THE BRAT

Author: Lynsay Sands ISBN: 0843955015 3/2007 HISTORICAL Publisher: DORCHESTER
Time Period: 1351

WHO WOULD MARRY... All the knights had heard tales of Lady Murie, King Edward III’s goddaughter and much feted favorite. It was said she was stunningly beautiful, with bright blue eyes, golden hair and a sweet smile. It was also said that the king had doted on the girl and spoiled her rotten. Despite his need, when Sir Balan saw her howling and sobbing, Murie was the last person he wanted to wed. ... THE BRAT? But all that glitters is not gold, and sometimes diamonds look very, very rough. There was more to Murie than met the eye, and Balan soon learned that he’d be lucky indeed to deserve such a bride. Yet he was not the only one to discern the truth, and the other hopeful hubby was not quite as honorable. A plot was afoot. Soon would come a reckoning, a time to show who was chivalrous, who was a cad…and who had won the love of a heart unspoiled.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Lynsay Sands never fails to get my blood a-pumpin'. Her newest release is so much fun, I had to throw my head back and laugh out loud quite a few times, even going so far as to re-read some of the pages to make sure I had heard things right.

Balan needs a bride in the worst possible way. His father has died, leaving his estate financially strapped and Sir Balan has no choice but to rely upon King Edward's court to find himself a wealthy bride. When he learns that the king's favorite goddaughter is being forced to marry, he perks up a little, even though he knows that she is way above him. What little interest he had in marrying the woman, the one that everyone calls "The Brat," completely deserts him when he sees her crying and carrying on in front of the entire court to bend the king to her will. Never will he take such a willful woman to wed even though she would bring him tremendous wealth, as he still would have to deal with this slobbering, uncontrollable wretch in the meantime!!

Lady Murie has played her part well. The little dramatic actress in her has assured that she receives everything she has ever wanted from the king and that the ladies at court don't bother her at all. She is able to grow up in the limelight of the court and not be harassed or pressed for marriage by an unlikely suitor. She is also able to escape the women's quibbling tongues, as they would never dare to treat the king's favorite with anything but kindness. She pretty much has this whole game played out to perfection. But upon meeting the handsome Sir Balan and realizing that her crying jags have no effect on him whatsoever, she decides that tears may not be the best way to sway her man. So, she does what she does best. She sets out to get what she wants!

I love how hot and bothered Murie makes Balan. Being a man who has very few words to say, the fact that she can make him even more speechless is just great reading. Their chemistry is over the top and made for some great steamy reading! Sexy, fun, and fast paced, THE BRAT is a great read for fans of historical romance.

Kristal Gorman