From the BLURB:
1102 AD. By edict of the King, the mighty Scottish Laird Alec Kincaid must take an English bride. His choice was Jamie, youngest daughter of Baron Jamison... a feisty, violet-eyed beauty. Alec ached to touch her, to tame her, to possess her... forever. But Jamie vowed never to surrender to this Highland barbarian. He was everything her heart warned against--an arrogant scoundrel whose rough good looks spoke of savage pleasures. And though Kincaid's scorching kisses fired her blood, she brazenly resisted him...until one rapturous moment quelled their clash of wills, and something far more dangerous than desire threatened to conquer her senses...
This was a good, romantic read. It is very cheesy – Lord Kincaid is a cardboard cutout Scottish brute, with a marshmallow centre. Jamie is a total Mary-Sue; when she’s not healing wounded soldiers she’s adopting orphaned children. ‘The Bride’ is definitely romantic fluff, but it’s just what I was in the mood for so I was willing to forgive the books cheesy shortcomings.
‘The Bride’ is surprisingly smutty; Garwood’s sex scenes are hot, vivid and very descriptive. I was under the impression that ‘The Bride’ was going to be a PG romance, but I’m glad it wasn’t;
“Come with me, love,” Alec whispered. “Come with me. Now.”
She didn’t know where Alec was taking her, only knew she was safe in his arms. She gave herself over to the blissful surrender and found that surrender was also fulfillment.
I would really like to give another of Garwood’s books a try. Judging from the backlist her specialty is Historical Romance, but her most recent series appears to be a contemporary crime fiction with a romantic edge. If anyone has read Garwood’s other work and can recommend her books, I’d really appreciate it.
Garwood’s writing reminded me of Nora Roberts and Linda Howard. It’s the type of good, fun read that’s a little like popcorn – not very filling, but nice while it lasts. There’s no real conflict for any of the characters and the storyline is extremely predictable. Regardless I did like this book. Maybe it’s because I was in the mood for a light romantic read that I enjoyed ‘The Bride’ so much, regardless of its many flaws... But sometimes I just crave a Highlander hero (à la Diana Gabaldon's Jamie Fraser).
3/5
I've never read Garwood but many have recommended her to me..will keep her in mind for a fun romance when I am in the mood :)
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your honest reviews. Since you mentioned cheese and marshmallow in the same sentence in the description of the book, it's going on my to read list. :)
ReplyDeleteLOl oooooh Jamie... Im still reading Outlander and I just Luuurv him LOL
ReplyDeleteI, like FV, love your honesty and your reviews hehe
This is so not my cup of tea =P
xoxo
I liked The Bride, Ransom, The Secret. Didn't care for Lion's Lady. I read one of her contemporaries and it was okay, but it was like the 5th book in the series and so I didn't know the back stories of some of the characters - I might have liked it more but haven't gone back to read them...
ReplyDeleteHello. Just reading the bride and so I thought I'd Google "laird" and look what popped up :) Garwood's quite pop-corn like yes, but her novels are sweet, great if you're in the mood! I recommend "Castles" and "honour's Splendour" if you're feeling historical, try "Heatbreaker" and "Mercy" , more modern, but good plots with some really funny bits. Happy reading :)
ReplyDeleteThis is Garwood's best book in my opinion. Alec is a callous and hard Scotsman who has to learn how to love and cherish the fiesty and ever-surprising Jamie. Jamie is funny, tender, sensitive and she always manages to surprise you and Alec. She has to overcome her new clanspeople hostility towards their new English Mistress. She has to deal with a secret enemy who wishes to kill her. She has to deal with a man who was rumored to have killed his wife and she has to deal with her grwoing love for this man.
ReplyDelete