The Italian Count's Defiant Bride

by Catherine George

Book Overview

Count Francesco da Luca doesn't like being made a fool of. When his bride fled the marriage bed, he vowed she'd pay the debt she owed him--their wedding night But Alicia Cross is no longer the trembling, naive innocent he married--and she won't be pushed around by the masterful count. His runaway bride is proving to be more of a challenge than he anticipated--until he discovers she's still a virgin. The wedding night Francesco wanted is his for the...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373128304
• ISBN13: 9780373128303
• Release Date: May 2009
• Publisher: Harlequin Presents
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 4.2" x 6.6"

Customer Reviews

Decent enough HP read

The Italian Count's Defiant Bride by Catherine George was a decent enough HP read. In the past, I've always enjoyed Catherine George's HP books, but this one doesn't quite live up to her others. It felt like it dragged on too much. Francesco de Luca fell in love with Alicia Cross when he first set eyes on her. They end up getting married, but on their weeding night, things fall apart, and they never consummated their marriage. A little unbelievable here. Several years go by without either one of them seeking a divorce (Francesco was turned away by her mother), and now Alicia runs across Francesco at a rugby match. It informs her that she must come to his hometown because his late mother left her something in her will. Alicia agrees to go, and also agrees to play the part of his wife again because a close family friend of hers is trying to put the moves on her. Francesco is very laid-back, and takes his time trying to win over his wife again. Come on already!!! Let's get to the good part! There is a lot of dialogue between hero and heroine at the start, but when the romance heats up between them, the story takes a turn for the better! 4 stars!

Love Forgives All

Alicia Cross thought she'd put that horrible moment behind her, but suddenly Count Francesco da Luca was standing in front of her and she couldn't hide any longer. The years had been kind to Alicia. With her pale skin, adorable freckles and fiery red hair, she holds Francesco captive with her simple beauty. If only sweet Alicia can find it in her heart to forgive him for their misunderstanding, they might have a chance to be together again. I enjoyed the contrasts between these natives of Wales and Italy and how two people who are so very different can still love each other so deeply. Indeed, love knows all and forgives all. I'm looking forward to reading more of Catherine George's work.

"Life is a game of power & pleasure & these men play to win!"

I can't recall ever reading a Catherine George Presents but she'll be an auto buy for me from now on as I so enjoyed The Italian Count's Defiant Bride. It's about second chances and will absolutely tug at your heart strings. As a young teenager just fresh out of school with absolutely no experience, Alicia travels to Florence with her bestfriend Megan and literally bumps into Count Francesco da Luca a retired rugby player. Alicia is overwhelmed because she's been a fan of his for years. Francesco shows her the city and they quickly fall in love and marry. However, their wedding night is a disaster and she leaves and returns home and refuses his calls. Now years later, Francesco returns to Wales and is determined to see Alicia and bring her back to Italy under pretenses that his mother has left her something and the rest of the heirs cannot get their inheritance until she signs the papers. On top of everything else, Alicia has a problem with a man she adores like a brother and he's made advances so Francesco and Alicia decide to tell everyone they have reconciled. It's such a lovely and romantic love story, one you will definitely not want to miss.