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Puritan Bride
'Anne O’Brien has joined the exclusive club of excellent historical novelists.’ - Sunday Express
‘Surely the chief cause of our ruin was Viscount Marlbrooke himself? And now you wish me to marry into the family?’
The scandalous, sexual games at the Restoration Court of King Charles, have turned Marcus, Viscount Marlbrooke, into a cynic. It is not love that lies within matrimony but the victory of a bitter inheritance feud, securing his rightful claim to Winteringham Priory. Katherine Harley is an innocent pawn, raised a puritan she may be naive to the ways of the court, but not to the price placed on her hand in marriage.
In the many machinations to secure Winteringham one thing has been overlooked… For plainness can hide a spirited soul and behind Katherine’s solemn exterior lies a woman of unexpected passion - prepared to fight for her freedom.
Praise for Anne O’‘One of the best writers around…she outdoes even Philippa Gregory’ The Sun
‘Her writing is highly evocative of the time period… O’Brien has produced an epic tale’ Historical Novel Society
‘Anne O’Brien’s novels give a voice to the “silent” women of history’ Yorkshire Post
‘Once again O’Brien proves herself a medieval history magician, conjuring up a sizzling, sweeping story’ Lancashire Evening Post
‘An exciting and intriguing story of love and historical politics. If you enjoy Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir you will love Anne O'Brien’ We Love This Book
‘A brilliantly researched and well-told story; you won’t be able to put this book down’ Candis
‘A fast paced historical drama that is full of suspense.’ Essentials
‘Surely the chief cause of our ruin was Viscount Marlbrooke himself? And now you wish me to marry into the family?’
The scandalous, sexual games at the Restoration Court of King Charles, have turned Marcus, Viscount Marlbrooke, into a cynic. It is not love that lies within matrimony but the victory of a bitter inheritance feud, securing his rightful claim to Winteringham Priory. Katherine Harley is an innocent pawn, raised a puritan she may be naive to the ways of the court, but not to the price placed on her hand in marriage.
In the many machinations to secure Winteringham one thing has been overlooked… For plainness can hide a spirited soul and behind Katherine’s solemn exterior lies a woman of unexpected passion - prepared to fight for her freedom.
Praise for Anne O’‘One of the best writers around…she outdoes even Philippa Gregory’ The Sun
‘Her writing is highly evocative of the time period… O’Brien has produced an epic tale’ Historical Novel Society
‘Anne O’Brien’s novels give a voice to the “silent” women of history’ Yorkshire Post
‘Once again O’Brien proves herself a medieval history magician, conjuring up a sizzling, sweeping story’ Lancashire Evening Post
‘An exciting and intriguing story of love and historical politics. If you enjoy Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir you will love Anne O'Brien’ We Love This Book
‘A brilliantly researched and well-told story; you won’t be able to put this book down’ Candis
‘A fast paced historical drama that is full of suspense.’ Essentials
467 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2004
24 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
Anne O'Brien
66 books774 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
My home is in the Welsh Marches, although much of my early life was spent in Yorkshire, most recently in the East Riding.Ann O'Brien The Marches is a remote region of England, surrounded by echoes from the past. Hereford is close with its famous Mappa Mundi and chained library.So is Shrewsbury, and also Ludlow with its splendid castle and its connections with our Plantagenet and Tudor kings. With my husband, I live in an eighteenth century timber framed cottage, which itself must have seen much history over two hundred years.
I have always enjoyed the appeal of History.I taught the subject with enthusiasm but it became my ambition to write historical romances. My first novel, The Runaway Heiress, was published by Mills and Boon in 2004.
This first book was a Regency Romance in the great tradition of Georgette Heyer - who has not admired her skill and delicate touch for the period? I have drawn on my interest in the Stuart century to write about the English Civil War and Restoration England of Charles II. Living in the Marches however I soon discovered the wealth of atmosphere and legend in this isolated part of England from medieval times. It was not long before I was encouraged to create a medieval romance inConquering Knight, Captive Lady.
When not writing, I have a large rambling garden where George and I grow organic vegetables and soft fruit - or perhaps I should admit that he grows them whilst I pick and cook them. We have a wild garden, an orchard, a formal pond and herbaceous flower borders. We share it all with rabbits and pheasants, frogs and goldfinches, hedgehogs and buzzards. It is a beautiful place. When we first settled into our cottage I planted a herb garden on a Tudor pattern with stone pathways and clipped box hedges. From this I developed my interest in herbs and their uses.
Nicholas Culpeper's The Complete Herbal, a fascinating resource to a historical novelist first published in 1649, has become essential bedside reading. As a result the use of herbs in medicine and witchcraft, for both good and ill, has appeared in some of my novels.
For pure relaxation I enjoy yoga as well as singing with a local Choral Society. Watercolour painting allows me to simply sit and appreciate the landscape and the flowers in my garden, when my mind is busy constructing my next plot.
My home is in the Welsh Marches, although much of my early life was spent in Yorkshire, most recently in the East Riding.Ann O'Brien The Marches is a remote region of England, surrounded by echoes from the past. Hereford is close with its famous Mappa Mundi and chained library.So is Shrewsbury, and also Ludlow with its splendid castle and its connections with our Plantagenet and Tudor kings. With my husband, I live in an eighteenth century timber framed cottage, which itself must have seen much history over two hundred years.
I have always enjoyed the appeal of History.I taught the subject with enthusiasm but it became my ambition to write historical romances. My first novel, The Runaway Heiress, was published by Mills and Boon in 2004.
This first book was a Regency Romance in the great tradition of Georgette Heyer - who has not admired her skill and delicate touch for the period? I have drawn on my interest in the Stuart century to write about the English Civil War and Restoration England of Charles II. Living in the Marches however I soon discovered the wealth of atmosphere and legend in this isolated part of England from medieval times. It was not long before I was encouraged to create a medieval romance inConquering Knight, Captive Lady.
When not writing, I have a large rambling garden where George and I grow organic vegetables and soft fruit - or perhaps I should admit that he grows them whilst I pick and cook them. We have a wild garden, an orchard, a formal pond and herbaceous flower borders. We share it all with rabbits and pheasants, frogs and goldfinches, hedgehogs and buzzards. It is a beautiful place. When we first settled into our cottage I planted a herb garden on a Tudor pattern with stone pathways and clipped box hedges. From this I developed my interest in herbs and their uses.
Nicholas Culpeper's The Complete Herbal, a fascinating resource to a historical novelist first published in 1649, has become essential bedside reading. As a result the use of herbs in medicine and witchcraft, for both good and ill, has appeared in some of my novels.
For pure relaxation I enjoy yoga as well as singing with a local Choral Society. Watercolour painting allows me to simply sit and appreciate the landscape and the flowers in my garden, when my mind is busy constructing my next plot.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 19, 2020
Being the first historical romance novel for me, I did not really know what to expect. As with every book, I was reading the reviews on goodreads to get better acquainted to the flow of the book. In one of those reviews, a fellow reader felt that this book did not belong to the genre at all. In the other, that the book was the most disappointing from the author since there were high expectations due to accolades for her other books. However, being a toddler in the field of reading books all these reviews did not impact me.
I have always been obsessed on completing every book that I start and I hope to continue to be on that track no matter what others have to say about it or how difficult the road is. I am happy that I connected really well with the characters as the stories deepened. All the aspects of the ghost, herbs, garden, family legacy, emotions, passions, language worked brilliantly. In addition, I feel great to ponder how fantastic the best novel of Anne O'Brien would be. That's the best feeling to have - To be aware that there are more brilliant books from the author than the one you have just read.
I have always been obsessed on completing every book that I start and I hope to continue to be on that track no matter what others have to say about it or how difficult the road is. I am happy that I connected really well with the characters as the stories deepened. All the aspects of the ghost, herbs, garden, family legacy, emotions, passions, language worked brilliantly. In addition, I feel great to ponder how fantastic the best novel of Anne O'Brien would be. That's the best feeling to have - To be aware that there are more brilliant books from the author than the one you have just read.
