Midnight Rider [Mass Market Paperback]

Diana Palmer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 29, 1998

Savor the magic of New York Times bestselling author Diana Palmer in a dazzlingly sensual story of turn-of-the-century Texas, of a man as enigmatic and forbidding as the sun-drenched land--and the woman who dares to cross into the uncharted territory of his heart.

To Bernadette Barron, Eduardo Cortes was the enemy. A noble count with a sprawling ranch in the grand state of Texas, Cortes challenged her with dark, penetrating eyes that seemed to pierce her very soul. Could he see the burning truth: that she loved him? It is a secret Bernadette vows to keep--especially now that she is to become his wife. For theirs is a marriage bargain, pure and simple. He needs a rich wife to save his ranch; she needs a titled husband.

Yet desire will turn a marriage of convenience into a passionate battle of wills, and change an innocent girl into a woman aware of her own powers of attraction. For it is love's fiery initiation that will make Bernadette aware of her own capacity for pleasure as well as her husband's skill at providing it. And it is the sheer force of her own love that will give her newfound strength to battle against the odds to claim a man and a love she will not be denied. . . .

Editorial Reviews

Review

Midnight Rider takes place in Southwestern Texas in 1900. Bernadette Baron has two major handicaps; severe asthma and her father, Colston. Colston is a wealthy, self-made man who feels that he does not receive the respect that he deserves because he is from Ireland and considered 'new money'. He feels that if he gets Bernadette married to someone of social prominence, preferably titled, he will gain the respect he wants. He has no compassion for his daughter, and only sees her as the reason that his wife died in childbirth. (Bernadette does better dealing with her asthma then with her father!) Eduardo Rodrigo Rameriz y Cortes is as "handsome as a dark angel", the son of a Spanish Nobleman and an American socialite. Bernadette has always been in love with this mysterious man despite his scandalous past. Eduardo is close to bankruptcy due to his mother's spendthrift ways. When he hears of Colston's plans for Bernadette he realizes that marrying Bernadette will be the answer to his financial problems. Bernadette is thrilled with the idea, both to get away from her father and to see if she can make Eduardo feel as she does. I found this story a little slow to start, but I was glad that I stuck with it. The characters blossomed and were warm and humourous. The addition of Eduard's grandmother and cousin were a very entertaining foil for the heroine. You had to cheer for the heroine (yes, I have a soft spot for the imperfect heroine) and applaud her for her strong will. Diana Palmer creates a strong heroine that stays with the reader long after the book is closed. Midnight Rider will warm your heart and keep you entertained till the very end! Michelle Sawyer -- Copyright © 090198 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

From the Inside Flap

Savor the magic of New York Times bestselling author Diana Palmer in a dazzlingly sensual story of turn-of-the-century Texas, of a man as enigmatic and forbidding as the sun-drenched land--and the woman who dares to cross into the uncharted territory of his heart.

To Bernadette Barron, Eduardo Cortes was the enemy. A noble count with a sprawling ranch in the grand state of Texas, Cortes challenged her with dark, penetrating eyes that seemed to pierce her very soul. Could he see the burning truth: that she loved him? It is a secret Bernadette vows to keep--especially now that she is to become his wife. For theirs is a marriage bargain, pure and simple. He needs a rich wife to save his ranch; she needs a titled husband.

Yet desire will turn a marriage of convenience into a passionate battle of wills, and change an innocent girl into a woman aware of her own powers of attraction. For it is love's fiery initiation that will make Bernadette aware of her own capacity for pleasure as well as her husband's skill at providing it. And it is the sheer force of her own love that will give her newfound strength to battle against the odds to claim a man and a love she will not be denied. . . .

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Publishing (August 29, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449003248
• ISBN-13: 978-0449003244
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 3.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #580,296 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I thought the book was well done, October 15, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Midnight Rider (Mass Market Paperback)

I liked the book, I thought bernadette was weak in the beginning but she got stronger as the book ended. Eduardo was a good guy except when he needed to stand by Bernadette when his family wasn't acting right. I love all of Diana Palmer's novels, I buy them without even looking to see what it's about because I know I will love it no matter what.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I cried for Bernadette, April 24, 2002

By 

sadhana (Mauritius) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Midnight Rider (Mass Market Paperback)

This was the first Historical novel of Diana Palmer's,I read.She didnot let me down as the love story between the nobel Spaniard,Eduardo and the American Heiress,Bernadette made me cry.
The unjust treatment meted out to her by her father, really touched me.Although, the arrogant hero is no different than her other heros,this one sensibility made him quite lovable.Thanks Diana, you are the greatest.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good story; gorgeous cover., March 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Midnight Rider (Mass Market Paperback)

This book was very enjoyable, and certainly less predictable than some of Ms Palmer's short contemporary Texas stories. All of her stories contain intense, compelling human relationships which draw the reader in from the early pages. Also, the cover with inside picture was gorgeous.