The Marriage Bed

by Claudia Dain

Book Overview

A wild and passionate love affair brings our hero and heroine together. Neither can resist the attraction they feel for one another and everything else takes second place. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0843949333
• ISBN13: 9780843949339
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Leisure Books
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Seductive...

Thanks to a kiss between them when they were younger, Isabel has always wanted Richard. Unfortunately, Isabel was always expected to marry Richard's older brother, as she is the Lady of Dornei. Richard, in order to escape temptation, and to heed what he hopes is his true calling, becomes a monk.As fate intervenes, Isabel and Richard must marry. Richard will be a reluctant bridegroom and Isabel will suffer from the loss of her dreams. Redemption, in this wonderful novel, will be the coming together of these two beautifully-written characters.This is a book that seems to have it all. It has an unusual and compelling plot, two wonderful leads, interesting secondary characters, some violence, some humor, and warm sensuality. On top of that, it has a seductive quality to it; you want to keep reading it. And, the gentle use of religion works well with the story, and the medieval time period.

Excellent medieval romance with a twist

I have been a romance fan for years, with a special interest in medievals. I've experienced the typical plot devices and the "Norman cur/Saxon wench" themes which can be lots of fun, but don't necessarily stand up to the test of time. With The Holding, and now The Marriage Bed, Claudia Dain has created a new take on the medieval romance which intrigued and satisfied even this jaded reader.Religion was a major part of life in the medieval world, yet perhaps because of the very nature of romance, it is often ignored or given only a small role to play in even well-done novels. Ms. Dain has thrown that convention on its head and given us in Richard a hero who has devoted himself to God's service and is most reluctant to give it up for marriage even to Isabel, the most winsome and lovesick (for Richard) of women. The conflict between the hero and heroine is unique in my experience -- the heroine wants the marriage and all that comes with it, including love, companionship, and yes, sex. The hero wants to do his duty and somehow figure out a way to get back to the abbey where he feels he belongs in order to atone for a long ago sin.The struggle between them is real, and intense, and at times very amusing. Their evolution as characters and as a couple is absorbing and believable - neither starts out or ends as a perfect being. They are flawed and yet striving to be more. Their supporting cast is excellent as well, and I liked the reappearance of the men from The Holding too.Some of the plot devices are a bit trite, and I could see certain things coming way too far in advance, but I didn't mark down the score because I'm so thrilled to see a new author in this sub-genre who takes some chances with the conventional character types. Thank you, Ms. Dain and keep them coming!!

Another compelling read from Claudia Dain

Richard and Isabel have known each other since childhood, having been fostered in the same keep. As time went on, Isabel became infatuated and then in love with Richard, and made no attempt to hide this from others. Richard is aware of Isabel's feelings but feels shame and unworthiness for several reasons, not the least of which is that Isabel is betrothed to his brother. Eventually, Richard leaves the keep and Isabel, and enters an abbey to attone for his sins and commit himself to God. Isabel never forgets Richard and when circumstances change and her life is in danger, Isabel flees to the abbey and Richard. After her circumstances become known, Richard is forced by the king to marry her, despite his wish to remain at the abbey. Isabel and Richard travel back to Isabel's home as husband and wife and many conflicts and challenges follow.This is a wonderful book and well worth reading. Watching these characters change and grow as individuals and as a couple is a pleasure to witness. The plot is intense and fast paced and if you like your stories character driven, this will definitely be your cup of tea. The setting is engrossing and I really liked how the religious aspects of medieval life are seamlessly interwoven into the story. Richard's very real crisis of faith is amazing to read and leads to one of the most compelling scenes in any romance I've read in years. Several of the secondary characters are well done and contribute much to the resolution of the story. One secondary character in particular needs his own story told and I can't remember the last time a secondary character held so much interest in my mind.I enjoyed Ms Dain's last book, The Holding, very much and several of those characters make appearances in The Marriage Bed and they're not just throw-aways scenes. They play an integral part in the book and are an added bonus but the book can definitely stand alone. My guess is though, if you read this book you'll want to pick up Ms Dain's backlist ASAP.I can happily recommend this book and it will be on my list of best reads in 2001.

A thorough character study

In 1155, when Lady Isabel Dornei's father dies she travels to the nearby abbey knowing she will be physically safe until her betrothed arrives for her. The heiress is not quite as sure of the haven when it comes to her heart because her beloved Richard, brother to her fiancé, seeks ablution while studying to be a monk at the abbey. Word soon arrives that her betrothed died so the honorable Richard marries Isabel to keep her safe. Though Isabel and Richard love one another, both feel guilty that their relationship formed with the death of his sibling, especially knowing deep down inside that they prayed for a miracle to bring them together. Realizing that they obtained what they wished for at a high cost, both must find a way to overcome their deep regrets over the death of Richard's brother or remain doomed to a marriage of unhappiness in which love turns hollow. Medieval romance readers who enjoy strong lead characters and deep historical setting will find THE MARRIAGE BED quite appealing though the story line ambles slowly forward. Isabel and Richard make for an engaging plot because they both feel love and the torture of guilt. More of a twelfth century character study, Claudia Dain provides her audience with a change of pace historical relationship drama.Harriet Klausner