Minerva Bellingham has all sorts of problems on her
hands, mostly centered around the fact that her younger
brother is an idiot who was given too much power
at far too early of an age. She, as so many strong women
have been throughout history, has been charged with
cleaning up messes and righting wrongs. Enter our hero,
Rafe Drummond. He holds one of the larger debts and calls
it in, binding the two of them together far before either
is ready.
Both are stubborn; Rafe from years of military service
that scarred him both physically and emotionally and
Minerva seemingly by disposition. Circumstances force
each of them to see themselves and each other with new
eyes, leading to their eventual happy ever after.
If the above recap seems a bit coy, it's meant to be. The
way this story unfolds deserves to be read for itself.
Each reader should have the pleasure I have of being
surprised by Rafe's choices and Minerva's reactions, of
feeling like one is reading a biography rather than a
fiction. I highly recommend A BRAZEN BARGAIN for fans of
unconventional Regency stories (Minerva has to learn how
to be a chambermaid as part of this brazen bargain which
leads to fascinating class divide conversations) and who
have a high tolerance for stubborn folks.
Some readers, and I do include myself in this to some
degree, are not going to be able to deal with Minerva.
Her coldness and stubbornness never really give way to
kindness, fully, and she is not someone I could see
myself spending time with. I sometimes enjoy books where
the heroine frustrates me, but I know many readers feel
the need for connection with the heroine in order to
enjoy the story. If that is yourself, be warned for A
BRAZEN
BARGAIN.
However, overall, I think A BRAZEN BARGAIN is one with
great appeal
and would recommend any Regency lover to give a go.
Minerva Bellingham is at her wits’ end. Her younger
brother,
Simon, will have them penniless and on the streets if his
extravagant gambling habit isn’t curtailed. An enormous
debt
to Lord Rafe Drummond is the final indignity.
Signing over her dowry is their only choice. Until Lord
Drummond suggests something much more scandalous. She can
keep her dowry—in exchange for the Bellinghams working
three
months as a housemaid and stable boy.
Scarred from his service to the Crown, Rafe recognizes the
young Simon Bellingham has the makings of a good duke.
Minerva is a different story. Her pure, delicate beauty
only
underscores Rafe’s tarnished, bleak soul.
Yet he delights in cracking Minerva’s icy reserve to reveal
a fiery, stubborn woman. And Minerva discovers the gruff
master of Wintermarsh has the heart of a poet. But before
they can find a future safe in each other’s arms, a menace
from Simon’s licentious past slithers back into their
lives,
forcing Rafe to plan the most important rescue mission of
his life.
Warning: Contains a paragon of the beau monde who gets the
hang of polishing silver, and a master of the house who’d
like her to make his bed—preferably with him in it. Also
passion unleashed with the mere touch of a finger. Readers
are encouraged to swoon.
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