"Magical Scottish Love Story"

THE BRIDE has recently been re-released in hardback and I wanted to do a review of a book I absolutely love. THE BRIDE is on my 'comfort re-read' shelf and I had to recently purchase a new copy as the old one had fallen apart.

THE BRIDE's protagonists are two of the most attractive and lovable in the genre: Alec and Jamie Kincaid.

Alec Kincaid and Daniel Ferguson are ordered to wed English women by their King and the matter is of so little importance to them that they plan to see the selection of brides, make their choice and head back to the Highlands all in the same day.

Daniel picks the weepy Mary and Alec's choice, Jamie, takes a while to figure out that he has chosen her. Her father had told her she wasn't included in the King's edict and she is blissfully sorry for those who have to marry the very large Scottish warlords. When it finally dawns on Jamie that she has been selected, she shows her defiance by appearing in black for her wedding. But, her plan to raise Alec's ire backfires when he bursts into laughter and is quite pleased at her show of rebellion.

Alec Kincaid is a man who never expected to love. His first wife apparently committed suicide a month after wedding him. Alec thinks that warriors should protect their women, but not love them, as that would make men vulnerable. As he falls in love with Jamie he is at first shocked and angry, fearing love will weaken him. As he accepts the wonder of his feelings, he finds love has made him stronger. He also realizes that he has to find a way to show his wife that he loves her while keeping her from working herself into an early grave.

Jamie was raised by a stepfather and never really felt a part of her family. She created a place for herself by assuming the mantle of mistress of her home, but her duties and her father's selfishness were in reality going to put her an early grave.

Jamie is a strong match for Alec and the first time she stands up to him is such fun to read. Alec's amazement at this little bit of a girl having the nerve to tread where even strong warriors have fled delights him.

As they head back to the Highlands, Jamie finds herself attracted to Alec- and he can hardly wait to bed her. But, Jamie shows her true mettle to Alec when she stands in front of her sister with her dagger drawn when they are accosted by brigands.

Watching Alec and Jamie adjust to each other and solve the mystery of who in his clan is trying to kill Jamie is just a joy. Add in sparkling and witty dialogue, hot love scenes and two absolutely wonderful characters and you have a near perfect love story that many of us reread annually. The Bride is 'classic' Garwood and hopefully the spiffy new hardcover edition will let many new readers discover this magical love story.

Reviewed by Linda Hurst
Posted May 17, 2002

Summary

By edict of the king, the mighty Scottish laird Alec Kincaid must take an English bride. His choice was Jamie, youngest daughter of Baron Jamison...a feisty, violet-eyed beauty. Alec ached to touch her, to tame her, to possess her...forever. But Jamie vowed never to surrender to this highland barbarian. He was everything her heart warned against?an arrogant scoundrel whose rough good looks spoke of savage pleasures. And thought Kincaid's scorching kisses fired her blood, she brazenly resisted him...until one rapturous moment quelled their clash of wills, and something far more dangerous than desire threatened to conquer her senses...