Smitten by Books

Rule’s Bride
Author: Kat Martin
Publisher: HQN
Pub. Date: April 27, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0778327745
Retail: $7.99
368 pages

Unrepentant rake Rule Dewar is living the good life when a most surprising event occurs— he falls in love with his wife.

After their strategic “marriage of commerce” three years ago, Rule quite forgot about Violet Griffin, the teenage heiress to a Boston manufacturing fortune. He simply spoke his vows, took over her father’s business and returned to England to resume his usual pursuits: high-priced wine, high-stakes gambling and high-born women.

Yet when Violet, now a sophisticated woman, unexpectedly appears at Rule’s London townhouse, husbandly duties no longer seem so odious—he can’t wait to take his stunning bride to their marriage bed. Violet, however, is not so easily led: she has her own ideas and is seeking an annulment to marry another. But as Rule attempts to win her over, someone else is determined to frame him for murder and keep him out of the way for good….

~*~*~

Fear of commitment and questions about the meaning of love are just some of the hurdles that have to be overcome in this sexy story with a tinge of mystery and social issues thrown in to add to this intriguing read.

Violet Griffin is just sixteen when she’s joined to Lord Rule Dewar in a marriage based on business her dying father desires to see to her future well-being and that of his gun manufacturing company. Violet’s father has been working with Rule and admires him for his intelligence and strong work ethic and believes he’d be good to his only child. Since Violet’s so young the marriage will be in name only for the next two years with both Rule and Violet managing half the company. So Violet enters into marriage with a man she finds dashing and looks forward to the day she truly becomes Rule’s Bride.

After three years, Violet’s still waiting and is fed up. During those years Violet has had very little contact with Rule, not even when her father died. She’s actually formed an attachment to a local boy named Jeffrey Burnett and decides to travel to London to confront Rule with her decision to get an annulment and sell the company. Rule is fed up too, bored with the women around him, and knows he should finally do his duty and claim Violet. So her showing up unexpectedly is not such a bad thing. What is bad for him is her desire to end their arrangement. Since their marriage isn’t consummated the company would go back to Violet entirely which isn’t something Rule wants, so he begs her to stay with him thirty days to see if they can make their marriage work. Violet agrees since it’s what her father would have wanted and promises herself to remain chaste since she believes she loves Jeffrey.

Remaining chaste is very difficult though, as Rule finds Violet very attractive and uses every sensual trick he knows to get her into bed. And after a near-death experience he succeeds. Violet feels guilt-ridden and has to inform Jeffrey, who’s traveled to London as well on the pretense of wanting to support Violet. Since divorce is not an option Violet decides to make the best of the situation. After talking with Rule, she starts working with him at the gun company. And since war between the states is on the horizon and she doesn’t want people hurt, they look for someone to buy the company. That’s not as easy task as some unscrupulous men vie for ownership. Soon, Rule is accused of murder and Violet is left to prove his innocence. Finding proof leads her into the dangerous parts of London and puts her life in danger. Will Rule be able to save himself and Violet? And will he ever say those three little words Violet longs to hear?

While Violet and Rule work through their issues, there is a secondary couple that is very enjoyable. They are very similar to Rule and Violet in that they have issues defining what love is and showing that love. Luke Barclay has always been labeled a cad, but changes his ways when he meets Violet’s cousin Caroline Lockhart. After being caught in a compromising situation they get married. Their relationship is rocky too while they both fight to reach their happily ever after. Having them in the story is an interesting juxtaposition to the main couple. Having each person give advice to the other regarding relationships is a bit humorous at times since you wish they’d take their own advice but it’s also very humanizing.

Violet is a strong willed character. She has moments of childishness, but when the situation is dire she shows a high level of maturity. She’s intelligent when it comes to business, but has low self-esteem when it comes to how she thinks her husband feels about her. I think a lot of this is reflective of not having a mother. Her father said he’s raised her as a tomboy and having so many losses so early in life has made her unsure of what love is. Rule has the same problem. His mother died at an early age and he doesn’t know what love is either. He definitely knows what attraction is, but saying the words is hard for him. He definitely shows his love through actions more than words. Both of these character’s inabilities make for some difficult times during the story and at times rub the reader wrong. But ultimately their road to happiness leaves you cheering them on.

Rating: 8 (Very Good)

Heat-Level: 5 (Scorching)

Tammy has a slightly different take on Rule’s Bride. Check out her review on the website.  (7 (Good), Heat-Level 3 (Sensual) ).