The Unwilling Bride (Brothers-in-Arms, Book 3) (Harlequin Super Historical Romance) [Mass Market Paperback]

Margaret Moore (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2005

Betrothed at birth . . .

Promised to Merrick of Tregellas when she was but a child, Lady Constance was unwilling to wed a man she remembered only as a spoiled boy. Sure he had grown into an arrogant knight, she sought to make herself so unappealing that Merrick would refuse to honor their betrothal. Yet no sooner had this enigmatic, darkly handsome man ridden through the castle gates than she realized he was nothing like the boy she recalled. And very much a man she could love . . .

Bound by desire . . .

Haunted by secrets from his past, Merrick was unwilling to return to Tregallas -- until he caught sight of his bride-to-be. Beautiful and spirited, Lady Constance was everything he wanted in a wife. She stirred his passion -- and his heart -- as no woman ever had before. But what would happen when she discovered the truth?

When enemies begin plotting their downfall, only trust can save a match never meant to end in true love.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Ms. Moore is a master of the medieval time period." -- Romantic Times

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin (October 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373770650
• ISBN-13: 978-0373770656
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.2 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #596,518 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars not just passion, but a struggle to identity, October 19, 2005

By 

Wendy "crazy_wendy" (Etobicoke, TO, ON) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Unwilling Bride (Brothers-in-Arms, Book 3) (Harlequin Super Historical Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

Merrick fell in love with Constance since the first moment he saw her sitting in a hay stack twelve years go. They were betrothed when he was 10 and she 5; but being the lord's son, he was sent away to foster home to train, and she to endure the wrath of Wicked William. Now he's dead, and Merrick is coming back to claim his rightful place as the Lord of Tregalles and her as his wife. But would Constance be able to love him for who he is or just see him as a product of his father?

Merrick has being carrying a terrible secret since he was a boy of ten. Because of the consequences he might face is the secret got out, he was never able to open up to his childhood friends or trust anyone fully. He knew he had to carry the burden alone or risk losing everything he held dear, especially Constance.

Constance has endured the wrath of Wicked William and seen his cruel ways since she was a child. She also remembered Merrick as a cruel boy who always teased and tortured her and believed that he will be the mirror image of his late father. She cares deeply for the people of Tregalles and has vowed to never grovel, least to a man.

Margaret Moore does a wonderful job of telling the story about two strong-willed people who loves each other deeply but circumstances from their past prevents them from truly expressing their feeling for each other. Merrick dreads that if there's a slip of tongue or he acts incorrectly, the dreaded secret will be out and he will loose the one thing he holds dear to his heart. Constance is hesitant that Merrick will turn out to be like his father, doesn't matter to what he says or does. The book is not only about the struggle between Merrick proving that he's not cruel like his father, and Constance and the people the Tregalles' weariness against him; but also the treachery against King Henry and his brother the Earl of Cornwall and the plan to takeover Tregalles. Moore captures our attention from the first page, holds it through the wedding and keeps us on the edge as to what the secret can be that Merrick has been carrying for twelve years. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves historical romances for not only the passion, but also the struggle the characters goe through of someone else's sins.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars entertaining medieval romance, September 28, 2005

By 

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

This review is from: The Unwilling Bride (Brothers-in-Arms, Book 3) (Harlequin Super Historical Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

After fifteen years on the road as a knight, following the death of his odious estranged father, Merrick returns home to Tregellas as its lord and expecting to marry Constance, his intended since he was ten and she five. Upon arrival at his manor, he finds the people do not trust him as they assume he is a chip off the old evil block, his fiancée is scared of him, and Uncle Algernon and Constance's Uncle Carrell seem to be plotting something.

Merrick knows he has his work cut out to overcome his nasty father reputation and demonstrate he is not a chip off the old block who raped women and begat at least one child out of wedlock. He begins courting Constance, but refuses to tell her he has loved her since he was a little boy and dreamed that she loved him back. Expecting Merrick to behave like his sire, Constance tries to hide how she feels about him, but knows she wants him. Though he behaves exemplary towards his people and her, she still has doubts. Soon their respective uncles begin the plot to kill Merrick and Constance so that Algernon becomes the lord married to Carrell's daughter.

THE UNWILLING BRIDE is an entertaining medieval romance starring a wonderful male protagonist who keeps learning first hand how the child inherits the sins of the father. The story line is at its vivid best as Merrick tries to persuade his villagers he is nothing like his father and his beloved should not expect abuses from him. Though the treacherous subplot seems unneeded as Merrick has a full plate and more to deal with, fans will enjoy this mid thirteenth century tale that has a fantastic final twist that will surprise everyone though the clues are there.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Nice Scottish Romance!!!, December 8, 2005

By 

Kristi Ahlers (Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Unwilling Bride (Brothers-in-Arms, Book 3) (Harlequin Super Historical Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

Ms. Moore has created another entertaining historical with larger than life characters that will pull you into their make believe world.

Lady Constance is getting ready for the arrival of her betrothal she doesn't want. Betrothed since birth to Merrick of Tregellas Constance will do whatever she must to see and end to the potential nightmare of being married to her childhood tormentor. But what Constance wants...is not what Constance gets. For one thing the dark handsome knight that arrives to marry her is nothing like the young boy he once was. No Merrick is different but he seems to hold something back and she's not sure what his secret is but she wants him to share with her as a husband should.

Merrick has a dark secret and he's afraid that once Constance finds out the part he's played in her past, the seductive, witty, and beautiful Constance will no longer embrace a marriage between them...that is until the enemy who wants Merrick's downfall at any costs starts plotting to achieve his goals. Will Constance and Merrick be able to keep a united front and find a happy ending or will their enemies have the final word.

Merrick and Constance are interesting characters and their romance was well written and although the conflict was not a new Ms. Moore managed to still make this a fresh story through her characterization.