The Marriage Bargain [Mass Market Paperback]

The one thing one can be assured of when picking up this author's books is that they will be full of originality and generally contain a surprise or two! In THE MARRIAGE BARGAIN the reader will definitely find this to be true!

Emma Chambers, in order to avoid marriage to a lecherous older man, agreed to wed in name only the very dashing and handsome soldier, Spenser Keenan, Earl of Kellworth, whom she fell in love with at first sight. They married; he brought her to his estate Kellworth - assuring her that there were plenty of funds to keep her safe; then left to fight the war against Napoleon. Well, she figured he lied about the funds and through selfless economizing she did her best at keeping his estate from crumbling around her and what few servants she could still afford to keep.

Spenser Keenan, hadn't given much thought to the young timid girl he'd married and left behind. Staying alive through a brutal war was uppermost in his mind. He'd written home; received no letters from her, so naturally assumed all was well. Discovering how dire Emma's circumstances had been, and having her think him so lacking in honor, to have ignored her pleas for help was painful, and a hard pill to swallow. Not only had Emma blossomed into an exquisite flower of womanhood - but she seemed to despise him - even after she had saved his very life. More than anything Spence would have his work cut out for him, not only to bring her to his bed in truth, but in managing to stay alive to accomplish it, as more and more `accidents' against his person seemed to be occurring on a regular basis.

-- When storytelling is told in such an emotionally charged way with twists and turns popping up regularly, the reader will find, as did I, that this is one book you must finish in one sitting. This author has impressed me since the beginning of her career and her latest offering is as absorbing and entertaining as I expected. The characters are cleverly crafted exposing their feelings to reveal them as real people that will remain with you long after the last page is turned. Emma was expertly crafted to prove that what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, and her metamorphous from young and timid to a force to be reckoned with was marvelous. The sensuality was tastefully done and served up with enough spice to make it quite tasty. Oh yes, once more I highly encourage readers to pick up this most excellent read.

Marilyn (...)

Emma Chambers was destined to be a Keenen. When she was barely seventeen years old, Zachary Keenen set his sights on her, intending to make her his wife. Zachary, old enough to be her father, couldn't keep his hands off her and it made Emma extremely uncomfortable. No matter how much her social butterfly of a mother thought the match would benefit them, Emma longed for someone to come to her rescue.

In came the dashing Spenser Keenen, Zachary's nephew, who proposed an arrangement that would benefit them both. He would marry Emma, in name only, and give her the run of his country estate. He'd also give her more than enough money to ensure that she'd be well taken care of for the rest of her life. In turn, he would be free to join the war against Napoleon and then explore the world with his best friends.

However, not long after he left, he forgot about her completely. No matter how many letters she wrote pleading for the resources needed to take care of the people who depended on her, he ignored them. Instead of increasing the amount of money he allotted to her each month, he cut her funds so severely she was forced to begin selling off anything that would draw a price just to have enough food to feed everyone.

It's been three years since she's seen Spencer and Emma wants more than anything for him to return to her. Not because she misses him, but because she intends to give him a piece of her mind.

When Spencer finally comes home, he's considerate and seems quite sorry for her ordeal. He insists that he never received even one note from her. But she won't be fooled again by his charms. She's not the same wide-eyed, trusting girl she was at seventeen. Her circumstances have turned her into a strong-willed, capable woman. There's only one thing she wants from Spencer Keenen and she proposes a new marriage bargain, one far more interesting than their first agreement.

Spencer Keenen fancies himself a knight in shining armor. Three years ago he rode in and swept the lovely, timid Emma Chambers off her feet, rescuing her from the clutches of his Uncle Zachary. He made her his wife, gave her his home and left to defend his country in the war.

He tried to write her repeatedly during the first months of their marriage, but when he received no replies, he assumed she wasn't interested in anything more than their original bargain, a marriage in name only.

Now the war is over and he's returned to London, but he does not intend to move into Kellworth with Emma. That country estate holds too many dark and haunting memories for Spencer. He thirsts for adventure and intends to explore the far reaches of the world with his friends Blake and Wolfe.

Of course, Spencer did not intend to be shot in a duel either, but that is just what's happened. Now, he has little choice but to return to the home of his youth and the wife he left behind.

But Emma's far from being the simple, young girl he met three years ago. She's blossomed into a strikingly beautiful woman, who is insisting that he knowingly let her live in squalor these past several years. To top everything off, she's offering a new marriage bargain, sure to be much more pleasurable than the one he first proposed.

What a delightful story! The Marriage Bargain is the definition of what a Regency-set romance should be. Ms. Perkins includes all the things that make a Regency so enjoyable, but she takes everything a step further with a unique plot, rich descriptions and minute details that make the era come to life.

Her characters are real people with virtues, flaws, insecurities and guilts that strike a chord of understanding in me. It's easy to see how much Ms. Perkins' enjoys her characters and because of that she's created a couple that I'll remember for years to come.

I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that Emma and Spenser were already married. When Spencer returns to Kellworth, they are virtual strangers, but it's obvious from the first that they are not only curious about each other, but attracted to each other as well. They have a marvelous chemistry and Ms. Perkins has a tremendous talent for making each encounter between them something to relish. I must admit that I often read scenes two and three times before moving on because I just enjoyed them so much. When Spencer finally realized what Emma means to him, it brought tears to my eyes. Theirs is such a touching and beautiful love story.

In addition to the perfectly constructed scenery and the unique romance, Ms. Perkins adds in a mystery sub-plot that kept me chewing my nails right up until the end. It's always there in the background, that nagging feeling that something haunts the two young lovers. Just as they're discovering each other, an omen of evil follows them. But near the end the mystery really heats up and I was just engrossed in the story. I couldn't put it down. I stayed up hours past my usual bedtime just to finish it.

I've had great trouble writing this review because I simply cannot put into words my depth of feeling for this story. One of the best Regency-set romances I've ever read. Worthy of inclusion on even the most exacting of keeper shelves. If you read only one Regency romance this year, make it The Marriage Bargain.

Madeline

Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

September 23, 2005

Seventeen-year-old Emma Chambers and former soldier, Spencer Keenan, have struck a marriage agreement. Marriage to Spencer is not what Emma thought it would be, as the he proceeds to leave her in exchange for an adventurous lifestyle. For three long years Emma is forced to maintain the Keenan estate, on her own, and by any means.

Years later, in London Spencer is accused of card cheating by a young gambler named, Esmund. Spencer reveals no fear of death although he doesn't want to settle the dispute with an illegal duel or cause harm to the young Esmund.

Spencer fires, purposely missing. But a terrified and trembling Esmund aims, hitting Spencer directly in the chest. Childhood friends, Blake and Wolfe, whisk the body back to his estate for burial. Emma demands to see the body before it is buried. The coffin is opened and everyone is blown away when Spencer reaches out, grabbing Emma, gasping for water.

Emma is determined not to let her feelings of despise intervene in caring for her husband over the following days. Spencer begins to feel remorse and love for his exquisite bride, as he tries desperately to overcome guilt and neglect, regaining her love. Emma wants nothing more to do with him, other than a baby as promised, and is determined to make him keep his part of their marriage bargain.

The Marriage Bargain is a terrific romance novel filled with an extremely rich cast of characters, suspense, excellent plot and a roller coaster of emotions that will keep readers attention from beginning to end!

Reviewed by Betsie