The Bride Price

I love this book! I read it 3 months ago and find myself going back to it again and again now, especially to the juicy parts. I am so thankful for Anne Mallory for writing the books she does. The Bride Price has an interesting story as a backdrop, dotted with very intense sex scenes here and there. It helps that the heroine is not a virgin, so the naughty scenes could begin almost right from the get go. But it goes beyond just sex. I think the author succeeded in blending sex with historical romance, a concoction that is just right for women like me, married, mature, but need some excitement in our daily lives that's not porn. Anne Mallory's books hit that spot. I just read Three Nights of Sin, like it too, but I don't think it's as good as the Bride Price. I look forward to reading the rest of her books.

Anne Mallory's THE BRIDE PRICE reminds me of what I love about historical romances. Sebastien Deville has always been on the fringes of acceptable society. As an illegitimate son of a duke, Sebastien has lived his life mostly to torment his father and half-brother. And the perfect opportunity arises - the King has endorsed a competition for third sons and bastards to win a viscountcy, land and a well-born woman as a bride. Caroline Martin is a woman haunted by past mistakes. When she finds out about the competition and that her companion, Lady Sarah, is to be the bride, Caroline is shocked and horrified. She decides the only way to get through some ignoble competition is to sabotage it so that the best possible candidate wins. But who could that be in such a motley lot? When Caroline and Sebastien meet, the sparks fly. But how can a notorious rake and a buttoned-down widower ever be together? Especially if he wins the competition and marries Lady Sarah? I loved the unusual premise. I tend to like books with impossible situations, where the suspense is not so much "Will they get together?" but, "HOW will they get together in such an impossible situation?" There are a few parts that are a bit awkward (limbs bending in impossible ways, trees turning into stone benches and back in the scene, etc.) and the ending is a bit rushed, but overall, I thoroughly enjoyed THE BRIDE PRICE. Niki Lee Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I have been reading some great contemporary novels in the past few weeks but reading a historical romance and Anne Mallory at that, it was like coming home. This is a story of Sebastian the bastard of a Duke and Caroline Martin. The Duke and his friends make up a contest for some men (who are either bastards or 3rd born children) with the prize being a title, a home/property, money and a wife (Sarah, Caroline's cousin). It's Sebastian mother's home that is on of the prizes, that Duke (his father) bought out from under him. So he want his home, revenge and power, after meeting Caroline he wants her too... - Enjoy! Looking forward to her next novel For the Earl's Pleasure(due out - Jun 30, 2009). If you enjoy this genre I would also suggest; As Luck Would Have It (Leisure Historical Romance), At the Bride Hunt Ball (Avon Romance),Compromised (Berkley Sensation) and Good With His Hands (Zebra Debut).

In 1822 seven bored English aristocrats decide a game using third and illegitimate sons will spice up the season. The winner of the contest will gain a title, an estate and a wealthy bride. Each agrees to let the games begin. Sebastian Deville meets the criteria and decides to enter the competition for two competing reasons; first to gain affluence and influence to help the poor and second he also sees this as his only chance to inherit his mom's estates, which would enable him to avenge the affront of a lifetime. Lord Cheevers' daughter Sarah Pim is the icing on the cake to the winner as THE BRIDE PRICE, but Sebastian prefers the companion Caroline Martin. As he falls in love with Caroline, Sebastian must choose between his long term dream of acceptance by the Ton and his acceptance of being in love with the wrong female. This fabulous late Regency romance focuses on the aristocratic status of unmarried women and illegitimate men. The story line is fast-paced from the moment "His Grace" never his father informs Sebastian of THE BRIDE PRICE contest and never slows down as the lead male falls in love with the wrong woman. Ann Mallory provides a well written historical. Harriet Klausner

The illegitimate son of a Duke, Sebastien, is pitted against his legitimate brother and others in a competition to win the home in which he grew up. Winning the competition also brings the victor a title, other properties and a bride, Lady Sarah - the daughter of an earl. Sebastien's only interest is the ability to keep the only place he's ever called home. His father, the Duke, added the home to the competition to force his son to participate in the competition. Throughout the story, the Duke constantly attempts to manipulate both sons into behaving as he wishes. The heroine, Caroline, looks after the happiness and best interests of the prize bride Sarah. She believes this competition will ruin Sarah's chance at happiness and wants to do whatever she can to make sure that Sarah is not forced into an unwanted marriage. In doing so, she encounters Sebastien and sparks fly from the moment they meet. I liked this book because the story was new and a little different. The tension between the hero and heroine was intense and enjoyable. In the beginning, where there is so much focus on the games, I thought it might become a little boring, but it picked up and focused more on the characters than on the details, which made it much better. I liked all of the characters and the tensions between them as well. The romance was hot and the h/h seemed so real...emotions, personalitites, fallibilites, vulnerabilities. It also showed of the nuances of falling in love. It shows the love rather than just tells you the h/h love one another and that it isn't just lust....you actually see that it is so. Good read!