*REVIEW* ~ Her Bastard Bridegroom, by Alice Coldbreath

#medieval #fantasy #romance

A Sweet and Steamy Adult Read

Book Blurb

Lady Linnet Cadwallader has been raised a helpless invalid in her own castle. Brought up to believe she will ‘never make old bones’ she lives a quiet and lonely existence, hiding away her excessive freckles and red hair from a world that believes her to be hideously misshapen and ugly.

Until one day her uncle arranges a marriage of convenience for her, a marriage in name only with a young puppet groom… but Sir Roland does not show up. In his place turns up his bastard-born brother Mason Vawdrey. And dark, forceful Mason is no-one’s puppet.

Things are about to get interesting at Cadwallader Castle. And Linnet is about to discover that maybe a golden leopardess does not need to change her glorious spots.

This is a full length novel of over 80,000 words. Please do not purchase if you are offended by strong language and or sex scenes.

My Review

Loved it – A Delightfully Sweet and Steamy Treat! ~ 5 stars

I came across this read whilst noodling on Amazon and downloaded it as the plot line – vulnerable heroine marries bad boy alpha male really appealed to me. I’m so so glad I did, as I now have another favourite author to read!

Her Bastard Bridegroom is a sweet and steamy read set in a Medieval landscape. Whilst the hero Mason truly is the dark and brooding bastard in the book’s title, and Linnet regards herself as an unattractive young lady destined for an early grave, nothing is what it first seems – this book is a romance after all! Both hero and heroine are just what each other needs and their relationship frees them from their past and leads the to discover truths about themselves that they did not know existed. What starts of as a marriage of convenience with the hero making no bones about marrying the heroine for her riches soon develops into something more. Yet there are those in Linnet’s and his own family who are far from happy about their unexpected union and they gather in the wings…

Mason is a loveable rogue of a man. He is renowned for his dark ways and freely admits that he does not have a romantic bone in his body. I liked that he is totally honest with Linnet and leaves her under no illusions that what he wants from her is her dowry and an heir or two so that his offspring can secure a title. Yet this great beast of a man has never met a woman quite like Linnet, so unspoiled and innocent. Despite his first impressions he is in for a huge surprise as his new wife also has a strong character and can match him in and out of the bedroom. Talking of bedroom there are many steamy scenes inside and outside of the chamber and the authors graphic depictions of their lovemaking positively sizzle!

As for Linnet. despite Mason’s reputation, she is undaunted and is liberated by her marriage as never before in her life. I loved how her character came into its own with the developing plot and how Mason, despite his gruff ways and his insistence to himself and others that this marriage was for his convenience only, falls hard for his wife.

Mason’s half-brother Oswald, so different in character, is a perfect foil for Mason, often acting as his conscience and along with many other supporting characters make for an entertaining and often humorous read. I loved how the story developed and was very satisfied with its outcome.

Recommended for fans of historical/fantasy romance who like a romantic and steamy read.

Reviewed by Tina Williams