Harrison Ranch -Callie St. Michaels, an orphan from New York, felt her only hope for the future was to leave her sous chef position in St Louis. Finding a job as cook for a group of ranch hands in Sweetwater, Kansas, seemed both prophetic and serendipitous. Everyone is happy with the outcome except for one man – Seth Harrison, the owner of the ranch and Callie’s employer. Seth isn’t sure why, but … but he feels uncomfortable around the young woman his attorney hired as the ranch hands’ cook. She hasn’t said anything improper, or is unable to do the work required, or is off-putting in any manner. In fact, she is well liked by all the other employees. So why does he get so unsettled around her?Macgregor Brother’s Mail Order Bride – Mac, the oldest of the Macgregor family finds himself in need of a wife. His younger brothers have graduated university and at thirty-three he feels it time to marry and raise his own children on his ranch outside Sweetwater, Kansas. Answering the ad from a mail-order-bride, he is prepared for anything the young widow brings to the table. Mavis Miller is frightened of the large man meant to be her husband. Her friend, Emily Johnston, tries to help the couple find a balance. Although Mavis tries to meet the man half-way, she can’t get over feeling their relationship is doomed. Especially when stronger desires pull her in another direction leaving Emily to tell Mac there won’t be a wedding. His response? “Somebody owes me a wife!”
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This is a 2 book compilation that I enjoyed reading although I did enjoy the first more than the second.
Harrison ranch is a sweet story about a young single woman who leaves the city to become a cook on a horse ranch out West. Although sweet, this also has some surprisingly steamy scenes. I liked the characters, I liked the physical descriptions of everything but felt the story could use a more aggressive editing. One character’s name kept flipping from Ben to Ken. Editing should have caught the word “taught” for “taut”. I also felt that there were inconsistencies in Callie’s knowledge and lack thereof regarding the intimacies of marriage. I liked following Seth’s emotional growth but felt there was no transition between his questioning of what is love and then he was in love.
The second book was only ok for me. There were 2 romances going on but I found it difficult to follow whose voice was speaking. There seemed to be some scenes that didn’t seem believable for the time period. And while Mavis was noble with her convictions, I felt she was too dogmatic.
I received a free copy from Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.
There is two separate stories in this book.
The first one was ok. I loved Sully and Jamie they both had the biggest hearts and would do just about anything for anyone. I like Callie she was fierce and took chance and was super independent. I was not a fan of Seth he came off like a jerk and arrogant and he didn’t seem to truly care for Callie he just didn’t want anyone else to have her.
In book two I felt like there was too much going on and in the beginning and it was hard to figure out who was the person talking and who was what. This story was very predictable. You do follow four people, you have Jamie, Mac, Mavis and Emily. I did like Emily she was a pretty strong headed person and would do anything for those she loved and cared for. I felt like with Mac he was more of a “caveman” type guy and I seem to roll my eyes with him then anything. Jamie was fun but immature. Over all both stories were ok. Both stories did have sexual content in them so it may not be suitable for all readers. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
With Harrison Ranch Susan Payne offers readers who grew up on early Harlequin romances a blast from the past. This is a simple and delicious romance between two people who deserve all the good things in life. The addition of the mouth-watering recipes is an extra added touch. Do not miss this one!
In book 2 Macgregor’s Mail Order Bride, author Payne created two female charactors who find themselves at a crossroads as they travel to Sweetwater Kansas in response to an ad for mail order brides. One problem: the women connect emotionally to different men than originally intended. Author Payne cleverly works things out to everyone’s satisfaction. A winner all around!
Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews