His Bride [Mass Market Paperback]

Gayle Callen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 5, 2002

In this sequel to His Scandal, Sir Edmund Blackwell is forced to take an unwanted wife – only to fall in love with her.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Gayle Callen keeps getting better and better!" -- Affaire de Coeur Magazine

"HIS BRIDE, reminiscent of Julie Garwood's medieval novels, is a gem." -- Old Book Barn Gazette

From the Author

HIS BRIDE is the third book in my Elizabethan trilogy that began with HIS BETROTHED, and HIS SCANDAL.

HIS BRIDE is basically a "beauty and the beast" book at heart, which has always been one of my favorite fairytales. I love the idea of a dark, wounded man finally finding love and redemption at the hands of a woman who's not afraid of him. Give the fairytale magic a try!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (November 5, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380821109
• ISBN-13: 978-0380821105
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,134,355 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

USA Today Bestselling author Gayle Callen writes historical romances for Avon Books.

Gayle's novels have won the Holt Medallion and the Laurel Wreath Award, and finaled in the National Readers Choice Awards. Her books have been translated into over eight different languages. She also writes medievals as Julia Latham for Avon Books.

Gayle resides in central New York, with her husband and three children. Besides writing, she loves to read, sing, and delve too deeply into historical research. Visit her website at www.gaylecallen.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Trust is the key word in this story., April 15, 2003

By 

janlouise (Ruston, LA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: His Bride (Mass Market Paperback)

Though the story line is similar to some others I have read. I did enjoy this one. Written during Elizabethian times- the widower Sir Edmund Blackwell is having to accept an offer made by his ex-father-in-law to get the castle and lands back into shape and it will take a large sum of money. A bride and large dowry has been offered to Edmund with strings attached. It is made clear that the father-in-law is out to ruin Edmund. But Edmund is not one to turn down a challenge and accepts. He is to marry his deceased wife's cousin and if she is anything like Elizabeth was, Edmund is in for a miserable time. But she turns out to be just the opposite. Gwyneth Hall doesn't realize she is being used like a pawn and goes into this marriage to make it a success though she has never even met Edmund. With time Edmund lets his guard down to see Gwyneth as she really is and Gwyneth learns that there is a different person behind that face of Edmund's. Full of passion, some humorous bits, and over-all enjoyable.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another enchanting entry in the series, June 17, 2004

By 

S. Reader "scibarfan" (Franklin, TN) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: His Bride (Mass Market Paperback)

Edmund begins as an exceedingly wary man; it takes the innocent and genuinely caring Gwyneth to eventually earn his hard-to-win trust. He's been so deceived and harmed by her extended family that she must be another means of twisting the knife. Gwyneth, however, knows nothing of her family's evil plans; all she wants is a loving husband and a family and a home of her own. Edmund seems rather dark after his earlier appearance in His Scandal, but his change began there and becomes clear as we learn what has happened to him.

Enough mystery in who's the traitor to maintain interest in the backplot. Humor, romance, sensuality, and emotional appeal. An excellent follow-up to His Scandal.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars delightful sixteenth century romance, November 5, 2002

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: His Bride (Mass Market Paperback)

In 1591 England, the parents of his deceased wife summon Sir Edmund Blackwell to see them. Edmund's father-in-law Lord Langston offers to buy back Castle Wintering, the estate he gave as part of his daughter's dowry. Edmund refuses, but Lady Langston points out his lack of funds to run the estate. She offers a different deal. Edmund marries Langston cousin Gwyneth Hall and receive a large dowry too. The only clause in the marriage contract that gives Edmund pause is that if he dies without a male heir, Castle Wintering returns to Langston. Needing money badly after his spouse's excesses, Edmund accepts though he feels he deals with the devil.

Edmund does not trust his second Langston bride though Gwyneth works hard to quickly gain the support of his people. Edmund begins falling in love with his wife and wants to believe her behavior is genuine, but wonders what her role is in whatever nefarious scheme Langston has concocted. Still love blossoms between the Blackwell couple, but trust is a more difficult feeling to attain.

Though the overused theme of a marriage pawn is the underlying concept of HIS BRIDE, Gayle Callen keeps the story line moving through the wonderfully caring Gwyneth, albeit even if she acts too perfect while trying to prove to Edmund that she has no deceit. The Langstons are too avariciously villainous while the lead couple is a delight as Gwyneth wins over everyone but her skeptical husband. Fans of Ms. Callen's "His" tales will enjoy this novel made pleasant by the lead "Her".

Harriet Klausner