Authors: Mary Jo Putney, Kristin James & Charlotte Featherstone
Publication: HQN Books (May 24, 2011)
Description:
The Wedding of the Century by Mary Jo Putney
Stunningly beautiful and extraordinarily wealthy, Sarah Vangelder had always wanted more for herself than to be sold into marriage for the price of a dukedom. But marriage to Justin Aubrey might be the adventure she's always dreamed of….
Jesse's Wife by Kristin James
When a late-night walk on her father's ranch inadvertently destroys her reputation, Amy McCallister finds herself married off to Jesse, a sinfully handsome farmhand. But can he convince her to give him her heart, despite their rocky beginning?
Seduced by Starlight by Charlotte Featherstone
Jase Markham, London's most dashing—and notorious—rake, has loved his brother's fiancée for as long as he can remember. When his brother casts Blossom aside, Jase is determined to finally make her his—if she's willing to overlook his scandalous reputation!
My Thoughts:
The Wedding of the Century by Mary Jo Putney
This was such a nice romance. The hero was the quiet younger brother who unexpectedly inherits a dukedom. The heroine an American Princess who has been groomed to be aristocrat's wife. He met her and fell in love before becoming a duke but she almost doesn't remember him because she was entranced with a more handsome and charming rogue at the time. Their marriage has a rocky beginning mainly because she is railroaded into it by her domineering mother and because her mother has made her believe that it is unladylike to enjoy marital passion. Also, he has his own mother issues and is used to concealing his feelings.
Jesse's Wife by Kristin James
Amy is the plain older sister who is overshadowed by her younger, more vibrant sister. When a handsome guest asks her to take a walk in the moonlight, she is flattered. Unfortunately, he is a cad who is determined to compromise her and force her into marriage. She is rescued by Jesse who is a horse trainer on her father's ranch. He has loved her for a long time but knows she is socially out of his reach. Rather than marry the cad, she marries Jesse but the two are not communicating well. She thinks he married her out of pity; he thinks she really loved the cad.
Seduced by Starlight by Charlotte Featherstone
Blossom is a duke's daughter betrothed to a younger son of a neighbor. They love each other but are not "in love." When he finds a woman he loves, Blossom lets him go and clears the way for his older brother Jase. Jase has loved Blossom for years and has the reputation of being a rake. Blossom is afraid to trust him with her heart. But Jase seduces her to his point of view.
It is interesting that in two of the three stories the reason for the marriage and the conflict in it is based on "current to the day" social-moral philosophies. In the first story, the conflict comes from the bride's mistaken idea that women don't feel lust or, if they do, they are loose women undeserving of their husband's respect. The whole idea of an arranged marriage and bridal ignorance is rather appalling if you look at it with 21st Century eyes. The second story has to do with a young woman being "compromised" by walking in the moonlight with a single man and needing to be married to save her reputation.
All the stories were well-written and engaging. I recommend this book to lovers of historical romance.
Favorite Quote:
Attempting lightness, she said, "I suppose that the way to find out how he feels it to hand him my heart on a platter, then see whether he accepts it or chops it into little pieces."I received this eARC from NetGalley. It will be available as a mass market paperback or for your Kindle from Amazon.
I can't wait to read this (I have it on netgalley) because they all look like such delightful historical reads! Nice review!
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