Kissing The Bride
Sara Bennett
ISBN-10: 0060584335
Avon Books, June 2004, 375 pages.
Medieval Romance, England, 1075
$5.99 U.S. $7.99 Can
Reviewed by Tom
November 2005
Kissing The Bride is the fourth book in Sara Bennett's medieval series. This book stands alone just fine as I have not read the others yet and only found passing references to other characters. Kissing The Bride tells the story of Lady Jenova of Gunlinghorn and Lord Henry of Montevoy.
Lady Jenova is the beautiful and capable mistress of Gunlinghorn. Content to be a widow, mother to Raf, and lady, she thought she had a handle on life. But when a secret came out, she found herself enveloped in loneliness and discontent. She decided to remarry a pliable husband, who would provide companionship and yet allow her the freedom to guide her holdings as she saw fit. Before the betrothal is official, she asks her childhood friend—and best friend--to come and review the agreement. Lord Henry of Montevoy is serving at King William's court in a watchdog capacity, keeping the peace. He is a man of honor and strength, handsome and confident, but because of a fear of commitment he is unwilling to open up completely to others when it comes to his private life, for he has secrets, too. When his life-long friend asks for his help he and his man Reynard are quick to go to her.
At Gunlinghorn, Henry finds Jenova ready to wed the handsome, but cowering, Alfric, son of neighboring Lord Baldessare, a greedy and cruel man, and brother of Lady Rhona, a cold-hearted beauty. He is quick to find fault with the groom and his family. When Jenova takes Henry's advice and cancels the betrothal, Alfric and Rhona are hard put, for they, too, have secrets. Henry and Jenova ride through her lands enjoying their time together and daydreaming when a winter storm strands them, cold and wet, near an abandoned tower. They enter and start a fire to warm themselves and end up in each other's arms. Passion and desire hit them, but is it love?
Kissing The Bride asks some interesting questions: Should best friends become romantically involved? Is what you get worth what you might lose? How well can any of us really know another person? Complications arise because of the many secrets and when the mysterious priest Jean-Paul threatens to reveal Lord Henry's secret, and acts upon his own bitterness, it begins to unravel all their lives.
Sara Bennett does a wonderful job creating a story that draws you in and doesn't let you go. It is ultimately about the redeeming power of love. How if someone is willing to believe in you, it can give you courage to overcome your past. I would recommend her book to anyone.