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Chisholm Manor #1
Alessandra
Amazon/Kindle: http://amzn.to/2vJBaww
Great passion can come from great innocence. . . .
After receiving news from her parents of a possible betrothal, Alessandra, an 18 year old with an ingrained belief that no-one would ever wish to marry her, finds herself in a love so great that at times she cannot breathe.
Married to someone as inexperienced as herself, she finds herself on a sexual journey of learning and exploration.
The combination of their mutual inexperience contributes to Alessandra discovering a degree of emotional and physical love that she has never before realised could exist.
That love will be tested by someone from her past with sinister intentions. Jealous of the physical love Alessandra shares with her husband, he is set on doing whatever it takes to have the woman he desires, no matter the cost.
Great passion can come from great innocence. . . .
After receiving news from her parents of a possible betrothal, Alessandra, an 18 year old with an ingrained belief that no-one would ever wish to marry her, finds herself in a love so great that at times she cannot breathe.
Married to someone as inexperienced as herself, she finds herself on a sexual journey of learning and exploration.
The combination of their mutual inexperience contributes to Alessandra discovering a degree of emotional and physical love that she has never before realised could exist.
That love will be tested by someone from her past with sinister intentions. Jealous of the physical love Alessandra shares with her husband, he is set on doing whatever it takes to have the woman he desires, no matter the cost.
458 pages, ebook
First published July 6, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 16, 2016
Alessandra is a novel by Ann M. Pratley. It is set in England and deals with arranged marriages and lost loves.
Alessandra was eighteen and thought she was destined not to be married. Although she was not beautiful, she was pretty but she had no social class nor money. She had thought herself in love with Tom but although he danced with her and flirted, he ended up marrying someone else and she never knew why nor what was wrong with her. So when her parents brought up the idea of an arranged marriage, she agreed to meet the young man in question. Her mother’s family had set up a trust for Alessandra so she had a dowry. She and her parents made the long trip to an estate near Bath where she was to meet this young man although she did not agree to marry him.
Edward had been brought up to take his place as head of the estate. He had been tutored at home and because he didn’t have many occasions to do so, he was a little socially awkward. He had friends but as time passed, he realized he was lonely. When his mother brought up the idea of meeting Alessandra as an arranged marriage, he went along with it. His father disagreed as Alessandra did not have land or social class. He did not agree to marry her at this time.
The meeting between Edward and Alessandra did not get off to a great start. Both the young people were afraid to offend the other so they didn’t say much. When they finally broke the ice, they decided they liked each other and agreed to the marriage. Just as they set out on their life together, Tom shows up. Although married, he decides he wants Alessandra at any cost.
Alessandra was eighteen and thought she was destined not to be married. Although she was not beautiful, she was pretty but she had no social class nor money. She had thought herself in love with Tom but although he danced with her and flirted, he ended up marrying someone else and she never knew why nor what was wrong with her. So when her parents brought up the idea of an arranged marriage, she agreed to meet the young man in question. Her mother’s family had set up a trust for Alessandra so she had a dowry. She and her parents made the long trip to an estate near Bath where she was to meet this young man although she did not agree to marry him.
Edward had been brought up to take his place as head of the estate. He had been tutored at home and because he didn’t have many occasions to do so, he was a little socially awkward. He had friends but as time passed, he realized he was lonely. When his mother brought up the idea of meeting Alessandra as an arranged marriage, he went along with it. His father disagreed as Alessandra did not have land or social class. He did not agree to marry her at this time.
The meeting between Edward and Alessandra did not get off to a great start. Both the young people were afraid to offend the other so they didn’t say much. When they finally broke the ice, they decided they liked each other and agreed to the marriage. Just as they set out on their life together, Tom shows up. Although married, he decides he wants Alessandra at any cost.
September 16, 2016
What a delightful tale of love and family! Alessandra is the story of a young woman who thought herself "too plain" to find a husband, let alone love. When her family arranges a betrothal for her, she has mixed feelings: on one hand she will be a wife, something she'd not envisioned for herself, but will she love her groom (and be loved in return)?
The idea of two strangers working together toward love and happiness was a sweet one. The story itself travels at a leisurely pace, with an interesting subplot occurring at about 1/3 of the way through the story. After that intrigue subsides, however, the tale returns to its slower pace. While normally I might have been frustrated by such a slow-down, it somehow worked well here. This whole book felt like a calm Sunday drive.
That said, the chemistry of Alessandra and her new husband, Edward, was endearing. As a young couple, both new to the ways of love, their journey of learning and exploring the art of lovemaking was refreshingly sweet. All-in-all, a thoroughly enjoying, leisurely read. I'd recommend it to any lover of historical romance.
**I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
The idea of two strangers working together toward love and happiness was a sweet one. The story itself travels at a leisurely pace, with an interesting subplot occurring at about 1/3 of the way through the story. After that intrigue subsides, however, the tale returns to its slower pace. While normally I might have been frustrated by such a slow-down, it somehow worked well here. This whole book felt like a calm Sunday drive.
That said, the chemistry of Alessandra and her new husband, Edward, was endearing. As a young couple, both new to the ways of love, their journey of learning and exploring the art of lovemaking was refreshingly sweet. All-in-all, a thoroughly enjoying, leisurely read. I'd recommend it to any lover of historical romance.
**I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
July 16, 2016
The sweetness of the first kiss and the exploration of love and the intimacy of married life make up this well woven story of Alessandra by Ann M Pratley.
Alessandra is an historical romance fiction set in England near Bath in a time of manners, society and expectations. Alessandra is also about the journey of a shy timid girl who grows into her new role of a strong loving wife and mother. Showing that it’s not what’s on the outside but the inside that matters. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the transformation of Alessandra throughout the story and her journey was a real highlight of this story.
In a time when love did not determine who you married Alessandra and Edward are a congenial couple who find love and beauty in their relationship, despite the fact that their newly found love is tested by an old flame who threatens to destroy what they have built up.
As the cycle of life continues throughout the book, we see the impact that losing loved ones and becoming a parent have on their relationship and that if you a strong foundation love can find a way through the stormy seas of life.
Alessandra is an historical romance fiction set in England near Bath in a time of manners, society and expectations. Alessandra is also about the journey of a shy timid girl who grows into her new role of a strong loving wife and mother. Showing that it’s not what’s on the outside but the inside that matters. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the transformation of Alessandra throughout the story and her journey was a real highlight of this story.
In a time when love did not determine who you married Alessandra and Edward are a congenial couple who find love and beauty in their relationship, despite the fact that their newly found love is tested by an old flame who threatens to destroy what they have built up.
As the cycle of life continues throughout the book, we see the impact that losing loved ones and becoming a parent have on their relationship and that if you a strong foundation love can find a way through the stormy seas of life.
September 9, 2016
This book hooked me in right away. It took me back in time and I felt like I was there, walking through the gardens and seeing the landscape. The love story between Alessandra and Edward was touching. The fact that he wasn't like most leading men in a story, made him even more real. The fact that she loved him in spite of it, made me fall in love with her. I learned so much about those times and how people lived. There were good plots that pulled you along and made you want to turn the next page. To not give anything away, I was proud of them both with they accepted the news of their parents. Understanding how much Alessandra's dad needed after losing his adoring wife. I highly recommend this book. It will take you on a journey that will be filled with so much fun.
September 26, 2016
I love stories like this that transport you to another place and time. Ms Pratley tells the epic tale of Alessandra, a plain girl who thinks she'll never marry, and Edward, a plain man with the same opinion. They endure an arranged marriage, and begin their lives together. As their love grows, so does the beauty they see in each other.
I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 3, 2016
A good read about the idea of two virgins marrying in an arranged marriage and how strong love and good sex can grow from that. Liked the flow, liked the use of words. Good bump of drama in centre of story with crazed ex. Good blend of lovey dovey and seriousness.
July 18, 2016
Lovely story about young love in an arranged marriage. Drama with past love trying to intrude. Felt like I was really taken into the time and place of the story. Good read.
July 13, 2016
Quite saucy for a book that doesn't use crass language. Not like other books I read by this writer that were more modern, but still likeable. Good days read.
July 17, 2023
Um started of really nice but legit could have cut the book in half and would have been way better. Is it everyday children. Listen I love big families but my guy calm down. Everyday kids kids kids kids and the stupid Tom or Tim leaving her his estate. Like that was just such a random thing to happen. Like how did my man die just like that. Wth. It’s was really nice to see their romance blossom but then it just kept going and going and going. Like stop
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2016
Alessandra is a sweet romance, a tale of a young woman in the horse and buggy days. She is fortunate enough to be betrothed to a young man as innocent as she, yet enamored enough with her to be adventurous and faithful in their love. The descriptions in this story are true to the time era, as is the language they speak, for the most part. It is intriguing to know the characters' inner thoughts, and the author does that well here. The characters have some trials and tribulations, but the conflicts seems subtle. However, the author tale and details of their romance are what intrigued me and kept me reading. I enjoyed it, over all!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews