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The Prairie Prince
For Katie Matthews, life held no promise of true happiness. Life on the prairie was filled with hard labor, a brutal father, and the knowledge she would need to marry a man incapable of truly loving a woman. Men didn’t have time to dote on women—so Katie’s father told her. To Katie, it seemed life would forever remain mundane and disappointing—until the day Stover Steele bought her father’s south acreage.
Handsome, rugged, and fiercely protective of four orphaned sisters, Stover Steele seemed to have stepped from the pages of some romantic novel. Yet his heroic character and alluring charm only served to remind Katie of what she would never have: true love and happiness the likes found only in fairytales. Furthermore, evil seemed to lurk in the shadows, threatening Katie’s brightness and hope, and even her life!
Would Katie Matthews fall prey to disappointment, heartache, and harm? Or could she win the attentions of the handsome Stover Steele long enough to be rescued?
Handsome, rugged, and fiercely protective of four orphaned sisters, Stover Steele seemed to have stepped from the pages of some romantic novel. Yet his heroic character and alluring charm only served to remind Katie of what she would never have: true love and happiness the likes found only in fairytales. Furthermore, evil seemed to lurk in the shadows, threatening Katie’s brightness and hope, and even her life!
Would Katie Matthews fall prey to disappointment, heartache, and harm? Or could she win the attentions of the handsome Stover Steele long enough to be rescued?
208 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2008
50 people are currently reading
487 people want to read
About the author
Marcia Lynn McClure
74 books1,366 followersBorn in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Marcia Lynn McClure grew up influenced by the reminiscent stories of rugged, rural Colorado farm life fascinatingly recounted to her by her parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts…tales of runaway buckboards, mule-drawn plows and dust pneumonia; verbalized images of stream-flooded meadows, frozen over in winter, where a child could peer through the crystal clear ice in wonder at the small fish, snakes and mice sealed in the meadow grasses beneath; stories of hardship and tragedy, love and loss. But always the stories, and the people telling them, bore evidence of the wonder and worthiness of simpler, yet sometimes brutal, times.
These influential people and the family legends they detailed, coupled with her own life experiences and utterly romantic nature, led Marcia to begin writing novels as Christmas gifts for her closest friends…friends who long for a breath of the past and miss the romance of bygone eras; friends searching for moments of distraction from the stressful, demanding times we live in.
And so, knowing that it is the breath of the past and the "take me in you arms and kiss me" kind of moments that so many women long to relive, Marcia spins her tales of love, life and laughter…adventures woven around those compelling, romantic instances that most appeal to a woman's loving heart. Marcia feels that if her readers close one of her books with a contented sigh and a delighted smile, feeling rejuvenated, cheerful and edified, then she has achieved what she set out to do…shower refreshment and happiness on anyone having experienced the story.
Marcia lives in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. There she writes her stories surrounded by her beloved friends and family...and the beautiful desert landscape of New Mexico!
These influential people and the family legends they detailed, coupled with her own life experiences and utterly romantic nature, led Marcia to begin writing novels as Christmas gifts for her closest friends…friends who long for a breath of the past and miss the romance of bygone eras; friends searching for moments of distraction from the stressful, demanding times we live in.
And so, knowing that it is the breath of the past and the "take me in you arms and kiss me" kind of moments that so many women long to relive, Marcia spins her tales of love, life and laughter…adventures woven around those compelling, romantic instances that most appeal to a woman's loving heart. Marcia feels that if her readers close one of her books with a contented sigh and a delighted smile, feeling rejuvenated, cheerful and edified, then she has achieved what she set out to do…shower refreshment and happiness on anyone having experienced the story.
Marcia lives in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. There she writes her stories surrounded by her beloved friends and family...and the beautiful desert landscape of New Mexico!
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November 24, 2023Source of book: KU
Relevant disclaimers: None
Please note: This review may not be reproduced or quoted, in whole or in part, without explicit consent from the author.
And remember: I am not here to judge your drag, I mean your book. Books are art and art is subjective. These are just my personal thoughts. They are not meant to be taken as broader commentary on the general quality of the work. Believe me, I have not enjoyed many an excellent book, and my individual lack of enjoyment has not made any of those books less excellent or (more relevantly) less successful.
*******************************************
Um, this was … fine?
I was looking for something light and easy, and it’s definitely that. There’s also no banging in it which might be why all the reviews keeping make these little weird references to, you know, “clean” execution and so on and so forth. Honestly, I couldn’t care less whether we get to witness fictional fucking or not in a romance novel but could we maybe find better language with which to describe books that eschew the horizontal hokey cokey?
No on page sex, for example, strikes me as doing the job pretty effectively. And carries no implication that books with on page sex are not clean. Are unclean. Are dirty. Are immoral. Come on, it’s 2023. Sex is sex. You can have it if you want it. You can not have it if you don’t. Let’s not get weird about either choice.
Anyway, this is a sweet straightforward story about a sweet straightforward heroine who falls for a nearby human male and then they get married. It’s nice. Well, it’s mostly nice. There’s also a fair of bit of violence here and there, because apparently three men nearly assaulting the heroine is coolbeans but if she’d chosen to have consensual sex at any point that would have been beyond the pale.
I’ve used the word “straightforward” about sixty times now but, for me, that was mostly where the strength of the story lay: the heroine wants to meet a nice man and marry him, partly to get away from her abusive father but also because that just seems to be where her ambitions begin and end, and she does. There’s nothing particularly deep or complicated there but why does there have to be? It’s a big genre. As long as there’s also space for heroines to be astrophysicists or gay or able to access premarital sex, not everyone needs to pull against the cultural context of the time/place they’re living. A shared future of domesticity and mutual support is just as meaningful a dream as long as it’s chosen. The nice man is question is called Stover Steele which, y’know, is an impressively romance hero name. I don’t think he’s described as having a specific scent, but you can just tell it’s woodchips and pine. In any case, he seems like a decent enough man. I wouldn’t personally marry him but I’m pretty sure he’d go a funny colour and start clearing his throat a lot at the thought of marrying me.
He is raising his three younger sisters, though, all triplets. They’re by far the best characters in the book. And I bet they’d be chill at having two daddies.
Where the book and I diverged was mostly down to, you know, picky personal taste stuff. The heroine—Katie—is perpetually in a mess. Like getting pushed off bridges. Falling on her face. Nearly getting assaulted. Clearly she’s fairly emotionally resilient considering the way she was raised but the book doesn’t seem willing to cut the poor girl a break. For better or worse (and mileage will vary here depending on what you enjoy reading) this the kind of book where the women mostly stand around and the men take action around them: even Katie’s mother is “saved” from her abusive marriage only because some bad men are kind enough to shoot her husband en route to taking revenge on the man who disrupted their previous attempt to assault the heroine (and the bad men are themselves only re-contained by the intervention of a second good man after Stover has tried to take them out). “She rescues him right back” this is not. Unless we’re counting “rescues from domestic labour” which I guess maybe we can. I would love to be rescued from domestic labour.
As well as suffering from bridges, flowers, mud, her father and potential sexual assault, Katie is also the victim of a mean girl in town who has literally zero personality except for wanting Stover and hating Katie. I kept sort of waiting for the other shoe to drop but no: all shoes were present and correct. There is no arc here. The mean girl is mean the end. And at one point Stover convinces Katie to kiss him because the mean girl is watching and this is, apparently, a way for Katie to get her back.
Which, um. Bit of a weird way to get a girl to kiss you? Like, why leverage presumed female rivalry rather than trust in the legitimate desire that Stover is well-aware Katie already feels? Possibly this was meant to be playful from Stover or empowering for Katie (or indicate slight insecurity on Stover’s part that he has to suggest an ulterior motive for the kissing they both clearly want to be doing) but it ended up reading not so romantic to me. Even though the kissing itself—and there’s a lot of kissing The Prairie Prince—was quite lovely.
Anyway, this ultimately turned out to be an awkward coffee date of a book for me. Our mutual friend KU had cluelessly set us up, we wanted to make it work for their sake, and so—despite having nothing in common and no natural chemistry—we were very polite, tried to see the best in each other and mostly succeeded. Neither of us have anything to complain about. We had an okay time together. But we’re not sending any follow-up texts. And, in an ideal world, will probably never meet again.
Relevant disclaimers: None
Please note: This review may not be reproduced or quoted, in whole or in part, without explicit consent from the author.
And remember: I am not here to judge your drag, I mean your book. Books are art and art is subjective. These are just my personal thoughts. They are not meant to be taken as broader commentary on the general quality of the work. Believe me, I have not enjoyed many an excellent book, and my individual lack of enjoyment has not made any of those books less excellent or (more relevantly) less successful.
*******************************************
Um, this was … fine?
I was looking for something light and easy, and it’s definitely that. There’s also no banging in it which might be why all the reviews keeping make these little weird references to, you know, “clean” execution and so on and so forth. Honestly, I couldn’t care less whether we get to witness fictional fucking or not in a romance novel but could we maybe find better language with which to describe books that eschew the horizontal hokey cokey?
No on page sex, for example, strikes me as doing the job pretty effectively. And carries no implication that books with on page sex are not clean. Are unclean. Are dirty. Are immoral. Come on, it’s 2023. Sex is sex. You can have it if you want it. You can not have it if you don’t. Let’s not get weird about either choice.
Anyway, this is a sweet straightforward story about a sweet straightforward heroine who falls for a nearby human male and then they get married. It’s nice. Well, it’s mostly nice. There’s also a fair of bit of violence here and there, because apparently three men nearly assaulting the heroine is coolbeans but if she’d chosen to have consensual sex at any point that would have been beyond the pale.
I’ve used the word “straightforward” about sixty times now but, for me, that was mostly where the strength of the story lay: the heroine wants to meet a nice man and marry him, partly to get away from her abusive father but also because that just seems to be where her ambitions begin and end, and she does. There’s nothing particularly deep or complicated there but why does there have to be? It’s a big genre. As long as there’s also space for heroines to be astrophysicists or gay or able to access premarital sex, not everyone needs to pull against the cultural context of the time/place they’re living. A shared future of domesticity and mutual support is just as meaningful a dream as long as it’s chosen. The nice man is question is called Stover Steele which, y’know, is an impressively romance hero name. I don’t think he’s described as having a specific scent, but you can just tell it’s woodchips and pine. In any case, he seems like a decent enough man. I wouldn’t personally marry him but I’m pretty sure he’d go a funny colour and start clearing his throat a lot at the thought of marrying me.
He is raising his three younger sisters, though, all triplets. They’re by far the best characters in the book. And I bet they’d be chill at having two daddies.
Where the book and I diverged was mostly down to, you know, picky personal taste stuff. The heroine—Katie—is perpetually in a mess. Like getting pushed off bridges. Falling on her face. Nearly getting assaulted. Clearly she’s fairly emotionally resilient considering the way she was raised but the book doesn’t seem willing to cut the poor girl a break. For better or worse (and mileage will vary here depending on what you enjoy reading) this the kind of book where the women mostly stand around and the men take action around them: even Katie’s mother is “saved” from her abusive marriage only because some bad men are kind enough to shoot her husband en route to taking revenge on the man who disrupted their previous attempt to assault the heroine (and the bad men are themselves only re-contained by the intervention of a second good man after Stover has tried to take them out). “She rescues him right back” this is not. Unless we’re counting “rescues from domestic labour” which I guess maybe we can. I would love to be rescued from domestic labour.
As well as suffering from bridges, flowers, mud, her father and potential sexual assault, Katie is also the victim of a mean girl in town who has literally zero personality except for wanting Stover and hating Katie. I kept sort of waiting for the other shoe to drop but no: all shoes were present and correct. There is no arc here. The mean girl is mean the end. And at one point Stover convinces Katie to kiss him because the mean girl is watching and this is, apparently, a way for Katie to get her back.
Which, um. Bit of a weird way to get a girl to kiss you? Like, why leverage presumed female rivalry rather than trust in the legitimate desire that Stover is well-aware Katie already feels? Possibly this was meant to be playful from Stover or empowering for Katie (or indicate slight insecurity on Stover’s part that he has to suggest an ulterior motive for the kissing they both clearly want to be doing) but it ended up reading not so romantic to me. Even though the kissing itself—and there’s a lot of kissing The Prairie Prince—was quite lovely.
Anyway, this ultimately turned out to be an awkward coffee date of a book for me. Our mutual friend KU had cluelessly set us up, we wanted to make it work for their sake, and so—despite having nothing in common and no natural chemistry—we were very polite, tried to see the best in each other and mostly succeeded. Neither of us have anything to complain about. We had an okay time together. But we’re not sending any follow-up texts. And, in an ideal world, will probably never meet again.
March 20, 2015
You know, I hardly EVER give a book one star. But this book...*sigh* where do I start?
First off, I'm not against light reads. I read my share of them and most of the time find them enjoyable. But there's light and there's light. This is dandelion fluff light. So light that the plot seems to have blown away into thin air.
M. L. McClure has her share of devotees but I should have listened more closely to the reviews. Very few comment on the plot. It's just "all about the kissing". And folks, seriously, it is. I mean, there's little else. It's like the author draws two characters(so they can kiss) Oh no! Make it four; (you know, more to kiss); there. Ok, now where can they kiss? Lets see...how about a prairie kiss? Then lets go to the river and have a river kiss? Hey, meet me by the barn and we'll kiss again! And have you seen the tree house? Well, let me SHOW you! *kiss kiss*. It was THE WHOLE STORY!!! And each kiss (and lead up) may be two or three PAGES!.
Hey, I like romance as much as the next person but give us a REASON TO CARE.
And it was so Disney. Enter poor clumsy heroine and hero hunk. Hero hunk loves poor clumsy heroine over all others (though he can have his pick) for no reason other than she's adorable and he's older and wiser (and can teach her to kiss). He rescues her non stop through every scrape. She falls in a mud puddle. Guess who's there to pull her out? Enter abusive Daddy, Prairie Prince to the rescue!
She's being chased by murderers, have no fear, Prairie Prince is here (on his stallion no less).
*SPOILER* They kissed.
The one redeeming feature of this book is it's short.
Still, I can't believe I read the WHOLE thing...
First off, I'm not against light reads. I read my share of them and most of the time find them enjoyable. But there's light and there's light. This is dandelion fluff light. So light that the plot seems to have blown away into thin air.
M. L. McClure has her share of devotees but I should have listened more closely to the reviews. Very few comment on the plot. It's just "all about the kissing". And folks, seriously, it is. I mean, there's little else. It's like the author draws two characters(so they can kiss) Oh no! Make it four; (you know, more to kiss); there. Ok, now where can they kiss? Lets see...how about a prairie kiss? Then lets go to the river and have a river kiss? Hey, meet me by the barn and we'll kiss again! And have you seen the tree house? Well, let me SHOW you! *kiss kiss*. It was THE WHOLE STORY!!! And each kiss (and lead up) may be two or three PAGES!.
Hey, I like romance as much as the next person but give us a REASON TO CARE.
And it was so Disney. Enter poor clumsy heroine and hero hunk. Hero hunk loves poor clumsy heroine over all others (though he can have his pick) for no reason other than she's adorable and he's older and wiser (and can teach her to kiss). He rescues her non stop through every scrape. She falls in a mud puddle. Guess who's there to pull her out? Enter abusive Daddy, Prairie Prince to the rescue!
She's being chased by murderers, have no fear, Prairie Prince is here (on his stallion no less).
*SPOILER* They kissed.
The one redeeming feature of this book is it's short.
Still, I can't believe I read the WHOLE thing...
March 13, 2015
Less than 200 pages, but enough to suck me in full force. :)
Reread 10/6/2014: This book is not long at all, but Marcia McClure knows just how to catch you from the start. I started last night and had to finish up this morning. Stover Steele is the kind of guy every girl dreams of catching and Katie is so innocent and full of light. They're perfect for each other. The heroic actions of Stover make me swoon- big time. And Jared, Katie's brother, is such a sweetheart. His love for his mom and sister is so unselfish. I am SO glad I'm reading so many of MLM's books again. They make me happy. :)
Reread 10/6/2014: This book is not long at all, but Marcia McClure knows just how to catch you from the start. I started last night and had to finish up this morning. Stover Steele is the kind of guy every girl dreams of catching and Katie is so innocent and full of light. They're perfect for each other. The heroic actions of Stover make me swoon- big time. And Jared, Katie's brother, is such a sweetheart. His love for his mom and sister is so unselfish. I am SO glad I'm reading so many of MLM's books again. They make me happy. :)
April 13, 2011
This was such a delicious story - from beginning to end. I love reading Marcia McClure because I can always guarantee reading some of the juiciest kisses imaginable whilst being wrapped up in the snuggly feeling of romance. Even now, I'm sighing heavily because this story has left quite an impression. I love the way Marcia captures those tender moments between two people, especially as sparks are beginning to fly and I love her stories that are set in historical time periods. I wasn't always a fan of westerns... but I'm telling you - I love this authors cowboys.
Set in the old west, in a small US town on the prairie, Katie dreams away her day waiting for her prince to come and rescue her from the drudgery of her life. Living with an abusive father, she doesn't hold much hope for escape and with the slim picking of decent, eligible men in town, Katie is somewhat discouraged. This all changes though with the arrival of sexy Steel Stover (sigh doesn't his name sound magnificent!) Straight away he captures her attention and with the cutest triplet sisters, she makes quite the impression on him as well. He takes one look at her dressed up in wild flowers and whether he'll admit it or not, Steel is SMITTEN.
This wonderful story takes you through those breathless moments where they flirt back and forth and Steel endeavours to put a blush on Katie's cheeks. One of my FAVORITE scenes is when he catches her up in the tree house, spying on her older brother "sparking" and being the man to never let a golden opportunity to go by, Steel uses it to teach Katie a thing or two on kissing. Totally swoon worthy and those magical kisses are just one of many in the book. I love the way he pursues Katie and the great feeling you get as you watch two fun characters fall in love.
Steel is such a hunk! I don't know what it is about men of those times or whether it's the way Marcia writes her heroes, but especially after this story, I just wanted to go roam out on the prairie, waiting for my Steel to come riding up on a horse. LOL of course, I'd make sure it was my husband but you understand where my romantic heart was leading. I could totally see me being one of the many girls in the area who went doe eyed and weak kneed as he past by and he was just such a gentleman. I love a man with manners, a man with passion, a man with a sense of humor but most of all SWAGGER. Steel has all that and Katie was such a lucky girl to capture his heart.
