravest man in Texas to help her save them. True, the thrice-widowed beauty's elaborate plan to lure him to her remote ranch is a little unethical, but she'll make it up to him. Or so she thinks.
Captain Luke Prescott, a renowned ex-Texas Ranger and bona fide hero, can't help but find his suspicions (among other things) aroused by the town's mysterious widow. But when he wins Honor's raffle for a valuable racehorse and arrives to collect, he soon discovers he wants a different kind of prize altogether. Honor doesn't want to sacrifice her heart, but Luke has the means to force her hand. After all, he holds the winning ticket.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1996
About the author
Geralyn Dawson
27 books221 followersGeralyn Dawson is the USA Today bestselling author of over twenty novels. She is a three-time finalist for the prestigious Romance Writers' of America's RITA award and a recipient of their Top Ten Favorite Books of the Year award. She received Romantic Times magazine's Career Achievement award and its Reviewer's Choice award. In 2009, the American Library Association named her romantic suspense novel, ALWAYS LOOK TWICE, as one of the top ten romances of the year.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 5, 2017
I would rate this a 3.5ish. Honor Duvall is a widow three times over who is desperate to finally have some independence, being manipulated and mistreated by her father all these years. She cleverly goes about setting up a raffle to lure in Luke Prescott, former Texas Ranger, so he will stay long enough to teach her, her stepsons and mother-in-law how to protect themselves until they can leave Texas. Luke agrees, but he sees an enigma when he looks at Honor and he's determined to figure her out. Honor never expects to fall in love with the man, but is disappointed to realize his past and the losses he's experienced there, close him off to love. And her past has taught her an important lesson: she'll never marry for less than love.
It was a bit nervous at first, since Honor had been married 3 times in 14 years and she was, from the start a liar and manipulator. But she managed to somehow come across as truly likeable, with grit and determination and some sass. Maybe it was because Luke wasn't willing to fall for her lies, so she had no recourse but to tell the truth. Once she started telling the truth and got Luke on her side, the romance between them was pretty great. I did find it interesting, and somewhat unusual, that after 14 years of off and on marriage and no children, nobody even assumed that Honor was barren. And the way she spoke of her previous marriages, it didn't sound like her husbands had no interest in her sexually, so why no children? It seemed strange that it was a non-issue in the story and had me wanting an epilogue in which it was proven that she wasn't barren. Luke was your typical tortured hero who couldn't seem to move on from his guilt and couldn't see that for however much he was avoiding love it certainly wasn't avoiding him. I liked his struggle overall, but it was a bit cliche....especially since he accepts it after she . Another gem here was the secondary characters: the kids were likeable , Luella was fun but Rafe was truly enjoyable. I so hope the next books is about him.
It was a bit nervous at first, since Honor had been married 3 times in 14 years and she was, from the start a liar and manipulator. But she managed to somehow come across as truly likeable, with grit and determination and some sass. Maybe it was because Luke wasn't willing to fall for her lies, so she had no recourse but to tell the truth. Once she started telling the truth and got Luke on her side, the romance between them was pretty great. I did find it interesting, and somewhat unusual, that after 14 years of off and on marriage and no children, nobody even assumed that Honor was barren. And the way she spoke of her previous marriages, it didn't sound like her husbands had no interest in her sexually, so why no children? It seemed strange that it was a non-issue in the story and had me wanting an epilogue in which it was proven that she wasn't barren. Luke was your typical tortured hero who couldn't seem to move on from his guilt and couldn't see that for however much he was avoiding love it certainly wasn't avoiding him. I liked his struggle overall, but it was a bit cliche....especially since he accepts it after she . Another gem here was the secondary characters: the kids were likeable , Luella was fun but Rafe was truly enjoyable. I so hope the next books is about him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2024
This was a romance book tied with Texas Rangers, Sam Houston, and some Texas history. The main characters were Luke, recent Texas Ranger, and Honor the three timed widow who wants to leave Texas.
June 14, 2019
This book is a delight! The characters are interesting without being perfect. Luke Prescott, seriously injured in the line of his work as a Texas Ranger, is recovering and planning to return to his job. The Texas Rangers see things differently; they anticipate he will not be able to return to the rigors of his former life.
Honor Duvall is a three-time widow with two sons from her second marriage –Micah and Jason Best. Honor also has a feisty mother-in-law in her home – Luella Best. Honor’s concern for these 3 individuals drives the story.
After Duvall’s death, Honor is strapped for cash and decides to hold a raffle for her best racer. Interest is high; each person wants to win the horse but everyone is curious about the elusive Mrs. Duvall. The widow shows up in a yellow dress!
The dialogue is often priceless … and witty. Rumors swirl around Widow Duvall and Luke doesn't trust her. A woman who loses 3 husbands seems to be a bit more than absent-minded.
Marriage is not in the cards for Luke or Honor. They each have good reasons for their decisions. However, Honor is in serious jeopardy unless she marries before Papa’s choice (groom # 4) arrives.
This book has it all – humor, pathos and serious situations. I rated this book a 5 because of the original plot and execution. I couldn't put this book down and read it in one sitting.
Gentleman Rafe Malone’s story is next.
The Wedding Raffle (1996)
The Wedding Ransom (1998)
Honor Duvall is a three-time widow with two sons from her second marriage –Micah and Jason Best. Honor also has a feisty mother-in-law in her home – Luella Best. Honor’s concern for these 3 individuals drives the story.
After Duvall’s death, Honor is strapped for cash and decides to hold a raffle for her best racer. Interest is high; each person wants to win the horse but everyone is curious about the elusive Mrs. Duvall. The widow shows up in a yellow dress!
The dialogue is often priceless … and witty. Rumors swirl around Widow Duvall and Luke doesn't trust her. A woman who loses 3 husbands seems to be a bit more than absent-minded.
Marriage is not in the cards for Luke or Honor. They each have good reasons for their decisions. However, Honor is in serious jeopardy unless she marries before Papa’s choice (groom # 4) arrives.
This book has it all – humor, pathos and serious situations. I rated this book a 5 because of the original plot and execution. I couldn't put this book down and read it in one sitting.
Gentleman Rafe Malone’s story is next.
The Wedding Raffle (1996)
The Wedding Ransom (1998)
January 1, 2013
Super cute and original! Full of fluff here and there but always some action!
February 13, 2012
I like some of her other books better but this was still a fun read.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews