Hooked

Brides For All Seasons #2

by Stef Ann Holm

Using an alias, stunt reporter Matthew Gage arrives in Harmony, Montana, to uncover the cheating going on in the town’s famous annual fly-fishing contest—not to tangle lines with a husband-hunting miss. But as soon as Meg Brooks gets stuck under his hotel bed, he’s hooked on her high-spirited charm. Besides, he hopes she’ll provide him with insider information—and a few kisses—while he snoops around.

But innocent Meg believes Matthew is “Vernon Wilberforce,” a polite carpet-sweeper salesman, the gentleman caller of her dreams. As the fishy scandal threatens to upset Harmony, Meg employs every lure in the book to land Matthew. But her heart will be broken by a man who isn’t what he seems…unless they each learn the truth: The best prize in life is given, not won. It’s love.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Western Romance

432 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 1999

About the author

Stef Ann Holm was born in Southern California near Hollywood. With the fantasy worlds of Disneyland and Universal Studios at her doorstep, her imagination was stimulated at an early age. She attended Chatsworth High where Kevin Spacey, Mare Winningham and Val Kilmer entertained on the school's stage. As a semester elective, Stef Ann enrolled in drama and played a Fandango hostess in the chorus of Sweet Charity. It was the beginning and the end of her acting and singing career. She got a "C" in Drama and an "A" in Creative Writing.

She sold her first romance in 1987. While waiting for a load of laundry to complete at the laundromat, Stef Ann made up the name for her heroine, Camry, when she saw a Toyota Camry parked outside in the lot. Who knew that model would end up being so popular, making her in-depth research seem so shallow. Stef Ann has had twenty-three novels and one novella published. Her editor calls her contemporary romances, "Slices of life stories about real people."

Stef Ann lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, extended family and beloved Beagle.

Reviews

[Julie Barrett]

gd read

[Jerry Jares]

NOTE: Please read these stories in order; the characters have backstories that build through the novels.

If Meg Brooks ever plans to marry (gosh, she's almost on the shelf at 20 years of age), she'd best give up her wild ways and pay close attention to Mrs. Wolcott (her finishing school, from book one). Life in a small town like Harmony is hard for tomboys and eccentrics. Thus, Meg becomes Margaret and she settles down to a controlled life of buttoned gloves, big hats and hot tea.

Matthew Gage is an investigative reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle who ferrets out corruption and cheating. He arrives in Harmony as Vernon Wilberforce, a Bissell carpet sweeper salesman, bent on winning the local fishing contest. There's still twittering about cheating in last year's fishing contest and Matthew has come to tell all. Unfortunately, it turns out that the scandal swirls about Meg's brother, who is now away at college.

This is a unique plot with lots of charming characters and funny situations. The two main characters, intent on showing new personas, instead attract their opposite to their true selves. Lovely.

Brides for all seasons
1. Harmony (1997)
**2. Hooked (1999)
3. Honey (2000)
4. Hearts (2001)

[Annette]

Meg becomes Margaret, because everyone has told her she acts in a vulgar and hoydenish manner. Margaret is very subdued and controlled and would not think of riding the hotel's luggage cart down the street to the train station.

Matthew becomes Vernon Wilberforce, because Matthew is an investigative reporter and he is in Harmony to uncover a cheating scandal. Vernon sells Bissel carpet sweepers and is nothing like Matthew.

Meg's family owns the hotel so she naturally runs into Mr Wilberforce. The first time is when she is hiding under his bed in the hotel.

This is a charming story about two people who find one another very appealing. But, the disguises they have donned throw things off kilter.

The scandal Matthew is following involves Meg's brother possibly cheating in order to win last year's fishing contest. Meg knows her brother would never cheat anyone. Matthew wants to prove whether he did or did not cheat.

And while both of them are working at cross purposes, they are becoming more and more attracted to one another.

There are many side stories. And there are terrific secondary characters.

If you enjoy sweet romantic stories, this is the book for you. If you enjoy heroines who are adventurous and funny, this is the book for you.
And if you enjoy heroes who are stalwart and charming, this is the book for you.

I recommend this to anyone who is a romantic at heart.