Is Justin St. James, the new Earl
of Rathmore really a murderer? His staunchest
friend the Earl of Knightsbridge doesn't think so, and neither does intrepid American
Margaret Stanton-Lynch. After meeting
the gorgeous new Earl at her cousin's wedding, Margaret is intrigued, and attracted, by
Justin. For Margaret, such instant attraction
is quite a surprise, considering that she left America for England because none of the men
that her brother encouraged her to marry held any interest for her.
After meeting Emily, Justin's twelve-year-old ward
and also his cousin, Margaret is even more convinced.
How could a man willing to care for a twelve-year-old the way Justin does be guilty
of committing murder? But, if Rathmore wasn't
guilty, then who was? Who really killed
Ophelia? The answer to that question is
something that Justin St. James, and Margaret, are both trying to find.
In the process, they find romance, friendship and
acceptance. A Necessary Bride is
unusual as it shows both the growth of the hero and the heroine. So many romances only show the progressive
evolution of the hero, but in Mullins novel, the heroine also gets to find her true self
along the way.
A Necessary Bride has a wonderfully written
hero in Justin St. James. His is a vivid and
charismatic character, a hero that every romance fan will sigh for. Ms. Mullins had done a wonderful job of
portraying Emily, getting the precocious attitude of a child that age down on paper in
perfect detail.
The mystery element of A Necessary Bride is
quite well done, keeping readers guessing until the true murderer is revealed. All in all, A Necessary Bride was
quite an enjoyable novel, keeping me going until the very last page - a nice light romance
perfect for an uncomplicated relaxing read.
Reviewed by Janean Nusz for The Road to
Romance
Aug 25, 2003 |
