Gayle CallenCritiques

Romance

so boring.

Every Scandalous Secret was such an interersting read and I think I had higher hopes going into this one. I also think I just wasn't in the best of moods to read this one so I do think this was a "me" issue in some respects. I did find the set up to be so fascinating. I loved the whole set up of the hero on a bet with his friends thinking the heroine is the model of an infamous nude painting. It definitely screams secrets and scandals. I found the chemistry and bantering to be so intriguing and I became so intrigued by their interactions. There is a bit of marriage of convenience when they get caught in a scandalous embrace. Its been a while since I have read this set up in a historical, authors tend to not write this like they used to and I really loved seeing it. I do want to read the last of the trilogy though as I was charmed by this book even though it felt like a super slow read!

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Introduction
The Groom Wore Plaid is the second book in the "Highland Weddings" and I was intrigued to pick this author up as its been a long while since I have read this author but I have to say I ADORED this one so completely. It has been so long since I had read this author that I had forgotten how charming and delightful her writing is. There was such top notch banter between our main protagonists and it was just plain good fun to see them interact. We have some interesting tropes that come together in this one as well as a unique time era that we normally don't see in recently published historical romance as this is mid 1700's Scotland. I just loved the way that discussed Jacobite rebellion and the fight for Scotland's independence from England.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Owen Duff
-Highland Laird
-Alphamellow
-Strong
-Capable Leader

The Heroine: Maggie McCallum
-Has dreams/visions of events in the future
-betrothed to Owen
-Family is enemy to the Duff's

Summary
Maggie and Owen were once friends when they were younger and there was a young love that was building between them, but Owen was engaged to marry, but when Maggie has a vision of his fiancee dying, he didn't believe her and she ended up dead. Now its been more than a decade later, and to bring peace to their families and clan, they honor the agreement that was originally made between their families. Owen is determined to make this work, but when Maggie has a dream of Owen being mortally injured on their wedding day, she is determined to make sure that this doesn't come true. But as Maggie and Owen's wills clash, so does the love they feel for each other, but who will win in the end?

My Outlook
The Groom Wore Plaid was such a delightful story and I honestly had such love for this one. It was such a delight to read and I absolutely enjoyed every single moment of this one here. It was so enjoyable to read. And seeing the way that the author implemented the humor was such so much fun to read. There is something in the writing style of Gayle Callen that is just so endearing and addictive. From the first chapter, you are immediately swept up in the story and in the romance. The way that these two banter was so fun. Seeing the way that Owen and Maggie compete with each other was intriguing, you can see as the story builds, how much they are attracted to each other and how their feelings for each other are growing.

Gayle Callen really implemented some unique elements to the story line that added some edge to it. We do have a villain here, which might be predictable. I saw it coming a bit, but I don't think its obvious so it might surprise you in the end. I did feel like the ending was a bit anticlimatic though. But I enjoyed seeing how the dream of Maggie get resolved in the end and the turnout of the ending really satisfied the story overall. There is some angst between the families and I felt like that was well played out. I do think fans of highlander romances, will become endeared to this one.

Overall View
I found The Groom Wore Plaid to be such a talented and tasteful romance that implements elements of danger, intrigue and passion well balanced all the way throughout and leaves the reader fully satisfied!

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 4.5
World Building: 4
Cover: 5
Hero: 4
Heroine: 4
Steam: 4
Heart & Feels: 4
Ending:3.5
Overall View: 4

This was a short and sweet second chance story. Steph is a young widow who lost her husband in a terrible skiing accident. Her recovery from the loss has been slow, as she believes the accident was her fault. She stays busy by working at the bakery she co-owns with her sister and helping the local widows' group raise the funds to save an historic schoolhouse. She's not looking for a new relationship; she believes she's had her one shot at love.

Jeremy grew up in Valentine Valley and returned after he finished medical school to replace the retiring town doctor. He remembers Steph - first as his best friend's bratty little sister, then as the widow of the man he was too late to save during an avalanche.

I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Steph and Jeremy. He's noticed her more as a woman in the last few months, to the point where he refuses to accept her as a patient. He'd rather date her than doctor her but his own guilty feelings keep him from pushing the issue. Fortunately for them, the local widows' group also has matchmaking tendencies. They push Steph and Jeremy into working together to solve a mystery involving the town's historic schoolhouse. As they spend time together, each shares their memories of that terrible day, clearing the way for healing to begin.

I loved following their search for the schoolhouse's past. Along the way they discover that Jeremy's family has a connection to the schoolhouse. They uncover a secret that piques their interest. If it is true, it could mean a big change for the town. I loved what they found, what they did with it, and the stunning surprise that awaited them. The ending was sweet and I look forward to seeing more of them in future books.

#netgalley

Oddly engaging, but not gripping plot. Somewhat surprise ending that comes with not nearly enough explanation.

There was one thing I wasn't keen on towards the end: the heroine, upon realizing she loved the hero, commits to proving to the hero that they should marry. This sudden confidence in herself and their "relationship" felt at odds with the previously insecure, spinster heroine. Otherwise, a nice spinster/rake romance. (3.5 stars)

This book felt sort of dumbed down, every single thing was spelled out in case anyone might not be following along. There's no need to assess the characters for yourself, Callen will tell you what you should be thinking... Just lots of telling when she should be showing really. No subtlety, no nuance, nothing especially interesting or creative. Lots of awfully convenient but highly unlikely events. I thought perhaps it was her first attempt at writing a historical romance, but no, she's written many of them, this is just how she chooses to write I guess. I really expected to give this book two stars for all the above reasons, (and at the start I was definitely just slogging through), but it ended up in a sort of simple entertainment by the end that I enjoyed more than I was bothered by the problems, so I'm rounding up to three stars.

Maggie and Owen. We were introduced to these 2 in book 1 of the series and this book continues their story. They plan to marry to fulfill the contract but there was a hint that they have met previously and have sort sort of history together.
It is a good story, she has dreams of future events and he is a scientist so has no time for fantasy. An interesting twist to a week travelled story-line.

A good story. I liked it, you felt for the poor 'wrong bride' kidnapped, impossible situation, how can she prove who she is?
When certain things happened I thought the ending was obvious and it took the characters a lot longer to figure it out.

True Love at Silver Creek Ranch, the second installment in Emma Cane’s Valentine Valley series, is a sweet romance with engaging and likeable characters. Strong family ties and a small town setting add to this delightful novel’s appeal. To read my review in its entirety, please click HERE.

Great read...Full review to come.

Good beginning and nice ending. Over half of the book was the heroine's conflict over being attracted to the hero and not wanting to be and the hero trying not to touch her but usually failing.
On the plus side, no evil villain kidnapping the heroine and no slutty villainess/former mistress after the hero. Overall, three stars is a little generous, but the hero was great.

To mature consists of a never ending cycle of wisdom, self -discovery and learning from past events that shape those to come. Reading At Fairfield Orchard felt like perusing a family album and taking a stroll down memory lane. That sense of connection with the main characters felt that realistic and deep. Emma Cane shared one woman's journey into the complicated territory of facing the good, bad and heartbreaking. Growth never stops no matter the age, but the benefit of the lessons learned are the ability to impart our knowledge to the people we love and gain a better understanding from what long gone ancestors have left behind. I could practically feel the emotion radiating off the pages.

There was one thing I wasn't keen on towards the end: the heroine, upon realizing she loved the hero, commits to proving to the hero that they should marry. This sudden confidence in herself and their "relationship" felt at odds with the previously insecure, spinster heroine. Otherwise, a nice spinster/rake romance. (3.5 stars)

I love this series!

I must say all three stories were very entertaining to read and I liked them all equally. They were well written, plotted and had a fast pace so I didn’t have a chance to be bored.

All were different in plot so that helped, but one thing they all had in common besides romance, was hot dudes in chaps. Now how can you pass up on that?!

The Christmas Cabin by Emma Cane

This story is all about making lemonade when life dumps you a lot of lemons.

Everything in this story worked for me, from the plot to the wonderful characters such as Sandy and her little boy, to Doug who needed them s much as they needed him.

This story will make you stop and appreciate the simple things in your own life that you may have taken for granted.

Can’t Wait by Jennifer Ryan

This was a fun and frustrating story. Many times I wanted to pull a Cher [from Moonstruck] and slap Caleb, telling him ‘SNAP OUT OF IT’!

You see, Summer loves him to pieces, but for some reason this Dude is not allowing himself to love her because she’s his best friend’s sister.

Once she breaks down his defenses, we’re in for a treat and a love story that is sweet, poignant and entertaining.

Baby It’s Cold Outside by Katie Lane

I like this author and I think she can write comedy very well. Honestly, I think some of her stories are better written than those Hallmark movies!

If you want to find out what happens when Alana finds that ‘perfect’ man online, you need to read this story.

She acts impulsively by wanting to surprise him for Christmas, and instead gets stuck with a hot cowboy and can’t keep her hands to herself.

All three stories are different in plot and feel, but all of them have one thing in common-a cowboy who’ll make their dreams come true! Now, how can I not like that?!

*Melanie for b2b.

*Books provided by the authors and publishers through NetGalley.

As book blurbs go, the above one is just perfect in setting up this story of redemption, respect and love.

Ms. Callen gave a wonderful characterization of two very strong people who knew what they wanted out of life very early on in their lives. Both had carried much of the baggage passed on to them from their respective parents and were determined never to repeat the mistakes their parents made, and in doing so made sure to stay away from situations that would have them merry.

At eighteen, Lord Michael Blackthorne enlisted in the army and was shipped out to India because his father had insisted he marry for the wrong reasons. Going against the wishes of the man he had no respect for, young Michael vowed to advance himself not by purchasing his commission but by hard work and sheer determination to prove to his family that he is a man of honor. While there he meets our heroine’s father who takes him under his wing and teaches him to become that man.

Cecilia Mallory had a good childhood even though it was visited with some tragedy that had profoundly altered the course of her life. As a very impressionable girl, she was forced by her mother to do some things that made her ....for the rest of my review, I thank you so much for popping over to b2b.....

http://bookworm2bookworm.wordpress.com/2013/01/23/return-of-the-viscount-by-gayl...

Melanie for b2b

*Book provided by AVON through EDELWEISS.

This second book of the Brides of Redemption trilogy in which three friends and soldiers who are returning to England from India in a need of redemption after an incident that all three were involved, we watch Robert Henslow, Earl of Knightsbridge meet his true love.

I loved the first story, ‘Return of the Viscount’ [my review is here] and I was really looking forward to this one.

You know how some books lean more to either heroes or heroines, meaning we have more of a character development of one and not enough of the other? Well in this one I ....thanks for jumping to b2b to finish reading my review...

http://bookworm2bookworm.wordpress.com/2014/04/24/surrender-to-the-earl-by-gayle...

Melanie for b2b

Complimentary copy from the publisher

I very much enjoy Emma Cane's books. They are so easy to get into and she has great characters.

At Fairfield Orchard is the first in a new series from Cane. I was a little worried about starting something new with her because I loved her Valentine Valley series so much, but I'm happy to report that I really liked this new series.

You will really love the characters in the story. Or at least the ones you've met so far and there had been a lot of them. Up first you have Amy Fairfield & Jonathan Gebhart. You'll love Jonathan, he's the perfect geek.

Both Amy and Jonathan have some baggage they are dealing with. Amy doesn't handle her's as well as Jonathan does. She had a ton of trouble moving forward. Poor Jonathan takes one step forward with her and four steps back without her.

I do like all the ideas that Amy comes up with for her her family Orchard. Every year my whole family, or almost all of them (the important ones) go apple picking. The place we go to doesn't really have a tasting room like this, (I really wish they did) but they make the best donuts so....

I also enjoyed the history part of the book. It really ties the story together. As a whole the story is a very good one.

Reviewed for Romancing the Readers Blog:
http://romancingthereaders.blogspot.com/2016/09/review-giveaway-at-fairfield-orc...

