Title: The Bridal Arrangement (Silhouette Desire)
Author: Cindy Gerard
Year Published: 2001
Why did you get this book?
I happened upon Gerard’s Bodyguard series last year and blogged them up. A friend—one who knows me very well—knew I would set upon Gerard’s backlist as though it were homework. She sent this and several other Gerard titles to assist in my efforts.
Do you like the cover?
Hate it. Gerard describes a heroine very slight in stature and a hero standing a full foot taller. He also has a man’s hands; not the manicured, pale things pictured here. The photographed couple on the book’s cover belongs to some other story entirely.
Did you enjoy the book?
Yes, for a formula write. In general, I dislike category romance precisely because it follows a prescribed formula. In this case, the formula brought together a man dead set against love and a woman hell bent on getting his love. And at least 1/3 of the book is dedicated to the warring thoughts held by each. It must be a requirement—of this particular formula—that readers witness both the hero and heroines emotional journey from the inside out. It led me to skim the better part of the book.
As for the writing, Gerard is good. And I’m glad I took the time to look at her category romances. Note, I also read her Between Midnight And Morning and A Convenient Marriage this month.
Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again?
Nope. I read this just to get through her backlist.
Are you keeping it or passing it on?
Returning it to its owner.
Anything else?
Not today.
Desire is one of those lines that I tend to avoid like the plague. I find it highly formulaic, as you said, and generally too short for my taste. But... if you are glomming a backlist, you must glom it all :)
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