Rating: 
Summary: Boring...
Review: Gosh - how many ways can I say boring? This is a historical novel, it is not supposed to be one of the typical sweet regency romances that Ms. Hern writes. Only this is really a longer version of a sweet regency. The book is 375 pages of sweetness. Verity is sweet. Her love for the dark forbididng Lord Harkness is sweet, his feeling that he is too crazy/dirty to offer his love is sweet. Yada, yada, yada...I don't know - the village folks are terrified of him yet no one leaves. He gives them homes, jobs, food and they are cruel to him. And he stands for this? His mother-in-law, well, she is a nut case and he puts up with it? Yes, there is the whole guilt thing but did anyone else note he never, ever mentions his dead son? Does he visit the grave? It was like a non-event. And he is Lord of what? Is he an Earl, Viscount, what?? Only diehard sweet regency readers should read this one.
Rating:
Summary: Boring...
Review: Gosh - how many ways can I say boring? This is a historical novel, it is not supposed to be one of the typical sweet regency romances that Ms. Hern writes. Only this is really a longer version of a sweet regency. The book is 375 pages of sweetness. Verity is sweet. Her love for the dark forbididng Lord Harkness is sweet, his feeling that he is too crazy/dirty to offer his love is sweet. Yada, yada, yada...I don't know - the village folks are terrified of him yet no one leaves. He gives them homes, jobs, food and they are cruel to him. And he stands for this? His mother-in-law, well, she is a nut case and he puts up with it? Yes, there is the whole guilt thing but did anyone else note he never, ever mentions his dead son? Does he visit the grave? It was like a non-event. And he is Lord of what? Is he an Earl, Viscount, what?? Only diehard sweet regency readers should read this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't miss this book!
Review: I love characters filled with passion and dark secrets. The set up for The Bride Sale grabbed me right from the back cover blurb, but what I found inside was even better. A courageous heroine who doesn't let her own misfortune stop her quest, a benefactor with a mysterious past, set against a detailed, textured landscape that enthralled me. I can only imagine the months of research that went into creating James and Verity's world, a world that actually becomes part of the story and propels it forward. Immerse yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Don't miss this book!
Review: I love characters filled with passion and dark secrets. The set up for The Bride Sale grabbed me right from the back cover blurb, but what I found inside was even better. A courageous heroine who doesn't let her own misfortune stop her quest, a benefactor with a mysterious past, set against a detailed, textured landscape that enthralled me. I can only imagine the months of research that went into creating James and Verity's world, a world that actually becomes part of the story and propels it forward. Immerse yourself.
Rating:
Summary: `The Bride Sale
Review: I thought Candice Hern was at the top of her form with "Miss Lacey's Last Fling" but she just keeps getting better! Lord James Harkness is the most tortured hero since Heathcliff and the lovely Verity Osborne is earthy, vivid, and completely charming. This book is historically accurate, complex, and beautifully written with unforgettable characters - the kind that makes you sigh with contentment after the last page and then reach for the next Candice Hern book.
Rating:
Summary: `The Bride Sale
Review: I thought Candice Hern was at the top of her form with "Miss Lacey's Last Fling" but she just keeps getting better! Lord James Harkness is the most tortured hero since Heathcliff and the lovely Verity Osborne is earthy, vivid, and completely charming. This book is historically accurate, complex, and beautifully written with unforgettable characters - the kind that makes you sigh with contentment after the last page and then reach for the next Candice Hern book.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Story
Review: If the very genteel Verity Osborne thought that having a halter placed around her throat and put up for auction by her husband was horrendous, then the person who actually won her for 200 pounds could have turned out to be her worst nightmare.Lord James Harkness, aka Lord Heartless by the folks in the small English village in Cornwall, was appalled that a seemingly lady of quality was being auctioned off like an animal. As he watched the proceedings and saw that she might end up with the very huge, filthy and coarse village smithy, he without thinking, outbid him and rescued her. Verity was taken to his home and waited thinking he would assert certain rights over her as his 'property'. As time went on she realized that this dark, tortured soul was not evil as the villagers seemed to think, she begins a campaign to try to help him. She endears herself to the villagers by her compassionate and gentle ways and her helpful herbal cures. Verity can help James' tortured nightmares with a herbal remedy to sleep, but her biggest challenge is to cure his tortured soul and prove that he is not the murderer and as evil as everyone thinks. In the process she must also keep herself from falling in love and fighting the attraction that seems to grow stronger everyday. This is a wonderful story and has a great twist in the end that ties the whole story together. Excellent compassionate and heartwarming feelings really make the story work and make you feel good.
Rating:
Summary: classic style gothic romance inside a Regency tale
Review: In 1818 Gunnisloe, Baron James Harkness, who rarely comes to the Cornish village from his Pendurgan home, hears a nearby auction whose bidding and commentary seem strange to him. He wanders over to take a look when he is stunned to see a woman on the block instead of cattle. Unable to sit idly by while the "wife sale" continues, James overbids and wins the prize. Gilbert Russell sells his wife Verity to "Lord Heartless" as the locals call James in order to pay off his debts.
Though she starts with doubts about her savior due to the rumors that he killed his wife and child, Verity quickly notices his compassion towards people even those not deserving of it. She begins to fall in love with her benefactor and he feels the same attraction, but the secrets he keeps from everyone including her leaves no hope for a real relationship.
Candice Hern places a classic style gothic romance inside a Regency tale so that the audience receives the best of both sub-genres. The story line engages the audience due to the lead characters, the dark brooding but caring James and the innocent bewildered Verity. Though James overdoes his secrets better than the CIA, the audience will want this charming duo to find happiness. His demons and to a lesser degree her first marriage makes for a rocky path that provides delighted readers with much pleasure. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: A dark hero and a bride sale????
Review: Interesting story line that I had not read much about before. The hero (James) has gone off to the war in Spain and when he comes home he obviously has posttraumatic stress syndrome, which of course no one including him understands. At the same time, the heroine (Verity) is being sold, by her husband at an auction in a little town square. One thing leads to another and James ends up buying Verity from her husband. It is interesting to see how things progress. Verity is not made into his mistress instead she is introduced as his cousin, though many know differently. The story progresses as you find out what happened to his previous wife and see how Verity comes to care for the town and those around her. Including the bad tempered James. I enjoyed this story and recommend it to others as not the normal romance.
Rating:
Summary: A dark hero and a bride sale????
Review: Interesting story line that I had not read much about before. The hero (James) has gone off to the war in Spain and when he comes home he obviously has posttraumatic stress syndrome, which of course no one including him understands. At the same time, the heroine (Verity) is being sold, by her husband at an auction in a little town square. One thing leads to another and James ends up buying Verity from her husband. It is interesting to see how things progress. Verity is not made into his mistress instead she is introduced as his cousin, though many know differently. The story progresses as you find out what happened to his previous wife and see how Verity comes to care for the town and those around her. Including the bad tempered James. I enjoyed this story and recommend it to others as not the normal romance.
|
