What do you think?
Rate this book
The Emberton Brothers #1
The Spice Bride
With three ships sunk in one year by Napoléon’s navy, Richard Emberton is desperate to save his spice importation business.
While collecting his daughter from boarding school in England, George Hayward is on the lookout for a new exporter for his spice plantation in India.
With benefits to be reaped by both sides, Richard agrees to marry the plantation owner’s daughter.
Certain that her chance at love is being sold to the highest bidder, Grace Hayward feels little more than a slave and is determined she will never be happy again.
With such an inglorious beginning, can love flourish?
***Please note this is a CLEAN Romance***
While collecting his daughter from boarding school in England, George Hayward is on the lookout for a new exporter for his spice plantation in India.
With benefits to be reaped by both sides, Richard agrees to marry the plantation owner’s daughter.
Certain that her chance at love is being sold to the highest bidder, Grace Hayward feels little more than a slave and is determined she will never be happy again.
With such an inglorious beginning, can love flourish?
***Please note this is a CLEAN Romance***
ebook
Published May 13, 2016
232 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
July 19, 2019
I really wanted to like this book more. It had it's good moments but over all not a book to my tastes. This started out slow moving and a little stilted. Not much emotion from the characters. The book grew and I thought it would turn out nicely but then the leading lady showed that she was 17 and it was very realistic. I could totally see my 17 year old 1800's self throwing myself on the bed and changing my mind 6 times in one day......heck my 40 year old in the 2000 does it sometimes:} This book had a reality to it that I did like but then everything went a bit crazy there at the end. It felt like the author could not think of a way to end this rather drug out story so she put some crazy in and called it good. This is a chaste Christian read with not too much talk of religion.
August 17, 2017
.
This was a historical based story in England during the Napolean era. The heroine (young and immature) and hero (unfamiliar with females and gruff in manner) were both totally unprepared for the feelings that bubbled up inside them when a marriage was prearranged. The heroine was determined to make her new husband as unhappy as she was.
*** SPOILER ALERT ***
.
.
Both had to come to terms with their future together and after making personal choices, they mutually decide they could have a future of happiness together.
This was a historical based story in England during the Napolean era. The heroine (young and immature) and hero (unfamiliar with females and gruff in manner) were both totally unprepared for the feelings that bubbled up inside them when a marriage was prearranged. The heroine was determined to make her new husband as unhappy as she was.
*** SPOILER ALERT ***
.
.
Both had to come to terms with their future together and after making personal choices, they mutually decide they could have a future of happiness together.
January 24, 2018
I really enjoyed it. It was sweet, and spicy. THe hero was delicious and broodingly sweet. I love that it didn't have love scenes just the words that you knew what was going on with out the yuk. Well done, well written, and I enjoyed it. THank you
October 1, 2016
Where do I begin? I guess I'll start with the fact that this is listed as a "Christian fiction" book. Yes, the characters pray and the Bible is mentioned a time or two, but otherwise there's not much "Christian" about it. I literally lost count of the swear words in this book!!! Drinking abounded, including to the point that Richard and his brother, Edward, have a fist fight over really nothing!! Edward is portrayed somewhat as the more even-keeled, progressive and possibly even "more Christian" of the two, yet when something happens later in the book he explodes in anger at someone trying to help someone in a horrible situation because it could possibly reflect badly on his political aspirations. He's fighting slavery, but wants a woman thrown out in the street to keep HIS future from possibly being hurt. Double standard, much?!?
Grace is supposed to be this great Christian girl partially shown by her abhorrence of slavery, yet she is very clear that she will NOT be submissive or be the wife she should be, yells at her father and tells him "No", and even tells God that she knows He wants her to marry Richard, but she will NOT love him or be a "real" wife, etc. Now I realize that many people reading this with the mindset of modern times will be thrilled with her, but you have to realize that this book is set in the early 1800's and this would NOT be acceptable behavior for any girl, and for a Christian to act this way is beyond the pale.
I'm sorry, but this is a horrible book and I would not recommend it to anyone. My daughters will not be reading it! If I could give it 0 stars, I absolutely would.
Grace is supposed to be this great Christian girl partially shown by her abhorrence of slavery, yet she is very clear that she will NOT be submissive or be the wife she should be, yells at her father and tells him "No", and even tells God that she knows He wants her to marry Richard, but she will NOT love him or be a "real" wife, etc. Now I realize that many people reading this with the mindset of modern times will be thrilled with her, but you have to realize that this book is set in the early 1800's and this would NOT be acceptable behavior for any girl, and for a Christian to act this way is beyond the pale.
I'm sorry, but this is a horrible book and I would not recommend it to anyone. My daughters will not be reading it! If I could give it 0 stars, I absolutely would.
July 12, 2017
Richard Emberton had to learn the hard way not to judge a book by it's cover. I believe that this is the best summary for "The Spice Bride" with the fewest amount of words.
Throughout the beginning of the novel you find a wealthy man being forced into marriage to a wealthy woman, typical for the time frame setting that this story was in; however, it change from a marriage of convenience for business into something so much more. As the characters developed deeper personalities and their feelings became know, I became hooked on this page turned.
The only frustration that I had with this story was the female lead, I felt like I just wanted to shake her out of the shell she found herself in. I know that the woman's role was very different in their time period, but to be afraid to speak your mind is so foreign to me and hard to wrap my mind around.
Over all, I highly recommend this novel and the second one that's next in the series. Through the first two books we learn of a woman who's heart has been broken by no marriage prospects, I am very much looking forward to the third novel in this series to check in on her.
Throughout the beginning of the novel you find a wealthy man being forced into marriage to a wealthy woman, typical for the time frame setting that this story was in; however, it change from a marriage of convenience for business into something so much more. As the characters developed deeper personalities and their feelings became know, I became hooked on this page turned.
The only frustration that I had with this story was the female lead, I felt like I just wanted to shake her out of the shell she found herself in. I know that the woman's role was very different in their time period, but to be afraid to speak your mind is so foreign to me and hard to wrap my mind around.
Over all, I highly recommend this novel and the second one that's next in the series. Through the first two books we learn of a woman who's heart has been broken by no marriage prospects, I am very much looking forward to the third novel in this series to check in on her.
November 21, 2016
I really couldn't find much to like about the heroine or hero. Grace feels betrayed by her father for being married off to help his business. Though this was typical for the upper classes of the time, her constant back and forth of her emotions and whether or not to embrace the marriage was more annoying than Bella of Twilight trying to decide between the vampire or werewolf. And frankly, Twilight was fun enough to keep me reading. Richard agrees to marry Grace solely to help his business and is usually as annoyed with her as me. Not much to like about any of the secondary characters either. When the thought of my dental appointment gave me relief since it made me set this down, I knew it was time to call it quits. I'm pretty sure their decent looks, family estate, and masses of money will help them work it out and fall in love by the end -- just without the witty repartee or fun adventures from a Georgette Heyer or even Joan Smith story. Calling CNF on this at 40%.
June 22, 2016
Personable, genuine characters, a unique and thoughtful historical theme introducing readers to slavery on spice plantations, plus adventurous storytelling equal another colourful feather in Karen Aminadra's writing cap. I experienced the sights and scents of India along with Grace on her father's plantation. And, of course, a deft hand at romance...
Always well written and
Recommended for excellent regency reading!
Always well written and
Recommended for excellent regency reading!
August 9, 2016
Meh
Very little character or plot development. As characters and plots are important in works of fiction, I don't recommend this book.
Very little character or plot development. As characters and plots are important in works of fiction, I don't recommend this book.
August 6, 2019
A motherless young woman just graduates from finishing school in England and her father (who owns a plantation) arranges a marriage for her for the benefit of both parties. Not believing in slavery, she is hesitant in marrying into a family that benefits from this abhorrent treatment of people. Being only seventeen and given only a couple of weeks to come to terms with this, she reacts emotionally to her intended and family-to-be, despite attempting every avenue to patronize her. A plot within a plot sees her good school friend in an abusive situation whereby she seeks help from Grace and to complicate matters, her father sends her a young plantation slave as a wedding gift. Most of the book revolves around the emotional roller coaster of the main characters, thus becoming somewhat mired in the details. An epilogue involving the outcome of her friend Eliza and the adaptation of the young-now freed slave would have enhanced the book. Otherwise, a good clean book for those enjoy a historical romance of the era. (Lovely book cover and enticing title).
