4 Stars! ~~~ This story was a delight to read!
His Hired Bride by Susan Fox
Harlequin Romance # 3848 - June 2005
Contract Brides theme
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Eadie and Hoyt are neighbours. Hoyt's ranch is doing very well, while Eadie is struggling esp. after her mother's death, so that she has to work off the ranch to help cover her debts. That means working for Hoyt three afternoons a week. Eadie's been in love with Hoyt from the time he rescued her from an almost date rape, but Hoyt is a short-term kind of guy, none of his relationships last more than a few months. After a riding accident, Hoyt counts his blessings and realizes that he's not getting younger and if he doesn't produce an heir, there will be only distant cousins to leave the ranch to. So he asks Eadie to fill the wife and mother role. Eadie's heart won't let her refuse. She hopes that some day Hoyt will come to love her in return.
There's a lot of spark between Hoyt and Eadie that makes this a very fun read. Hoyt's not one to mince his words, and Eadie's not one to hold her tongue. Hoyt may be a rugged cowboy but he knows that Eadie deserves gentleness and plenty of understanding. This story was a delight to read. There’s a moment at the end of the book where Hoyt confesses to Eadie that he’d been giving advice to his married friends when he’d had no business doing that. He’s referring to a scene in "Contract Bride" where he advises his best friend Reece that in order to keep Leah as his wife, he’d better move in to his room and seduce her. I chuckled over this, as to Reece that was shocking advice even though he followed it! I originally read this book in June 2006, and had to read it again after reading Reece and Leah's story as Hoyt had a very important role. I'm glad I did, as this one was just as much fun to read this time as it was the first!
Excellence: Very Good ~ Steaminess: Romantic
My Totals = 28 ~ Harlequin Imprint = 28 ~ Other Publisher = 0
~~ KatherineT ~~ I'm a Harlequin Addict, and I'm proud of it!
~~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Book Challenge Blog
