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The Brides of Paradise Ranch #7
His Forbidden Bride
(Please note that this is the spicy version of
Honoria: The Forbidden Bride
)
Honoria Bonneville is dying. But she isn’t about to let her diagnosis of consumption ruin what little time she has left. She’s wasted her whole life catering to her obnoxious sisters and uncaring father, but no more. In a move to live the last days of her life on her own terms, she approaches the man she’s loved from afar for years, local banker Solomon Templesmith, and asks him to marry her.
But Honoria underestimates the scandal of a white woman marrying a black man…
Solomon has admired Honoria from afar for ages, but has always held back from courting her, knowing the trouble it would cause. When Honoria comes to him, asking for his protection and friendship, he can’t resist giving his heart to her…even though their union threatens to ruin the bank he’s worked so hard to build up and possibly endanger his life.
Their heartbreaking, trouble-making, perfect match seems doomed to be magnificent but short…until a shocking revelation changes everything…
PLEASE BE ADVISED: Steam Level = HOT
If you would like to read this story without any “scenes,” check out Honoria: The Forbidden Bride .
Honoria Bonneville is dying. But she isn’t about to let her diagnosis of consumption ruin what little time she has left. She’s wasted her whole life catering to her obnoxious sisters and uncaring father, but no more. In a move to live the last days of her life on her own terms, she approaches the man she’s loved from afar for years, local banker Solomon Templesmith, and asks him to marry her.
But Honoria underestimates the scandal of a white woman marrying a black man…
Solomon has admired Honoria from afar for ages, but has always held back from courting her, knowing the trouble it would cause. When Honoria comes to him, asking for his protection and friendship, he can’t resist giving his heart to her…even though their union threatens to ruin the bank he’s worked so hard to build up and possibly endanger his life.
Their heartbreaking, trouble-making, perfect match seems doomed to be magnificent but short…until a shocking revelation changes everything…
PLEASE BE ADVISED: Steam Level = HOT
If you would like to read this story without any “scenes,” check out Honoria: The Forbidden Bride .
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2016
150 people are currently reading
1122 people want to read
About the author
Merry Farmer
293 books1,138 followersUSA Today Bestselling author Merry Farmer lives in suburban Philadelphia with her two cats, Justine and Peter. She has been writing since she was ten years old and realized she didn't have to wait for the teacher to assign a creative writing project to write something. It was the best day of her life. Her books have reached the top of Amazon's charts, and have been named finalists for several prestigious awards, including the RONE Award for indie romance.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 26, 2019
I really wanted to love this book. The plot sounded interesting and I was very excited to read a historical romance with an African American hero. Alas, the book fell somewhat flat for me. Solomon was an amazing and wonderful man. He was extremely patient, gentle, noble, kind, considerate... just take every positive adjective and insert it here. He was also very handsome and treated Honoria like gold. I found the relationship as a whole to be somewhat tepid and while there was clearly genuine affection between them, there was no passion and a lack of emotional intensity. I would have liked to have seen a wider range of emotions from Solomon as well. He was such an honorable and stand up guy, but no one is always that calm and so little perturbed, especially with all of the abuse and persecution he was subjected to. I fully comprehend that due to his background and the very color of his skin he was used to being harassed and had had to learn how to reign his reactions in, but he was in possession of a supernatural level of calm and control, almost to the point that I was left wondering if he ever lost control or felt any intense and overwhelming emotions at all. And Honoria—yes, she was a doormat. Not with Solomon as he never ever put her in a position to be stepped on, but with her family. She never once stood up to their abuse and viciousness until toward the end and even then I wasn’t impressed. She definitely needed a stronger backbone.
I wish there were more frequent and more descriptive love scenes. I don’t require lots of smut in my books but I strongly feel that a few descriptive and detailed love scenes strongly helps me as a reader to not only feel the connection between the two main characters but to also find their love and passion believable.
I would have liked to have learned more about Solomon’s background. True, he gives a cursory account to Honoria, but I wanted more. For example, the first time they made love he was clearly comfortable with removing a woman’s clothing, which led me to wonder about his sexual history. It’s never once mentioned that he was with another woman but he clearly wasn’t a virgin. It’s even stated that he had never patronized any of the whores from the town’s brothel. Why not? Had he ever been in a relationship? How much sexual experience did he have? I wanted details.
One thing that I truly didn’t care for was the fact that although mooning over her for years, Solomon had never pursued Honoria. There’s even a scene where he’s thinking about how if Honoria hadn’t taken the initiative he really doubted he ever would have. Ok, so he definitely had valid reasons to be hesitant in pursuing her, but he had never even tried to make any kind of move. Disappointing.
