"WILL ROMANCE KILL THE LADY CAVENSHAM CURSE?"
Reviewed by Patricia (Pat) Pascale
Posted April 25, 2018
Romance Historical
Is Lady Claire Cavensham cursed? Is it bad timing? Is
she having bad luck over and over and over again? Three
engagements ended in tragedy and now at a ball to announce
her fourth engagement to Lord Paul Barstowe, she has just
received a note from him breaking the engagement. The ton
will rip her reputation to shreds with this latest fiasco.
Close to tears, she rushes outside to the garden to hide her
emotions. There she meets handsome Alexander Hallworth,
Marquess of Pembrooke, who under false pretenses, listens to
her sad story, holds her close and promises to help her.
They return to the ballroom together where he announces
their engagement. Alex has planned revenge on Lord Paul
for causing the death of his sister Alice's suicide. Alice
was pregnant when she died and Alex is certain Paul was
responsible. His ruthless plan to ruin Paul's life
financially ends with him stealing his fiance, Lady Claire.
He will marry Claire but she must never know about his
vengeance. Their chemistry upon meeting is evident and they
both want a family so they marry quickly and begin their
journey together. THE BAD LUCK BRIDE is the debut Regency romance written by
Janna MacGregor. This is my favorite genre and I extend a
warm welcome to Ms. MacGregor. She tells an exciting tale
of revenge, family, childhood trauma, secrets in the
colorful and delightful Victorian era. Alex and Claire, the
hero and heroine wrestle with what it truly takes to find
the key to happiness. They need to forgive, heal and love
and then they will have their happily ever after. I loved
THE BAD LUCK BRIDE. Alex and Claire both have demons.
Alex is loyal to his family and needs revenge for his
sister's death. Claire is haunted by the death of her
parents. She has fears of lightning and storms and will not
talk about her frights with anyone. Their chemistry is HOT
but they fail to communicate to each other, always put it
off for another time. Alex is patient, passionate, and so
caring of his wife and wants only to please her, but not
answer too many pertinent questions. Claire has so many
questions but never wants to confide any of her deeply
buried fears and concerns that are plaguing her. Until they
trust each other, they will never find true love and
happiness and the family they are both longing for. Their
sex is torrid, but is it enough? I look forward to the sequel to The Cavensham Heiresses as I
am certain Emma will find her true love in Lord Somerton.
Will we watch Lady Margaret Virginia Alice Hallworth and
Michael Alexander Sebastian Hallworth, children of Alex and
Claire, grow up and become leading characters in he next
edition of this captivating adventure? I hope so and I will
be awaiting its' release. Bravo Ms. MacGregor.
SUMMARY
All were shocked at the announcement of the “cursed” Lady Claire Cavensham to Lord Alexander Hallworth, the Marquess of Pembrooke, especially since she is already engaged to another unfortunate Lord. Perhaps she will make it to the altar this time with one of these fine gentlemen! Could her run of bad luck finally be at an end? It’s highly doubtful in this writer’s humble opinion. —Midnight Cryer
No one is left breathless at the imperious pronouncement of her engagement to Lord Pembrooke more than Claire. She hardly knows the dangerously outrageous man! But after three engagements gone awry and a fourth going up in glorious flames, she isn’t in a position to refuse...especially once she realizes that Lord Pembrooke makes her want to believe she’s not a bad luck bride anymore...
Alexander requires the hand of his enemy’s fiancée in marriage in order to complete his plans for revenge. It’s his good fortune that the “cursed” woman is desperate. However, what begins as a sham turns into something scandalously deeper. The beguiling lady has no business laying claim to his heart. But as a mission of revenge turns into fiery passion, Alexander wants nothing more than to break Claire’s curse...and lead them both to their hearts’ desire.
ExcerptExcerpt from THE BAD LUCK BRIDE by Janna MacGregor
Alex smiled in earnest. “I would never allow you to be humiliated in front of society. I’m trying to help you.”
Somehow, he had to convince her of that fact, then the idea of marrying him would be much easier to accept. She blinked rapidly, then turned back to him and, for an instant, appeared startled to see him there.
“That’s very gallant, my lord. Truly, thank you for the effort. But I must leave.”
This night could not end with her escaping, so he tried another tactic.
“You need to protect your Wrenwood estate and your wealth from lechers who would feed upon your vulnerability. Not to mention stop that ridiculous curse.”
“I have two.”
She held up two gloved fingers.
“Two? Two what? Curses?”
No one at his club had uttered a peep about another curse.
“Estates. I have two estates, Wrenwood and Lockhart.”
She returned his stare.
Her answer was unexpected, but his business experience had taught him to show nothing. The report from his private investigator had not mentioned additional properties. Thoughts were percolating if she chose to disclose this information.
A razor of lightning split the sky. She flinched and took a step closer to him, but her reaction had nothing to do with him. It was the storm. Her gaze darted to the exit of the alcove, then she returned her attention to him. With a slight shrug of her shoulders, his evening jacket fell into her hands. She offered it to him.
“My lord, good night.”
Outside their hideaway, the voices of a man and a woman floated in the air. Alex put his hand on her shoulder to prevent her escape.
“Will you give me some assistance? I seem to have lost my valet.” He quirked an eyebrow. “Besides, if you leave now, whoever is out there will see us.”
She ventured a halfhearted grin and held his jacket in two hands. With a little persistence, he wrestled his way into the evening coat. Her hands smoothed the material across his shoulders and back, causing a pleasant sensation to cascade through him at the slight touch. Claire took several steps toward the pathway. In a flash, he moved beside her and grasped her elbow. When he brought her close, something flared between them as he gazed into her haunted eyes. Whether the desire to keep her next to him was passion or the need to protect a vulnerable woman made little difference. He pulled her into the shadows and brought his mouth to her ear.
“Wait until they pass.”
The warmth from her skin beckoned. A flash of lightning lit the gardens and the alcove. With a gentle hand, he pushed her against the wall and stood to the side so he blocked her body from view. A clap of thunder cracked as if the sky were breaking. It rolled into a loud rumble that refused to die.
“Please.”
Her whisper grew ragged as she struggled for breath. In one fluid motion, she pulled the lapels of his evening coat toward her. She buried her face against his chest and pressed the rest of her body to his, almost as if she sought sanctuary inside.
“Don’t leave me.”
Her voice had weakened, the sound fragile, as if she’d break into a million pieces.
“I won’t. I promise.”
Alex pulled her tight. One hand sank into the soft satin of her skirts while the other slid around the nape of her neck to hold her close to his chest. It was the most natural thing in the world to hold her. Her body fit perfectly against his. With the slightest movement, she pulled away. Her eyes wildly searched his. For what, he couldn’t fathom. He lowered his mouth until his lips were mere inches from tasting her. Madness had consumed him. All he wanted was to kiss her thoroughly until she forgot her fear—until she forgot everything but him.
Her breath mingled with his, and the slight moan that escaped her was intoxicating. Nothing in his entire life felt as right as this moment. He bent to brush his lips against hers.
“Pembrooke? Have you seen Lady—”
Claire leaned back and released his lapels. Without her warmth, he experienced a sudden loss of equilibrium. He turned with a snarl to greet the intruders. Immediately, Lord Fredrick Honeycutt and his sister, Lady Sophia, took a step back as their eyes grew round as dinner plates.
The first to recover, Honeycutt announced, “I see you found Lady Claire.”
He bowed his head slightly, then lowered his voice. “The Duke of Langham is looking for his niece and is directly behind us.”
A sense of wariness flooded Alex’s mind when Claire’s uncle strolled forward and came into sharp focus. As he stood, his feet spread shoulder width apart, the duke’s presence commanded everyone’s attention. His visage held the hint of a smile, but the two large fists resting by his sides were the real barometer of his mood.
“Claire, are you all right?”
The affection in his voice was at odds with the fury flashing in his eyes.
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