Customer Reviews

Duncan's Bride (Duncan and Evangeline)

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Duncan's Bride is sexy, sassy, a real page turner, it's all the things I've come to expect from Linda Howard.

Reese Duncan wants a wife but not for love or any of those sappy reasons. He has a strong sex drive, he wants children and a strong woman willing to help him rebuild his ranch. In the heroine's words he wants a brood mare. He's been burned by his ex-wife who wasn't willing to rough it out as a ranch wife and took half of everything he owned in the divorce settlement, leaving him nearly bankrupt. So he places an add and gets three measly responses. Madelyn Patterson is the only applicant who sets his blood boiling but she's all citified and completely wrong for the job - or so he thinks. His lack of choices, her determination and her sex appeal win her the job and they marry.

All of the above takes place right away and the remainder of the book is spent watching Maddie prove to Reese that all woman aren't like his ex-wife. He's got a lot of baggage to deal with but Maddie handles him with humor and tenderness, two things he isn't used to but over time learns he desperately can't live without. He is an extreme alpha man, one who wants his wife to give him babies, cook dinner, clean the house, and jump when he snaps his fingers, all without a complaint. He is overbearing and sometimes he annoyed me but as much as I wanted to give him a swift kick in his pretty rear, I understood why he was this way. He'd been hurt and destroyed and was only protecting himself and his future children. So, I could deal with all of his chest pounding and I liked the fact that Maddie handled him maturely and never lowered herself by giving into a fit of whimpiness or "poor me's". She didn't out and out tell him off which would not have worked with this guy anyway, but she did it in more subtle ways, getting under his skin and teaching him to love again. She was an admirable character and the only thing I couldn't figure out was why such a sweet, sensual, twenty-eight year old woman had no steady boyfriend or sexual history previous to meeting Reese. It wasn't really explained, unless I missed it. But I'm being nitpicky, I liked this book, the characters were three dimensional, the love scenes were steamy, and most importantly it made me feel.

You'll love this great little romance by Linda Howard. Here, she manages to put a modern twist on the mail order bride story, and it really works. The hero, Reese Duncan, is a hard-working ranch owner embittered from the devastation of his first marriage. He wants children and needs a companion to share his rugged lifestyle in a remote corner of Montana, but he isn't interested in any emotional attachment. Despite his reservations, he invites Maddie to share his life. Maddie is a bored city girl looking for some substance in her life. Much to Reese's surprise, she is not destined to be an ornamental wife. She challeges and frustrates him at every turn, and the ensuing contest of wills is wonderful. All the best elements of a romance novel are here in spades - sexy hero, engaging heroine, increasing sexual tension, hot love scenes, and emotional revelations. Enjoy!

This was the first Howard book I've read and was impressed. Take one old fashioned Montana rancher, who lost 1/2 of everything he owned to his first 'city' wife during a divorce & one 'city' girl who's determined to make him believe in love.

Reese's heart guided him in his first disastrous marriage, he was determined his head would guide him the second time. So he advertised for a no-nonsense wife to bare is children, keep his bed warm, cook,clean, etc. Madelyn, city girl and somewhat wealthy,replied to his ad -- only to be told she didn't suit after their meeting! After all she was too cute and too city bred to survive the tough life on a ranch and he was cynical enough not to trust another 'city' girl.

But there was a immediate attraction between the two. He eventually calls her in New York with his proposal and their life together on the ranch begins...through trials and triumph, this was a very good weekend read.

Reece, a man who has been 'taken to the cleaners' by his first wife, advertises for another to take care of him and home, love not necessary or even desired. Madelyn, tired of the hustle and bustle of New York City is drawn to this ad and applies. They set an appointment and meet. Sparks fly from the moment they set eyes on each other. Reece does not feel she is good 'ranch material' and decides to send her back. Obviously he can't stop thinking about her and reconsiders. She agrees to the marriage as she is already head over heels in love with this man that does not have love to give. He's too bitter with his first wife to see past it. At times he's rude and he has an explosive temper. Madelyn, a very strong woman makes it her mission to get him to love her and to make him see that she is nothing like his first wife. A great read. The paperback only 251 pages is one you will find difficult to put down. I read it in one day. The ending like the entire story, was great.

Years ago, Reese Duncan owned a very profitable ranch. He was a wealthy man and one of the most powerful ranchers in the country. Yet, he was foolish enough to fall in love with a beautiful woman who, after only two years of marriage, filed for divorce and took him to the cleaners. After the raw deal he got in his divorce, all Reese wants is a woman who will be happy to live in Montana and be a good mother to their kids; for although he is happy to remain single for the rest of his life, he wants to hear children's laughter in the ranch, and have his own heirs to pass on the legacy that was also passed on to him. Therefore, Reese decides to advertise for a wife.

Enter Madelyn Patterson. Sophisticated and beautiful, she is everything that Reese isn't looking for in a wife. While sitting in her New York office one day, she comes across Reese's ad and was immediately intrigued. After all, she has always been curious as a cat and there is just something so irresistible about a man advertising for a wife. So she pens a short letter thinking that she probably wouldn't even hear back from him... except she does.

From the moment he sees her, Reese knows that Madelyn is the wrong woman. Yet there is no denying the chemistry between them; and she seems to really like the idea of living away from the city, and is willing to live and work in a ranch and start a family. Despite his doubts, they end up getting married, not knowing that they are both in for a tough fight. As much as he tries, Reese cannot help being drawn to Madelyn. As for Madelyn, all she wants in return is Reese's love, and she refuses to give up until Reese realizes what is in front of him and admits his feelings for her.

DUNCAN'S BRIDE is an engaging and sexually charged novel featuring a sexy and brooding hero and a spirited heroine. I loved the chemistry between Reese and Madelyn. From the very start, I knew I was in for some sizzling and entertaining read. The author has done well in depicting the physical labor and financial hardship that Reese has had to endure after his bitter divorce. I agree that there are times when he acts like a total jerk, however, given what he has gone through for so many years, I couldn't help but feel for Reese's plight. And believe me, Madelyn is no shrinking violet. I guess the fact that she is independent and stubborn adds to the fun as we see a real battle of wills between the two of them.

I greatly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading LOVING EVANGELINE, which features Madelyn's brother, Robert.

If you read the other reviews you already know the story. I want to add that Duncan's Bride is one of my favorites along with Loving Evangeline (Madelyn's brother Robert's story). This is another sexy, sensual story as only Linda can write. I love the strength of Linda's heroines and Madelyn is no exception. I hear myself chanting "You Go Girl" at some of her antics. This one is a definite keeper I'm sure you will enjoy.

The story has a modern twist on a mail order bride. Maddie takes the risk and finds herself in a ranch with a sexy but surly cowboy. She keeps at it until they get it straight. LH has a nice touch with an old tale and a modern gal.

My main hesitation is Duncan himself. He was so closed and judgemental, even if he had a great bod, I didn't quite catch the attraction. He snipes at her when they meet about her shirt being too short. The day after their wedding he comes home and snipes that supper's not ready- not bothering to find out that she'd been busy working in the house the whole day, and then when Maddie saves his *** financially, he really lashes into her, driving her from the house. As interesting and feisty as Maddie is, he's just not my type of hero. Sorry to rain cow dung on this rodeo..............

This story proves that behind every good man there is a good woman. I will never forget Madelyn trying to catch the hen in the hen coop, I laughed so hard my own husband thought I was losing my mind. Armed with everything but the kitchen sink she sets out to prove that she will endure hen pecks and a bruised ego for the love of this man. And, to prove to him that "Love Does Conquer All". The values and morals instilled by Ms. Howard prove that physical interaction alone, in the modern sense, cannot survive without love.

Ms. Howards uncanny ability to invoke the feelings of the reader make her stories believable. I laugh, I cry and I even get mad right along with the characters.

I have read this book twice and plan to let my daughter read it when she comes of age.

This book is a hard book to find, but I'm glad I did! This is vintage Howard. Possesive alpha male, entertaining, hot, quick little story. If you are a fan of Linda Howard, check it out. If you aren't a fan of her yet, check it out- you won't be dissapointed! She's an esquisite story teller. You are guaranteed alpha male to the max, hotness, and a damn good story. What I especially liked about the story was that the heroine stood up for herself without being an annoying pain in the a**. The book I have was a Sillohette published in 1990, and it's OLD, that's the cover I have. Oh, and I just have to mention that even though it's written in 1990, it's not too dated for a contemporary. The story of Madelyn's brother is told in Loving Evangeline, which I'll eventually check out. I'm slowly working... no savoring... my way through all of her books.

I absolutely loved this story. Duncan's Bride consisted of two of the best characters you could ever wish for. The heroine was totally laid back, but she didn't let the gero run all over her, which I loved. You don't have to be annoying, overly stubborn, and way too dramatic to stick up for yourself! I absolutely loved Madeline. These characters had the sort of chemistry that isn't forced. This was truely a love story. You could actually see that the characters was meant to be. I recommend this book to anyone.