All in all a lukewarm read. Solomon was definitely the bright spot in this story.
I wish there were more frequent and more descriptive love scenes. I don’t require lots of smut in my books but I strongly feel that a few descriptive and detailed love scenes strongly helps me as a reader to not only feel the connection between the two main characters but to also find their love and passion believable.
I would have liked to have learned more about Solomon’s background. True, he gives a cursory account to Honoria, but I wanted more. For example, the first time they made love he was clearly comfortable with removing a woman’s clothing, which led me to wonder about his sexual history. It’s never once mentioned that he was with another woman but he clearly wasn’t a virgin. It’s even stated that he had never patronized any of the whores from the town’s brothel. Why not? Had he ever been in a relationship? How much sexual experience did he have? I wanted details.
One thing that I truly didn’t care for was the fact that although mooning over her for years, Solomon had never pursued Honoria. There’s even a scene where he’s thinking about how if Honoria hadn’t taken the initiative he really doubted he ever would have. Ok, so he definitely had valid reasons to be hesitant in pursuing her, but he had never even tried to make any kind of move. Disappointing.
All in all a lukewarm read. Solomon was definitely the bright spot in this story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2016
We've known about Honoria since book one of The Brides of Paradise Ranch Series. She's Vivian's little sister and not nearly as mean and conniving as her sisters. We also have seen bits and pieces of Solomon, the freed slave banker of Haskell. This book pretty much leaves off where His Remarkable Bride leaves off. Honoria gets bad news and she's afraid she's dying, so she decides to leave her old life of drudgery behind and make her last days happy and blissful. And she enlists the help of Solomon Templesmith. She didn't take into account how her family would take things. And as we've seen if Rex Bonneville is unhappy about something, he'll stoop to any level to get what he wants. This time is no different.
I was so happy to see Honoria get her own story. And it is interesting to see the sister dynamics from the inside. Though it doesn't seem as different on the inside as it is on the outside, once, Honoria removed herself from that group, the changes become so apparent. And it's good to see Solomon relaxed and without his shroud of gentility surrounding him. And all that about Bonnie...duwut! Mmmmhmmm! Exactly!
I can't wait to read that story! And I highly suggest you read this one.
I was so happy to see Honoria get her own story. And it is interesting to see the sister dynamics from the inside. Though it doesn't seem as different on the inside as it is on the outside, once, Honoria removed herself from that group, the changes become so apparent. And it's good to see Solomon relaxed and without his shroud of gentility surrounding him. And all that about Bonnie...duwut! Mmmmhmmm! Exactly!
I can't wait to read that story! And I highly suggest you read this one.
September 8, 2016
Muy caliente!!
Thanks again, Merry Farmer for clearly posting the level of intensity in this one. And the cover is priceless! Please help your fellow authors with choosing either the right publisher, who let's them have that creativity choice, or the right photographs if that choice is their own!
Thanks again, Merry Farmer for clearly posting the level of intensity in this one. And the cover is priceless! Please help your fellow authors with choosing either the right publisher, who let's them have that creativity choice, or the right photographs if that choice is their own!
October 12, 2016
Historical Western Romance
I read the "cleAn" version of this book. I laughed a d then I felt sad, then I laughed again!!!!! 5 star's is my rating for this Merry Farmer story. As I read this story some characters from other stories appeared. Have fun reading this book. I sure did!!!!!!!!!
I read the "cleAn" version of this book. I laughed a d then I felt sad, then I laughed again!!!!! 5 star's is my rating for this Merry Farmer story. As I read this story some characters from other stories appeared. Have fun reading this book. I sure did!!!!!!!!!
June 22, 2020
This is a sweet mail-order bride romance, with a likable couple. It is a very light, quick read, good if you don't have time for a longer novel. My main complaint is that I didn't think their problems with being a biracial couple would have been that easy to resolve, and would have caused many more difficulties than they did.
This book includes lots of characters (many from another series). Because so many of the characters had their own stories in the Hot on the Trail series, I would recommend reading that series before starting this one, then reading this series in order. You can read this book without that, but you will miss out on many important details of all the characters' lives. In this book, in particular, you will miss out on a lot of history about Honoria's life with her terrible family, and about how respected Solomon was in Haskell.
It really bothered me that their biracial marriage was discussed, but treated as if the problems it caused them would have been easily resolved in that time period. I get that there would have been a few people who would have accepted it, but there would have been many more who would have been vehemently against it -- it is likely that Solomon and Honoria (and their children) would have faced lifelong discrimination and possibly even horrible violence. It is a terrible shame that our country has been guilty of such awful racial discrimination for so long, and still is today. This book should have addressed that shame, and not treated it like a problem that could be resolved so easily.
This is the spicy version of this book, according to the description, but I didn't think it was really that spicy. It contains love scenes between the married couple, and it is not especially explicit. But if you want to read books with NO sex scenes at all -- only kisses -- then you should stick with the sweeter version of this book.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
This book includes lots of characters (many from another series). Because so many of the characters had their own stories in the Hot on the Trail series, I would recommend reading that series before starting this one, then reading this series in order. You can read this book without that, but you will miss out on many important details of all the characters' lives. In this book, in particular, you will miss out on a lot of history about Honoria's life with her terrible family, and about how respected Solomon was in Haskell.
It really bothered me that their biracial marriage was discussed, but treated as if the problems it caused them would have been easily resolved in that time period. I get that there would have been a few people who would have accepted it, but there would have been many more who would have been vehemently against it -- it is likely that Solomon and Honoria (and their children) would have faced lifelong discrimination and possibly even horrible violence. It is a terrible shame that our country has been guilty of such awful racial discrimination for so long, and still is today. This book should have addressed that shame, and not treated it like a problem that could be resolved so easily.
This is the spicy version of this book, according to the description, but I didn't think it was really that spicy. It contains love scenes between the married couple, and it is not especially explicit. But if you want to read books with NO sex scenes at all -- only kisses -- then you should stick with the sweeter version of this book.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
June 7, 2020
Could not believe in the Bonneville characters
Honours Bonneville has been diagnosed as consumptive and is dying. As she wishes to live the last days, weeks or months she has left free of her horrendous family, she asks the only man she has secretly loved to marry her.
Solomon Templesmith is black and always admired Honoria. Should be agree to marry Honoria, knowing that her wealthy and influential father will stop at nothing to ruin him if he does?
I could not get to grips with Honoria's character at all. Having been a secondary character in previous stories she was portrayed as being weak and spineless, someone to be pitied. Without giving anything away, I don't particularly see that her character changes at all and the final part of the story disappointed me enormously.
I disliked the Bonneville family enormously, which I believe the reader is supposed to do. It is one thing to write about other characters being cowed by the influential family because of the 'hold' they have on them, but I take objection to a family member being cowed by another family member ( in this particular case). It does not have the ring of truth to me, not in the excess to which it goes in this story.
I don't know the historical facts of inter marriages at that period in time, but it saddened me to think this couple could not leave this town at all without being arrested.
Honours Bonneville has been diagnosed as consumptive and is dying. As she wishes to live the last days, weeks or months she has left free of her horrendous family, she asks the only man she has secretly loved to marry her.
Solomon Templesmith is black and always admired Honoria. Should be agree to marry Honoria, knowing that her wealthy and influential father will stop at nothing to ruin him if he does?
I could not get to grips with Honoria's character at all. Having been a secondary character in previous stories she was portrayed as being weak and spineless, someone to be pitied. Without giving anything away, I don't particularly see that her character changes at all and the final part of the story disappointed me enormously.
I disliked the Bonneville family enormously, which I believe the reader is supposed to do. It is one thing to write about other characters being cowed by the influential family because of the 'hold' they have on them, but I take objection to a family member being cowed by another family member ( in this particular case). It does not have the ring of truth to me, not in the excess to which it goes in this story.
I don't know the historical facts of inter marriages at that period in time, but it saddened me to think this couple could not leave this town at all without being arrested.
October 16, 2017
Honoria: The Forbidden Bride was a book about a lady named Honoria that was horribly treated by her sisters. They treated her as if she was a slave. After Honoria's mother died, Honoria's father became distant from her as well.
Honoria learns from the doctor that she has a disease and has a few months to a year to live. She decides she wants her remaining years to be happy. She has been in love with Solomon Templesmith for a long time so despite the fact that she is white and he is black she proposes marriage to him. Solomon has loved Honoria from a distance for many years so the two elope. Their romance is so beautiful and quite steamy. But despite the love they have for each other, Honoria's father is determined to ruin Solomon out of his hatred for him. Solomon is a wealthy banker and Honoria's father uses all kinds of methods to try to make the bank fail but the town rallies around Solomon and supports him.
Honoria learns she is not going to die and that the doctor mixed up the files. She initially fears Solomon will think she married him under false pretenses so she goes back to her home. But she realizes she is not the same person she was when she left. The time she has spent with Solomon has changed her and made her stronger. Without spoiling the ending, I will just say it is so good.
Honoria learns from the doctor that she has a disease and has a few months to a year to live. She decides she wants her remaining years to be happy. She has been in love with Solomon Templesmith for a long time so despite the fact that she is white and he is black she proposes marriage to him. Solomon has loved Honoria from a distance for many years so the two elope. Their romance is so beautiful and quite steamy. But despite the love they have for each other, Honoria's father is determined to ruin Solomon out of his hatred for him. Solomon is a wealthy banker and Honoria's father uses all kinds of methods to try to make the bank fail but the town rallies around Solomon and supports him.
Honoria learns she is not going to die and that the doctor mixed up the files. She initially fears Solomon will think she married him under false pretenses so she goes back to her home. But she realizes she is not the same person she was when she left. The time she has spent with Solomon has changed her and made her stronger. Without spoiling the ending, I will just say it is so good.
July 11, 2017
I really enjoyed reading this romance. The story takes place in Haskell, Wyoming in 1876. Honoria Bonnville is one of 4 daughters of a vindictive man who wanted sons. Honoria is also treated like Cinderella by her two older sisters so her life is basically hell. She is told by a doctor that she only has a little time to live before she dies of consumption. She proposes to the bank owner who she has admired for many years and he accepts. She is just wanting a nice life for the last few months that she has to live. The bank owner is colored which in those times - well you know how it went then. They marry in secret and her father holds no bars with trying to destroy the bank.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
June 2, 2020
I love this series so much!
I usually read a different kind of romance book, but I decided I would try one of these books. They looked so interesting! I'm so glad I did! After the first book, I bought very book in this series! Ms. Farmer is a wonderful author, a wonderful story teller. The main characters in this book, Solomon and Honoria are the kind of people that you would want to be part of your family! I can't wait to read the next book in this series! All the Characters in this series are amazing! The strong women and the sexy Cowboys who love them!!!!
I usually read a different kind of romance book, but I decided I would try one of these books. They looked so interesting! I'm so glad I did! After the first book, I bought very book in this series! Ms. Farmer is a wonderful author, a wonderful story teller. The main characters in this book, Solomon and Honoria are the kind of people that you would want to be part of your family! I can't wait to read the next book in this series! All the Characters in this series are amazing! The strong women and the sexy Cowboys who love them!!!!
June 21, 2020
This was a beautiful love story that must not be missed!! Merry Farmer has written a beautiful love story between the lovely but meek Honoria and the handsome banker Solomon!! Many twists and turns that keep you glued from start to finish!! I was very excited for this book because of the chemistry between these two characters!! Love, lust, anger and revenge fill this book!! Don't hesitate to run out and grab this book!!
July 3, 2023
A very Wonderful & Romantic Book.
This Story was Absolutely Wonderful.
The characters were well written as was the Story.
Prejudice back in the 1800s was offensive & down right cruel. Solomon & Honoria had to deal with it being that she is white & he is not only black but an ex slave.
I am so excited to read Bonnie's Story next in this series.
This Story was Absolutely Wonderful.
The characters were well written as was the Story.
Prejudice back in the 1800s was offensive & down right cruel. Solomon & Honoria had to deal with it being that she is white & he is not only black but an ex slave.
I am so excited to read Bonnie's Story next in this series.
October 9, 2024
Loved it
Aside from the spicy bits, and yes I know they were in this book, I loved the story! The way Honoria was bullied by her sisters and yet stayed true to herself made for a great read!
Aside from the spicy bits, and yes I know they were in this book, I loved the story! The way Honoria was bullied by her sisters and yet stayed true to herself made for a great read!
May 8, 2017
so great to see Honoria gets her HEA finally! <33
January 19, 2018
Intense
This was an intense read about both race relations and bullies. It's a hard read in places, but good. I do believe I fall in love with Bonnie a bit more with every book.
This was an intense read about both race relations and bullies. It's a hard read in places, but good. I do believe I fall in love with Bonnie a bit more with every book.
July 9, 2021
A story about a racial marriage, the people who try to destroy it and the friends who come together to save it
May 12, 2022
Great book.. recommend
December 5, 2016
Deception
Honoria spends a great deal of her time coughing laboriously and to the great distraction of her sister's who berate her completely. As her tormentors, they aggressively bully her. Honoria seeks medical attention for her condition, but the incompetent partner of the doctor she saw tells her she should get her life in order as she has little time left to live. Deciding that since she has so little time to live she must live it fully and so she proposes to Simon Templeton, the long object of her secret affection. But what consequences will this marriage bring to these lovers. While the nights are filled with joy, the light of day brings out the hatred, especially for Honoria's father Rex. Love is stronger than hatred and although many tests befall Honoria and Solomon, they are strong in all adversity.
Honoria spends a great deal of her time coughing laboriously and to the great distraction of her sister's who berate her completely. As her tormentors, they aggressively bully her. Honoria seeks medical attention for her condition, but the incompetent partner of the doctor she saw tells her she should get her life in order as she has little time left to live. Deciding that since she has so little time to live she must live it fully and so she proposes to Simon Templeton, the long object of her secret affection. But what consequences will this marriage bring to these lovers. While the nights are filled with joy, the light of day brings out the hatred, especially for Honoria's father Rex. Love is stronger than hatred and although many tests befall Honoria and Solomon, they are strong in all adversity.
November 29, 2016
I was furious reading this book.
With recent election crap going on, this book just made me more angry than maybe I would have been had I read this at a different time. Don't get me wrong, the themes in this book are upsetting. They just sting a little more in this political climate.
I was so glad Honoria got her own book. I felt so bad for her. I wanted to jump thru the pages and bring her to my house. Solomon is man I would love to know. How a man could rise above everything that he has been thru, and still be a great person, is beyond me. As always it is great to visit the town to see its happenings.
With recent election crap going on, this book just made me more angry than maybe I would have been had I read this at a different time. Don't get me wrong, the themes in this book are upsetting. They just sting a little more in this political climate.
I was so glad Honoria got her own book. I felt so bad for her. I wanted to jump thru the pages and bring her to my house. Solomon is man I would love to know. How a man could rise above everything that he has been thru, and still be a great person, is beyond me. As always it is great to visit the town to see its happenings.
September 3, 2016
Forbidden
If I never read another book this year this is the one I appreciate more than anything. Thoughtful, interesting and very well written. You live every injustice and celebrate ever triumph. Ms. Farmer words transport you to another time she is a masterful storyteller. You can't miss reading this one.
If I never read another book this year this is the one I appreciate more than anything. Thoughtful, interesting and very well written. You live every injustice and celebrate ever triumph. Ms. Farmer words transport you to another time she is a masterful storyteller. You can't miss reading this one.
December 17, 2016
Another Great Addition to The Brides of Paradise Ranch series! Solomon and Honoria have admired each other from afar for years. When the idiotic mistake by an arrogant doctor gives them a reason to finally act on their feelings, they become married, and the world as they know it will never be the same. Hallelujah!
December 18, 2016
4.5/5.0
“His Forbidden Bride” is a fabulously creative and unique take on the old Cinderella storyline, set in late nineteenth century Wyoming.
Read full review in the 2016 December issue of InD'tale Magazine.
“His Forbidden Bride” is a fabulously creative and unique take on the old Cinderella storyline, set in late nineteenth century Wyoming.
Read full review in the 2016 December issue of InD'tale Magazine.
September 3, 2016
His Forbidden Bride
Another great story by this fabulous author. We finally get to hear Honorias story, and it was a story full of emotions and struggles. At the end though Honoria fought against all odds and got her happily ever after.
Another great story by this fabulous author. We finally get to hear Honorias story, and it was a story full of emotions and struggles. At the end though Honoria fought against all odds and got her happily ever after.
September 8, 2016
Honoria: the forbidden bride (sweet version)
Honoria: the forbidden bride (sweet version) is a historical western BMWW romance is the brides of paradise ranch series. I've been waiting to read Honoria's story and it was very enjoyable. This series continues to satisfy.
Honoria: the forbidden bride (sweet version) is a historical western BMWW romance is the brides of paradise ranch series. I've been waiting to read Honoria's story and it was very enjoyable. This series continues to satisfy.
November 5, 2016
Honoria is did me proud in this installment. Solomon war perfect for her and she him. The trials and tribulations were a challenge and they were ready. Cannot wait for the next installment too, because Rex is full of more antics than a group of scheming boys.
October 16, 2016
I was looking forward to this one. Ah Solomon he is such a fabulous hero. Really excellent story.
November 20, 2016
Everyone should have a Solomon ....he is amazing. Against all odds, they are really happy together, clever story.
April 18, 2017
Wonderful story
Really enjoyed reading this book. Liked the chemistry between the characters. Loved the way the author solved the conflicts.
Looking forward to the next book!
Really enjoyed reading this book. Liked the chemistry between the characters. Loved the way the author solved the conflicts.
Looking forward to the next book!
Read
June 15, 2017Honoria finally received love from someone. All of her family should be sent away, except Bebe because now she is being treated horrible. Bebe needs to get away from the rest. I enjoy the love story. I don't like the Bonneville family.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews