The Demon's Bride

by Jo Beverley, Herbert J. Hunt (Introduction)

Rachel Proudfoot has enough trouble resisting the temptation of rakish Lord Morden without supernatural intervention. When she plays the traditional role of the Demon’s Bride at a Walpurgis Night festival, however, a mighty earth spirit attempts to unite them in passion in order to return to the world.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Historical, Mystery, Novella

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Mary Josephine Dunn was born 22 September 1947 in Lancashire, England, UK. At the age of eleven she went to an all-girls boarding school, Layton Hill Convent, Blackpool. At sixteen, she wrote her first romance, with a medieval setting, completed in installments in an exercise book. From 1966 to 1970, she obtained a degree in English history from Keele University in Staffordshire, where she met her future husband, Ken Beverley. After graduation, they married on June 24, 1971. She quickly attained a position as a youth employment officer until 1976, working first in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, and then in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire.

In 1976, her scientist husband was invited to do post-doctoral research at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. When her professional qualifications proved not to be usable in the Canadian labour market, she raised their two sons and started to write her first romances.

Moved to Ottawa, in 1985 she became a founding member of the Ottawa Romance Writers’ Association, that her “nurturing community” for the next twelve years. The same year, she completed a regency romance, but it was promptly rejected by a number of publishers, and she settled more earnestly to learning the craft. In 1988, it sold to Walker, and was published as "Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed". She regularly appears on bestseller lists including the USA Today overall bestseller list, the New York Times, and and the Publishers Weekly list. She has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Golden Leaf, the Award of Excellence, the National Readers Choice, and a two Career Achievement awards from Romantic Times. She is also a five time winner of the RITA, the top award of the Romance Writers Of America, and a member of their Hall of Fame and Honor Roll.

Jo Beverley passed away on May 23, 2016 after a long battle with cancer.

Reviews

[Tess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this. I love it when books, specifically historical romance, take inspiration from folklore and old traditions. I just wish to was an actual novel instead of a novella, but I always feel like I need more of books I really enjoy.

[Ana Bela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is arguably one of my most favourite short romances - though it probably helps that I'm a perfect reader for it. First, it's true to the period, not only in letter (no historical blunders and heroes saying "Wow!")but in spirit too. I think it's the latter some readers had a problem with. The genre tag says "Georgian paranormal" but in fact the story is not paranormal, rather more in keeping with prejudices of the time. Regarding the ending that threw off rational-minded folks, it is necessary for the intrigue needs to be resolved (and the resolution is completely logical within the story premises), but it's absolutely unnecessary to believe in it as a "fact". So what, we have our own prejudices though we do like to call them facts, often with flimsiest of justifications. But I read lots of "real" paranormal fiction and my not believing in vampires doesn't prevent me from enjoying reading about them.

On a side note, as someone who wrote papers on folklore at college, I admire the way Jo Beverly crafted those verses and snippets of songs concerning the ritual of the Walpurgis night... they do seem authentic. Maybe they are authentic for all I know :)
Anyway, as it should be in a good love story, all this historical splendor is only a very solid but inobtrusive background for the real intrigue which is, of course, the relationship between the protagonists. I really hate that the current fashion prescribes men to wear something baggy in muddy colors (make it boring and black for special occasions) else they would be considered homosexuals. So I could not but swoon, along with the heroine, at the sight of the hero dressed to impress:

His breeches and stockings were pristine ivory silk, his waistcoat a masterpiece of embroidery that cast her efforts in shame.
The flow of lace at wrist and neck was the finest Mechlin, and every fastening of his garments seemed to be made of gold and jewels. Not only was his hair powdered, but there was a light dusting of powder on his skin as was the fashion. It merely made his blue eyes more jewel-like. His long-fingered pale hands carried a gold signet and a large ruby.

And the tension between them is delicious, with violent undecurrents that go both ways, unlike in the clumsy un-PC bodice-rippers that still can be more thrilling than today's PC pap. Here we have two strong personalitiles whose clashes set sparks - and no, I don't believe in wedded bliss for them. Theirs is going to be one stormy marriage.

“May I ask how you can possibly find him so much more attractive than me?”
Suddenly amused, Rachel turned on her high heel to face him. “He’s safely dead, my lord.”
Anger flashed in his eyes. His hand snared her carefully-arranged curls, so she couldn’t move without pain. “Have claws, do you, my Rachel? I can show you better ways to use them.”
She gripped his strong wrist. “Release me or I’ll scream.”
He made no move to obey. With only this to face, Rachel couldn’t create a scene and he knew it.
“Then I will use my claws,” she said, and began to dig her nails into his skin.
He didn’t flinch. Instead, smiling, he tightened his grip on her hair, meeting her eyes without flinching. Rachel held his gaze, digging her nails harder, though she was struggling not to cry out from the pain on her scalp.
He changed, suddenly looking very like the youth in the portrait. He released all the tension in his hand, but didn’t remove it. Rather, it seemed now to caress her skull. “You are, as I said, magnificent. I will marry you.”

[Ilze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jo Beverley's novella "The Demon's Bride"  
Some paranormal mumbo-jumbo near the end and a rather obvious buildup to the climax with lots of exaggerated mentions of fire and demons.  But the characterization of the hero and heroine was pretty good and made up for the drawbacks.

[Virginia Tican · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in 1761 ~ Rachel Proudfoot, was her vicar~father's amanuensis for his passionate interest in collecting local folklore (usually pagan) to wherever parts of England he would be assigned to by his Bishop. This time, they were in Suffolk in October several months before the celebration of Walpurgis Night and learned about the tragic story of the fiery death of the then Dim Bride a century ago (in 1668) when the local folks' celebration of Walpurgis coincided with Christ's Resurrection on account of the realm's adaptation of the Gregorian Calendar. It was also said that the burned Dim or Demon Bride was a lover of the then Earl of Morden, the area's Lord and Master... another particular event that must be investigated by both Proudfoots. A Mystery and an annual vital ceremonial pagan event on Walpurgis Night, that if successful, would ensue the area's abundant next season's harvest... and the central figure was always the Demon's Bride... and her mysterious Groom.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely short story centered around a spinster and a rakish earl with a dash of paranormal and a mystery.

Rachel is the spinster daughter of a vicar. Her father loves collecting local stories and legends, and in his newest posting, the villagers all celebrate Walpurgis Night. Every year to celebrate it, one of the village girls is chosen to be the bride and is the center of the festivities. A century ago, one of the brides burned to death, and Rachel and her father want to learn about what really happened to her. As they investigate this, Rachel is being drawn closer to the Earl of Morden. He is a consummate rake and very interested in her, but Rachel refuses to become his mistress. Even when he offers marriage, she refuses him. But they are drawn closer and closer to each other as Walpurgis Night approaches, and Rachel is chosen as the bride.

Although short, this was a great story. Jo Beverley was a real queen of the genre, and she easily developed the relationship between Rachel and Morden. They started out antagonistic, but erotically drawn to one another, and slowly grew closer. Throughout, the mystery of Walpurgis Night intrigues them, and at the ceremony, everything is explained, and they finally come together. A short, atmospheric read, this is definitely one to get.

[Keisha Kugblenu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best novel ever

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delicious and very much a short story. If you like/love this, try to get a copy of Liz Berry's China Garden which has many of the same themes and is longer... Anyone else have readalikes?

[Cassia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect, Georgian novella mixing romance, mystery and superstitions.
Three brilliant characters supporting the story with sense, humor and charme: Rachel, her father and the rakish Earl. Even if you don't believe in stories where a bit of magic is involved, you'll appreciate this one about the power of ancient rituals, thanks to Beverley's mastery in writing historical romance.

[Laylah · Rating 2 out of 5]

All are good and well until a what-the-hell, ridiculous ending.