The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie is 50% off at $3.99 right now. This is book 6 in the Highland Pleasures series, which many readers adore, especially the first book, The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (which is 25% off at $5.99 right now).
Daniel Mackenzie lives up to the reputation of the scandalous Mackenzie family—he has wealth, looks, and talent, and women love him. When he meets Violet Bastien—one of the most famous spiritual mediums in England—he immediately knows two things: that Miss Bastien is a fraud, and that he’s wildly attracted to her.
Violet knows she can’t really contact the other side, but she’s excellent at reading people. She discerns quickly that Daniel is intelligent and dangerous to her reputation, but she also finds him generous, handsome, and outrageously wicked. But spectres from Violet’s past threaten to destroy her, and she flees England, adopting yet another identity.
Daniel is determined to find the elusive Violet and pursue the passion he feels for her. And though Violet knows that her scandalous past will keep her from proper marriage, her attraction to Daniel is irresistible. It’s not until Daniel is the only one she can turn to that he proves he believes in something more than cold facts. He believes in love.
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Texas Bride by Joan Johnston is $1.99 right now. This is a historical western with a 3.93-star average (wow!) and is the first in the Mail Order Brides series. (I love mail-order bride stories. I think it stems from my love of Sarah, Plain and Tall.)
HE MAY BE HER ONLY HOPE.
SHE MAY BE HIS LAST CHANCE.
Miranda Wentworth never imagined becoming a mail-order bride. Now marriage to a stranger is her only hope of finding a home where she and her two younger brothers can escape the brutality of the Chicago orphanage where they live. With any luck, she can even start a family of her own, once the three of them are settled at Jacob Creed’s Texas ranch. But Miranda has one gigantic concern: Her husband-to-be knows nothing about the brothers she’s bringing along. What if he calls off the deal when he discovers the trick she’s played on him?
Jake Creed is hanging on to his Texas ranch by his fingernails. His nemesis, Alexander Blackthorne, is determined to ruin him. Jake will never give up, but he’s in desperate trouble. His wife died six months ago in childbirth, along with their stillborn son, and his two-year-old daughter needs a mother. The advertisement Jake wrote never mentioned his daughter—or the fact that he has no intention of consummating his marriage. He’s determined never to subject another wife to the burden of pregnancy. But Jake doesn’t count on finding his bride so desirable. He doesn’t count on aching with need when she joins him in bed. And he never suspected his bride would have plans of her own to seduce him.
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How to Lose a Bride in One Night by Sophie Jordan is $1.99 right now. This is book 3 of the Forgotten Princesses series, and is a combination ugly-duckling/rags-to-riches storyline. Some readers loved the easy and touching humor of the book, though others disliked the ease with which the heroine was able to change herself.
He saved her life…
When Annalise Hadley is tossed over the side of her honeymoon barge, the newly-minted duchess knows she's been left for dead — for her husband's only interest is in her vast dowry, not her muddied lineage. However, she didn't count on a savior. Especially not an honorable, sinfully intriguing earl who will tempt her to risk everything—again.
Now he will seduce her heart and soul
A man with his own demons, Owen Crawford, the reclusive Earl of McDowell, is enchanted by the mysterious, courageous woman he rescued. He will help her heal, teach her to protect herself, and then send her away—so that she’ll never see he’s far from the hero she believes him to be.
But days and nights alone prove that some secrets are meant to be discovered…some desires are too powerful to resist…and some wounds can only be healed by love.
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What Happens in Scotland by Jennifer McQuiston is still .99c. Elyse reviewed this book and gave it a D because she didn't enjoy the pacing, especially since the hero and heroine spend most of the book not with each other, but retracing their steps to figure out how they ended up married the night before. Other readers enjoyed this book tremendously, particularly Elsie, the prostitute-turned-ladies-maid, and the humorous, light romping tone of the story. McQuiston's writing is fun and funny for many readers. Plus, Elyse reviewed the second book, Summer is For Lovers and loved it.
Lady Georgette Thorold has always been wary of marriage, so when she wakes up next to an attractive Scotsman with a wedding ring on her finger, it’s easy to understand why she panics and flees.
Convinced that Georgette is a thief, her may-be husband, James McKenzie, searches for her. As both try to recall what happened that fateful night, they begin to realize that their attraction and desire for each other is undeniable.
But is it enough?
Yay a mail order bride book!!! I just ordered it! I love these too and there don’t seem to be many of them, or at least many of them that are well written.
I must be the only one who did not care for HOW TO LOSE A BRIDE IN ONE NIGHT. I wondered why there was no trigger warning, truthfully.
I really enjoyed WHAT HAPPENS IN SCOTLAND, and I am buying a digital copy of THE MADNESS OF LORD IAN MACKENZIE today!
I’m definitely a member of the group that loves ‘The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie’, but I thought the other books in the series went downhill both in terms of writing and plot quality.
Has anyone read ‘Texas Bride’? I agree with Bianca that well written mail order bride books are really hard to find! (Any other recommendations out there?)
I think I read Texas Bride (or part of it) and hated it. Afraid I don’t remember enough details to be more helpful than that. But I remember feeling really betrayed by the author – I loved Sweetwater Seduction and this book did not live up to my expectations.
Julie, would you mind sharing what trigger warning should be included in How To Lose a Bride in One Night? I’m interested in the book, but not if I’m going to be traumatized by it.
Hi Dread Pirate Rachel,
LOVE your screen name.
I’m not sure how to make the whited-out spoilers here, so let’s try the old-skool way… Don’t read it if you don’t wanna’ know.
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The heroine is attacked and assaulted within the first pages. I understand it’s part of the story, but I’m wondering if it might be difficult for some to read.
Of course, IMHO, YMMV.