Romancing the Readers Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/RomancingTheReaders/

ARC received for a honest review

So I do love a good cowboy story and this book is no exception. This book has everything in it to make me smile, a woman who needs to rediscover herself, a rancher who wants to help, an undeniable attraction, a Wild West weekend and outrageous costumes.
This book is not full length but a novella. Please don't let that dissuade you though! Emma Cane has written this book so well, it fills full length. There are no gaping holes in the plot line and no stupid ridiculousness that would make it cringe worthy! The leads don't declare themselves head over heels in love with each other after knowing each other for 5 minutes.
So Amanda's character in the beginning comes across as a little harsh, but that impression very quickly goes away and you are left feeling heartbroken for the trauma she went through. Then we move on to Mason and you instantly feel terrible for the hand he has been dealt, but then his strength and determination shines through and you can't help to smile and cheer him on. But the characters that most made me laugh and giggle we the widows! Oh my word! They were just fantastic!
So in a nutshell it’s a wonderfully sweet romance and a story of strength and courage! And so after going through all of that I give this book 9 out of 10

I messed up on this book and it's totally my fault. I meant to read [b:The Wrong Bride|24805344|The Wrong Bride (Highland Weddings, #1)|Gayle Callen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1428365224s/24805344.jpg|44443721] before I got around to [b:The Groom Wore Plaid|25654615|The Groom Wore Plaid (Highland Weddings, #2)|Gayle Callen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1448831476s/25654615.jpg|45475913]... but I totally forgot and then I was crunched for time and couldn't fit it into my schedule. I urge everyone to read the books in the correct order b/c this 2nd installment of the Highland Weddings series is a sequel to the first book. There were many references to things you would probably know if you did things properly... unlike my sorry self. I was kicking myself as I read, believe me.

Our H/h in this story are members of feuding clans who have decided to marry to end the conflict between their people. This peace-keeping marriage was supposed to happen with different clan members, namely Hugh McCallum and Catriona Duff. However, if/when you read that first book, you will know things went awry, and now Maggie and Owen are on the hook to carry out the marriage contract.

Maggie McCallum has always held herself apart from others, afraid of being labeled a witch if people were to learn of her prophetic dreams. People already make signs to ward off evil when they see her two different colored eyes. Maggie starts having second thoughts about the impending marriage after she has a dream about Owen's death, and she starts trying to push Owen away in the silliest ways. I felt sorry for Maggie being seen as an enemy in her future home, but she held her head high and persevered.

Owen Duff is not the typical highland hero; he does not come off as an alpha male warrior. Instead, Owen's interests have always been more focused on scientific pursuits. He likes astronomy, inventions and modern conveniences of the time. His father hid him away in London during the 1715 Rising, so now that he is back he feels he must prove himself as a worthy chieftain to his people. While Owen is reacquainting himself with Highland customs such as swimming the loch, wrestling and target shooting, he is also trying to woo a reluctant Maggie.

The courtship between Maggie and Owen was contemptuous. Owen doesn't believe that Maggie is a seer, and Maggie is determined to find a way out of the marriage contract. Owen is kissing and Maggie is sniping. So there was lots and lots of drama. While I liked each of the characters individually, the disdain between them was sometimes grating. Once Maggie cools her jets and decides to stop working against Owen, things were much better.

The plot to stop the marriage was interesting and laid out well. I had my suspicions about the culprit, but it wasn't glaringly obvious so I enjoyed unraveling the mystery as I read. I would have liked to see the motive explored a little more because it seemed to be a tad glossed over.

Overall, this was an enjoyable story with a good amount of steam for a historical. I think I would have been more engaged had I not forgot to read the first book. I received an advanced copy of this book from Avon via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. 3.5 stars / 3 flames.

This was my first book by Ms. Callen. One of my friends actually told me about this romance book where the hero was blind. I was like "WHAT? I have never heard of such a thing, I must read this" and so I did. I was not disappointed but I don't think the book reached all the potential it could have gotten to.

I think this is more of a "traditional romance romance" where the book follows some sort of invisible romance novel rules I know nothing about because with the title of this book I was expecting much more salacious. I also think the "conflict" in this book was so easily resolved it wasn't funny, I wish the drama could have been more dramatic.

I loved the characters though, to include the Dowager Countess. She is a sweet old women and she makes me smile through the whole book. I also adored Simon, as I am sure everyone else did.

I really loved this story!! Town pub owner Tony DeLuca never thought he would live in the same city as his ex until she shows up in Valentine. When they divorced eight years ago his heart was in shreds but he's over her now. At least he thinks he is.......

This is a great addition to the series and I highly recommend it to everyone!

Great story of two drifting souls finding each other at the right time. She's hiding out after a scandalous exit from her high powered job in DC. He's using everything he has to save the family ranch, including is public image. Can she find a way to deal with the attention and give love a chance. Very enjoyable read, I recommend this one.