RELUCTANT BRIDES? When love is the key and dowry the bait, who can predict what a woman might do?
Reluctant Brides #1
Author Self-Published
May 2014
On Sale: April 22, 2014
Featuring: James Talbot; Rose Ralston
219 pages ISBN: 1497327652 EAN: 9781483527178 Kindle: B00JVV3WJ0 Paperback / e-Book Add to Wish List
New York Times bestselling author, CHERYL HOLT, delights readers once again with the first sizzling story in her new โReluctant Bridesโ trilogyโฆ
Rose Ralston has spent her life at Miss Peabodyโs School for Girlsโfirst as a student, then as a teacher. But with Miss Peabodyโs passing, the school has been closed, the students sent away, and Rose is facing an uncertain future. As Miss Peabodyโs will is read, Rose had been told to expect a small bequest, but sheโs stunned to discover that her inheritance is a dowry thatโs already been paid to an elderly widower. The man is in quick need of an heir, and Rose can agree to wed or sheโll get nothing and will have no money and nowhere to go. Sheโs never lived on her own, and without family or friends to assist her, sheโs out of options. Reluctantly, she agrees to the marriage and heads off to the manโs Summerfield estate.
James Talbot grew up at Summerfield. But as an orphan, his position was never exactly clear. The owner, Stanley Oswald, constantly tormented James with the secrets of his parentage. Rumors abound that heโs Stanleyโs natural-born son, but the truth has been impossible to unravel. Needing to escape Stanleyโs manipulations, James has spent the past decade in the army. But Stanley has lured him home, and when James learns of Stanleyโs pending marriage, he canโt help but be intrigued. Heโs eager to engage in a little mischief, and nothing would give him greater pleasure than to ruin the match before it begins.
Rose is fascinated by handsome, virile James, but bound to wed elderly, decrepit Stanley. As Stanley woos her and James interferes, any wild ending seems possible. For Roseโwho only ever wanted a home of her ownโshe just might end up with more than she ever dreamed.
© 2003-2026