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McKettricks #4
McKettrick's Choice
Arizona, augustus 1888
Holt McKettrick voelt in het diepst van zijn hart dat de Triple M-ranch in Arizona zijn thuis is. Toch weet hij ook dat de band die hij met Texas heeft, onverwoestbaar is. En dat blijkt maar weer eens wanneer er alarmerend nieuws komt uit de staat waar hij is opgegroeid. Zijn goede vriend Gabe Navarro is ter dood veroordeeld vanwege een dubbele moord, en de ranch van zijn stiefvader wordt bedreigd door een meedogenloze grootgrondbezitter. Holt twijfelt geen seconde en vertrekt.
Bij aankomst in San Antonio heeft hij een bijzondere ontmoeting met de mooie Lorelei uitgerekend de dochter van rechter Fellows, de man die Gabe tot de galg heeft veroordeeld. Toch, hoe hij zich ook tot haar aangetrokken voelt, blijft hij liever ver uit de buurt. Hij mag zich immers niet laten afleiden van zijn doel: Gabes onschuld aantonen en zijn stiefvaders ranch redden. Helaas heeft hij bij die beslissing buiten de temperamentvolle Lorelei gerekend!
Holt McKettrick voelt in het diepst van zijn hart dat de Triple M-ranch in Arizona zijn thuis is. Toch weet hij ook dat de band die hij met Texas heeft, onverwoestbaar is. En dat blijkt maar weer eens wanneer er alarmerend nieuws komt uit de staat waar hij is opgegroeid. Zijn goede vriend Gabe Navarro is ter dood veroordeeld vanwege een dubbele moord, en de ranch van zijn stiefvader wordt bedreigd door een meedogenloze grootgrondbezitter. Holt twijfelt geen seconde en vertrekt.
Bij aankomst in San Antonio heeft hij een bijzondere ontmoeting met de mooie Lorelei uitgerekend de dochter van rechter Fellows, de man die Gabe tot de galg heeft veroordeeld. Toch, hoe hij zich ook tot haar aangetrokken voelt, blijft hij liever ver uit de buurt. Hij mag zich immers niet laten afleiden van zijn doel: Gabes onschuld aantonen en zijn stiefvaders ranch redden. Helaas heeft hij bij die beslissing buiten de temperamentvolle Lorelei gerekend!
Audible Audio
First published May 31, 2005
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About the author
Linda Lael Miller
553 books3,218 followersThe daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West. Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a spacious property outside Spokane.
Linda 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 sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
Linda 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 sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
August 11, 2018
I've been looking forward to Holt's story and am happy to say the author delivered in spades! McKettrick's Choice is my favorite of the series thus far! I've mentioned it before, but it bears saying again...this is one of my favorite historical western series. It's authentic, fast-paced, humorous, and sexy as h*ll with larger-than-life alpha heroes who spend a lot of time butting heads with the women who drive them crazy. Highly recommended to fans of western romance. Having said that, it appears the series takes a giant leap to present day in the rest of the series books. I'm not sure how I feel about that as I've greatly enjoyed the historical time setting thus far. However, I have great faith in this author and will continue to see how the change over to contemporary western romance is handled. A Must Read! 4.5 Stars
November 18, 2012
Linda Lael Miller is known for writing heart-tugging, emotional Western romances, and with MCKETTRICK'S CHOICE, she delivers yet again. The MCKETTRICK BROTHERS TRILOGY began in 2002 with HIGH COUNTRY BRIDE, followed in 2003 with SHOTGUN BRIDE, and finished in 2004 with SECONDHAND BRIDE. The saga now takes a surprising turn in 2005 with MCKETTRICK'S CHOICE, the story of the oldest McKettrick brother, Holt, who was raised away from the iron fist of family patriarch, Angus, and the three brothers from the trilogy-Rafe, Kade, and Jeb.
Holt McKettrick spent a large part of his life as Holt Cavanagh, adopted son of John Cavanagh, a rancher with a spread outside of San Antonio, Texas. Now back in the McKettrick fold-with the tensions and egos that four competing males are bound to bring-Holt is in the process of marrying Miss Margaret Tarquin when a letter from Texas changes his plans.
The short note advises Holt that his adoptive father, John, is about to be driven from his land, and former Ranger buddy, Gabe Navarro, is to be hanged for murder and thievery. Holt, as a McKettrick and a Cavanagh, has no choice but to leave the Arizona Territory and return to Texas to set matters straight.
But upon arrival, mayhem awaits. People have been killed, lands have been burned, and one Miss Lorelie Fellows, who happens to own the land next to John Cavanagh's, is attempting to drive Holt insane.
MCKETTRICK'S CHOICE is Western historical romance at its best-lively characters, a wonderful story line, attention to historic detail, and Ms. Miller's personal brand of story-telling make this book a very enjoyable read. Mystery, suspense, passion, and family duty don't disappoint.
