The beauty bride Book

Currently an eBook freebie (not sure how long it's free - hurry!), so I thought I'd revisit the review I wrote for it in 2004 at Romance Junkies. Fun historical series -- I'll add the reviews for the other two I've read soon.

Scotland - April 1421

Madeline refuses to marry, much to her brother's frustration. As new Laird of Kinfairlie, Alexander must see that his sisters are wed, for he cannot afford their keep. Madeline swears she is still mourning the death of her fiance and will wed no other man. Alexander dares to defy Madeline in a most outrageous way - by auctioning his sister off to the highest bidder for her hand in marriage. Each bidder is carefully selected from those Alexander feels are worthy of Madeline.

One man is invited that Alexander is unaware of and a bidding war ensues, until Rhys FitzHenry, known traitor to the King, closes the deal as the highest bidder. This dark stranger is not someone Alexander wishes as Madeline's spouse, but the much-needed wealth earned from the deal helps him overcome his doubts.

Rhys is in need of a wife, so that he may have sons to inherit his land. However, no one suspects Rhys' true reason for buying the hand of the Jewel of Kinfairlie.

Fearing the dark stranger and not one to follow where she is led, Madeline runs away, never suspecting the danger she will encounter. Will Rhys find her in time before Madeline has to face every woman's greatest fear? Will he convince her to wed him without telling her the truth? Can they outrun the King's men who follow close behind?

THE BEAUTY BRIDE is a most entertaining read. The ominous Rhys FitzHenry has a soft side - telling tales to calm Madeline's fears and he captured my heart. Ms. Delacroix intersperses Welsh folktales along with adding a clever fairy, whose antics made me laugh out loud. There are so many heartwarming moments in this book, which celebrates family as much as true love. Ms. Delacroix has a unique gift for portraying her characters' human frailties in such a way that they spring forth from the pages, endearing them to me as I cheer them on.

I'm not at all disappointed that the stage is set in this book for the next two, THE ROSE RED BRIDE and THE SNOW WHITE BRIDE, both coming in 2005. I highly recommend THE BEAUTY BRIDE as a historical with a flair for the unusual and a delightful cast of characters that I look forward to revisiting in future releases.

Review revisited - Originally reviewed and posted at Romance Junkies on Dec 1, 2004.