The Ward's Bride

Border Series Prequel Novella

By: Cecelia Mecca

Narrated by: Benedict Waring

Length: 3 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

Their marriage is forced. Their passion is real.

English knight Sir Adam Dayne is offered the ultimate prize by the earl who raised him: lordship of Langford castle. All he must do is accept a betrothal to the Scottish Marcher warden's beautiful daughter, a match made to keep peace at the tumultuous Anglo-Scottish border. Sir Adam relishes the prospect - until he meets the woman he is to wed.

Lady Cora Maxwell hates everything English, including the self-assured new lord who has claimed her hand in marriage. Desperate to return home to Scotland, Cora displays increasingly outrageous behavior in the hopes of dissuading the Englishman from the marriage. But when Adam proposes a unique challenge, Cora is forced to face her greatest fears and the burgeoning desire he has awakened in her.

The Ward's Bride is a prequel novella in a historical romance series set in 13th century Northumbria. If you like strong female heroines, alpha male types, and sizzling romance, you'll love the first installment of the Border Series. Transport yourself to the medieval world of The Ward's Bride today!

©2017 Cecelia Mecca (P)2017 Altiora Press

Absolutely Brilliant!!

An arranged marriage. Between an English Lord, and a fiery Scottish Lady. She plots to escape the marriage, and he makes lifelong plans.

Full of humor, tension and sizzle. I was so hoping she would fail. Narrated with the appropriate brogue; listening was an absolute delight!!

Steamy Historical Novella

This story was a great start to what promises to be a very good series. I enjoy Cecelia Mecca, she creates characters that you would like to know, and a rich historical story.

Captivating Listen

Both the author and narrator were new to me. I really enjoyed this short listen. The characters are strong and independent, yet they have great chemistry. The forced marriage concept fit the time period for this book. Cora was fortunate that her husband (Adam) was not the brute most English barons were to Scottish brides. I thought the narrator did a very good performance with the various characters and was able to put the right emotion into the story. My review is not a synopsis of the book, but rather my opinion of it. I was provided with this review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily written my review. I will definitely look for more books in this series.

Excellent Series Prequel

This story is a novella, so there is a lot of story delivered compactly. I enjoyed this story and the characters. Not unusual in this time, Cora and Adam's marriage is arranged. This union is set in order to bring Peace between the English and Scott's. While Adam is willing to see his Country's needs met, Cora is no so willing to enter into what she believes will be a loveless marriage especially with an Englishman. This steamy love story will leave you wanting more.

a fun series starter

When the earl who raised him as if he were his own son offers Sir Adam Dayne the lordship of Langford Castle, Adam can’t refuse the man who’s like a father to him. But to keep the peace on the fractious English-Scottish border, Adam must also marry the daughter of the Scottish border warden. Adam is eager to do anything to help his foster father, until he meets his reluctant bride and wonders just what he’s agreed to.

Lady Cora Maxwell harbors nothing but resentment for the English. She comes up with a plan almost immediately, hoping to convince her new husband to send her back to Scotland by acting in increasingly infuriating ways. But Adam is determined not to disappoint his foster father, so he issues Cora a challenge of his own, forcing her to open herself up to the unwitting attraction she’s come to feel for Adam.

This was a fun novella, but I must say I was not a fan of Cora. She was extremely judgmental and wouldn’t give Adam even the slightest chance despite his impeccable behavior towards her. Poor Adam had the patience of a saint and I loved his relationship with Richard. I’m eager to continue my attempt at listening to the Border series in order. This was a new-to-me narrator, but I enjoyed his voice and will look for more of his work.

Love story

A love story of Sir Adam and Lady Cora. He is English and she is Scottish. Sir Adam was given land and castle with a stipulation that he must marry Lady Cora. A forced marriage between Sir Adam and Lady Cora, but their passion was real. Very romance story.

Feisty Bride

This is a well written and narrated historical that left me with the feeling of wanting to listen to more books in the series. Along with the historical theme, this story is exciting, has delightful characters, is romantic and has lots of sweet moments that left me smiling. I will be checking out more by this author.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily provided this review.

Historical Novella with An Arranged Marriage

This is a great short audiobook listen. The characters are independent and captivating. I'm not familiar with this author but this is a great Novella.

The narrator brought the story to life. His performance was excellent.

An arranged marriage between an Scottish bride and an Englishman is negotiated in order to reach an alliance. Cora is determined to do everything in her power to got back home. She does not want to marry an Englishman.

Cora's outrageous behavior is quite entertaining. She is so lucky Adam is a gentlemen and treats her better than most men would.

I'm looking forward to reading more books in this series.

"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

Keeping the peace and falling in love!

Its no secret that the Scotts and the English had in the past instant distrust and dislike for each other and that is putting it mildly. In order to foster and to try to keep the peace often they would have to marry, not always going well. I loved this novella. It had so much packed into this book. Beautiful imagery, great strong characters and storyline that wasn't overly complicated or rushed. There is action, a little intrigue and you will laugh and be swept away by the passion between Cora and Adam.

I was provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Worth a credit: YES, but for $10.46 also worth the cost.

Battle of wills!!!

What did you love best about The Ward's Bride?

A new author with a great beginning in her first novella. Sir Adam Dayne, an English knight, is offered a prize that can't be refused. He gains his own castle if he marries and accepts a betrothal to the Scottish Marcher warden’s beautiful. Lady Cora Maxwell hates everything English, including the self-assured new lord and husband. Lady Cora thought she’s have time to convince her Adam that they would not suit, but instead they are married the day after she arrives. Cora provides Adam a proposal and if he accepts he will be in for the battle of wills with his new wife. Cora is forced to face her greatest fears and the burgeoning desire he has awakened in her.

What did you like best about this story?

A novella that delivers an excellent story of two people meeting for the first time, with different backgrounds and finding what they most need and desire, love and happiness.

Have you listened to any of Benedict Waring’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

The Narrator Benedict Waring did an excellent job of narrating this audio book it simply came alive and was very enjoyable to listen to.