Holt McKettrick spent a large part of his life as Holt Cavanagh, adopted son of John Cavanagh, a rancher with a spread outside of San Antonio, Texas. Now back in the McKettrick fold-with the tensions and egos that four competing males are bound to bring-Holt is in the process of marrying Miss Margaret Tarquin when a letter from Texas changes his plans.
The short note advises Holt that his adoptive father, John, is about to be driven from his land, and former Ranger buddy, Gabe Navarro, is to be hanged for murder and thievery. Holt, as a McKettrick and a Cavanagh, has no choice but to leave the Arizona Territory and return to Texas to set matters straight.
But upon arrival, mayhem awaits. People have been killed, lands have been burned, and one Miss Lorelie Fellows, who happens to own the land next to John Cavanagh's, is attempting to drive Holt insane.
MCKETTRICK'S CHOICE is Western historical romance at its best-lively characters, a wonderful story line, attention to historic detail, and Ms. Miller's personal brand of story-telling make this book a very enjoyable read. Mystery, suspense, passion, and family duty don't disappoint.
May 13, 2021
5 Stars and then some!!
This is my first McKettricks series book and I loved it so much. I will definitely be searching out the ones before and after this one. Holt’s story will be hard to top, but with his tough as nails brothers and friends, I am sure they will have their own romantic adventure.
The story was written with detailed descriptions and a good flow to the story. Linda Lael Miller is a new favorite author for me.
This is my first McKettricks series book and I loved it so much. I will definitely be searching out the ones before and after this one. Holt’s story will be hard to top, but with his tough as nails brothers and friends, I am sure they will have their own romantic adventure.
The story was written with detailed descriptions and a good flow to the story. Linda Lael Miller is a new favorite author for me.
April 18, 2022
A cowboy romance...this one was not as good as some of the rest of the series. To much murder.
March 24, 2011
I would rate this 3-1/2 stars, but it had the potential to be a 4 star book. What I liked about the book, which revolved around Holt, the half-brother and (fourth of McKettrick's brothers stories in this series), was that it was well-written, had descriptive and detailed prose and vivid, interesting and diverse characters. I was disappointed for much of the same reasons -- the story, while well-written, had too many sub-plots. It was difficult to know what was the "main" story being told. Nor, was any chemistry whatsoever between Holt and Lorelei, though I kept reading in the hopes that there was a romance to be found. There was no true dialogue between this hero and heroine, which would have allowed for such a relationship. In fact, Lorelei had more conversations with Rafe (the brother)than with Holt.
The ending, while "satisfying" was also too good to be true, and felt a bit rushed. After reading pages that takes readers on a long journey, which included broken relationships, cattle drives, reunions and a bit of mystery, I expected more depth to the ending.
The ending, while "satisfying" was also too good to be true, and felt a bit rushed. After reading pages that takes readers on a long journey, which included broken relationships, cattle drives, reunions and a bit of mystery, I expected more depth to the ending.
April 14, 2012
Holt's book may be my favorite of the 4 McKettrick's brother's books. Like Miller's other books in this series the secondary characters were great, and added so much to each of the books. This book had a little of everything in it from bad guy rancher to cattle drive to Commanche Indians. It took place in Texas and not at home on the Triple M in Arizona. There was some humor also between the H/h and secondary characters. Rafe was in this book. My how he has changed (his attitude and handling of women) from his book in the series. I liked the easy friendship between Rafe and Lorelei.
I really liked Lorelei Fellows. She stood her ground, and was not easily run over by all the controlling men in her life, some who were down right mean. Holt and Lorelei had a lot of tension between them. You wanted to see them together. You wanted them to declare their love to one another, but it didn't go overboard to the point you were irratated with either one for their stubborness. I understood their stubborness.
I like the epiloge, but would have liked it to be a little bit longer. I just wasn't ready for their story to end. I would have liked a few more pages of life at the Triple M in Arizona with all the family around.
I really liked Lorelei Fellows. She stood her ground, and was not easily run over by all the controlling men in her life, some who were down right mean. Holt and Lorelei had a lot of tension between them. You wanted to see them together. You wanted them to declare their love to one another, but it didn't go overboard to the point you were irratated with either one for their stubborness. I understood their stubborness.
I like the epiloge, but would have liked it to be a little bit longer. I just wasn't ready for their story to end. I would have liked a few more pages of life at the Triple M in Arizona with all the family around.
July 20, 2017
The adventure in this early American historical romance was so good but the romance was so bad. I liked both the hero and heroine's personality and interaction with other people but their behavior toward each other was lousy and unrealistic. Holt rushes to Texas when he learns his friends are in trouble and the first thing he sees is Lorelei burning her wedding dress.
October 3, 2018
Not as exciting as I imagined it would be !
2.5 *
2.5 *
March 10, 2016
J’adore Linda Lael Miller, une auteure qui fait voyager ses lecteurs au pays des cow-boys.
Je regrette que le fameux prequel n'ait pas suivi l'ordre chronologique de la saga en VO, si on va sur le site de l'auteur , on s'aperçoit que ce livre est le quatrième tome et que les tomes suivants publiés par Harlequin sont les 12, 13 et 14 ce qui est assez déroutant pour le lecteur.
J'ai été très étonné des incohérences, fautes d'orthographes, mots manquants dans les phrases tout au long du livre, ce serait bien que ce livre soit revérifié et corrigé.
J'ai un avis mitigé sur ce livre, en-dehors des problèmes dits plus hauts, j'ai trouvé que l'histoire s'étirait en longueur. Connaissant la qualité de travail de cette auteure, je suis allée jusqu'au bout et à partir de la moitié du livre, j'ai retouvé l'action et l'enchaînement d'événements auxquels je m'attendais.
L’histoire se passe en 1888, Lorelei, fille du juge Fellows, découvre son futur mari dans les bras d’une servante. Faisant fi du quand dira-t-on, elle brûle sa robe de mariée en place publique devant les yeux d’Holt McKettrick. Tout juste arrivé en ville pour innocenter son ami Gabe qui a été accusé de meurtre, il tombe sur Lorelei. Lorelei, traité comme un objet par son père qui ne pense qu’à son image de respectabilité, compte partir loin de celui-ci et de son emprise sur sa vie.
Fasciné par le tempérament de la jeune femme et sa répartie, Holt McKettrick l’aidera à rejoindre son ranch qui se trouve être dans un piteux état.
Des embûches les emmèneront à faire un long périple ensemble ce qui leur laissera le temps de s’apprivoiser. Ils iront jusqu’à convoyer un troupeau de vaches dans des conditions extrêmes, allant jusqu’à devoir affronter des Comanches.
https://leboudoirdulivre.wordpress.co...
Je regrette que le fameux prequel n'ait pas suivi l'ordre chronologique de la saga en VO, si on va sur le site de l'auteur , on s'aperçoit que ce livre est le quatrième tome et que les tomes suivants publiés par Harlequin sont les 12, 13 et 14 ce qui est assez déroutant pour le lecteur.
J'ai été très étonné des incohérences, fautes d'orthographes, mots manquants dans les phrases tout au long du livre, ce serait bien que ce livre soit revérifié et corrigé.
J'ai un avis mitigé sur ce livre, en-dehors des problèmes dits plus hauts, j'ai trouvé que l'histoire s'étirait en longueur. Connaissant la qualité de travail de cette auteure, je suis allée jusqu'au bout et à partir de la moitié du livre, j'ai retouvé l'action et l'enchaînement d'événements auxquels je m'attendais.
L’histoire se passe en 1888, Lorelei, fille du juge Fellows, découvre son futur mari dans les bras d’une servante. Faisant fi du quand dira-t-on, elle brûle sa robe de mariée en place publique devant les yeux d’Holt McKettrick. Tout juste arrivé en ville pour innocenter son ami Gabe qui a été accusé de meurtre, il tombe sur Lorelei. Lorelei, traité comme un objet par son père qui ne pense qu’à son image de respectabilité, compte partir loin de celui-ci et de son emprise sur sa vie.
Fasciné par le tempérament de la jeune femme et sa répartie, Holt McKettrick l’aidera à rejoindre son ranch qui se trouve être dans un piteux état.
Des embûches les emmèneront à faire un long périple ensemble ce qui leur laissera le temps de s’apprivoiser. Ils iront jusqu’à convoyer un troupeau de vaches dans des conditions extrêmes, allant jusqu’à devoir affronter des Comanches.
https://leboudoirdulivre.wordpress.co...
July 28, 2023
This author can invent a whopping good story. Unfortunately the follow-through leaves much to be desired. This book is populated by stock characters from a 1930’s Hollywood western, with perhaps a bit more inclusivity regarding race and ethnicity. The Comanches, though, remain “red devils” and “savages.” The central romance is all about two people arguing with each other. The hero is a stereotypical Marlboro Man, the heroine has “gumption,” yes, but is also flagrantly stupid as well as stubborn, and endangers herself and needs rescuing. A lot.
The plot frequently doesn’t make sense and occasionally even contradicts itself. Tilly’s tragic end makes no sense at all. She is supposed to have the mind of a child, but she’s smart enough to cook, take care of babies, and talk about finding a husband. Then she runs into the middle of a gunfight, leaving the baby unattended? Come on! She didn’t have the mind of a toddler! Oddly, amid all the cliches and stereotypes, the author does include moments of originality, warmth, and humor. They’re just overwhelmed by the amount of cliches and contradictions surrounding them.
The plot frequently doesn’t make sense and occasionally even contradicts itself. Tilly’s tragic end makes no sense at all. She is supposed to have the mind of a child, but she’s smart enough to cook, take care of babies, and talk about finding a husband. Then she runs into the middle of a gunfight, leaving the baby unattended? Come on! She didn’t have the mind of a toddler! Oddly, amid all the cliches and stereotypes, the author does include moments of originality, warmth, and humor. They’re just overwhelmed by the amount of cliches and contradictions surrounding them.
