The Maiden Bride

by Linda Needham

Widowed, Lady Eleanor arrives at the castle of the husband she never met, ruthless warlord Nicholas Bayard. As she explores, a huge shadow overtakes her in the darkness of the tower: an intruder who commands her to leave his castle. Eleanor informs him that she is the wife of the late Lord Nicholas. Shocked to realize that the bride he'd thought had died in the Plague is not only alive, but beautiful and bold, Nicholas hides his identity. But Eleanor is a temptation he cannot resist, and when she learns his true identity, she shows him that love is the greatest miracle of all.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Medieval, Adult, Medieval Romance, Audiobook

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 4, 2000

About the author

Linda Needham is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author of ten historical romance novels, seven full-length musicals and two stage plays, with four novellas scheduled for release through 2015. She writes full time from her home office near Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[Sandy Champagne · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS. This is what I want in a romance. Two LIKEABLE characters who GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER through the hardships and joys of life (with a little physical attraction for flavor). This will be the measure by which I judge all romances from now on. The writing was excellent. The characters were lovable and sympathetic. The premise (backstory) was interesting. All side characters had a purpose. The protagonists falling in love was believable. I cherished every word and didn't want it to end. I will DEFINITELY be reading more from this author as this is the first book I've ever had from her. Just a WONDERFUL, light-hearted, beautiful romance.

[Shaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a truly endearing story. I loved the characters and that the story didn't take a bunch of twists and turns around the truth being discovered. I recommend it if you like romance. The medieval part isn't really there. It could have been a Regency historical fiction. Loved that the author taught me a new dirty word...tarse. Thanks.

[Mancho283 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 สนุกดีค่ะ นางเอกเป็นคนที่มองโลกในแง่ดีมากๆ ส่วนพระเอกก็ดีอะไรอย่างนี้ คือปกป้อง ดูแล นางเอกทุกอย่าง แบบนี้ใครไม่รักก็บ้าล่ะ เสียอย่างเดียวรู้สึกว่ามันสั้นไปหน่อย นางเอกมารู้ความจริงก็บทสุดท้ายล่ะถ้ามีต่ออีกนิดเพิ่มความฟินอีกหน่อยจะดีมากๆ ฮ่าๆ

[Jingle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superb writing. Sweet and oozing with tension. I love both MCs.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love historical fiction, a little romance, and a good mystery, so I keep finding myself listening to historical romances hoping for more bodice frustration then ripping. I’m mostly disappointed, of course. I think the majority or romances novels are so trite and the characters are very shallow. But occasionally I find a really solid romp and it just keeps me coming back! This was good. Very low on the characters making stupid choices creating inane obstacles to overcome, well thought through consistent characters, and a story line I hadn’t already suffered through a million times before. Plus the narration was solid for the audiobook. The author does seems to have specific markers for romance, so the characters repeat some dialogue from her other books. Glad I gave this one a chance!

[myhawj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eleanor is on mission to her late husband’s estate to take over after his death. She nvr met him or consummated the marriage bfore his death and he left her with nothing but a empty broken home. Little does she know her husband William never died and he wants nothing to do with her. He wants to become a monk after losing his bastard son to the plague and thinking she died he just wants to repent for all the bad he has done.

[Eliza · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have come to really enjoy these silly historical romances. They're very cliche and predictable but an easy, light read. I have to say, all I could think about the entire book is how stinky everyone must be because it's set in the 1350. It does talk about the people bathing each day but still.

[crystal montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!

Wonderful, romantic fantasies. I enjoyed the pacing of the book and the plot -- the build up was absolutely fantastic.

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eleanor has come to Faulkhurst, an estate that belonged to wicked and cruel William Bayard, the man who married her by proxy, never sent for her and then died. Or so she thinks. William Bayard is, in reality, reformed and living a tortured existence at Faulkhurst when his unclaimed wife suddenly shows up and takes charge. But he cannot reveal himself, so he does everything he can to help her. Normally, I would consider Eleanor far too sweet and innocent and she collects people, much like many of Linda Needham's other heroines, but it bothered me far less in this book for some reason. Although it did make me rather angry that she gives no consideration or thought to the fact that she is defying the king's edicts and putting herself and her people at further risk with what she's doing. It also bothered me that she completely ignores Nicholas's warnings about it... Nicholas (William Bayard) was pretty much a perfect hero.

This really was a great book up until about the 90% mark. And then, a rare event occurred - I wished that the book was longer. Unfortunately what happened, is that the book reached it's climax. And rather too quickly in my opinion as well. Nicholas is a little too quick to chuck aside his emotional baggage. It makes his struggles seem unimportant. And Eleanor was a bit too understanding, but I appreciate that she focused more on her love for Nicholas and less on her feelings of betrayal. Secrets are revealed, the hero and heroine come together and then nothing. It just ends. We don't get an epilogue, we have no idea what happens with Faulkhurst and Edward, we don't get any wrap up of any kind. Just a "that was great sex" and "we'll surely be happy together," and "The End." It was so disappointing.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars,,,,

[Paulette · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far I really enjoy the character interaction. It was hard to get into this book at first. I got caught up in the flowing descriptions and some of the "accented" dialog, but that could be from having read 10 or more books set in 19th century London and now I'm suddenly back in the 14th century England countryside. I like the inner conflict of the hero, and the heroine's seemingly eternal optimism and hope. Our fair Maiden also doesn't pretend iwardly or outwardly to be uneffected by our hero, which is a nice change from the "go away, go away, go away...okay, now come here" style that I also adore. 226 pages in and I'm ready to turn this computer off and get back to reading which is why this books is quickly approaching a four star rating instead of it's current 3 from me. With some books my fingers go days without touching a single key or mouse. (Note: After writing this initial review my computer remained off till the last page was turned and the "book hangover" began. This book does indeed get a 4.25-if it were possible-rating from me!)

[Elgyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Takový pěkný polorozpadlý hrad v roce 1351 s tekoucí teplou vodou a horkými prameny... to nezní vůbec špatně.

s. 102
Eleanor vyjela z východní věže s dalším trakařem plným zboží a rachotila s ním po schodech dolů na nádvoří. Tak tohle bych chtěla vidět.

s. 158 Vlasy měla čerstvě umyté a rozevláté do stran.
s. 160 Nicholas ji chytil za cop.

s. 48 „Jsem velmi podrobně, do hloubky, obeznámen s tím, co je třeba k řízení hradu. Neříká to ona?

s. 204 se svou manželku
s. 214 nepochybně ho pohoršovalo, že jeho protivnice může tak zablácená a špinavá jako selka

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful historical romance! Richly, eloquent language. Uniquely written narrative being spoken from both the mind of the hero and the heroine in turns. Characters are superbly displayed and created so that they come to life and jump right off the page! The characters are all survivors of a terrible plague who have suffered greatly in their losses, but perservere and do more than ultimately just survive. They go above and beyond to find true, selfless, happiness out of the ashes of misery and despair. Highly recommended to any reader who loves a well told story.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A ruthless knight finally had an epiphany of the repercussions of his actions & returns to his illegitimate son to make amends. A tragedy occurs and he isolates himself untill a proxy wife/widowed maiden comes with an attitude of protective nurturing who has gossamer dreams of repairing/populating the rundown castle and its desserted village with anyone who enters.

It's fun to explore the castle & caverns, peek at the motley crew that gathers & wonderful how the Lady charms most everyone especially the self appointed steward who is hiding his true identity.

[Suzie Quint · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the main characters in this book. It's a historical with a strong-willed but not stupid woman. The hero is also strong, but carries a soul tortured by his past. He wants the woman but resists which is a nice turn-around.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the writer's diction. The plot was interesting since I hadn't read a romance novel in ages. This is one, in which the characters don't hate each other at the beginning, even though the ending is predictable, of course.
I was disappointed that the climax happened at the end...no denouement.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story was decent enough, but hero annoyed me with his constant inner monologue that always revolved around the same thing.

[Cher · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5*

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was pretty cute! I think you would enjoy it, @Eilla!

[Ann Unger]

loved it

[Adrianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than I thought it would be!

[Holly]

I didn't like it.