The Bargain

by Francis Ray

Eccentric heiress Alexandria Carstairs has vowed never to marry and is furious when she discovers that she has been betrothed against her will to Thorne Blakemore, the Earl of Grayson, a rake who expects her to be a docile and obedient wife.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical

348 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Francis Ray was a New York Times and USA Today bestselling African-American writer of romance novels. Her literary fiction series – Taggart and Falcon, the Invincible Women, Grayson Family of New Mexico, and Grayson Friends – have consistently made bestseller's lists. She was born in Richland, Texas, and studied nursing, receiving a bachelor's degree from Texas Woman's University in 1967. She began writing in 1987, while continuing to work as a nurse, and had her first book published in 1992.

AWARDS
Romantic Times Career Achievement
EMMA
The Golden Pen
The Atlantic Choice
Romantic Times 2008 Reviewers' Choice Award Winners for AFRICAN-AMERICAN ROMANCE Reviewers' Choice Awards – Best Books Not Even If You Begged, St. Martin's Griffin (February 2008)
Borders 2008 Bestselling Multicultural Romance Award for Nobody but You
Written's 2010 Readers Choice Book of the Year for If You Were My Man

Reviews

[Shameka Erby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to find out my fave had a Regency romance. Alex Carstairs is her own woman, independent and strong. A horsewoman, and a businesswoman, she lives life on her own terms, which is impressive for the time she lives in. With her father's blessing, she manages to live as she sees fit. But his fear about leaving her to the mercy of her greedy aunts and other opportunists leads him to act on an agreement he struck up long ago that promises Alex to the son of an associate. So now she has to get married to Thorne Blakemore, Duke of Grayson. Whether she likes it or not.

This book wasn't at all like I expected. Alex and Thorne butted heads almost to the end, which really distracted from the romance aspect. There was never a point where you could settle into the romance and enjoy that because something would happen that would put them in opposite corners again. I wanted some peace after a while. Thorne was a little too hard for me. It took him way too long to figure out that controlling Alex wasn't the way to love her. Plus his spy background means he hid things, which isn't a good husband quality.

They were very passionate though, even for a fade to black romance. I loved that. I also loved that she had a pet wolf. Thorne's sister and his friend were so cute together. If Francis Ray doesn't do anything else, she's going to give you a second romance as a subplot. I did love that Thorne was so protective of her though. And that Alex was so bold, especially when she thought Thorne was cheating on her. I loved her bravery.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

I'll be damned, she's a great writer! And had I not seen the book on a vintage bodice ripper facebook group, I probably wouldn't have ever gotten to it. It is written in that classic pre 2000s style where it's a tad too rushed but that's probably because it was a category romance and they tend to wrap up quickly around 300 pages.

Still it was a strong heroine and alpha male in a marriage of connivence. Yum. The FMC was a little cold though and I kinda felt bad for the MMC sometimes (but that spy shit was kinda not it lmao)

[Elisa Vangelisti · Rating 1 out of 5]

L’antagonismo mi piace, ma questa è un’agonia! Un continuo battibeccare per ogni situazione. Lei, novella Lady Oscar della situazione; lui, dominante, possessivo e minacciato dalla mascolina determinazione di lei. Inoltre Francis non è una gran maestra nel descrivere le scene di passione, che sono raffazzonate e frettolose.

[myreadiary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is very headstrong on both male & female leads always stay on guard on what's their role in the society (well on the face of social propriety that is) but always gives compromising benefits of the two to get what they want.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in early Victorian times, this book is well-written and has interesting characters, although Alexandria Carstairs was about 75 years before her times. Nevertheless, it was interesting to see how a woman of spirit and intelligence learns to deal with the restrictions placed on women in this era. The ending, on the other hand, was somewhat sappy.

[Omega · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book of all time! A perfect blend of excitement, romance, suspense, and female empowerment.