Customer Reviews

The Maiden Bride

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is the first book I've read by Ms. Becnel, and it certainly won't be the last! When Linnea, the second born of twin girls and supposedly cursed, finds out her sweet twin sister is to marry the man who takes over their castle, she makes a desperate switch and becomes the wife to the man who vowed revenge on their family. Because she is not Beatrix, the marriage is a farce and her family hopes to shame him. Although she sets out to hate him, her body betrays her and, finally, her heart. But when the truth of the deception is revealed, will she be able to hold up under her love's condemnation? Definitely a good romp, and a wonderful story. I'd recommend it to anyone who like medieval romance and strong heroines.

Sarah Pearson

After reading this book, I re-read all these low-rated reviews and I wonder...what book where these people reading? This is a good, page-turner. You will hate putting it down and love picking it up again. It's a romance novel! I almost didn't read this because of the comments. There is no rape in the book, the hero is heroic and the mean actions of some of the characters are not overwhelming. One of them is hateful, the others are just misguided due to ignorance. It's a good lesson from the "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger" school of character development. It's a good read, it's fun, it has a lot of good sex and it's not too long. What else do you want?

I loved this book! Becnel wrote a fabulous story with great characters. You're won over by both Linnea and Axton. As a college student, I look for ways to escape stress and this certainly achieved that goal!!! I found myself wanting to be Linnea and to be wanted by Axton! One of the best romance novels EVER!

This is the first of many books I will read by Ms Becnel. The characters she created in this book were so great. I like her writing style. The gold and ruby chain was a new approach and very interesting. I definitely recommend this book.

I bought this as a 2nd hand book and after reading it I was amazed on how good the story turned out to be. This book is worth more then the price it was given. The characters were unique especially Linnea. Her story made me laugh and the same time angry on how she was treated by Axton and her grandmother. The entire book was not just all about love but it also depicted the human history of multiple births. I highly recommend this book to all you people who believe that love conquers all!

Although I have only read two of Ms Becnel's books, she is one of my favorite authors. Her books keep me interested from beginning to end. I will definitely look for more of her books.

I have a number of Rexanne Becnel's books as keepers. So, I started looking for any that I might have missed. Found this one and 'Heart of the Storm'. This book is surely an abberation and I'm not understanding how it received so many 5 and 4 star reviews.

The sad thing is that I could really see potential in 'The Maiden Bride'. I absolutely HATED the the ruby belt as a form of sexual control. The very idea that the heroine could fall madly in love and lust with her captor within two weeks was just too much for me. There was plenty of conflict and lust but not much romance. I would not recommend this book.

I have read a million books, but, this book is by far the best that I have ever read! I bought this book for A REALLY GOOD PRICE and boy, what a steal!! This book is worth ten times what I paid for it!! Axton and Linnea were one of the most powerful couples that I have ever read about. I felt like I was there going through it all with them and I wanted to slap Linnea's grandmother(even though she got around to it eventually). Her family is so horrible. I cannot tell you how great of a book this is. You have to read it for yourself. I fell in love with Axton myself! And this is NOT one of those books where there are a thousand little misunderstandings that drive you crazy and have you beating your head against the wall by the end. It is a very well thought out book, set in a wonderfully romantic time, with two of the strongest lead characters that I have ever read about!! I have never read Rexanne Becnel before, but, I am buying all of her books and this one is going on my favorites pile to be read forty more times!!

Revenge, bitterness, deceit, cunning and anger are abundant in The Maiden Bride. Passion is there too and some self sacrifice but honest communication, kind words and introspection were lacking.

Linnnea de Valcourt has been shunned by her family her whole life all because she is the second twin. Seems back in medieval times, evil spawned a second child in the womb and Linnea was almost killed by her grandmother, Lady Harriet.

Linnea's home is overtaken by Axton de la Manse whose family originally occupied the castle. Axton has waited a long time for this day. His father was killed by de Valcourt's men when the castle fell eighteen years earlier. Henry Plantagenet wants Axton to marry the daughter of de Valcourt. Axton agrees to this but he has no idea that Beatrix has a twin sister.

To protect the sister whom she loves, Linnea switches places with her and Beatrix secretly leaves the castle. Linnea also does this switch because her evil grandmother tells her that it it is the one way she can save the family and make up for all the evil Linnea has brought into the world being the second twin.

Linnea immediately weds Axon and beds him with much enthusiasm. They argue frequently with both saying unkind things to the other. However, Axon is more than fair with her when she requests help for her wounded brother or comfort for her father or grandmother.

Very quickly Linnea has feelings for her husband but they really are not married as she assumed her sister's name and therefore the marriage documents are not binding. To add to troubles, her grandmother is searching for a noble to wed her older sister so they can take back their home by force. Linnea for some reason can be bold, brash, and haughty with her husband but crumples like a rag doll before her self serving hateful grandmother.

When Axon finds out the truth he is infuriated and rightfully so, but Linnea does not provide a lot of insight into her motives for her deception to her husband instead she gives in way too easily when others are planning her life. Her sister Beatrix has no backbone and is really frightened of her own shadow. Even toward the end of this novel Linnea has divided loyalties and I could not blame Axon for not trusting her. Linnea and her husband spend most of their time either arguing or in bed sport. Her conversations with others are enlightening but for some reason she never has those epiphany moments with her husband.

Splendid feel of medieval times: fortified castles, powerful men, strange superstitions. A time in history dressed in dark moods, dark beliefs, and dark conspiracies.

Lady Linnea de Valcourt had the misfortune of being born second -- the second identical twin. The setting is the middle ages -- bewitched times -- strange superstitions reign high. Many believed twin births were the symbol of evil -- the sharing of a soul. The first baby possessed all the good of that divided soul; the second child held all the evil. Therefore, they should destroy the second child. Only through their mother's love did little Linnea live. She survived the infant death but not the marked childhood -- a childhood filled with resentment, rejection, and deterrence. Linnea's brothers and her vicious grandmother encouraged such appalling behavior.

Move forward eighteen years and now they call upon Linnea to save her family. She will be the substitute bride and marry their hated enemy Axton de la Manse. Linnea will execute a scheming plot, the result -- de la Manse's collapse and death.

Rexanne Becnel filled the storyline with mystery. I couldn't determine the direction the author was choosing, but such deception was an excellent tactic. Each chapter's ending dispensed astonishment much to this reader's fascination.

The sensuality is hot - interesting use of a gold chain. I am new to Becnel's work, but I will be checking out more of her material.

Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.