THE CONVENIENT BRIDE

Author: Teresa McCarthy ISBN: 0451216377 9/2005 HISTORICAL Publisher: SIGNET (NAL)
Time Period: Regency

A Dangerous Liason.... Facing financial ruin, Lord Clayton Clearbrook inherits his uncle's fortune with the stipulation that he must marry within three weeks—an opportunity he dare not refuse. Not many weddings in the ton are based on love, after all-and a bride of convenience would suit Clayton perfectly. Knowing time is of the essence, he sets his sights on Miss Briana Garland, a bluestocking who has adored him since childhood. But to Clayton’s dismay, the lady shuns his advances. Though Briana still has feelings for the handsome lord, she has vowed never to marry. Besides, she has other things on her mind, namely taking part in a secret mission to break up the assassination attempt of the Prince Regent! However, her rejection does not stop Lord Clayton. And as he intensifies his pursuit of her, the lady finds herself falling in love...and in more jeopardy than she ever bargained for...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Briana Garland, that sort of Regency miss who is known as a bluestocking because of her unusual interest in learning, is a risk taker in life but cautious in love. On one hand, she is a government spy trying to figure out who is plotting to kill the Prince Regent; on the other, she can't even bring herself to flirt with the rakish Lord Clayton Clearbrook, who she has had a crush on since her teen years. Briana has buried one fiancé by the age of twenty-two, but has never opened her heart.

Clayton needs a wife, however, and despite his family's disapproval, toys with the idea of marrying Briana. He finds her fascinating, and over the course of the book, falls in love with her almost in spite of himself. The story sparkles in interactions with secondary characters, but drags a bit otherwise. The conflict between the romantic couple is monotonous. However, McCarthy does a good job of bringing the period to life.

Heather Hiestand