Cathy Maxwell

New York Times bestselling author Cathy Maxwell returns with a delicious new series, The Brides of Wishmore What happens when a bride says no? He is the bastard son of a duke, arrogant, handsome, a little bit dangerous, and, of course, one of the most sought-after bachelors in London. He is also about to be publically jilted by some chit of a girl! Blake Stephens' pride isn't about to let him be humiliated, so he charges after his bride to the wilds of Scotland, determined to bring her to the altar. What happens when the heart says yes? He is promised to one woman, but discovers his soul stirred by . . . the chit's sister! Lady Aileen Davidson's reputation was ruined ages ago, which is why she's buried herself in the country, but her fiery spirit and bold beauty threaten to bring Blake to his knees, making him wonder if he has proposed to the wrong lass. And now he must make a choice: marry for honor . . . or marry for love?

The Brides of Wishmore

The Bride Says No

New York Times bestselling author Cathy Maxwell returns with a delicious new series, The Brides of Wishmore What happens when a bride says maybe? She'd once been the toast of London, but now scandal has brought her down. Still, pretty, petted Lady Tara Davidson can't believe her new fate. She had wanted to marry for love . . . but her profligate father has promised her hand to none other than Breccan Campbell, the "Beast of Aberfeldy" and laird of the valley's most despised clan! Well, Tara may have to marry him, but Breccan can't make her love him—can he? What happens when the groom insists? Breccan Campbell is nobody's fool. He knows that Tara is trouble. Yet he's determined to reform the Campbell name even if it means forging an alliance with the arrogant beauty. There's no doubt that Tara is a challenge, and Breccan loves nothing more. For he's vowed to thoroughly seduce Tara—and make her his in more than name alone.

The Bride Says Maybe

Lover of Romance 

Lady Tara, has just lost the love of her life because of foolish actions. Now her sister is married, but she is shocked to discover that her father has already in deep debt because of his gambling, and she will have to pay the price...marriage to Breccan Campbell. However Tara, is not about to marry Breccan, so she runs away as fast as she can. Breccan, knows he isn't the most handsome of men. He is bulky, muscular and large, but desires a beautiful wife so that his children will be attractive. Breccan is ready to settle down and has decided on Tara for a wife. When Breccan hears that she has run away, he chases after her. When he finds her, she is dressed in boy clothing, and full of fire and passion. They come to a agreement, after she gives him two children, she is free to go to London. What begins as a simple agreement turns into a complicated mess, when Tara's heart gets involved. Tara knows what most people think of her, but Breccan makes her see the better side of others, and starts to open her eyes to desire and the power of true love...

I was hesitant in reading The Bride Says Maybe, after reading the first book ,and I found that Tara was my least favorite character. However after taking a chance, I learned to really love this one, and did I just fly through it like nothing. I almost thought it was a novella, it had seemed so short, but I must have read through it quicker than I realized. The story even though it is set in the Regency Era, it does have a highlander theme to it. Breccan and his family, have a castle of sorts, race horses, and carry on the traditions of the Scots. Many know how much I adore Highlanders, and Breccan was good enough to gobble up, I really loved his character. He has such a tough exterior, that most run away, but inside he is a lamb looking for someone to love him. He was sweet and charming, yet dangerously sexy. I really enjoyed seeing the variations of his character. He definitely had the alpha domineering side down pat, but you see a more in depth character of Breccan, one that endears the reader from the first chapter....I was cheering him on the whole way through!! Tara, wasn't as bad of a character as I envisioned. I did eventually grow to somewhat like her. It did take a while, but you start to see a softer side to her, that you never see in the first book of the series. She definitely has her own issues of course, but in this story the author did a great job in making Tara seem so human and real. She turned out to be a very likable character by the end. The story line was rich and packed with passion and a delicious courtship. The heat level is not too heavy, but I enjoyed have more emphasis on the "falling in love" aspect of the relationship. It definitely made for a quality read!!

Overall a delectable romance that is going to win your heart, from the sexy highlander, sweet animals that make you yearn for a pack of wild dogs, and a love story that is full of wit and charm!! ENCHANTING!!

Lady Aileen has suffered from being married, to a man who was conceited and selfish and a brute. She has no wish to even come close to that type of suffering ever again. Now that her sister is engaged, she is happy for Tara even though Tara can be selfish and full of herself. Then suddenly her sister comes back home saying she has decided not to marry after all. Then her betrothed comes after her, and somehow Tara decides to commit herself back to her fiancee. Aileen knows that Tara is almost acting like a child, but loves her and is willing to do whatever it takes to make her happy. But what surprises her most is the attraction that builds between Aileen and Blake. Blake has worked his whole life building respect from others and refuses to lose everything to a fleeing fiancee, and if her actions are known could ruin him. So he goes after her, even though she is a beauty and would look good on his arm, he doesn't feel anything for her. But when he meets Aileen, for the first time in his life, he sees a woman he could admire and even love. Even though there is a barrier between Blake and Aileen, sometimes love does conquer but only if the two hearts involved are willing to fight for it with everything they have...

The Bride Says No is the first in Maxwell's latest series the "Brides of Wishmore". I was given this ARC in return of a honest review. This is your typical forbidden lovers type of story. The hero is locked into a marriage agreement, one that could cause scandal and ruin if he steps away from it. The heroine is forced to fall in love with a man that will be her sisters husband soon. I have always been a big fan of this author, and I enjoyed the unique style of the plot and the way the story pans out in the end. This is quite a romantic setting. It is set in the countryside of Scotland, in the Regency era. I have read many Scottish romances, and this seemed on the border of a very lightly tinted Scottish romance. There was only a bit of the Scottish Brogue--that makes my body tingle. :) So this seemed more on the regency genre. I did enjoy the first meeting between Blake and Aileen, boy the room sparked I thought a explosion would occur with the heated exchange that begins. Definitely brings a smile to your face when a heroine isn't humble and meek, but is a fighter. Aileen's past divorced marriage, has forced her to look at things in a different light and I would put her in the "Bluestocking" category of heroines. She was a delight though. Blake has a commanding presence, arrogant in his own way, and sexy as sin. *sigh* loved every part of his characters. Now another key player is Tara, I had some serious issues with this gal. She seemed to have this superior attitude toward her sister I disliked and it was very tasteless, I kept thinking she needed a good kick in the rear or be tossed in the lake or something. Even though at the end she somewhat proves herself, it took over 300 pages to do it. However despite my frustrations with that character, I immensely enjoyed the chemistry between Blake and Aileen. At times it was sweet and tender, but then at other times it was hungry and passionate. One of my favorite aspects of this authors writing is how she blends those two aspects into her stories so perfectly. It is never over done. I always end with a satisfied sigh, and this book was no different.

Overall this story seemed to be packed full of everything that makes a winner of a romance. Beautiful setting, magnificent characters, vivid detail, sweet romance, and a HEA!!! You can't get any better than this! LOVED IT!!

The Bride Says No The Brides of Wishmore

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