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The Ashland Women #1

Brazos Bend Bride

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The powerful, shattering story of a tortured hero and his captive bride . . .

A REPUBLIC OF TEXAS ROMANCE!

Beautiful young Emilie Barrett is alone and penniless in the wild frontier town of Houston, until David Ashland appears, offering her a position as companion to a young woman who lives at his uncle’s cotton plantation. Half in love with her gallant rescuer, Emilie accepts. But she arrives at Brazos Bend to find herself instantly pursued by the estate’s mercurial master—David’s tormented uncle, Edgar Ashland. Handsome and arrogant, Edgar is a notorious recluse with a terrible temper. He is also the most masterful, sexy, and compelling man Emilie has ever met—and he seems equally enthralled by her. To Emilie’s horror, Edgar soon maneuvers her into marriage.

Emilie finds herself a new bride trapped in a house of secrets with her mysterious bridegroom. Edgar’s passions are as fierce and turbulent as the demons haunting him from his first marriage, and the scars left by the Texas War for Independence. Why did Edgar’s first wife die? And who doesn’t want Emilie to remain in this house? Falling hopelessly in love with her enigmatic husband, Emilie realizes she must tame the beast inside Edgar before the ghosts of his past destroy them both.

Brazos Bend Bride is a fiery, tempestuous, and sensual historical romance of approximately 124,000 words. Eugenia Riley is the renowned, bestselling author of dozens of historical, contemporary, and time-travel romances, including the classics A Tryst in Time and Bushwhacked Bride.

402 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 30, 2017

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About the author

Eugenia Riley

78 books100 followers

Eugenia Riley is the award-winning, bestselling author of dozens of historical, contemporary and time-travel romances, including A TRYST IN TIME, TEMPEST IN TIME, and TIMESWEPT BRIDE. She is a #1 Bestselling Author of Time Travel Romance at Amazon and Kindle. She has written for publishers including Avon, Bantam, Warner, Harlequin and Dorchester.

Eugenia is delighted to announce the launching of Eugenia Riley Classics, a new imprint featuring all of your favorite Eugenia Riley historical, contemporary, and time-travel romances, finally available again in Kindle, NOOK, Kobo and at iBooks! Eugenia's currently available e-book list includes: WANTED ACROSS TIME; BUSHWHACKED BRIDE; BUSHWHACKED GROOM; PHANTOM IN TIME; EMBERS OF TIME; A CHRISTMAS IN TIME; LOVERS AND OTHER LUNATICS; TIMESWEPT BRIDE; TIMESWEPT BABY; THE PHANTOM OF THE BATHTUB ; TEMPEST IN TIME; and TWO HEARTS IN TIME.

Eugenia's latest release, WANTED ACROSS TIME, is an April 2013 release in Kindle, NOOK, Kobo, and at iBooks. WANTED ACROSS TIME is a wild and sexy romp back in time to the Wild West, in the tradition of BUSHWHACKED BRIDE and BUSHWHACKED GROOM.

Eugenia is especially acclaimed for her nine time travel romance novels. Her first two, A TRYST IN TIME and TEMPEST IN TIME, were Waldenbooks romance bestsellers in mass-market paperback; both titles sold out of print three times. Three of her time-travels placed on the Ingram's romance list; and EMBERS OF TIME was a top ten bestseller in time-travel at Borders. Eight of Eugenia's time-travels have earned 5 star ratings or better at Heartland Critiques, and all have won numerous high ratings and rave reviews in publications such as Romantic Times, Rendezvous, and The Literary Times. Reviewer Harriet Klausner calls Eugenia "the empress of time-travel romance." She has received thousands of fan letters on her novels, from locations all over the world.

Eugenia is the winner of the HOLT Medallion for WALTZ IN TIME. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, Texas, a former English teacher and editor of TOUCHSTONE Literary Quarterly. She lives in Texas with her husband; they have two grown daughters and two grandchildren.

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5 stars
38 (41%)
4 stars
29 (31%)
3 stars
12 (13%)
2 stars
7 (7%)
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6 (6%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Debbie DiFiore.
2,864 reviews320 followers
November 1, 2017
Started out okay

But I just couldn't get into it. I hated Avid his ex-mistress and why he kept her in I have no idea. That was just gross. He broke up with her before the h came but still the story didn't need her. Just too much going on. Liked the nephew and ward and glad they were getting married and there was an HEA for all. I don't really like historical in the South or Civil War times for some reason. The book was just okay.
Profile Image for Joanne.
289 reviews3 followers
September 4, 2021
Yikes

I tried to finish it hoping it will become better but ended up wasting time. The plot was highly contrived, filled with misunderstanding and lack of communication.

The heroine was depicted as beautiful and innocent and strong but mostly she acted childishly, irrationally, immaturely and sometimes made me question her mental stability. She loves the hero but has no qualms talking bad about him and claiming abuse and all sorts of accusations. But she loves him. The hero is another case of questionable mental stability. He had an affair with his housekeeper who bullied the heroine but he refuses to fire her even after the heroine asked for it (take note the heroine did not know the housekeeper was a former lover until about 85% of the book) even after the housekeeper broke a possession of the heroine. No the hero let the housekeeper stay on until 90% of the book. And towards the end that whole issue was swept under the rug. And the great secret tortured past of the hero was only communicated at the 90% mark of the book and was also brushed aside which made the book so unbalanced. The hero claims to love her but throws her in the river in the midst of his anger causing her to almost drown. And that is just one of many instances he has abused her. I am not even going to discuss the other characters and incidents in this book.

Misunderstandings and drama and telenovela-esque scenes were used as fillers. This book and maybe this author is not for me.
Profile Image for Cindy C..
1,143 reviews14 followers
February 23, 2020
Brazos Bend Bride by Eugenia Riley brings the plantation days in Texas to life with  secrets, deceit, and intrigue! It's a  rollercoaster ride full of twist and turns that will keep you sitting on the edge of your seat. Each and every character came to life with an strong plot that you will find yourself drawn into their story. The scenes are so strikingly detailed it paints an incredible backdrop that makes you feel like you are one with the story. Edgar is a sexy, controlling and possessive and he just gave Emilie two choices one- marry me now or two- be seduced and become my mistress, what's spunky, spitfire Emilie to do? With battle lines drawn Edgar and Emilie have a very bumpy road to travel with a villain from Edgar's past out to seek revenge against Edgar. With miscommunication between the sparks start to fly between the two, but with their passions building in this heart pounding story full of drama, sizzling passion, turmoil, trials and tribulations and while the suspense builds, tensions escalate and all twist and turns abound that makes for one outstanding story! Eugenia Riley has written a story that will hold you spellbound! This story has a way of grabbing you the first few pages and then you can't put the book down until the end. I will be looking forward to a story about Laurel, Edgar and Emilie's youngest daughter in Galveston Bride.
2,131 reviews46 followers
September 26, 2017
Edgar and Emilie are engaged in love-hate relationship that kept me on the edge of my seat. Their powerful attraction is both compelling and destructive. Both of them yearn for each other but they are are afraid of rejection if they reveal what's in their heart. I couldn't put down this book. Edgar is a reclusive and bitter man. I was sorry that his life was so difficult. He has suffered too much heartbreak. Emilie is beautiful and strong. She survived the lost her family and is now on her own in Brazos Bend. I sympathized with her situation. Being isolated takes a toll. I wanted these two to resolve their differences. That said. I have never seen two more stubborn people. Eugenia Riley has given the reader a passionate romance filled with so many unexpected surprises. I was shocked. The dialogue was sharp and sassy. The isolation of Texas is perfect for this story. The rugged and dangerous setting mirrored the emotional plot. This book was an intense journey.
Profile Image for  Sarah .
34 reviews2 followers
July 6, 2018
i was worn out by the time i finished this story, if Emilie was not screeching and hitting out
at Edgar, she was in bed with him, and as far as Edgar went he was a jerk most of the time. The story was overlong and would have been more interesting if at least one of the main characters had professed their love and fought for the others true feelings. Instead they fought their feelings for each other, and not till the end of the book do they admit their love for one another. The story did have some interesting characters whose lives intertwined with each other. Oh well at least we have our happy ending.
99 reviews
September 3, 2017
Brazos Bend Bride by Eugenia Riley is a historical romance with some passion. The story is fast paced and keeps your attention. The characters are developed and make you want to jump in the story and knock some sense in to them. Eguenia didn't write your normal historical love story. The main characters oppose each other from the start. There are so many obstacles, lies and misunderstandings that it seems impossible at times. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and am ready for the next book in this series. I received an ARC, but voluntarily read and gave my honest, fair review.
2,498 reviews29 followers
August 30, 2017
A fast paced story , full of detailed descriptions of the settings, making it easy to imagine the surroundings. There is quite a complex relationship between Emilie and Edgar, with many secrets coming between them. The secondary characters all have a part to play in these secrets too. There are some interesting historical details. An engaging read that I really enjoyed.
I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. This is my honest review.
Profile Image for Suzette.
3,720 reviews21 followers
August 21, 2017
The depth and range of feelings shown by the characters throughout the story highlights the wonderful imagination and capacity of the author for storytelling. I love the complex relationship that exists between the four major characters. It's like getting to read two great stories in one book. Don't miss it!
Profile Image for Sonya .
228 reviews2 followers
August 27, 2017
Intense throughout! I was completely drawn into this and felt like I was sitting on the front porch of this cotton plantation watching all the drama and action happen! This was a very steamy book too, so for mature readers only. Thanks Ms Riley for the advanced read for an honest review. These are my opinions.
Profile Image for LaGina.
2,058 reviews42 followers
September 18, 2017
What a fast paced story that will make you feel like you are sitting on the front porch watching the whole thing go down. The setting and the characters are so well described that you can picture it. I loved that there was some little here and there historical tidbits that was a really nice touch.
389 reviews3 followers
March 25, 2018
Bella 89::: Southern theme,historical and well written.

How the lies in life damage the relationship between humans,make them suffering to much,and when those lies become. Clear everything become with happiness and joy in their lives. I always said: COMMUNICATION is very important::::::: Highly Recommended.
Profile Image for Melissa.
1,135 reviews5 followers
January 19, 2021
Brazos Bend Bride

Edgar Ashland saved Emilie during the war and deposited her to her grandmother. 5 years later her grandmother died and David saved her and took her to Brazos Bend where she met with Edgar once again. They married and had a terrible life even though they loved each other. Finally all their past that was in their way came out and lived happily ever after.
1,097 reviews2 followers
September 1, 2017
I received a free book and voluntarily chose to review it. This is a romance but the main characters don’t act like most romance characters. I wanted to smack both of them on the back of their heads like Gibbs (NCIS) does. My strong woman does not exist until the last few chapters.
Profile Image for EvilAntie Jan.
1,612 reviews13 followers
February 1, 2019
Battle for love

I think this is one of the most seductive books ever. Edgar and Emilie the sexual tension and the evolving love story are simply fabulous. The story is riveting as it unfolds with Edgar and Emilie are truly a the most romantic couple ever.
3,725 reviews18 followers
January 17, 2020
What a incredibly good story!

Loved this book between the timeline and her feisty says it was really good! I loved to hate Olivia until the truth came out in the end, and then felt sorry for her!
1,591 reviews18 followers
May 24, 2020
Passionate 💋Marriage 💍

This is a romantic passionate story about a man and a woman. Their love developing to become more than just a meeting of wanting or lust for one another , but of destiny of healing love forever.
867 reviews2 followers
September 1, 2017
Tedious at times, with people jumping to conclusions, but I wound up enjoying it once I pushed through
766 reviews4 followers
September 20, 2017
Great story of life in the Republic of Texas. Characters were well-written. Story kept me enraptured until the end. Great read. I received this book from the author.
555 reviews4 followers
January 1, 2018
Brazos Bend Bride

This was the most amazing book I loved all the characters so very well written full of mystery, love , and a happy ending
Profile Image for Pam.
4,629 reviews71 followers
October 21, 2018
Brazos Bend Bride: The Ashland Women Book 1 is by Eugenia Riley. This is the first in the two-part series and it is a fantastic start. The next one will have to be pretty good to beat this one. It has adventure and lots of romance and love. Some of the scenes are suggestive but they can be skipped over.
The first time Emilie Barrett met EdgarAshland was on the banks of the Guadalope River where she was at her Mother’s grave. She and her Grandmother had been forced to leave their home by the American army in advance of the Mexican invasion. Her Mother had died in childbirth along with her child. Emilie’s Father had been killed earlier at the Alamo. Edgar was forced to physically remove Emilie from the grave and place her in her Grandmother’s wagon where they left for safety. Emilie hated him for doing that.
A week later, in Houston, David Ashland purchased her Grandmother’s house. With nowhere else to go, Emilie ends up going with David to his ranch. There seems to be no where for Emilie to go except home with David. What will Emilie find there?
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews