After writing traditional Regency Romances for years, Candice Hern makes her full-length historical debut with The Bride Sale. This book has an interesting premise, and the characters have their moments, but mostly it's just an average read. It's not bad, but not terribly exciting either.
The book begins with the heroine, Verity Osborne, being auctioned off by her husband in a town square in Cornwall, just as if she were a piece of furniture. Lord James Harkness is appalled by the scene, and even though he is reviled by the local citizenry, he successfully bids for Verity - thus saving her from the clutches of the revolting town blacksmith.
Verity comes back to James's home, which has a decidedly Rebecca-like atmosphere. His first wife has died in a fire, and he is considered responsible. His dead wife's mother (who plays the Mrs. Danvers role) lives with him and takes an instant dislike to Verity, whom she assumes is no better than a prostitute.
When James purchases Rebecca, she fully expects him to sleep with her, but he surprises her by staying away. She plans to leave as soon as possible so she can earn her own keep in the near-by village, but a sick boy at the castle needs her nursing skills, so she promises to stay. Soon she finds herself fitting into the population, and they are quick to warn her about James, whom they call "Lord Heartless." When she finally hears the story behind the name, she is shocked, but seeks out more information and learns that the trauma he suffered in the war goes a long way toward explaining his actions. As she spends more time with James, she sees a side of him that he shows to few others, and she quickly resolves to be his own personal PR agent. Because of a problem with her first marriage, she believes that no man (including James) could ever be attracted to her. She decides that she will be his friend and convince the locals that he is not the horrible man they believe him to be.
James quickly comes to love the saintly Verity but doesn't believe that a relationship could be possible. He basically agrees with the villagers' opinion of him and doesn't think that he can be trusted to be around her. Verity has to convince him of his own decency while combating the villagers' prejudice against him. Meanwhile, she must face her own demons about her past.
When I first started this book, I was put off by the similarities to Rebecca, but as I got going I realized that they were mostly cosmetic. James appears quite dark and brooding at first, but he loses much of his melancholy and becomes more interesting in the process. The middle of the book is the most interesting part, as he and Rebecca fight their mutual attraction and have a lot of meaningful interaction. Their relationship is believable and enjoyable.
Unfortunately, the book also delves into a little too much modern psychology as James confronts the demons from his past. Verity and one of James's friends probe his past with all the skill of a modern therapist, and it just didn't ring true for me; they sounded like they were years and years before their time. There are additional problems at the end, when a villain appears who is completely contrived and almost silly. Verity's husband fills a similar, stereotypical role that some may find offensive.
The end result is a prototypical C read; a mixed bag with some interesting moments, but not quite enough of them. Ms. Hern has some good ideas and may be an author to watch, but this particular offering is merely so-so.
Sensuality: Warm
Publication Date: 2002
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