You won't ever see me not recommend a Marcia McClure book. Whenever I've had my fill of erotica and I'm just craving some good old fashioned romance, her books are always what I reach for. I can't help myself because they always leave me with a smile on my face and wanting more. Marcia has a real easy flow to her writing and once you start reading, you don't want to stop. She has the great ability of getting to the heart and soul of love and relationships and I think that comes because she has that in her own life. One look at her and her husband Kevin, and you can tell they're deeply in love. That flows into her books and creates magic. Definitely grab yourself a copy of this book. It's a great way to spend the afternoon - just be prepared to end up in a gooey mess. Happy reading!
Set in the old west, in a small US town on the prairie, Katie dreams away her day waiting for her prince to come and rescue her from the drudgery of her life. Living with an abusive father, she doesn't hold much hope for escape and with the slim picking of decent, eligible men in town, Katie is somewhat discouraged. This all changes though with the arrival of sexy Steel Stover (sigh doesn't his name sound magnificent!) Straight away he captures her attention and with the cutest triplet sisters, she makes quite the impression on him as well. He takes one look at her dressed up in wild flowers and whether he'll admit it or not, Steel is SMITTEN.
This wonderful story takes you through those breathless moments where they flirt back and forth and Steel endeavours to put a blush on Katie's cheeks. One of my FAVORITE scenes is when he catches her up in the tree house, spying on her older brother "sparking" and being the man to never let a golden opportunity to go by, Steel uses it to teach Katie a thing or two on kissing. Totally swoon worthy and those magical kisses are just one of many in the book. I love the way he pursues Katie and the great feeling you get as you watch two fun characters fall in love.
Steel is such a hunk! I don't know what it is about men of those times or whether it's the way Marcia writes her heroes, but especially after this story, I just wanted to go roam out on the prairie, waiting for my Steel to come riding up on a horse. LOL of course, I'd make sure it was my husband but you understand where my romantic heart was leading. I could totally see me being one of the many girls in the area who went doe eyed and weak kneed as he past by and he was just such a gentleman. I love a man with manners, a man with passion, a man with a sense of humor but most of all SWAGGER. Steel has all that and Katie was such a lucky girl to capture his heart.
You won't ever see me not recommend a Marcia McClure book. Whenever I've had my fill of erotica and I'm just craving some good old fashioned romance, her books are always what I reach for. I can't help myself because they always leave me with a smile on my face and wanting more. Marcia has a real easy flow to her writing and once you start reading, you don't want to stop. She has the great ability of getting to the heart and soul of love and relationships and I think that comes because she has that in her own life. One look at her and her husband Kevin, and you can tell they're deeply in love. That flows into her books and creates magic. Definitely grab yourself a copy of this book. It's a great way to spend the afternoon - just be prepared to end up in a gooey mess. Happy reading!
August 9, 2017
Such a cute book! There is not one book of Marcia Lynn McClure that I don't like. They all make you happy and uplifted. I hate getting done with a book and feel like I wasted my time and let down. With Marcia's books I have never felt that way. I love that I can't smile and laugh throughout the book. Keep it up Marcia!
November 7, 2014
I absolutely LOVED this little novella. The page count on the website says its 139 pages, but I have my doubts. It reads more like a full length novel, though it only took me a day to read it. This little 139 page novella is better than many books I've read that is 3 and 4 times as long! OMG! My hat off to Ms. McClure!
The main characters of the book are Katie Matthews and Stover Steele (isn't that just one of the sexiest names ever?). Stover is newly moved to town. He is the head of a family that consists of four sisters, one full sister who is around 19 or 20, and three half sisters, triplets who are about 7 or 8 years old. None of the characters' age is ever explicitly given, but from reading the book and based on the fact that during those times people got married really young (females anywhere from the age of 15) I'd say Stover (Stove for short) is anywhere from 21 to 25 (this I'm basing on the fact that Stover and his sister Pillar are from the same mother and she is described as looking around 19 or 20. I figure they probably aren't that far apart in age, but it's just a guess.)
Katie Matthews lives with her family in the town. Her father, a farmer, is a mean bastard who beats up on his wife and children. However, his beating days have apparently slowed down ever since Katie's older brother, Jared, has grown into a strong young man (at least his beating of his kids have slowed down). Katie is described as being young, but again we're not told what her actual age is. Based on the story I'd say she was probably about 16 or 17, more like 17.
Katie and Stover meet when she is trespassing on his land, which had previously been owned by Katie's family. She fell asleep sitting under her favorite tree and woke up to find herself covered in flowers and looking up into the faces of Stover's triplet sisters....Bunny, Bonnie, and Berty (isn't that just adorable?). Stover, out looking for his troublesome sisters, comes across the quartet and meets Katie. Their meeting is one steeped in fun as Katie is under the belief that Stover will either shoot her or beat her to death for trespassing! Lol.
