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A Bed of Brambles
This was never going to be a conventional love story. No bed of roses. Proud, passionate and wilful, Hettie and Alexander are alike in so many ways. That has to be a good thing, doesn’t it? Or it could be a disaster…both carry scars, and old wounds have a habit of causing new hurt.
Physical attraction draws them together. Hearts and minds can be thorny, less easy to satisfy. One thing is certain, together or apart their lives will move on. Alexander and Hettie’s clashes of spirit will only be part of the story.
Second chances. New beginnings. The opportunity to make things right. Or to make the same mistakes all over again. Unless fate takes the future out of your hands…
Praise for Sam Russell
“Russell delves into her characters’ minds exposing their innermost thoughts, fears, and desires”
“The author's ability to flesh out a character into a believable human being is what sets a great book above the rest”
“Sam Russell's beautiful writing draws you right into Draymere alongside Hettie, Alexander the horses and dogs, and keeps you there”
Physical attraction draws them together. Hearts and minds can be thorny, less easy to satisfy. One thing is certain, together or apart their lives will move on. Alexander and Hettie’s clashes of spirit will only be part of the story.
Second chances. New beginnings. The opportunity to make things right. Or to make the same mistakes all over again. Unless fate takes the future out of your hands…
Praise for Sam Russell
“Russell delves into her characters’ minds exposing their innermost thoughts, fears, and desires”
“The author's ability to flesh out a character into a believable human being is what sets a great book above the rest”
“Sam Russell's beautiful writing draws you right into Draymere alongside Hettie, Alexander the horses and dogs, and keeps you there”
370 pages, Paperback
Published March 3, 2017
2 people are currently reading
349 people want to read
About the author
Sam Russell
3 books54 followersSam Russell lives, works and writes from the family farm in rural Essex and describes herself as a "farmer by day and author by night".
Proudly independent, she is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and the Alliance of Independent Authors.
Her passionate, contemporary romances are set in the countryside and she credits Jilly Cooper for inspiring her to write "hunks, horses, hanky-panky and hot-headed heroines."
Sam has three grown-up children and lives with her husband, horses, dogs and chickens.
Proudly independent, she is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and the Alliance of Independent Authors.
Her passionate, contemporary romances are set in the countryside and she credits Jilly Cooper for inspiring her to write "hunks, horses, hanky-panky and hot-headed heroines."
Sam has three grown-up children and lives with her husband, horses, dogs and chickens.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 20, 2017
A Bed of Brambles is the second book in the Draymere Hall series but it was not completely necessary to have read the first book although I do think I would have liked to have a little bit more of a background to what was going on as there were one or two things I was unsure of. However, that being said, it is a really good book and I think if I had time I'd go back and read book 1 as I did enjoy this book.
Alexander is as nervous as hell. Hettie is coming home from Johannesburg. Coming home to him after being apart for 6 months. Neither is sure if they can make their fractured relationship work this time. Hettie makes a mistake just before coming home but decides, once she is in Alexanders bed that its a secret not worth sharing. Neither one can get enough of the other and soon the relationship is back on, although Hettie remains fiercely independent and determined to do something with her life without the financial help of her sexy vet. Hettie soon decides that if she is staying with Alexander then she needs to sort out her life and her career and decides to open her own livery stable. However, this is not without its difficulties and soon Hettie's secret breaks apart the already fragile new start to hers and Alexanders relationship and Hettie must accept that despite her best efforts, she does need a little help and support to get the stables up and running.
I don't really want to tell you too much more without spoiling the story. Suffice to say, the story flies along with lots of quite steamy bedroom scenes. The passion between Hettie and Alexander is hot hot hot! At times there seemed to be a fine line between love and hate and sometimes I wasn't sure whether the couple actually liked each other. There was certainly a heck of a lot of lust within this very complex relationship. Both are carrying a lot of emotional baggage, too afraid to open up completely. If you like your men tall, dark, handsome and moody then Alexander is perfect! There were lots of brilliant secondary characters and I actually liked Fiona, Hettie's nemesis. I love the dialogue that goes between the two and Fiona, or Troll as she later becomes known as, becomes an unlikely ally. I enjoyed this book a lot. The writing was good and kept me interested throughout. The characters were a lot of fun to get to know and if you love horses, dogs and country living with lots of drama then this is the book for you.
Alexander is as nervous as hell. Hettie is coming home from Johannesburg. Coming home to him after being apart for 6 months. Neither is sure if they can make their fractured relationship work this time. Hettie makes a mistake just before coming home but decides, once she is in Alexanders bed that its a secret not worth sharing. Neither one can get enough of the other and soon the relationship is back on, although Hettie remains fiercely independent and determined to do something with her life without the financial help of her sexy vet. Hettie soon decides that if she is staying with Alexander then she needs to sort out her life and her career and decides to open her own livery stable. However, this is not without its difficulties and soon Hettie's secret breaks apart the already fragile new start to hers and Alexanders relationship and Hettie must accept that despite her best efforts, she does need a little help and support to get the stables up and running.
I don't really want to tell you too much more without spoiling the story. Suffice to say, the story flies along with lots of quite steamy bedroom scenes. The passion between Hettie and Alexander is hot hot hot! At times there seemed to be a fine line between love and hate and sometimes I wasn't sure whether the couple actually liked each other. There was certainly a heck of a lot of lust within this very complex relationship. Both are carrying a lot of emotional baggage, too afraid to open up completely. If you like your men tall, dark, handsome and moody then Alexander is perfect! There were lots of brilliant secondary characters and I actually liked Fiona, Hettie's nemesis. I love the dialogue that goes between the two and Fiona, or Troll as she later becomes known as, becomes an unlikely ally. I enjoyed this book a lot. The writing was good and kept me interested throughout. The characters were a lot of fun to get to know and if you love horses, dogs and country living with lots of drama then this is the book for you.
August 23, 2017
This was such an addictive read filled with passion, angst, heartache and uncertainty. I loved how the author had developed two characters both with a past they wished to hide, both passionate about their beliefs but also passionate about their loves. Hettie and Alexander had spent months apart whilst she was working overseas but now back home in the Cotswolds it wasn't plain sailing for the young couple that their sexual chemistry drew them together like magnets. Hettie needed to find work preferably working with horses as that's all she's ever known and loved. The chance to start her own livery business brings back so many dark memories and her life soon becomes in danger from this past she wishes she could scrape up and throw away like the manure in the stables. A gripping romance filled with passion, new beginnings, second chances and opening your heart and soul to let go of the demons inside you.
July 11, 2018
An enjoyable romantic novel!
I enjoyed this romantic novel that delves deep into how traumas suffered while growing up affect a young couple’s ability to form a loving relationship.
I enjoyed this romantic novel that delves deep into how traumas suffered while growing up affect a young couple’s ability to form a loving relationship.
February 6, 2021
Sam Russell definitely writes about what she knows best. You can tell that she has a passion for horses and that she has looked after them herself. She writes this book with a passion and thoughtfulness that shines throughout the story.
The relationship between Hettie and Alex has a love hate feel about it, but you know that deep down they are simply made to be together, but getting there is a struggle, and this struggle makes for a very good read. Although they both often misread one another, they also know each other very well. They have a complex relationship at times and I felt myself wanting to bang their stubborn heads together.
There is a mix of feelings within the story that keeps you wanting to read on. Love, hate, passion, charm, suspense and fun. You put the book down, only to pick it up between work and chores. I constantly wanted to continue with the read to see how it all pans out for Hettie and Alex. The ups and downs and the twists and turns lead you easily through the book. There are a couple of surprises entangled within a couple of the characters, this made for an even more enjoyable read.
This is a book and author that I would recommend to anyone and I would like to read more of Sam Russell’s novels.
The relationship between Hettie and Alex has a love hate feel about it, but you know that deep down they are simply made to be together, but getting there is a struggle, and this struggle makes for a very good read. Although they both often misread one another, they also know each other very well. They have a complex relationship at times and I felt myself wanting to bang their stubborn heads together.
There is a mix of feelings within the story that keeps you wanting to read on. Love, hate, passion, charm, suspense and fun. You put the book down, only to pick it up between work and chores. I constantly wanted to continue with the read to see how it all pans out for Hettie and Alex. The ups and downs and the twists and turns lead you easily through the book. There are a couple of surprises entangled within a couple of the characters, this made for an even more enjoyable read.
This is a book and author that I would recommend to anyone and I would like to read more of Sam Russell’s novels.
April 5, 2017
Having read the first book ( A bed of barley straw) in the Draymere series,
I was looking forward to the second instalment.
It didn't disappoint!!
Having spent 3 nights staying up past midnight just because I couldn't put it down!
2 kids ,2 jobs 1 husband, books don't normally hold such power over me !!!
A bed of brambles takes you to a place that you will love .
I was looking forward to the second instalment.
It didn't disappoint!!
Having spent 3 nights staying up past midnight just because I couldn't put it down!
2 kids ,2 jobs 1 husband, books don't normally hold such power over me !!!
A bed of brambles takes you to a place that you will love .
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews