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Salt Hendon #1
Salt Bride
2011 Australian Romance Readers Awards Favorite Historical Romance
England, 1763. The Earl of Salt Hendon and squire's daughter Jane Despard share a secret past of mistrust, heartache, and misery. Forced into a marriage neither wants, the patient and ever optimistic Jane believes love conquers all; the Earl will take some convincing. Enter Diana St. John, who will go to extremes, even murder, to hold the Earl's attention. Can the newlyweds overcome past prejudices and sinister opposition to fall in love all over again?
SALT HENDON series book 1
Character-driven romantic suspense
Non explicit (mild sensuality)
Story length 117,000 words
England, 1763. The Earl of Salt Hendon and squire's daughter Jane Despard share a secret past of mistrust, heartache, and misery. Forced into a marriage neither wants, the patient and ever optimistic Jane believes love conquers all; the Earl will take some convincing. Enter Diana St. John, who will go to extremes, even murder, to hold the Earl's attention. Can the newlyweds overcome past prejudices and sinister opposition to fall in love all over again?
SALT HENDON series book 1
Character-driven romantic suspense
Non explicit (mild sensuality)
Story length 117,000 words
326 pages, Hardcover
First published September 18, 2010
992 people are currently reading
2417 people want to read
About the author
Lucinda Brant
40 books496 followersHello! I'm a history geek who loves the 18th Century!
I write about families, creating worlds that are full of history, heart, and Happily Ever Afters. When I'm not in my writing cave in the 1700s I live in the middle of a koala reserve, so the neighbors are cute and cuddly and sleep all day!
I write because I must, and I write from the heart, and only what I love to read.
My books have been on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, and Audible bestseller lists, and have won numerous awards. All are available as audiobooks narrated by British actors Alex Wyndham, Mary Jane Wells and Matthew Lloyd Davies, and voice talent Marian Hussey. My books are also available in translation— French, German, Italian, and Japanese languages. I love to hear from my readers.
I write about families, creating worlds that are full of history, heart, and Happily Ever Afters. When I'm not in my writing cave in the 1700s I live in the middle of a koala reserve, so the neighbors are cute and cuddly and sleep all day!
I write because I must, and I write from the heart, and only what I love to read.
My books have been on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, and Audible bestseller lists, and have won numerous awards. All are available as audiobooks narrated by British actors Alex Wyndham, Mary Jane Wells and Matthew Lloyd Davies, and voice talent Marian Hussey. My books are also available in translation— French, German, Italian, and Japanese languages. I love to hear from my readers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 347 reviews
November 23, 2015
3.5 stars. I must have really been in a historical romance novel kind of mood the last couple of days, because I whipped through three of them, all Kindle freebies, in one day (some skimming may or may not have been involved). Don't judge (I had a really rough week with work and I was looking for pure escapism). This one was the best of the three by a fair amount (the other two were self-published freebies, Lord Grenville's Choice and Ruse & Romance. The funny thing is that all three involve marriage-of-convenience/forced into marriage kind of plots, which is more than likely an indication of just how overused that trope is in romance novels, but it's still kind of fun when it's done well.
We're in the Georgian (pre-Regency) period here, with the Earl of Salt Hendon and country squire's daughter Jane Despard reluctantly getting engaged, him because of a deathbed promise and her because her father's will tied up a fortune that her beloved stepbrother will only get when she gets married. But it gradually becomes clearer and clearer that "Salt" and Jane have a History--and how! That history is disclosed bit by bit over the first few chapters, but half the fun is gradually figuring out what exactly went wrong between these two, and how it happened. The other half, of course, is finding out how they're able to redevelop trust and love for each other, especially when there's someone close to Salt who's extremely determined to make sure it doesn't happen, and has absolutely no scruples about how she goes about it.
It's a highly melodramatic tale, and occasionally the story wanders off onto random trails and dead ends that don't really help the plot along and/or are unnecessary distractions. Also Jane is a Mary Sue, perfection personified in every way, while Salt is the rake with a heart of gold who treats her cruelly at first because he thinks she betrayed him four years ago, so you have to be down with those kinds of personalities.
Overall it was a fun way to spend a couple of romance-reading hours, and this is one of the better romance freebies I've found. As of the date of this review, it's still a freebie, as is another of Brant's books, Midnight Marriage, which I liked even better.
We're in the Georgian (pre-Regency) period here, with the Earl of Salt Hendon and country squire's daughter Jane Despard reluctantly getting engaged, him because of a deathbed promise and her because her father's will tied up a fortune that her beloved stepbrother will only get when she gets married. But it gradually becomes clearer and clearer that "Salt" and Jane have a History--and how! That history is disclosed bit by bit over the first few chapters, but half the fun is gradually figuring out what exactly went wrong between these two, and how it happened. The other half, of course, is finding out how they're able to redevelop trust and love for each other, especially when there's someone close to Salt who's extremely determined to make sure it doesn't happen, and has absolutely no scruples about how she goes about it.
It's a highly melodramatic tale, and occasionally the story wanders off onto random trails and dead ends that don't really help the plot along and/or are unnecessary distractions. Also Jane is a Mary Sue, perfection personified in every way, while Salt is the rake with a heart of gold who treats her cruelly at first because he thinks she betrayed him four years ago, so you have to be down with those kinds of personalities.
Overall it was a fun way to spend a couple of romance-reading hours, and this is one of the better romance freebies I've found. As of the date of this review, it's still a freebie, as is another of Brant's books, Midnight Marriage, which I liked even better.
May 30, 2023
I own the audio version of the book and very much enjoyed the reader, Marion Hussey. I like angsty books and this definitely has its moments. I will not not name them as its part of the plotting. Jane is young and has had to endure a destitute life for 4 years and this is her story. I did think at times that many of the characters willfully overlooked bad behavior from Lady St. John that had almost a sign with an arrow pointing to obsessive in regards to Salt. I thought the book slowed a bit at 2/3's as all the loose ends are being tied up but then springs back with a great final act. The next book in the series sounds great. I give the book a 4.25*
June 16, 2012
OK, 4.5/5.0, but it's teetering just the same!
Explanations are not really necessary with this book, adjectives are.... Rich, luscious, heart-breaking, heart-warming, addictive, sigh-worthy, intelligent, the list could go on and on with nary a hesitation. But, since most expect an actual review and not just emotional word-praise, here goes:
When her guardian dies, Jane Despard is faced with marrying the Earl of Salt Hendon ("Salt," as he is known) or her beloved step-brother will be faced with selling everything his family has worked for. Now, that sounds like your average historical romance set up, doesn't it? Don't. Be . Fooled! Ms. Brant has tweeked this story with so many unsuspected caveats and graced it with so much emotional angst (I know, the adjectives again) that the story becomes completely unique. From Salt's despicable opinion of Jane to the past that defines and dooms her future, this story grabs you, wrenches the emotions right out and leaves you teary one moment, determined the next and always, yes always, turning those pages!
The only hiccup (and it's a small one) might be in the rather melodramatic climax. It stretched out a little long in the believability factor, ( they're STILL not getting it?!?! ) That's it. This is one of the best indie books I've read in a while and Ms. Brant is most assuredly one of the brightest stars on that ever growing horizon.
Explanations are not really necessary with this book, adjectives are.... Rich, luscious, heart-breaking, heart-warming, addictive, sigh-worthy, intelligent, the list could go on and on with nary a hesitation. But, since most expect an actual review and not just emotional word-praise, here goes:
When her guardian dies, Jane Despard is faced with marrying the Earl of Salt Hendon ("Salt," as he is known) or her beloved step-brother will be faced with selling everything his family has worked for. Now, that sounds like your average historical romance set up, doesn't it? Don't. Be . Fooled! Ms. Brant has tweeked this story with so many unsuspected caveats and graced it with so much emotional angst (I know, the adjectives again) that the story becomes completely unique. From Salt's despicable opinion of Jane to the past that defines and dooms her future, this story grabs you, wrenches the emotions right out and leaves you teary one moment, determined the next and always, yes always, turning those pages!
The only hiccup (and it's a small one) might be in the rather melodramatic climax. It stretched out a little long in the believability factor, ( they're STILL not getting it?!?! ) That's it. This is one of the best indie books I've read in a while and Ms. Brant is most assuredly one of the brightest stars on that ever growing horizon.
October 25, 2014
Salt Bride is a thoroughly enjoyable story set in the Georgian era, in which the author’s sense of style and her evocative descriptions of the clothing and various settings bring the period vividly to life.
At the beginning of the story, Miss Jane Despard is obliged to marry the handsome and wealthy Earl of Salt Hendon (or “Salt”, as he is known). One might think being married to a man blessed with both wealth and good-looks would be no hardship, but Salt and Jane have a history which neither of them can ignore. Four years previously, Salt proposed to – and was accepted by – the lovely Jane and, carried away on the tide of passion, the pair anticipated their vows. Fully intending to present himself to her father the following day, Salt is unexpectedly called away, and when he returns a few weeks later, it’s to discover that Jane has been thrown out of her father’s house and is living under the same roof as her uncle-by-marriage, the prosperous merchant, Jacob Allenby.
Hurt and angry at what he believes to be Jane’s heartless defection, Salt assumes Jane is under Allenby’s “protection” as well as under his roof, and takes himself back to London to embark on a spectacular round of bed-hopping. Jane, whose father disowned her when she discovered she was pregnant, believes Salt abandoned her after having his way with her, as he never made any attempt to see or contact her following the letter she sent advising him of her situation. But years later, fate has a cruel sense of irony, and in order to fulfil the terms of her guardian’s will and prevent the financial ruin of her beloved step-brother, Jane has no alternative but to marry Salt after all.
She’s never fallen out of love with him, but his reaction to her is cold and harsh. He is being forced into this marriage because his sense of honour will not allow him to renege on a promise made to Jane’s father on his death-bed. He does not scruple to make Jane fully aware that he is not marrying her by choice, and indeed treats her very poorly, insulting her and telling her that once married, she will be shut away in the country while he gets on with his life in town. And while Jane knows she has no alternative but to go through with the marriage, she is no pushover and gives back as good as she gets, making it clear that she is just as unhappy about the situation as Salt is.
Obviously, this is not the best basis for a marriage – and it’s also not an uncommon premise in an historical romance. The couple has to navigate their way through misunderstanding and misdirection, much of it orchestrated by the villain of the piece, Lady Diana St. John, who is Salt’s cousin, and obsessed with him to the point of madness. As the story progresses, Jane and Salt grow closer and rekindle their old feelings for each other, as well as coming to understand the reasons behind their misconceptions about each other and, more importantly, the lengths Diana has gone to – and is prepared, still, to go to – in order to get what she wants. Knowing that Salt will never marry her, she nonetheless aims to keep him for herself by acting as his hostess and remaining constantly at his side through the glittering political career for which she believes he is destined.
While the story of the forced-into-marriage may be somewhat formulaic, I was nonetheless compelled to keep listening by the quality of the writing, storytelling and narration, and by the deliciously despicable Diana, who is a brilliantly realised character. She’s over-the-top for sure, but she’s so devious and clever that there are times the listener can almost believe she’s going to get away with her nefarious plans – and they really are nefarious, involving not just a determination to dispose of Jane, but revealing a streak of such dark malevolence and cruelty that makes her both repulsive and strangely compelling.
Marian Hussey isn’t a narrator I’ve listened to before, but her performance here is excellent and I will certainly be seeking out more of her work as a result.
Her voice is very pleasantly modulated and her narrative is well-paced and expressive. She differentiates very effectively between characters so that there is never any question as to who is speaking in those scenes – and there are quite a few – in which there are more than two or three characters present. Her interpretation of the various female characters is very strong, with her portrayal of Diana being the stand-out performance. That lady’s languidly supercilious utterances are laced with venom and bitterness as she cuts a swathe through London’s society as its most sought-after hostess. Ms Hussey doesn’t have a particularly deep voice, but her portrayals of the men in the story are successfully done by use of a variety of tone, pitch and timbre. For Tom, Jane’s younger half-brother, Ms Hussey adds a slight edge to her voice and introduces an element of eagerness into his words which expertly convey his youth and inexperience. Salt’s speech is considered and deliberate, with an air of authority and arrogance that perfectly reflect his austerity of character.
Overall, Salt Bride is a very enjoyable listening experience. Jane and Salt make an engaging central couple, there is a well-drawn cast of supporting characters and the makings of a secondary romance which I believe continues into the sequel. Ms Brandt’s eye for detail and her ability to craft a fast-moving, suspenseful and highly entertaining story combined with a highly polished performance from Marian Hussey make this an audio I have no hesitation in recommending to fans of historical romance and romance audiobooks alike.
August 24, 2019
Re-read
Thanks to Carol *Young at Heart Oldie* review of Salt Hendon Collection: A Georgian Historical Romance Boxed Set, I reread Salt Bride and finally started Salt Redux.
I am upping Salt Bride to four stars for such a well done romantic/suspense/drama.
A wronged beautiful and intelligent heroine
A duped and heart torn hero
An evil mastermind
Suspense, drama and passion
And, thank you Ms. Brant, a nice comeuppance, frankly out and out revenge.
Even the cover is fitting and looks like a Georgian heroine rather than a floozy in a tacky poly-satin bodice ripping gown.
Yes, there are holes in the plot, but everything was so well done I don't care.
First review:
Looking over my shoulder as a miasma of malevolence permeates this story so far.
This was a very well done love story/suspense/horror story.
The opening is tragic. No spoiler as it has to be read. Jane is a victim of so many characters, but she never succumbs to poor pitiful me martyr syndrome. The circumstances of being an unmarried female without money or a support system in Jacobean times have reduced her to a situation most modern women would have a hard time comprehending. Through the machinations of an extreme evil doer, she has been betrayed and abandoned by her father, her lover, everyone.
The book starts up four years later when, through a convoluted scenario, she finds herself in a MOC with the man she loved. The MOC starts out very poorly, but Salt, the H, makes an abrupt turnaround and is sweet and loving to his new wife. Salt and Jane are both a little wary of each other and their feelings as both were set up and betrayed thinking the other was responsible for the betrayal.
Their relationship is fun to read as they come along nicely as a couple in love and denial, and there are some entertaining secondary characters that don't always make sense. However, what makes the book is the evil, EVIL, EVIL villainess. She is so over the top horrible my heart pounded ever time she slithered on the page as it was a crap shoot who she was going to be terrible to or how. She may be one of the worst villains ever, verging on OTT at times, but she was a definite game changer.
A 4 star book in many ways, it fell apart with the aforementioned secondary characters that were not completely fleshed out.
Trigger warning:
Thanks to Carol *Young at Heart Oldie* review of Salt Hendon Collection: A Georgian Historical Romance Boxed Set, I reread Salt Bride and finally started Salt Redux.
I am upping Salt Bride to four stars for such a well done romantic/suspense/drama.
