Harlequin Historical #298: Gerrity's Bride

Gerrity very carefully nudges Emmaline into marriage. Neither one is willing to give up the custody of their little sister, Tessie. With her oh so proper upbringing Emmaline is at first determined to take Tessie back to her grandfather's farm in Kentucky. Emmaline just wants Tessie to love her. Matt becomes fascinated with Emmie's sass and is going to preserve the ranch for Tessie's inheritence. Using a bit of high-handidness in planning the marriage to Emmie, she walks right into Matt's web. Emmaline has just enough niavity to pooh-pooh any danger to herself but strange things begin to happen. Matt is finding it strange to be concerned about Emmaline's welfare. Of course, the kissing helps to engage the hormones and emotions. I thoroughly ejoyed the secondary characters and the plot against Emmie. Boy was Matt not clued in. Lots of fun! Definitely recommended - an excellent read!

"Gerrity's Bride" is the story of Matthew Gerrity and Emmaline Carruthers. The premise the author uses to get the two together is unique (at least to me). Emmaline's father and mother separated many years ago and Emmaline's mother took her from their Arizona ranch back to her mother's parents' home in Kentucky. There, Emmaline was raised as a "lady" by her grandparents as her mother withered away. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Emmaline's father, Sam, married Arnetta, Matthew Gerrity's widowed mother. Together, Sam and Arnetta have a daughter named Theresa. Sam and Arnetta die tragically, but not before Sam has put together a very cut and dried will which tells Emmaline and Matthew to marry and have children or risk losing the ranch. The ownership of the ranch is not as important to either Em or Matt as the raising of their little sister Theresa. Matt is very attached to Theresa, and Emmaline is thrilled to have a sister whom she didn't know existed. Since neither will give up Theresa, they agree to marry and love soon follows. There's a good sub-plot in the book that has someone trying to kill Emmaline (you'll have two jealous females to choose from as the prime suspect.) Very sensual, very tender, this is a sweet love story you'll cherish for years.

This is from the inside front cover:"Are you asking for more company in there?" Matt asked from around the doorway. "We usually keep this door shut when the room is being used," he drawled. "Please pull it shut, would you?" Emmaline asked, the towel in readiness as she bent forward in the water, her knees pulled to her breasts. "Sure you don't want company?" From just beyond the door, his voice reached her, tinged with taunting amusement. "Please, Matt," she whispered, her words wispy with embarrassment. He sighed mockingly as he reached one long arm within the room, his finger grasping the knob and deliberately closing the door. "Don't be late for breakfast," he called to her abruptly. "Maria only serves once. After that, you're on your own." "And I hope you choke on yours," she grumbled as she stepped over the edge of the tub and enfolded herself with the towel she still clutched.Are you hooked yet?