Stover, in fact, is one of the most chivalrous males ever. He not only provides for his sisters' physical needs, but also their emotional ones. He loves and respects women and is absolutely against any kind of violence against them. This is an extremely important factor because Katie is raised by a man who thinks women are useless and have no respect for them. As a matter of fact, it is said that he treated the family dog better than he treated Katie's mother. As such, Katie dreams of finding a man who will not only treat her well, but will also love and cherish her.
Katie is immediately attracted to Stover who is said to be one of the most handsome men any had ever seen. Stover also thinks Katie is pretty if a bit young for him. Furthermore, Stover refuses to become involved with any woman as he has responsibilities to his sisters. He is determined to see them all settled before he thinks about having his own life. There is also a side romance between Stover's sister, Pillar, and Katie's brother, Jared (described as a handsome, strapping young man). That romance is just as sweet, and I loved Pillar and Jared just as much as I did Stove and Katie. The devotion of both these two men towards their respective sisters is so touching to read about and emphasized their goodness as men.
Stover fights against his attraction for Katie. He doesn't think he has much to offer a wife, at least not until he's settled his sisters. Katie is an absolute doll! She's a free spirit and is constantly getting herself into scrapes. She absolutely loves the triplets and, in my opinion, was almost like a fourth sister, what with her tendency to attract trouble just like the triplets. Katie falls in love with Stover when he stands up to her father on her behalf and from their first kiss Stover is sunk! From there on Stover was sparkin' (that's their term for making out...don't you just love it?!) with Katie every chance he got.
There is also an antagonist in the form of Hillary Westover. This she-devil is after Stover and does everything in her power to undermine Katie's confidence. However, unknown to Katie, Hillary doesn't have a chance with Stover! It was hilarious to read about how Stover helped Katie get back at Hillary. Then there was Katie's penchant for unintentionally ruining a cliché (she says things like "scared like a rat" when she means like a rabbit and "makes my skin boil" when she should say blood!).
This book had me chuckling so hard at times, my 6 year old kept asking me "what's so funny Mommy?" The ending is absolutely delicious and everyone, even Katie and Jared's mom, Evelyn, gets their happy ending. I can't say enough about this book. By the time I was done with it I was ready to run to my computer and buy another of Ms. McClure's book. Imagine my delight when I searched my cloud and found I have, not one, not two, but three other books by Ms. McClure! Yay! I LOVED this book! Buy it!
The main characters of the book are Katie Matthews and Stover Steele (isn't that just one of the sexiest names ever?). Stover is newly moved to town. He is the head of a family that consists of four sisters, one full sister who is around 19 or 20, and three half sisters, triplets who are about 7 or 8 years old. None of the characters' age is ever explicitly given, but from reading the book and based on the fact that during those times people got married really young (females anywhere from the age of 15) I'd say Stover (Stove for short) is anywhere from 21 to 25 (this I'm basing on the fact that Stover and his sister Pillar are from the same mother and she is described as looking around 19 or 20. I figure they probably aren't that far apart in age, but it's just a guess.)
Katie Matthews lives with her family in the town. Her father, a farmer, is a mean bastard who beats up on his wife and children. However, his beating days have apparently slowed down ever since Katie's older brother, Jared, has grown into a strong young man (at least his beating of his kids have slowed down). Katie is described as being young, but again we're not told what her actual age is. Based on the story I'd say she was probably about 16 or 17, more like 17.
Katie and Stover meet when she is trespassing on his land, which had previously been owned by Katie's family. She fell asleep sitting under her favorite tree and woke up to find herself covered in flowers and looking up into the faces of Stover's triplet sisters....Bunny, Bonnie, and Berty (isn't that just adorable?). Stover, out looking for his troublesome sisters, comes across the quartet and meets Katie. Their meeting is one steeped in fun as Katie is under the belief that Stover will either shoot her or beat her to death for trespassing! Lol.
Stover, in fact, is one of the most chivalrous males ever. He not only provides for his sisters' physical needs, but also their emotional ones. He loves and respects women and is absolutely against any kind of violence against them. This is an extremely important factor because Katie is raised by a man who thinks women are useless and have no respect for them. As a matter of fact, it is said that he treated the family dog better than he treated Katie's mother. As such, Katie dreams of finding a man who will not only treat her well, but will also love and cherish her.
Katie is immediately attracted to Stover who is said to be one of the most handsome men any had ever seen. Stover also thinks Katie is pretty if a bit young for him. Furthermore, Stover refuses to become involved with any woman as he has responsibilities to his sisters. He is determined to see them all settled before he thinks about having his own life. There is also a side romance between Stover's sister, Pillar, and Katie's brother, Jared (described as a handsome, strapping young man). That romance is just as sweet, and I loved Pillar and Jared just as much as I did Stove and Katie. The devotion of both these two men towards their respective sisters is so touching to read about and emphasized their goodness as men.
