Customer Reviews

Devil In My Bed: The Runaway Brides

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

 

 

Celeste Bradley has a new historical romance series called The Runaway Brides. The first book, Devil in My Bed is so unrealistic and loopy. There is that "big misunderstanding" plot device and a cute little toddler who takes up many of the scenes she is in that may annoy. If you like your villains, who remind you of those old fashioned ones that twirl their mustaches and tie the poor woman to the railroad tracks, give this one a go.

Aidan de Quincy has never gotten over the widow he had a passionate, all consuming love affair with. Madeleine Chandler leaves him when he expresses his desire to marry her. Because Madeleine just wanted him for sex and not his name, he becomes bitter and heartbroken. How dare the woman blow his mind and his body with wonderful bed play and run away from him because he wanted to marry her Now three years later he still cannot forget the one woman who he gave his heart to, or rather the woman he is obsessed with. But this is quite alright because Aidan is the hero. While he is at the Brown's Club for Distinguished Gentlemen, he notices a small child named Melody who is only three years old. Melody was left there by her mother who can't support her anymore. Aidan knows this poor child's father is not part of the club because most of the men are well past their prime to have a child. Aidan has no choice but to take care of this little girl until he can figure out who her father is.

Madeleine had to end her affair with Aidan because she is hiding from her husband who is an abusive psychopath. She pretends to be a widow and has kept hidden for three years. But the jig is up because a friend of her husband has spotted her. Aidan finds her once again and rescues her because he comes to the conclusion that she is Melody's mother. He hides Madeline in his rooms. For some reason Madeleine doesn't tell Aidan that he is mistaken, but he thinks she is a lying wench anyway, so what would be the point? Even though he thinks Madeleine is a lying, deceitful woman who broke his poor heart, he will get to the bottom of this so they can finally be together.

Madeleine's psycho husband figures out she is in London and will make her pay. All she wants is her freedom and a future with Aidan and little Melody, but her lies and deceit have become too much to keep under control.

Devil in My Bed has some moments of comedic relief that are bound to make you groan more than laugh. I will say that Aidan and Madeleine are crazy for each other and there is one scene where they are playing hide and seek with Melody and hide in the wardrobe. Aidan's hands go a wandering and Madeleine combusts into a puddle of mushy lust. Watching Aidan and Sir Colin Lambert, who also resides at the club, figure out how to take care of Melody is quite hilarious. These two reminded me of the movie, Three Men and a Baby.

I guess you could say this a screwball regency romp. The out of the blue scenes that are dark and full of tension come out of left field and just don't fit. And again, the situation Aidan places himself in with Madeleine and Melody is a bit unbelievable. You will have to suspend your belief because the majority of the story is a bit fantastical. Fans of Celeste Bradley know what they are getting and if you have enjoyed her past work, I think you will feel the same way with Devil in My Bed.

Katiebabs

Over the past few weeks, I've read three new releases where the author did little more than provide an $8 prologue to books #2 and #3 in her new series. A total waste of the two main characters AND my money! Fast forward to this past weekend, where I had the complete opposite experience with Celeste Bradley's new novel, "Devil in my Bed." This book is truly a stand-alone. The two main characters, Madeline and Aidan, are well-formulated, believable and endearing, and while the secondary characters are strong, they did not overshadow the h/h.

The same elements that I found enjoyable in two of Bradley's earlier series (Liar's Club and Royal Four) are evident in this novel: humor, passion, honor and intellect. Bradley excels at bringing in a touch of realism and a hint of the less savory side of life in the early 18th Century; although some of the characters are of the upper class, this isn't one of those boring stories that revolve around balls at Almack's and rides in Hyde Park. Better still, the characters are believable and flawed, rather than freakishly gorgeous and spectacularly rich.

I will admit that I almost didn't read this book -- I dislike the "cute kid" plot device and generally steer clear of books and movies that rely on a precocious child to drive the story. But I decided to forge ahead with the book, and I'm glad I did. That little terror provided some of the best chuckles of the story, and if I'm reading the excerpt from the next book correctly, the search to find her father will serve as the thread that binds the series together.

Overall, I found this to be an enjoyable read, one that reflects the quality of writing, character development and plotting of Bradley's earlier works.

In 1812 Aidan de Quincy and Widow Madeleine Chandler shared a passionate affair that abruptly ended in an ugly manner leaving him angry and birrer. In 1815 when he arrives at the Brown's Club for Distinguished Gentlemen he is accosted by a small child who says she is three years old and named Melody. She explains to Aidan, his friend Jack and Sir Colin Lambert that she seeks her unknown father who is one of them; her mother is apparently Madeleine though the child implies she is a foundling.

Aidan goes off to confront Madeleine, who still loves him. She dumped him because she feared the scandal her past would cost her noble beloved. He is soon rescuing her and demanding the truth as he sees it in her eyes the wanting, but she still lies about her being Melody's mother.

This is a terrific Regency madcap romance with a great opening that sets in motion a comedy of errors filled with whimsy, money, and love. The lead couple is a delightful pairing while little Melody steals the hearts of the three men, Madeleine and readers form the onset. Fans will look forward to the next rogue Sir Colin's saga after appreciating this enjoyable screwball historical romantic comedy.

Harriet Klausner

This book was okay. Neither of the main characters were very appealing. The little girl was quite sweet. The estranged husband was a true villian along with his sidekick, but that is where I felt the excitement ended.

I've read most of Ms. Bradley's work, and have enjoyed them, especially The Rogue, which was a pure delight.

I hope the next in this series is better, the main character has a little more
personality going for him.

I did finish the book, therefore I gave it three stars because I didn't close it and start something, that captured my interest with a little more appeal.

I found this book to be a thoroughly enjoyable read. The little girl (Melody) is delightful and I loved Aidan's and Colin's interactions with her. I don't see how some other reviewers are describing this as a comedy. It does have some humorous scenes but nothing LOL funny (at least not in my opinion). To me it is more a traditional historical romance with requisite evil villain (quite evil, in fact) and an adorable little girl thrown in.

I have not read any other of Ms. Bradley's books, but I very much enjoyed this one. It is an easy read and after zipping through it, I immediately bought book 2 (and am already looking forward to book 3 which comes out tomorrow).

For Kindle readers: no formatting issues worth noting

It's an ordinary day for Aidan de Quincy, fifth Earl of Blankenship when he steps out of Brown's Club for Distinguished Gentlemen. At least, it's an ordinary day until he spots a three-year-old girl sitting on the club's steps. The child, Melody, has been abandoned by her nanny, left only with a note saying that one of Brown's members is Melody's father. Suspecting that Melody might be his daughter, Aidan sets off to confront the one woman he thought he'd never see again - Madeleine Chandler.

Over three years ago, circumstances forced Madeleine to break Aidan de Quincy's heart...as well as her own. Now Madeleine is once again in dire straits, her past coming back to haunt her. When Aidan shows up, Madeleine grasps at the safety net he unwittingly provides by claiming to be Melody's mother. But even as Aidan, Madeleine, and Melody begin to become a family, Madeleine knows it's only a matter of time before her lies come to light, shattering her newfound relationship with Aidan.

Lust, lies, and a doll made out of a cravat bring life to the first installment of Celeste Bradley's intriguing Runaway Brides series. Devil in My Bed is a delectable story filled with characters that are sure to capture your heart. From Aidan and Madeleine to the too-cute-for-words Melody to the men who make up the members and staff of Brown's, each and every character comes to life right on the page. Between Madeleine and Aidan's romance, Melody's antics, and the hint of danger that lurked just around the corner, I was up reading late into the night, unable to put Devil in My Bed down until I had finished the book.

I love the premise of The Runaway Brides series. It isn't just that there's, three lords, one adorable child, and three women from their past to track down to solve the mystery of Melody's parentage. That's an interesting start, but what captured me was that Aidan and Colin (the hero of the trilogy's second book) genuinely care for Melody; she's not just a responsibility for them to shoulder. Devil in My Bed is an endearing mixture of humor and heart and as soon as I finished the story, I wanted to leap right into the next Runaway Brides book, Rogue in My Arms.



Shayna
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I loved this book. The story captured my heart from the very first page, and I couldn't put it down. I loved all the quirky characters, especially little three year old Melody, who was simply adorable. There were a few moments where the main characters seemed to get stuck in stupid behaviors, but they seemed to recognize their errors, and mend their ways before I felt too tortured. Overall, it was a wonderful, captivating read, and I can't wait for the next book.

let me say that i like bradley's book, i have all of the liars club, royal four and a great book called "Fallen". i looked forward to this book, and when i started reading i was so disappointed. it is not a "screwball comedy" the heroines thoughts are stupid, her actions are stupid, and she is stupid. the whole plot turns out to be stupid. if ever a book needs a rewrite this one does. i don't want to be constantly listening to her thoughts, i want character development and no way would this situation happen in this time period. celeste, please go back to your earlier writing style. for those who have never read he book "Fallen" do so and you will find a well written book nothing like this book.

i would love to live in a world where all the men and women acted like the cynsters and their loves.. great story lines.