Midnight's Bride

WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! Purchased in the a.m. and finished reading in the p.m. - just couldn't put it down. Regretfully, the tale ended too soon. Enjoyment personified! Very entertaining! LOVED IT! Sophia Johnson writes another well-crafted medieval Scottish adventure. Her talent bequiles and enthralls readers with this final episode of the Blackthorn trilogy. Ms. Johnson simply gets better with each effort and MIDNIGHT'S BRIDE may be her best yet. Mereck, Netta and a host of exceptional characters are quickly taken to our hearts ... so much that the reader cares deeply about the outcome of their adventures. This sensual and exciting tale incorporates the beloved characters of Rolf and Meghan, Damron and Brianna, Connor and Elise and the mysterious and compelling Bleddyn (RISK EVERYTHING and ALWAYS MINE) into the story line. Their return 'to the scene' is sheer delight. Life at Blackthorn is about to get a whole lot hotter! Netta is a true innocent and when forced to leave her father's castle with the bold Mereck, who continually fights his dangerous, 'baresark' emotions, their sexual tensions increase and they become desparate trying to manage their tumultuous feelings for each other. Lively dialogue .. witty .. passionate .. adventure .. this one has it all .. A FIVE-STAR READ .. all one would expect of Sophia Johnson's talent. MIDNIGHT'S BRIDE will capture your heart, tickle your funny-bone and land firmly on your 'keeper's shelf' ... kudos to Ms. Johnson!

With her fervent claims of denying every suitor her father arranged a possible marriage with, Netta is worried when he boldly declares that the next man that walks through the door she will marry. Especially when it is a Baresark who makes her blood run cold in fear but causes a shiver of excitement every time he looks at her. Devising a scheme with her friend Elise she disguises herself as a serving maid on their journey to Scotland. In her futile attempts of not giving herself away, she over salts his morning meal, sticks worms in his stew all the while blackening the wrong teeth each morning. Netta is not aware that her betrothed knows exactly whom she is and her actions are doing nothing but making him fall in love with her despite his own fears of marriage and the vow he took. Mereck of Blackthorn, has vowed to never wed, he believes he is cursed with Bareserk blood and that any woman who marries into his family perishes upon the birth of a babe. Despite his fears and worries, he accepts the contract to marry Netta, taking his vows seriously trying to ignore the fact his betrothed is doing everything possible in the hopes he will send her back home. Upon their arrival at his family home, his suspicions are confirmed as he discovers she seldom had anything kind said or done for her and pursues with gentleness. When one of Netta's former suitors feels the scorn and humiliation of Netta's rejection, his evil intent nearly shatters and destroys the harmonious relationship between Netta and Mereck. As Mereck reveals a side to Netta he never wanted her to see. MIDNIGHT'S BRIDE like previous novels by Sophia Johnson is full of humour, drama, love and passion. Not to mention the intricate plot and descriptive details, with the well rounded character development making this novel a must read. With so many things happening in this novel that pulls on your emotions, I seriously got a kick out of Netta and her innocence on the matters of the marriage bed. As she bravely told Elise the way things are between a man and wife, I smiled at her expert and worldly knowledge, all the while thinking oh girl are you ever in for a surprise! The bond and friendship that developed between the females, Elise, Netta, Meaghan (RISK EVERYTHING) and Brianna (ALWAYS MINE) provided many humorous moments as they schemed and did things to purposely shock their beloveds. Bringing several chuckles from this reader, not to mention a raised eyebrow or two when they were caught in the act of their current mis-adventure. Sophia Johnson is a relatively new author and each book she writes only gets better. Her male characters are dominantly Alpha Male but like all Alpha Males it takes a great heroine to bring him to heel and understand that yes he is capable of not only giving love but receiving it. Sophia Johnson did not disappoint in this regard, she never does. MIDNIGHT'S BRIDE was a perfect companion for curling up on the couch, forgetting about the real world as you entere

Cursed by his baresark heritage, Mereck of Blackthorn has vowed never to love. When Mereck encounters Netta of Caer Caldwell, it's as if destiny is at work. Netta is being forced to wed and she needs protection from her family. Mereck wants Caer Caldwell and the man who weds Netta will be Caer Caldwell's overlord. The fact that Netta fires Mereck's passions makes him all the more determined to take Netta as his wife. Believing Mereck a barbarian, Netta attempts to evade marriage to the fierce warrior. Although he can offer his protection and his passion, Mereck will not give his heart. Netta and Mereck are about to learn that you cannot avoid what fate has in store. Seeing Sophia Johnson's name on a book cover sends my credit card to twitching. I can't resist Ms. Johnson because I know I'll not be reading another cookie cutter historical romance. Midnight's Bride is the most classic romance in this series and is delightful. Ms. Johnson's ability to successfully distinguish each book in the Blackthorn trilogy but link the three together keeps the trilogy refreshing. Midnight's Bride is tenderly romantic, hysterically funny and deeply passionate. A delightful read in every way, the Blackthorn trilogy is terrific! Annmarie Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Snuggle up in your comfy reading chair and get ready to be thoroughly entertained as creative author Sophia Johnson delivers a lively tale about another Blackthorn brother, Mereck, in MIDNIGHT'S BRIDE. Determined not to marry the odious men her father kept sending her way, Lady Lynette Wycliffe dodged a beating once again. But this time her furious father delivered an ultimatum, shouting that the next man entering the castle gate would be her husband. Little did Lynette know that the man would turn out to be the legendary Baresarker whom her step-mother had told horror tales about all of her young life! She quickly ran away to her friend's home disguised as a servant. From there she was fortunate enough to travel with her friend Elise to Wales accompanied by Mereck of Blackthorn. Lynette, Netta to her familiars, was relieved to have escaped the mad man, or so she thought. Mereck kept his identity as the Baresarker a secret from Netta even as he signed a marriage contract with her father. He treated Netta as the servant she pretended to be while they traveled to Wales. Mereck wanted Netta's dowry, the lands of Caer Caldwell, and never intended to love her because of the baresark curse. Once at Blackthorn Castle, everything is out in the open and Netta is once again living in terror as she realizes Mereck, the gentle man she knew on the journey, is really the barbarian Baresarker and he expects to marry her. MIDNIGHT'S BRIDE by inspiring author Sophia Johnson is filled with history, passion and high jinx. Peals of giggles and melting sighs describe my reaction to Netta and Mereck as they verbally spar with each other amid sexual tension and Netta's naiveté. The innocent candor of Elise and Netta, dictated by Ms Johnson's witty dialog, provides some very amusing reading, so much so that I lost myself in the tale. And then there is the smoldering passion waiting to be unleashed in the ruggedly handsome Mereck; every woman's fantasy. Each of the Blackthorn books have a different temperament governed by its marvelous characters; which causes me to eagerly await more delightfully delicious stories from talented Sophia Johnson. Donna Zapf CataNetwork Reviews

If you are a fan of old Julie Garwood books you will love this one. synops... Netta, after her latest rejection in a long line of suitors is told by her father that she will marry the next man that enters the castle gates. While she plans her escape she hears that someone has entered the castle and goes to spy upon him. What she sees scares her wittless for she sees a barbarian clothe in wolf skins. She's spotted is accused of being a thief by her father and runs... Mereck, who arrived at the castle to marry Lynette for her Welsh lands persues the thief. He realizes who he is holding even as she claims to be a servant - he arranges for her to be taken to Ridley Castle. Upon arriving at Ridley he explained his plan to the Lord and Lady who comply with his wishes for he was sent to take their daughter back to Scotland with him . The events that happen on their journey remind me so much of Jamie from Garwoods THE BRIDE. Like the little story with Connor and Elise also. Connor to me does not seem as a preening, lecherous swine for to me he is obivious teasing. I have re-read this book and have put it on the bookcase by the bed as re-reads. A truly remarkable book and to me a great replacement that has been missing since Garwood went mainstream.