A Belated Bride

In this wonderful, humorous Regency-era romp, Karen has proven that the success of her first novel, The Abduction of Julia, was no mistake. Arabella Hadley has plenty of secrets, as well as two elderly aunts, a wheelchair bound brother, and a estate full of servants and tenants that she's trying to protect. What she certainly doesn't need is an injured duke lying around the house to upset her routine. Especially this duke. Lucien Deveraux stole her heart and then stomped on it ten years ago. Even though the Christian thing to do is rescue an injured man lying along the road on that dark night, once Arabella discovers his identity, she begins to wish she'd left him tofend for himself. Once Lucien discovers where he is, he decides to use the obvious interest of Arabella's aunts to his advantage - both to hide his own secrets and to learn more about Arabella's life in the years since he had to marry another. Once Lucien is firmly ensconced in the family home, Arabella has a devil of a time trying to kick him out. Her aunts have decided he is the perfect mate for Arabella and her brother has finally shown some interest in life again. However, the temptation of Lucien is more than poor Arabella can stand; she never quite managed to free her heart of his memories, even after he married another woman. In this funny, tender, and enjoyable ride through the English countryside and the lives of these two independent and resilient characters, Karen Hawkins has created a world that leaves us wanting more. The drama is exciting, the sexual chemistry is riveting, and the characters, from the hero and heroine down to Arabella's meddling aunts and crippled brother, Lucien's eccentric sister, and all the people working and living on or near Rosemont, can't help but worm their way into our hearts. Definitely don't miss this latest and endearing tale from a talented new author. Great job, Karen!

Well, I must say that I have enjoyed reading this book! This book has it all! Laughter, adventure, treasures, a villain, great secondary characters and most of all romance! Lucien Deveraux, The Duke of Wexford, is accidentally ran over by the carriage of Arabella Hadley a woman he has loved and lost ten years ago. Because of his wounds he was forced to stay and recover in the house of Arabella where she lives with her two aunts and brother. Arabella and Lucien fell in love with each other years ago but circumstances has taken Lucien away from Arabella and broke her innocent heart. Now ten years later they face each other again and Lucien must prove to this independent, stubborn, strong, beautiful woman that he has changed and and is there to stay with her forever. Even if this means to trick her into marriage.I enjoyed reading this book a lot! After reading so many "serious" books lately, I found this refreshing, funny and well written. There were moments in this book that made me laugh out loud, sigh from exasperation, tense from what's to come next and curl my toes with pleasure because Lucien is such a wonderful hero. I could really empathize with Arabella's feelings and independence because of what she has had to endure. If a book can make me feel all these things then I know I've got myself another keeper. This book has everything and has the right dosage of humor, misunderstanding, love scenes, meddling of Arabella's delightful aunts and adventure. Karen Hawkins even threw in two extra romances. The secondary characters are well written and gave the book more depth and you will wish to see them return in Karen's future books.Karen Hawkins is a writer that can certainly be compared to writers like Amanda Quick, Julia Quinn and Jacquie D'Alessandro. If you love their books you will certainly love A Belated Bride. Buy this book now for I assure you, you will not be disappointed, you will only clamor for more!! I, for one, certainly cannot wait for her next book, The Abduction of Sara, to be released in November 2001!

Wow! I always thought Karen Hawkins had talent, I just didn't realize how much talent.If you enjoyed One Lucky Lord (under her pseudonym Kim Bennet) and if you loved The Abduction of Julia, you will be blown away by A Belated Bride!Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your viewpoint) Lucien Devereaux, the Duke of Wexford was rescued before he bled to death on that bleak, country road. Reality set in when he realized his beautiful savior owned the very heart he broke so many years ago!Arabella Hadley loved Lucien forever, heart, mind and soul - not to mention body - and that is what caused all this trouble to begin with! Her traitorous body! If only she could control her reaction to this devilish man she could get on with her life just fine! The sensuality sizzles, the intrigue will keep you turning the pages and humor will have you rolling on the floor, laughing out loud!Come join the fun! Meet Arabella's aunts Emma and Jane and a whole host of secondary characters that you will remember forever! If you only read one new release for the year 2001, let it be A Belated Bride... you won't be disappointed!

Every so often I'm lucky enough to find a writer whose fluid prose and sparkling wit keep me turning the pages long past the time I should stop. With The Belated Bride, Karen Hawkins made me do just that. With a stubborn, intelligent, independent heroine (Arabella), one sexy, roguish hero who's determined to do the right thing (Lucien), and two sweet but meddling aunties with a fondness for tonic, sheep potions and gambling (the tonic's medicinal, of course), I was treated to a truly delightful book. Add to that an intriguing plot of spies and smuggling, flowing dialogue, a few more likeable secondary characters, and pages of humorous banter, and I found that if I wasn't completely engrossed in the storyline and trying to figure out who's-the-real-villain, I was chuckling or laughing out loud. It's a delicious gift of a story with all the right elements in just the right mix, and one I just can't recommend highly enough.

A Belated Bride by Karen Hawkins is quite possibly the best book I have read this year. Karen is able to create such heartfelt, humorous, and absolutely believable stories. This is Karen's second book for Avon books, and I must say she does not disappoint. The hero, Lucien Deveraux, is a dashing Duke determined to win back the lady he lost years ago. Arabella Hadley is a strong, independent woman who will fight with everything she has to stop that from happening. Throw in a couple of matchmaking aunts and one humorous incident after another and you have perfection in the making! A Belated Bride is book that will climb to the top of your Keeper List! If you love a lighthearted, humorous Regency era Romance, you will LOVE this book!