Stover fights against his attraction for Katie. He doesn't think he has much to offer a wife, at least not until he's settled his sisters. Katie is an absolute doll! She's a free spirit and is constantly getting herself into scrapes. She absolutely loves the triplets and, in my opinion, was almost like a fourth sister, what with her tendency to attract trouble just like the triplets. Katie falls in love with Stover when he stands up to her father on her behalf and from their first kiss Stover is sunk! From there on Stover was sparkin' (that's their term for making out...don't you just love it?!) with Katie every chance he got.
There is also an antagonist in the form of Hillary Westover. This she-devil is after Stover and does everything in her power to undermine Katie's confidence. However, unknown to Katie, Hillary doesn't have a chance with Stover! It was hilarious to read about how Stover helped Katie get back at Hillary. Then there was Katie's penchant for unintentionally ruining a cliché (she says things like "scared like a rat" when she means like a rabbit and "makes my skin boil" when she should say blood!).
This book had me chuckling so hard at times, my 6 year old kept asking me "what's so funny Mommy?" The ending is absolutely delicious and everyone, even Katie and Jared's mom, Evelyn, gets their happy ending. I can't say enough about this book. By the time I was done with it I was ready to run to my computer and buy another of Ms. McClure's book. Imagine my delight when I searched my cloud and found I have, not one, not two, but three other books by Ms. McClure! Yay! I LOVED this book! Buy it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2011
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE <3
July 22, 2010
If you love clean romance books, Marcia Lynn McClure's books are for you!
Ah....such a cute romance about a girl (Katie--great name!!) meeting the man of her dreams (Stover) when he buys some of her mean dad's property.
Marcia's books are so much fun! This romance is so...romantic, yet clean, and the characters are hilarious! I loved the little mischievous triplet sisters and Katie's funny way of mixing up her words.
Ah....such a cute romance about a girl (Katie--great name!!) meeting the man of her dreams (Stover) when he buys some of her mean dad's property.
Marcia's books are so much fun! This romance is so...romantic, yet clean, and the characters are hilarious! I loved the little mischievous triplet sisters and Katie's funny way of mixing up her words.
December 26, 2023
It's that time of the year again to devour the deliciousness of Marcia Mcclure's journeys to destiny books. Okay, I'm a month early starting but who cares!
12/1/23
I love this love story! This one sets into motion many things such as sticking it to the person that thinks they know it all and do the best to get everybody's attention. This book supports the underdog it's what I love about the story. Plus it's another one that has three love stories within one.
8/28/22
It's so good that two people were raised so well by a mom because their dad is awful. I'm blessed for the daddy I had he was amazing. The way Jared loves and protects his sister and mom. Then is good to see past a deformity so he can love Stover's sister. I love the three triplet girls, they slay me every time. I love them.
Other years
Read this for the second time. Still as enthralling still just as yummy. I even got nervous at the end and I knew what was coming! Love it as always.
A fast-moving love story and the best in-your-face rub ins ever. I just love this fast love story that really hit the drinking dad scenario. Touching.
12/1/23
I love this love story! This one sets into motion many things such as sticking it to the person that thinks they know it all and do the best to get everybody's attention. This book supports the underdog it's what I love about the story. Plus it's another one that has three love stories within one.
8/28/22
It's so good that two people were raised so well by a mom because their dad is awful. I'm blessed for the daddy I had he was amazing. The way Jared loves and protects his sister and mom. Then is good to see past a deformity so he can love Stover's sister. I love the three triplet girls, they slay me every time. I love them.
Other years
Read this for the second time. Still as enthralling still just as yummy. I even got nervous at the end and I knew what was coming! Love it as always.
A fast-moving love story and the best in-your-face rub ins ever. I just love this fast love story that really hit the drinking dad scenario. Touching.
July 5, 2013
'The Prairie Prince' is just one of Marcia Lyn McClure's many literary masterpieces.
This is was extremely talented author. Through her writings, she causes intense emotional, passionate feelings to arise within her reading audience without explicit details. It is very "cleanly" accomplished.
This is a romantic, historic fiction drama with some added action. It is a story of two specific families: A dysfunctional family from an arranged, loveless marriage, in a small town, the other containing a brother with three sisters to care for after the death of their mother, then their father. Difficult as that is, three of the sisters are the same age...Yes, triplets!
This is a story of the experiences of these families and in small town living. One family has an hardworking, unloving, violent head of the household. The other family a strong, self-assured, hardworking, loving household head. Can these two families sharing a property line merge as friends? Will they be able to unite with the people in the town area?
Points of interest of novel: romance, love, violence, criminals, friendship, unity, historical small town living.
This is was extremely talented author. Through her writings, she causes intense emotional, passionate feelings to arise within her reading audience without explicit details. It is very "cleanly" accomplished.
This is a romantic, historic fiction drama with some added action. It is a story of two specific families: A dysfunctional family from an arranged, loveless marriage, in a small town, the other containing a brother with three sisters to care for after the death of their mother, then their father. Difficult as that is, three of the sisters are the same age...Yes, triplets!
This is a story of the experiences of these families and in small town living. One family has an hardworking, unloving, violent head of the household. The other family a strong, self-assured, hardworking, loving household head. Can these two families sharing a property line merge as friends? Will they be able to unite with the people in the town area?
Points of interest of novel: romance, love, violence, criminals, friendship, unity, historical small town living.
March 30, 2013
What can I say? I LOVED this one too! Is it possible to love EVERY one of Marcia's books????? I couldn't put this book down until I had it finished- which came to soon. I love books where everything is not 'peachy' but love finds them regardless. I really liked the secondary characters Jared and Pillar. Jared could love in spite of imperfections. I like that in a book. I think the main reason I like Marcia's books are because the men are 'men's men". They work, they are tough, they are protectors, courageous, honest and passionate. Such a rare find anymore. Her books are glimpes into a perfect world for me.. literally an escape!
February 7, 2012
I really enjoyed this little romance. The story was not the same old same old, the characters were likeable, the secondary characters added a lot to the story, especially the guileless and unpredictable triplets and nasty old Harriet Westover, and the characters' sexual propriety fit with the time period. My one complaint is that for me the unrealistic something in the ending detracted from the realism of the story.
February 20, 2010
I always feel a little giggly after reading one of Marcia's books! An adorable short story about life on the frontier with lots of love in the air. I loved the side stories- Jared and Pillar, the triplets, (SOOOO funny) and Katie's parents. Stove was the perfect hero and Katie was someone we could all relate to. The romance was top notch as always and the triplets shenanigans had me cracking up!
January 29, 2011
Day 57 on my Marcia pilgrimage: I thought that this was so cute! I love that the hero is like Prince Charming but in a prairie setting! I also loved that he has triplet little sisters that are so cute throughout the story! Quick read that is perfect for a little get away from reality! :)
March 28, 2016
This is one of my favorites!! I love Stove and the triplets!!! Hehe... I like when he thinks that he died...
September 21, 2009
Once again, if you need a nice easy romantic read...pick up a Marcia Lynn McClure book. Its just a breath of fresh air. Yes their cheesy and yes they have happy endings...what's wrong with that!!
February 2, 2010
I loved the plot. Very enjoyable, and I loved all of the characters!
December 21, 2010
Love the little triplets!! Such a cute story! Stover was pretty great, lucky Katie!!
June 9, 2011
I love how these stories are historical and romantic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 22, 2011
One of my favorites
March 19, 2012
I don't ever think I can get enough of Marcia's writing. I picked this book up because I wanted something that would make me smile at the end. Well, it did!
May 3, 2013
Super duper uper good. You can always count on Mrs. McClure to deliever and solid, clean, romantic novel. As always, wish it was longer...Stover is a stud. Yeah for hot romantic cowboys!
April 1, 2010
I really fell in love with cowboys again after reading this book.
December 18, 2018
Loved it!
I love all of Marcia Lynn McClure‘s books. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. Great characters great plot and sweet ending. I wish she would do a continuation of this story for the triplets.
I love all of Marcia Lynn McClure‘s books. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. Great characters great plot and sweet ending. I wish she would do a continuation of this story for the triplets.
January 19, 2021
I read 500+ books in 2020 today January 2021 I'm up to #28. This is the first book that had me in tears. Read this like me you'll wish it was longer I sure do. Definitely a book I will read more than once.
August 10, 2018
Sweet novella
Although I prefer to read books Marcia's novellas are the few I can actually enjoy. This one in particular is short and sweet with a touch of a roguish gentleman.
Although I prefer to read books Marcia's novellas are the few I can actually enjoy. This one in particular is short and sweet with a touch of a roguish gentleman.
July 4, 2020
This book was plainly incredible!
May 27, 2021
Good read
Not quite enough steam for my likeness, but overall really good. Interesting story line. Well written and correct grammar. Told from dual POVs.
Not quite enough steam for my likeness, but overall really good. Interesting story line. Well written and correct grammar. Told from dual POVs.
October 7, 2021
A great feel good romance that will make you swoon.
July 5, 2022
A fun one from MLM. Simple and short but sweet. Liked the characters.
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