February 7, 2014
Kindle Edition
Really pretty good in terms of a western story that has a lot of action outside of the romance part. By this time - book 4 - I am pretty fed up with the 'spitfire, snarling heroines' that are in every single book. Really, people do fall in love without all of that rancor! Minus 1/2 star.
Also, there is the issue of Ms. Miller's timeline on the age of Angus McKettrick and the gaps in ages between him and Holt, and of his other sons. That probably won't occur to anyone just reading this book, but if you start at Book 1, then you ask yourself about this, and why it was never corrected. Anyway, that makes Holt over 40... maybe older.
This is my last McKettrick book for the foreseeable future. I liked the historical part of this series outside of the snarling, spitting, and snarking between the heroes and heroines, and I have no wish to continue it through a lot of other books about modern-day McKettricks. I did want to finish reading about the original brothers, and I have now done so.
Really pretty good in terms of a western story that has a lot of action outside of the romance part. By this time - book 4 - I am pretty fed up with the 'spitfire, snarling heroines' that are in every single book. Really, people do fall in love without all of that rancor! Minus 1/2 star.
Also, there is the issue of Ms. Miller's timeline on the age of Angus McKettrick and the gaps in ages between him and Holt, and of his other sons. That probably won't occur to anyone just reading this book, but if you start at Book 1, then you ask yourself about this, and why it was never corrected. Anyway, that makes Holt over 40... maybe older.
This is my last McKettrick book for the foreseeable future. I liked the historical part of this series outside of the snarling, spitting, and snarking between the heroes and heroines, and I have no wish to continue it through a lot of other books about modern-day McKettricks. I did want to finish reading about the original brothers, and I have now done so.
January 24, 2011
I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Usually I'm not that into western themed romances but this one was recommended by a friend from a class at college so I gave it a try and you know.. wow.. this was a good book!
Unlike so many other romance novels that come out lately, this one actually had a good, solid plot and solid characters. It was more than just poorly written smut .. in fact there was really only one romantic scene and it was very tastefully written, without the overly written. . soft-core porn taint that so many books now seem to have. (For the record .. if any authors out there read this.. STOP WITH THE TRASH SEX SCENES PLEASE?!?! Try writing a real story huh? Thx!)
This one is really good, and I'm going to get the other books in this series in hopes that they'll be as well, and as tastefully written..
Unlike so many other romance novels that come out lately, this one actually had a good, solid plot and solid characters. It was more than just poorly written smut .. in fact there was really only one romantic scene and it was very tastefully written, without the overly written. . soft-core porn taint that so many books now seem to have. (For the record .. if any authors out there read this.. STOP WITH THE TRASH SEX SCENES PLEASE?!?! Try writing a real story huh? Thx!)
This one is really good, and I'm going to get the other books in this series in hopes that they'll be as well, and as tastefully written..
January 6, 2019
Lovely story. Horrible narrator on the Audiobook.
October 10, 2019
I was looking forward to the last of the original Mcketrick brothers since I always loved Holt. This was a entertaining read and I loved the cattle drive, but holt left me wanting still. I loved his stuff in the last book, but this fell a bit flatter. There was hardly any alone time with Lorelei and he never expressed his feelings until the very end. The only thing they had going was their dislike for each other, and it was great, but I still needed more from him on the feelings front. I’ll definitely miss this whole family though. I would have liked more of a celebration where this family was concerned since we won’t see them again, and it was sad no one but rafe was in it otherwise. We shall see how the next one goes.
November 10, 2017
457 pages of twists and turns and then some more. Will read more from this author.
April 19, 2020
Holt has been my favorite male character in this series since book one. I'm so glad he didn't turn out to be a complete ass like his younger brothers, though he had his moments.
March 31, 2024
Great series and awesome family.
April 13, 2016
Author: Linda Lael Miller
First published: 2005
Length: 5252 kindle locations
Setting: Historical. 1888. Texas.
Sex: Explicit-ish. At the end.
Hero: Rancher. ex-Ranger.
Heroine: A woman with not a lot on her plate.
Paranormal: Ghosts.
A somewhat lengthy Wild West historical with not a huge amount that matters happening over a long period of time, and yet a book chockful of events. So much drama, so little point.
But none of this happens to Holt and Lorelei. In fact, their own, personal, histories are rarely touched upon. There is some implication that Holt's story and past travails (including the birth of Lizzie and his separation from Angus) are told in previous books. But all that means is it's missing now. They have no depth but are simply bit players on the frontier. When they eventually leave, no one will really care.
Lots of ideas thrust into a lengthy book. Not enough actual relationship development.
Still better than her contemporaries written around the same family.
Enjoyable enough. 3.5 stars rounded down.
The McKettricks:
Book 1 High Country Bride - Rafe McKettrick and Emmeline Harding
Book 2 Shotgun Bride - Kade McKettrick and Mandy Sperrin
Book 3 Secondhand Bride - Jeb Mckettrick and Chloe Wakefield
Book 4 McKettrick's Choice - Holt McKettrick and Lorelei Fellows
Book 5 Sierra's Homecoming - Sierra McKettrick and Travis Reid / Hannah McKettrick and Doss McKettrick
Book 6 McKettrick's Luck - Jesse McKettrick and Cheyenne Bridges
Book 7 McKettrick's Pride - Rance McKettrick and Echo Wells
Book 8 McKettrick's Heart - Keegan McKettrick and Molly Shields
Book 9 The McKettrick Way - Meg McKettrick and Brad O’Ballivan
Book 10 A McKettrick Christmas - Lizzie McKettrick and Dr. Morgan Shane
Book 11 Tate - Tate McKettrick and Libby Remington
Book 12 Garrett - Garrett McKettrick and Julie Remington
Book 13 Austin - Austin McKettrick and Paige Remington
Book 14 A Lawman's Christmas - Dara Rose Nolan and Clay McKettrick
Book 15 An Outlaw's Christmas - Sawyer McKettrick and Piper St. James
References:
Author's website: http://www.lindalaelmiller.com/books/...
(ISBN 9781742915876)
-CR-
First published: 2005
Length: 5252 kindle locations
Setting: Historical. 1888. Texas.
Sex: Explicit-ish. At the end.
Hero: Rancher. ex-Ranger.
Heroine: A woman with not a lot on her plate.
Paranormal: Ghosts.
A somewhat lengthy Wild West historical with not a huge amount that matters happening over a long period of time, and yet a book chockful of events. So much drama, so little point.
But none of this happens to Holt and Lorelei. In fact, their own, personal, histories are rarely touched upon. There is some implication that Holt's story and past travails (including the birth of Lizzie and his separation from Angus) are told in previous books. But all that means is it's missing now. They have no depth but are simply bit players on the frontier. When they eventually leave, no one will really care.
Lots of ideas thrust into a lengthy book. Not enough actual relationship development.
Still better than her contemporaries written around the same family.
Enjoyable enough. 3.5 stars rounded down.
The McKettricks:
Book 1 High Country Bride - Rafe McKettrick and Emmeline Harding
Book 2 Shotgun Bride - Kade McKettrick and Mandy Sperrin
Book 3 Secondhand Bride - Jeb Mckettrick and Chloe Wakefield
Book 4 McKettrick's Choice - Holt McKettrick and Lorelei Fellows
Book 5 Sierra's Homecoming - Sierra McKettrick and Travis Reid / Hannah McKettrick and Doss McKettrick
Book 6 McKettrick's Luck - Jesse McKettrick and Cheyenne Bridges
Book 7 McKettrick's Pride - Rance McKettrick and Echo Wells
Book 8 McKettrick's Heart - Keegan McKettrick and Molly Shields
Book 9 The McKettrick Way - Meg McKettrick and Brad O’Ballivan
Book 10 A McKettrick Christmas - Lizzie McKettrick and Dr. Morgan Shane
Book 11 Tate - Tate McKettrick and Libby Remington
Book 12 Garrett - Garrett McKettrick and Julie Remington
Book 13 Austin - Austin McKettrick and Paige Remington
Book 14 A Lawman's Christmas - Dara Rose Nolan and Clay McKettrick
Book 15 An Outlaw's Christmas - Sawyer McKettrick and Piper St. James
References:
Author's website: http://www.lindalaelmiller.com/books/...
(ISBN 9781742915876)
-CR-
October 27, 2013
Eu adorei essa história narrada no Velho Oeste Americano. Personagens valentes, vibrantes, com temperamentos forte e intensos, porém com um senso de solidariedade, de união familiar e de amor, incomuns nos dias atuais. Por várias páginas me vi cavalgando com esses texanos errantes, é uma miríade de emoções tomou conta dos meus pensamos enquanto eu acompanhei a trajetória de Lorelei, Holt e seus companheiros. A autora escreve tão bem, de uma forma envolvente e realista, que eu podia sentir o sol queimando a pele e a poeira embaçando os olhos, o cheiro dos animais e o do suor dos homens. A heroína é espirituosa, corajosamente insensata, obstinada. O herói é um típico cowboy, uma rocha, viril, um líder nato, protetor ao extremo. O amor entre Lorelei e Holt não é do tipo reconhecível à primeira vista, ele vai crescendo aos poucos, com a convivência, com a admiração pelas qualidades e defeitos um do outro. Como são teimosos, meu Deus, desperdiçaram tanto tempo lutando contra a força dos sentimentos que os uniam, mas confesso que me diverti com as brigas, e como brigam. Paralelo a isso, há muitas aventuras, uma narrativa cheia de acontecimentos, embalados com momentos tristes e felizes. Uma grata surpresa, essa autora entrou para o rol das minhas favoritas com esse livro.
December 23, 2013
McKettrick Cowboys 04
Escolha Do Destino
Linda Lael Miller
H.R. do Romance 82
2013
Sempre fico frustrada quando livros em série não sai em ordem, mas tudo bem, só espero que Harlequin lance os livros dos três irmãos de Holt.
Amei ler sobre os ancestrais de Sierra e Meg. E o velho e bom Angus que no futuro vai ser um fantasma, digamos um bom conselheiro de Meg.
Para quem gosta de livros sobre cowboys vai amar este livro, cheio de aventuras, emoções e algumas loucuras.
Não deixe de ler é muito bom, vai valer cada página lida.
ADORO!!!
RECOMENDADÍSSIMO!!!
Escolha Do Destino
Linda Lael Miller
H.R. do Romance 82
2013
Sempre fico frustrada quando livros em série não sai em ordem, mas tudo bem, só espero que Harlequin lance os livros dos três irmãos de Holt.
Amei ler sobre os ancestrais de Sierra e Meg. E o velho e bom Angus que no futuro vai ser um fantasma, digamos um bom conselheiro de Meg.
Para quem gosta de livros sobre cowboys vai amar este livro, cheio de aventuras, emoções e algumas loucuras.
Não deixe de ler é muito bom, vai valer cada página lida.
ADORO!!!
RECOMENDADÍSSIMO!!!
September 1, 2012
Seemed this book took me forever to get thru. Very slow moving for me, and no steam at all. Quite disappointed, as Holt had so much potential to be one hell of a sexy hero! Lorelei was very feisty and I loved her grit. There was too much "other stuff" going on besides the romance between the main characters for my taste. The little interaction that Holt and Lorelei did have in the book was good there just wasn't enough of it IMO.
February 19, 2009
A strong but sensitive hero and a spunky, independent, determined heroine in a satisfying romance set in Texas and Arizona in 1888. I will definately be looking for the other books in the McKettrick's series. Having met Holt's brothers and their wives, I'd like to read their stories.
March 4, 2010
The story was cute and predictable but about 3/4 of the way in you start to get annoyed with how slow things are progressing. Ended fine though. I liked the protrayal of what it would be like to drive cattle. Makes you feel like you were there which is what I liked.
June 10, 2022
Holt and Lorelei butted heads from the begging it was a long road for these two and Holt almost blew it. I cried though a lot of this book but what a great book
October 1, 2024
September Readathon
It was fine but not quite for me. Now, I love westerns and a sprawling yarn. And Miller can spin one. But this is the fourth of four--with more to follow--and not knowing the huge cast of characters or having already come to care about the hero because he's been featured in previous books is what you get for picking up a single volume from all that at a book sale with a shrug and a why not.
This is the first I've read of Miller. She's obviously prolific and I'd give it another go. But I'd actually work to start from the start, with something.
The leads' arc is fighting until suddenly they surrender and are in love. That works, sometimes for me works great, but in this the bickering got to be tiring. I wanted at least one step between always getting riled up at each other and then being in soft and devoted forever love.
The heroine spends more time getting to know the hero's brother than the hero. The hero isn't ever even jealous, he just resists and exists and is quite the archetype. And nearly a paragon of that, even though he's mule-headed, he's imperfect in the ways perfect desirable honorable western heroes are.
I don't mind a strong-willed and determined heroine. I can like one a lot. But she was made to choose the outlier and stubborn option or impulsive action so she and the hero could fight more or she could be rescued or she could "look" strong-willed and it started to erode her character, and a turns made her seem willfully stupid rather than determined.
The secondaries are all well drawn.
The language is almost too vernacular at times. But the prose is easygoing and the reading easy, so it didn't trip me up.
Characters were killed for a sense of loss and the hardships that just happened in the west, but no one vital. I wasn't sure about the portrayal of the Comanches, but from the vantage point of the main characters, we can say it worked.
A whole lot happens and then is tied up neatly in a short chapter and an epilogue. After hundreds of pages of sparring and surviving and a cattle drive, more of an ending would have been appreciated. I think some of it comes from this being the fourth, and capping the HEA that *everyone* got and will live. I think the rest is Miller likes writing action and scene and sense of place and has less patience for character and internal motivations.
Makes me wonder if that's different in standalone or less-entrenched books by her. If I find a standalone or the first in anything, I'll have to see lol.
It was fine but not quite for me. Now, I love westerns and a sprawling yarn. And Miller can spin one. But this is the fourth of four--with more to follow--and not knowing the huge cast of characters or having already come to care about the hero because he's been featured in previous books is what you get for picking up a single volume from all that at a book sale with a shrug and a why not.
This is the first I've read of Miller. She's obviously prolific and I'd give it another go. But I'd actually work to start from the start, with something.
The leads' arc is fighting until suddenly they surrender and are in love. That works, sometimes for me works great, but in this the bickering got to be tiring. I wanted at least one step between always getting riled up at each other and then being in soft and devoted forever love.
The heroine spends more time getting to know the hero's brother than the hero. The hero isn't ever even jealous, he just resists and exists and is quite the archetype. And nearly a paragon of that, even though he's mule-headed, he's imperfect in the ways perfect desirable honorable western heroes are.
I don't mind a strong-willed and determined heroine. I can like one a lot. But she was made to choose the outlier and stubborn option or impulsive action so she and the hero could fight more or she could be rescued or she could "look" strong-willed and it started to erode her character, and a turns made her seem willfully stupid rather than determined.
The secondaries are all well drawn.
The language is almost too vernacular at times. But the prose is easygoing and the reading easy, so it didn't trip me up.
Characters were killed for a sense of loss and the hardships that just happened in the west, but no one vital. I wasn't sure about the portrayal of the Comanches, but from the vantage point of the main characters, we can say it worked.
A whole lot happens and then is tied up neatly in a short chapter and an epilogue. After hundreds of pages of sparring and surviving and a cattle drive, more of an ending would have been appreciated. I think some of it comes from this being the fourth, and capping the HEA that *everyone* got and will live. I think the rest is Miller likes writing action and scene and sense of place and has less patience for character and internal motivations.
Makes me wonder if that's different in standalone or less-entrenched books by her. If I find a standalone or the first in anything, I'll have to see lol.
November 8, 2023
As the book jacket says, this is Holt McKettrick and Lorelei Fellows' story. The fourth in the original series. If you've read the first three books, then you're aware that Holt is half brother to Rafe, Kade, and Jeb by being the first born son to Angus and his first wife - who died shortly after Holt was born in Texas.
Holt was first introduced in Rafe and Emmeline's story as having met Emmeline in Kansas City before she signs up to be Rafe's mail order bride. Holt also plays a role in Jeb and Chloe's book by hiring Chloe to teach his 10 year old daughter on weekends at his Circle C ranch in the Arizona Territory.
In this book, the reader finds out more about Holt's upbringing, the time he spent being a Texas Ranger, and his overall general character through the introduction of his friends Gabe Navarro, John Cavanagh, Tillie Cavanagh, Frank Corrales, and Captain Jack Walton.
Lorelei is 29, the daughter of an unscrupulous judge, has lived a cushy life in San Antonio, never ridden a horse, cooked, handled a gun, or performed any real hard work on her own. But she wants to learn. She's stubborn and obstinate, but also driven to show she can and will stand on her own without needing to marry a man. Then she meets Holt.
To me, this was a 3.5 star read but I rounded up. While I liked that Rafe had a large role in the story when he joined Holt in Texas, and enjoyed Cap'n Jack's antics with all of the poker "advice" for Lorelei, there were parts in the book that drug out unnecessarily. And the ending felt rushed. It seemed like more happened in the last three chapters before the epilogue than the time everyone spent traveling to Reynosa to purchase cattle.
It's not a bad series and I plan to read the fifth book. However, I still think Kade and Mandy's story is the best of the four so far.
Holt was first introduced in Rafe and Emmeline's story as having met Emmeline in Kansas City before she signs up to be Rafe's mail order bride. Holt also plays a role in Jeb and Chloe's book by hiring Chloe to teach his 10 year old daughter on weekends at his Circle C ranch in the Arizona Territory.
In this book, the reader finds out more about Holt's upbringing, the time he spent being a Texas Ranger, and his overall general character through the introduction of his friends Gabe Navarro, John Cavanagh, Tillie Cavanagh, Frank Corrales, and Captain Jack Walton.
Lorelei is 29, the daughter of an unscrupulous judge, has lived a cushy life in San Antonio, never ridden a horse, cooked, handled a gun, or performed any real hard work on her own. But she wants to learn. She's stubborn and obstinate, but also driven to show she can and will stand on her own without needing to marry a man. Then she meets Holt.
To me, this was a 3.5 star read but I rounded up. While I liked that Rafe had a large role in the story when he joined Holt in Texas, and enjoyed Cap'n Jack's antics with all of the poker "advice" for Lorelei, there were parts in the book that drug out unnecessarily. And the ending felt rushed. It seemed like more happened in the last three chapters before the epilogue than the time everyone spent traveling to Reynosa to purchase cattle.
It's not a bad series and I plan to read the fifth book. However, I still think Kade and Mandy's story is the best of the four so far.
May 13, 2017
I wanted to try a romance novel. So I picked a popular author. This book was on the NY times best seller list for a while, so I decided to read this one.
I am not sure that I would read all the books of this series, as I am wont to do for series.
There was a strange dynamic with the characters, in particular between the leads. Others seemed to see their connection before they did. All their emotions were externalized, and yet they could not help themselves. The draw is the excitement, the sexuality and the desire to be wanted. Is this what romance is supposed to be? Of course the choice was built up towards the end so that everything else, even the minority friend's life in danger was but a side story.
