Gabriel's Bride

I know I am late reading this book, I see it was written 1994, but better late then never, I always say. I LOVED this book, I see one reviewer said rape, was in the book, bodice tearing.(truthfully Gabriel could tear my bodice anyday, he was hunky, and Cassie did not mind, silly girl if she did, it was sizzling, love making, not rape.) What I saw was passion, and a love that was always hidden. It reminded me of the older Rosemary Rodgers type of books, I had loved when I was younger. With the man taking forever to see his heart....instead of the independent woman, clinging to her Independence, which I have to say, I am growing sick of. I LOVED LOVED LOVED this book, read it in one weekend, and thought it was profoundly romantic to the very end..and even shed a few tears. *sniff* I salute you Samantha James, very fine read indeed. A keeper for my shelf.

I could hardly put this book down.Lord Gabriel Sinclair displayed deep, powerful emotions that he went to great lengths to hide. One cannot deny the deep emotional scars he sustained as a child, and became a product of his father's neglect. [and you can't tell me this does not happen in this day and age.]Cassie McClellan is a fiesty and endearing character. Not a mealy mouthed wimp always bemoaning her fate. She kept taking a couple of steps forward, both physically and emotionally, even in fear and trepidation. She is a good representative of "woman" and what she can accomplish with a loving spirit.There always seems to be a great misunderstanding between "sex" and "love" and Gabriel did use force or "rape" [not true violence] but as Cassie asks, she [they - the women] are not given much choice in the matter in the 1800's [keep the day and age in perspective]. Today all you hear about is consentual sex scenes [my pet peeve]without commitment and that does not constitute love.I Highly Recommend this book [and characters] You will enjoy the subtle shifts in emotion - even if they are not all spelled out, they can be felt. This is about a powerfully masculine man and a truly sensitive woman and their journey toward love [sex included]. This is not a story that leaves you feeling "ho-humm" they are at it again but a true progression of people with powerful emotions to resolve. CONGRATS! to S. James on a great story powerfully told.DEFINITELY A KEEPER!

Gabriel's Bride is my first Samantha James book and she didn't disappoint me. This book is a very entertaining and captivating read. I just couldn't put it down. I spent one night to finish it. Lord Gabriel is a wickedly handsome earl who is always in bad mood. All of what he does including marrying Cassie seem to be aimed at irritating his father. Cassie is used as a pawn against his father's will to marry him to another woman. The relationship between Gabriel and Cassie is tensed. Cassie always thinks that she is his unwanted, unloved wife. Gabriel's pride runs so high in his blood that he always says everything that should have never been said to hurt her. As the story progresses, Gabriel comes to realize that his true feeling for her and how much she means to him. The secondary characters are lovable especially Lady Evelyn and Christopher. Ms.James is a talented storyteller. She weaved such an exciting intrigues into a sizzling historical romance.

You 'll never put it down untill finish it. I read it more than 10 times and everytime I found the new point between them. I cry a lot when read it but it cannot stop me to read again and again.