August 15, 2025
L'unica aspettativa che avevo su questo libro era quella di poter passare un pomeriggio in totale relax, col cervello concentrato sul figaccione di turno... Invece non ho fatto altro che sbadigliare per la noia e mi sono spenta. Ho fatto fatica a portarlo a termine.
Le premesse c'erano e pure interessanti, ma ho trovato lo stile dell'autrice un po' pesante e la storia trascinata per le lunghe. L'unico plot-twist interessante è stato buttato alle ortiche a neanche metà libro.
Un mezzo disastro, insomma.
Ritenterò in futuro, magari questo titolo è tra quelli meno riusciti, chissà...
Le premesse c'erano e pure interessanti, ma ho trovato lo stile dell'autrice un po' pesante e la storia trascinata per le lunghe. L'unico plot-twist interessante è stato buttato alle ortiche a neanche metà libro.
Un mezzo disastro, insomma.
Ritenterò in futuro, magari questo titolo è tra quelli meno riusciti, chissà...
May 13, 2013
When I started reading this book I had no experience of historical fiction or Anne O'Brien at all. I am however, a huge fan of the Classics. I was overjoyed to see some clear resemblances in plotline to both Pride and Prejudice Pride and Prejudiceand Jane Eyre Jane Eyre. I was overjoyed though, to find it similar to my favourite book of all time - Tess of the D'Urbervilles Tess of the d'Urbervilles. Anne O'Brien writes so flowingly that your heart goes out to every single character. You will fall in love with Viscount Marcus Marlbrooke and your dreams will be haunted for nights by the restless spirit of Isolde. But I stayed up til 2 oclock in the morning to finish it in one sitting on a school night and then found myself frantically googling to find out if there was a sequel - which tragically there is not! I really recommend this book to everybody their Austens and/or loves a heart-wrenching book which will reduce them to tears. Ann O'Brien's "The Puritan Bride" is a classic only written in laguage much more accessible for the modern reader.
April 6, 2015
A brilliant historical romance with so many twists, this has all the ingredients and then some for a Mills and Boon historical.
History, romance, adventure, murder, family secrets and even hints of witchcraft.
When Katherine Harley is forced to give up marriage to her cousin for a more favourable alliance with the Viscount Marlbrooke she is at first dismayed and runs away from home but then when an accident befalls her and she is inadvertently rescued by Marlbrooke and taken in to his home with no memory and with her shorn locks and disguise as a boy Marlbrooke at first doesn't recognise her and he begins to fall in love with the mysterious stranger "Viola."
But then when Kate does regain her memory and she is burdened by family secrets her life is thrown into turmoil as it transpires that SHE is also softening in her regard of the Viscount.
Can she and Marcus overcome all the family obstacles and hidden mysteries that surround them to find happiness or is their relationship doomed?
Wonderful depth of well researched history, great characters and an exciting storyline all lend spice to a rip roaring, rollicking adventure. A must for any Mills and Boon historical fan.
History, romance, adventure, murder, family secrets and even hints of witchcraft.
When Katherine Harley is forced to give up marriage to her cousin for a more favourable alliance with the Viscount Marlbrooke she is at first dismayed and runs away from home but then when an accident befalls her and she is inadvertently rescued by Marlbrooke and taken in to his home with no memory and with her shorn locks and disguise as a boy Marlbrooke at first doesn't recognise her and he begins to fall in love with the mysterious stranger "Viola."
But then when Kate does regain her memory and she is burdened by family secrets her life is thrown into turmoil as it transpires that SHE is also softening in her regard of the Viscount.
Can she and Marcus overcome all the family obstacles and hidden mysteries that surround them to find happiness or is their relationship doomed?
Wonderful depth of well researched history, great characters and an exciting storyline all lend spice to a rip roaring, rollicking adventure. A must for any Mills and Boon historical fan.
September 25, 2018
I really struggled with this novel which is massively disappointing because I am a huge Anne O'Brien fan.
I thought at first that this novel would be much like her recent publications, historical fiction based on real-life historical figures, but quickly realised that this was just fiction fiction - especially when the ghost appeared.
Unfortunately I didn't like either Marcus or Kate, they just weren't developed enough to really support and there was little evidence given to show us the development of their relationship.
I felt like the ghost elements far over-shadowed the romance, and actually the ghost had more of a personality and developed story than the leading characters themselves.
Overall, I really struggled to enjoy this novel. It wasn't written with great depth or development, the characters were insipid and it was all just very emotionally flat.
I thought at first that this novel would be much like her recent publications, historical fiction based on real-life historical figures, but quickly realised that this was just fiction fiction - especially when the ghost appeared.
Unfortunately I didn't like either Marcus or Kate, they just weren't developed enough to really support and there was little evidence given to show us the development of their relationship.
I felt like the ghost elements far over-shadowed the romance, and actually the ghost had more of a personality and developed story than the leading characters themselves.
Overall, I really struggled to enjoy this novel. It wasn't written with great depth or development, the characters were insipid and it was all just very emotionally flat.
July 11, 2018
It was ok and after I was halfway throughout I wondered what compelled me to purchase it. It read more like a historical fiction harlequin romance more than anything. Story was easy to figure out so no big surprise there. I have read other books by this author that I have loved so I guess that is why I bought. Was a quick read but since you could pretty much figure out the story right from the beginning it seemed very dragged out to me.
April 10, 2023
I read this book in 2014 when it was about 350 or so pages;it has since been enhanced and brought up to date i.e. a rounded story full of background people, family, friends, good people and bad. The sex has been updated also, thank goodness.
The female in the love story was a Puritan nuisance at times for me, but all's well that ends well!
The female in the love story was a Puritan nuisance at times for me, but all's well that ends well!
June 23, 2024
This is essentially a Mills & Boon Harlequin romance with a fancy cover. The story was fanciful and if you were expecting some elements of Anne O'Brien's later historical novels then you'll end up being disappointed. The family drama never lets up and the added element of a ghost into the mix doesn't save it. That and the two main characters of Marcus and Katherine had zero chemistry together.
March 29, 2020
Not Bad
Not too bad a read, a bit repetitive in places with regards to the emotions of the main characters but as a whole the book is an easy, pleasant read and it helped pass some of the time during the Coronovirus lock down.
Not too bad a read, a bit repetitive in places with regards to the emotions of the main characters but as a whole the book is an easy, pleasant read and it helped pass some of the time during the Coronovirus lock down.
October 19, 2022
It's like a knock off Philippa Gregory and it's addictive. Like exactly in the gap between PG and JQ? I have reread this several times since owning it.
July 13, 2012
I picked up this book in a charity shop expecting it to be more like something by Phillipa Gregory with some historical clout. Initially I was disappointed as I hadn’t realised it was a Harlequin – although this is my own fault as I’ve read a lot of Anna O’Brien’s Regency Romances and should have recognised the name.
I did get over that though, honest. The plot however is very predictable and in some places I did have to amputate my disbelief as suspending it wasn’t enough. That said though the story was all about the development of the romantic relationship between the two main characters. I did find this standard, but I also enjoyed the simplicity of the conflict that was set up between them, and the more complicated ramifications it had before they could be brought happily together. Something that I did really enjoy about this book were the secondary characters. To an extent it was more fun to get to know them than the two main protagonists. Both Elizabeth and Gilliver (matriarchs of the two estranged families) are striking opposites but both interesting and well developed. Gilliver is quirkier and the splendid isolation she has created for herself has always been a fantasy of mine. Elizabeth is warm and caring but never falls into the trap of being stupidly optimistic. She knows her own mind, and has a fair estimation of the people around her too. They both have the potential to be forces to be reckoned with and to some extent I was sad that the book did focus primarily on the love interest.
This was a fun way to kill a couple of evenings, but it is going back to the charity shop now that I’ve finished!
I did get over that though, honest. The plot however is very predictable and in some places I did have to amputate my disbelief as suspending it wasn’t enough. That said though the story was all about the development of the romantic relationship between the two main characters. I did find this standard, but I also enjoyed the simplicity of the conflict that was set up between them, and the more complicated ramifications it had before they could be brought happily together. Something that I did really enjoy about this book were the secondary characters. To an extent it was more fun to get to know them than the two main protagonists. Both Elizabeth and Gilliver (matriarchs of the two estranged families) are striking opposites but both interesting and well developed. Gilliver is quirkier and the splendid isolation she has created for herself has always been a fantasy of mine. Elizabeth is warm and caring but never falls into the trap of being stupidly optimistic. She knows her own mind, and has a fair estimation of the people around her too. They both have the potential to be forces to be reckoned with and to some extent I was sad that the book did focus primarily on the love interest.
This was a fun way to kill a couple of evenings, but it is going back to the charity shop now that I’ve finished!
December 29, 2010
Set in 1663 in England during the regin of Charles II.
It is the story of a Puritan, Katherine Harley and a Royalist, Marcus Oxenden, Viscount Marlbrooke.
The Hareley's lost their family home "Winteringham Priory" and it was given to the Oxenden family - years later both families have claim to this house and instead of fighting through the courts Marcus decides to marry Kate.
It is not an easy path but the story was a good one.
It is the story of a Puritan, Katherine Harley and a Royalist, Marcus Oxenden, Viscount Marlbrooke.
The Hareley's lost their family home "Winteringham Priory" and it was given to the Oxenden family - years later both families have claim to this house and instead of fighting through the courts Marcus decides to marry Kate.
It is not an easy path but the story was a good one.
May 10, 2011
This is a compilation project by several authors. I'll be honest, I was expecting a lot more. Most of the short stories (based on Austin's original classics) left me with an "eh, it was ok" attitude but a couple of them were just dumb. I think they were aiming for something along the lines of Pride, Prejudice & Zombies & came away with lame pieces of literature.
September 22, 2011
I was disappointed in this book. I'd never read anything by Anne O'Brien so didn't know what to expect but I'd thought it would be a bit 'meatier'. In the end it was more of a traditional romance with the usual twists and turns of misunderstanding in a historical setting. I enjoyed it within those limits, hence the three stars.
August 31, 2012
The only other book I read by Anne O'Brien was based on a true person and I thought that this one would be the saem. It wasn't. It is a historical romance with a ghost thrown in.
It was an amusing read but very predictable and the ending was very repetitive. i mean Kate has to make a choice and she makes it several times before Marlbrooke accepts it.
It was an amusing read but very predictable and the ending was very repetitive. i mean Kate has to make a choice and she makes it several times before Marlbrooke accepts it.
June 2, 2016
I prefer Anne O'Brien's historical stories about real people this seems to be a brief foray into historical fiction about made up characters and something about the relationship felt hollow and unrealistic a good book and a refreshing twist on a classic romantic tale good enough to keep you reading.
November 5, 2011
The good news is... there was nothing to rant about in this anthology. The bad news is... there's nothing to rave about either. The last one was a bit...comedic. Others were varying levels of seriousness.
November 9, 2011
I really like historical novels and I did it hard to find very many good ones. Puritan Bride however was one of the few of them that I really enjoyed reading. It was interesting from the start and I read it in a couple of days. It was a slightly odd book in my opinion but still brilliant!
October 8, 2008
not bad with plenty of intrigue.
January 6, 2012
Some slighty steamy bits.
nice love story. TV Tudors maybe?
nice love story. TV Tudors maybe?
April 9, 2012
Chick lit set in olden day. A very easy read as with all chick lit. Comes with the usual romance and steamy scenes.
July 6, 2013
didn't realise that it was a romance until halfway through, due to a different cover, but enjoyable anyway
January 24, 2014
The title of the book is Puritan Wife by Anne O'Brien and not Bespelling Jane Austen by Mary Balogh.
April 28, 2015
I quite like this author, this however wasn't one of my favorites from her but still a nice historical romance to read on a rainy day.
January 15, 2016
A light but lovely historical romance set during the Restoration.
June 10, 2016
I really enjoyed this even though it's not my favourite era. Probably my second or third favourite of Anne's :) - my favourite being The King's Concubine!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews