Amita4ever's manga / #BEST(66)

Very enjoyable. Typical 'contract marriage to get position' plot, but it was quite different in that the 'commoner' bride carried herself like a warrior queen! When we first meet her, everything is against her and she seems like the typical weepy, weak Harlequin heroine, but after they are married and she gets her feet back underneath her... watch out! This lady takes no guff about herself, her daughter or her husband, sham marriage or not! The ML calls her a lioness, and it works. Best yet, things take their proper order and the bed comes after the vows. The only thing I didn't like was the time flow wasn't clear. They finally get intimate and the next thing you know she's pregnant, and it didn't seem that much time had passed. Maybe because it was her second child she recognized the symptoms early? All in all, it was a good read and a satisfying end (although I kinda wish they had given us a chance to see her in a proper wedding dress ;).

I like the FL in this story. She was realistically strong, rational and independent. The ML, not as much, but you have to acknowledge his sense of honor is strong. In fact, this is one of the stories where the betrayal actually makes sense (despite the fact I think he jumped the gun - even his partner advised against it!). He's an investigator and they have to follow the evidence. I would have given it a 5 were it not for the unneeded BBV (Bed Before Vows). By unneeded I don't mean say it didn't serve a purpose in the story, but, rather. that - IMO - that purpose could have been served equally effectively in a way that didn't involve premarital sex. I was also disappointed we didn't have a one panel finish of them, on horseback, together with a wild Wyoming vista as their backdrop.

(5*)- Katheryn and Dickon were betrothed at a young age, but happy with it, until 13 years ago her blue-eyed beloved was abducted protecting her from pirates. They have spent all this time searching, and Dickon's father is ready to give up, but they get word of a rescued blue-eyed slave. Is it Dickon, and just who is the cold-hearted merchant who charges desperate families money just to get lost loved ones back? Will Kathryn ever find her beloved Dickon again?

An enjoyable tale. We have a little deception and family drama added to a few standard obstacles. Neither lead is very adept in the communication venue, but their actions speak very strongly for their love and dedication although it isn't immediately obvious to the other.

Treasure is a term used in this story, and I rather think it also applies to the story itself. We have quite the unconventional FL, and an, initially, desperate ML, but it leads to a lasting relationship, and it's an enjoyable read. Circumstances put them together, and it is a contract marriage of convienence so there is no time for prenuptial fooling around, but it doesn’t happen after the vows either. They grow their relationship the old fashion way by finding commonalities and discovering what they appreciate about one another, going (and growing) through a few trials, and finally learning the importance of communication (verbal and non-verbal). That, IMO, is a far more romantic way to find love (and its more likely to last according to RL statistics). I liked this story enough to buy an official copy and might consider a hardcopy if I can find it.

I really enjoyed this. It wasn't angsty enough to make my heart thump, but there was definitely some drama and conflict. Our common born heroine has not only assumed her father's position as landlord when he went missing, but as the head of the local smuggling ring as well. This puts her in a bad place when she falls in love with the nobleborn Navy captain and war hero who has recently purchased the land and mansion under her care.