In Bed With A Stranger by Mary Wine Series: McJames #1
Published by Brava on June 1st 2009
Genres: Historical Romance, Scottish Highlands, Medieval Era
Narrator: Bruce Mann
Length: 10 Hours and 25 Mins
Pages: 370
Format: Audiobook
Source: Self Purchased
ISBN: 0758234635
An Imperfect Match
Brodick McJames is an earl in name only. To secure his clan's future he needs an English wife. Mary Stanford, daughter of the Earl of Warwickshire, will suit perfectly. He's never met her, but what matter? She'll grace his bed eventually, and once she bears his child he need see her no more.
Anne Copper looks just like her noble half-sister, but she was born illegitimate, and can never forget it. The best she can hope for is to stay a serving girl in her own father's house. But when Lady Mary finds herself betrothed to a Scot, it seems there's a use for Anne after all . . .
The woman who arrives in Alcaon is not what Brodick expects, and the passion that grows between them promises far more than a marriage of convenience. When fate draws two together, it may take more than a noblewoman's plot to part them . . .
Summary
Brodick McJames, is in need of a wife to secure his lands and even though he is Scot…he will need an English wife to do so. So he connects with his English neighbor and to get married by proxy to his daughter Mary. Anne Cooper, is the illegitimate daughter of Earl of Warwickshire. Her mother has been his leman for many years. Anne has had to live under the abuse of her father’s wife for many years. But when her step sister Mary, is called upon to enter into this marriage, a scheme rises up from Mary’s mother. Lady Phillipa, refuses to have her daughter be married to a Scot, or suffer the pain and death of the childbed. She despises Anne, and blackmails her into going into Mary’s stead as the wife of McJames. At first Anne wants to refuse, but with her mother and sister and brother’s lives on the line, she will do anything to keep them from harm and abuse. So she goes, knowing that this evil scheme she wants no part of but sees no other choice. Her plan is to reach her father somehow and inform him of what is going on because she knows he would protect her from this if he knew about it. But then she meets her fake “husband” Brodick McJames, and soon they discover a hidden passion and a deep love for each other. She forgets about what she will be forced to do to Brodick, and enjoys what time they have together. Will Anne have the courage to tell Brodick the truth….or will she have to sacrifice her love for him to save their son and secure his future?
Plot and Story Line
Wow what a ride that Mary Wine has given us with In Bed With A Stranger Its apparent I haven’t read this author enough, and my goodness…do I need to change that. I was amazed by how swept away I was by this sweet love story. I was a bit apprehensive upon reading the blurb, But I knew that with Mary Wine as the author I was going to enjoy listening to this book and dang I DID!! This is a story that can be overwhelming at times. We see the beginnings of Lady Phillipa and how truly evil she can be. We also see how horrid she and her daughter Mary treat Anne and the rest of her family. My heart ached for them to be honest, because with the father away so much at court….they are left to Phillipa’s machinations. And boy can she be cruel to any servant.
What I loved most was our heroine…she has such courage and I loved her strength. From the beginning I knew I liked her. Our hero is pretty wonderful….definitely “book boyfriend” material. What I really liked about Brodick is how he treats Anne from the beginning. He is a bit of a rogue at times, but he is sweet and tender in the most intimate moments between them. I truly liked how true he is to Anne and never loses faith in her. He is very protective, he is a leader for his people and we see his true colors from the start and I couldn’t stop admiring him as the hero for the story. We see the guilt and turmoil that our heroine suffers. I was curious to see how it ended…and boy did it end in such a great way. I was totally happy with the outcome especially with how Phillipa and Mary get their just deserts for sure in this one. Overall this was a fantastic read and highly recommend to any historical romance lover out there.
Narration
I adored this narrator…when I first heard the sample I was a bit nervous, not sure if I would like his voice. But man…he handled this story so well. The accents, inflections, the emotions conveyed….perfectly portrayed and well done!! This won’t be my last book listening to him that is for sure.
The Cover
What a yummy cover…I love the colors that we see here. I love the gold and dark background…adds a bit of mystery to it but is also very sensual.
Overall View
In Bed With A Stranger is a beautifully woven romance that gives us a realistic conflict, some evil villains, a true prince at heart and a romance that carries you away!! SIMPLY ENDEARING!!
About Mary Wine
Mary Wine has written over twenty novels that take her readers from the pages of history to the far reaches of space. Recent winner of a 2008 EPPIE Award for erotic western romance, her book LET ME LOVE YOU was quoted “Not to be missed…” by Lora Leigh, New York Times best-selling author.
When she’s not abusing a laptop, she spends time with her sewing machines…all of them! Making historical garments is her second passion. From corsets and knickers to court dresses of Elizabeth I, the most expensive clothes she owns are hundreds of years out of date. She’s also an active student of martial arts, having earned the rank of second degree black belt.
I have read some of hers and enjoyed them 🙂
I like the sound of this one. I think I would read it just to see the nasty Phillipa get her dues. LOL But the romance sounds sweet, too.