Title and Author: The Bride Wore Starlight by Lizbeth Selvig
No. of Pages: 384
Series: Seven Brides for Seven Cowboys #3
Publication Date: February 9th 2016 by Avon Impulse
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Language: English
Blurb:
Once comfortable on stage in front of thousands, Joely Crockett is now mortified at the thought of walking—or rolling—down the aisle at her sisters’ wedding. Scarred and wheelchair-bound, the former beauty queen has lost more than the ability to walk—she’s lost her fire. But when one handsome, arrogant guest accuses her of milking her injuries and ignites her ire, Joely finally starts to feel truly alive again, and soon it’s impossible for her to resist her heart’s desire.
Alec Morrissey knows a little something about loss. A famous rodeo cowboy before he was injured in Iraq, he’s managed to create something of a normal life, even if it’s not the one he always imagined. Encountering stunning but damaged Joely, he sees a kindred spirit who can learn from his mistakes.
As these two healing souls begin to fall in love under the Wyoming stars, they must discover if they are willing to give in to the tragedies of life or fight for a future together.
Book Review:
The Bride Wore Starlight by Lizbeth Selvig is the third book in Seven Brides for Seven Cowboys series but it was my first read from this series as well as from the author. The unusual title and the absolutely lovely cover were the first things that attracted me towards this book. The blurb is also very interesting which is sure to attract readers.
Despite being part of a series, this book can be read as a standalone which was witnessed by me when I randomly picked this book to read not knowing that it was third book in this series. The plot is intriguing and admirably conceived and executed by the author.
Lizbeth Selvig gives us two people facing life altering injuries that have left deep scars both on their bodies as well as their spirit. How they heal and help each other move forward in their lives is emphatically and frankly portrayed by the author.
I was hooked right from the start and was played like a puppet by the author, feeling all the emotions she wanted me to feel right from feeling sorry for and then slightly irritated by Joely’s self-pitying actions and then watching her face her fears and move forward in her life by gaining her confidence back as well as falling in love with a fabulously strong hero. Alec again had me initially detesting his too hard approach to Joely’s injuries and self-pity party but then slowly he caved a place for himself in my heart. I was impressed by his strength and determination to act normal and his efforts to get Joely face her fears and accept her changed circumstances.
The whole Crockett family had me smiling with their boisterous and tight love for each other. They are nosy, often too pampering, gang up on each other but always stand for each other. I enjoyed meeting Joely’s two older sisters, Mia and Harper, along with their other halves, Gage and Cole, who have already been introduced and their stories told in the previous books in this series but despite this their stunning appearance in this book didn’t get affected by the fact that I hadn’t read the previous books!
The story is medium paced and is a relaxed read that can be read anytime and anywhere.
Two things had me feeling a bit dissatisfied. First, the character, Mayberry’s angle is not clear. What was the reason of his appearance? No closure is given to his search for someone and he comes and goes without any significant affect on the story. Second, I think Heidi’s character could have been evolved more to give more spice to the story but she is almost too easily brushed off.
All in all, I heartily enjoyed reading this book and give 4 out of 5 to The Bride Wore Starlight. Recommended to all lovers of romance. Go grab this book to read. I know I am going to grab the previous books in this series to read!
I received an ARC from the publishers, Avon and the tour organizers via Edelweiss and I am very thankful to them. The above review is my honest and unbiased opinion and in no way influenced.
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Excerpt:
The contact with Alec’s strong, long-fingered hand didn’t do anything to quell the annoyance dancing in her stomach. Or was it attraction? Or just a very long time since a man had taken her hand?
He tugged gently and braced his feet so she could stand and get her solid leg beneath her.
Her eyes came level with his tie. That put him at roughly six feet, she thought inanely, although, in truth, no thoughts but inane ones filled her head. Up close his eyes shone a dark, rich amber, and his full, upturned lips made him appear prone to smiling. His hat looked so natural on him he might well have been born with it on.
He held out his right elbow. “Just think of me as a human hiking stick.”
He hadn’t said “cane.” He hadn’t said “crutch.” She offered a tentative, grateful smile, took a deep breath, and nodded.
What could have been horribly awkward turned out to be an easy partnership. Alec seemed to know instinctively how to step where she needed him for support, and his arm offered a perfect grip that she could lean into as firmly as she wanted. It took a dozen or so strides to get the coordination right, but slowly she figured out how to step firmly with her right leg and use Alec’s weight to help swing and step quickly with her left. She’d walked like this with crutches, but this felt so quasi normal—she almost enjoyed it.
Almost.
They came to the stairs, and she froze. A flat path was easy. Going up stairs was awkward but doable. But going down threw her weight forward, and she didn’t have the strength or balance to keep from pitching headfirst down the flight.
“We’re doing great,” he said. “There are only six.”
“We’re doing fine,” he’d said. She didn’t know this man from any random person, and yet he knew how to speak as if they’d been doing this forever.
“I really should have a body on the other side, too,” she admitted reluctantly. “I suck at stairs.”
“Here’s the deal.” He removed her hand from his elbow and held it, then wrapped his right arm loosely around her waist. “It’s your balance that’s got you spooked. You haven’t practiced with it, but your left leg is strong enough. Trust yourself. You know the drill: bad leg—”
“First,” she finished. “Yes. But it doesn’t hold my weight.”
“Eventually it will, but for now we’ll step together, and you lean into me when you’re using that leg.”
How did he know so effortlessly what to do? He’d probably had plenty of bangs and bruises when he’d been on the rodeo circuit—maybe this was second nature for him.
They navigated the stairs like they’d been doing it for years. She’d never have made it on her own, and such an exercise had been clunky at best with a physical therapist. When she stood at the bottom without aid of a crutch or two side walkers, her satisfaction had to rival that of any successful mountain climber’s.
“Wow,” she said, unable to keep the pleasure from her voice.
“Why are you surprised? You’re a ranch girl; you’re tough.”
About the Author:
Lizbeth Selvig lives in Minnesota with her best
friend (aka her husband), and a gray Arabian gelding. After working as a
newspaper journalist and magazine editor, and raising an equine veterinarian
daughter and a talented musician son, she won RWA’s prestigious Golden Heart®
Contest in 2010 with her contemporary romance The Rancher and the Rock Star. In
her spare time, she loves to hike, quilt, read, horseback ride, and spend time
with her new granddaughter. She also has four-legged grandchildren—more than
twenty—including a wallaby, two alpacas, a donkey, a pig, a sugar glider, and
many dogs, cats, and horses (pics of all appear on her website
www.lizbethselvig.com). She loves connecting with readers—contact her any time!
Giveaway:
Prize: 1 Digital Download copy of THE BRIDE WORE DENIM and THE BRIDE WORE RED BOOTS,
books 1 & 2 in the Seven Brides for Seven Cowboys Series.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
by 
Lizbeth Selvig lives in Minnesota with her best