August 10, 2021
Juvenile writing, overly pedantic, boring characters
This story was not developed. The characters were hard to follow at the start. Some were included for basically plot points with no real purpose or reality. And, the writing did not flow. Instead, it was like someone tried to write out as many SAT words as they could remember and connect them together. "Alacrity" was denotively correct, but the word never be used by a native English speaker as it was on at least one occasion.
The tone of the book was overly preachy and pedantic. Instead of using religion to illuminate the story and develop the characters the reader is slapped in the face over and over again with the morality embraced by the writer (not the charters).
The characters were a BIG snooze fest. I only finished the book because I have a disorder where I can't leave something unread, even when I role my eyes every other paragraph.
This is clearly a Christian romance, but so poorly written it gives the genre a bad name. Don't waste your time or money.
This story was not developed. The characters were hard to follow at the start. Some were included for basically plot points with no real purpose or reality. And, the writing did not flow. Instead, it was like someone tried to write out as many SAT words as they could remember and connect them together. "Alacrity" was denotively correct, but the word never be used by a native English speaker as it was on at least one occasion.
The tone of the book was overly preachy and pedantic. Instead of using religion to illuminate the story and develop the characters the reader is slapped in the face over and over again with the morality embraced by the writer (not the charters).
The characters were a BIG snooze fest. I only finished the book because I have a disorder where I can't leave something unread, even when I role my eyes every other paragraph.
This is clearly a Christian romance, but so poorly written it gives the genre a bad name. Don't waste your time or money.
November 12, 2017
I'm a little over a third of the way through this book. One of the things that stood out to me so far were the lack of mention of having the banns read or obtaining a special license. Both Grace and her friend, Eliza, get engaged right out of boarding school and are getting married within days.
Another issue I had was how immature the heroine seems to be. When Richard tells her that his late father's motto was "work hard, play hard," Grace asks him, "What does that mean?" Really? How stupid can she be?
Now that I've finished the book, I can't really say there is anything to recommend it. There was no chemistry between the H/h and the numerous incidents that were thrown in randomly to add drama fell flat for me. The writing was just okay and on somewhat of an elementary level. I was thankful that it was a free ebook download so I didn't waste any of my hard-earned money on this book.
Another issue I had was how immature the heroine seems to be. When Richard tells her that his late father's motto was "work hard, play hard," Grace asks him, "What does that mean?" Really? How stupid can she be?
Now that I've finished the book, I can't really say there is anything to recommend it. There was no chemistry between the H/h and the numerous incidents that were thrown in randomly to add drama fell flat for me. The writing was just okay and on somewhat of an elementary level. I was thankful that it was a free ebook download so I didn't waste any of my hard-earned money on this book.
November 18, 2023
Frustrating & Confusing
The confusing part is that I'm not even sure if this was supposed to be a Christian book, because they do reference God and pray a lot. Yet the author had the main characters drinking, and in my opinion become a little too descriptive when it comes to the honeymoon phase.
The characters in the book were frustrating. I found Grace to be flighty and emotional. Richard was a mama's boy.
On a positive note, I did appreciate the little pieces of historical tidbits that were sprinkled throughout the book. But to be honest I will not be purchasing anything further in the series.
the way the marriage happens it's just incredibly frustrating. The only reason why I finished it was I thought maybe A decent ending ending. And I am frustrated at the end
The confusing part is that I'm not even sure if this was supposed to be a Christian book, because they do reference God and pray a lot. Yet the author had the main characters drinking, and in my opinion become a little too descriptive when it comes to the honeymoon phase.
The characters in the book were frustrating. I found Grace to be flighty and emotional. Richard was a mama's boy.
On a positive note, I did appreciate the little pieces of historical tidbits that were sprinkled throughout the book. But to be honest I will not be purchasing anything further in the series.
the way the marriage happens it's just incredibly frustrating. The only reason why I finished it was I thought maybe A decent ending ending. And I am frustrated at the end
January 15, 2025
Most of the angst in this historical story is within each character. There was very little action or excitement.
Grace is young and immature. She is having difficulty reconciling that her loving dad would give her away as part of a business deal. I think her reaction is in line with her age, but I'm not sure it fits with the time.
Richard recently lost his dad, and now he's running the business, except when his mom interferes. I think he's overwhelmed at considering he'll be responsible for a wife.
I liked the story. I like that we get to watch the couple slowly fall in love. But its pace was a bit slow.
Grace is young and immature. She is having difficulty reconciling that her loving dad would give her away as part of a business deal. I think her reaction is in line with her age, but I'm not sure it fits with the time.
Richard recently lost his dad, and now he's running the business, except when his mom interferes. I think he's overwhelmed at considering he'll be responsible for a wife.
I liked the story. I like that we get to watch the couple slowly fall in love. But its pace was a bit slow.
September 19, 2017
Miss Grace Harding vs the Embertons
Grace had no idea that when she and her father accepted an invitation from Edwina Emberton to come for a visit from India that her life would drastically change. Her first reaction was that she was just a pawn to secure her father's spice business and gain Richard Emberton a secure and safe shipping route. This was not at all what she envisioned her life to be. She wanted romance and to marry for love. She could not, would not be forced into this marriage no matter how much her father wanted it.
Grace had no idea that when she and her father accepted an invitation from Edwina Emberton to come for a visit from India that her life would drastically change. Her first reaction was that she was just a pawn to secure her father's spice business and gain Richard Emberton a secure and safe shipping route. This was not at all what she envisioned her life to be. She wanted romance and to marry for love. She could not, would not be forced into this marriage no matter how much her father wanted it.
January 26, 2018
The Spice bride is a good clean read and readers of all ages will enjoy it. The story adequately follows the main characters forced into a situation and their way of dealing with it and it's surprising consequences. I do feel that the moral issues addressed in the book are a bit forced and it has the potential of coming across as a moral lesson.
A good recommendation if you want the romance without the graphic detail. Will recommend this to my teenager and her friends.
A good recommendation if you want the romance without the graphic detail. Will recommend this to my teenager and her friends.
June 29, 2017
The reason I gave it 1 stars is because of one curse word that continually shows up. Books do not need curse words of any kind to be a good read. Also, the cursing in one sentence and then praying in the next contradicts itself. Also, the insistent drinking was not appealing at all. It is listed as a Christian read but it isn't.
The story itself was okay but I don't like cursing in books I read.
The story itself was okay but I don't like cursing in books I read.
December 28, 2017
I enjoyed this, but I took one star off the rating I would have given because profanity (in American vocabulary) was included. There were eleven uses of the d-word, even though this book was classified as Christian on Amazon.
January 30, 2017
The Spice Bride
The only thing I liked was the title. A very poor attempt in writing a romance novel. The scripture and prayer does not add to the plot. The heroine is very childish and lacks any real depth of character. Please don't, waste your time reading this book!
The only thing I liked was the title. A very poor attempt in writing a romance novel. The scripture and prayer does not add to the plot. The heroine is very childish and lacks any real depth of character. Please don't, waste your time reading this book!
June 24, 2019
A wonderful historical romantic novel
I loved this book. It was very well written with believable characters. It flows smoothly and interestingly. It is a very clean Christian book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading a good clean romantic story.
I loved this book. It was very well written with believable characters. It flows smoothly and interestingly. It is a very clean Christian book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading a good clean romantic story.
February 1, 2024
super quick wrap up
It happens so quickly towards the end that I felt that we read the book for no reason. Parts afterwards I felt that they didn’t really need to be written. Just could not love it.
It happens so quickly towards the end that I felt that we read the book for no reason. Parts afterwards I felt that they didn’t really need to be written. Just could not love it.
February 8, 2017
I enjoyed the slow and steady, winning over of Grace during this romance. An entertaining historical romance and a good read.
June 3, 2017
Enjoyable read
It took me while to really know whether I liked the main characters or not, I eventually grew to like them. It's a good story.
It took me while to really know whether I liked the main characters or not, I eventually grew to like them. It's a good story.
May 22, 2018
Sappy, unbelievable, not enough plot and character development.
December 19, 2025
didn't get past the first chapter.
March 8, 2017
The is a clean romance, but it is preachy. The story was annoying. The romance was strange. I had a hard time finishing this story. It was full of random historical info that was dry and boring. It was a fictitious social studies/political rant at times with some of the info dumps. Didn't like this one at all. But I did like it was clean... it is always a strange reason married people aren't having sex when they want to keep it clean. If this wasn't full of info dumps, and didn't come across as preachy, I might have been able to give it one more star.
October 3, 2016
High 3.5. This was a cute, heart-tugging Regency romance. The heroine has spent the last three years in finishing school in England, but she was raised on her father’s spice plantation in India. When she is bartered to be the wife of a wealthy trader in England, she feels like one of her father’s slaves…and vows to make her new husband miserable. But as his heart becomes involves, things change. This was a good book, and enjoyable to read. The characters weren’t my favorite. I felt the heroine’s feelings flipped back and forth too easily and she was too emotional for my taste. She could have been stronger. The hero was decent, but I felt he fell in love too easily. With her emotional outbursts, I wouldn’t have blamed him if he had been a little more hard-headed. But, the writing was done well enough that the characterization weak spots didn’t deter me from liking it. I filled in the weak areas with my own imagination and the pacing and plot did the rest. There were a few surprises that I liked and it was cool to learn a little more about the spice trade in India during that time period.
December 19, 2016
Delving into the romance genre is not for the faint of heart. You can read a lot of really poorly written romances that just drag on and on and never go anywhere. I, however, like to think that reading the poorly written ones allows you to clearly know a gem when you read one. Karen Aminadra's The Spice Bride is just that, a gem.
The story takes place during the during the Napoleonic era; and followed Grace Hayward, the daughter a spice plantation owner in India. Grace's father is in need of a new exporter of his goods and he finds such in Richard Emberton, who happens to be the young proprietor of a spice importation business located in England; however, Grace quickly finds that the promise of her hand in marriage helped seal the deal with Mr. Emberton. Not wanting to marry a man she's only just met, Grace is determined to either get herself out of the arranged marriage or make her bride groom regret treating a woman like purchased cattle... though as time passes, she starts to wonder if love can flourish, even if it's forced upon you.
The story takes place during the during the Napoleonic era; and followed Grace Hayward, the daughter a spice plantation owner in India. Grace's father is in need of a new exporter of his goods and he finds such in Richard Emberton, who happens to be the young proprietor of a spice importation business located in England; however, Grace quickly finds that the promise of her hand in marriage helped seal the deal with Mr. Emberton. Not wanting to marry a man she's only just met, Grace is determined to either get herself out of the arranged marriage or make her bride groom regret treating a woman like purchased cattle... though as time passes, she starts to wonder if love can flourish, even if it's forced upon you.
August 13, 2016
Grace was born and raised in a different time and place. Back when it was not unheard of to have arranged marriages and the wealthy had slaves. George Hayward, Grace's father and Edwina Emberton, the mother of three boys, have come to an agreement that is more like a business partnership. Grace will be married to one Of The Emberton boys. Grace and Richard Emberton have to try and figure out their relationship both before and after their marriage. This is a romance but it is also a look into history. The author takes readers on the ride with a steady, well written story,
October 18, 2016
Unusual for an historical, Richard is not direct aristocracy, though high enough on the social ladder.
Read full review in the 2016 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2016 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.
October 19, 2016
I enjoyed this clean Regency Romance Novel. I thought it was well written and believable. It had historical facts about slavery, the spice industry and the war between France and England, which made it very interesting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews