The Elusive Bride

by Deborah Hale

Book Overview

To protect her home and family she will marry the devil himself This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373291396
• ISBN13: 9780373291397
• Release Date: December 2000
• Publisher: Harlequin Books
• Length: 297 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.2" x 6.6"

Customer Reviews

Great story there is a follow up too...Love it

There are a few great reviews that detail the book so I didn't want to repeat them and I didn't go through them all. But I just thought I'd metioned, incase someone didn't already, that there was a follow up to it. Just thought I'd let you know. Rowan makes a guest appearance as it were in Con ap Ifan's book "Border Bride". It too is a great book. She has a way of writing that draws you in. I couldn't put them down. Anyway, hope this helps anyone like me who always asks...what happened next. Border Bride (Harlequin Historical Series, No. 619)

True Medieval Love and Adventure!

THE ELUSIVE BRIDE is an exciting adventurous tale of finding love that requires tolerance to bring it to lasting fulfillment. Only the love of Cecily Tryell can tame the demons that haunt Lord Rowan DeCourtnay and only Lord DeCourtnay can subdue Cecily's mischievous spirit. If medieval adventure is your preference, you'll enjoy this one!

Wonderful hero and heroine!

Cecily Tyrell never expected to inherit her familial lands. When all of her brothers die fighting against King Stephen, that is exactly what happens. All of her neighbors are loyal to Stephen and Cecily's lands open the way to Empress Mauds strongholds. Empress Maud orders Cecily to wed Lord Rowan DeCourtenay, a knight that is strong enough to keep the troubled lands safe. Rowan appears to be the typical tortured hero. His first marriage lasted just a few hours and culminated in his brides death. He opened his heart once and has vowed never to do that again. He understands he must marry Cecily for the cause.Cecily and Rowan are not your normal hero and heroine. Cecily is so full of spunk and very smart. She worms her way into Rowan's heart. For the sake of the plot, Rowan travels with Cecily without her knowing his true identity. He reasons that if she doesn't know who he is, that he'll get to really know her and won't be fooled like with his first wife. He charms and protects Cecily on their trek and without the outside world to give them problems, they sparkle together. Once the truth comes out, the problems arise. I really wanted things to work out for this couple. There is also adventure involved, this is a medieval romance after all. I don't normally read from this genre, but I had so enjoyed A Gentleman of Substance that I decided to try another by this talented author. Once again Deborah Hale has written quite a page turner.

She just keeps getting better!

Deb Hale just keeps getting better and better. I've read all of her books and this one is her most sophisticated to date. A medieval marriage of convenience story puts a delightful heroine against a more serious hero. When Cecily finds her beloved castle under seige, the only thing she can hold to her heart since her father has turned his back on her, she slips away to plead with the stranger the Empress has ordered her to marry. But after a brief, disasterous marriage, Rowan isn't ready to give his heart to anyone, esp to a beautiful vivacious maiden. Deb Hale takes us on a journey of redemption where both the hero and the heroine risk all they hold dear to save the other's life. Again Deb has set her story in a lush scenery, as rich and smooth as the silky gown Cecily wears on her wedding day. You're sure to laugh at Cecily's antics and cry with the pain that cuts through Rowan's tender heart. Don't miss this one!

a wonderful medieval tale!

A stranger stumbles into the convent garden as Cecily Tyrell leisurely plucks vegetables. Cecily can not help her fascination with the Crusader. Their encounter is short lived, yet eventful, as the Sister in charge takes Cecily away. Lord Rowan DeCourtenay is in awe of the audacious female he found in the garden. As she is called away, he can not help but wonder how such a tempting morsel can indeed plan to take the veil.Cecily leaves the convent as her home Brantham keep is in trouble and she learns she must wed by her Queen's command. Of which she finds herself much more agreeable with than being forced into marriage with the hideous man Fulke.Rowan also must wed by the Queen's demand. As Rowan is a widower, with painful memories and a shadowed past, another marriage is the last thing he desired. Yet he knows he is duty bound to take Cecily to wife. However he battles his inner turmoil, wondering if he truly deserved such a lovely lady.Circumstances bring them together again and Rowan is forced to pose as the half brother of Cecily's intended groom. As they travel together, fleeing the men of their shared enemy Fulke, their attraction to each other builds. Soon Cecily can not imagine anyone other than this man being her husband. Rowan struggles with the guilt of his duplicity as well as his growing love for his promised bride. He hopes she will forgive him and still offer her love once his real identity is revealed. It's been a long time since I read a Harlequin Historical but I was reminded how good these books can be. This well plotted medieval tale pulled me right in and took me on an eventful ride with an enjoyable conclusion. The hero and heroine are well suited in temperaments which makes for an enticing match of wits. Great story!