Her Scoundrel

This is the first book by Geralyn Dawson's I have read. I saw her come up a few times on the historical romance list but, didn't give her a try until now. My first pick was "Her Scoundrel". I liked this book for the most part as it was fast moving and events always seemed to be happening in the book. I felt the heroine Katrina had spunk, grit and perseverance. In turn, the main hero Jake was adventuresome, hardy and intelligent. The interaction between the characters was easy to follow and the reason for their involvement made sense. Kat's earlier life - meeting a cad named Rory Callahan and her relationship with him and getting pregnant - was made a very small part of this book but, clearly was important. In turn, Jake's constant adventures after his brother came up missing was critical but, also not discussed too much. I did like the chemistry of the two once they met up and really enjoyed the scenes when Jake had eligible ladies come to his estate to meet up with his sister's children with whom he now had custody. He needed to find the right gal to be his wife so, he could take off on more adventures and someone could mother his newly gained brood of 5 children. Kat and her sister Emma were invited to the event and the disguise used to fool Jake was fun. I enjoyed parts of the book like that as they were witty, creative and enjoyable to follow. The love scenes were tastefully written and occurred as expected. Only the scene dealing with Kat and Jared on their honeymoon and the Arabian nights event made me sit up and take extra notice. Clearly this book is one in a series of stories that involve the McBride's sisters and all the mishaps that their lives take on (bad luck dresses, cakes, etc.). I felt this author did a good job in bringing all the characters to life so, they felt real. Even many of the secondary characters such as Kat's father, mother-in-laws and sisters, and Jake's new children and friends were interesting and heavily involved in the plot. There was plenty going on in this story to keep a reader interested - a missing in action brother in the mountains, mysterious crosses and necklaces, odd dreams that come true, adoption of five children to raise, house fires, and more. The author seems to have a good handle of how to create a story that keeps going and going and then some. Sometimes I wondered if the book spent too much time on "events" and less on the real relationship between Kat and Jake? I like to see a relationship develop and to hear each characters thoughts along the way. This book did this but, in more limited measure than I usually like. I will try some of her other books to see how they fair. This was a good read just not one of my favorites unfortunately. I would have given 3 1/2 stars rather than 4 but, not a choice. Maybe the next one will really win me over? We'll see.

In 1880 in the Himalayas, Jake and Daniel Kimball search for the legendary Shambhala when Daniel becomes ill, but informs his worried brother that he heard the sacred call. Jake dreams that Daniel entered Shambhala, but before doing so tells his sibling to find the necklace and his family. Jake awakens to the realization that his brother has stepped over to the earthly paradise for the pure of heart leaving him alone in the frozen mountainside. In 1891 adventurer Jake is at Galveston Island, Texas when pregnant "Menace" Kat McBride Callahan calls him a thief. Kat demands he give to her the Sacred Heart Altar Cross, but he says he bought it not stole it from her late spouse Rory Callahan. She offers to buy the Cross, but he refuses. Instead he offers to trade it for her necklace, which reminds him of his Himalayan dream. He thinks he found his "family' in Texas as he believes this woman about to give birth to someone else's child is his beautiful beloved, but to convince the Menace he loves her and her baby is going to prove quite an adventure. The second Menace tale (see HER BODYGUARD) contains fresh fantasy elements that enhance this wonderful western romance. Though not wanting to believe in luck, Jake recognizes the necklace worn by Kat and cannot resist following her to Fort Worth to learn more about her family heirloom and her. He soon feels lucky in love, but to persuade his Kat that they, her daughter and his niece belong together seems impossible as his Menace refuses to trust in love. Readers will enjoy this tale and the teaser involving the final Menace in Scotland wanted for murder. Harriet Klausner

Read this one in one sitting! Wonderful characters with real emotions. If you like humor and your heartstrings pulled-I can highly recommend this and can't wait for the next bride's story.