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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
runs out of gas, October 31, 2000
In 1785 England, Meleri Weatherby ends her betrothal to Lord Philip Ashton because she finds him cruel, dangerous, and repulsive. He gleefully agrees because he plans to marry his lover until his father threatens to disown him if he fails to wed the wealthy Meleri. The Ashton family is near broke. When she learns about her ex-fiance's plans, Meleri flees to Scotland. On the way, she runs over Lord Robert Douglas. The Scottish nobleman is in England because he needs to marry quickly a wealthy English lady to satisfy his debts. He is under the King's command to do so. When he learns that Meleri broke off with Philip, he offers to marry her because he hates her former fiance, who raped and killed his sister. Meleri and Robert marry and begin to fall in love. Meanwhile, Robert's ancestral ghost visits Meleri and rapidly develops a loving grandfather-granddaughter relationship. However, Philip lurks in the background and the ghost has yet to reveal the hidden family treasures that will solve so much for the Douglas clan. THE BRIDE OF BLACK DOUGLAS is an exciting, non-stop supernatural historical romance that simply runs out of gas. The story line is fun and entertaining through most of the book, but the climax loses momentum in spite of two wonderful lead characters and an insightful look into late eighteenth century Scotland and England. Sub-genre fans will finish this novel with the knowledge that Elaine Coffman is a very talented author worth reading, but this novel's ending leaves a bit of disappointment. Harriet Klausner
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A most convenient marriage, January 19, 2001
When Lady Meleri Weatherby witnesses her fiance's cruel treatment, she knows she must somehow put an end to their betrothal before he sets a date. But a confrontation compels her to make a rash vow to marry the first man she comes across. It is fortuitous then that she literally runs into Robert Douglas. His impoverished family desperately needs funding and he needs to find a wealthy English bride before the king takes the option to choose away from him. Both Robert and Meleri know that an alliance between the two of them can be of immense benefit but neither can anticipate their growing love for each other. Despite a surprisingly slow start, Elaine Coffman has written a beautiful love story steeped in the richness of the history of the Douglas clan. Meleri has an odd, supernatural connection to the Douglases due to a visiting ghost whom she has seen in her dreams prior to her alliance with Robert. Life with the Douglases proves to be advantageous to Meleri who begins the story as a spirited heroine but eventually becomes a purposeful one. Robert, who is moody and melancholy, overcomes his initial dislike for his English bride and is so moved by her devotion to his family that he finds himself unable to use her as a tool of vengeance for his twin sister's death years ago. "The Bride of Black Douglas" is not just a love story it is a rich tapestry of history, pride, and family that will succeed in delighting readers.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bride of Black Douglas, November 2, 2000
By A Customer
I'm not usually a big fan of historicals, but I loved this book, especially the wonderful drama of proud Scot vs. British maid in a marriage of convenience, the ghostly legend and the moody Scottish castle. For all of us who believe in Presbyterian predestination, this is one book we were all meant to read! It's terrific!
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