The Maiden's Court: Book Review: Gallagher's Pride by M.K. McClintock

Gallagher’s Pride by M.K. McClintock
Book 1 of the Montana Gallagher series
Unabridged, 5 hr. 57 min.
Trappers Peak Publishing
Alan Philip Ormand (Narrator)
November 12, 2014
★★★★☆

Genre: Historical Romance, Western
Source: Received audio download from the author

She was a on a quest of discovery.

He was on a quest for revenge.

Together they would discover a second chance.

Brenna Cameron travels from Scotland after losing someone she loves in search of family she didn't know existed. Alone now in the world, Brenna makes an arduous journey, following the trail of discovery to Briarwood, Montana. Here she meets Ethan Gallagher, and the rest of the Gallagher clan. Only with their help is she able to discover lost family, heal old wounds and embark on a treacherous confrontation with a man who destroyed her family.

As head of the Gallagher clan, Ethan has more than enough to occupy his thoughts and time-he didn't need the complication of Brenna Cameron and he certainly didn't need the trouble that came with her. Ethan takes on the unwanted duty of self-appointed protector to the headstrong Scot, only to discover there is such a thing as second chances and more to life than revenge.

The first work from M.K. McClintock that I read, was her Christmas collection of short stories, A Home for Christmas. Those short little introductions to her writing style were all I needed to know that I would love her full length western novels…and I wasn’t wrong. I inhaled the first two books in this series before taking a pause to wait on the third. They are THAT good!

In just a few pages, McClintock introduces the readers to her characters and you are instantly transfixed, committed, and in love with them. McClintock knows how to pull you into the story – starting with the sorrow filled backstory of Brenna Cameron. When Brenna arrives in Montana that is when we meet the Gallagher clan – and while the way Ethan and Brenna are thrown together might be a little contrived – it works. As Ethan tries to help her with her mission to find her family, the story gets entertaining with the chaos and adventure that ensues. McClintock knows how to get right down to business and doesn’t waste her words – however it doesn’t feel rushed or underdeveloped. You just get caught up in the whirlwind that is the Gallagher’s and can’t believe you have already reached the end of the book.

Ethan Gallagher is one of the hunkiest hist-fic men I have read about in a while! I love his personality (even if he is stubborn) and how he cares for his family and this woman he just met. Brenna is just as stubborn, but she really adapts to the hard life in the American West and all that comes with it.

I just have to say, this is a wonderful and refreshing series that I can’t wait to read the rest of the works from this author. Inhalable reading!!!

★★★★★

I don’t think that a more perfect narrator than Alan Philip Ormand could have been found for this book. I just absolutely loved his narration! It felt so true to the characters and story being told. His voice is so smooth with just a touch of drawl that was perfect for the setting of this book. So, not only did the characters and story suck me in, but the narration was the icing on the cake. Loved, loved loved!!

If you would like to preview the story before reading it, why not try out this excerpt of the book?

You can also watch the book trailer below.