THE SCARLET BRIDE

The School For Brides #3

Cheryl Ann Smith

Berkley Sensation

ISBN 978-0-425-25081-5

June 2012

Historical Romance

Simon Harrington thinks it is time to settle down and set up his nursery with a suitable wife of the ton. Though Lady Jeanette has turned him down once or twice, he is determined to make her his wife. Then late one night, he rescues a young woman being accosted by two thugs, and nothing is ever the same. For the young woman he saves is a runaway courtesan, a mistress to a cruel, sadistic earl. He takes her to the courtesan school, a safe haven for former courtesans who are schooled to find proper husbands. The only thing, though his head tells him to continue to court Lady Jeanette, his heart and body demand Laura Prescott--who is totally unsuitable to become his wife. Simon knows he must stay away from Laura, but when her former keeper turns up dead--murder--and the hue and cry is for Laura, he knows he must help her find the real murderer before Bow Street comes calling--and before he is totally lost in love...

THE SCARLET BRIDE is a compelling, page-turning entry in the School for Bride series.  Well-written with a well-matched hero and heroine, wonderful dialogue, sensual and suspenseful with an unexpected twist, THE SCARLET BRIDE makes for compelling historical romance reading. Laura's plight--as that of the other courtesans in the series, will touch your heart and make you angry at the inequality and treatment of women during the Regency era. 

Reviewed by Debora Hosey

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