Review

Linda Howard is one of my favorite romance authors. I loved basically everything she wrote when she wrote for Harlequin/Silhouette. Duncan's Bride is probably my favorite of her books next to Sarah's Child--if you haven't read this book, you really need to.

This story is the contemporary version of the mail order bride, which Ms. Howard makes totally believable. Why, you ask, would a beautiful woman in her 20s answer an ad for a bride? And why does a hunky, rancher need to advertise for one? Let's just be happy that they did.

Their initial meeting is electric with a capital E but things don't go as you'd expect them to. Eventually, things do work out--so to speak--and Reese and Maddy are man and wife with a nice contract to make things all very official.

The greatness of this story is how they adapt to married life and how their relationship grows. Sexual compatibility is not a problem for these two. It's off-the-charts, and the one place that requires no adjustment at all. Maddy also has to adjust to life on a working ranch. Not always easy. And it's not easy to be married to a man who can't forget what his first wife did to him and expects her to be the same.

There's a hair-raising, heart-pounding moment that had be holding my breath. The ending was the best. It really is. I love it when a man who has a ton of regrets about some things he did. Not gonna tell you what, but I loved it.

All in all, I can't even tell you how many times I've read this book. I have the original Silhouette print book and have the digital on pre-order. Yes, that's how much I love it. And I'm sure you will too.

Reviewed by Beverley