Customer Reviews

Bride (Super Historical)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I couldn't even finish this book it was so horribly written. The 2 main characters were dry. Rafael was way too autocratic and Isabella's character was too wishy-washy. I realize she'd have conflicting feelings after being in a convent for 4 years when it came to a man who attracted her, but I think the author took it too the extreme. So much so you weren't sure what was going on anymore. Rafael was stiff and demanding (you'd think alpha male in a good way since it's romance, but no...).

Maybe the book got better at the half-way point (which is where I had to put it down), but I had so much trouble getting that far it didn't matter to me how the book turned out because it wasn't worth wasting my time and sanity to get through to the end.

I've read 2 of Ms. Davidson's previous books and I know for sure that I finished them and I must have not thought they were too bad otherwise I'd remember. But this one...(shaking my head) I always remember the ones I can't bring myself to finish.

I love Carolyn Davidson books but this particular book was not one of her best. The two main characters Rafeal Mckenzie and Isabella were just to bland. Nothing really exciting about them. The story just seem to drag on and on and it felt like Carolyn was repeating herself throughout the whole story. If you are a first time reader of her books please dont pick this one. She really is one of my favorite authors but this one book could not even keep me capitavated like all her others.

Horrible! Absolutely horrible!!

Now, usually I can stomach my way through a badly written book with relatively boring characters if it has a good and interesting storyline...BUT I cannot stomach when the heroine is an all-out idiot, which ultimately results in a stupid storyline! Headstrong? I can live with that. Makes a couple of silly, avoidable mistakes? We all do it. But Isabella is simply beauty without brains. She's wishy-washy, boring, easily manipulated, and just plain dumb. I couldn't take it. I had to throw the book across the room when the depths of her stupidity were revealed and I will not be picking it back up.

Plus, it drags on FOREVER!! There are a bunch of unnecessary, uninteresting, and simply redundant details that makes this book a hard read.

Now, this is my first Carolyn Davidson book, but seeing as all of my favorite authors have released a bad book or two out of the many they've published, I will give her another chance. But man...this was a BAD start...

I bought this book because I LOVE Carolyn Davidson's other works, and I always like to be loyal to my favorite authors. Unfortunately, I am on page 64 now, barely into the beginning of Chapter 4, and I just can't stand it any longer. I have never quit reading a romance novel so early on, but I absolutely hate this one. If I could have rated it lower, I would have.

By all means, try another of Carolyn Davidson's books, because they're wonderful. Just stay far, far away from this one.

Amen to those who gave this book a poor review. If I could give it a zero, then I would! I could barely finish the book and I thank myself that I borrowed it from the library via kindle.

I think I read another book, because even though it would seem Rafael has typical male arrogant, chauvinist attitudes once we understand his upbringing and learn he can accommodate the shy, lovely woman who has agreed to become his wife in the most important ways our veiw of him changes. Considering Isabella's childhood background at the hands of a 'truly' chauvinist and greedy and violent father, and years living in a convent I'd considered her a spitefire.

In 1894 New Mexico territory, his dying father demanded Rafael McKenzie make a death bed vow to soon marry a virtuous woman. He agreed though part of his reasoning was to honor his dad, but he also knows the stipulation if he is to fully inherit the family's Diamond Ranch.

Four years earlier Charles Montgomery informed his fourteen years old daughter Isabella, living in the Convent of the Sisters of Charity, that sometime in the next few years she will marry dark soul Juan Garcia. Now Charles tells his offspring the contract with Juan will be fulfilled immediately. Rafael believes the pristine Isabel is the ideal woman as stipulated by his father on the death bed. He decides he will marry her so he abducts her taking her to his ranch where he hopes to convince her they should wed. On the trek to his spread, both feels an attraction, but each is wary to act upon it. When they reach The Diamond Ranch, Rafael introduces his intended bride to a distant relative staying there, the lovely vivacious Lucia.

Lucia steals the show from the lead couple as her actions ignite the story line as Isabella turns jealous and Rafael confused. Although the romance between Isabella and Rafael is enjoyable to follow, it seems too formal when compared to Lucia's kick off her heels. Fans will enjoy this entertaining historical romance as Lucia heats the sheets.

Harriet Klausner