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The Wedding Night
Ruthless Lord Jackson Rushford forces Mairey Faelyn to move onto his estate--where she sees that despite Jack's wealth and power, he guards his heart more strongly than any treasure. As they kiss in the moonlit woods, she knows that he is the one man she should never marry. But then she is forced to do so, and must betray either Jack or her vow. Can their love last--after the wedding night?
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 6, 1999
9 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
Linda Needham
18 books44 followersLinda Needham is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author of ten historical romance novels, seven full-length musicals and two stage plays, with four novellas scheduled for release through 2015. She writes full time from her home office near Portland, Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 9, 2009
"The Wedding Night" by Linda Needham (Audiobook - Reader: Jenny Sterlin = 4*; Historical Romance/sub-genre historical mystery)
Jack and Mairey
Northwest Lancashire, England - 1858
Before I go off gushing over this wonderfully enchanting tale of two adversarial head-over-heels lovers, it really needs to be pointed out that the title of this book, "The Wedding Night" seems to be tacked on to the wrong book! LOL! Really out of left field, as not only does it have absolutely zero to do with this story, but no wedding ("night" or any other time) is mentioned for 99% of the book! So I don't know what those "printers" were smoking at the time they rolled this one off the presses (but it apparently wasn't a "book"), so forget about any "wedding night" themes! ;)
This story was just enchanting from page one. With a "to-die-for" hero and a fiesty, sharp as a tack heroine, the author provides no waiting to get these two together and start the sparks flying. Lord Jackson Rushford and Mairey Faelyn are definitely a case of opposites attract. However, these two don't fight, they spar with their wit and candor. We meet them in short order when Jack, a babillionaire mining baron, seeks out Mairey, a generations-descended antiquarian, in pursuit of acquiring a Celtic medallion of lengendary proportions -- "The Willowmoon Knot." Folklore has it that the Willowmoon Knot medallion contained a map to one of the largest silver depositories in Europe, and Jack is determined to find and add that silver mine to his already bulging financial portfolio. Jack's already determined that Mairey is his key to locating the medallion, as it's well documented that her father, and her father's family before him, made a study of the search for the medallion. Following in her father's footsteps, Mairey's reputation preceeds her, and Jack is certain she will be able to finally solve the mystery of where the Willowmoon Knot disappeared to. What Jack hadn't bargained for, was Mairey turning out to be a staunch adversary of his, or anyone else, ever getting their hands on the all-important antiquity, and so their "head-knocking" begins.
Upon Mairey and Jack's first encounter, the sparks fly, with the sexual tension rolling out with ever increasing consistency. Had Mairey lived today, she would have been not only a member, but the leader out front carrying the flag for Greenpeace, and her complete and utter distaste for Jack's industrialist wealth and pursuit can't be stressed enough. Mairey's come from generations of family members, both male and female, with perservationist attitudes and opinons they've dedicated their entire lives to. So getting her to assist Jack in his quest is, in no uncertain terms . . . over her dead body! If that wasn't enough, Mairey also has personal ties to the mystery of the Knot, and to have Jack discover it via her help or anyone else's, would put her entire family and friends in jeopardy. This requires Jack to pull out the stops and basically do some extreme arm-twisting to Mairey, compelling her to change tactics and lead Jack down a path as far away as possible from the discovery of the Knot, all the while under the guise of "searching it out" together -- a one step forward/two steps back approach. Jack coerces Mairey into moving onto his estate in order to keep an eye on her and compel her to keep him in the loop. Finding herself trapped into acquiescing to Jack's demands, so their romance and their hunt for the Knot begin, as they lead each other on a merry chase of wits trying to outsmart each other.
This pair is enchanting, frustrating, and heartwarming, not to mention smoking hot in their chemistry and sexual attraction to each other. Jack is absolutely irresistable, as Mairey soon finds out. To no avail she fights against herself to retain her family integrity and principles, but she's no match against Jack's lethal charm, open and honest opinions (whether she agrees with them or not), and truly affectionate and loving heart. Jack pulls no punches about what he wants or who he is. Don't let his lordly title fool you, as he is a working man from humble beginnings, and truly believes in all the good his industrialist endeavors have brought home to the people he's responsible for. Regardless of his capitalistic platform, he's one of the most honorable men out there. He wears his heart on his sleeve for Mairey, putting it right into her hands, yet it never took away from his forceful leadership attitudes or subordinated his masculinity. I just utterly LOVED this man! One of the most balanced men and endearing heros I've ever read.
Mairey is nothing if not a woman dedicated to her cause. However, as she quickly succumbs to the natural draw that is her "dragon," Jack, she finds herself caught up in a heartwrenching tug of war between her principles, safeguarding her own legacy, and the man she's falling in love with. Although she desperately wrestles with her conscience in her dedication to her "cause," she keeps finding herself unable to turn off her heart to Jack -- and instead she is completely conflicted as there's no denying she's deeply in love with him. I was empathetic to Mairey's internal pressures and feelings of being trapped, as the issues she was dealing with were a lifetime of moral and ethical beliefs she would be required to disregard completely in order to give Jack what he so firmly wanted. That said, she absolutely stretched my continuing understanding of her actions, especially because we were both in love with Jack! ;) She goes so far as to take a step towards the end that I found myself stunned and afraid the story would go awry, and I wanted to shout at her to stop and think again what she was doing and all the people she'd end up hurting. Fortunately this is a "romance" and we eventually get our HEA! How we get there is why you absolutely must put this book on your reading list. Linda Needham was a "sleeper" author for me as a long-time lover of historical romance, and I'm so glad I stumbled upon this book. It has everything: Great story that tracks well, believeable controversy between the protagonists, ever building sexual chemistry to it's crescendo, wonderful character building and supporting cast members, and truly a charming and wonderful read. You'll do yourself a disservice by not picking up this truly fairytale romance!
K.
Mainstream R sexual scenes - somewhat graphic, yet tastefully described; Non-violent; No graphic language; recommended for older teens with advance parental review.
Jack and Mairey
Northwest Lancashire, England - 1858
Before I go off gushing over this wonderfully enchanting tale of two adversarial head-over-heels lovers, it really needs to be pointed out that the title of this book, "The Wedding Night" seems to be tacked on to the wrong book! LOL! Really out of left field, as not only does it have absolutely zero to do with this story, but no wedding ("night" or any other time) is mentioned for 99% of the book! So I don't know what those "printers" were smoking at the time they rolled this one off the presses (but it apparently wasn't a "book"), so forget about any "wedding night" themes! ;)
This story was just enchanting from page one. With a "to-die-for" hero and a fiesty, sharp as a tack heroine, the author provides no waiting to get these two together and start the sparks flying. Lord Jackson Rushford and Mairey Faelyn are definitely a case of opposites attract. However, these two don't fight, they spar with their wit and candor. We meet them in short order when Jack, a babillionaire mining baron, seeks out Mairey, a generations-descended antiquarian, in pursuit of acquiring a Celtic medallion of lengendary proportions -- "The Willowmoon Knot." Folklore has it that the Willowmoon Knot medallion contained a map to one of the largest silver depositories in Europe, and Jack is determined to find and add that silver mine to his already bulging financial portfolio. Jack's already determined that Mairey is his key to locating the medallion, as it's well documented that her father, and her father's family before him, made a study of the search for the medallion. Following in her father's footsteps, Mairey's reputation preceeds her, and Jack is certain she will be able to finally solve the mystery of where the Willowmoon Knot disappeared to. What Jack hadn't bargained for, was Mairey turning out to be a staunch adversary of his, or anyone else, ever getting their hands on the all-important antiquity, and so their "head-knocking" begins.
Upon Mairey and Jack's first encounter, the sparks fly, with the sexual tension rolling out with ever increasing consistency. Had Mairey lived today, she would have been not only a member, but the leader out front carrying the flag for Greenpeace, and her complete and utter distaste for Jack's industrialist wealth and pursuit can't be stressed enough. Mairey's come from generations of family members, both male and female, with perservationist attitudes and opinons they've dedicated their entire lives to. So getting her to assist Jack in his quest is, in no uncertain terms . . . over her dead body! If that wasn't enough, Mairey also has personal ties to the mystery of the Knot, and to have Jack discover it via her help or anyone else's, would put her entire family and friends in jeopardy. This requires Jack to pull out the stops and basically do some extreme arm-twisting to Mairey, compelling her to change tactics and lead Jack down a path as far away as possible from the discovery of the Knot, all the while under the guise of "searching it out" together -- a one step forward/two steps back approach. Jack coerces Mairey into moving onto his estate in order to keep an eye on her and compel her to keep him in the loop. Finding herself trapped into acquiescing to Jack's demands, so their romance and their hunt for the Knot begin, as they lead each other on a merry chase of wits trying to outsmart each other.
This pair is enchanting, frustrating, and heartwarming, not to mention smoking hot in their chemistry and sexual attraction to each other. Jack is absolutely irresistable, as Mairey soon finds out. To no avail she fights against herself to retain her family integrity and principles, but she's no match against Jack's lethal charm, open and honest opinions (whether she agrees with them or not), and truly affectionate and loving heart. Jack pulls no punches about what he wants or who he is. Don't let his lordly title fool you, as he is a working man from humble beginnings, and truly believes in all the good his industrialist endeavors have brought home to the people he's responsible for. Regardless of his capitalistic platform, he's one of the most honorable men out there. He wears his heart on his sleeve for Mairey, putting it right into her hands, yet it never took away from his forceful leadership attitudes or subordinated his masculinity. I just utterly LOVED this man! One of the most balanced men and endearing heros I've ever read.
Mairey is nothing if not a woman dedicated to her cause. However, as she quickly succumbs to the natural draw that is her "dragon," Jack, she finds herself caught up in a heartwrenching tug of war between her principles, safeguarding her own legacy, and the man she's falling in love with. Although she desperately wrestles with her conscience in her dedication to her "cause," she keeps finding herself unable to turn off her heart to Jack -- and instead she is completely conflicted as there's no denying she's deeply in love with him. I was empathetic to Mairey's internal pressures and feelings of being trapped, as the issues she was dealing with were a lifetime of moral and ethical beliefs she would be required to disregard completely in order to give Jack what he so firmly wanted. That said, she absolutely stretched my continuing understanding of her actions, especially because we were both in love with Jack! ;) She goes so far as to take a step towards the end that I found myself stunned and afraid the story would go awry, and I wanted to shout at her to stop and think again what she was doing and all the people she'd end up hurting. Fortunately this is a "romance" and we eventually get our HEA! How we get there is why you absolutely must put this book on your reading list. Linda Needham was a "sleeper" author for me as a long-time lover of historical romance, and I'm so glad I stumbled upon this book. It has everything: Great story that tracks well, believeable controversy between the protagonists, ever building sexual chemistry to it's crescendo, wonderful character building and supporting cast members, and truly a charming and wonderful read. You'll do yourself a disservice by not picking up this truly fairytale romance!
K.
Mainstream R sexual scenes - somewhat graphic, yet tastefully described; Non-violent; No graphic language; recommended for older teens with advance parental review.
May 17, 2018
Sometimes I have to be in the mood for the over flowery romance book. Unfortunately this was not one of those times. 🤷🏼♀️ Instead I rolled my eyes so often I think I looked behind me a few times.
She is an antiquarian who is looking for a Celtic stone that has a map on it to a big silver deposit. He owns hugely profitable mines around the world and wants to mine for silver. While she doesn’t want him to open a mine where the rock will lead them because it is the ‘magical’ land she was tasked with preserving. (Not really magic, but pretty)
Anyway, she gathers fairy tales, which is cool. But she dreamily calls him a dragon (he’s not. Although a little paranormal would have saved this story.)
She is an antiquarian who is looking for a Celtic stone that has a map on it to a big silver deposit. He owns hugely profitable mines around the world and wants to mine for silver. While she doesn’t want him to open a mine where the rock will lead them because it is the ‘magical’ land she was tasked with preserving. (Not really magic, but pretty)
Anyway, she gathers fairy tales, which is cool. But she dreamily calls him a dragon (he’s not. Although a little paranormal would have saved this story.)
November 7, 2009
Unfortunately, i didn't enjoy this book as much as I expected. I'm really starting to feel weary of meeting bookish heroines in romances, as they all, more or less, follow the same stereotypes and in the end, it's like reading about the same person again and again. This one, a bookish, beautiful and unconventional heroine, who manages to attract the attention of a handsome, brooding and rich mine owner, was no different. A woman who almost faints in the sight of a rare book, or sells her soul to the devil for access to private collections, she is forced to cooperate with the hero, in his search of an ancient Celtic relic. A relic that will lead them to the location of an ancient silver mine and make them rich. But they both have something to hide from each other, and this makes things difficult when the attraction between them grows stronger every day.
And suddenly, in the middle of the story, when the two of them surrendered to their feelings, everything changed. Their attraction, love for each other became palpable, their passion but also their despair, heartaching. This was an entirely different book, one I was so glad I was reading, when the heroine IMHO, with her actions and words, destroyed everything 30-40 pages before the end. I couldn't forgive her actions or her words, not for any reason.
***Spoiler***
I simply cannot forgive a woman who stealthily takes a child, unborn or not, away from his father, when that man is not a cruel, twisted monster. No promise of hers, no oath to father or god, could make me understand this action. And when the man in particular, was so decent and reasonable, so loving and devoted, her decision to flee instead of telling him the truth and ask for his understanding did not make any sense; it only made her seem worse. And if one takes into account the fact that the man had already lost his family once... what she did to him was completely cruel and unforgivable.
It also seems, it's OK for the hero to open mines in other villages and destroy the surrounding countryside, so he can get rich, but not the heroine's village. No, that just won't do. As one lady later comments, she has her husband "wrapped around her little finger", and she's pretty glad for it. That's not however my idea of an ideal relationship; I prefer the power to be more equaly balanced between the couple. And really, when a woman's actually disgusted at her husband's work -he's a mine owner, not a slave merchant for crying out loud!- it does not make for a believable HEA in my opinion.
***End of spoiler***
So, the ending pretty much let me down. I was planning to rate it with 4 stars until then: 3 for the first mediocre half and 5 for the second, emotional, heartwarming one. My dislike for the heroine and her actions in the end, didn't leave me much choice however.
And suddenly, in the middle of the story, when the two of them surrendered to their feelings, everything changed. Their attraction, love for each other became palpable, their passion but also their despair, heartaching. This was an entirely different book, one I was so glad I was reading, when the heroine IMHO, with her actions and words, destroyed everything 30-40 pages before the end. I couldn't forgive her actions or her words, not for any reason.
***Spoiler***
I simply cannot forgive a woman who stealthily takes a child, unborn or not, away from his father, when that man is not a cruel, twisted monster. No promise of hers, no oath to father or god, could make me understand this action. And when the man in particular, was so decent and reasonable, so loving and devoted, her decision to flee instead of telling him the truth and ask for his understanding did not make any sense; it only made her seem worse. And if one takes into account the fact that the man had already lost his family once... what she did to him was completely cruel and unforgivable.
It also seems, it's OK for the hero to open mines in other villages and destroy the surrounding countryside, so he can get rich, but not the heroine's village. No, that just won't do. As one lady later comments, she has her husband "wrapped around her little finger", and she's pretty glad for it. That's not however my idea of an ideal relationship; I prefer the power to be more equaly balanced between the couple. And really, when a woman's actually disgusted at her husband's work -he's a mine owner, not a slave merchant for crying out loud!- it does not make for a believable HEA in my opinion.
***End of spoiler***
So, the ending pretty much let me down. I was planning to rate it with 4 stars until then: 3 for the first mediocre half and 5 for the second, emotional, heartwarming one. My dislike for the heroine and her actions in the end, didn't leave me much choice however.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2019
Oi. Rollercoaster reading experience. It was a rough start, then I started to adjust and enjoy it, and then it appeared: the purple. Oh god, the purple. It nearly became a DNF because ain’t nobody got time for that kind of adjective abuse. I didn’t look up the publication date but if I had to take a stab, I’d guess this is an old-school romance, and one I would probably loved 20 years ago.
September 30, 2015
This was an okay book. It was a lighthearted fluffy read with plenty of engaging scenes and characters. The Hero, Jackson Rushford, starts out as a bit of an ass...He basically steamrolls into the poor heroine's life looking for a treasure so he can build another mine and without her agreement takes all of her things and moves them into his house. Then after all this, the heroine, Mairy is just a little too quick to agree...given that she's trying to protect the village where she knows the silver is. (And she's not very good about deceiving him in the long run either...)
What I did like though was that the heroine wasn't a simpering maiden. She talked openly and frankly about sex and even made the Hero blush on occasion, especially when talking about her collection of ancient phalluses. There coming together was pretty cute, his interactions with his sisters brought a smile to my face and their love scenes had plenty of chemistry going on.
Things that slightly grated on my nerves were...the fact that he basically sleeps with her for 6 weeks and nobody, not even her elderly aunt Tattie, says anything about propriety. Nothing. I didn't like the Hero's reasoning behind opening all those mines, nor did I like how quickly Mairy just abandoned environmental principles and just accepted how he got his wealth. I also thought that Mairy's decision at the end of the book was just a little unnecessary...too dramatic I think.
What I did like though was that the heroine wasn't a simpering maiden. She talked openly and frankly about sex and even made the Hero blush on occasion, especially when talking about her collection of ancient phalluses. There coming together was pretty cute, his interactions with his sisters brought a smile to my face and their love scenes had plenty of chemistry going on.
Things that slightly grated on my nerves were...the fact that he basically sleeps with her for 6 weeks and nobody, not even her elderly aunt Tattie, says anything about propriety. Nothing. I didn't like the Hero's reasoning behind opening all those mines, nor did I like how quickly Mairy just abandoned environmental principles and just accepted how he got his wealth. I also thought that Mairy's decision at the end of the book was just a little unnecessary...too dramatic I think.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2012
I was surprised that a “romance” had so much of a plot. I mean it is called the Wedding Night but it doesn’t talk about the night in question a lot. In fact, the actual wedding night isn’t til near the end of the book. This story gets more into the secret Mairey’s family has been keeping for generations and how badly she wants to keep it from a man she falls in love with.
The story was very sweet, interesting and adorable with her little sisters and the big Jack who misses his own sisters.
I also like the fantasy involved in this story. Mairey is a little different and begins referring to Jack as Balforge the Dragon very quickly. Thing is the dragon gets the princess in her stories.
There are some near tear jerking moments and sweet ones as well. Linda Needham did a wonderful job writing this story.
The story was very sweet, interesting and adorable with her little sisters and the big Jack who misses his own sisters.
I also like the fantasy involved in this story. Mairey is a little different and begins referring to Jack as Balforge the Dragon very quickly. Thing is the dragon gets the princess in her stories.
There are some near tear jerking moments and sweet ones as well. Linda Needham did a wonderful job writing this story.
May 27, 2015
It started as a decent book. It then developed into a lovely book. I fall in love with the hero probably at the same time with the 3 ducklings. However, at the end, I think the hero is too good for the heroine. The writer tried to convince me that the heroine is an admirable young woman, but on the last pages she is just spoiled girl with daddy issue. Or Maybe we should just blame it to the pregnancy hormones...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2010
This was a borderline 2 or 3 stars. I gave it 3 because I didn't have to force myself to finish it.
December 21, 2015
The plot was really good. However, I did not like the couple detailed sex scenes.
January 13, 2021
Strong beginning, middle but then the end of the book leaned towards the ridiculous.
Interesting story line, likeable characters .
Interesting story line, likeable characters .
June 15, 2012
He grew up a miner and now runs a mining company. She's a Celtic scholar determined to find and keep evidence of silver from him. They fall in love after he hires her to help him. Charming story with a tender hero who is more than the heroine assumes (and vice versa). I've found her books to have a common thread of sweetness and light even when the plot is wrought with conflicting goals between the protagonists. I think that's probably pretty hard to pull of, and makes for a fairy tale of a read.
May 19, 2013
listen to The Wedding Night by Linda Needham. this book was ok 3 stars and a 4.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews