Bound by Marriage

By Nalini Singh and  

How else to describe the pact Jessica Randall had made with wealthy New Zealand rancher Gabe Dumont? In exchange for marriage and an heir, he would save her family property. The agreement was calculating, completely devoid of any tenderness, just like the man himself. Their relationship was supposed to be a simple arrangement. Instead, it was fraught with secrets and mistrust, jealousy and ultimatums--emotions that wouldn't allow her to maintain the distance she needed. Worse, the sizzling attraction between them made this marriage of convenience decidedly in convenient.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373767811
• ISBN13: 9780373767816
• Release Date: February 2007
• Publisher: Harlequin Desire
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 4.2" x 6.6"

Customer Reviews

I found this story to be compelling

Bound by Marriage by Nalini Singh Silhouette Desire # 1781 - February 2007 A year ago, Jess had promised her father on his deathbed, that she would protect their ranch from ruthless developers. The only way she could do that was to agree to marry her neighbour Gabriel who had the resources to buy out the soon to be foreclosed mortgage. Part of the agreement was a year for Jess in America to attend school and pursue her painting and to get away from a man she loved who married another woman. Gabe desired Jess, and he wanted an heir. Within days of her return to Australia, he married her and insisted on starting on her part of the bargain. Jess hadn't expected the passion her husband inspired in her. When the man she had loved becomes separated from his wife, and is determined to win Jess back, she quickly learns that that Gabe isn't about to let her out of her bargain. Gabe is most definitely an alpha male. He's ruthless and almost cruel in his treatment of Jess. Unfortunately, Ms. Singh doesn't really give us much of a glimpse into Gabe's feelings or gives us many details of his past, until almost the end of the story. The story does suffer because of this. Jess at first is blind in what she thinks is love for another man. To her credit she does learn to see into herself and she matures. I really enjoyed this story, though I can see why many Desire fans would find this one hard to swallow. Had this been published as a Presents, I think the story would have been enjoyed by many more readers. In any regard, Ms. Singh has a remarkable talent and though I would have preferred earlier understanding of the hero, I found this story to be compelling

Nalini Singh can write a good story in any genre....

The decision for marriage between Jessica Randall and Gabe Dumont was certainly not based on love. Jessica wants to keep the family homestead out of the hands of developers while Gabe wants children to ensure that his legacy continues. Or so they both thought. Instead, this seemingly simple marriage of convenience turns into one filled with tense moments and deep distrust. Will love stand a chance? Truthfully, I would never have picked up this book if not for Nalini Singh's name on the cover. I am not a huge fan of the Silhouette Desire line and the marriage of convenience theme is one that generally bores me. However, throw all of that out of the window when the talented Nalini Singh gets involved. This story blew me away! Gabe is the quintessential tortured hero. His coldhearted and often stone-faced demeanor would make him an absolute jerk in the hands of most writers but Nalini Singh ensures that he is redeemable. Pull out the Kleenex box, as his story is sure to get the tears flowing once all the pieces are put together. Jessica, on the other hand, is torn between her past and her future and one can easily relate to her inner conflict. BOUND BY MARRIAGE is a heart wrenching story that proves Nalini Singh is more than just an awesome paranormal writer: she is simply one of the top notch authors out there today. BOUND BY MARRIAGE is an intense and emotional read, but one well worth every minute as this beautiful story is an instant keeper. COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

Bound by Marriage

Jessica Randall is in a bind and needs someone to help her save her family's land. She turns to rancher Gabe Dumont and finds herself agreeing to a marriage of convenience and providing Gabe with an heir. Jessica plans to keep their relationship going like a business arrangement and the two marry. That's when trouble starts. No longer is Jessica able to look at Gabe as just a regular business partner. Now she looks at him as her husband and while she fights her attraction to him greatly, she can't help but realize that it's a lost cause. Gabe, on the other hand, is able to distance himself from Jessica because of past hurts. Hurts which influence the way he treats his wife. Hurts which could mean the end of his marriage if he doesn't watch out. I first started reading Nalini Singh romances years ago. I have yet to read one I haven't liked and Bound by Marriageis no different. Dramatic, highly packed emotions, sensuality to knock your socks off; Bound by Marriage had it all and I love every well written word. In true romantic fashion, Ms. Singh once again has given me proof of her ability to write a truly wonderful romance. Talia reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Wonderful read!

I'm amazed by how much emotion Nalini Singh was able to pack into such a small book - and make it so real that I actually found myself tearing up a couple of times. The story between the two main characters is simple - Gabe and Jess have married so she can fulfill her deathbed promise to her Dad to keep their ranch in the family and so Gabe can have an undemanding and uncomplicated wife. It's a marriage of convenience that surprises them both when it starts to become more than that. Of course, Gabe has his demons to face (I love a tortured hero!) and Jess has some self-discoveries to make, and watching them as they do is what makes this book enjoyable. Best of all, Nalini doesn't disappoint in the end - her characters have grown by the end of the book, but not so much that it's hard to believe they're the same people. I'm now going to find the rest of her backlist while waiting for her next book ("Visions of Heat") to come out.

*****Great emotional tale****

Wow, What a great read! I was in an emotional roller coaster from the beginning to the end of the story. Gabriel Dumont made a deal with Jessica Randall to marriage her and save her family property. After a whole year away from him she comes back and accepts his proposal of getting married and produce an heir. But can she survive in a convenience marriage with a man who has a piece stone for a heart? Can they learn to love each other as they are? As a big fan of Nalini, I have to tell you that I will buy whatever she writes. She is a very gifted writer. In her books you will always find emotion as well as sensuality, a great balance between sex and romance. If you like this read, I will also recommend "Craving beauty", "Slave to Sensation" and the one that have all her readers very impatiently waiting for "Visions of Heat" It is really hard now days to find a good marriage of convenience story without boring the reader. Well, this is not the case. The story is very emotional, very well done. There were times during the read that I was infuriated with Gabriel and other times that my chest was constricted with the desire of crying. In this book you will get the whole package: a headache hero, strong heroine and a beautiful tale. So if you want to have a great and fast read, don't waste a minute go ahead and buy this book and you won't be sorry about it. This is one is a keeper!