A wronged beautiful and intelligent heroine
A duped and heart torn hero
An evil mastermind
Suspense, drama and passion
And, thank you Ms. Brant, a nice comeuppance, frankly out and out revenge.
Even the cover is fitting and looks like a Georgian heroine rather than a floozy in a tacky poly-satin bodice ripping gown.
Yes, there are holes in the plot, but everything was so well done I don't care.
First review:
Looking over my shoulder as a miasma of malevolence permeates this story so far.
This was a very well done love story/suspense/horror story.
The opening is tragic. No spoiler as it has to be read. Jane is a victim of so many characters, but she never succumbs to poor pitiful me martyr syndrome. The circumstances of being an unmarried female without money or a support system in Jacobean times have reduced her to a situation most modern women would have a hard time comprehending. Through the machinations of an extreme evil doer, she has been betrayed and abandoned by her father, her lover, everyone.
The book starts up four years later when, through a convoluted scenario, she finds herself in a MOC with the man she loved. The MOC starts out very poorly, but Salt, the H, makes an abrupt turnaround and is sweet and loving to his new wife. Salt and Jane are both a little wary of each other and their feelings as both were set up and betrayed thinking the other was responsible for the betrayal.
Their relationship is fun to read as they come along nicely as a couple in love and denial, and there are some entertaining secondary characters that don't always make sense. However, what makes the book is the evil, EVIL, EVIL villainess. She is so over the top horrible my heart pounded ever time she slithered on the page as it was a crap shoot who she was going to be terrible to or how. She may be one of the worst villains ever, verging on OTT at times, but she was a definite game changer.
A 4 star book in many ways, it fell apart with the aforementioned secondary characters that were not completely fleshed out.
Trigger warning:
April 19, 2020
4.5*
I am Regency obsessed and haven't read many Georgians - Patricia Veryan and a couple by Mary Balogh come to mind - but this book hooked me into the era so much so, that I spent as much time reading it as searching the internet for every little thing I read in the book and more.
Look at that cover! All LB covers are beautiful and the models are real lookers.
Not much of a review really. Just some things.
The story, the plot events, the characters, the world building are strong only the writing could have been a little better at places, as paragraphs are over long - dialogue-less and over descriptive. Sometimes, page after page filled with words without any space or relief made it a chore to wade through. At times, one scene took up dozen of pages instead of the required two or three. And that's what stopped it from being 5* in my rating.
Having said that, this book and mcs are going to stay with me for a long time. I love it and the h/H connection is super-strong and just the way I love it!
Salt and Jane.
Sublime.
She suffers so much at the hands of fate, his stupidity and mostly at hands of a villainous like no other we generally read in romances. Her obsessive over-reaching villainy sent chills down my spine. Thankfully, the author knew how to rein her in and keep her off-pages when required, so as the h-H story doesn't get overpowered.
Salt the beautiful with his quivering noble nostrils and vanity regarding his eyeglasses endears himself after a hateful beginning. And Jane the sweet, sensible beauty who holds his heart in her palm since the day he saw her. Only destiny and self-serving people pull them apart and then magically put them back together also.
The story has many lovable secondary characters. As it has several minor villains apart from the vamp and a small mystery about family connections that unravels slowly and smoothly.
Special mention for Viscount Fourpaws.
Recommended!
I am Regency obsessed and haven't read many Georgians - Patricia Veryan and a couple by Mary Balogh come to mind - but this book hooked me into the era so much so, that I spent as much time reading it as searching the internet for every little thing I read in the book and more.
Look at that cover! All LB covers are beautiful and the models are real lookers.
Not much of a review really. Just some things.
The story, the plot events, the characters, the world building are strong only the writing could have been a little better at places, as paragraphs are over long - dialogue-less and over descriptive. Sometimes, page after page filled with words without any space or relief made it a chore to wade through. At times, one scene took up dozen of pages instead of the required two or three. And that's what stopped it from being 5* in my rating.
Having said that, this book and mcs are going to stay with me for a long time. I love it and the h/H connection is super-strong and just the way I love it!
Salt and Jane.
Sublime.
She suffers so much at the hands of fate, his stupidity and mostly at hands of a villainous like no other we generally read in romances. Her obsessive over-reaching villainy sent chills down my spine. Thankfully, the author knew how to rein her in and keep her off-pages when required, so as the h-H story doesn't get overpowered.
Salt the beautiful with his quivering noble nostrils and vanity regarding his eyeglasses endears himself after a hateful beginning. And Jane the sweet, sensible beauty who holds his heart in her palm since the day he saw her. Only destiny and self-serving people pull them apart and then magically put them back together also.
The story has many lovable secondary characters. As it has several minor villains apart from the vamp and a small mystery about family connections that unravels slowly and smoothly.
Special mention for Viscount Fourpaws.
Recommended!
dropped
April 30, 2013Got halfway through the book but dropped it because I hated the stupidity. The villain was way so obvious in her viscous-ness but not a single person could pick up on any of her evil ways- not the child abuse, or the servant abuse, or the way she played with the lives of the hero and heroine. The hero was so hot and cold I got whiplash from the back and forth of his actions. The heroine was a doormat for the entire time I've read it and that's what really annoyed me the most. This novel had all the elements of a very dramatic story, or at least a melodramatic soap opera.. But the annoying characters got in the way.
May 28, 2023
I don't know what happened to my review 😕.
Short review:
This was a very good book! LB is a brilliant writer. I highly recommend!
Short review:
This was a very good book! LB is a brilliant writer. I highly recommend!
July 28, 2025
I have read and reread on kindle and audio. Audio is one of my all time favs. Jane Despard and her Salty Earl are so angsty and sweet. Georgian powdered wigs,
snuff boxes, men in heels, religious fanatics, tragic heroine who is kind and beautiful, a little mystery and betrayal keeps it interesting. the high drama part that hit repeat on, is when the brother tells all and salty passes out from grief and realizing what a huge a@@ he has been. I love this series and am so happy it was available as a bundle
snuff boxes, men in heels, religious fanatics, tragic heroine who is kind and beautiful, a little mystery and betrayal keeps it interesting. the high drama part that hit repeat on, is when the brother tells all and salty passes out from grief and realizing what a huge a@@ he has been. I love this series and am so happy it was available as a bundle
February 13, 2024
Don't look at the cover🧐, it's misleading 🤨
One of my favs 😍
Free on Amazon Kindle RN!!!
One of my favs 😍
Free on Amazon Kindle RN!!!
July 26, 2014
I read the reviews here prior to purchasing the audiobook. Good thing Audible has a return policy. The hero's character changes from page to page. At first the Earl of Salt is a hard man who is being forced to marry his once secret betrothed. Lots of hatred towards wife to be who somehow HAS to marry him, can't find another man in the kingdom so that she can help her half-brother. OH my, how hard is it to develop a plot and stick to it.
It only takes him one look at his bride for him to turn into a cream puff. He carries her while she remains sleeping to his bed from the frosty bridal bower. Next minute he is protecting her from the sight of his manly bits by begging his valet for a nightshirt. A few hours later, he tosses this off, then sleep shags her, she wakes and loves it, but WHY not wake her first?
Rather than use the tension of the bridal night to bring out what is between them, the author creates the strangest situation,despite 3 months notice and no lack of staff or funds, the bridal bed is has no mattress and the fireplace is unlit due to a bird's nest. A full wardrobe of new gowns, hats etc are in the overflowing closet btw.
All the tension of the book is then carried by the wicked cousin.
Lots of totally unbelievable scenes- tossing her over his shoulder and smacking her bottom,in the formal dining room in front of guests. Standing half dressed - him and her after a carriage romp they enter the mansion, greet his sister and proceed to have a long chat while both are still smelling of sexxors.
I didn't finish the book as there was just so much that was WRONG.
It only takes him one look at his bride for him to turn into a cream puff. He carries her while she remains sleeping to his bed from the frosty bridal bower. Next minute he is protecting her from the sight of his manly bits by begging his valet for a nightshirt. A few hours later, he tosses this off, then sleep shags her, she wakes and loves it, but WHY not wake her first?
Rather than use the tension of the bridal night to bring out what is between them, the author creates the strangest situation,despite 3 months notice and no lack of staff or funds, the bridal bed is has no mattress and the fireplace is unlit due to a bird's nest. A full wardrobe of new gowns, hats etc are in the overflowing closet btw.
All the tension of the book is then carried by the wicked cousin.
Lots of totally unbelievable scenes- tossing her over his shoulder and smacking her bottom,in the formal dining room in front of guests. Standing half dressed - him and her after a carriage romp they enter the mansion, greet his sister and proceed to have a long chat while both are still smelling of sexxors.
I didn't finish the book as there was just so much that was WRONG.
March 2, 2013
Let me start this review off by saying, many people will love this book. Despite the lack of a nearly naked woman on the front cover in a brightly colored lush gown, this book reminded me of the types of books you will get from Loretta Chase, Sarah MacLean, and Elizabeth Hoyt (just to name a few). It appears this book was marketed differently from other historical romances for some reason, perhaps because it is a bit cleaner and less steamy than the others mentioned above, but I think the cover is a bit misleading. I more expected something in the vein of Georgette Heyer.
The novel opens with a fairly confusing scene in which Jane has been forced to miscarry her bastard baby by her father and the main villain of the story, Lady St. John. Jane is then forced to accept the care of a merchant, Allenby, because her father has disowned her. Four years later, Allenby's will forces a marriage between Jane and the Earl of Salt, the father of Jane's dead baby. As Salt's and Jane's relationship grows, they are forced to realize that things in the past are not as they seem. Meanwhile, the meddling Lady St. John cannot quite give up on her hope to make Salt hers. Slightly insane, she will go to any lengths to destroy the marriage of Jane and Salt.
While the plot was formulaic, I have to say the novel did keep me up late reading just to find out what happens next; however, a lot of my reading turned into skimming because of the excessive wordiness the author needed to describe scenes. Everything required paragraphs and paragraphs of explanation. Like, I don't need to know where the butler went before he ended up in the bookroom guarding over Jane. Suffice to say, he is there watching her, and the fact that he first talked to Jenkins and then to Arthur, who said Jane was in the bookroom, but the butler found out she was not alone.... Blah, blah, blah, I don't care. Back to the plot, though, this is why I think fans of your typical historical romance a la Eloisa James will like this book. I often find these types of books predictable and frustrating, but I know that others like them a lot. There is the reformed rake who is singularly in love with the heroine, who is breathtakingly, uncommonly, stunningly beautiful (all of these descriptions are used more than once, ad nauseum) both inside and out. There is a bit of a contrived plot, but at least The Big Misunderstanding happens before the novel begins, so there is not a lot of angry flare ups between the characters over nothing. That being said, this Big Misunderstanding could have been solved by a simple conversation between the two of them at the very beginning of the book. Alas, then there would be no novel. Despite all of this, I got into the novel and wanted to know what would happen next, so I guess all-in-all the plot was a success.
The number one most frustrating thing about this book was the confusing nature of the characters' relations. I will go ahead and spell it out here to hopefully save someone else from the headache. Jane's father is married to her stepmother, Rachel Despard. She is disowned by both of them and seeks shelter from Rachel Despard's brother, Jacob Allenby. Rachel Despard has a son from a past marriage, Tom, who is Jane's stepbrother or brother-in-law as he is sometimes called, so Jacob Allenby is Tom's uncle and Jane's uncle by marriage. Salt is the man Jane had an affair with, and his cousin/bestie was Lord St. John, who is dead and was married to Lady St. John, who's in love with Salt. Lord St Antony, often referred to as Tony (confusing because we also have a Tom), is Lady St. John's brother. Make sense? Thought so.
Finally, I've already mentioned how Jane is perfection reincarnated, but I thought it was strange that every other woman mentioned in the book was also described as beautiful. There are no plain people in this book, which is a bit unrealistic. Also, Lucinda Brant must really be into wide backs, beefy shoulders, and quivering nostrils, because these qualities are all mentioned several times mostly talking about the Earl, but not always. To me, anyone describing any body part as beefy is not attractive... At least, though, the characters were all likeable, even the secondary ones, except for the evil villain. Like I've already mentioned, I can see why for many people this will be a five star book. The things that make it so for those people, make it a three star book for me. That's to say, I liked it but didn't love it. If you like any of the authors I've mentioned previously, you will like this book.
I've read other reviews complaining about editing, but it seemed to me that a lot of the flaws must have been fixed since they read this and I did. I didn't find many mistakes, and a few of the ones I did find seemed to be due to the print-to-kindle conversion that you often see. One thing I will say, though, if you are reading the kindle version, the formatting is very funny. There is no indent to the start of paragraphs, so it gets a bit confusing because sometimes old paragraphs bleed into new ones. Definitely something that added a little to the confusion, but I quickly got used to it.
The novel opens with a fairly confusing scene in which Jane has been forced to miscarry her bastard baby by her father and the main villain of the story, Lady St. John. Jane is then forced to accept the care of a merchant, Allenby, because her father has disowned her. Four years later, Allenby's will forces a marriage between Jane and the Earl of Salt, the father of Jane's dead baby. As Salt's and Jane's relationship grows, they are forced to realize that things in the past are not as they seem. Meanwhile, the meddling Lady St. John cannot quite give up on her hope to make Salt hers. Slightly insane, she will go to any lengths to destroy the marriage of Jane and Salt.
While the plot was formulaic, I have to say the novel did keep me up late reading just to find out what happens next; however, a lot of my reading turned into skimming because of the excessive wordiness the author needed to describe scenes. Everything required paragraphs and paragraphs of explanation. Like, I don't need to know where the butler went before he ended up in the bookroom guarding over Jane. Suffice to say, he is there watching her, and the fact that he first talked to Jenkins and then to Arthur, who said Jane was in the bookroom, but the butler found out she was not alone.... Blah, blah, blah, I don't care. Back to the plot, though, this is why I think fans of your typical historical romance a la Eloisa James will like this book. I often find these types of books predictable and frustrating, but I know that others like them a lot. There is the reformed rake who is singularly in love with the heroine, who is breathtakingly, uncommonly, stunningly beautiful (all of these descriptions are used more than once, ad nauseum) both inside and out. There is a bit of a contrived plot, but at least The Big Misunderstanding happens before the novel begins, so there is not a lot of angry flare ups between the characters over nothing. That being said, this Big Misunderstanding could have been solved by a simple conversation between the two of them at the very beginning of the book. Alas, then there would be no novel. Despite all of this, I got into the novel and wanted to know what would happen next, so I guess all-in-all the plot was a success.
The number one most frustrating thing about this book was the confusing nature of the characters' relations. I will go ahead and spell it out here to hopefully save someone else from the headache. Jane's father is married to her stepmother, Rachel Despard. She is disowned by both of them and seeks shelter from Rachel Despard's brother, Jacob Allenby. Rachel Despard has a son from a past marriage, Tom, who is Jane's stepbrother or brother-in-law as he is sometimes called, so Jacob Allenby is Tom's uncle and Jane's uncle by marriage. Salt is the man Jane had an affair with, and his cousin/bestie was Lord St. John, who is dead and was married to Lady St. John, who's in love with Salt. Lord St Antony, often referred to as Tony (confusing because we also have a Tom), is Lady St. John's brother. Make sense? Thought so.
Finally, I've already mentioned how Jane is perfection reincarnated, but I thought it was strange that every other woman mentioned in the book was also described as beautiful. There are no plain people in this book, which is a bit unrealistic. Also, Lucinda Brant must really be into wide backs, beefy shoulders, and quivering nostrils, because these qualities are all mentioned several times mostly talking about the Earl, but not always. To me, anyone describing any body part as beefy is not attractive... At least, though, the characters were all likeable, even the secondary ones, except for the evil villain. Like I've already mentioned, I can see why for many people this will be a five star book. The things that make it so for those people, make it a three star book for me. That's to say, I liked it but didn't love it. If you like any of the authors I've mentioned previously, you will like this book.
I've read other reviews complaining about editing, but it seemed to me that a lot of the flaws must have been fixed since they read this and I did. I didn't find many mistakes, and a few of the ones I did find seemed to be due to the print-to-kindle conversion that you often see. One thing I will say, though, if you are reading the kindle version, the formatting is very funny. There is no indent to the start of paragraphs, so it gets a bit confusing because sometimes old paragraphs bleed into new ones. Definitely something that added a little to the confusion, but I quickly got used to it.
July 6, 2013
Those looking just for a well-researched, well-detailed Georgian era historical romance will find this 'crimance' a surprise, for some a pleasant one, for others, less so. This reminds me of the sort of suspense stories of Amanda Quick. The story features a sociopathic villainess given to poisoning her problems away. Think Hannibal Lector in panniers and powdered wig (oh, she doesn't eat anyone literally, only figuratively, while on rampage). This evil wench seems to take center stage while the hero and heroine sort through various misunderstandings created by the villainess and find love in what begins as an unpromising, forced marriage..
I wasn't prepared for the suspense and unpleasant villainess but greatly admired how skin-crawling the author made her. A few times, I became frustrated/annoyed that the heroine didn't say the obvious when obviously called for: (1) Salt, you are not barren, but a seed-full stud, and 2) by the way, you knocked me up 4 years ago and most recently, too). The heroine failed to reveal this for reasons given (but not compelling), so it felt more like a dodge to crank up the suspense. But by God, crank the suspense, it really did. I dreaded proceeding several times, I got so wrapped up in the story. I mean grab you by the throat, what the hell is going to happen next suspense.
All in all, I had to keep reading. I liked the main characters a great deal, cringed at the villainess as intended, and was happily rewarded throughout by the author's evident, fluent narration that made the period come to life down to the smallest, telling details. That was a wonderful, wonderful part of the story. Just excellent!! There is a sequel, in which the foaming-at-the-mouth, poisoning, crazy-ass bitch goes on a vengeful rampage against Earl Salt and his faerie queen of a wife, but I've read enough. My heart cannot take the racing.
I wasn't prepared for the suspense and unpleasant villainess but greatly admired how skin-crawling the author made her. A few times, I became frustrated/annoyed that the heroine didn't say the obvious when obviously called for: (1) Salt, you are not barren, but a seed-full stud, and 2) by the way, you knocked me up 4 years ago and most recently, too). The heroine failed to reveal this for reasons given (but not compelling), so it felt more like a dodge to crank up the suspense. But by God, crank the suspense, it really did. I dreaded proceeding several times, I got so wrapped up in the story. I mean grab you by the throat, what the hell is going to happen next suspense.
All in all, I had to keep reading. I liked the main characters a great deal, cringed at the villainess as intended, and was happily rewarded throughout by the author's evident, fluent narration that made the period come to life down to the smallest, telling details. That was a wonderful, wonderful part of the story. Just excellent!! There is a sequel, in which the foaming-at-the-mouth, poisoning, crazy-ass bitch goes on a vengeful rampage against Earl Salt and his faerie queen of a wife, but I've read enough. My heart cannot take the racing.
December 20, 2016
5 "Reneged Betrothal?" Stars for the story and 5 narration stars for Alex Wyndham's narration!
Containing a romance based on the misunderstanding trope, along with a suspense twist that includes a scheming, jealous relative with plans to marry the hero herself, Lucinda Brant delivers a compelling and addictive listen in the Salt Bride: A Georgian Historical Romance. This intriguing listen left me with no choice but to binge listen to this 12+ hour romance until the satisfying end even bypassing sleep to do so! Moreover, the soothing and sexy baritone voice of Alex Wyndham make this romance a fantastic choice to experience in audio format.
One night of premature, overzealous passion, and the perfect storm of ill-timed events, lead to both the happiest night and yet the most unfortunate series of events. Set in England in the 18th Century, these events eventually lead Jane Despard, a squire's daughter, to force the Earl of Salt Hendon to marry her--even if she will still be shunned by society for her sullied past. The fact that the Earl of Salt Hendon still has his own memories of that night (ones that he frequently revisits) is of little solace when he believes that Jane committed the biggest sin of all. But Salt is a man of his word and he will honor his deathbed promise to Jane's father unless he can convince Jane to release him of the obligation--a promise that he will thoroughly attempt to dissuade her from. What he doesn't know is that Jane is equally determined to go through with the marriage no matter what the consequence due to her own personal reasons.
Further complicating matters is Diana St. John, the widow of Salt's cousin and the mother of his two godchildren. Over the years, Diana has been aspiring and calculating how to further Salt's political career. Moreover, she has been effectively functioning as the Countess of Salt Hendon (in every way except for the bedroom) and fully expects to assume that role officially as soon as her scheming finally lands her the ultimate prize. Can there possibly be a HEA for Jane and Salt under the circumstances?
Alex Wyndham has become one of my favorite historical romance narrators, and his performance in Salt Bride is every bit the narration perfection that I have come to expect and enjoy from Mr. Wyndham. From his aristocratic, commanding Earl of Salt Hendon voice to Jane's sweet and loyal softer more feminine sounding voice, Mr. Wyndham is able to create spot on voices for all characters across genders. Mr. Wyndham also excels at delivering both the narratives and dialogues at just the right speed and with the appropriate pauses to make listening to this story seamless for the listener.
One plot point that I particularly enjoyed is that although this romance is based on the misunderstanding trope, the animosity between the main couple is expertly managed by Ms. Brant, so that by the time that the romance flourishes it is completely believable and heart-stirring. Additionally, I loved how Ms. Brant slowly introduces us to a whole cast of interesting secondary characters, who help round out and deepen the complexity of this story, including the couple who will no doubt be featured in book 2 of this series, Salt Redux: Lady Caroline (Salt's younger sister) and Sir Anthony (Diana's brother and Salt's brother-in-law).
All in all, the Salt Bride is a romance audiobook that historical romance lovers will not want to miss!
Source: Review copy provided for review purposes.
Containing a romance based on the misunderstanding trope, along with a suspense twist that includes a scheming, jealous relative with plans to marry the hero herself, Lucinda Brant delivers a compelling and addictive listen in the Salt Bride: A Georgian Historical Romance. This intriguing listen left me with no choice but to binge listen to this 12+ hour romance until the satisfying end even bypassing sleep to do so! Moreover, the soothing and sexy baritone voice of Alex Wyndham make this romance a fantastic choice to experience in audio format.
One night of premature, overzealous passion, and the perfect storm of ill-timed events, lead to both the happiest night and yet the most unfortunate series of events. Set in England in the 18th Century, these events eventually lead Jane Despard, a squire's daughter, to force the Earl of Salt Hendon to marry her--even if she will still be shunned by society for her sullied past. The fact that the Earl of Salt Hendon still has his own memories of that night (ones that he frequently revisits) is of little solace when he believes that Jane committed the biggest sin of all. But Salt is a man of his word and he will honor his deathbed promise to Jane's father unless he can convince Jane to release him of the obligation--a promise that he will thoroughly attempt to dissuade her from. What he doesn't know is that Jane is equally determined to go through with the marriage no matter what the consequence due to her own personal reasons.
Further complicating matters is Diana St. John, the widow of Salt's cousin and the mother of his two godchildren. Over the years, Diana has been aspiring and calculating how to further Salt's political career. Moreover, she has been effectively functioning as the Countess of Salt Hendon (in every way except for the bedroom) and fully expects to assume that role officially as soon as her scheming finally lands her the ultimate prize. Can there possibly be a HEA for Jane and Salt under the circumstances?
Alex Wyndham has become one of my favorite historical romance narrators, and his performance in Salt Bride is every bit the narration perfection that I have come to expect and enjoy from Mr. Wyndham. From his aristocratic, commanding Earl of Salt Hendon voice to Jane's sweet and loyal softer more feminine sounding voice, Mr. Wyndham is able to create spot on voices for all characters across genders. Mr. Wyndham also excels at delivering both the narratives and dialogues at just the right speed and with the appropriate pauses to make listening to this story seamless for the listener.
One plot point that I particularly enjoyed is that although this romance is based on the misunderstanding trope, the animosity between the main couple is expertly managed by Ms. Brant, so that by the time that the romance flourishes it is completely believable and heart-stirring. Additionally, I loved how Ms. Brant slowly introduces us to a whole cast of interesting secondary characters, who help round out and deepen the complexity of this story, including the couple who will no doubt be featured in book 2 of this series, Salt Redux: Lady Caroline (Salt's younger sister) and Sir Anthony (Diana's brother and Salt's brother-in-law).
All in all, the Salt Bride is a romance audiobook that historical romance lovers will not want to miss!
Source: Review copy provided for review purposes.
July 28, 2020
Very evil/mad person in this book and for some reason no one notices except the heroine.
Reread--bumping my 4 star up to 4.5 stars. This is a good one when in the mood for angst and a villainous.
Reread--bumping my 4 star up to 4.5 stars. This is a good one when in the mood for angst and a villainous.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2022
Enjoyable Georgian read.
February 6, 2016
Very good story! Fantastic Narration by Marian Hussey (audible whispersync reveiw)
This was a really good story, I enjoyed it very much. The hero and heroine had some great chemistry together. I really liked both characters very much. Jane was a great heroine. Salt was fantastic. There wasn't really any sex scenes in the story it was more referred to in the past tense but the sexual tension is there and the relationship between the two felt genuine and real.
The story line and plot was great. There was a bat shit crazy villainous lady Diana St. John. Literally this woman is nuts LOL it made the story even better. There was secrets and a few of surprises. There is lots and lots of dialogue throughout the entire book. Some very good dialogue too. This story is not full of filler nonsense either which is a plus for a 12 hour book.
As for the narration, well its Marian Hussey one of my very favorite narrators. She does a fantastic job on the men's voices and gives everyone their own distinct voice and has an excellent reading voice. She reads with emotion as called for too. Love listening to her narrations. She makes a story even better!
I actually got this book free back in November 2015 from amazon and 1.99 for the audible whispersync version so it was a super deal for sure!
This was a really good story, I enjoyed it very much. The hero and heroine had some great chemistry together. I really liked both characters very much. Jane was a great heroine. Salt was fantastic. There wasn't really any sex scenes in the story it was more referred to in the past tense but the sexual tension is there and the relationship between the two felt genuine and real.
The story line and plot was great. There was a bat shit crazy villainous lady Diana St. John. Literally this woman is nuts LOL it made the story even better. There was secrets and a few of surprises. There is lots and lots of dialogue throughout the entire book. Some very good dialogue too. This story is not full of filler nonsense either which is a plus for a 12 hour book.
As for the narration, well its Marian Hussey one of my very favorite narrators. She does a fantastic job on the men's voices and gives everyone their own distinct voice and has an excellent reading voice. She reads with emotion as called for too. Love listening to her narrations. She makes a story even better!
I actually got this book free back in November 2015 from amazon and 1.99 for the audible whispersync version so it was a super deal for sure!
January 16, 2012
Another Georgian era winner from Lucinda Brant!
I greatly enjoyed this sometimes heart-wrenching story of thwarted lovers. I admire Ms. Brant's ability to vividly paint the world of the Georgian era nobility and to give her readers a very true yet human sense of aristocratic characters and her clear delineation of their public from their private personas. I found the story and characters deeply engaging and look forward to reading more from this author.
I greatly enjoyed this sometimes heart-wrenching story of thwarted lovers. I admire Ms. Brant's ability to vividly paint the world of the Georgian era nobility and to give her readers a very true yet human sense of aristocratic characters and her clear delineation of their public from their private personas. I found the story and characters deeply engaging and look forward to reading more from this author.
October 16, 2021
Still a solid 5 stars! Crazy ass villain and all!
April 26, 2012
I gave it two stars because it isn't your average bodice ripper, and I appreciated that. It isn't as unbelievable and contrived as most books of the genre seem to be. I read these types of books occasionally when I want something light and easy. They all have the same plot structure, somehow. The woman is good and pure, the man is noble underneath his rakish outer shell. Someone or something tries to come between them but in the end, their true love prevails. The only thing that set this apart from the rest of this type of book is the writing skill level and the fact that all the characters, with the exception of one, are likable. Even the unlikable character can be forgiven.
So, it was a little more than mildly entertaining. Overall, I would not read it again. There are too many other books out there that I would enjoy more. When I rate a book, one star means it was awful. Two says it was alright, but not worth a re-read. Three stars means I enjoyed it and would consider reading it again in the future. Four says I really liked it and will definately read it again some day and five is reserved for books I absolutely love and re-read on a regular basis (every yearor so) such as David Copperfield, Lord of the Rings, Atlas Shrugged and so on.
So, it was a little more than mildly entertaining. Overall, I would not read it again. There are too many other books out there that I would enjoy more. When I rate a book, one star means it was awful. Two says it was alright, but not worth a re-read. Three stars means I enjoyed it and would consider reading it again in the future. Four says I really liked it and will definately read it again some day and five is reserved for books I absolutely love and re-read on a regular basis (every yearor so) such as David Copperfield, Lord of the Rings, Atlas Shrugged and so on.
September 19, 2015
Entertaining historical romance melodrama. Has a psycho-ow wannabe, betrayals, miscommunications, a rakish hero with a string of ex-mistresses, and a second chance between the two star-crossed lovers. I will read the sequel - I have to find out how Diana plots and seeks her revenge. 3.5 rounded stars.
August 23, 2022
Most enjoyable. The sense of period is excellent, both plot and characterisation are strong, with a delightful heroine and, almost more satisfying, a completely OTT villainess.
June 22, 2023
Lucinda Brant always (so far) delivers a "fluffy", opulent splendor of the XVIII century (mostly) British aristocratic world. Of course, those people were just a little part of all living at those times. The author just chose to concentrate on a very specific setting. And she does it marvelously. I always felt like I was in there.
The idea for a romance was good. What could have been rather a tedious story, or at least annoying misunderstanding after another annoying misunderstanding - Mrs Brant wrote into drama with thrilling intrigue (at least to some point). And I really appreciated how calm and sensible Jane was.
Yet, two things a bit spoiled the novel for me.
Firstly, for the main plot/mystery responsible was one person. I am not a fan of the stories when some kind of omniscient villain pulls all strings. In real life, there is always a bit of luck and coincidently similar goals of some other people.
Secondly, a few times someone told something revealing and the other character should inquire more about it. The misunderstanding would have been solved then and there. But for some reason, the receiver of those revelations just ignored them. I don't get why. Once, it could happen. One could listen without enough attention (although the importance of those conversations was big). But after the third time, it looked like the writer's inattention/shortcoming. Of course, I can assume that the characters sometimes simply didn't listen to what the other person told - but in such a case, I would have had to think through completely my perception of those characters.
[3-3.5 stars]
The idea for a romance was good. What could have been rather a tedious story, or at least annoying misunderstanding after another annoying misunderstanding - Mrs Brant wrote into drama with thrilling intrigue (at least to some point). And I really appreciated how calm and sensible Jane was.
Yet, two things a bit spoiled the novel for me.
Firstly, for the main plot/mystery responsible was one person. I am not a fan of the stories when some kind of omniscient villain pulls all strings. In real life, there is always a bit of luck and coincidently similar goals of some other people.
Secondly, a few times someone told something revealing and the other character should inquire more about it. The misunderstanding would have been solved then and there. But for some reason, the receiver of those revelations just ignored them. I don't get why. Once, it could happen. One could listen without enough attention (although the importance of those conversations was big). But after the third time, it looked like the writer's inattention/shortcoming. Of course, I can assume that the characters sometimes simply didn't listen to what the other person told - but in such a case, I would have had to think through completely my perception of those characters.
[3-3.5 stars]
August 18, 2019
2.5 stars. The hero was too much of an idiot for me rate it higher. I liked the heroine though :)
November 5, 2015
Audiobook Review:
What a wonderful cast of characters! From the very purest of hearts, Jane Despard, soon to become Lady Salt, to Diane, Lady St. John, whose mind machinations will have you anxiously follow her every move. This woman is capable of horrendous deeds. Beware!
New-to-me author Lucinda Brant, provided a fabulous listen and I won’t be able to NOT read/listen to the sequel. She has me hanging from a precipice. She draws her scenes in such detail I feel the swirl of emotion bouncing in the expanse of the scene. She captures scrupulously what happens in the mind of an individual when her dark side demands total manipulation of people with the quest to gain her goal. It leaves the reader shuddering with angst for her victims. I love to hate her villain!
I enjoyed hearing the jargon of the day in dialog and participate in more than dancing and balls. Narrator Ms. Hussey is easy to listen to, with sharp, well enunciated words. Her voice is perfect in depicting the innocent demeanor of Jane, to the voice of the Earl, a man whose heart loves Jane, but dares not believe such a thing himself. After all, didn’t she break off their relationship four years earlier? Or was it the other way around? This is the second time I’ve heard Marian Hussey narrate. Her voice is extremely versatile, a lower resonance and quite mesmerizing in how she portrays characters.
We got to see what happens below stairs amongst the servants, how loyalties are made or broken. We participated in the lives of the crème de la crème of society.
I particularly marveled at the in-depth characterization of deranged Diana, Lady Saint John, who had a façade of normalcy, but evil lurked behind her beautiful face and proper demeanor. She was absolutely terrifying.
Ms. Brant has written quite a few novels. I’ll be delving into her others. It’s such a pleasure to find another author who pulls the right strings enthralling me, completely entertained for hours!
What a wonderful cast of characters! From the very purest of hearts, Jane Despard, soon to become Lady Salt, to Diane, Lady St. John, whose mind machinations will have you anxiously follow her every move. This woman is capable of horrendous deeds. Beware!
New-to-me author Lucinda Brant, provided a fabulous listen and I won’t be able to NOT read/listen to the sequel. She has me hanging from a precipice. She draws her scenes in such detail I feel the swirl of emotion bouncing in the expanse of the scene. She captures scrupulously what happens in the mind of an individual when her dark side demands total manipulation of people with the quest to gain her goal. It leaves the reader shuddering with angst for her victims. I love to hate her villain!
I enjoyed hearing the jargon of the day in dialog and participate in more than dancing and balls. Narrator Ms. Hussey is easy to listen to, with sharp, well enunciated words. Her voice is perfect in depicting the innocent demeanor of Jane, to the voice of the Earl, a man whose heart loves Jane, but dares not believe such a thing himself. After all, didn’t she break off their relationship four years earlier? Or was it the other way around? This is the second time I’ve heard Marian Hussey narrate. Her voice is extremely versatile, a lower resonance and quite mesmerizing in how she portrays characters.
We got to see what happens below stairs amongst the servants, how loyalties are made or broken. We participated in the lives of the crème de la crème of society.
I particularly marveled at the in-depth characterization of deranged Diana, Lady Saint John, who had a façade of normalcy, but evil lurked behind her beautiful face and proper demeanor. She was absolutely terrifying.
Ms. Brant has written quite a few novels. I’ll be delving into her others. It’s such a pleasure to find another author who pulls the right strings enthralling me, completely entertained for hours!
June 3, 2017
Series: Salt Hendon
Period: Georgian
The imagery painted by Brant is spectacular. You just literally feel like you are right there with the characters in that time period and you feel what they are feeling right along with them. There is some very intense emotion, a bit of wit and very, very high drama.
There is a very unhappy history between the Earl of Salt Hendon and Jane Despard, the daughter of a neighboring squire. And now, years later, they are being forced to marry. Neither of them is happy about the situation, but neither of them has a choice.
There is a sinister, dark character in their orbit who wants Jane gone and totally out of Salt’s life and she will – and has – done the most despicable and heinous things to assure that they stay separated. Diana St. John, widow of Salt’s cousin and best friend is fixated on Salt. Diana believes that she will be the Countess of Salt Hendon and that Salt cannot get along without her. As you learn more of what she has done and is willing to do it will make your skin crawl and you’ll want to check under your bed at night. She is truly a chilling villain. You’ll think her eventual punishment is nowhere near enough for the things she did.
Jane has a wonderfully sunny outlook on life – even after all the misery she has been through. She is so very kind, loving, gentle, caring, patient, giving. Even Salt’s rancor and utter contempt cannot make her act as he does. She’s beautiful inside and out. Nobody in the household can resist her – not the servants, not the relatives and certainly not Salt, no matter how hard he tries.
The dark history is slowly exposed and the misunderstandings come to light and they learn that neither of them ever actually stopped loving the other. Brant’s use of suspense, humor, and love just draws you right in and makes you a part of the story.
Period: Georgian
The imagery painted by Brant is spectacular. You just literally feel like you are right there with the characters in that time period and you feel what they are feeling right along with them. There is some very intense emotion, a bit of wit and very, very high drama.
There is a very unhappy history between the Earl of Salt Hendon and Jane Despard, the daughter of a neighboring squire. And now, years later, they are being forced to marry. Neither of them is happy about the situation, but neither of them has a choice.
There is a sinister, dark character in their orbit who wants Jane gone and totally out of Salt’s life and she will – and has – done the most despicable and heinous things to assure that they stay separated. Diana St. John, widow of Salt’s cousin and best friend is fixated on Salt. Diana believes that she will be the Countess of Salt Hendon and that Salt cannot get along without her. As you learn more of what she has done and is willing to do it will make your skin crawl and you’ll want to check under your bed at night. She is truly a chilling villain. You’ll think her eventual punishment is nowhere near enough for the things she did.
Jane has a wonderfully sunny outlook on life – even after all the misery she has been through. She is so very kind, loving, gentle, caring, patient, giving. Even Salt’s rancor and utter contempt cannot make her act as he does. She’s beautiful inside and out. Nobody in the household can resist her – not the servants, not the relatives and certainly not Salt, no matter how hard he tries.
The dark history is slowly exposed and the misunderstandings come to light and they learn that neither of them ever actually stopped loving the other. Brant’s use of suspense, humor, and love just draws you right in and makes you a part of the story.
November 27, 2014
Sometimes I feel like I'm not reading the same book as everyone else is. I see all the great reviews for this story and I wonder what other readers are getting out of this book that I didn't.
This is a by-the-numbers story with all the romance novel cliches and tropes you'll find in a million other romance novels. Brant brings nothing new to the table. Jane Despard has goddess-like beauty that stops traffic and is so good and pure inside and out that she farts butterflies and cures leprosy. Magnus Salt Hendon (known simply as Salt) is all-powerful, all-knowing, God's gift to the world that all women want to be with and all men want to be. He also has a wide back that Brant likes to mention numerous times.
In flashbacks we learn that Jane and Salt had a romance earlier but they were easily parted by the nefarious doings of the villainess, Diana St. John. Time jump four years later and Jane and Salt are forced to marry but there's a definite coolness between them because neither one is mature enough to want to talk about what happened four years ago that caused their separation in the first place.
Diana is your usual Acme-ordered bad girl who has no depth and sometimes no common sense. She wouldn't have been as successful at her dirty deeds if the author hadn't written it that way. There's one scene where Diana has spiked Jane's tea with poison and her not-too-subtle attempts to get Jane to drink the tea are downright laughable.
I'm not saying this is a terrible book. I've read/did not finish worse than this. I'm just saying it was quite predictable.
This is a by-the-numbers story with all the romance novel cliches and tropes you'll find in a million other romance novels. Brant brings nothing new to the table. Jane Despard has goddess-like beauty that stops traffic and is so good and pure inside and out that she farts butterflies and cures leprosy. Magnus Salt Hendon (known simply as Salt) is all-powerful, all-knowing, God's gift to the world that all women want to be with and all men want to be. He also has a wide back that Brant likes to mention numerous times.
In flashbacks we learn that Jane and Salt had a romance earlier but they were easily parted by the nefarious doings of the villainess, Diana St. John. Time jump four years later and Jane and Salt are forced to marry but there's a definite coolness between them because neither one is mature enough to want to talk about what happened four years ago that caused their separation in the first place.
Diana is your usual Acme-ordered bad girl who has no depth and sometimes no common sense. She wouldn't have been as successful at her dirty deeds if the author hadn't written it that way. There's one scene where Diana has spiked Jane's tea with poison and her not-too-subtle attempts to get Jane to drink the tea are downright laughable.
I'm not saying this is a terrible book. I've read/did not finish worse than this. I'm just saying it was quite predictable.
February 27, 2017
3.75 stars. I liked this Georgian historical romance. First book I've read by this author.
Magnus, Earl of Salt Hendon, and his wife, the young and sweet Jane, are lovely together. There are some painful and angsty moments in this story before they get their HEA, though. This was hard for me as I'm not a fan of angst. Several times I stopped reading and took up a different book with a lighter mood before coming back to Salt Bride, as the angst and suspense were making me uncomfortable. That's why I couldn't give 4 full stars. But, I know other readers love this style of writing, so it's just my personal preference, not a criticism of the book. Lady Diana St John, who is a total sociopath, creepy obsessive stalker, and also (mild spoiler) has Munchhausen by proxy syndrome, makes a pretty spectacular baddie. When I was thinking maybe her behaviour was unrealistic and exaggerated, I realised that there are, sadly, people who do have her kind of mental health problems and do behave like that in real life. She was certainly extreme, though.
I liked the writing style, the settings and the characterisation overall. I wouldn't have minded if the 'mild sensuality' was a bit more explicit, but still, the romance was outlined well and there were some (non explicit) sexy moments.
Overall, quite enjoyable, and I plan to try other Lucinda Brant books.
Magnus, Earl of Salt Hendon, and his wife, the young and sweet Jane, are lovely together. There are some painful and angsty moments in this story before they get their HEA, though. This was hard for me as I'm not a fan of angst. Several times I stopped reading and took up a different book with a lighter mood before coming back to Salt Bride, as the angst and suspense were making me uncomfortable. That's why I couldn't give 4 full stars. But, I know other readers love this style of writing, so it's just my personal preference, not a criticism of the book. Lady Diana St John, who is a total sociopath, creepy obsessive stalker, and also (mild spoiler) has Munchhausen by proxy syndrome, makes a pretty spectacular baddie. When I was thinking maybe her behaviour was unrealistic and exaggerated, I realised that there are, sadly, people who do have her kind of mental health problems and do behave like that in real life. She was certainly extreme, though.
I liked the writing style, the settings and the characterisation overall. I wouldn't have minded if the 'mild sensuality' was a bit more explicit, but still, the romance was outlined well and there were some (non explicit) sexy moments.
Overall, quite enjoyable, and I plan to try other Lucinda Brant books.
July 2, 2012
i was... pleasantly surprised by this book. the first few chapters seem to throw so much stuff at you, it's hard to sort out who did what to whom and why, but it also drags you in and won't let go until you finish it. i read this in just a couple of hours because i just HAD to know what the story was.
the main characters are quite likeable. Jane, the new Countess, is a sweetheart without being overly sappy. the Earl is a bit of a grouch, but turns out to be a decent guy.
the bit at the end about the Earl of Salt Hendon's sister (don't want to put in a spoiler!) did seem to be a bit of unneeded complication, making the grand finale that much more complex (hence the 4 stars instead of 5), but once you get that all sorted out, it's not too much after all.
and, wow... i have known some self-absorbed people in my time, but Lady Diana St. John definitely wins the prize!
overall, a very satisfying historical romance novel.
the main characters are quite likeable. Jane, the new Countess, is a sweetheart without being overly sappy. the Earl is a bit of a grouch, but turns out to be a decent guy.
the bit at the end about the Earl of Salt Hendon's sister (don't want to put in a spoiler!) did seem to be a bit of unneeded complication, making the grand finale that much more complex (hence the 4 stars instead of 5), but once you get that all sorted out, it's not too much after all.
and, wow... i have known some self-absorbed people in my time, but Lady Diana St. John definitely wins the prize!
overall, a very satisfying historical romance novel.
January 16, 2019
3,5 stars rounded to 4
I loved Lucinda’s Roxton Series and was looking forward reading this book.
I must confess that, although beautifully written and very emotional, the level of angst was too strong for me and also the lack of communication and endless misunderstandings made the read a little less enjoyable than it could have been otherwise.
Anyhow, I loved the characters and their flaws and the story was very interesting and complex.
I loved Lucinda’s Roxton Series and was looking forward reading this book.
I must confess that, although beautifully written and very emotional, the level of angst was too strong for me and also the lack of communication and endless misunderstandings made the read a little less enjoyable than it could have been otherwise.
Anyhow, I loved the characters and their flaws and the story was very interesting and complex.
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