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The Bride Sale
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Plot Summary of The Bride Sale
"

Avon, Jan 2002, 5.99, 384 pp.
ISBN: 038080901X

    In 1818 Gunnisloe, Baron James Harkness, who rarely comes to the Cornish village from his Pendurgan home, hears a nearby auction whose bidding and commentary seem strange to him. He wanders over to take a look when he is stunned to see a woman on the block instead of cattle. Unable to sit idly by while the “wife sale” continues, James overbids and wins the prize. Gilbert Russell sells his wife Verity to “Lord Heartless” as the locals call James in order to pay off his debts.

    Though she starts with doubts about her savior due to the rumors that he killed his wife and child, Verity quickly notices his compassion towards people even those not deserving of it. She begins to fall in love with her benefactor and he feels the same attraction, but the secrets he keeps from everyone including her leaves no hope for a real relationship.

    Candice Hern places a classic style gothic romance inside a Regency tale so that the audience receives the best of both sub-genres. The story line engages the audience due to the lead characters, the dark brooding but caring James and the innocent bewildered Verity. Though James overdoes his secrets better than the CIA, the audience will want this charming duo to find happiness. His problems and to a lesser degree her first marriage makes for a rocky path that provides delighted readers with much pleasure.

Harriet Klausner
"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of The Bride Sale
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Time/era of story - Regency era
Seduction/coercion/force Yes
Inner struggle subplot Yes
Struggle with... - (general) search for identity/new understanding - angst over past traitorous lover
Hidden Identity/Secret Motive Yes
Who seduces whom? - mutual seduction

Main Male Character
How sexual is this person? - very picky
How romantic is this person? - somewhat romantic
How sensitive is this character? - middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Average intelligence
Physique - average physique

Main Female Character
Age/status: - 20's-30's
Profession/status: - homemaker
How sexual is this person? - very picky
How romantic is this person? - somewhat romantic
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Average intelligence
Physique - average physique

Setting
Europe Yes
European country: - England/UK

Style
Person - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
What % of story is romance related? - 70%
Focus of story - equally on him and her
How much dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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Candice Hern Resident Scholar Profiles

TOP SCHOLAR:
  
Lisa Demopulos  

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