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Raiders #1
The Raider's Bride
Unaware that Ian Blackheath is the ruthless leader of the patriot cause, Emily Rose, a British spy, falls in love with the notorious rogue. Original.
314 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 1994
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362 people want to read
About the author
Kimberly Cates
57 books97 followersKimberly Cates lives in Illinois with her family.
Pseudonyms: Kimberleigh Caitlin and Kim Cates.
Pseudonyms: Kimberleigh Caitlin and Kim Cates.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 5, 2016
Pre-Revolutionary War Love Story
Set in Virginia in 1772, this is the story of Ian Blackheath, a rogue and a patriot who, as “Pendragon”, raids Tory holdings at night. One day he is saddled with his dead sister’s rebellious child, Lucy. So it’s Lucy the brat and Ian the debauched aristocrat until Ian meets Emily d’Autrecourt in her millinery shop. Not knowing what a brat Lucy is, not to mention a liar, Emily believes Ian a cruel, insensitive man at the way he treats his niece.
But then Lucy steals a doll from Emily’s shop, a doll that hides evidence of Emily’s spying for the English. She needs to get that doll back even if she has to become the brat’s governess so she can search for it, which is just what she does.
Ian is thrilled when Emily agrees to take charge of Lucy and thinks he can keep the new governess from learning his secret. Of course, he knows nothing of her secret. Two spies hiding out in the same house—and on opposite sides of the war to come.
Much of the story concerns Lucy and how she changes under Emily’s kind ministrations. There are some good twists and turns in the latter third of the story when many secrets are reveals, not just the ones we knew about. The characters are richly developed and Emily and Lucy’s interactions well done.
The Raider Series:
The Raider's Bride (Ian & Emily)
The Raider's Daughter (Dominic & Lucy)
To Catch A Flame (Griffin & Isabeau)
Set in Virginia in 1772, this is the story of Ian Blackheath, a rogue and a patriot who, as “Pendragon”, raids Tory holdings at night. One day he is saddled with his dead sister’s rebellious child, Lucy. So it’s Lucy the brat and Ian the debauched aristocrat until Ian meets Emily d’Autrecourt in her millinery shop. Not knowing what a brat Lucy is, not to mention a liar, Emily believes Ian a cruel, insensitive man at the way he treats his niece.
But then Lucy steals a doll from Emily’s shop, a doll that hides evidence of Emily’s spying for the English. She needs to get that doll back even if she has to become the brat’s governess so she can search for it, which is just what she does.
Ian is thrilled when Emily agrees to take charge of Lucy and thinks he can keep the new governess from learning his secret. Of course, he knows nothing of her secret. Two spies hiding out in the same house—and on opposite sides of the war to come.
Much of the story concerns Lucy and how she changes under Emily’s kind ministrations. There are some good twists and turns in the latter third of the story when many secrets are reveals, not just the ones we knew about. The characters are richly developed and Emily and Lucy’s interactions well done.
The Raider Series:
The Raider's Bride (Ian & Emily)
The Raider's Daughter (Dominic & Lucy)
To Catch A Flame (Griffin & Isabeau)
September 6, 2017
Average, at best.
Not terrible, not great. I found the hero's long-winded passages of mental self-flagellation tedious, mostly because they slowed the pacing of the story to a boring crawl. I also felt that the villain's threatened tactics to make our hero divulge his secrets unnecessarily over the top to the point that he came off more like a mustache twirling "Snidely Whiplash" than a believable threat. And finally, the 'Three Musketeers' type scene at the end of the book, where the Raiders pledge their allegiance to the 'Raider's Lady,' was laughably trite.
I did like the heroine, Emily Rose and the very cheeky little girl, Lucy. Lucy was a delightfully hellish little terror. I'm sure the grownup version of her will be featured in some future book in this series.
Bottom line: I found this book easy to put down as it just didn't hold my interest.
Not terrible, not great. I found the hero's long-winded passages of mental self-flagellation tedious, mostly because they slowed the pacing of the story to a boring crawl. I also felt that the villain's threatened tactics to make our hero divulge his secrets unnecessarily over the top to the point that he came off more like a mustache twirling "Snidely Whiplash" than a believable threat. And finally, the 'Three Musketeers' type scene at the end of the book, where the Raiders pledge their allegiance to the 'Raider's Lady,' was laughably trite.
I did like the heroine, Emily Rose and the very cheeky little girl, Lucy. Lucy was a delightfully hellish little terror. I'm sure the grownup version of her will be featured in some future book in this series.
Bottom line: I found this book easy to put down as it just didn't hold my interest.
February 3, 2021
Heart warming
Definitely an adult book. But what caught my attention was the heartbreaking character arc if found family and healing... Soooo satisfying. Lucy was a dear terror. And Emily and Ian... Yes, the ending was a bit over the top. And I didn't care. :) I love stories like this where parties believe they're too far gone to be loved... And get proven wrong.
Definitely an adult book. But what caught my attention was the heartbreaking character arc if found family and healing... Soooo satisfying. Lucy was a dear terror. And Emily and Ian... Yes, the ending was a bit over the top. And I didn't care. :) I love stories like this where parties believe they're too far gone to be loved... And get proven wrong.
October 14, 2025
Another very good book by Kimberly Cates. Dear little Lucy is a force to be reckoned with. Her antics had me chuckling. Tugs at the heartstrings but an enjoyable read.
June 8, 2020
Be swept back in time to Virginia pre-revolution era that brings unrest, spies, and nightraiders who seeks justice and freedom from the British. It's a rollercoaster ride of heights of dizzy delicious passion swirling down into a vortex of uncertainties. The Raider's Bride will keep you spellbound from the moment you begin the journey with Ian and Emily until the very end! Kimberly Cates is not afraid to write a story that is heartrendering, heart stopping and a villains with secrets. Kimberly has a writing style that I thoroughly enjoy; she's filled this story with characters that are well thought out and each one comes across clearly, as their individual personalities become more than just part of the tale, they come off the pages and pull you in, plot brims with tension-building twist, and great dialogue, witty banter, which brings this read together perfectly. Ian, a tortured soul, who has abandoned himself, so lost he has given up and would embrace death gladly. Lucy, a 8 year old child who no one in the world but her uncle Ian and doesn't know what love is. And Emily with emotional scars that run deep who just wants to start a new life. But as Emily falls in love with Ian and Lucy will Emily's be enough to heal their broken souls and become a family. It's a heart pounding romance with trials and tribulations, passion, danger, uncertainty, heartbreak and the twist and turns that make this one outstanding read that you won't want to miss.
February 2, 2021
Love Conquers
The Revolutionary/Colonial genre is my favorite time period! What an exciting and dangerous time to be alive! I liked the book very much, however, there were a few things I want to mention. So far, I like Kimberly Cates "Culloden's Fire" series more. Possibly due to a more active plot line and spirited scenes. The Raiders Bride focused more on just the characters inner turmoil themselves. The first half of the book took place within 2 days and was a bit drawn out. The second half was much better. This is not meant as a discouragement to not read the book. I still shed a few tears reading! I can't wait to read the rest of this series. I hope this review helps.
The Revolutionary/Colonial genre is my favorite time period! What an exciting and dangerous time to be alive! I liked the book very much, however, there were a few things I want to mention. So far, I like Kimberly Cates "Culloden's Fire" series more. Possibly due to a more active plot line and spirited scenes. The Raiders Bride focused more on just the characters inner turmoil themselves. The first half of the book took place within 2 days and was a bit drawn out. The second half was much better. This is not meant as a discouragement to not read the book. I still shed a few tears reading! I can't wait to read the rest of this series. I hope this review helps.
December 20, 2024
Had to put this down 30% of the way in, Lucy was just too annoying. I can't stand the adults excusing her poor behavior as "she's going through some stuff" sorry no, destroying other peoples property and cutting of a horses tail (which then gets written off as being vain, it's not, those tails serve a purpose).
I actually really liked everything else, the romance, the setting, the premise, literally every other character! I could not wait for Emily's happy ever after! However, if manipulative, entitled, rich children who get away with everything don't irritate you then this will probably be amazing.
I actually really liked everything else, the romance, the setting, the premise, literally every other character! I could not wait for Emily's happy ever after! However, if manipulative, entitled, rich children who get away with everything don't irritate you then this will probably be amazing.
March 31, 2024
Un-put-down-able
Literally, non-stop reading. My family noticed, too!
Emotional. OMG, I sucked all the air out of the room, more than once! A few times that child brought out tears or laughter...OMGosh "clinking against your teeth" just about did me in!!!
I am a new fan, but certainly I cannot be the most enthusiastic... Author Kimberly Cates has a masterful technique, and I MUST HAVE MORE of her work!
Also, for any GrammarCops, not to worry; you will not be tripping over any misspellings, misuses, or dangling participles! 5* from Bobi Holbrook
Literally, non-stop reading. My family noticed, too!
Emotional. OMG, I sucked all the air out of the room, more than once! A few times that child brought out tears or laughter...OMGosh "clinking against your teeth" just about did me in!!!
I am a new fan, but certainly I cannot be the most enthusiastic... Author Kimberly Cates has a masterful technique, and I MUST HAVE MORE of her work!
Also, for any GrammarCops, not to worry; you will not be tripping over any misspellings, misuses, or dangling participles! 5* from Bobi Holbrook
June 11, 2022
I really liked the setting and time period of this story. It’s 1772 in Virginia and the revolution is brewing. The characters are well-developed and as a reader I was pulling for them the entire book. At first I thought it was going to be a little steamy for me, but it was minimal. Twist near the end took me by surprise. I enjoyed the writing, this being the first book I’ve read by this author. I also listened and the Audible narrator did a very good job bringing the characters to life.
January 30, 2023
Loving a Scoundrel
Emily and Ian develop an attraction that both were afraid to follow through on because of past pain and hurts. But add to the mixture a precocious child
with a unbound temper and demands. Add the background of the colonies in the beginnings of their fight for freedom from England. The story is filled with Rollercoaster ride of emotions of despair, self hate, betrayal and finally love with unexpected twist and turns. Once begun it is hard to put down.
Emily and Ian develop an attraction that both were afraid to follow through on because of past pain and hurts. But add to the mixture a precocious child
with a unbound temper and demands. Add the background of the colonies in the beginnings of their fight for freedom from England. The story is filled with Rollercoaster ride of emotions of despair, self hate, betrayal and finally love with unexpected twist and turns. Once begun it is hard to put down.
July 6, 2019
I enjoyed this historical romance that was set in the 1770's before the American Revolution. I received this for free and I voluntarily chose to review it. This is not for the under 18 readers. There is some sex and violence in this. Add a precocious child, and horses together and it gets real interesting. I gave it a 4* rating.
February 18, 2021
A revolution, spies and love
Excellent read. The story is based in the time of the American revolution with rebels and spies. A seamstress who in not what she seems, a rebel with a lost niece all in need of some tender living care. Romance develops with surprises revealed from the past. Look forward to reading the next tale
Excellent read. The story is based in the time of the American revolution with rebels and spies. A seamstress who in not what she seems, a rebel with a lost niece all in need of some tender living care. Romance develops with surprises revealed from the past. Look forward to reading the next tale
July 17, 2017
Such a fun ride!
I loved, loved, loved this book. The characters were rich and interesting; very embraceable. Ms. Cates writes with such beautiful lyrical description. I cannot wait to read more of her sweeping historical romances.
I loved, loved, loved this book. The characters were rich and interesting; very embraceable. Ms. Cates writes with such beautiful lyrical description. I cannot wait to read more of her sweeping historical romances.
October 3, 2020
Wonderful story
It has been a long time since a book has brought tears to my eyes. This is such a beautiful and well written story of redemption, heartbreak, how love can mend and restore broken hearts and souls. Kimberly Cates is my new favorite author!
It has been a long time since a book has brought tears to my eyes. This is such a beautiful and well written story of redemption, heartbreak, how love can mend and restore broken hearts and souls. Kimberly Cates is my new favorite author!
February 4, 2021
I've decided to quit suffering books that irritate, bore, or somehow piss me off. For some reason, American history bores me. Degenerate arseholes (even as a cover) and spies irritate me. Bratty, manipulative kids/women piss me off. I'm amazed i made it to 30%.
