My husband and I have a running joke about who the "alpha" is in the family. Both of us are strong-willed individuals who work hard and contribute to the marriage, and because of that we both have strong opinions about decisions that we make. My husband will often say, "Are you turning alpha-female on me?" I, of course, laugh demurely making him think that he's running the show and know I am the true leader in this household. What's that saying? Behind every successful male is a successful female? In The Heiress Bride, the third book in the Bride Series, Catherine Coulter examines stereotypical male and female roles in the regency time period and develops a story around the idea of the contributions that are made to a marriage while at the same time writing an enjoyable story about two loveable characters.

Sinjun Sherbrooke, sister to Douglas, the earl of Northcliffe, and Ryder Sherbrooke from the first two novels in the Bride series, has seen the man of her dreams. Granted she hasn't had the opportunity to speak with him because of those insignificant societal restrictions on females, but that doesn't stop her. She's a woman who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to take matters into her own hands to get what she desires. One evening, while at the theater, Sinjun overhears the object of her affection lament to another gentleman about his need for an heiress. He admits that he needs his future wife's money to pull his estate out of dire straits. That's all Sinjun needs to hear. She's an heiress, and he's the most handsome man she's ever seen. So, she does the unthinkable: she introduces herself and proposes marriage.

Colin Kinross, the earl of Ashburnham in Scotland, has never met a woman like Sinjun Sherbrooke. She's an enigma that he's not sure if he should desire or instead find reprehensible. She's beautiful and quickens his pulse with desire, but she's rather forward and out of the ordinary in her beliefs of a woman's role in society. However, Colin, who suddenly acquired an ailing estate that is on its way to dissolution, must marry, and he must marry well. Miss Sherbrooke's offer of her money and herself as his wife, if accurate, would solve his problem.

The Heiress Bride will take you on a journey from England to Scotland, a land of feuding clans, and into a mystery that will lead Sinjun and Colin on a crash course of love and acceptance. You will experience the stubbornness of Colin who grates Sinjun's independence as well as the stubbornness of Sinjun who wields it like a sword to protect Colin. The give and take that both characters must learn to make is like a game of tug-of-war with your heart. Both characters are endearing and likeable which makes this novel a wonderful read.

Catherine Coulter has the ability to create magic with her words. She uses her magic wand effectively with The Heiress Bride conjuring a mystery that will surprise the most astute reader. Her characters, Colin and Sinjun, as well as the reoccurrence of Douglas, Alexandra, Ryder and Sophia stay tried and true to their original. While Douglas, Alexandra, Ryder and Sophia's antics at times seem foolish and distracting, it isn't exasperating enough to derail the narrative of Sinjun and Colin's story.

The Heiress Bride is a great read that I recommend due to the entertainment value of the story. Who can't appreciate the give and take that occurs in any relationship?

Reviewed by Maci Walker
© 2004