ARC Book Review-The Groom Says Yes by Cathy Maxwell

The Groom Says Yes
The Brides of Wishmore (3)
Cathy Maxwell
Avon Books
E Book
Acquired: Edelweiss
Published September 2013
384 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN:  9780062219305
Authors Website 

Synopsis
New York Times bestselling author Cathy Maxwell continues her dazzling series, The Brides of Wishmore…

He had a noose around his neck and a price on his head…

Sabrina Davidson, dutiful daughter, avowed spinster, thought she’d secured a place for herself in Aberfeldy society—until her hard-earned acceptance of her fate is challenged by the arrival of Cormac Enright, Earl of Ballin, trained physician, soldier of fortune, and convicted felon.

A prim and proper miss was the last thing he needed…

Mac is determined to clear his name, but first he has to find the man whose testimony sentenced him to a hangman’s noose. Of course, Robert Davidson is missing and protecting Mac is Davidson’s daughter, the most entrancing, frustrating, beguiling, stubborn woman Mac has ever met.

And it doesn’t help that he has already tasted her kisses. Or that he has found in her a passion for life and adventure to rival his own.

Mac has turned Sabrina’s world inside out—but what will happen when he leaves?

Or will the Groom Say Yes

My Review

I received a ARC from Avon Book and Edelweiss in return for a honest review. 

Mac, finds himself in jail, and sentenced to be hanged for a crime he didnt’ commit…murder. But then he is aided to escape and even though he could leave the country and start a new life he just wants to be cleared of all charges and find the real murderer. And he has a name, the name of the man who bore testimony against him in court, Robert Davidson. So Mac goes in searching for Davidson, in wanting justice and a dose of honesty from the man. Sabrina Davidson, has been a loyal daughter, after years of taking care of her mother who was a invalid, and now two years have passed since she has lost her mother. Her father she rarely sees, but she care for dearly. When walking home, she comes upon a man that is close to death, and so she brings him home and helps aid him in healing. When he awakens though, she learns of some startling truths that come revealed, truths that lead back to her father and uncle, and soon Sabrina will have to choose between the duty to her family or the man she loves….

The Groom Says Yes is the third book in the series by Cathy Maxwell. This author has been one of my favorites in the past, but lately her books haven’t really stirred me lately. So I was a bit apprehensive upon reading this one, however after reading it, even though it doesn’t have the full spark of her past books, I did see parts of it. The story itself has a solid plot that is full of mystery and intrigue and has some twists and turns to keep you guessing. However I felt like there were sections of the story that didn’t really feel like I could connect with. The romance between Mac and Sabrina wasn’t really there until the last part of the book, which was a bit disappointing. It didn’t take me too long to read this story, however I did feel like through some portions of the book I had to force myself to continue. Then there were other sections that I couldn’t get through fast enough. So the pacing of the story wasn’t steady and constant, there were definitely bumps here and there, but I did enjoy reading this one, especially the later half of the story.

The characters in this one were very interesting. Mac is a Irish nobleman, and is wrongly accused and he is determined to find the real murderer, no matter what happens to him. He is strong and enjoys life, he doesn’t hold anything back, but he is also caring and understanding. Sabrina, well I liked her a bit. I feel like she could have had more backbone, she does eventually show it, but I felt like her character was a bit whiny, I liked her in the end, but didn’t love her. They do seem like a good pair, and I did find myself  enjoying the style of the story and the way they slowly unravel. The mystery in the story is pretty wonderful and really surprised me in the end. It is what really kept me fully invested in the story, and you see how Mac and Sabrina work well and fight well together.

A romantic tale of intrigue, danger, mystery and passion. A story that will tie you up in knots, and keep you going. A SATISFYING ROMANCE!!

My Grade 
3.5 Blossoms

Heat Rating
Warm

Other Books In Series 
The Bride Say No
The Bride Says Maybe

ARC Book Review-The Bride Says Maybe

The Bride Says Maybe
Brides Of Wishmore (2)
Cathy Maxwell
Avon Books
E Book
Published February 2014
384 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN:  9780062219275
Authors Website 

Synopsis 
What happens when a bride says maybe?

She’d once been the toast of London, but now scandal has brought her down. Still, pretty, petted Lady Tara Davidson can’t believe her new fate. She had wanted to marry for love . . . but her profligate father has promised her hand to none other than Breccan Campbell, the “Beast of Aberfeldy” and laird of the valley’s most despised clan! Well, Tara may have to marry him, but Breccan can’t make her love him—can he?

What happens when the groom insists?

Breccan Campbell is nobody’s fool. He knows that Tara is trouble. Yet he’s determined to reform the Campbell name even if it means forging an alliance with the arrogant beauty. There’s no doubt that Tara is a challenge, and Breccan loves nothing more. For he’s vowed to thoroughly seduce Tara—and make her his in more than name alone.

My Review

Lady Tara, has just lost the love of her life because of foolish actions. Now her sister is married, but she is shocked to discover that her father has already in deep debt because of his gambling, and she will have to pay the price…marriage to Breccan Campbell. However Tara, is not about to marry Breccan, so she runs away as fast as she can. Breccan, knows he isn’t the most handsome of men. He is bulky, muscular and large, but desires a beautiful wife so that his children will be attractive. Breccan is ready to settle down and has decided on Tara for a wife. When Breccan hears that she has run away, he chases after her. When he finds her, she is dressed in boy clothing, and full of fire and passion. They come to a agreement, after she gives him two children, she is free to go to London. What begins as a simple agreement turns into a complicated mess, when Tara’s heart gets involved. Tara knows what most people think of her, but Breccan makes her see the better side of others, and starts to open her eyes to desire and the power of true love…

I was hesitant in reading The Bride Says Maybe, after reading the first book ,and I found that Tara was my least favorite character. However after taking a chance, I learned to really love this one, and did I just fly through it like nothing. I almost thought it was a novella, it had seemed so short, but I must have read through it quicker than I realized. The story even though it is set in the Regency Era, it does have a highlander theme to it. Breccan and his family, have a castle of sorts, race horses, and carry on the traditions of the Scots. Many know how much I adore Highlanders, and Breccan was good enough to gobble up, I really loved his character. He has such a tough exterior, that most run away, but inside he is a lamb looking for someone to love him. He was sweet and charming, yet dangerously sexy. I really enjoyed seeing the variations of his character. He definitely had the alpha domineering side down pat, but you see a more in depth character of Breccan, one that endears the reader from the first chapter….I was cheering him on the whole way through!! Tara, wasn’t as bad of a character as I envisioned. I did eventually grow to somewhat like her. It did take a while, but you start to see a softer side to her, that you never see in the first book of the series. She definitely has her own issues of course, but in this story the author did a great job in making Tara seem so human and real. She turned out to be a very likable character by the end. The story line was rich and packed with passion and a delicious courtship. The heat level is not too heavy, but I enjoyed have more emphasis on the “falling in love” aspect of the relationship. It definitely made for a quality read!!

Overall a delectable romance that is going to win your heart, from the sexy highlander, sweet animals, and a love story that is full of wit and charm!!  ENCHANTING!!

My Grade 
4 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Warm

Other Books In Series 
The Bride Says No
The Groom Says Yes

ARC Book Review-The Bride Says No

The Bride Says No
Brides Of Wishmore (1)
Cathy Maxwell
Avon Books
E Book
Published January 28 2014
384 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN: 978-0-06-221925-1
Authors Website

Synopsis
Lady Aileen never thought she’d be in this position—falling in love with her sister’s betrothed! Of course, her sister did run away rather than marry him, and he doesn’t seem to be all that interested in her sister either, but even so, such a match is impossible…isn’t it?

Aileen is certain she must turn away from the man she loves in order to protect her sister’s reputation. However, he’s not one to give up without a fight, and now that he’s met a woman he wants to marry, nothing on earth could convince him to let Aileen go.

My Review

Lady Aileen has suffered from being married, to a man who was conceited and selfish and a brute. She has no wish to even come close to that type of suffering ever again. Now that her sister is engaged, she is happy for Tara even though Tara can be selfish and full of herself. Then suddenly her sister comes back home saying she has decided not to marry after all. Then her betrothed comes after her, and somehow Tara decides to commit herself back to her fiancee. Aileen knows that Tara is almost acting like a child, but loves her and is willing to do whatever it takes to make her happy. But what surprises her most is the attraction that builds between Aileen and Blake. Blake has worked his whole life building respect from others and refuses to lose everything to a fleeing fiancee, and if her actions are known could ruin him. So he goes after her, even though she is a beauty and would look good on his arm, he doesn’t feel anything for her. But when he meets Aileen, for the first time in his life, he sees a woman he could admire and even love. Even though there is a barrier between Blake and Aileen, sometimes love does conquer but only if the two hearts involved are willing to fight for it with everything they have…

The Bride Says No is the first in Maxwell’s latest series the “Brides of Wishmore”. I was given this ARC in return of a honest review. This is your typical forbidden lovers type of story. The hero is locked into a marriage agreement, one that could cause scandal and ruin if he steps away from it. The heroine is forced to fall in love with a man that will be her sisters husband soon. I have always been a big fan of this author, and I enjoyed the unique style of the plot and the way the story pans out in the end.  This is quite a romantic setting. It is set in the countryside of Scotland, in the Regency era. I have read many Scottish romances, and this seemed on the border of a very lightly tinted Scottish romance. There was only a bit of the Scottish Brogue–that makes my body tingle. 🙂 So this seemed more on the regency genre. I did enjoy the first meeting between Blake and Aileen, boy the room sparked I thought a explosion would occur with the heated exchange that begins. Definitely brings a smile to your face when a heroine isn’t humble and meek, but is a fighter. Aileen’s past divorced marriage, has forced her to look at things in a different light and I would put her in the “Bluestocking” category of heroines. She was a delight though. Blake has a commanding presence, arrogant in his own way, and sexy as sin. *sigh* loved every part of his characters. Now another key player is Tara, I had some serious issues with this gal. She seemed to have this superior attitude toward her sister I disliked and it was very tasteless, I kept thinking she needed a good kick in the rear or be tossed in the lake or something. Even though at the end she somewhat proves herself, it took over 300 pages to do it. However despite my frustrations with that character, I immensely enjoyed the chemistry between Blake and Aileen. At times it was sweet and tender, but then at other times it was hungry and passionate.  One of my favorite aspects of this authors writing is how she blends those two aspects into her stories so perfectly. It is never over done. I always end with a satisfied sigh, and this book was no different.

Overall this story seemed to be packed full of everything that makes a winner of a romance. Beautiful setting, magnificent characters, vivid detail, sweet romance, and a HEA!!! You can’t get any better than this! LOVED IT!!

My Grade 
4 Blossoms

Heat Rating 
Warm

Other Books In Series 
The Bride Says Maybe