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Romanca z regentského Anglicka ponúka vzrušujúcu kombináciu ľúbostného príbehu a napínavej zápletky. Keď sa po roku mizerného manželstva s oveľa starším Henrym Wyldom Charlotte odhodlá riešiť svoju situáciu, zasiahne osud a jej manžela zavraždia. Vtedy vyjde najavo, že Henry minul celé manželkino veno a nechal ju bez peňazí. Pre jeho synovca Aleca Wylda je Charlotte spočiatku len ďalším bremenom, o ktoré sa musí postarať. Netrvá však dlho a Alec si uvedomí, že nič na svete mu nespôsobuje väčšie potešenie ako chrániť očarujúcu mladú vdovu...
296 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
108 people are currently reading
653 people want to read
About the author
Jane Ashford
52 books402 followersJane Ashford has written historical and contemporary romances. Her books have been published in England, Spain, France, Italy, Sweden, Slovakia, Denmark, Russia, and Latvia, Croatia and Slovenia as well as the U.S. She was nominated for a Career Achievement Award by RT Book Reviews. Her latest book, Lost Time, is romantic suspense with a touch of magic.
Her website is https://www.janeashford.com/ and her Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/JaneAshfordW... If you'd like to subscribe to Jane's monthly newsletter go to www.eepurl.com/cd-O7r and sign up.
Her website is https://www.janeashford.com/ and her Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/JaneAshfordW... If you'd like to subscribe to Jane's monthly newsletter go to www.eepurl.com/cd-O7r and sign up.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
March 29, 2013
It's been several days since I finished this book (and it took me several days of reading in lots of small doses to actually plod through it). I decided to wait a while before rating it, primarily to see if my reaction to it softened at all.
Sadly, it did not.
Characters - not one of them seemed entirely normal. Even the cat had adjustment issues. The heroine - ohhhhh! I so wanted to tell her to grow up, and I can't honestly say she redeemed herself in the end either. The hero - passable, but nothing to write home about or die in a ditch over. His famiy? Dysfunctional - including Frances who seemed to have unresolved issues from the past that were never really explained; his cousin whom the author tried to show as redeemable in the end, but who'd quite frankly so thoroughly disgraced himself in his dedicated pursuit of sullying the heroine's reputation on a selfish whim, even a stint in the pillory wouldn't have made me feel more kindly towards the popinjay. Then there was his mother! Genes can explain so much, can't they? Even the hero's sisters were questionable....
As for the dead uncle, and the creature investigating the subsequent attempted robbery of the dead uncle's collection of fakes.... Why waste my breath.
Truly - this story dragged, and dragged, and there was as much life and scintillating wit and romance in this story as there was authenticity in the aforementioned collection of fake artifacts collected by the uncle who at least had the good grace to die before we actually had to meet him.
The author's attempt to weave in amongst the main story the secondary story of the developing relationship between the hero's servant and the heroine's maid did nothing, really, to drive the story forward and actually bogged down the main story more. And sorry, but I don't give a farthing how much you might like your maid or your boss, but even in the Regency, no-one was indispensable! But to listen to the maid - my goodness. The heroine wouldn't make it through a day without her. As for the maid's love interest - the hero's servant. Way way too much focus on him and his thoughts about everything from the cat to the boss's love life and everything in between.
I really did not like this story, and am somewhat resentful for the waste of time and effort I put in to reading something that didn't really live up to its promise.
Sadly, it did not.
Characters - not one of them seemed entirely normal. Even the cat had adjustment issues. The heroine - ohhhhh! I so wanted to tell her to grow up, and I can't honestly say she redeemed herself in the end either. The hero - passable, but nothing to write home about or die in a ditch over. His famiy? Dysfunctional - including Frances who seemed to have unresolved issues from the past that were never really explained; his cousin whom the author tried to show as redeemable in the end, but who'd quite frankly so thoroughly disgraced himself in his dedicated pursuit of sullying the heroine's reputation on a selfish whim, even a stint in the pillory wouldn't have made me feel more kindly towards the popinjay. Then there was his mother! Genes can explain so much, can't they? Even the hero's sisters were questionable....
As for the dead uncle, and the creature investigating the subsequent attempted robbery of the dead uncle's collection of fakes.... Why waste my breath.
Truly - this story dragged, and dragged, and there was as much life and scintillating wit and romance in this story as there was authenticity in the aforementioned collection of fake artifacts collected by the uncle who at least had the good grace to die before we actually had to meet him.
The author's attempt to weave in amongst the main story the secondary story of the developing relationship between the hero's servant and the heroine's maid did nothing, really, to drive the story forward and actually bogged down the main story more. And sorry, but I don't give a farthing how much you might like your maid or your boss, but even in the Regency, no-one was indispensable! But to listen to the maid - my goodness. The heroine wouldn't make it through a day without her. As for the maid's love interest - the hero's servant. Way way too much focus on him and his thoughts about everything from the cat to the boss's love life and everything in between.
I really did not like this story, and am somewhat resentful for the waste of time and effort I put in to reading something that didn't really live up to its promise.
February 2, 2013
I loved the set up for this story: a bride not known to any other family members and then when her husband suddenly is murdered, she finds an entire new family. And as I read the first few chapters, the set up was even more intriguing. Charlotte Wylde married to please her dying father to an older man who treats her shabbily, and not just her husband but also the servants. When his will reveals she may not sell any of his precious antiques, she is at a loss for funds. An attempted burglary puts her welfare more soundly in her new guardians care, Alec Wylde. Alec already has numerous obligations to his estate and caring for his two younger sisters and does not want another one but something about Charlotte, and the mystery of her existence, propels him to look deeper. Not to mention his growing attraction to her. . .
