Grooms with Honor Book 3
STORY-LINE GABE’S PLEDGE BY LINDA HUBALEK:
Gabe’s Pledge is the story of Iva Mae Paulson and Gabriel Shepard. Iva has loved Gabe for years; she’s waited for him to propose. On New Years Eve 1886, Iva announces she will sign up with a mail order bride agency; for she intends to be a bride in 1887. She loves teaching in Clear Creek, but wants a family and home of her own. Hoping to push Gabe into proposing, will her plan backfire?
Gabe Shepard, shy and prodding, just can’t bring himself to propose to Iva. After she kisses him on New Year Eve, he felt a wonderful tinge. But can he overcome his issues to make her his wife? Hubalek takes readers back to small town Clear Creek. Filled with laughter, family help or was it hindrance, a strong woman, and maybe a groom of honor, Hubalek takes us on another wonderful journey in the West.
CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, DEVELOPMENT:
Welcome back to Clear Creek, Kansas and the people we have come to know and love; Pastor and Kaitlyn Reagan, their six sons, the Paulson’s, Shepard’s, and all the other wonderful residents of Clear Creek. A small town, close-knit, ready to help each other in any way they can, and where faith in God’s the backbone of the community. Linda Hubalek skillfully filled Clear Creek with a variety of characters with different personalities and dreams. I love this series; Hubalek included characters from earlier books, allowing her readers to catch up with their lives. I am always impatient for the next book in this series; wondering who’s the next couple united in love and faith.
The plotting of Gabe’s Pledge will bring laughter as you follow Iva’s manipulations as she tries to bring Gabe up to snuff. Iva’s character is one of strength and determination; when she speaks in her school teacher voice, everyone pays attention. But has she finally reached the end of her patience with Gabe? Although strong, the reader also feels Iva’s pain of unrequited love.
My goodness, I thought Gabe would lose Iva by dragging his feet. I wanted to shake him at times. However, I realized shortly, Gabe has issues from his past he must face and put behind him. Childhood emotional trauma effects an individual for their entire life. I laughed and laughed at Gabe’s reaction when Iva’s suitor arrived on the scene. Hubalek skillfully crafted situations which made Gabe realize what he could lose by dragging his feet and prodding along.
As always, Pastor Reagan gives sage advice along with other citizens of Clear Creek. Everyone could see what Gabe refused to acknowledge until it was almost too late. With a smooth pace, well-developed characters, scenes which transitioned smoothly, and writing which flowed easily, I found Gabe’s Pledge a wonderful addition to the Grooms Of Honor Series. Hubalek developed her characters to their full potential, as well as, adding secondary characters which added depth to the story. Although a standalone read, I would suggest reading the earlier books to enhance your reading pleasure. I always feel I have returned home to see old friends when reading Hubalek‘s Grooms Of Honor. A clean sweet romance, I would not hesitate to buy this book for myself or a friend.
GABE’S PLEDGE RECOMMENDATION: STARS 4
FINALLY, PLEASE NOTE:
Additionally, I received this book from the author, choosing to voluntarily review the book/novel with honest romance book reviews. Furthermore, book reviews of any novel are dependent on the book/novel review author’s opinion. Consequently, all book/novel reviews on-line and on my blog, are my opinions. No one influences my voluntary romance book reviews.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CLICK ON LINK BELOW TO CONNECT WITH LINDA HUBALEK