Julia Cooper has a secret that could get her killed. When her disguise as a cleaning woman gets her kidnapped and taken deep into the pine woods, she has stay alive while asking herself, who would kidnap a cleaning woman?
Rand Washburn has a secret that could cost Julia her life. When two pea-brains dump an Englishwoman at his farm, he has to figure out how to get rid of her before she discovers he's sitting on top of the biggest smuggling operation ever seen in Florida Territory.
If Julia wants to make it home in one piece, she's going to have to think fast to keep Washburn and his cronies from burying her deep in the back woods, even if it means marrying that handsome scoundrel at gunpoint. Can Rand convince Julia that she's destined to be the smuggler's bride, or is he going to have to make sure that she's not able to tell anyone--ever--about what he's up to on the Florida coast?
From the award-winning author of THE BRIDE AND THE BUCCANEER and THE PIRATE'S SECRET BABY.
Praise for Smuggler's Bride:
"Marshall weaves historical facts into a well-written and highly captivating romance. The scene in which Julia and Rand find out that neither is what the other thought is humorous as well as poignant. The author ties up loose ends with a big bow and has an extraordinary way of setting the plot for her next book."--Romantic Times BOOKClub
"There are so many 'forced to live together' 'she isn't who she says she is' 'he isn't who he says he is' stories out there, and I can usually find one that takes place in just about every time period. What's different about Smuggler's Bride is the twists applied to the intrigue, and the side characters like Ma Ivey that almost overshadow the main protagonists. It's...a pleasure to read'" --- Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
5 Cups!--"Darlene Marshall has written a wonderful story filled with romance and humor. The sexual tension explodes between Julia and Rand. This book will keep you up late into the night. It is impossible to put down.'"--- Coffee Time Reviews
"Smuggler's Bride by Darlene Marshall was a superbly written historical, the first book that kept me reading till the wee hours of the morning in a long time. I loved the characters and how they interacted with each other, they were vibrant and realistic. You felt for Julia and Rand, as things got more and more complicated for them. Her perfect blend of historical romance with a slight touch eroticism was a breath of fresh air. I loved the way she made this entire book come together. I would most definitely read more by this author'"--In The Library
"Smuggler's Bride has it all, backwoods language, pirates, romance, thievery, secrets and lies all tied together for a wonderful tale of life in Florida and England long ago.'" --- Roundtable Reviews
"...a fast-paced, adventurous, passionate and thrilling plot that will please any reader loving a good mystery or romance novel. Again, Ms. Marshall has written a great yarn!'" --- The Best Reviews
"Smuggler's Bride is full of romance and adventure. What's not to love about a tale with pirates, love, and pickled possums! There are definitely sparks between Julia and Rand, and the supporting characters are priceless. Ma Ivey and her sons are hilarious and very entertaining. You'll definitely want to give this one a read, as I think you will really enjoy this tale of love and pirates set in Florida Territory, 1843'" --- Romance Reader At Heart
