Bluestocking Bride [Mass Market Paperback]

Elizabeth Thornton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1990

Educated and brilliant, classics scholar Catherine Hartland has yet to meet a man who takes her intellect seriously or views the opposite sex as anything but mere playthings. Certainly the Marquis of Rutherton is no exception, though his knowledge of Greek is impressive. Yet as much as her head demands she ignore his bold, sensual gaze, his beautifully sculpted features, and his clear intent to kiss her senseless, her heart dictates otherwise...Cynical and weary of matchmaking games, the Marquis is stunned by his own reaction to a woman so different from the docile, biddable beauties he much prefers. Catherine might be the only woman in London immune to his considerable charms, but that only convinces his she remains the only woman he has to have. And as passion makes Catherine a prisoner of her own desires, she knows the time has come to teach this arrogant gentleman a lesson in the true meaning of love...

--This text refers to an alternate Mass Market Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 1 pages
• Publisher: Zebra Books (February 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821729047
• ISBN-13: 978-0821729045
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,058,490 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Still a Delightful Regency, February 15, 2004

By 

M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bluestocking Bride (Zebra Historical Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

Setting - England 1811 --- While Catherine Hartland has yet to meet a man who is going to appreciate her for herself, her educated mind and sharp intellect, she is well aware that walks this earth are the self-inflated ego ridden nobles who she knows very well would not be interested in her. Richard, the Marquis of Rutherton, is no exception even if he is unbelievably handsome with a bold sensual gaze that Catherine is not immune to even though she is determined to not succumb to.

Richard, was astounded to discover that this unlikely chit, so unlike the Cyprians he's been so used to would beguile him so. And that he, who was the prize of the matrimony mart, would have to work so hard for her to accept his suit. While winning what he considered was his prize, keeping her in love with him, as she discovered and misinterpreted his past foibles would be even harder as she tried to teach the arrogant man, a real lesson - in how to love!

While this is a reprint, from an earlier time when regency novels did not have the sexual details down to the last drop of sweat, I found it to still have enough sensuality built in hold my interest. In fact, I was relatively amazed at the almost seduction, that was somewhat graphic when the two protagonists encountered each other upon their first meeting, owing to the fact that Catherine did not admit to being a lady of quality. As a fan of Thornton's I see that even in her earlier works, such as this, she still gives the reader wonderful character development and page turning anticipation. Bottom line, if you are looking for explicit sexual description you will not find it here, but pick this up if you are looking for a good solid storyline, and a very pleasant and entertaining read set in the lively regency era. --- Marilyn...

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Cliched and unrealistic romance novel, December 11, 2009

By 

AUPoohBear "aupoohbear" (New England, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bluestocking Bride (Zebra Historical Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

Richard Fotherville, Marquis of Rutherston is now 30 years of age and promised his mother he would give up his wild ways and settle down. First, though, he must tend to his new estate, Branley Park,inherited from an uncle. There he encounters Catherine Harland in his library, absorbed in a book and mistaking her for a servant insults her and orders her off. Catherine plays dumb and mocks Rutherston which results in his bestowing an extremely passionate kiss upon Catherine. Before the kiss progresses into anything more, they are interrupted by Rutherston's cousin and Catherine's old friend Charles Norton. Charles reveals Catherine's true identity as the intelligent niece of their old Oxford don who resides on a neighboring estate. Rutherston is shocked by Catherine's further hoydenish and bluestocking behavior. He believes the Greek heroine Andromanche is the ideal woman because she is meek and passive. His future bride must submit to him in all things. Of course he can not ignore his physical attraction to Catherine and follows her to London where she is enjoying her first Season. Catherine is convinced Rutherston doesn't meet her ideal but she also can not hide her physical attraction to him, so she marries him! Then the plot turns to the obvious misunderstandings of young married couples of that time. Meanwhile, Catherine's sister and Rutherston's cousin have fallen in love and without the money to support a her, Charles's hopes seem lost. Finally, the book reaches it's predictable conclusion with a number of cliched plot points and graphic love scenes. Needless to say, I could not stand this novel. Catherine seemed like a promising heroine at first but she gave in too easily and allowed self-doubts to nearly ruin her marriage. There were way too many plots in this book and none of them played out realistically or uniquely. Catherine and Richard spend much of their early weeks of marriage in bed and there is little description of anything else. Skip this novel if you like well-written, plot-driven, realistic stories.

8 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Dated, January 22, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Bluestocking Bride (Zebra Historical Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

I usually love Elizabeth Thorton's books, but I could not get past the first half of "Bluestocking Bride". Stiff, formulaic characters with not much to like. Don't waste your time or money on this reprint, I wish I had not.