His Bride

SUMMARY (*includes spoilers*): [1591, England] Sir Edmund Blackwell entered into a wager with his friend, Sir Alex Thornton (occurs at the beginning of His Scandal) and though all he had to get was a kiss, he ended up sleeping with the young woman and as a result offered to marry her. This book takes place a couple of years later, after Elizabeth (the woman) has died; their marriage was an unhappy one and although Edmund tried his best to make her happy and make the best out of unfortunate circumstances, his wife was a spoiled and selfish being (who didn't deserve him!). Her death is shrouded in suspicion and rumors abound that Edmund is the one responsible for killing her. His in-laws, whom he dislikes and who return the feeling, offer him the opportunity to keep the property he received as part of Elizabeth's dowry if he marries Gwyneth Hall, a poor cousin of Elizabeth's. They admit they have ulterior motives but won't admit what they are. Although Edmund doesn't want to accept, the dowry they are offering along with Gwyneth tempts him, for Elizabeth drained the estate and though he went back to mercenary work to support them, since his injury this is no longer a possibility. What Elizabeth's parents don't know, however, is that Edmund doesn't plan on making the marriage a real one - he won't consummate it and once he has recouped the amount of the dowry through his land, he will pay it back, annul the marriage (for all he knows, this new wife of his is helping his in-laws), and finally be done with Elizabeth's family forever. Gwyneth Hall is nervous about marrying a man she has never met, but has hopes that the marriage will help her poor (though happy and tight-knit) family. She meets her husband moments before marrying him and is then taken to a beautiful but crumbling castle in need of repair. Who is this stern man, whom many people seem to fear because of his large size and the rumors of murder, but whom she can't help but be drawn to? He causes a fluttering in the bottom of her stomach and she wants to make him smile or even laugh. Gwyneth is determined to make a real marriage of what circumstances have forced, for she sees in Edmund a good man whom she is growing to love - and whom she thinks badly needs that love. This book combines a marriage of convenience; a hurt and suspicious hero who has decided not to have sex with his wife (but is drawn to her, both emotionally and physically); a sweet and loving heroine who is confused by her husband's attempts to separate himself from her and determined to not let him succeed (and seduce him as best she can); and a nefarious plot being directed by evil ex-in-laws and carried out by we-don't-know-who. The combination is definitely a hit so hat's off to Gayle Callen for another great read! OPINION: This is a wonderful book and a great follow-up to His Scandal (the second book in the "His" series - I have yet to read the first). I barely recognized Edmund, since in the preceding book he was a

I read all three of the books by Callen in this series His Betrothed, His Scandal and now His Bride. For me the story of Edmund and Gwyn was bar far the best of the series. And I think for this series it is helpful to read them in order because the author does not exactly explain the relationship of the characters in the other books. Certainly after reading the second book about Alex it was clear how Edmund got into the situation with the Langster family. It also clearly made sense why Edmund was so untrusting of Gwyn at the beginning of their marriage. But Gwyn was a determined and engaging young lady and wanted to make this a real marriage. For me this was a beautiful love story and the most romantic of the three books. I would recommnend all of the series but think this one the best!!

Edmund begins as an exceedingly wary man; it takes the innocent and genuinely caring Gwyneth to eventually earn his hard-to-win trust. He's been so deceived and harmed by her extended family that she must be another means of twisting the knife. Gwyneth, however, knows nothing of her family's evil plans; all she wants is a loving husband and a family and a home of her own. Edmund seems rather dark after his earlier appearance in His Scandal, but his change began there and becomes clear as we learn what has happened to him.Enough mystery in who's the traitor to maintain interest in the backplot. Humor, romance, sensuality, and emotional appeal. An excellent follow-up to His Scandal.

This is the 1st book by Gayle Callen that I read. Loving it, I read through all of her available books as fast as possible, and loved them all. She has two series, of which this book is the last of one. My advice is to read them in order (His Betrothed, His Scandal, then His Bride). Unfortunately, His Betrothed is the least enjoyable of all her books (but still decent). But her stories carry the characters forward, so it greatly adds to the enjoyment. I was careful to read her other series in order, and was glad of it. The best thing about this author is that she keeps the notion of "bad guys" and danger to the couple involved in the background. It's there, but not dwelled upon. I surely appreciate that, since I hate books like Kat Martin's, where the hero is in jail half the time. I surely hope another book comes out soon!

I've always been a sucker for a Beauty and the Beast story, and Gayle Callen does the tale proud. Her lively prose and beautifully-rendered Elizabethan setting are the perfect foil to the tale of Edmund and his evolving love for HIS BRIDE. A joy to read. Well done indeed!