CALEB'S BRIDE

Author: Norah Hess ISBN:7114500599 12/2003 (Reprint) HISTORICAL Publisher: LOVE SPELL

Fleeing a typhus epidemic in Boston, Roxanne Sherwood ran headlong into a band of Indians and was immediately taken captive. At the mercy of the fierce warriors, Roxy feared for her life ... until a white stranger claimed her as his wife. His well-fitting buckskins outlined every detail of his tall, muscular body, and the smoldering look in his dark eyes left no doubt of his desire. To secure her freedom, the Indians declared Roxy must share this man's bed along with all the intimacies of a married couple. Could she possibly trust the rough-riding frontiersman to introduce her to the pleasures of being a woman? Torn between duty and desire, society and survival, Roxy was sure of only one thing: He must win her heart before she would fully surrender to being...Caleb's Bride. Visit Norah's website at http://www.norahhess.com/

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Years ago I was on a Norah Hess glomming trip and I found her earlier books published by Playboy Press. The only book I didn't find was CALEB'S BRIDE, so when asked to review it I jumped at the chance.

CALEB'S BRIDE is a seedier look at the Kentucky mountain men in 1776. Caleb is very rough around the edges but no less lovable than Hess's later heroes. He tries to be gentle and loving to Roxanne Sherwood after recusing her and her cousin from a band of renegade Indians.

Roxanne wants more from a man that just to be his mistress and live in a shack. She moves on to her uncle's cabin, finding a refined Bostonian neighbor she decides to marry. Even though her body burns for Caleb, she pushes his advances away.

I did get tired of Roxanne's "I hate you" each time Caleb wanted to be with her. There is a cluster of secondary characters to sort out: Indians, renegades, servants, Red Coats, hunters, and family, each having a hard luck story to share. There is a tiny story about the Colonies struggles for freedom from the English, but between everyone having sex with each other and their relatives, not much. In my opinion, if you're dying of curiosity, hunt up the original copy for less money than spending your money on a semi-porn book.

DeeKay