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Today is Series Sunday on Sugarbeat’s Books! Every Sunday I’m posting a review of a book in a series – in the order that they are supposed to be read! Nothing worse than reading out of order 🙂 Today is the second book in Kat Martin’s Bride Series – Reese’s Bride. Although I like the fist book in the series, I had some problems with errors in this book as you will read. Let me know your thoughts on historical and other inaccuracies in books. Do they drive you batty?
Reese’s Bride by Kat Martin
ISBN: 0778327442
Publisher : MIRA
Release: Dec 29, 2009
Source: I purchased a copy of this book to read and review
Wounded in battle, Major Reese Dewar returns to England—but his injuries are nothing compared to his shattered heart
Years ago, love-struck Reese departed his home at Briarwood with a promise from raven-haired Elizabeth Clemens that she would make a life with him upon his return. But mere months later, she married the Earl of Aldridge, attaining wealth and status Reese could never match. Memories of that betrayal make his homecoming far more bitter than sweet.
Seeing Elizabeth on his doorstep dressed in widow’s garb twists the knife even deeper. But fear for her young son’s safety has overcome her pride: she begs Reese for protection from those who would see the boy dead to possess his fortune. He agrees to an uneasy alliance, sensing Elizabeth still harbors deep secrets—and Reese knows that he’s placing himself in danger…of losing his heart all over again.
Reese’s Bride is the second book in Kat Martin’s latest trilogy. This story starts with Elizabeth Clemens, now the Countess of Aldridge, showing up on Reese Dewar’s doorstep with her son in tow, in desperate need of his assistance. She is seeking protection from her brother-in-law whom she is believes is trying to kill her son, and is drugging her. Her son stands in her brother-in-law’s way of inheriting the title of Earl. Reese and Elizabeth have a history, and she is the last person that Reese wants to see; especially now that he is back from fighting the war with a damaged leg!
Major Reese Dewar left home several years ago to serve his country with a promise from Elizabeth that she would marry him when he returned. Due to a pregnancy from their one night of passion, Elizabeth’s father forces her into marriage with the Earl of Aldridge. Reese feels betrayed that Elizabeth didn’t wait for him, but was unaware of her pregnancy. To protect Elizabeth and her son, Reese marries her and offers her the protection of his name and his brother the duke.
The story then turns into 2 stories. The first one is Reese, his brothers and their friends working to clear the name of their friend Travis, who has been accused of spying for the Russians. The second one is the love story between Reese and Elizabeth. As in all good love stories, Elizabeth tries to hide the secret of the identity of her son’s father and when Reese finds out, there are some fireworks. Reese and Elizabeth try several methods to get Elizabeth’s brother-in-law off their backs but they seem to spend more time clearing Travis’s name.
What distracted me in this story were the issues with editing!! There were inconsistencies in several places in the book. There were two obvious ones that I felt someone should have caught before the book went to print. Firstly, Travis, Reese’s friend who lost an arm in the Crimea puts his hands (plural) on Annabelle’s shoulders several times. Secondly, towards the end of the book, we find Reese getting busy with his lovely wife and unzips his pants. This story is supposed to be set in 1855. There are no zippers on any pants in 1855. Modern zippers were invented in 1917 and not in common use on men’s pants until around 1937. I don’t have any trouble with some literary license, but someone editing this book should have caught this historical inaccuracy!!
Aside from the inconsistencies, this is a good story. It engrosses the reader and serves as a good second book for this series. I am looking forward to the third book in the series!
“Reese’s Bride is hot, sexy and mesmerizing. The pages are rich with history, taut with tension and steaming with passion.” RT Book Reviews
Amazon purchase link for Reese’s Bride
