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The Marriage Contract
written by Cathy Maxwell
Studio : Avon
by Avon
Release Date : 2001-02-06
Publisher : Avon
Released : 2001-02-01
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Number of Items : 1
EAN : 9780380808335
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 19 reviews)
List Price : $6.99
Our Price : $0.01
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Product Description |
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He was a man exiled from society—handsome, unpredictable, and proud. Dark rumours surrounded his name. But Anne Burnett had signed a marriage contract binding her to Aiden Black, the Earl of Tiebauld. And although she'd never met him, she's determined to keep her word and make theirs a marriage in truth. Because a well-bred lady with little fortune to recommend her has no choice. From the moment she arrived, Anne fell in love with Kelwin Castle and its roguishly handsome laird. By day, he instils a fierce loyalty in his people with his masterful ways . . . and by night, he tempts Anne to surrender her innocence to him. But while he is willing to offer his body, Aiden refuses to give Anne his heart . . . making her wonder what prevents him from truly claiming her as his wife. |
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Americancivilwar.com Review |
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Setting: London and Scotland, 1815 Sensuality Rating: 7 Married by proxy to a man she's never laid eyes on, one who's rumored to be insane, at that, sensible Anne Burnett wonders what she's gotten herself into. When Anne arrives at her new home in the Scottish Highlands, she is greeted by a half-naked, blue-faced man wielding a knife. This, of course, is Anne's new husband, Aidan Black, the Earl of Thiebauld. Thiebauld is furious with his older sister's unwelcome meddling and is determined not to accept the bride so summarily dumped on him, no matter how appealing her direct manner, fine gray eyes, and womanly curves. But her husband didn't count on Anne's determination to finally have her own home, her own people, and her own place in the world. And he certainly didn't count on the gut-wrenching passion that flames out of control every time Anne comes near him. Maxwell's trademark humor, realistic dramatic scenes, and fast-paced storytelling is greatly in evidence in The Marriage Contract. Cathy Maxwell is definitely a rising star among romance authors. Keep an eye on her and enjoy! --Alison Trinkle |
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Mediocre at best |
The plot is very promising and the first half of the book is quite decent, but the second half was just one big 'blah'. There is no real chemistry between Anne and Aiden and the first sex scene happens way, way into the book. This is not necessary bad, but there really was no spark between them and the author focuses on everything else than their relationship. As the other reviewer here suggests, it almost seems that the author was too uncomfortable to write about real feelings and sexual interactions. This book can be easily read by a 14 year old if you go and cross the two page sex scenes out.
Maybe it's just me, but I like my romance novels to have some steam and real passion.
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A "Hallmark" Historical Novel |
You could feel the author was uncomfortable with the tame sexual scenes and stretching to include sexual language. The book was overall too "Hallmark" for my tastes and Anne, far too whinie about "do you love me", do you really love me"?
Not a bad book though, just not what I like to read. For a really juicy story, read Jackie Ivy's "Lady of the Knight", Sophia Johnson "Risk Everything", and Susan Carroll's "Dark Queen Trilogy, not particulary in that order, S. Carroll's books first. |
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Very Good Romance , but drags a bit |
Anne Burnett, an orphan, decides that after two unsucessful seasons with no marriage proposals a marriage by proxy to Adian Black, Earl of Theibauld is her only option. Unbeknownst to Adian, his sister has married him off to the english miss, who travels to the Scottish Highlands to give her husband the news. There, Anne meets the so called mad-earl and falls in love with his castle and people and eventually with the earl himself. Adain tries everything to get Anne to leave, including giving her impossible tasks, all of which she conquers -including his heart.
This was a really good story, but I only can give it four stars because after Adain declared his love -too soon for me- the story drags a bit. It was also pretty annoying that Anne didn't believe that he loved her and kept asking him over and over. And I didn't care for the place where they actually made love for the first time, a bit embarrassing and degrading for Anne if you ask me (even though I know they didn't really have a choice). I also thought that Adain was a bit wimpy when he complained that he didn't like killing people (bad guys) -took the edge off his character. The whole 'rebellion' part was very interesting and wrapped up in a nice bow at the end. I was really surprised that Maxwell was able to prevent getting Adain implicated and hung without some far-fetched ending. Over all a well written and solid read. |
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Cartoonish |
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While not a necessarily bad book, I found this book to not be worth the time it took to read it. Cathy Maxwell writes a lot like Julie Garwood - often anachronistic, rather silly at times; Some of the conversations had me rolling my eyes in exasperation. Again, it's an ok book, I just like a historical romance that's more intelligently written. |
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Maxwell's Best |
None of the other Maxwell stories compare to the story of Anne and Aiden.
The Beginning of this story reminds me a bit of "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" with Anne finding Aiden's home in a state of such filth and disorder that she undertakes to set it to rights.
Aiden has similar ideas; he sets her to tough tasks in an attempt to cause her to leave, but is surprised to find she can handle it. He has to admit that she's capable and begins to fall for her.
Anne is an enjoyable heroine with a good attitude in a tough situation. When Aiden tries to make her leave she sticks to her guns and wins everyone over.
Aiden is also an enjoyable character who, although he is surprised and disgruntled over his sister's attempt to marry him off by proxy to Anne, his tender side always comes through. He is never cruel and is often compassionate and protective.
Once Anne and Aiden have it together in their personal lives the plot continues. They are dragged away by an interfering Englishman and Aiden's ingenious solution stayed with me for the longest time.
Definately a keeper. |
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