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Reese's Bride (Bride's Trilogy #2)

3.83 of 5 stars 3.83 · rating details · 583 ratings · 60 reviews

Wounded in battle, Major Reese Dewar returns to England--but his injuries are nothing compared to his shattered heart
Years ago, love-struck Reese departed his home at Briarwood with a promise from raven-haired Elizabeth Clemens that she would make a life with him upon his return. But mere months later, she married the Earl of Aldridge, attaining wealth and status Reese co...more

ebook, 368 pages

Published January 1st 2010 by Mira Books (first published December 29th 2009)

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Mar 02, 2013 Carrie Olguin rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

DNF.

Got past chapter two before I gave up. I've read too many stories with so many similar elements as to almost be cliche.

The wounded hero returns from war (yeah he's got a bad leg and he uses a cane), sees the woman he loved and lost and *after eight years* still intensely hates her for marrying another man.

Get a life man. It's been eight years! She's a widow with a son now. She's obviously moved on. So should you.

The heroine was forced to marry a man not of her choosing (nothing specific ment...more

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Jan 27, 2012 Judith rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A very engaging historical romance by an author who certainly has an impressive portfolio of published work. As is so often the case, the reality of war intrudes on relationships and the wounded soldier returns to find his true love not only married to someone else, but now widowed and with a child. The lady in question has never told him that she was expecting his child when he went off to war, her dad ordered her to not have anything more to do with her soldier boy, she must marry someone of w...more

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Aug 01, 2011 Madame X rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, awful-do-not-read

To put it bluntly: Reese's Bride is awful. The first thing it does wrong is skip the part where the protagonists, Reese and Elizabeth, fall in love. They fell in love as youths, so after the eight-year separation during which Elizabeth marries another man and Reese goes away to war, when they meet again there's no need for them to fall in love again. It's assumed.

Reese and Beth do need to get reacquainted, but there are problems on that front too. Beth's adjustment to the new Reese is almost re...more To put it bluntly: Reese's Bride is awful. The first thing it does wrong is skip the part where the protagonists, Reese and Elizabeth, fall in love. They fell in love as youths, so after the eight-year separation during which Elizabeth marries another man and Reese goes away to war, when they meet again there's no need for them to fall in love again. It's assumed.

Reese and Beth do need to get reacquainted, but there are problems on that front too. Beth's adjustment to the new Reese is almost realistic. She compares the boy she knew and the man she meets again, and her feelings develop naturally. Reese, on the other hand...his thoughts all run along the lines of, "He couldn't fall in love with Elizabeth again - he could only lust after her!" He's always busy convincing himself that Elizabeth is a traitor, a mercenary, etc., and I guess we're supposed to assume from these thoughts that he really thinks the opposite? But I would have found it more believable if I'd seen him actually falling for her. Not just flip-flopping between cursing her and undressing her in his mind.

This is a little spoilerish (though it's all revealed early in the book): Elizabeth's horrible betrayal is that she was engaged to Reese (though not formally - her father had been opposed to the marriage and she just promised to bring him around) and then, after he went off to war, she married another man. If Elizabeth had actually made that choice, we'd have some real conflict in this novel. But she didn't. First of all, her father forced her to marry the earl of Aldridge - she fought him all the way. Aldridge seemed like a charming, handsome earl, but once they're married he turns out to be a total jerk. He's a wife-beater, mean to their son, and cruel in bed. Phew - I was worried Reese might have some competition! But we might still be wondering if Elizabeth tried hard enough to stay true to Reese, if there was anything more she could do. After all, she married Aldridge only a few months after Reese left. Well, set those fears to rest - she married Aldridge because she was pregnant with Reese's child.

So now we have a whole book where Reese is righteously angry at Elizabeth for...obeying her father in Victorian England and marrying in order to avoid bearing a bastard child. Where does Reese get off being angry? It ought to be the reverse. Elizabeth ought to be furious with him for abandoning her in her hour of need, for giving in to the temptation to have sex and not sticking around to make sure that there weren't any consequences. Admittedly, it takes a while for Reese to learn all the circumstances - but that doesn't change his opinion at all. He thinks Elizabeth is lying when she says she was forced to marry Aldridge, continues to believe she married him for his money, and he's furious when he finds out that she "denied" him his son.

To be perfectly frank, the strongest emotion Reese's Bride evoked in me was pity. Poor Elizabeth. The man she loves knocks her up and leaves the country so she's forced to marry someone who treats her horribly. Then, once her hated husband dies, she's stuck with a pair of in-laws eager to continue the reign of terror. When she finally builds up the courage to escape, she finds herself subjected to a new hell. Reese scorns her, insults her, seduces her and then reminds her that he feels no respect for her.

This book is so thoroughly dysfunctional that I had a hard time believing in any love connection at all. Reese's endless, totally unjust anger at Elizabeth is combined with, as I mentioned at the beginning, the assumption of a strong love between them. Taking love for granted while writing scene after scene where the hero hurts and disrespects the heroine does not add up to a stirring, romantic tale. I know at one point, while Elizabeth is cringing away from Reese's not-so-gentle advances, Reese says something like, "I've never forced a woman in my life, I'm not going to start with you." ... Wow, he's never committed the crime of rape? Be still my beating heart.(less)

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Jul 25, 2011 Sandy M rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical

Ms. Martin has given us another solid read in her Bride trilogy, continuing with Reese, the middle Dewar brother. I actually like this book a little better than the first, though part of the story we’ve all read before but the author makes it work with her characters and the surrounding storyline.

Reese is home after being injured during his latest military stint, and it looks as though he won’t be going back for any further duty. So he’s determined to keep his promise to his father to finally ma...more Ms. Martin has given us another solid read in her Bride trilogy, continuing with Reese, the middle Dewar brother. I actually like this book a little better than the first, though part of the story we’ve all read before but the author makes it work with her characters and the surrounding storyline.

Reese is home after being injured during his latest military stint, and it looks as though he won’t be going back for any further duty. So he’s determined to keep his promise to his father to finally make Briarwood his home as he’d intended years before - years that included Elizabeth. But she married another man and Reese hasn’t seen her since. So the first time he does run into her once home is fraught with tension and all sorts of emotion, especially hate.

Knowing she can’t ask more from Reese, especially forgiveness, Elizabeth at first hesitates to run to him when she finally realizes her life is in danger, ergo so is her son’s life if anything happens to her. He’s the next earl and has an uncle who is overly ambitious. But her son’s life is more important than her pride, her lost love, and anything else. Thus, she finds herself on Reese’s doorstep, knowing he will be honor bound to protect her and her secret.

And she’s right. Reese can’t turn her away, no matter how he feels, and he feels plenty. But he does the right thing, and you have to admire him all the more for it. He also gets to the root of the problem for both Elizabeth and her son, once he sees how they both flinch if he gets too close. Realizing there’s more to Elizabeth’s story, Reese begins to soften little by little the more he interacts with her, as well as with her son, who needs a man and a tender hand in his life.

I think that’s the biggest reason I like this book more than the first - Reese and how he handles Jared. The boy is obviously afraid of men, but Reese gets down on his level and talks to him man to man, despite his age. When Reese calls him son the first time, Jared takes that to heart and I thought my heart would break during the conversation between these two when Reese questions Jared’s calling him Papa. Lovely little scene.

Of course, Elizabeth’s secret does come out amid all the mystery and investigation of the attempts on her life, and that’s another terrific scene when Reese finally learns what she’s been hiding. Their love grows again, if it every really truly died, and I found these two characters quite charming together, trying to muck their way through a hurtful past to a bright future.

So far this trilogy has been quite rewarding. Rule, the third brother, will complete the series. He’s a bit of a rake, loves the ladies, and it will be interesting to see what Ms. Martin has in store for him.

See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com (less)

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Jul 04, 2011 Bronwyn rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Reese's Bride is Martin's second installment in her new trilogy, and for the most part it is an okay written book. This review is my personal take on how she approached this story, and her main characters.

My major concern with this book, and why I rated it 1 star, is because Martin uses domestic violence as a plot device and I really believed that in doing so she devalued the heroine, showed the hero to be a selfish jerk, and trivialized the issue of abuse.

We have a heroine who is true to the...more Reese's Bride is Martin's second installment in her new trilogy, and for the most part it is an okay written book. This review is my personal take on how she approached this story, and her main characters.

My major concern with this book, and why I rated it 1 star, is because Martin uses domestic violence as a plot device and I really believed that in doing so she devalued the heroine, showed the hero to be a selfish jerk, and trivialized the issue of abuse.

We have a heroine who is true to the time period-young, a bit weak, and lived under her fathers strict control. After discovering she was pregnant, with her military fiance (Reese) in some part of the Empire, she succumbs to her fathers bullying to marry a titled Lord. Again this is true to the time period, and a great set up for a romance between the jilted fiance and said heroine.

The events thereafter is what jarred me about this book.

1. The heroine suffers abuse at the hands of the husband (sexual, physical and emotional), who dies. She is then slowly poisoned and is sexually harrassed by brother in law who is trying to control her son (heir to the title). Suddenly the heroine stops being a real person, and Kat Martin turns her into a Tess of the Dubervilles-like typecast of the tragic female.

2. The hero, is comtemptuous of her at first (that I understand). However as time passes, he gets to know all of this and yet *still* treats her poorly for the book, and goes after her lustfully for the remainder ,till the last when he realizes that he is in love. Now this is the modus operandi for most romance novels, however *knowing the heroine suffered abuse I really expected a more compassionate hero*. I can still remember the part of the book when she described the 5 inch scar where her bone broke through her skin from being pushed on a dresser. (eeek) Even after that he still acted selfishly when faced with a crisis.

3. Finally the old 'I love you enough to sleep with you but I hate you during the day' is a horrible plot device that is getting old. After Reese discovers a secret Elizabeth was keeping from him, he fell into that trap (again knowing what he did about her past, and her experience with her dead husband, what did he expect her to do? I wish he would just get over himself)

All in all, I would recommend reading it for the trilogy, however, I really wanted to share my views on the story line.(less)

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Mar 17, 2010 Bookaholics rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Reese’s Bride by Kat Martin
Historical Romance – Dec. 29th, 2009
3 ½ Stars

Reese’s Bride by Kat Martin is the second novel in the exciting bride trilogy which features the interesting and compelling Dewar family.

Reese’s Bride tells the story of Major Reese Dewar who years ago was in love with Elizabeth Clemens and left with a promise from her to marry when he returned. Unfortunately a mere month later when he returned he found her already married to a more wealth suitor. Now years later when he’...more

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Sep 26, 2011 Maria rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

Well written and about a period of history that I do not know well (1850's), there are several references to the Crimean War. Most of the story concerns a mother and her son reuniting with the father of that son, but there is a major subplot where Reese's best friend is first accused of treason and when exonerated decides to get married after a life-time of avoiding it. It is more complex than this, of course, and I enjoyed both plots, although I would have preferred the subplot to be a bit less...more

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May 19, 2011 Kelly rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I did not care for this book. The storyline had potential as I usually love a story about old loves reconnecting but these two were very immature. Also the lead, while he hated her with all his heart, was in a constant state of arousal. I know this because the author mentioned it every other paragraph. If I had played a drinking game every time I read about his burning loins I would have been hammered by the end of the book. It was unnecessary and after awhile completely embarrassing. He was goi...more

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Jan 27, 2010 Cherise rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-or-review-copy, historical-romance

This is the second book in the Brides trilogy starring the Dewar brothers.

Once upon a time and Elizabeth were in love. While they waited for her father’s approval of their relationship they made plans for the future with every intention of being married. Then Reese went off to war and when he came back 3 short months later on leave it was to discover Elizabeth married to another man. He has never recovered, nor has he forgiven her. 8 years later Elizabeth is a widow and she shows up on his doors...more

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Jun 03, 2011 RomReader rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical

Widowed heroine asks her recently-returend ex-fiance's protection from her in-laws who she suspects is trying to hurt her so they can get custody of her son, the future heir. Hero reluctantly agrees & is still dealing with the hurt caused by her marrying someone else wealther & higher titled than him 6 yrs prior while he was away.

Mixed review for Martin's book. Sexual chemisty & love scenes were good. Overall writing was ok. But I couldn't stand the heroine. She was emotionally weak...more

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Feb 04, 2010 Emma rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

4 1/2 really. I enjoyed reading this book A LOT. It had all the drama I love in a historical romance. I love the lovers-reunited storyline and this one didn't disappoint. Things were definitely tricky for Reese and Elizabeth and their HEA didn't come easily. But what a satisfaction when it did ! The epilogue braught a huge smile on my face.

The only thing that (really) annoyed me was the constant reference to Reese's state of arousal (like another reviewer mentionned). It was very painful for ME...more

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Apr 24, 2012 Kirsti rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

An engrossing read. Elizabeth has made all the wrong choices up until now, and obeyed her father's wishes. But when her life and the life of her beloved son is threatened, then she must turn to the one man who still sets her pulse racing. Unfortunately, the love that once blossomed between them has crumbled into hate and confusion, and it will take time for them to come together and trust each other completely.

I enjoyed the actual story behind this one, as well as the romance. Jared, the son, wa...more

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Jul 18, 2011 Erin W rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: z-2011

I really enjoyed reading this book, nice fun light romance.
Loved the characters history, I felt that it brought a lot to their present day relationship. I felt like I could connect with all of the characters. I think my favourite character would be their son, I loved seeing him open up and begun to trust people. I liked how there were side plots with other characters and their romantic problems, but at times when I felt like there was too much other stuff going on, this didn’t bother me when I...more

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Jun 02, 2010 Debbie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

Being forced in to giving up his life in the military and become a gentleman farmer may have been his fathers dying wish, but for Reese Dewar just being in the same area as the woman who had broken her word and his heart was going to be his worst nightmare. Widowed and now in danger, Elizabeth Holloway had nowhere else to turn and no one else she knew she could trust, so she went to the only man she had ever loved and played on his sense of honor to protect her and her son from the in-laws that...more

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Feb 18, 2012 Linda rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: challenge

I enjoyed Reese and Elizabeth's story , found it more intresting than the first book in the series.
Reese. Returns from war after being injured and settles in to take care of his estate and farm to have Elizabeth who jilted him years before come back into his life with her son. He finds himself trying t fight falling in love with her again and at the same time trying to protect Elizabeth and her son Jared . Thrown in to stor is a second plot line with a friend from the military some continuing i...more

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Mar 03, 2011 Natasha Marshall rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I've given this novel 3 stars because I enjoyed it, but not enough to call it a great book. It just seemed like a typical romance novel to me, without any real purpose or hidden depths. But none the less, I am actually going to read the next one, Rull's Bride, because it seems more interesting :)

I didn't read Royal's Bride, and I don't think I intend to. This novel was a very easy read, I would call it one of those summer reads you only read when you're bored. There's a lot of sexual description...more

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Sep 21, 2011 Joy Petrilli rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I don't typically read historical romance books, but the first book of this trilogy came in from my book club and hooked me. Reese’s Bride by Kat Martin is the second novel in the exciting bride trilogy. I enjoyed this book and found it a solid read. If you are a fan of historical romance you should give Kat Martin’s Bride Trilogy a try. Although this is a trilogy you do not have to read the first book to follow along.

Kat Martin does an excellent job of developing the characters of Reese and El...more

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Dec 09, 2009 Romancereviewer rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, borrow-don-t-buy

In 1855 England, Elizabeth Holloway, the widow of the abusive Edmund Holloway - the Earl of Aldridge, must seek refuge with a former beau for protection from her evil brother-in-law.

Major Reese Dewar, despite his anger that Elizabeth married another man, decides to take in Elizabeth and her young son Jared. She must face the wrath of Reese's aunt, a stern woman who is protective of her nephew.

After an attempt on her life, Reese determines that the best course of action is to marry Elizabeth. It...more

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Dec 26, 2009 Kit rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is definately a romance that is better appreciated if you have read Royal and Lily's story first. Reese (Royal's brother) comes into the story with Elizabeth having broken his heart. Just when you think "enough already" with the truth not coming to the forefront, the story picks up. There is a sweet secondary romance running through the plot with Annabelle and Travis and all is wrapped nicely to entice you want to read the youngest brother's,Rule Dewer's story

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Jul 19, 2012 penelopewanders rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, stored-in-mallorca

Second in this series, the first of which I read a while ago. Good read, interesting characters... ever so slightly predictable - at one point I went, "ah, here comes the kidnapping" but no, the little boy did NOT get kidnapped (sorry if that's a spoiler)... anyway, fun holiday read. I realized this had a bookcrossing label I missed when I mooched it, so I'll have to set that straight when I have the original BCID with me.

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Feb 01, 2010 Courtney rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I love Kat Martin's books. I started reading her contemporary romance novels a few years ago and just recently started in with her historical romances. This series is so great. I adore the Dewar brothers and their wives. The story moves quickly, has great characters, and had a slight twist to the end. I can't wait for Rule's story to come out and finish the trilogy. I would like to see some of "The Oarsmen" get their own books too. Especially Jonathan Savage! :)

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Jul 26, 2010 Paula rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I liked the storyline in this book, it kept the pages turning but whoever edited this book needs some lessons!

Reese, the second of the DeWar brothers sees an old flame with her 7 year old son. They were to get married after he returned from the war, but after he left, she married someone else. She is widowed now and although he still has feelings for her, he can't get over how she broke his heart.

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Jan 09, 2010 Carrie Hinkel-Gill rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: moonlight-lace-and-mayhem

This was a great roller coaster ride of all of my favorite elements! Beside romance, there was crime, mystery, intrigue, suspense and heat!

I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be reading Royal's Bride and Rule's Bride!

For my complete review see:
http://moonlightlacemayhem.blogspot.c...

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Dec 18, 2010 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

An even better story than the first book -- if that's possible! The ultimate strong-yet-vulnerable hero and the strong-yet-feminine heroine. Again the supporting characters are enchanting and enhance the storyline. Looking forward to the last book in this trilogy.
Story = B+
Sensuality = A
Romance = A-
STORY = A-

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May 04, 2012 Kris rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Overall this was ok. But I was really bothered by the scene with the character Travis. The author points out to us numerous times that his arm has been amputated. But, he reaches for a female character with his "hands". Holds her "shoulders". Really? No one caught this in editing? Disappointing.

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Dec 07, 2011 Fionn Jameson rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A formulaic romance, which nonetheless, satisfies. Could've really cared less about the secondary romance, though. It would've been nice to see the secondary romance turn into the main romance in another book, as this aspect of the book felt quite rushed and somewhat unrealistic.

Then again, who reads historical romance from Kat Martin no less for something realistic and true-to-life?

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Feb 03, 2013 Miss Pippi the Librarian added it

Reese returns from war with wounds and a beaten heart. His childhood sweetheart, Elizabeth, married another and now she wants his help. Can he overcome his bitter anger to help a lady in distress?

Time Period: Regency, 1850's
Location: England

Reviewed from a library copy.

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Jul 15, 2011 Carla rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance

I liked this story, which pairs a widow who has suffered due to a bad choice made when she was young, her sweet and withdrawn son, and her angry but noble old flame. Stereotypical in many ways, but nicely drawn characters and a nicely-paced story. A good escape read.

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Sep 03, 2010 ReadingWench rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, romance-all, romance-england

You need to read the first in this series, ROYAL'S BRIDE, to enjoy this one. This book doen'st have the strong storylines as the first in the series, and a bit long, but still a good read.

Once again Kat Martin has written a steamy book. Although, as one reviwer has said "The only thing that (really) annoyed me was the constant reference to Reese's state of arousal (like another reviewer mentionned). It was very painful for ME to read about it again and again". I couldn't agree more.

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May 28, 2010 Cynthia (aka Artemis) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

An excellent follow-up to Royal's Bride. Once again Kat Martin includes all the players in her story concentrating on the H/h, Reese and Elizabeth. Although, I would have liked more on the relationship of Captain Travis Greer and Lady Annabelle Townsend.

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About Kat Martin

Kathleen Kelly Martin (aka Kathy Lawrence, Kasey Mars)

Kathleen Kelly was born on 14 July 1947 in the Central Valley of California, USA. She obtained a degree in Anthropology and History from the University of California in Santa Barbara. She was a real estate broker, when she met her future husband, Larry Jay Martin. A short time after the two became acquainted, Larry asked her to read an unpublis...more

More about Kat Martin...

Books by Kat Martin

Against the Wind (The Raines of Wind Canyon, #1)

Against the Law (The Raines of Wind Canyon, #3)

Against the Fire (The Raines of Wind Canyon, #2)

The Bride's Necklace (Necklace Trilogy #1)

Against the Storm (The Raines of Wind Canyon, #4)

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Reese's Bride (Bride's Trilogy #2)

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