This is the first in the McKettrick Cowboys Trilogy by Linda Lael Miller. It explains how Angus, father over his clan of wayward, hell-raising cowboy sons, got the ball rolling. He promised his Triple M ranch to the son who was first to settle down, get married and produce a grandchild. It's obvious his sons know about producing offspring...but who will be first to tie the knot? Let the chase and humor begin!! Vol. 1 is Rafe's story. Read the remaining books in the series: Vol. 2 is "Shotgun Bride," and it's Kade's turn. Vol. 3 is "Secondhand Bride" and tell's about Jeb's efforts. There's an add-on, too: "McKettrick's Choice." It's Holt's heartwarming story. All books are worthwhile reading and very entertaining.

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The first in the McKettrick Cowboy's Trilogy. Got them all at once and read them just as quickly. Loved them all.

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Classic Linda Lael Miller. Great, quick read.

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Great book. Great series. Love her writing!

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What can I say? I'm a sucker for cowboys... I love this story! It's the first in the series and I can't wait to dive into the next McKettrick book! I was a little nervous because I had never read anything from this author before, but I must say I was impressed. A great read and a page turner. Some books about the frontier tend to lose the plot in the details, but not this one!

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This book opens a wonderful series one of the best Ive read to date. Angus McKettrick has 3 sons who are still sowing wild oats and Angus recognizes that he is not getting any younger. Thus, the old cattle baron sets up a competition: Whichever son marries and produces the first grandchild will inherit the Triple M ranch (zillions of acres in Arizona Territory).

Already competitive, each of the three McKettrick men starts scouring the countryside for a bride. Each man dreads the idea of working for one of his brothers. Rafe McKettrick, eldest son, will do anything to win the Triple M.

Emmeline Harding, an orphan raised by her aunt in a brothel, has found herself in a compromising position. Aunt Becky has done everything she could to keep Emmeline from becoming one of her girls. But Emmeline wakes up in a strange bed, finds herself in her skivvies and as hung-over as can be. When she and her Aunt see the money beside the bed, they have a terrible fight and Emmeline decides she must leave Kansas City. With no money, she notices ads for mail-order brides.

Still torn with guilt, Emmeline accepts the bride vouchers and starts on her way to meet her new husband (married by proxy in Kansas City). Then the fun begins.

By turns, this book has the reader laughing, crying and fuming with the stupidity of some people. It doesnt take long to figure out that the 3 men are fairly clueless about women and Rafe is the worst. Other than a couple of ridiculous coincidences, this book is charming.

McKettricks Series
1. High Country Bride (2002)
2. Shotgun Bride (2003)
3. Secondhand Bride (2004)
4. McKettrick's Choice (2005)

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I enjoyed this historical romance and was hooked to read the rest of the series. I felt like I knew the many generations of this family.

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When Angus McKettrick, the patriarch of this family, decrees that the first son to marry and produce an heir gets the whole enchilada (he's quite rich you know), Kade, Rafe and Jeb hit the ground running to find a bride. This is Rafe's story.

Mail order bride, Emmeline Harding leaves Kansas City bound for Indian Rock, Arizona as the wife of Rafe McKettrick. The journey is less rocky than her arrival. Rafe apparently wants a bride to produce a child and nothing else. The romance is typical - she has dangerous secrets - and he is beyond stubborn. The chase is on and as Emmeline slowly falls in love, she is beset by a guilty conscience and confesses all with terrible consequences. Now it is up to Rafe to decide does he love her or not.

I haven't read a western romance by Linda Lael Miller in years but I really enjoyed this one. As a matter of fact, I'm anxious to read Kade, Jeb and even Holt's stories too!

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