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Stealing the Bride
Acclaimed author Mary Wine proves that romance is never hotter than amid the rugged castles of distant Scotland. . .Brawny and brave, Hayden Monroe is a laird in need of a wife and the beautiful Elspeth Leask shall be his. But he must bed her to wed her--and fully satisfy her deepest desires. . .
Praise for the Novels of Mary Wine
"A wonderful summer read." --"RT Reviews" on "My Fair Highlander"
"Readers. . .will be glued to the passion, humor, escapades, and court intrigue till the very last page." --"Publishers Weekly" on "Improper Seduction, " starred review
"Mary Wine's "In A Warrior s Bed" is as sexy and exciting as the highland hills themselves! --Elizabeth Hoyt, "USA Today" bestselling author
Mary Wine writes to reassure herself that reality really is survivable. Between traffic jams and children s sporting schedules, there is romance lurking for anyone with the imagination to find it. She spends her days making corsets and petticoats as a historical costumer. Beware, if you send an invitation marked formal dress, she just might show up wearing a bustle.
Praise for the Novels of Mary Wine
"A wonderful summer read." --"RT Reviews" on "My Fair Highlander"
"Readers. . .will be glued to the passion, humor, escapades, and court intrigue till the very last page." --"Publishers Weekly" on "Improper Seduction, " starred review
"Mary Wine's "In A Warrior s Bed" is as sexy and exciting as the highland hills themselves! --Elizabeth Hoyt, "USA Today" bestselling author
Mary Wine writes to reassure herself that reality really is survivable. Between traffic jams and children s sporting schedules, there is romance lurking for anyone with the imagination to find it. She spends her days making corsets and petticoats as a historical costumer. Beware, if you send an invitation marked formal dress, she just might show up wearing a bustle.
110 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
92 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
About the author
Mary Wine
83 books819 followersMary Wine has written over twenty novels that take her readers from the pages of history to the far reaches of space. Recent winner of a 2008 EPPIE Award for erotic western romance, her book LET ME LOVE YOU was quoted “Not to be missed…” by Lora Leigh, New York Times best-selling author.
When she’s not abusing a laptop, she spends time with her sewing machines…all of them! Making historical garments is her second passion. From corsets and knickers to court dresses of Elizabeth I, the most expensive clothes she owns are hundreds of years out of date. She’s also an active student of martial arts, having earned the rank of second degree black belt.
When she’s not abusing a laptop, she spends time with her sewing machines…all of them! Making historical garments is her second passion. From corsets and knickers to court dresses of Elizabeth I, the most expensive clothes she owns are hundreds of years out of date. She’s also an active student of martial arts, having earned the rank of second degree black belt.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
October 15, 2012
** 3 1/2 stars **
Short so not as much story and character development but still a decent read.
Short so not as much story and character development but still a decent read.
October 14, 2013
3.5 stars (rounded up to 4 stars, because I'm sucker for a Highlander and Hayden was a hot one)
January 18, 2026
My Review:
This was a blast of a read and a bit different than what I was expecting for it. But if you want a quick historical novella that will take you on a wild ride, I highly recommend this one and really this author. I love how she tackled some of the aspects of this story. There was plenty of laughs, adventure, great banter and a plot that kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through. I found it interesting to see the heroine being kidnapped by a neighboring clan .....I honestly loved how it turned out. Just had all the aspects of what makes me love highlander historicals.
Overall I had a great time with this and eager to read more of the backlist of this author.
This was a blast of a read and a bit different than what I was expecting for it. But if you want a quick historical novella that will take you on a wild ride, I highly recommend this one and really this author. I love how she tackled some of the aspects of this story. There was plenty of laughs, adventure, great banter and a plot that kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through. I found it interesting to see the heroine being kidnapped by a neighboring clan .....I honestly loved how it turned out. Just had all the aspects of what makes me love highlander historicals.
Overall I had a great time with this and eager to read more of the backlist of this author.
February 10, 2013
Since this was my first Highlander romance it is possible a novella was not a good choice. I have lots to learn: traditions, clans, lairds, church rules etc.
The author used aye, nae, lass, and even ye’re. Ye’re?
A fun example of this genre. Sexy, hot scenes. I think I may like men in kilts.
The author used aye, nae, lass, and even ye’re. Ye’re?
A fun example of this genre. Sexy, hot scenes. I think I may like men in kilts.
April 30, 2013
This book was a little disappointing. They fell in love too fast. And the book got over even faster.
October 21, 2014
I thought when I started this that it would be a good book. I didn't realize it was a novella at first. While the beginning had possibilities the rest was just sex.
January 3, 2025
This was a novella, short and just ok. Basically the reason it gets three stars is because it’s one of the first highlander romances I’ve read that doesn’t just try to be a Garwood novel.
The FMC isn’t like SO over the top beautiful. She doesn’t constantly say things out loud that she is thinking. She’s not a total idiot. The hero isn’t totally emotionally constipated. He asks his friend for advice about how to soothe his bride.
Also I kind of liked how even the “enemies” who captured her were portrayed in a semi-positive light. It was nice.
It’s safe except that the hero was married before and he did love or at least have affection for his wife. SPOILER BELOW
When the two finally have sex, as he is falling asleep, he sees his wife and two children as ghosts and they are happy for him and his dead wife ghost blows him a kiss and then they disappear. It was …. Weird… haha
The FMC isn’t like SO over the top beautiful. She doesn’t constantly say things out loud that she is thinking. She’s not a total idiot. The hero isn’t totally emotionally constipated. He asks his friend for advice about how to soothe his bride.
Also I kind of liked how even the “enemies” who captured her were portrayed in a semi-positive light. It was nice.
It’s safe except that the hero was married before and he did love or at least have affection for his wife. SPOILER BELOW
When the two finally have sex, as he is falling asleep, he sees his wife and two children as ghosts and they are happy for him and his dead wife ghost blows him a kiss and then they disappear. It was …. Weird… haha
July 15, 2021
Seducing the bride
Hayden is pressed to find a bride by his clan. His wife and child had passed away. A man named Dunmore has a sister, Elspeth, who is a spirited woman. Dunmore and Elspeth are from a poor clan. Dunmore convinces Hayden to come meet his sister. Dunmore wanted to align his clan with Hayden's clan, as it is richer and stronger. Well, Elspeth is not happy with the situation. But after being kidnapped and almost drowned, she begins to realize the good qualities of Hayden. Good book.
Hayden is pressed to find a bride by his clan. His wife and child had passed away. A man named Dunmore has a sister, Elspeth, who is a spirited woman. Dunmore and Elspeth are from a poor clan. Dunmore convinces Hayden to come meet his sister. Dunmore wanted to align his clan with Hayden's clan, as it is richer and stronger. Well, Elspeth is not happy with the situation. But after being kidnapped and almost drowned, she begins to realize the good qualities of Hayden. Good book.
May 13, 2018
I was a little disappointed in this one. I love Mary Wines highlander romances, they are usually so good. this one was just a waste and I waited a long time for the price to drop so I could read and was a waste even for 99.
February 8, 2021
A lovely novela with which to spend an afternoon
Mary Wine never disappoints. This quick read was just what I needed after a stressful week of dealing with medical issues. Thank you for allowing me to escape to some goodness in humankind.
Mary Wine never disappoints. This quick read was just what I needed after a stressful week of dealing with medical issues. Thank you for allowing me to escape to some goodness in humankind.
February 3, 2018
👍👍👍
Could not put this book down. Another great Highland read from the many books written by Mary Wine! Hope she keeps writing them.
Could not put this book down. Another great Highland read from the many books written by Mary Wine! Hope she keeps writing them.
September 9, 2018
Not a bad story but I've had it so long I forgot it's a novella. Interested to see what happens with the abductor and his sisters as well.
February 18, 2019
I enjoyed reading.
February 20, 2019
It was a little too short but it was still good. There wasn't a whole lot of danger or mystery or anything. I do like Mary Wine but this book just wasn't like her other books.
March 19, 2019
Cute, sweet. I liked the characters and the smut was nice too. I should check out the author.
October 14, 2019
It was ok. I am not much into the short stories.
September 27, 2021
Not long enough for character development.
August 5, 2024
3.5 stars!!!
January 29, 2016
Hayden and Elspeth. Hayen is a widower who lacks and heir and every neighbouring clan would be happy to foist one of their sister/daughters onto him. Then one neighbour suggests a slightly alternate approach to marriage. Basically he can 'test out' his daughter through a hand fasting (deeply frowned upon by the church). If she bears him a son he must wed her. But, he warns, the girl is spirited instead of biddable. It's the last part that actually gains Hayden's interest. Once he gets to his neighbours keep, the game is on!
This was more fun than I was expecting with more of a plot that was a rather unpredictable. It wasn't anything special and it was too short to do much development but I liked the MCs and the strange quirky side characters they encountered on their adventure. The author also spends some time making the setting realistic to the times, which adds to the interest of the story.
This was more fun than I was expecting with more of a plot that was a rather unpredictable. It wasn't anything special and it was too short to do much development but I liked the MCs and the strange quirky side characters they encountered on their adventure. The author also spends some time making the setting realistic to the times, which adds to the interest of the story.
February 16, 2016
This was another good book by Mary Wine. She is one of my favorite Highlander authors and this one was no exception. It starts off with Hayden Monroe being forced to choose another bride because his 1st wife and child unfortunately dies. He of course doesn't want another wife because he is still grieving her but his neighbors don't understand his issue. He is approached by a smaller clan Laird that doesn't have much of a dowry for his sister and is offered her attention by handfasting with no strings attached. Of course he must win said sister over because she isn't having any of that. Read about his adventures trying to get her to the altar or just to agree with courting him. lol
January 15, 2015
I have read mixed reviews about this one and i haven't read Mary Wine before so i didn't know what to expect,I have to say i was pleasantly surprised.This was a well written Scottish historical and i loved it i liked the writing style and the characters were very well developed considering this was a short novella. I look forward to reading a full length novel by this author and would recommend to historical romance fans.
July 5, 2016
I flipped the page on my kindle and the book.just ended. This was my first and last book from this author. The love was rushed and totally unbelievable, the book as just stupid. The story was hard to understand, the brother was in one place in one sentence then in the next sentence he was in
N a totally different place. The love scenes were boring and too many unimportant characters were introduced. Just a hard book to understand.
N a totally different place. The love scenes were boring and too many unimportant characters were introduced. Just a hard book to understand.
July 23, 2013
I think I'm picking books with the cheesiest covers lately! It's one was a bit racy at times, but a good story more or less. It was a short book, only about 150 pages, so a quick read. My only criticism was at I found their speech annoying ("aye", "nae", "ye"), but I guess it's more authentic when they speak that way.
April 7, 2014
An adequate but unexciting typical highlander story that probably would have been great as a full blown novel but suffers from the typical problems associated with the novella format: rushed romance and abrupt ending. The leads, particularly the hero, were very likeable though.
May 30, 2016
I give this a 3.5 stars. Hot highlander meets headstrong young women whom he wants for his second wife. He even shaves for her. They nearly drown, are discovered in unfriendly territory, she is kidnapped and escapes and loses her virginity in one day. Great sex scenes. But short
August 28, 2012
I love a good Scottish historical and Mary Wine is one of the best
August 30, 2012
kapağı beni aldattı sanırım. hikaye güzelde bu tarz içeriği daha çok dolu kitap okuduğum için mi çok beğenemedim yine güzeldi
March 11, 2020
4 Stars
March 15, 2015
It was a good book, but I wanted more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews