To celebrate the release of Gayle Callen's newest historical romance, "The Groom Wore Plaid", I'm happy to participate in the blog tour with my review and a tour-wide giveaway of FIVE print copies of the book!!
by Gayle Callen
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: Feb 23, 2016
My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Summary from goodreads.com:My Review:
Falling in love means tempting fate in this passionate new novel in USA Today bestselling author Gayle Callen's Highland Weddings series.
Maggie McCallum's dreams about her new fiancé aren't the romantic sort. It's not just that she was bartered to Owen Duff like a piece of property to end a clan feud. She's also haunted by premonitions of his death on their upcoming wedding day. Yet the exasperating Highlander won't let her call it off, even though his life and his clan are both in jeopardy.
Owen has wanted Maggie in his bed since he first glimpsed her years ago. If their union restores peace between their clans, so much the better. But while lusting after another chief's sister had its risks, growing to trust Maggie is far more dangerous. Owen is falling deeply in love with the one woman he cannot hope to claim . . . and survive.
Books like this are why I love historical romance novels. I lost myself for an entire morning reading this book as quickly as possible. The story and the writing flowed along so nicely, the pages just kept turning almost of their own accord. I've read romances were the actual romance between the leads might have been stronger or more star crossed, but I loved the way this book had balance. The supporting characters and side mystery really drew me in as much as the romance story.
The romance was much more of a slow burn between the hero and heroine but it was quite believable that way considering the circumstances. Maggie and Owen had met and actually had a bit of a romance when they were teenagers. But Own was betrothed to another woman, and dismissed Maggie's visions of the death of his bride as a jealous ploy for his attention. Flash forward ten years, and Maggie's vision had come true, and the couple finds themselves betrothed as part of a contract between their two families.
Maggie has a vision of Owen dying this time, and she devises ways to keep him at arms' length and even make him think she is an unsuitable bride. Of course, he wants to marry her anyway and it's so cute to see him immune to all of her plots to make herself both unattractive and disagreeable.
The leads are strong, Owen is so serious and tries to make himself unaffected by any emotions. He comes along nicely though, and his attraction and affection for Maggie is always apparent. Maggie is somewhat funny in her attempts to keep Owen away. It does become just a bit tiresome to hear her always referring to her dream of his death, but it shows how seriously she takes her visions.
The supporting characters are so much fun and keep the story lighthearted. Kathleen, Maggie's maid is so sweet and genuine. Cat, Owen's sister, is refreshing in that she is always on Maggie's side even though their family's don't get along.
Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Romance: 5/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 5/5
Bottom Line: Gayle Callen hits it out of the park with this historical romance. There is a little something for everyone and the romance, the storyline, and the characters all tie together for a seamless, page-turning read.
Purchase Here:
THE GROOM WORE PLAID –
http://www.harpercollins.com/9780062268006/the-groom-wore-plaid
THE GROOM WORE PLAID on Goodreads
HIGHLAND WEDDINGS series on Goodreads
About the Author
After a detour through fitness instructing and computer programming, GAYLE CALLEN found the life she’d always dreamed of as a romance writer. This USA Today bestselling author has written more than twenty historical romances for Avon Books, and her novels have won the Holt Medallion, the Laurel Wreath Award, the Booksellers’ Best Award, and been translated into eleven different languages. The mother of three grown children, an avid crafter, singer, and outdoor enthusiast, Gayle lives in Central New York with her dog Uma and her husband, Jim the Romance Hero. She also writes contemporary romances as Emma Cane.
Visit her website at www.gaylecallen.com.
Connect with Gayle Callen
Website - www.gaylecallen.com
Twitter – https://twitter.com/GayleCallen
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/GayleCallen
Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/46974.Gayle_Callen
Tour-Wide Giveaway!
The publisher is giving away FIVE copies of "The Groom Wore Plaid" during the blog tour! Enter for your chance to win below!
This contest and Rafflecopter widget is run by the publicist, not In the Hammock, the info you submit, prizing and emails will be handled and administrated by the publicist.
The publisher is giving away FIVE copies of "The Groom Wore Plaid" during the blog tour! Enter for your chance to win below!
This contest and Rafflecopter widget is run by the publicist, not In the Hammock, the info you submit, prizing and emails will be handled and administrated by the publicist.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks so much for the great review!
ReplyDeleteAh, love it when you spend a whole chunk of time lost in a book
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