Miller chooses a time that is not too far away and yet still relatively distant so that cowboys had to be real instead of something whose time has passed. This nostalgia works to remind us that men have skills to be men -- whereas women cannot. The heroine's choice is to accept her late lot in life. She awoke to see her life as a woman as a cage yet in the end she accepts submission, for it is the man who must act. He sets her free, and then asks for her hand while she is independent. I think that is the gesture, the acknowledgement that is most romantic -- she gets to say YES and NO without consequence so that she is free to truly choose.
Miller's writing is pretty unobtrusive. It's easy to read, and clear as far as what is happening. The side characters are really all just foils for the main characters though. Their purpose is to realize who they are and to embrace their vulnerability in the arms of their toughest critic.
I don't really understand this genre, so maybe I will read some more of it.
I am not sure that I would read all the books of this series, as I am wont to do for series.
There was a strange dynamic with the characters, in particular between the leads. Others seemed to see their connection before they did. All their emotions were externalized, and yet they could not help themselves. The draw is the excitement, the sexuality and the desire to be wanted. Is this what romance is supposed to be? Of course the choice was built up towards the end so that everything else, even the minority friend's life in danger was but a side story.
Miller chooses a time that is not too far away and yet still relatively distant so that cowboys had to be real instead of something whose time has passed. This nostalgia works to remind us that men have skills to be men -- whereas women cannot. The heroine's choice is to accept her late lot in life. She awoke to see her life as a woman as a cage yet in the end she accepts submission, for it is the man who must act. He sets her free, and then asks for her hand while she is independent. I think that is the gesture, the acknowledgement that is most romantic -- she gets to say YES and NO without consequence so that she is free to truly choose.
Miller's writing is pretty unobtrusive. It's easy to read, and clear as far as what is happening. The side characters are really all just foils for the main characters though. Their purpose is to realize who they are and to embrace their vulnerability in the arms of their toughest critic.
I don't really understand this genre, so maybe I will read some more of it.
December 20, 2017
Another great book by Linda Leo Miller. I really enjoyed the continuation of the McKettrick series and getting to know the spirited Lorelei. There are times I think I wouldn’t be half as strong as she but there are other times I also believe I probably wouldn’t be half as foolish. But I guess nothing ventured nothing gained and after all this is a fictional story so it’s not like there are a whole lot of consequences. Anyway the plot was very well done as well as the character development. There were some things that I was surprised about but others that I took it in stride. Obviously I don’t want to spoil anything so I’m not going to be more specific. I will say that I did think that the judge was severely lacking in parental skill and I felt very sorry for his family. A lot happened in the story was both long and well written. But as I said I don’t want to spoil anything so I’ll leave it there. Definitely a worthy continuation of the series and worth reading.
January 1, 2019
McKettricks Choice
By Linda Lael Miller
Want to be swept away in a western?-this is the one. With two main characters that are strong, stubborn and sexy you cannot go wrong. The plot is classic and even though it is a well worn one that is familiar it makes the protagonists and their dialogue shine. Although I only read a Miller once every couple years, I am never disappointed because she is a talented writer that can infuse newness in the banter and brashness of the spoken word.
Women were physically tougher then and the distinctions between genders more distinct. It is enjoyable to renew a perspective of how we have changed in a century and I wonder how we will be portrayed by our modern-day strengths by future authors. What characteristics will be spotlighted per gender or will the struggles between people and the land feature at all?
The pattern may be broken and this new year may bring another Miller novel across my hands.
By Linda Lael Miller
Want to be swept away in a western?-this is the one. With two main characters that are strong, stubborn and sexy you cannot go wrong. The plot is classic and even though it is a well worn one that is familiar it makes the protagonists and their dialogue shine. Although I only read a Miller once every couple years, I am never disappointed because she is a talented writer that can infuse newness in the banter and brashness of the spoken word.
Women were physically tougher then and the distinctions between genders more distinct. It is enjoyable to renew a perspective of how we have changed in a century and I wonder how we will be portrayed by our modern-day strengths by future authors. What characteristics will be spotlighted per gender or will the struggles between people and the land feature at all?
The pattern may be broken and this new year may bring another Miller novel across my hands.
July 5, 2017
Holt Cavanaugh/McKettricks and Lorelei
I am so glad that Holt got a HEA with the right kind of woman instead of a mail order bride. He returned to Texas when a messenger came in with news that his foster father was in trouble, a fellow Texas Ranger was in jail and he needed his help. The way Lorelei introduces herself onto the scene in San Antonio was priceless. Meeting John and Tillie all brought it together for me to see how Holt turned himself around. The author wrote a wonderful story line with villains, spies and a romance. I am happy now that the family has come back together again in Arizona.
I am so glad that Holt got a HEA with the right kind of woman instead of a mail order bride. He returned to Texas when a messenger came in with news that his foster father was in trouble, a fellow Texas Ranger was in jail and he needed his help. The way Lorelei introduces herself onto the scene in San Antonio was priceless. Meeting John and Tillie all brought it together for me to see how Holt turned himself around. The author wrote a wonderful story line with villains, spies and a romance. I am happy now that the family has come back together again in Arizona.
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