The one thing one can be assured of when picking up this author’s books is that they will be full of originality and generally contain a surprise or two! In THE MARRIAGE BARGAIN the reader will definitely find this to be true!
Emma Chambers, in order to avoid marriage to a lecherous older man, agreed to wed in name only the very dashing and handsome soldier, Spenser Keenan, Earl of Kellworth, whom she fell in love with at first sight. They married; he brought her to his estate Kellworth - assuring her that there were plenty of funds to keep her safe; then left to fight the war against Napoleon. Well, she figured he lied about the funds and through selfless economizing she did her best at keeping his estate from crumbling around her and what few servants she could still afford to keep.
Spenser Keenan, hadn’t given much thought to the young timid girl he’d married and left behind. Staying alive through a brutal war was uppermost in his mind. He’d written home; received no letters from her, so naturally assumed all was well. Discovering how dire Emma’s circumstances had been, and having her think him so lacking in honor, to have ignored her pleas for help was painful, and a hard pill to swallow. Not only had Emma blossomed into an exquisite flower of womanhood – but she seemed to despise him – even after she had saved his very life. More than anything Spence would have his work cut out for him, not only to bring her to his bed in truth, but in managing to stay alive to accomplish it, as more and more ‘accidents’ against his person seemed to be occurring on a regular basis.
*** When storytelling is told in such an emotionally charged way with twists and turns popping up regularly, the reader will find, as did I, that this is one book you must finish in one sitting. This author has impressed me since the beginning of her career and her latest offering is as absorbing and entertaining as I expected. The characters are cleverly crafted exposing their feelings to reveal them as real people that will remain with you long after the last page is turned. Emma was expertly crafted to prove that what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger, and her metamorphous from young and timid to a force to be reckoned with was marvelous. The sensuality was tastefully done and served up with enough spice to make it quite tasty. Oh yes, once more I highly encourage readers to pick up this most excellent read.