February 22, 2021
What a tragic story!
This book is so well written that you feel the pain of the characters as if it's your own. Horrible circumstance and twists of fate come together to keep you tightly gripped until the very end. A very worthwhile read.
This book is so well written that you feel the pain of the characters as if it's your own. Horrible circumstance and twists of fate come together to keep you tightly gripped until the very end. A very worthwhile read.
February 1, 2023
action and romance
This has the hero being a patriot of his country and the heroine unknowingly, due to accepting indenture to America, almost costs him his life’s. In the end all misunderstandings and obstacles are overcome to see their hea
This has the hero being a patriot of his country and the heroine unknowingly, due to accepting indenture to America, almost costs him his life’s. In the end all misunderstandings and obstacles are overcome to see their hea
July 15, 2017
A few too many coincidences, but a good story.
July 19, 2017
A waste of time....
Poorly written, repetitive, very weak story line. Can't believe they are still writing soft porn. Total waste of my time.
Poorly written, repetitive, very weak story line. Can't believe they are still writing soft porn. Total waste of my time.
December 8, 2018
This was pretty forgettable
May 18, 2020
Highly recommend!
I love this book. The characters were believable and story line held my interest. Will read the sequel and all others.
I love this book. The characters were believable and story line held my interest. Will read the sequel and all others.
February 6, 2021
Nice
I enjoyed this read. It felt s little familiar
, like I’d read the same premise, but the setting was London. Otherwise, this was a nice, engaging read.
I enjoyed this read. It felt s little familiar
, like I’d read the same premise, but the setting was London. Otherwise, this was a nice, engaging read.
March 8, 2021
Enjoyable
Well drawn out story with characters skillfully written. Kept the reader's attention and looking forward to what might happen next.
Well drawn out story with characters skillfully written. Kept the reader's attention and looking forward to what might happen next.
September 15, 2023
An 8 year old steals the scenes in this very good book. Have tissues on hand for the ending.
December 4, 2023
The Raider's Bride
The book at first was interesting. In the middle it got confusing. I think some things were skipped. The ending was surprising.
The book at first was interesting. In the middle it got confusing. I think some things were skipped. The ending was surprising.
February 16, 2024
Laughter, tears, suspense...this one has it all, and the icing on the cake is listening to Tim Campbell narrate it! I can't wait to get the next book in the series!
May 15, 2024
Great novel!
Such a fun read. I loved the plot and the characters. I very much enjoy Kimberly Cates books. I am looking forward to reading more of them.
Such a fun read. I loved the plot and the characters. I very much enjoy Kimberly Cates books. I am looking forward to reading more of them.
March 7, 2021
Great.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
All the characters were flawed but hopefully endearing.
A few twists and turns to make it interesting.
Thankyou.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
All the characters were flawed but hopefully endearing.
A few twists and turns to make it interesting.
Thankyou.
April 27, 2016
Very good romance novel
Heart wrenching/heart warming! As a romance novel it's one of the better ones I have read. Well written. It is also funny.
The plot includes a very bad little girl who is acting out, and the dialogue is absolutely wonderfully written....very eight-year-old. This little girl is so bad and causes so much calamity...literally has adults running away from her. I have to say this author did a really extraordinary job of creating this character Lucy who comes to life on the pages and I could not help but fall in love with her. She is a handful to say the least.
The romance is raw and done so well. I highly recommend this to those readers who want a good strong, emotional romantic ride. Not a lot of history here other than the setting is just prior to the Revolutionary War in Virginia. But this is a fun read.
Heart wrenching/heart warming! As a romance novel it's one of the better ones I have read. Well written. It is also funny.
The plot includes a very bad little girl who is acting out, and the dialogue is absolutely wonderfully written....very eight-year-old. This little girl is so bad and causes so much calamity...literally has adults running away from her. I have to say this author did a really extraordinary job of creating this character Lucy who comes to life on the pages and I could not help but fall in love with her. She is a handful to say the least.
The romance is raw and done so well. I highly recommend this to those readers who want a good strong, emotional romantic ride. Not a lot of history here other than the setting is just prior to the Revolutionary War in Virginia. But this is a fun read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews