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The Forbidden Bride
The wild Cornishman, descendant of a Crusader and a Saracen's daughter, exiled to America. The young woman, hidden away in a rough gold mining town in North Carolina, forbidden by her autocratic father to ever marry.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
8 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Cheryl Reavis
53 books37 followersAKA Cinda Richards
Former public health nurse, now award-winning romance novelist, Cheryl Reavis, describes herself as a "late bloomer." Her Silhouette Special Edition™, A CRIME OF THE HEART, reached millions of readers in Good Housekeeping magazine and won the Romance Writers of America's coveted RITA award the year it was published. She has also won the RITA award for her Harlequin-Silhouette novels, PATRICK GALLAGHER'S WIDOW, THE PRISONER, and THE BRIDE FAIR. BLACKBERRY WINTER, THE BARTERED BRIDE and a Berkley novel, PROMISE ME A RAINBOW, have been RITA award finalists. She has received numerous awards from Romantic Times magazine.
Her award-winning literary short stories have appeared in The Crescent Review, The Bad Apple, The Mosaic, The Sanskrit, Laurels, The Emrys Journal and Writer's Choice.
Publishers Weekly described her Berkley single-title novel, PROMISE ME A RAINBOW, as "...an example of delicately crafted, eminently satisfying romantic fiction."
Former public health nurse, now award-winning romance novelist, Cheryl Reavis, describes herself as a "late bloomer." Her Silhouette Special Edition™, A CRIME OF THE HEART, reached millions of readers in Good Housekeeping magazine and won the Romance Writers of America's coveted RITA award the year it was published. She has also won the RITA award for her Harlequin-Silhouette novels, PATRICK GALLAGHER'S WIDOW, THE PRISONER, and THE BRIDE FAIR. BLACKBERRY WINTER, THE BARTERED BRIDE and a Berkley novel, PROMISE ME A RAINBOW, have been RITA award finalists. She has received numerous awards from Romantic Times magazine.
Her award-winning literary short stories have appeared in The Crescent Review, The Bad Apple, The Mosaic, The Sanskrit, Laurels, The Emrys Journal and Writer's Choice.
Publishers Weekly described her Berkley single-title novel, PROMISE ME A RAINBOW, as "...an example of delicately crafted, eminently satisfying romantic fiction."
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 27, 2019
THE FORBIDDEN BRIDE by Cheryl Reavis is a treasure from the past. It brought back many fond memories of why I fell in love with historical romance when I began my reviewing journey in 2003.
To see this review in full color, read it at TheZestQuest.com.
Why was this book in Dorine’s TBR?
Years ago, I had a Harlequin Historicals subscription. It cemented my love for historical romance, especially the under 300-page novels they excelled at producing for so many years. When that line was terminated, I was heartbroken. Luckily, I still have a neat little pile of unread treasures like this one from 2003 to discover.
Even though Harlequin is back to producing historicals, I haven’t tried them. I did stockpile many from the 2000s, then added the Love Inspired line of historicals. But all the new ones don’t include my favorite authors from that era. I’d love to see them back again. Authors like Kate Bridges, Deborah Hale, Elizabeth Rolls, and now Cheryl Reavis.
Review:
THE FORBIDDEN BRIDE has much of the Gothic ambience I loved in the Cornish romances I enjoyed years ago, which were written during and prior to the 1980s. Instead of a spooky mansion, it has a gold mine in North Carolina, and the Cornish miners’ superstitions to give it that eerie feel.
There is also a controlling, uncaring father who has his daughters’ love, even though he doesn’t deserve it. Although this novel is listed as a western and takes place in North Carolina, the Cornwall flavor makes it feel as though it could be in England.
I’m drawn to Cornish flavored novels since my great-grandmother, Nanny, immigrated from Lands End to America in the early 1900s. But it was actually my Irish grandmother who introduced me to Gothics. Reading this novel brought back many fond memories of both of these unique women.
Treager works for the owner of the mine, specializing in explosives and finding gold. He has a mysterious past that haunts him. Jane is her father’s substitution for the son he disowned. A doctor, Jane’s father begins to instruct her in his trade.
Jane and Treager are inevitably attracted to one another, much to the doctor’s disdain. Of course, we have the meddling relative from England who taunts Jane and her sister with her rules of propriety. And the emotionally removed mother.
Everything is not as it seems and unravels at a rapid pace toward the end of the novel. There were a few details that seemed unnecessary and wore on my patience, but that was minor. Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. The men were a bit stifling at times due to their disrespect for women’s worth, especially Jane’s father, but even he came around a bit toward the end.
I was surprised how well a sixteen-year-old novel stood the test of time successfully. I’m only sorry it took me that long to discover Cheryl Reavis’ talent. How I miss the Harlequin historical line of that era. And the authors who enhanced my romance reviewing journey. I’m sure I have more gems in my TBR, but it’s not the same. I’ve grown in my reading preferences due to that line’s closure, and as a person. I miss that “me” who was discovering her writing and reading love, but there’s no getting back her innocence. I’m blessed that it shaped who I am now, and know, that like those authors, I must move forward.
With many attributes to love, THE FORBIDDEN BRIDE is most successful at honoring our early female healers. They were torn between their love of medicine and raising a traditional family. Gender roles and disdain by their peers often held them back or persecuted them. This novel has all that and so much more. A very emotional book in places, it also touches on the many colors of grief. Now I need to search to see if Jane’s sister Eugenie ever got her story.
I’m so glad I’m a hoarder of books! Look for this one in digital format at Amazon, otherwise you’ll be searching the UBS for a print edition.
Review by Dorine, courtesy of TheZestQuest.com. Print book purchased. Thanks in advance for following links and sharing this review on social media. #TBRChallenge #RomBkBlog
To see this review in full color, read it at TheZestQuest.com.
Why was this book in Dorine’s TBR?
Years ago, I had a Harlequin Historicals subscription. It cemented my love for historical romance, especially the under 300-page novels they excelled at producing for so many years. When that line was terminated, I was heartbroken. Luckily, I still have a neat little pile of unread treasures like this one from 2003 to discover.
Even though Harlequin is back to producing historicals, I haven’t tried them. I did stockpile many from the 2000s, then added the Love Inspired line of historicals. But all the new ones don’t include my favorite authors from that era. I’d love to see them back again. Authors like Kate Bridges, Deborah Hale, Elizabeth Rolls, and now Cheryl Reavis.
Review:
THE FORBIDDEN BRIDE has much of the Gothic ambience I loved in the Cornish romances I enjoyed years ago, which were written during and prior to the 1980s. Instead of a spooky mansion, it has a gold mine in North Carolina, and the Cornish miners’ superstitions to give it that eerie feel.
There is also a controlling, uncaring father who has his daughters’ love, even though he doesn’t deserve it. Although this novel is listed as a western and takes place in North Carolina, the Cornwall flavor makes it feel as though it could be in England.
I’m drawn to Cornish flavored novels since my great-grandmother, Nanny, immigrated from Lands End to America in the early 1900s. But it was actually my Irish grandmother who introduced me to Gothics. Reading this novel brought back many fond memories of both of these unique women.
Treager works for the owner of the mine, specializing in explosives and finding gold. He has a mysterious past that haunts him. Jane is her father’s substitution for the son he disowned. A doctor, Jane’s father begins to instruct her in his trade.
Jane and Treager are inevitably attracted to one another, much to the doctor’s disdain. Of course, we have the meddling relative from England who taunts Jane and her sister with her rules of propriety. And the emotionally removed mother.
Everything is not as it seems and unravels at a rapid pace toward the end of the novel. There were a few details that seemed unnecessary and wore on my patience, but that was minor. Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. The men were a bit stifling at times due to their disrespect for women’s worth, especially Jane’s father, but even he came around a bit toward the end.
I was surprised how well a sixteen-year-old novel stood the test of time successfully. I’m only sorry it took me that long to discover Cheryl Reavis’ talent. How I miss the Harlequin historical line of that era. And the authors who enhanced my romance reviewing journey. I’m sure I have more gems in my TBR, but it’s not the same. I’ve grown in my reading preferences due to that line’s closure, and as a person. I miss that “me” who was discovering her writing and reading love, but there’s no getting back her innocence. I’m blessed that it shaped who I am now, and know, that like those authors, I must move forward.
With many attributes to love, THE FORBIDDEN BRIDE is most successful at honoring our early female healers. They were torn between their love of medicine and raising a traditional family. Gender roles and disdain by their peers often held them back or persecuted them. This novel has all that and so much more. A very emotional book in places, it also touches on the many colors of grief. Now I need to search to see if Jane’s sister Eugenie ever got her story.
I’m so glad I’m a hoarder of books! Look for this one in digital format at Amazon, otherwise you’ll be searching the UBS for a print edition.
Review by Dorine, courtesy of TheZestQuest.com. Print book purchased. Thanks in advance for following links and sharing this review on social media. #TBRChallenge #RomBkBlog
May 26, 2011
The story had potential but the main character, Jane Ennis, did not seem to have the necessary inner strength to rise above her circumstances. It took a whole lot of external motivation and events for her to even see the truth about her situation and then break out of the trapped life she was in. This may reflect how people are in real life, but a heroine in a story needs more self-motivation. She was willing to sacrifice herself for others, but even that seemed to be a passive sacrifice.
I like this author's writing style and have enjoyed other books by her. So I'd recommend The Bride Fair, Harrigan's Bride or The Prisoner instead of this one.
I like this author's writing style and have enjoyed other books by her. So I'd recommend The Bride Fair, Harrigan's Bride or The Prisoner instead of this one.
February 1, 2013
Well, nothing to write home about. The story was quite slow and the love seemed to come out of nowhere for our H and h. The ending was pretty decent.
I had a few issues. The father was absolutely horrid and I wished he in some way paid for how he behaved and treated his family. I suppose losing the daughter he expected to follow him into medicine was something, actually just losing one of his pieces of property but we never got to see his reaction to Jane leaving with Treager.
I thought it would be a bit more exciting based on the title but I was quite let down. I recommend only if nothing else sounds interesting...which is unlikely.
I had a few issues. The father was absolutely horrid and I wished he in some way paid for how he behaved and treated his family. I suppose losing the daughter he expected to follow him into medicine was something, actually just losing one of his pieces of property but we never got to see his reaction to Jane leaving with Treager.
I thought it would be a bit more exciting based on the title but I was quite let down. I recommend only if nothing else sounds interesting...which is unlikely.
December 27, 2016
This historical romance follows the tale of Cornishman Treager from England to North Carolina's Gold Hill and his discovery there of something even greater than gold. Falling for any woman was anathema to him but everyone knew that Dr. Eniss's daughter Jane was off limits, and not just to the miners, so why does he keep thinking about her?
June 14, 2019
The plot in this book is rather unique Newly arriving men of Gold Hill, NC, are immediately told that they are not to try to attract the attention -- or try to court -- the doctor's two daughters. The daughters are not told this; they just think they are not attractive enough for a man to be interested in either of them. Tregear is an explosives expert working in the gold mine. From Cornwall, he carries heaps of baggage from his life in England.
Jane Ennis is one of Dr. Ennis' daughters; she's the one who is trying to learn the healing arts from her father. When the story opens, Dr. Ennis has already disowned his son, Sion, because he is not interested in following in his father's footsteps. Readers can quickly understand that the doctor is aloof from the citizens he serves. However, Jane is a caring and interested healer.
On a strange and rainy night, Jane and Treager meet over a patient who desperately needs Jane's help. The main characters have great depth and they must battle against their feelings and society's abhorrence of the interest Jane and Traeger show in each other. I particularly liked the fact that there was plenty of action; readers could see what the characters were feeling without an excess of internal dialogue.
The evolution of Dr. Ennis' character is particularly interesting. We can see that he is cold to both his family and the townspeople. But as he feels more threatened, he increases his stranglehold on his children. There is no doubt that something will have to give way; passions are too high for the tension to continue very long.
This is quite a powerful story about the evil that can be done in a family, all in the name of love.
Jane Ennis is one of Dr. Ennis' daughters; she's the one who is trying to learn the healing arts from her father. When the story opens, Dr. Ennis has already disowned his son, Sion, because he is not interested in following in his father's footsteps. Readers can quickly understand that the doctor is aloof from the citizens he serves. However, Jane is a caring and interested healer.
On a strange and rainy night, Jane and Treager meet over a patient who desperately needs Jane's help. The main characters have great depth and they must battle against their feelings and society's abhorrence of the interest Jane and Traeger show in each other. I particularly liked the fact that there was plenty of action; readers could see what the characters were feeling without an excess of internal dialogue.
The evolution of Dr. Ennis' character is particularly interesting. We can see that he is cold to both his family and the townspeople. But as he feels more threatened, he increases his stranglehold on his children. There is no doubt that something will have to give way; passions are too high for the tension to continue very long.
This is quite a powerful story about the evil that can be done in a family, all in the name of love.
October 29, 2017
July 2012 - The forbidden passion did get me going, very nicely done. The epidemic drama made a nice change from war, the usual Reavis domain. Lots of references to England and Cornwall as well, lots of mining detail. The father was a bit too bad, could have been made more human, in my opinion. Miss Chappel was great, reminded me of Beatta, another Reavis great character from that book about the German farmer.
Oct 2017 - Great situational romance, lots of historical detail about gold mines in north Carolina and life of different recent immigrants, societal norms and courage it too to break them, the irony of those acting all moral having their own skeletons in the closet. I would have loved to see more focus on their relationship and less on hardship. I'm not sure where the strength of their feelings came from, given how limited their conscious interaction was, seems like more like an infatuation than love.
Oct 2017 - Great situational romance, lots of historical detail about gold mines in north Carolina and life of different recent immigrants, societal norms and courage it too to break them, the irony of those acting all moral having their own skeletons in the closet. I would have loved to see more focus on their relationship and less on hardship. I'm not sure where the strength of their feelings came from, given how limited their conscious interaction was, seems like more like an infatuation than love.
April 1, 2017
Different, but delightful....
The Forbidden Bride is a wonderful story, filled with twists and turns and surprises, not all of them good! It reminded me a lot of Catherine Cookson's books. She wrote of true Cornish folk....
The Forbidden Bride is a wonderful story, filled with twists and turns and surprises, not all of them good! It reminded me a lot of Catherine Cookson's books. She wrote of true Cornish folk....
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews