High Stakes Bride

Men of Stone Mountain

De: Caroline Clemmons

Narrado por: Emily Beresford

Mary Alice Price is on the run from dangerous men. She had known that when her stepfather died, she would have to hurriedly escape her stepbrothers. Hadn’t she heard them promise her to the meanest man in Texas as payment for high stakes gambling losses? One misfortune after another devils her until she links up with Zach Stone. He looks sturdy as his last name and invites her to his ranch where his two aunts will chaperone them. She figures life finally dealt her a winning hand.

Zach Stone has the sweetest ranch in all of Texas, at least he thinks he does. All he needs is a wife to build his family of boys and girls to carry on his ranch and name. He’s been jilted and vows he will never even speak to a woman again unless she's a relative. Then he comes across Alice Price and comes up with a crazy plan. He’s figured everything out, and is sure nothing can go wrong with his plan.

But life holds many surprises for Alice and Zach...

©2112 Caroline Clemmons (P)2013 Caroline Clemmons

Not my usual listen but...

A well written story is good whether it's my usual or not. I loved the storyline and all the family characters. Very good book! I would recommend this to my historical romance lovers since this book was set in early settler days.. Western sort of setting.

This book was given to me by the author in exchange for my unbiased opinion and review.

Sweet tale of love and forgiveness

Where does High Stakes Bride rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

High Stakes Bride ranks as a 5.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved that the author allowed the Hero to not hold the heroine's family actions against her.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed the written book, not so much Ms. Beresford's interpretation. It sounded as if she were trying to affect a Texas accent throughout, not just when the characters were speaking. Also- a pee-can tree? Not a Texas pronunciation.

Ms. Clemmons has written a wonderful book for a nice afternoon of reading.

I absolutely LOVE finding a new author to follow!

Would you listen to High Stakes Bride again? Why?

I loved this story. I would and will listen to it repeatedly, because it is such a strong story about love and determination.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I cannot say I have just one favorite character. I think, no, I know I have two, both Mary Alice and Zach. Mary Alice because of her NEVER give up attitude. Zach because of the love he develops for Mary Alice, even when he finds out.... Nope no spoilers from me.

What about Emily Beresford’s performance did you like?

I loved the way Ms. Beresford told the story. The way she emoted the different moods of the characters. When Mary Alice was frightened, you could tell by the Ms. Beresford read the part.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Mary Alice wins the day!!

Any additional comments?

Thank you Ms. Clemmons for the gift of this story. I have definitely found another author to love.Thank you for reading my review.

I Know Who I'm Betting On

You ever read characters that are so nicely crafted they just jump off the page? This was my experience in High Stakes Bride.
Mary Alice’s problems go from bad to worse to just down right comical. I love her passion for life, her strength and wit. Her quirks make this book all the more entertaining because I don’t think she would have made some of the choices she had without them. She’s got a family that her enemies would wish on her and hopes to escape to a new life, but before she can get to the one she thinks she wants there is a pretend life waiting for her.
Zach, well, he seems very much the opposite at first, but the glimpses this author gave me into his heart and mind made me thankful he didn’t waste them on the two women who jilted him. The plan that will allow him to have a wife without all of the risk of rejection is odd, to say the least, but hilarious to read. I must say that there were so many lovable character (and a few I wanted to hate) in this book, it brought a depth to the story that made me feel like I lived in the town.
Caroline Clemmons is an exceptional writer who is able to make your emotions go from zero to 450 degrees in with two to three words. With everything else going on I was still constantly aware of the underlying current of attraction between Zach and Mary Alice and hoped they could get beyond themselves.
Emily Beresford’s talented voice lent itself to many characters that took my listening experience to another level.
I think this book is even better than the first which makes me wonder how she’s going to top the twists, turns and antics of this story in book three. I’m looking forward to it.

They keep getting better and better...

I have enjoyed reading Caroline Clemmons for may years, but now I have discovered how nice it is to hear the stories read. High Stakes Bride is a very good book, hearing the story bout Zack Stone and Mary Alice Price was very entertaining,. there is humor as well as drama. Mary Alice Price is trying to escape her step brothers and Zach Stone is waiting for his mail order bride. When Zach is given a letter from his intended, saying she had met someone else on the train and was marrying him, Zach swears he is through with women. The story concludes with a happy ending, and I know you will enjoy listening to it.

What a wonderful story of love, danger and romance

Any additional comments?

This book is a wonderful HOT MESS I totally loved it. I must tell you there are a few places you might not want to be eating or drinking for fear you will spit it out laughing so hard. What makes this a hoot three words is all I can say….Green, Yellow, and Salt. When you see what these three things are in this book you will laugh yourself silly. Beside the humor this book is a true heartwarming romance. One woman on the run from her wicked stepbrothers and a mad man leaving them behind she is hoping to outrun them she runs right into one man’s camp only to get busted when she tries to get away. One darling little boy who will steal your heart, wonderful aunts who adore their nephews, outstanding brothers who always have your back and a little dog who will break your heart. This is one very highly entertaining listen that will have you on the edge hanging on with your heart in your throat as they keep you laughing from one prank to the next. There is danger at every turn with humor, jealous, love, need, hope and lots of dreams. There is no doubt about it the author and narrator out did themselves.

Poor Mary will pull you in grabbing your heart as she barely stays one step ahead of her stepbrothers. She has nowhere to turn and really nowhere to run with her poor sense of direction. Her heart breaks every day that she lost her beloved stepfather who did his best to keep his wild sons in control. When he is too sick and knows he will die he helps play Mary’s escape. It would have been nice if he would have given her a few more details but hey she is free if only for a little while. When she runs into Zach who isn’t the nicest person but agrees to give her a helping hand. They are on the move trying to stay one step ahead of her brothers. She isn’t too sure of Zack well he has been kind and a gentleman what would it hurt to go to his home until she is better. If she can just keep her heart to herself and go along with his plans maybe everything will work out.

Zack is off to meet his new bride but he finds yet again he has been jilted. What the devil is wrong with these women or is it him. Not even a mail order bride will follow through on her promise. That is it he is done he doesn’t need a women or children or a life. How to tell his family yet again the women got away. His mind is made up when low and behold a women walks right into him. He mind goes a little crazy hummm maybe he can get out of this mess and help a lady through her troubles killing two birds with one stone and then see her on her way safe and sound.

As you know things never go as we plan and lord the trouble and messes these two get into. The laugh is on each of them as the green eyed monster comes to town. You will seriously be entertained as they pull pranks to help the other along with a few maybe to get even.

Ms. Beresford did a wonderful job on the narration. The one trouble I had in the last book was I felt Hope should have a Spanish accent in this book the narrator did that and it sounds outstanding as well as fits with the story. I found no background noise, no high or low sounds just a smooth clear even listen. I love her voice and all her character voices. He male voices were warm and strong her female voices were sweet and innocent with a little devil in both. She hit each emotion right on the money and never leaves you in question to how each character feels. She laughs, cries, chuckles, angry and sad when each character is. There was a time or two when she almost had me in tears. You could hear the teasing in her voice as well as the anger which at times makes you laugh even harder. Her little boy’s voice is outstanding as she gives him innocent tones with questions that only young children could get away with. Lord she had me laughing throughout this whole listen. It was a pleasure listening to this narrator and I can’t wait to listen to more from her. She has wonderful accents, sweet warm lady voices and rich male tones. I just loved them all.

I became a fan of this authors writing a few weeks ago when I listen to one of her books. I really love her writing style, her humor and her plots but she sure out did herself on this one. She put so many twists and turns bring you within inches of danger and then turns it around keeping you laughing at the messes and plans these characters make. This was truly a total enjoyment from beginning to end. There were times I was shocked and I would say no she didn’t or what was he thinking and than I was laughing out loud. I could not put this down every chance I got I was listening no matter how little time I had I had to know what happen next. The author writes about the past which will remind you of the hard times as well as how easy it was to lose it all, how much was taken from the true American the Indians. Their story will break your heart and almost leave you in tears. She reminds you this was one of the most dangerous times in history with evil men, outlaws who would shot first, along with true gentleman, wonderful cowboys and true ladies. This was a time when you could leave your door open welcoming in a stranger, have a big family where family had time for family, love and a passion of the land. She gives you a story that is believable that you can sink into and be taking away. The Stone family has become one of my favorite families. I can’t wait to see what else these characters and this author has in store for me. I highly recommend you pick up one of Ms. Clemmons book you won’t be disappointed.

Well written

Like the storyline of Alice a girl on the run from her stepbrothers.
"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."

Good Follow Up

This is book 2 in this series. It started out differetly than the other one but it was a good story. I loved the ending and was very glad that Alice was able to stay true to her God even though she was in such a bad situation. The time in the cave and her abliity to stay strong even in the midst of so much danger that she should have screamed. She was such a strong woman although she had never been in society she was able to hold her own with the snob that came to pay a visit. I loved what they did with Seth. You will have to read the book to find out about Seth. Even if you miss some other part of the story you will love Seth.
The narrator added to the story and kept interrest going in the way she read the story.

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review via audiobook boom

what a story!

Would you consider the audio edition of High Stakes Bride to be better than the print version?

have not read the print version

What about Emily Beresford’s performance did you like?

with each character she changed her voice and she did a great job

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

when Alice realized that her step brothers were responsible for the robbery of the Stone family money

Really Good Story, great series!

Any additional comments?

Mystery, humor, family, romance, adventure and danger all rolled into a really good story.

Enjoyable ,fun and entertaining.

Second book in the series. Just as good as the first. Even though the plot in this story was pretty easy to figure out it is still a well written and very enjoyable listen. You cant help but root for Zach to get his HEA after so many disappointments. Like that Mary Alice is a strong woman and is determined to change her circumstances. Love the addition of Seth.

We get to see many of the character's from book one which is great. Love the aunts. Ready for Joel's story.

Emily Beresford did a good job with the narration. Nice voice, easy on the ears. Smooth even pace . Her voice for Seth was perfect. Not much difference between her male and female voices.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom