Ergh.
Was in the mood to read this one, but that passed quickly. Didn't want to spend more time with these characters and had no hope it would get better.

- We start with very awkward intro - the heroine decides to tell pertinent background info to her dog. Whenever characters spontaneously start spouting exposition in an empty room, the author is right there. Pulling the strings. Illusion broken. Ergh.

- Hero enters, angry. They bicker. Squabble, even. Any infantile description will do. Not pre More...

What a charming read!! When his fiance breaks their engagement after reading a shocking pamphlet regarding wedding nights, Devon Morgan, the Marquis of Colton, just knows the anonymous author can be none other than Lily Andrews, the young woman who jilted him five years ago. While he’d prefer to never see her again, he must do so if he has any hope of repairing his shattered betrothal. When the stubborn Lily refuses to admit she even wrote the pamphlet, let alone consent to printing a retraction More...

Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick

This book was an utter delight. From the first page to the last, Miz Bowman caught my attention and I just could not stop reading. I loved her voice and the way she developed her characters. I loved the way Lily and Devon interacted with one another. There was just so much sparks and passion brewing between them, and when they finally came together it was explosive and I loved ever moment of it.

Five years ago both Lily and Devon were in love a More...

Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.com/bo...

This scandal won’t just rock their world—it just might be the glue to bind them together, too.

I’ve not read many historicals. For me, they can be hard to get into because I don’t know much about the time period and I just accept what’s happening even if it’s wrong. Then came this book. Ms. Bowman sucked me in to the storyline from the first page and didn’t let go until well after the last. I thought about the book when I couldn’t be r More...

Our book begins with widow Lily Andrews attempting to find money in her account books that don't exist. Lily, her sister Anne, their butler and one maid have lived off of 10 pounds a year for the past 5 years and the money is just not enough. Lily's good friend James Medford is sponsoring Anne's debut ball but they still need money to eat! The ironic thing is that everyone in the ton is under the impression that she's rich. Not soon after the book begins Lily is visited by her old beau, Devon Mo More...

This is the author's debut book. I feel so au courant, reading a debut book and all! :-) And, it makes me very reluctant to be blunt in this review, in case the author is reading it.

This book started out great - words like "delicious!" and "delightful!" spring to mind. Young widowed Lily has always been in love with the handsome, dashing Devon Morgan, Marquis of Colton. They had a misunderstanding way back when (you know how these things go) and parted with broken hearts. Now they have crossed p More...

SECRETS OF A WEDDING NIGHT by Valerie Bowman is an exciting Regency historical romance. What an delightful debut novel by this author filled with passion, witty banter,a bit of humor,a lot of sensual tension,secrets, love and did I mention seduction. Cleverly written,fun to read,with charming characters,and an interesting plot. Follow Lily Andrews, Countess of Merrill and Devon Morgan, Marquis of Colton on a merry chase of seduction,forgiveness,healing and a scandalous pamphlet that has all of L More...

A woman's heart is a deep ocean of secrets. - Gloria Stuart

The title of the book refers to a pamphlet written by Lily Andrews, the Countess of Merrill, as a warning to young ladies to be weary of the men who take control of their lives on the wedding night. Lily writes this from her heart, having been bullied by her father and used by her elder husband. But it also describes Lily's circumstances - she is widowed with no heir, expecting the new Earl to claim the London townhouse. She's the guardi More...

Bowman is a debut author, and like most new writers in general, there were some problems with the story line. More on that, later. This is a great debut novel because it clips along at a good pace, only gets bogged down about 3/4 of the way through. The main characters are strong, witty, and generally likable. The secondary characters were wonderful. They brought texture to the story, and didn't detract, as secondary characters are sometimes wont to do.

The biggest problem was too much navel gaz More...

I recently finished Secrets of a Wedding Night and found it to be a very clever and charming read! This book took me back to another place and time as if I were watching a scene from a movie. I was immersed in every detail as the plot thickened thus keeping me on the edge of my seat with anticipation. Valerie has a brilliant way of making each character come alive in such a likeable way. I loved the playfulness between Devon Morgan (who sounds dreamy btw) and Lily Andrews (a stubborn beauty with More...

I devoured this book. Compelling situation with an intriguing mystery to the main characters' mutual past that unfolded naturally through the story. I could identify with the heroine and loved the hero. Brava, author Valerie Bowman!

She wrote an advice pamphlet for the soon-to-be-wed called Secrets of a Wedding Night.

He's out for revenge after his fiance' reads the pamphlet and calls off their engagement. His plan for revenge? To discover the author and seduce her.

Being a writer and fan of Science Fiction Romance, I don't read many historicals, but this novel was a pure delight. I loved the premise and the characters--a feisty but destitute heroine and an admirable but misguided hero--and completely enjoyed the read.

The b More...

Secrets of a Wedding Night is my favorite type of story: a reunion romance set in the glittering world of Regency London.

Recently widowed Lily has a young sister, a charming dog and two hapless servants all in her care. Broke and struggling, she refuses to give into despair or let anyone know her means are so thinly stretched. She writes a pamphlet warning young women about the horrors that await them in the marriage bed. The pamphlet becomes a sensation and brings her both the satisfaction of e More...

I would rate this 3 1/2 stars. This is a promising Historical Romance from debut author Valerie Bowman. Lily Andrews, the Countess of Merrill, is a penniless young widow, who needs to keep up appearances that she is wealthy for the benefit of her younger sister, Anne, who is having her come out. When she hears that her former fiancé Devon Morgan, Marquis of Colton, has recently gotten engaged, she anonymously writes a pamphlet called "Secrets of a Wedding Night" and ensures all the young innocen More...

Secrets of a Wedding Night BLG11.18.2012
by Valerie Bowman
I am so excited to read and write about this much awaited book. Congratulations Valerie, it so reflects your vibrant, humourous personality!

Who knew a little pamphlet could become the Pandora's Box of this London season. It is an informational booklet, written anonymously, about the horrors of marriage, specifically the wedding night. It has spread fear in virgins throughout the city. No one knows the author's identity...except Devon Morg More...

The first book in the Secret Brides series by new author Valerie Bowman. Lily Andrews was ready to marry Devon Morgan about five years ago but he broke her heart. When she saw the announcement of his engagement, she felt obligated to warn the girl. So she wrote the scandalous pamphlet "Secrets of a Wedding Night", anonymously, of course. Devon Morgan is sure that Lily Andrews is behind the pamphlet that causes his fiancee to break off their engagement. He doesn't understand why she rejected him More...

Lily y Devon son los protagonistas de esta novela debut de la autora novel Valerie Bowman. La historia esta contada en tercera persona desde el punto de vista de Lily aunque los capítulos se alteran para narrar algunos de ellos desde el punto de vista de Devon. Como autora novel debo decir que esta escritora ha sabido sorprenderme.

Ambos se conocieron durante el baile de presentación en sociedad de ella, se enamoraron y decidieron fugarse juntos, pero un malentendido lo impidió. Ahora, cinco año More...

Secrets of a Wedding Night was a fabulous and exciting read with a dazzling cover. I adored how each character seemed real with faults all their own. The storyline flowed and held my attention. Thus begins the romance of one sexy hero who was determined to do the right thing. Devon Morgan, the Marquis of Colton had found the perfect wife to marry. But his intended cries off the marriage because of a scandalous pamphlet titled "Secrets of a Wedding Night" that was sent to her. He heard rumors tha More...

This has got to be the most predictable book I have read in years. It did not surprise me a single time. Imagine all the clichés (not some, but every single one of them) you've ever read in historical romance novels. Then, multiply them by 10. Add melodrama liberally, and don't forget Big Misunderstandings galore. There, you have read this book.

Around the middle it was better and I quite enjoyed it, but the beginning and -specially- the end felt like a parody of a historical romance. I felt like More...

I found "Secrets of a Wedding Night" to be a typical regency romance. I love reading them when I am in the mood. This one is well written and place where I thought the sentence structure was a little awkward...where Devon was shot. The book has a few twists but none that are really unusual for the genre.

I read the book in just one day and enjoyed myself. Goes along quickly and while predictable was a pleasing pastime.

Thanks to GoodReads Program for my free copy. Yes, it is a book I very likely More...

LOVED IT I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN IT WAS MARVELOUS. I LOVE READING BOOKS LIKE THIS ONE THEY ARE THE BEST. I WON THIS BOOK ON GR GIVEAWAYS.

Once Lily and Devon were young, in love and planning to elope. Instead each received a letter from the other calling it off. Lily married a very old man; Devon went onto gamble for a living. Five years later Lily writes a pamphlet that describes a girl's wedding night and Devon's fiancee is so upset she calls off the wedding. Devon confronts Lily who denies all but once back together the sparks fly. Lily is wary of a gamblin man, Devon of a woman he thinks only will marry money. Wrong about each More...

I liked this book. I thought Valerie Bowman created a wonderful story with likable characters. Sometimes I thought the story's misunderstandings and manipulations were over the top but admit they helped move the story along. For me, the question of whether a story is well written is answered by whether I would read the book again. In this case, I most definitely would. I look forward to reading other stories by the author. I think her first book in this series is a great start.

I received my cop More...

I really enjoyed reading Lily and Devon's story. They fell in love when they were younger but circumstances broke them apart and had them believing some very bad things about one another.

After meeting again five years after the break up, they are both changed and so are their lives. The physical attraction between them is obvious and their resistance futile, but still they keep at it.

I liked many of the secondary characters as well and I'm really looking forward to reading Jordan's story and lat More...

I must admit this is my first time reading Valerie Bowman, but won’t be the last. With this début book she managed to hook me real good to this series and make me care for her wonderfully created characters.

In this story she introduces us to a hero that is ‘all that’ and more. Devon Morgan, Marquis of Colton, is not happy with the pamphlet that is circulating all over London society and which he believes Lily, Countess of Merrill, a widow that ditched him on the night of their elopement, has wri More...

Originally posted on What I'm Reading

Happy Valentines day! Well, I hope y'all will enjoy this day and if this is just an ordinary day that's fine too. Yesterday, I finished Secrets of a Wedding Night by Valerie Bowman. I must say that it was a pretty good read for a debut novel, so without further ado I present you this book.

Penniless Lily Andrew (aka Lady Merrill) needs to find a way to save her family from being destitute. What better way than to write a scandalous pamphlet on Secrets of a Wed More...

The story is about Lily Andrews, Countess of Merrill and Devon Morgan, Marquis of Colton. When Lily first début 5 years ago she caught the Marquis of Colton's eyes and it started a worldwind courting coming to an end with both of them being in love with each other. Lily believes that Colton jilted her and he believes the same of Lily. Lily end up marrying the Earl of Merrill and became a Countess. A few months after the Earl died and left her a widow of the estate. 5 years later Lily is struggli More...