While I enjoyed this book, it moved a little slow for my tastes, which can be a refreshing change of pace. However, there was a lot of character development which was a true pleasure to read and discover. I loved Alec's love and devotion to his family and his strong sense of honor. Charlotte shed her shell that she had built around herself due to her worthless husband and emerged a strong, vibrant woman. One of Alec's sisters adopts a cat and it adds a bit of humor to the storyline. There is also a secondary romance between two of the servants that was a bit of a pleasant surprise but it adds length to the story. I think fans of more traditional type Regencies will be very pleased with this story and the gradual love between Alec and Charlotte. Filled with a strong sense of family and wonderful characters with some humor, charm, love and a dash of action, this is sure to be a winner. 3 1/2 stars
Review copy provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca through netgalley.com
While I enjoyed this book, it moved a little slow for my tastes, which can be a refreshing change of pace. However, there was a lot of character development which was a true pleasure to read and discover. I loved Alec's love and devotion to his family and his strong sense of honor. Charlotte shed her shell that she had built around herself due to her worthless husband and emerged a strong, vibrant woman. One of Alec's sisters adopts a cat and it adds a bit of humor to the storyline. There is also a secondary romance between two of the servants that was a bit of a pleasant surprise but it adds length to the story. I think fans of more traditional type Regencies will be very pleased with this story and the gradual love between Alec and Charlotte. Filled with a strong sense of family and wonderful characters with some humor, charm, love and a dash of action, this is sure to be a winner. 3 1/2 stars
Review copy provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca through netgalley.com
February 7, 2013
Jane Ashford is back! ONCE AGAIN A BRIDE, her latest Regency historical with mystery, is sure to enchant all the fans who have missed her.
Charlotte isn’t sorry about the murder of her selfish, tyrannical husband--she’s furious. He squandered her considerable dowry, leaving her penniless. Enter her husband’s cousin Alec, who’s young, kind, handsome and responsible. Everything her husband wasn’t. How could she not fall in love with him?
Alec deplores his cousin’s treatment of his young wife. But Charlotte is just another burden to a man already overburdened caring for his sisters, his estate, and trying to avert disaster in a countryside ripe for violence over the dislocations caused by the Industrial Revolution. But the lady is beautiful, in distress and alone, with a core of steel underlying the soft exterior. How could he not fall in love with her?
Neither Charlotte nor Alec can deny their attraction. Neither can they deny their distrust of each other as Charlotte becomes the prime suspect in her husband’s murder investigation.
Ms. Ashford weaves a tale of both deceptive appearances and how adversity can make or break a person. Charlotte, married too young, cowed into submission by her rat of a husband, comes into her own as she fights the accusations and whispers against her. Alec learns not to make snap judgments when he finds Charlotte is not the mouse she appears to be.
Mystery entwines with the romance, as Ms. Ashford leads us astray on the trail of the real murderer. She concludes with an exciting abduction, chase, and rescue that depart from the usual fare while weaving in the multitude of problems facing England after Napoleon’s defeat.
But Charlotte’s and Alec’s story is first and foremost. I think Charlotte is a little too young, but her youth makes her transformation into a self-assured woman all the more glorious. Alec is my favorite type of hero, the decent man (he’s also blond--I love blond men!), who must work to overcome his initial distrust of Charlotte despite his attraction to her.
ONCE AGAIN A BRIDE is great fun. Have a good time.
ARC provided by Sourcebooks
Charlotte isn’t sorry about the murder of her selfish, tyrannical husband--she’s furious. He squandered her considerable dowry, leaving her penniless. Enter her husband’s cousin Alec, who’s young, kind, handsome and responsible. Everything her husband wasn’t. How could she not fall in love with him?
Alec deplores his cousin’s treatment of his young wife. But Charlotte is just another burden to a man already overburdened caring for his sisters, his estate, and trying to avert disaster in a countryside ripe for violence over the dislocations caused by the Industrial Revolution. But the lady is beautiful, in distress and alone, with a core of steel underlying the soft exterior. How could he not fall in love with her?
Neither Charlotte nor Alec can deny their attraction. Neither can they deny their distrust of each other as Charlotte becomes the prime suspect in her husband’s murder investigation.
Ms. Ashford weaves a tale of both deceptive appearances and how adversity can make or break a person. Charlotte, married too young, cowed into submission by her rat of a husband, comes into her own as she fights the accusations and whispers against her. Alec learns not to make snap judgments when he finds Charlotte is not the mouse she appears to be.
Mystery entwines with the romance, as Ms. Ashford leads us astray on the trail of the real murderer. She concludes with an exciting abduction, chase, and rescue that depart from the usual fare while weaving in the multitude of problems facing England after Napoleon’s defeat.
But Charlotte’s and Alec’s story is first and foremost. I think Charlotte is a little too young, but her youth makes her transformation into a self-assured woman all the more glorious. Alec is my favorite type of hero, the decent man (he’s also blond--I love blond men!), who must work to overcome his initial distrust of Charlotte despite his attraction to her.
ONCE AGAIN A BRIDE is great fun. Have a good time.
ARC provided by Sourcebooks
January 8, 2013
This review also appears on my blog at http://www.thegoldenruleof666.blogspo...
Unfortunately, not the best historical romance I've ever read. I don't have much to say about Once Again a Bride, so I'll keep this short.
I liked the individual elements of the story. The characters were okay, if a bit bland. The plot was interesting, though not exactly thrilling. The ending was sweet.
But, the pace of the book was so slow. I got bored a few times because everything moved so slowly. The pace ruined what could have been a perfectly nice book.
