Meg Brooks is determined to cast aside her hoydenish ways and finally catch a husband. Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of likely matrimonial candidates in tiny Harmony, Montana--until handsome Matthew Gage arrives in town. What Meg doesn't know is that Matthew, masquerading as mild-mannered salesman Vernon Wilberforce, is really a reporter who's in Harmony to prove that her brother cheated in order to win the grand prize in the town's annual fly-fishing contest.

Matthew thinks the lovely, innocent Meg is the perfect information source for his latest sensational story, but it isn't long before he's entranced by the natural, honest charm she's trying to hide beneath proper ladylike ways. Meg, on the other hand, is busy falling head over heels in love with the attractive newcomer to Harmony. But sooner or later, Matthew's real identity must be revealed. Will Meg forgive him for his deception? And can Matthew, a self-proclaimed bachelor, come to terms with having his heart stolen by the impetuous Meg?

Hooked is chock-o-block full of unforgettable characters, from the irrepressible Meg and handsome Matthew to Meg's militant grandmother and husband-hunting friends. Warm, wonderful, and hilariously funny, this second installment in Holm's "Brides for All Seasons" novels--all set in Harmony, Montana--is a romantic treat. --Lois Faye Dyer

From Booklist
As this century ends, Holm takes a nostalgic look back to its beginning in this latest addition to her Brides for All Seasons series, set in Harmony, Montana. Meg has always planned to manage her father's hotel, but when he refuses to let her, she decides to do the next best thing: get a husband. She changes from spontaneous Meg into the more sophisticated and ladylike Margaret but has trouble with her new persona, ending up, during one lapse, in a hotel room with Vernon Wilberforce. Vernon is actually Matthew Gage, a muckraking reporter in town to investigate the local fly-fishing competition. Meg's brother won the year before, and many people believed he cheated. Will Meg and Matthew still be attracted to each other after their secrets are revealed? First they have to learn about love, honesty, and the virtues of fly-fishing. Holm's funny, sweet romance will appeal to fans of Pamela Morsi as well as her own loyal following. Patty Engelmann

Review
Susan Thomas Calico Trails Stef Ann Holm dishes up a slice of Americana that is not only love and laughter at its best, but a darned good emotional read.

Book Description
Delicious tension, hilarious wit, and heated passion make Stef Ann Holm's acclaimed Brides books the perfect place to spin dreams and reel in true romance.... Using an alias, stunt reporter Matthew Gage arrives in Harmony, Montana, to uncover the cheating going on in the town's famous annual fly-fishing contest -- not to tangle lines with a husband-hunting miss. But as soon as Meg Brooks gets stuck under his hotel bed, he's hooked on her hoydenish charm. Besides, he hopes she'll provide him with insider information -- and a few kisses -- while he snoops around. But innocent Meg believes Matthew is "Vernon Wilberforce," a polite carpet-sweeper salesman, the gentleman caller of her dreams. As the fishy scandal threatens to upset Harmony, Meg employs every lure in the book to land Matthew. But her heart will be broken by a man who isn't what he seems...unless they each learn the truth: The best prize in life is given, not won. It's love.

About the Author
"Fishing. To quote Austin Powers, 'It's not my bag, baby.' But to get the feel of a fishing pole in my hand, I let my family take me to Robie Creek for the day. I cast a slew of times and thought it more trouble than it was worth. For the rest of the afternoon, I sat in a lounge chair and read a good romance. "What made the day memorable was not the day itself, in which no fish were caught. It was the following morning when I was brushing my younger daughter's hair and the bristles snagged on something. When I found what it was, I screamed. My first inclination was to call 911. The dreaded clump in her hair was a tick. A fat tick. "We called the Ask-A-Nurse hotline -- they were no help to a panicking mother in frantic need of Marcus Welby, M.D. In the end, the dog's flea comb saved the day. I got the offensive bug out and immediately bottled it to take to the pediatrician where I demanded he assure me the tick wasn't one of those deer ones. "This was my one and only -- and last -- adult venture into fishing, one which saw a tick hitching a ride home with us. When I want fish, I'll buy it at the Pike Place Market. Those guys who toss the halibut are infinitely more entertaining." While Stef Ann is working on her next installment in the Brides for All Seasons series for Pocket Books, she invites you to write her at P.O. Box 5727, Kent, WA 98064-5727.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Against the backdrop of the Willow Lake 12th Annual Fly Fishing Tournament, Harmony local Meg Brooks and newcomer Matthew Gage reel in a prize that neither of them expects--everlasting love.

SYNOPSIS