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Book Review By Sandra Calhoune
The Bridegroom by Joan Johnston

Clay Bannister, the Earl of Calisle, has been waiting years for revenge against the Duke of Blackthorne. Having been accused of a crime by the Duke and sent to Australia as a convict, the Earl was devastated to learn of the death of his wife and child during his absence. In the years since his exoneration, Clay has transformed himself into the feared and legendary pirate, the Dragon of the Seas. Although the Duke attempted to make amends by restoring Clay's title and holdings, the Earl still harbors hatred for the Duke for his past allegations. The Earl firmly believes that the death of his wife and child is a direct result of the Duke's actions. Clay decides that he will avenge himself and his family by wedding and bedding the Duke's daughter and then making her life a misery by impregnanting her and dumping her. It is only then that Clay feels that the Duke will feel some portion of the misery he experienced. After making the acquaintance of Lady Regina Wharton, the Duke's daughter, Clay realizes that she is quite unlike any other woman he has ever known. She's beautiful, high spirited, courageous and sensual. In order to force Regina's hand in marriage, Clay arranges her kidnapping, then convinces Regina that since he has seen her naked body they must marry in order to save her reputation. Regina, believing that the Earl has feelings for her, agrees to marry the Earl aboard his ship. On their wedding night the Earl informs a shocked Regina that he only married her as an instrument of revenge. As the Earl travels with his new bride via the the ship to his castle in Scotland, he prepares for a confrontation with Regina's father, the Duke, who is living at the family estate in Scotland. As Clay vows to go through with his shocking revenge, Lady Regina is determined to win the heart of her husband.


Plot & Themes
Time/era of story
Hidden Identity/Secret Motive Yes
Is really... - out for emotional revenge
If one lover chases another... - he chases after her

Main Male Character
Profession/status:
Age/status: - 20's-30's
Sex makes him

Main Female Character
Age/status: - 20's-30's
Effect of sexing
Unusual characteristics:

Setting
Europe Yes
European country: - England/UK
Misc setting - Fancy Mansion

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
What % of story is romance related? - 90%
How explicit is the sex? - vague references only - descript of kissing - touching of anatomy - licking - actual description of sex - Vagia talk - Weiner talk
Focus of story - equally on him and her
How much dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
How much sexing? - 1-2 sex acts
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