The slowness made the romance work at snail speed. It took until about 1/3 of the way through before Charlotte and Alec even take notice of each other in a romantic way. Then, their courtship continued agonizingly slowly.
The plot could have been a whirlwind, with conspiracy and secrets galore. But the pace made it much less interesting than it should have been because everything happened so slowly.
The characters could have been engaging, but the pace made them seem bland.
Now, I didn't outright dislike Once Again a Bride. I just didn't really like it. Other than the pace, everything else about the book was fine. So, overall, it was no more than an okay book, unfortunately. If you have the patience for a slow paced book, you should read this one. Otherwise, you might want to find another.
Unfortunately, not the best historical romance I've ever read. I don't have much to say about Once Again a Bride, so I'll keep this short.
I liked the individual elements of the story. The characters were okay, if a bit bland. The plot was interesting, though not exactly thrilling. The ending was sweet.
But, the pace of the book was so slow. I got bored a few times because everything moved so slowly. The pace ruined what could have been a perfectly nice book.
The slowness made the romance work at snail speed. It took until about 1/3 of the way through before Charlotte and Alec even take notice of each other in a romantic way. Then, their courtship continued agonizingly slowly.
The plot could have been a whirlwind, with conspiracy and secrets galore. But the pace made it much less interesting than it should have been because everything happened so slowly.
The characters could have been engaging, but the pace made them seem bland.
Now, I didn't outright dislike Once Again a Bride. I just didn't really like it. Other than the pace, everything else about the book was fine. So, overall, it was no more than an okay book, unfortunately. If you have the patience for a slow paced book, you should read this one. Otherwise, you might want to find another.
February 5, 2016
A decent, solid read. Not great but not bad. Solid 3 stars in my opinion. I liked the dubble romance, it was interesting to read about the maid's romance also and not just the lady's.
March 4, 2013
I really enjoyed Charlotte's story, even though I didn't really care for her love interest, Alec. Charlotte's story was very engaging, as were her relationships with the people who cared about her. Alec seemed more like a background character than a lead to me.
I really liked the secondary storyline with Charlotte's maid, Lucy, and Alec's footman, Ethan. These two really seemed like they were in love, and Ethan was more of a romantic hero than Alec was in my opinion. Their romance was much more interesting than the leads, as well as just sweeter!
I also just really like reading the stories about the servants' lives. I think a lot of readers are clamoring for the servants' stories now. That aspect made the book read more like "Downton Abbey", more of a historical drama with a lot of great characters, instead of a straightforward romance. Which actually works very well in this book.
It's usually Lucy and Ethan who help Charlotte more the main hero! Although I must say I liked Charlotte's relationship with her two friends better than her romance!
Even though the romance between the leads fizzled, I still really enjoyed this book! I just read it as more of Charlotte's story instead of a romance.
Overall, there wasn't a lot of romance here, but I really enjoyed reading Charlotte's story, and the story of the servants as well.
ARC sent by publisher in exchange for honest review
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
I really liked the secondary storyline with Charlotte's maid, Lucy, and Alec's footman, Ethan. These two really seemed like they were in love, and Ethan was more of a romantic hero than Alec was in my opinion. Their romance was much more interesting than the leads, as well as just sweeter!
I also just really like reading the stories about the servants' lives. I think a lot of readers are clamoring for the servants' stories now. That aspect made the book read more like "Downton Abbey", more of a historical drama with a lot of great characters, instead of a straightforward romance. Which actually works very well in this book.
It's usually Lucy and Ethan who help Charlotte more the main hero! Although I must say I liked Charlotte's relationship with her two friends better than her romance!
Even though the romance between the leads fizzled, I still really enjoyed this book! I just read it as more of Charlotte's story instead of a romance.
Overall, there wasn't a lot of romance here, but I really enjoyed reading Charlotte's story, and the story of the servants as well.
ARC sent by publisher in exchange for honest review
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
November 15, 2015
Good story. The heroine's nasty, selfish, much older husband is murdered on his way home one night and she feels only relief that she's free of him. The hero is the nephew of the dead man, named executor of the nasty will, which gives the heroine a tiny stipend for looking after the museum he wants the house turned into. When burglars break into the house after all the servants have run away, the hero moves the heroine into his house with his sisters and the older cousin who's been looking after them. One of the sisters has been sick with a cough all winter. The youngest is running wild. So of course the heroine helps the one get well and tames the other. The hero hires a man to investigate the burglary and the investigation expands to include the murder, with the heroine coming under suspicion. Twists and turns abound, with some surprising revelations. The unrest in the countryside after Napoleon's defeat plays a small role. There's a lot going on, which makes for an entertaining read, (I particularly liked the secondary romance.) but it felt a bit as if all the action was just distraction from ... something. And since I can't put my finger on what's missing, maybe nothing is and I should give that fifth star back. But I don't think I will. I did like the book. I enjoyed it a lot.
May 27, 2013
Highly anticipated book which did not live up to my expectations. It wasn't bad it was just kind of blah. Nothing majorly interesting happened and the main 'romance' was completely unsatisfying. I found the secondary romance between ladies maid Lucy and footman Ethan much more engaging due to both the fact that Lucy & Ethan actually spent time together and had more spirit. Charlotte is not a bad heroine but is let down by her inexplicable interest in the very lack lustre hero -Alec who spends all his time in his study writing letters to help the downtrodden. Admirable but not a particular stimualting hero as this is pretty much all he does. Charlotte and Alec meet when he tells her about her husbands will and have one conversation about the plight of the downtrodden were Alec rudely rejects her offer of assistance and that is pretty much the sum of their interactions (Alec doesn't even rescue her from her kidnapping - Chalotte handles that herself with assistance from Lucy & Ethan) yet somehow this was enough for them to fall in love. Blah - give me Lucy and Ethan any day. Oh and Lizzy - the youngest sister. I think she was supposed to be charming and spirited but basically she is a revolting selfish brat who is spoiled and over indulged and allowed to get away with murder.
November 24, 2013
This particular book was a difficult read for me. I kept reading hoping that it would get better. It didn't
There are two stories in this novel. The first involves the hero (Alec Wylde) and the heroine (Mrs. Charlotte Rutherford Wylde). She was married young to Alec's reclusive uncle, something like 30 years her senior. He dies in the first chapter in a rather suspicious way. With no one to care for her, Charlotte moves in with Alec and his family, since Alec is the patriarch of the family. Alec is rather cardboardish. By the middle of the book, Alec begins to act seriously out of character. He begins to love with Charlotte, for no apparent reason (since they really don't much time together). And Charlotte begins to fall in love with Alec, again for no apparent reason.
There is a little bit of a mystery, with a Bow Street Runner accusing Charlotte and a kidnapping to put a little "spice" in things.
The second story involves a manservant of Alec's and a maid of Charlotte's. This story is much more believable and I enjoyed it much more. These characters were certainly more round than the main protagonists.
Overall, put it at the bottom of your to-read list.
There are two stories in this novel. The first involves the hero (Alec Wylde) and the heroine (Mrs. Charlotte Rutherford Wylde). She was married young to Alec's reclusive uncle, something like 30 years her senior. He dies in the first chapter in a rather suspicious way. With no one to care for her, Charlotte moves in with Alec and his family, since Alec is the patriarch of the family. Alec is rather cardboardish. By the middle of the book, Alec begins to act seriously out of character. He begins to love with Charlotte, for no apparent reason (since they really don't much time together). And Charlotte begins to fall in love with Alec, again for no apparent reason.
There is a little bit of a mystery, with a Bow Street Runner accusing Charlotte and a kidnapping to put a little "spice" in things.
The second story involves a manservant of Alec's and a maid of Charlotte's. This story is much more believable and I enjoyed it much more. These characters were certainly more round than the main protagonists.
Overall, put it at the bottom of your to-read list.
June 18, 2013
There were several parts to this book that I really liked - the two sets of romantic couples (Alex and Charlotte plus his footman and her maidservant) and the very different worlds which they inhabited. I also enjoyed Alexander's sisters as characters as well as the irascible calico cat, Callie, who features largely in their lives.
However, the book took a very long time to feel as if it was really underway, Alex and Charlotte's common interests were more stated than seen and the complicating plots escalated to a level of sheer ridiculousness at times, so much so that the romantic relationship between the leads was almost non-existent. Stripping it back to one or two sets of problems would have still provided challenges while allowing the reader to avoid getting bogged down in the overly complex story. Seriously, murder, theft, illness, destructive cat, difficult younger sister, riots, possible rebellion, kidnapping and more all figure into the storyline and I'm certainly missing a few.
However, the book took a very long time to feel as if it was really underway, Alex and Charlotte's common interests were more stated than seen and the complicating plots escalated to a level of sheer ridiculousness at times, so much so that the romantic relationship between the leads was almost non-existent. Stripping it back to one or two sets of problems would have still provided challenges while allowing the reader to avoid getting bogged down in the overly complex story. Seriously, murder, theft, illness, destructive cat, difficult younger sister, riots, possible rebellion, kidnapping and more all figure into the storyline and I'm certainly missing a few.
January 11, 2013
Short and Sweet: Much to admire for fans of Regency romance with a traditional flavor and a lot of character development. I'd recommend it.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.
October 27, 2019
This was an interesting romance between Charlotte and Sir Alec. We meet Charlotte while she is trapped in a loveless marriage with no one in the world but her maid. Pretty quickly her husband is dead and she meets his family for the first time. As Charlotte becomes more intertwined with her late husband's family she finds love with Sir Alec.
The story is cute rather predictable but still an easy and enjoyable read. What I did not care for was the parallel love story with the maid Lucy. I would have rather spent those pages witnessing the growing attraction and the changes in Charlotte and Sir Alec
The story is cute rather predictable but still an easy and enjoyable read. What I did not care for was the parallel love story with the maid Lucy. I would have rather spent those pages witnessing the growing attraction and the changes in Charlotte and Sir Alec
January 21, 2018
I really enjoyed this one. The mystery angle was a little lighter than I was hoping for, and wrapped up very suddenly at the end, but I liked what plot there was, and I really liked the characters. It was fun watching Charlotte grow and go after what she wanted, and I also really enjoyed the B-plot with the servants as POV characters; I haven't seen a lot of that in this genre, and it was a refreshing change. And the comic relief with the cat was a little cheap, but I don't care, it was cute. Overall, a fun read.
May 25, 2020
Easy, nice regency. Some interesting characters. The H and h were likable and their romance believable. The mental illness was not very realistically portrayed but seemed more like an easy plot device.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2018
3.5 stars.
July 11, 2018
2,5*/5*
November 2, 2018
The mystery in this one was really well thought out. And the fact that there were two couples was a nice bonus! Unsure about the accuracy the portrayal of mental illness/abuse though.
July 3, 2019
I enjoyed this pretty much right up to the end. It got really rushed - the first 75% of the book meandered along, and then the last 25% was 'OMG must get everything done'.
November 10, 2019
3.5 stars. This was a good, fairly clean romance.
December 8, 2021
An entertaining Regency romance with elements of romantic suspense.
January 27, 2024
⛔️(in notes)
September 28, 2024
Charlotte was a widow Alexander was her brother in law but they had never met.
March 18, 2017
Very nice turn around for the heroine. A really enjoyable story within the story. A little unpredictable.
March 16, 2017
can't go wrong with this book
I enjoyed this book her characters are right on. I like the dialogue the interaction of the characters I don't talk about what the books about you can get that on the back just if I enjoy it or don't and I really did like this one. I plan on reading more of her books
I enjoyed this book her characters are right on. I like the dialogue the interaction of the characters I don't talk about what the books about you can get that on the back just if I enjoy it or don't and I really did like this one. I plan on reading more of her books
October 19, 2013
ONCE AGAIN A BRIDE by Jane Ashford is reminiscent of the best years of historical romance. Sweet and incredibly refined, this is a historical romance that proves second chances at love are always possible.
Charlotte Wylde despised her husband Henry. Persuaded into this marriage by her father, she has nothing more to do than waste her years away, living as another one of her husband's prized possessions. As soon as she musters the courage to confront her domineering husband, Henry winds up dead…murdered on the streets of London. Henry left his nephew Sir Alexander in charge of his affairs, including dealing with the beautiful young widow. Yet Alec currently has too many responsibilities and too little time to deal with his uncle's mess. That is until he steals one kiss from Charlotte. Now he must face his fears about love or lose Charlotte forever.
ONCE AGAIN A BRIDE features a slow burning romance between two misguided characters. Alec was a serious, level-headed gentleman. He firmly denied love as a successful basis for a marriage because of his past, and instead remained focused on what life demanded of him. Which is why Charlotte, who was a whirlwind of emotions, threw him completely off guard. After being in such a disastrous marriage, she was determined to fight for her own freedom. She starts to speak up for herself and demand her own happiness. This contradicts strongly with the order and stability Alex wishes he could find in his own home. Despite their differences, opposites do attract in this case and they find themselves hopelessly fixated on one another. It was truly a sweet romance that charmed its way into your heart. These characters become a prominent presence in your mind until you figure out their happy ending.
As an added bonus, Ms Ashford includes a parallel romance between Charlotte's maid Lucy and Alec's footman Ethan. I felt it was very well done...it didn't distract from one character or make the novel frustrating by jumping around from one romance to the next. The two romances would tread their own path for a bit, but always managed to relate back to the overall plot. The contrast and similarities between the two romances made for a truly delightful journey. Also included in the mayhem are Alec's younger sisters. After reading this story, one can only hope Ms Ashford will eventually reveal their adventures in love at a future date.
Other than the romance, Ms Ashford does a great job of planning out a daring adventure for such a large cast of characters. Charlotte's new family must dig deeper into the mystery behind Henry's murder and the list of suspects will keep you guessing throughout. Jane Ashford crafts a truly delicious villain that will leave you shocked and surprised. It is an intriguing story line that adds a great amount of drama and danger to this historical romance.
Despite how much I loved it, I still felt there were two minor problems. I didn't feel the romance between Charlotte and Alec was developed as fully as it could have been. The beginning was great and the ending was great, but somewhere near the middle it seemed to jump around a bit. As if both characters couldn't make up their mind where they were going on a personal level and if they could make it as a couple. At the time it was distracting, but by the end, I was completely immersed again in their beautiful romance. Second, I would have loved an epilogue or additional chapter. This is also why I'm hoping Alec's sisters have their own fun, so they we may also visit Alec, Charlotte, Lucy and Ethan again. Frankly I just didn't want it to end. I could just be greedy, but I wanted a little bit more!
After a brief break from writing, Jane Ashford returns to the romance genre with grace and style...as if anything else could be expected. ONCE AGAIN A BRIDE is a passionate and emotionally engaging read that historical romance fans will love.
Lisa Jo @ The Romance Reviews
Charlotte Wylde despised her husband Henry. Persuaded into this marriage by her father, she has nothing more to do than waste her years away, living as another one of her husband's prized possessions. As soon as she musters the courage to confront her domineering husband, Henry winds up dead…murdered on the streets of London. Henry left his nephew Sir Alexander in charge of his affairs, including dealing with the beautiful young widow. Yet Alec currently has too many responsibilities and too little time to deal with his uncle's mess. That is until he steals one kiss from Charlotte. Now he must face his fears about love or lose Charlotte forever.
ONCE AGAIN A BRIDE features a slow burning romance between two misguided characters. Alec was a serious, level-headed gentleman. He firmly denied love as a successful basis for a marriage because of his past, and instead remained focused on what life demanded of him. Which is why Charlotte, who was a whirlwind of emotions, threw him completely off guard. After being in such a disastrous marriage, she was determined to fight for her own freedom. She starts to speak up for herself and demand her own happiness. This contradicts strongly with the order and stability Alex wishes he could find in his own home. Despite their differences, opposites do attract in this case and they find themselves hopelessly fixated on one another. It was truly a sweet romance that charmed its way into your heart. These characters become a prominent presence in your mind until you figure out their happy ending.
As an added bonus, Ms Ashford includes a parallel romance between Charlotte's maid Lucy and Alec's footman Ethan. I felt it was very well done...it didn't distract from one character or make the novel frustrating by jumping around from one romance to the next. The two romances would tread their own path for a bit, but always managed to relate back to the overall plot. The contrast and similarities between the two romances made for a truly delightful journey. Also included in the mayhem are Alec's younger sisters. After reading this story, one can only hope Ms Ashford will eventually reveal their adventures in love at a future date.
Other than the romance, Ms Ashford does a great job of planning out a daring adventure for such a large cast of characters. Charlotte's new family must dig deeper into the mystery behind Henry's murder and the list of suspects will keep you guessing throughout. Jane Ashford crafts a truly delicious villain that will leave you shocked and surprised. It is an intriguing story line that adds a great amount of drama and danger to this historical romance.
Despite how much I loved it, I still felt there were two minor problems. I didn't feel the romance between Charlotte and Alec was developed as fully as it could have been. The beginning was great and the ending was great, but somewhere near the middle it seemed to jump around a bit. As if both characters couldn't make up their mind where they were going on a personal level and if they could make it as a couple. At the time it was distracting, but by the end, I was completely immersed again in their beautiful romance. Second, I would have loved an epilogue or additional chapter. This is also why I'm hoping Alec's sisters have their own fun, so they we may also visit Alec, Charlotte, Lucy and Ethan again. Frankly I just didn't want it to end. I could just be greedy, but I wanted a little bit more!
After a brief break from writing, Jane Ashford returns to the romance genre with grace and style...as if anything else could be expected. ONCE AGAIN A BRIDE is a passionate and emotionally engaging read that historical romance fans will love.
Lisa Jo @ The Romance Reviews
February 26, 2013
Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.com/un...
Being married to the Grinch who acts like a frustrated and covetous museum curator is a recipe for a disastrous life and that is where a reader meets the beaten down yet courageous heroine, Charlotte.
Right away the author paints a picture of a woman you can feel sorry for. She’s belittled and scorned at every turn and when it seems all hope is lost, her circumstances turn on a dime. What follows is a journey on which she learns to have hopes again, and it was fascinating to watch her relearn how to have fun. It plucked at my emotions to see her realize how much she’d been denied and that she no longer had to cower and keep her thoughts and observations to herself. A reader sees Charlotte come into her own and it was terrific to read.
One of the highlights for the heroine is the hero, Alec. He’s a frustrated hero on many levels not the least of which is his being robbed of actually being a hero. Not that he would admit to wanting to be, but the signs where that that Alec had feelings for Charlotte. Watching him deny his attraction, or run and hide behind his duties, or run a mental horror story of a list of why he shouldn’t pursue her was at times both amusing and frustrating to read. Once again the technique is used of having the male lead in a story be plagued by events he witnessed as a child affecting and directing his adult life – until certain revelations turn his beliefs and his understanding of the world on its ear. Fortunately, the ploy wasn’t overdone or heavy handed and served as a convincing plot conflict because the author used the technique well.
On the other hand a technique that almost made me motion sick was the head hopping. Sometimes it works, depending on placement and the amount it’s used in a book. In this case I found it very jarring and disruptive to have so many switches in point of view. I believe there were four. I can perhaps see why the author did it because she had not one but two romances going. The second love story being that of Charlotte’s maid, Lucy and Alec’s servant, Ethan. It was sweet, and certainly the couples’ lives intertwined in such a way to keep a reader fascinated. But no matter how well the scenes were written, the delivery was choppy and broken and it left me feeling like I had to work harder to read the book.
The main conflict is the solving of a crime and who it eventually turned out to be. The author wove the mystery of who could have done it very well and it wasn’t until almost the end that I figured out who it was. Ms. Ashford was clever with her clues. It was a bit of a surprise to find out who it was because no one seemed capable of such a scandalous thing. The author even threw in a few red herrings, so I was appropriately and convincingly diverted.
Once Again a Bride is a clever and entertaining historical romance sure to please many a reader. When Charlotte and Alec get to experience the ultimate in loving, it’s spicy and pleasing. The story also left me wondering how in the world Alec’s cousin was going to fare beyond this tale. I loved Callie, the naughty kitty and enjoyed getting to know Alec’s sisters. There is a lot to be entertained by in this book and it’s worth reading a romance about a time in England’s history that I don’t often see dealt with. I’m glad I read it.
Being married to the Grinch who acts like a frustrated and covetous museum curator is a recipe for a disastrous life and that is where a reader meets the beaten down yet courageous heroine, Charlotte.
Right away the author paints a picture of a woman you can feel sorry for. She’s belittled and scorned at every turn and when it seems all hope is lost, her circumstances turn on a dime. What follows is a journey on which she learns to have hopes again, and it was fascinating to watch her relearn how to have fun. It plucked at my emotions to see her realize how much she’d been denied and that she no longer had to cower and keep her thoughts and observations to herself. A reader sees Charlotte come into her own and it was terrific to read.
One of the highlights for the heroine is the hero, Alec. He’s a frustrated hero on many levels not the least of which is his being robbed of actually being a hero. Not that he would admit to wanting to be, but the signs where that that Alec had feelings for Charlotte. Watching him deny his attraction, or run and hide behind his duties, or run a mental horror story of a list of why he shouldn’t pursue her was at times both amusing and frustrating to read. Once again the technique is used of having the male lead in a story be plagued by events he witnessed as a child affecting and directing his adult life – until certain revelations turn his beliefs and his understanding of the world on its ear. Fortunately, the ploy wasn’t overdone or heavy handed and served as a convincing plot conflict because the author used the technique well.
On the other hand a technique that almost made me motion sick was the head hopping. Sometimes it works, depending on placement and the amount it’s used in a book. In this case I found it very jarring and disruptive to have so many switches in point of view. I believe there were four. I can perhaps see why the author did it because she had not one but two romances going. The second love story being that of Charlotte’s maid, Lucy and Alec’s servant, Ethan. It was sweet, and certainly the couples’ lives intertwined in such a way to keep a reader fascinated. But no matter how well the scenes were written, the delivery was choppy and broken and it left me feeling like I had to work harder to read the book.
The main conflict is the solving of a crime and who it eventually turned out to be. The author wove the mystery of who could have done it very well and it wasn’t until almost the end that I figured out who it was. Ms. Ashford was clever with her clues. It was a bit of a surprise to find out who it was because no one seemed capable of such a scandalous thing. The author even threw in a few red herrings, so I was appropriately and convincingly diverted.
Once Again a Bride is a clever and entertaining historical romance sure to please many a reader. When Charlotte and Alec get to experience the ultimate in loving, it’s spicy and pleasing. The story also left me wondering how in the world Alec’s cousin was going to fare beyond this tale. I loved Callie, the naughty kitty and enjoyed getting to know Alec’s sisters. There is a lot to be entertained by in this book and it’s worth reading a romance about a time in England’s history that I don’t often see dealt with. I’m glad I read it.
September 3, 2013
Charlotte Wylde has had a terrible year. Married to a much older man, Henry, who pretty much ignores her when he is not treating her like a petulant child, she is scorned and ridiculed by her husband's servants. Her only friend is her ladies maid, Lucy, who came with her when she left her father's house after his death. And now, she finds out that her husband has been murdered and he used all of her dowry on buying his precious antiquities, leaving her with nothing.
Enter Sir Alec Wylde, who was apparently assigned as his Uncle Henry's executor of his will, he is surprised to find that his surly hermit of an uncle got married this past year. And now Alec must give Charlotte the bad news that Henry's will was not good to her at all.
I had high hopes for this book as the premise sounded very interesting. However, I was immediately surprised because besides Charlotte and Alec, we also get the POV of Lucy, Charlotte's ladies maid, and Ethan, Alec's footman. It turns out that is because Ethan and Lucy's romance is included in the book as well. That does give an interesting perspective, a kind of upstairs/downstairs look of the story, but it also detracts from Charlotte and Alec's story. In fact, I felt I knew Ethan and Lucy much more than I did Charlotte and Alec. We are also introduced to Alec's sisters, cousins, aunts, demon cat, etc. And then there is the unrest in the country due to weaving machines being introduced and displacing poor workers.
I think this all just proves to be too much and pushes aside the romance of Charlotte and Alec. Just when things start going between then, we are whisked to another POV. Also, it didn't make sense to me that Alec, a baronet, would take it upon himself to help the entire countryside with their issues. It doesn't mention that he is a part of parliament so I'm not sure what he expected to do all by himself and it also detracted from the story as well.
It all ends well, and cute, but I think it could have been better to add more to Charlotte and Alec's story.
Enter Sir Alec Wylde, who was apparently assigned as his Uncle Henry's executor of his will, he is surprised to find that his surly hermit of an uncle got married this past year. And now Alec must give Charlotte the bad news that Henry's will was not good to her at all.
I had high hopes for this book as the premise sounded very interesting. However, I was immediately surprised because besides Charlotte and Alec, we also get the POV of Lucy, Charlotte's ladies maid, and Ethan, Alec's footman. It turns out that is because Ethan and Lucy's romance is included in the book as well. That does give an interesting perspective, a kind of upstairs/downstairs look of the story, but it also detracts from Charlotte and Alec's story. In fact, I felt I knew Ethan and Lucy much more than I did Charlotte and Alec. We are also introduced to Alec's sisters, cousins, aunts, demon cat, etc. And then there is the unrest in the country due to weaving machines being introduced and displacing poor workers.
I think this all just proves to be too much and pushes aside the romance of Charlotte and Alec. Just when things start going between then, we are whisked to another POV. Also, it didn't make sense to me that Alec, a baronet, would take it upon himself to help the entire countryside with their issues. It doesn't mention that he is a part of parliament so I'm not sure what he expected to do all by himself and it also detracted from the story as well.
It all ends well, and cute, but I think it could have been better to add more to Charlotte and Alec's story.
April 1, 2013
I was pleasantly surprised on how much I loved this regency romance novel by Jane Ashford. With shades of My Cousin Rachel by Daphne Du Maurier as part of the plot, I was quickly caught up with the compelling characters and raced through this novel. It was another perfect romance for the month of February.
Charlotte Wylde married a much older gentleman, Henry Wylde, at eighteen. While he was a friend of her father, he proved to be a terrible husband that was more interested in using Charlotte’s inheritance to purchase antiques than in Charlotte herself. Needless to say, Charlotte is not as unhappy as she should be at her husband’s demise.
Charlotte and her trusty maid Lucy are shocked to discover that Charlotte has been left with no money. The servants soon leave and Henry’s nephew Alec meets Charlotte for the first time. Henry was eccentric and never bothered to tell any of his family that he had married. Alec is determined to help Charlotte and to discover the mystery of who killed his Uncle. As the two are thrown together, they discover there is a spark between them. A spark that is threatened by the fact that Charlotte is the prime suspect in her husband’s murder.
I also loved the side love story that was happening below stairs between Charlotte’s maid, Lucy, and Alec’s footman, Ethan. Ethan is instantly smitten with Lucy, but Lucy is afraid to throw herself away on a philanderer. Their love grows and it is very sweet.
Overall, I loved this romance. Wonderful characters and a great mystery for a plot drove this novel to a satisfying conclusion. I definitely need to read more Jane Ashford!
Source: A review copy from Sourcebooks – Thanks!
This review was originally posted on my blog at: http://www.lauragerold.blogspot.com/2...
Charlotte Wylde married a much older gentleman, Henry Wylde, at eighteen. While he was a friend of her father, he proved to be a terrible husband that was more interested in using Charlotte’s inheritance to purchase antiques than in Charlotte herself. Needless to say, Charlotte is not as unhappy as she should be at her husband’s demise.
Charlotte and her trusty maid Lucy are shocked to discover that Charlotte has been left with no money. The servants soon leave and Henry’s nephew Alec meets Charlotte for the first time. Henry was eccentric and never bothered to tell any of his family that he had married. Alec is determined to help Charlotte and to discover the mystery of who killed his Uncle. As the two are thrown together, they discover there is a spark between them. A spark that is threatened by the fact that Charlotte is the prime suspect in her husband’s murder.
I also loved the side love story that was happening below stairs between Charlotte’s maid, Lucy, and Alec’s footman, Ethan. Ethan is instantly smitten with Lucy, but Lucy is afraid to throw herself away on a philanderer. Their love grows and it is very sweet.
Overall, I loved this romance. Wonderful characters and a great mystery for a plot drove this novel to a satisfying conclusion. I definitely need to read more Jane Ashford!
Source: A review copy from Sourcebooks – Thanks!
This review was originally posted on my blog at: http://www.lauragerold.blogspot.com/2...
April 1, 2017
Príbeh knihy Jedna svadba nestačí prináša romantickú i detektívnu zápletku. Nehovorí len o hľadaní vraha alebo lásky, je aj o nadobúdaní sebavedomia a o rodinnej súdržnosti.
Hlavná hrdinka Charlotte sa vydala za starého Henryho Wylda; urobila tak po vôli svojmu otcovi. Henry bol však podivín, ktorý nielenže svojej rodine neoznámil, že má manželku, ale vrážal svoje i jej peniaze do starožitných predmetov, z ktorých mal v dome už celkom slušnú zbierku. Jednej noci sa však nevrátil domov. Našli ho mŕtveho.
Keď však Charlotte zistí, že Henry v závete uviedol, že sa z jeho domu má stať múzeum, ocitá sa v nezávideniahodnej situácii. Ostáva totiž temer bez peňazí. A tu sa do deja vmieša Alec Wylde, Henryho synovec. Akonáhle sa dozvie, že sa do Henryho domu dostali lupiči, Charlotte prichýli u seba. Alec je rodinne založený muž, býva so svojimi mladšími sestrami Anne a Lizzie a ich príbuznou Frances Coleovou, ktorá sa o dievčatá stará.
Rozbehne pátranie po strýkovom vrahovi a tiež po zlodejoch. Charlotte je Alecovi sympatická, vníma ju ako veľmi peknú ženu. Napriek tomu sa neodhodlá k žiadnemu ďalšiemu kroku. A ich láska sa začína rozvíjať iba veľmi... veľmi pomaly. Dej naťahujú aj stretnutia Charlotte s ďalšími Alecovými rodinnými príslušníkmi. Konkrétne lady Isabelle spolu so svojim synom Edwardom si ju vezme pod svoje ochranné krídla, predstaví ju v spoločnosti, až Charlotte nadobudne pocit, že má okolo seba ľudí, ktorí ju majú radi a ktorých môže mať rada ona.
Pokiaľ ide o veci týkajúce sa romantiky, prím tu hrá príbeh lásky medzi Charlottinou slúžkou Lucy a Alecovým sluhom Ethanom. Rozhodne bol oveľa pútavejšie napísaný ako príbeh lásky medzi hlavnou hrdinkou a hrdinom. Zvyšok recenzie nájdete tu: http://kokinakniznica.blogspot.sk/201...
Hlavná hrdinka Charlotte sa vydala za starého Henryho Wylda; urobila tak po vôli svojmu otcovi. Henry bol však podivín, ktorý nielenže svojej rodine neoznámil, že má manželku, ale vrážal svoje i jej peniaze do starožitných predmetov, z ktorých mal v dome už celkom slušnú zbierku. Jednej noci sa však nevrátil domov. Našli ho mŕtveho.
Keď však Charlotte zistí, že Henry v závete uviedol, že sa z jeho domu má stať múzeum, ocitá sa v nezávideniahodnej situácii. Ostáva totiž temer bez peňazí. A tu sa do deja vmieša Alec Wylde, Henryho synovec. Akonáhle sa dozvie, že sa do Henryho domu dostali lupiči, Charlotte prichýli u seba. Alec je rodinne založený muž, býva so svojimi mladšími sestrami Anne a Lizzie a ich príbuznou Frances Coleovou, ktorá sa o dievčatá stará.
Rozbehne pátranie po strýkovom vrahovi a tiež po zlodejoch. Charlotte je Alecovi sympatická, vníma ju ako veľmi peknú ženu. Napriek tomu sa neodhodlá k žiadnemu ďalšiemu kroku. A ich láska sa začína rozvíjať iba veľmi... veľmi pomaly. Dej naťahujú aj stretnutia Charlotte s ďalšími Alecovými rodinnými príslušníkmi. Konkrétne lady Isabelle spolu so svojim synom Edwardom si ju vezme pod svoje ochranné krídla, predstaví ju v spoločnosti, až Charlotte nadobudne pocit, že má okolo seba ľudí, ktorí ju majú radi a ktorých môže mať rada ona.
Pokiaľ ide o veci týkajúce sa romantiky, prím tu hrá príbeh lásky medzi Charlottinou slúžkou Lucy a Alecovým sluhom Ethanom. Rozhodne bol oveľa pútavejšie napísaný ako príbeh lásky medzi hlavnou hrdinkou a hrdinom. Zvyšok recenzie nájdete tu: http://kokinakniznica.blogspot.sk/201...
February 18, 2017
U prevodu: "Brak iz ljubavi"
Iako volim istorijske ljubavne romane, ova prica me se nije nimalo dojmila. Radnja spora, na trenutke dosadna, ali izdržala sam do kraja!
Iako volim istorijske ljubavne romane, ova prica me se nije nimalo dojmila. Radnja spora, na trenutke dosadna, ali izdržala sam do kraja!
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