Ever His Bride

by Linda Needham

His looming form blocks the firelight. His voice is like midnight fog, shivering along her skin. Yet Felicity Mayfield must marry hard, cold Hunter Claybourne, or goto debtor's prison. Boldly, she proposes a bargain to the wealthy she'll become his wife in name only for one brief year -- if he allows her the freedom to continue living an independent life. Surely her newspaper scribblings are a matter of indifference to him. He never suspected a wife would be such a nuisance. It was supposed to be a simple business arrangement. Instead, she has invaded his cavernous home -- rearranging the furniture, winning over his servants, blinding him with sunlight. Her constant presence is unsettling, her vanilla scent everywhere, her skin a soft temptation. Suddenly it seems only right that she should wear his ring ... and share his bed. After all, she is his wife. Yet even as Felicity opens a chink in Hunter's heart, her exposé of the scandalous workhouses threatens to uncover his darkest secret, forcing him to choose between his hard-won empire and the miracle of love.

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Romance, Marriage Of Convenience

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

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

[Wendy Sparrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had to be one of the most original historical romance Beauty and the Beast retellings I’ve read. The heroine is implicated in a scheme to defraud the hero so he demands she marry him in order to restore what was stolen. This isn’t a Ton Regency book. She’s a travel writer with a history of riding the rails due to her father and he’s an entrepreneur involved in the stock exchange. All the railroad stuff was fascinating—as was her foray into the workhouses and poverty of the time. Really interesting.

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the whole, I tend to like this author but easily become irritated by the TSTL heroines who constantly cause more trouble than they're worth, collect children and charity cases and are extremely naive. This story covers all 3 bases. Felicity, the heroine is a travel writer who gets duped (naivety) by her uncle who sells her railroad shares before she legally inherits them to our hero, Hunter Claybourne. In order to get those railroad shares marriage is the only option and so he forces her to do it. I don't think I would have minded all this if he wasn't such an ass about it. He's forceful, high-handed, has no qualms about disrupting this woman's life even though she's clearly innocent and then goes back on his word after he signs a contract promising she can travel for her occupation. He has no sympathy for her and how he's basically making her life extremely difficult, but for some reason he won't leave her alone. She's no picnic either - she constantly asks questions, she's always getting into trouble and she doesn't know when to leave off. So then he gets blazingly angry and yells and stomps around. So why is it these two fall in love? Apparently, Hunter has a soft creamy center and Felicity is pure sunshine. I still don't really buy it. I didn't care for the characters that much - especially Hunter and his cold attitude. But the story itself was enjoyable enough and the angst there at the end was pretty delicious.

[Genevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Ever His Bride” had various Amazon reviewers noting it was their most favourite romance novel ever. High praise.

This is a great historical romance, written in 1997 have “heavily edited in 2013” according to the note by the author. It tells the story of one of the richest, most ruthless men in England – Hunter Claybourne - who forces a young woman, Felicity Mayfield, to marry him for one year or face a long prison sentence when a scheming uncle used her property to scam the man. There is mystery, a trail derailment, Victorian orphans and horrific working conditions.

The author manages to balance Felicity’s naiveite and optimism (although at times it almost bordered on too much....almost), with Hunter’s cold, grumpy demeanor. The thawing of our MMC towards his bride of convenience / fake wife and slow burn intimacy is perfect. While not my favourite historical romance, I can understand why it would be someone’s choice. Definitely worth a re-read or a first read, and I’m certainly going to track down other books by the author.

[zara · Rating 4 out of 5]

this started out as a 5 but had to bring if down to 4 because of the repetition but anyway i did enjoy it a ton

[Cris · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute story.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one!
I read it again when I was in Egypt.

[Danette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, good, good story!! My first by this author.

[Diamond · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ✭✭✭

[Lafifa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ehh. It was okay.

[RomLibrary]

His looming form blocks the firelight. His voice is like midnight fog, shivering along her skin. Yet Felicity Mayfield must marry hard, cold Hunter Claybourne, or goto debtor's prison. Boldly, she proposes a bargain to the wealthy financier: she'll become his wife in name only for one brief year -- if he allows her the freedom to continue living an independent life. Surely her newspaper scribblings are a matter of indifference to him.

He never suspected a wife would be such a nuisance. It was supposed to be a simple business arrangement. Instead, she has invaded his cavernous home -- rearranging the furniture, winning over his servants, blinding him with sunlight. Her constant presence is unsettling, her vanilla scent everywhere, her skin a soft temptation. Suddenly it seems only right that she should wear his ring ... and share his bed. After all, she is his wife. Yet even as Felicity opens a chink in Hunter's heart, her exposé of the scandalous workhouses threatens to uncover his darkest secret, forcing him to choose between his hard-won empire and the miracle of love. (