Their marriage is forced. Their passion is real.The WardEnglish knight Sir Adam Dayne is offered the ultimate prize by the earl who raised him: lordship of Langford castle. All he must do is accept a betrothal to the Scottish Marcher warden’s beautiful daughter, a match made to keep peace at the tumultuous Anglo-Scottish border. Sir Adam relishes the prospect—until he meets the woman he is to wed. prospect—until he meets the woman he is to wed.
The Bride
Lady Cora Maxwell hates everything English, including the self-assured new lord who has claimed her hand in marriage. Desperate to return home to Scotland, Cora displays increasingly outrageous behavior in the hopes of dissuading the Englishman from the marriage. But when Adam proposes a unique challenge, Cora is forced to face her greatest fears and the burgeoning desire he has awakened in her.
The Ward’s Bride is a prequel novella in a historical romance series. If you like strong female heroines, alpha male types, and sizzling romance, you’ll love the first installment of the Border Series. Transport yourself to the medieval world of The Ward’s Bride today!
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A fun read that sets up the Border Series. An arranged marriage is difficult, but at the time of the story, often necessary. The borderland between England and Scotland is a rough place to live because of the constant strife. Cora wants to return to Scotland. Adam figures a way for her to return. Will Cora leave and never come back? I enjoyed the story.
I liked this short read. Adam and Cora from the beginning intrigued me with the love match. The writer maintained the story around the marriage match of Adam and Cora. I liked that the writer didn’t write Cora as a crying simpleton. I was happy to read that Cora could match intelligence and strength with any man. Adam was very mesmerized by his wife. I liked that the writer wrote Adam’s character, determined to seduce his wife. This is a quick read with some spices scenes from the married couple.
Great Historical Romance! Steamy passion, great characters! Page-turner.
This is a new aUthor for me. This prequel sets the scene for what appears as a very good series. I found it to be well written, engrossing, and a thrilling fast read. So let’s meet the characters.
Sir John Maxwell, Scottish warden of the Eastern March, Cora’s father who wants peace at the border and has been working towards that end for years.
Lord Kenshire, second earl of Kenshire, the English equivalent of Sir Maxwell. He wants peace also for generations to come. His son Richard, who is also a knight, has a minor roll in the story but counts Adam as a brother.
Sir Adam Dayne, who lost his parents at the age of eight (I believe), he was raised by Lord Kenshire. He is now a knight under Lord Kenshire, and is like a second son to him.
Lady Cora Maxwell, Scottish through and through, she is leary of marriage, English, and does not see peace happening. She is strong, stubborn, and good with a longbow.
On the Day of Truce, when the “border inhabitants” come together to start peace. Richard is attacked by a Scottish man but is foiled by another. When Lord Kenshire and The Maxwell confer they come up with a peaceful solution of a marriage. Since Lord Richard is already engaged, it is Sir Adam that gets the marriage.
As Cora is out up as the sacrificial bride for peace, she tried to get her father to back out of it. As he does not want that spEcies has to figure out a way to get out on her own.
Now as Cora tries to implement plan after plan to get out of the marriage she never counts on a wedding the morning after arriving. When a stroke of luck gives her an invite of a plausible plan, STALL. So she does in a most unconventional way for a female.
Adam does all he can to ease Cora into the marriage and living in England. When he sees her shot her longbow he comes up with a contest after being put off for weeks by a skidish bride.
To read this beguiling, delightful story will be an give you an escapade of fun, witty banter and a HEA that will surprise and delight you.
When the earl who raised him as if he were his own son offers Sir Adam Dayne the lordship of Langford Castle, Adam can’t refuse the man who’s like a father to him. But to keep the peace on the fractious English-Scottish border, Adam must also marry the daughter of the Scottish border warden. Adam is eager to do anything to help his foster father, until he meets his reluctant bride and wonders just what he’s agreed to.
Lady Cora Maxwell harbors nothing but resentment for the English. She comes up with a plan almost immediately, hoping to convince her new husband to send her back to Scotland by acting in increasingly infuriating ways. But Adam is determined not to disappoint his foster father, so he issues Cora a challenge of his own, forcing her to open herself up to the unwitting attraction she’s come to feel for Adam.
This was a fun novella, but I must say I was not a fan of Cora. She was extremely judgmental and wouldn’t give Adam even the slightest chance despite his impeccable behavior towards her. Poor Adam had the patience of a saint and I loved his relationship with Richard. I’m eager to continue my attempt at listening to the Border series in order. This was a new-to-me narrator, but I enjoyed his voice and will look for more of his work.
If you wanted to go home after being forced into marriage with a man you have never seen or heard of, you might pull the tricks Cora did so she would be allowed to go home to Scotland.
All Adam wished for is the beautiful woman he had to marry to be a real wife to him. He has to work hard to prove to the Earl of Kinshire that he could make the estate of Langford prosperous.
The story will keep you engaged until the last page.
Such a good book!! I loved it!! I love this time period and I loved the characters! This was my first Cecelia Mecca book and it definitely will not be my last! I have already bought the next. This looks to be an amazing series!!
The Ward’s Bride (Border Series Prequel Novella)
Cecelia Mecca is a five star find!
ByLC Reads
I received the opportunity to try a book writen by Ceceila Mecca “The Wards Bride” from a book club for free. I figured if the book was as good and attractive as the cover it would be worth my time. Cecelia did not disappoint!!! The story line was well written with characters that I loved and cheered for. I’m looking forward and very excited to read more of her novels! Keep them a coming!!!