Reviewer: Connie Payne
Title: Here Comes The Bride
Author: Laura Drewry
Publisher: Zebra Historical
E-ISBN: 0-8217-7858-7
Release Date: May 2005
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical Romance
Year/Setting: 1885 Montana
Overall rating: 5
Sexual content rating: Subtle
Laura's Website:
www.lauradrewry.com
Tess Kinley was raised in Boston. Her dream, however, ever since reading dime novels of the west, is to live on a ranch and live off the land. Desperate times calls for desperate measures, and Tess is desperate. Through various mishaps and circumstances she finds herself in the west, in Montana, on a ranch.
Upon seeing Tess laying in a bed, in his house, on his ranch, Gabe Calloway is immediately drawn to her. He does everything in his power, though, to send her packing, to protect his heart. From previous experience he thinks she doesn't belong, that she's too delicate to survive the harshness of ranch life.
Right from the start, Tess recognizes Gabriel as her angel, her love. Gabe, though, is another matter. Their confrontations are a constant thing and often confuse Tess as Gabriel seems to run hot and cold. He kisses her, but won't hear her declaration of love. He's adamant about her leaving on the next stage, but yet he seeks out her company.
While their love grows, though it's fairly one-sided as far as Gabe's concerned (he hopes...assures himself), one thing after another happens proving to him that Tess doesn't belong. She's adamant that she does belong and goes about proving it (sorry, can't tell, don't want to ruin it for you).
Once Gabriel comes to his senses (well you knew he would so I didn't give that secret away) and their love is out in the open the story doesn't end there. The action continues until it draws to a surprising conclusion.
Add to all that colorful characters who include Gabe's little brother, semi-feuding neighbors, and a variety of town folk. All of whom contribute one way or another to the romance of Gabe and Tess.
This is one refreshing novel! How often are we given a book with love at first sight? How often are we given a book that focuses on the characters and their internal conflicts, conflicts that directly or indirectly affect the outcome of their relationship? How often is it that the villain(s) are not a main focus, but kept in the sort of visible background for the majority of the book? It's pretty rare.
The only thing some may find distracting is the frequent point of view shifts back and forth between Gabriel and Tess in several scenes. But this distraction is easily forgotten as the story unfolds and the characters develop.
Overall, as I say, a very refreshing novel...what with a couple who are made for each other, witty and emotionally charged dialogue, fast-paced scenes, vivid and interesting secondary characters, emotions that cause the heartstrings to be tugged and a smile to tug at the lips how could this not be?
Here Comes The Bride is a warm, heartfelt-feel-good book. I eagerly await the next novel by Laura Drewry. Hopefully the wait won't be too long...
Connie
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