"Delightful Sequel"

The BARTERED BRIDE is the sequel to THE CHINA BRIDE and THE WILD CHILD. It begins with the hero Gavin Elliott in prison charged with his wife Alexandra's murder. Gavin has been tried and convicted by the House of Lords and is awaiting hanging. The story is told largely in flashbacks as Gavin sits in his cell and mourns Alexandra.

Gavin met Alexandra on the Island of Maduri, where he was negotiating a trading deal. As he passed through a market square, Alexandra was being auctioned off as a slave and she was fighting her captors. When Gavin realized she was a European, he asked to buy her and was denied permission-- but the ruler of Maduri would be willing to barter for her freedom. Gavin has to complete 5 challenges to earn both his own and Alexandra's freedom.

Alexandra Warren is one of the strongest, most resilient women in a Romance book in a long time. Yet she is not so perfect as to be unbelievable. Just a mother doing whatever she has to do to survive and raise her child. Alexandra is a widow returning to her family in England with her daughter Katie, when they are captured by pirates at sea. By the time Gavin meets her Alex has been horribly mistreated. Alex also doesn't know where Katie is and she is scared for Katie's safety and will do anything to find her.

Gavin Elliott is equally admirable--a sea Captain who has become rich through his business dealings, he is a widower who has been faithful to his wife's memory and is completely honorable. Gavin is brave and selfless as he risks his freedom for Alexandra's--just a wonderful hero.

I loved the fact that Gavin and Alex talked to each other, no dreaded Big Misunderstandings here--when Gavin had Alex tell him exactly what happened to her during her captivity, so he could help her--it was very poignant. I doubt many readers will have dry eyes as they read what Alex endured and I totally adored Gavin for his care of Alex.

When Alex and Gavin return to England the twists and turns in the story make it a book you can't put down. The two main characters are so valiant and heroic, yet not too-good-to-be-true. Putney has created two complex human beings both of whom are immensely likable. The use of flashbacks for the first two-thirds of the book is effective and keeps one turning the pages to see if Gavin will hang.

Kyle and Troth from THE CHINA BRIDE figure prominently in this book and the friendship between Troth and Alex is both fun and believable. The villains are of the 'hissable' variety and one is happy to see them get their comeuppance.

This is a wonderful book that stands well on it's own, but would be enhanced if you have read THE WILD CHILD and THE CHINA BRIDE. I have not read the first two, but I thought enough exposition of the previous books was given.

Mary Jo Putney is known for her historical accuracy and the detail of the period was well done and interesting, but never overwhelmed the story. This is very much a romance and the characters never get lost in the action. THE BARTERED BRIDE is enjoyable and well-written and has me itching to get the other two books in the series out of my large "tbr" pile.

Reviewed by Linda Hurst
Posted March 1, 2002

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Summary

Sweeping from the exotic temptations of the Orient to the ruthless grandeur of 19th century London, The Bartered Bride is a compelling romantic adventure that begins with a daring act of courage. After building a fortune amid the splendor and dangers of the China seas, American adventurer and merchant prince Gavin Elliott is sailing for London, where he intends to establish himself in the society that forced his family to leave in disgrace when Gavin was only a child. But fate intervenes on an infamous island in the East Indies when he tries to save a European woman being sold at a slave auction.

Alexandra Warren ventures to Australia as a young bride eager for adventure. A dozen years later she is returning home as widow and mother when a pirate attack separates her from her beloved daughter and condemns Alex to a life of servitude. Then a miracle arrives in the form of a steely- eyed Yankee captain willing to risk everything to set her free.

A shocking turn of events brings an unexpected alliance with her rescuer, and Gavin and Alex arrive in London as intimate strangers joined by too many painful secrets. Yet attraction and affection soon overcome the trial of their first meeting. Until the past reaches out to change Gavin's life—and threatens the passionate love he has found with his irresistible bartered bride.