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Blackthorne's Bride
(Misadventures in Matrimony #3)
by
For better or for worse
Tired of being wooed for her dowry, Lady Madeleine Castleigh has given up on finding true love. But on her way to elope with a boring but honorable philanthropist, her carriage is seized by a nobleman on the run. Maddie is alarmed, especially when she catches sight of Jack Martingale, Marquess of Blackthorne, exactly the sort of wickedly attractive m ...more
Tired of being wooed for her dowry, Lady Madeleine Castleigh has given up on finding true love. But on her way to elope with a boring but honorable philanthropist, her carriage is seized by a nobleman on the run. Maddie is alarmed, especially when she catches sight of Jack Martingale, Marquess of Blackthorne, exactly the sort of wickedly attractive m ...more
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Paperback, 384 pages
Published
October 30th 2007
by Avon
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Start your review of Blackthorne's Bride (Misadventures in Matrimony, #3)

Jun 22, 2016
Danielle The Book Huntress
rated it
liked it
Recommends it for:
Regency historical romance readers
I'm torn about this one. I loved the first two books, but I felt this one wasn't as well-plotted and and some of the events were a bit tangled. I did like the chemistry between Jack and Madeleine and I just plain love the camaraderie between Madeleine and her cousins. I've definitely read better historical romances, even by this author, but it was an entertaining read, and I did love how they both come to realize their feelings for each other and don't look back. The love scenes were nicely stea
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I don't understand how this book has so many positive review . This book was TERRIBLE. I felt I was reading a parody of a romance novel. The plot was very promising but the execution was just bad. I forced myself to finish it but it was painful to read. This was definitely not a goodread for me.
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Well, this was quite a thrill ride from start to finish. It's basically a regency screwball comedy, partly fed by Maddie's do-gooder tendencies and partly by Jack's brother Nick's more-or-less fatal attraction to trouble. There's a bear, an brawl, a shoot-out, a chase, and an elopement, not necessarily in that order and among other misadventures. Suffice to say it ends happily, as a romance should, but I really wish the bear had played a part in the final showdown. Shana Galen books do not disap
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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What I love most when I read historical romances is the authors ability to take you to another time and once you have read the last page you feel as if you truly experienced what life was like in that world. If History teachers could take lessons from writers than maybe more kids would enjoy learning about another era instead of rolling their eyes.
From the first pages Shana pulls you into her characters, their lives and the past that haunts them. While I love the first two in the series I think ...more
From the first pages Shana pulls you into her characters, their lives and the past that haunts them. While I love the first two in the series I think ...more

4.5 stars. Oh, I really liked this book! I have read quite a few Shana Galen books and I think this one might be my favorite. Jack Martingale, Marquess Blackthorne, is gruff and serious, and laden with guilt about the death of his mother. He and his brother, Nicholas, are two rough and tumble guys. We start with a bar fight, then the wild story moves to a carriage chase to Gretna Green, a mixed-up marriage in Scotland, a bear rescue, and a really evil villain. The action is fast and fun, and the
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This is the the third in this series,and by far the best.
Miss Galen has a wonderful writting style, that lends itself to action/humour .
So refreshing to read a book of this caliber , lots of action from the two main characters Madie and Jack ,and from Nick his brother and Ashley her cousin , and of course we cant forget the bear. Cant wait for the next book .
If its as good as this one were in for a treat .
Miss Galen has a wonderful writting style, that lends itself to action/humour .
So refreshing to read a book of this caliber , lots of action from the two main characters Madie and Jack ,and from Nick his brother and Ashley her cousin , and of course we cant forget the bear. Cant wait for the next book .
If its as good as this one were in for a treat .

Loved this book. I think it was the best of Shana Galen's (Misadventrues in Matrimoney). Loved Jack the hero, and Maddie was sweet and funny.
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I really enjoyed Jack and Maddie's story. Maddie and Jack are perfect for each other and so are Ashley and Nicholas. The race to Gretna Green and all the complications that arise is entertaining!
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3rd book in the series
I'm reading this series in order, these are the first books I have read by this author. The books in this series seem to have over long sex scenes, page after page that I am now just skipping over. The plots seem weak as well. She has good ideas and her premises sound like fun but the end result just feels lacking to me. The things they do, the situations they put themselves in, their thought processes feel like an author new to writing. I have been reading historical roman ...more
I'm reading this series in order, these are the first books I have read by this author. The books in this series seem to have over long sex scenes, page after page that I am now just skipping over. The plots seem weak as well. She has good ideas and her premises sound like fun but the end result just feels lacking to me. The things they do, the situations they put themselves in, their thought processes feel like an author new to writing. I have been reading historical roman ...more

This story takes off from the first pages and it's full of action. I literally couldn't put this book down when I started reading it. Marcus is the Duke and he's sexy and handsome and really wonderful. Josie becomes his Duchess under crazy circumstances and it's quite a ride. My only complaint is that I feel they should have been thrown together more and way too many relatives on two continents. Even with that the story was wonderful and the author did a great job. I recommend this book wholehea
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The Spinster's Club
Four cousins vow to remain unmarried, but10 years later two cousins marry. Maddie is tired of suitors pursuing her form her money. Maddie decides to marry a widower with two children. She and her cousin who is still unmarried plan an elopement to Gretna Green, only things don't go as planned when Lord Blackthorne and his brother interfere. A rollicking romance of mishaps and the danger of a Black Duke who threatens all Blackthorn holds dear. Don't worry about the bear! ...more
Four cousins vow to remain unmarried, but10 years later two cousins marry. Maddie is tired of suitors pursuing her form her money. Maddie decides to marry a widower with two children. She and her cousin who is still unmarried plan an elopement to Gretna Green, only things don't go as planned when Lord Blackthorne and his brother interfere. A rollicking romance of mishaps and the danger of a Black Duke who threatens all Blackthorn holds dear. Don't worry about the bear! ...more

I obtained a copy of this book from my local library.
This a very delightful and truly enjoyable historical romance story. I find that Ms. Galen's writing to be refreshing and accurate. The amount of detail, be it the characters, the scenery, or side characters, this author gives the reader all the right stuff.
Personally, I am working my through so of this author's earlier books so I can get up to speed with her newer works.
Get this book and enjoy a darn good story.
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This a very delightful and truly enjoyable historical romance story. I find that Ms. Galen's writing to be refreshing and accurate. The amount of detail, be it the characters, the scenery, or side characters, this author gives the reader all the right stuff.
Personally, I am working my through so of this author's earlier books so I can get up to speed with her newer works.
Get this book and enjoy a darn good story.
...more

I have not read the previous two books in this series, but this one was real enjoyable on its own. The best part for me was the priest marrying the wrong two couples at the double wedding. Jack and Madeline were great characters with a lot of adventures. They way Jack finished the Black Earl in the end was satisfying. And the way her father laughed at Jack, like shes yours now if she dosent kill you first.

Having waited for very long to read this book as it was reserved, I had high expectation for this. I was so disappointed because it was action and adventure from the start which is not what I’m looking for in a historical romance book. I skimmed so much already in the first few chapters that I don’t see myself continuing. Stopped at chapter 5. I love Shana Galen’s books but this series is just not for me.

Much of a Mess
Other than the mish mosh of way the story was told, often the story and characters were not even allowed their own place or dialogue.
Sentences followed no possible understandable pattern.
It could have been edited more carefully and given the flow the situation demanded.
It had a good beginning,but I didn’t enjoy this at all.
Other than the mish mosh of way the story was told, often the story and characters were not even allowed their own place or dialogue.
Sentences followed no possible understandable pattern.
It could have been edited more carefully and given the flow the situation demanded.
It had a good beginning,but I didn’t enjoy this at all.

I'm sorry, I tried. Too boring and too many weird alpha male devouring quotes and helpless female thoughts in the 30% mark...
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I laughed my ass off during this book! Maddie is hilarious. She's kind hearted, sweet, wants to save the world and gets into all sorts of scrapes while trying.
Poor Jack fell in lust after one look into Maddie's big blue eyes. He had no idea what that look would lead to. If he did, he'd probably run as fast as he could. But he fell and is now trying to keep his sanity while attempting to keep Maddie safe.
This book is easily the best one in the series and my favorite. The characters are brilliant ...more
Poor Jack fell in lust after one look into Maddie's big blue eyes. He had no idea what that look would lead to. If he did, he'd probably run as fast as he could. But he fell and is now trying to keep his sanity while attempting to keep Maddie safe.
This book is easily the best one in the series and my favorite. The characters are brilliant ...more

I came to this book after reading Shana Galen's more recent books, and compared to those this book wasn't great. The characters were young and not very well fleshed out, and the plot was absurd.
I felt like everything happened because it furthered the plot, not because it would actually happen to the characters.
The next book in the trilogy, the fourth book, was written years after this book, and you can definitely notice the difference in ability.
I gave up about halfway, I couldn't force myself ...more
I felt like everything happened because it furthered the plot, not because it would actually happen to the characters.
The next book in the trilogy, the fourth book, was written years after this book, and you can definitely notice the difference in ability.
I gave up about halfway, I couldn't force myself ...more

Woman determined to marry boring philanthropist is kidnapped by a cad with a title. This unlikely pair is soon being chased by a powerful with revenge on the brain on the way to Gretna Green for the wedding.
Once there, a drunken priest marries Madelien to the wrong man -- the cad.
The two discover things in coomon, not least of all passion, something Maddy had always longed for. Now she must convince Jack to stay married.
Once there, a drunken priest marries Madelien to the wrong man -- the cad.
The two discover things in coomon, not least of all passion, something Maddy had always longed for. Now she must convince Jack to stay married.

The third book in Shana Galen's Misadventures in Matrimony series was an adventurous romance with danger and excitement. The series follows four cousins and friends and their adventures (or, as the series title suggests, Misadventures) on the way to a happy ending. This book features Maddie, the reluctant, seemingly timid cousin who has an inner strength that shines through. For my full review on my book and history blog: http://bit.ly/HeCSJe
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Regency. Meh. Much heavier on the action sequences than the sex - everyone is constantly being ambushed or chased by the variety of people out to get them for a variety of reasons. There's the ubiquitous accidental marriage and misunderstandings galore. It got a bit repetitive and I stopped caring about the lovers half-way through.
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This was suppose to be a Quartet but something happened (not sure what) and the fourth book is on hold possibly permanently. Fortunately the way this one ends you are not left with a major feeling of disappointment at knowing what happens next because you have a very real sense of the final Heroine's happily ever after. If its ever published its a definite buy IMO.
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Another enjoyable historical romance from Shana Galen. This one includes a carriage hijack, a wedding mix up, and a bear.
Maddie is all set to run off and marry Mr. Dover, a boring dog breeder, when their carriage gets hijacked by Lord Blackthorne and his brother, who are on the run from the evil Black Duke. Adventure and mayhem ensues.
Maddie is all set to run off and marry Mr. Dover, a boring dog breeder, when their carriage gets hijacked by Lord Blackthorne and his brother, who are on the run from the evil Black Duke. Adventure and mayhem ensues.
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Shana Galen is three-time Rita award nominee and the bestselling author of fast-paced, witty, and adventurous Regency romances. Kirkus says of her books, "The road to happily-ever-after is intense, conflicted, suspenseful and fun," and RT Bookreviews calls her books “lighthearted yet poignant, humorous yet touching." She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven year
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Misadventures in Matrimony
(4 books)
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