Wicked Delights Of A Bridal Bed [Mass Market Paperback]

There's something to be said about unrequited love. Tracey Anne Warren shows that this type of love can grow on a larger scale where it simmers below the surface, waiting to pop. Wicked Delights of a Bridal Bed is the fourth book in the Byrons of Braebourne series. This is the first book I've picked up in the series. Based on the synopsis, it says that the charming, rakehell hero has secretly loved the heroine for years. I'm a sucker for romances where the hero is so far gone over the heroine. And even though I haven't read the other Byron siblings' books before this one, I wasn't lost or confused. Tracy really has a great way of bringing a reader into the story with the dialogue, action and hot love scenes.

Mallory Byron is finally coming out of mourning after the loss of her beloved fiancé, Major Michael Hargreaves, who was killed in battle. Mallory loved Michael dearly and can barely leave her room or interact with her family and friends. She feels she shouldn't be happy because of Michael's death. But she knows she must move on with her life. As long as she keeps Michael's memory alive, she will try to find the will to live again.

Adam, the Earl of Gresham, was once an improvised lord due to his deceased wastrel father who he blames for the death of his sister. Adam has been friends with the Byrons since his youth. He has always cared for Mallory, but never courted her because he felt that he would be branded a fortune hunter. Two years ago, he made some good investments that has given him a nice fortune. But since he waited too long for Mallory, Hargreaves came along and swept her off her feet. Adam has watched from the sidelines, but no longer. His first step is to make Mallory enjoy life again and then when she has become her old self and can stop mourning Michael, he will court her and make her his wife.

Mallory has no clue that Adam loves her desperately. She did have a girlish crush on him when she was sixteen, but since he only treated her like a sister, she pushed those feelings aside. Adam is the only one who won't let her run and hide. Soon she is taking morning rides with him, having picnics and even allowing him to give her kisses. She thinks nothing of it because they are just good friends, but then one night when her nightmares and memories of Michael comes crashing over her, Adam comforts her in her bedroom. One thing leads to another and both are caught. With the promise of a duel from Mallory's brother for compromising her, Mallory accepts Adam's marriage proposal. Adam wants to jump up and cheer. He finally has Mallory as his. Mallory, on the other hand, thinks Adam is marrying her because of the unfortunate circumstances they have found themselves in. But there is no other man she'd rather marry and is pleased that her wonderful friend will become her husband.

Mallory is in for quite the surprise when Adam admits he doesn't just want a marriage of friendship but of passion. He does his best to show Mallory the delights of the bedroom, and soon she is swept away by his expertise where she wants more. Slowly her love for Michael has lessened, although Adam worries that she will never love him the way he loves her. He will do whatever he can to erase the feelings she had for Michael until he is the only man she will ever want.

Wicked Delights of a Bridal Bedroom is delightful friends turned to lovers romance. Adam and Mallory have incredible chemistry together. They have a mutual respect for one another and want to bring joy into each other's lives. Adam's devotion for Mallory is swoon worthy. He is possessive, but still respectful of her needs. He doesn't grow too alpha in claiming his mate, except in the bedroom where Tracy has written some hot and smoldering love scenes. Mallory is open to learning everything Adam can teach her about pleasure, and he doesn't mind showing her.

There is some tension in their marriage because someone comes along and tries to ruin Mallory and Adam's happiness. Adam is so scared he will lose Mallory and does some things that makes her question his actions. But when a man like Adam is backed into a corner and may lose the most precious thing in his life, he will do whatever he can to stop that from happening. It's not all that shocking, but shakes things up a bit before he and Mallory can have their HEA.

Wicked Delights of a Bridal Bed hits all the high points for me when reading a romance. You have a hero who worships the heroine and wants nothing more than to make find joy in his arms.

Katiebabs

I really enjoyed this book until the last couple of chapters. Mallory was grief stricken after the death of her fiancée. Adam has been in love with Mallory for years so takes it on himself to bring her back to life. I loved Adam who was so sensitive but sexy, and was loving the development of their relationship. But....toward the end of the book something happens that turns Adam into a controlling, possessive despot. I felt very uncomfortable about this sudden change of behaviour. And the love scene where he 'brands' Mallory feels almost like rape (except Mallory is consenting). Whilst he is apologetic about his behaviour, I feel worried about Mallory's future and then I'm thinking about domestic violence etc....(sorry, I have a terrible imagination). So, like several reviewers say, the ending leaves me feeling with a nasty taste in my mouth. I am probably reading way too much into this, but the ending has lost this book several stars.

Lady Mallory Byron is a woman with allot of brothers and no husband which makes for allot of male involvement in her life but not the kind she longs for. She loves her brothers and their wives but still mourns the fiancé she lost at war even though it has been over a year. But unexpected sunshine shows up during the house party at the family estate in the form of her childhood friend - Adam, third Earl of Gresham. Mallory has always felt close to Adam and has felt a pang of regret over the rejection she received from Adam when they were young. Little does Mallory know that the age difference was the problem, never Mallory as far as Adam was concerned and now that her fiancé is deceased Adam decides with the fiancé now gone it is time to make his romantic move with Mallory.

Adam may think about this all he wants and work on forever but can he convince Mallory that his love is true, his feelings sincere and his intention is the ultimate conquest of marriage. Adam wants Mallory for his wife and trying to figure out a way to show her that he is more than a flirt and flatterer is going to be difficult but not impossible, he just needs to provide some adventure for her and shake things up a bit. For Mallory trying to reconcile her feelings for Adam and move on from the feelings she thinks she should still have for her deceased fiancé is difficult. How can Mallory learn to let go of one man and be comfortable with another without the nightmare of guilt hanging around?

Before long things are more than shaken up they are turned upside down and before Mallory can take a deep breath she must make life altering decisions based on misunderstanding and bad timing. Mallory and Adam both want a love match but fear that saying the words would doom the relationship, if only they knew they what the other was really thinking.

But the ultimate surprise awaits them both and when this knocks on the door neither of them is sure how to react or remove themselves to reconcile from the shock.

With this book you get the full gamut of romance reading. You have wonderful characters with secrets and heartache plus the longing of desire and passion. The extended family of characters always adds to the fun and a little mystery in this book to keep you on your toes. Ms. Warren has added to the series with a great addition that as with the prior books makes you want to re-read the prior books and wish the next one was coming out sooner.

Mary Gramlich is The Reading Reviewer located at [...]

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