The McClintock Proposal

by Carol Ericson

The moment Rod McClintock spots the disheveled bride on the side of the road, he knows life is about to become a lot more complicated. Callie Price is on the run and in need of his protection. She's also the answer to his financial woes, if they're both willing to say "I do."

A marriage of convenience is Callie's sole shot at inheriting the ranch that'll help her rebuild her life. All she needs is a husband in name only. Her smoldering cowboy rescuer fits the role perfectly. Too perfectly. As they struggle to escape a killer's obsession, peril and passion tie them together. And before long, someone is putting "till death do us part" to the ultimate test....

Genres: Romance, Harlequin, Romantic Suspense

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Best-selling, award-winning romance author, Carol Ericson, has written more than 65 books, mostly romantic suspense for Harlequin Intrigue. Also indie pubbed, Carol is working on a spicy popstar romcom series about five members of a boyband. A California girl and graduate of UCLA, Carol lives near the beach with her husband and their giant dog. For more information about Carol’s books, please visit her website at www.authorcarolericson.com and follow her on Instagram @author.carol.ericson

Reviews

[Jacqueline J · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was going to rate as perhaps 4 stars. I'm ending up giving it 2-1/2 stars. The ending absolutely sucked. I really liked the story of the runaway bride being rescued on the side of the road by a chivalrous cowboy. I liked their interaction and how he was so protective and she sucked it up because she had basically been on her own all her life since her parents were total losers. I could even accept that she had just inherited the ranch right next to his and they both got married not knowing this. Interesting twist. Some amusing moments as they sort that out.

But then... she turned out to be the half sister (unbeknownst to her) of the wife of her new husband's brother. Not so fun with the coincidences now. The bad guy turns out to be a woman who was the natural mother of the little boy the heroine is trying to adopt. She was a major drug runner who had thrown the little boy in the dumpster at 5 months old. Now it's 5 years later and she wants him back. I just don't buy it at all. First how can she know this is her son? Did she put his birth certificate in the dumpster too? The child welfare people would not have known who he was. I don't think she could have found out and I absolutely don't think she'd want him back suddenly after 5 years.

At the end Nicky, the drug dealer, kipnaps the boy Jesse. There's this very weird scene where she threatens the heroine Callie with a gun. It goes off then the hero Rod tackles her and tries to get her gun away. Then suddenly Nicky is dead and the hero is saying he had to shoot her because she was going to throw a knife at Callie. WTF? How did she manage to get a knife out while struggling with a big cowboy over a gun? And how did he think that she could possibly throw a knife accurately from underneath him on the ground and that shooting her point blank was the answer instead of just pinning her knife arm down?

Then suddenly there is an epilogue, happy ever after. Wait a minute! I say! No one told anyone else that they loved them. That's right folks. The author totally skipped the payoff. Why do I read romances? For that moment when they admit to each other that this is it, the real deal, love, love, kissy face. Can't live without you. But nada, zip, zilch.

So in the epilogue, they have a second wedding. He says I love you as they kiss. Fine time to find out I say. Then there's a paragraph of crap about Nicky and how the half sister's kid is pyschic and the introduction of a half brother to the hero who is coming to have his own book next.

[Jennifer Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I was waiting and wondering what woman would be able to lasso Rod's heart. It was worth the wait. I always look forward to Carol's books. :-)

[Linda Klages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book - will read more from this author.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

HI #1231 = 3.5 stars

[Patricia Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of callie who runs out just before her wedding.Jumps on a dirt bike and when it runs out of gas she meets rod the cowboy.They get married so she can inherit her grandfathers farm to pay off her fathers gambling debt.When she tells her new husband where to go he finds out that her grandfathers ranch is the next property from his.the story ends with some things we never imaged.A new sister a treasure hunt and a surprise ending.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than I expected. I absolutely loved Rod! A little less mystery in this book, but that was ok because I liked the characters so much. Can't wait to go and read more of these. Expect you know I have a pile of other books to finish first.:(

[Angi Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent Knight in Shining armour story. Carol Ericson stays true to her characters and excellent writing skills. Exciting. Thoughtful. Great read.

[Demetra Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

an ok silhoute romance