Lyon's Bride

The Chattan Curse, Book 1

By: Cathy Maxwell

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

"When a Chattan male falls in love, strike his heart with fire from above...."

They call him Lord Lyon, proud, determined - and cursed. He is in need of a bride, but if he falls in love, he dies. His fervent hope is that by marrying - and having a son - without love, perhaps he can break the curse's chains forever.

Enter beautiful Thea Martin - a duke's headstrong, errant daughter and society's most brilliant matchmaker. Years ago, she and Lyon were inseparable, until he disappeared from her life without a word. Now she is charged with finding Lyon's bride - a woman he cannot love for a man Thea could love too well.

©2012 Catherine Maxwell, Inc. (P)2012 HarperCollinsPublishers

Suspense and romance

What did you like best about this story?

I liked that there is a mystery/suspense that carries on to the next book. The friendship that develops between the main characters in this book, as well that all sub characters are equally important. The kids in this book are too cute! (reminded me of my son). The plot of the book is unique and yet very familiar. I would give the story a B+. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

Have you listened to any of Rosalyn Landor’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I love Rosalyn Landor's voice in all of the books she has read - she doesn't disappoint.

Haven't I read this before?

This book did not do it for me. It consists of several literary vehicles I personally don't care for. This book starts with the heroine trying to find a bride for the hero, we have all read this before. The other women who rival her for Lyon's attention are vapid and or catty. Why can't the protagonist persevere without casting the other women in the novel in such an unflattering light. I hate this, it is a tired and somewhat insulting concept and I have no idea why it is used so frequently.

That being said there were parts of this book I did enjoy. Mostly the middle of the novel and the secondary characters, Lyon's sibling and Thea's children. I knew before purchasing this book that it was part of a series but was still shocked by the lack of resolution at the end of the book. I don't want to give anything away but this read more like the first third of a story instead of the first story in a trilogy.

The narration was decent. Ms. Landor has voiced some great books (especially the Julie Garwood books) and has really impressed me in the past. My one issue with her in this book is that one of the characters is SUPPOSED to have an Indian accent. I almost looked forward to his lines so I could try to decipher what kind of accent she was trying for.

Again, this book didn't do it for me. The entire trilogy is highly rated on audible so it may just be me. I purchased this book on sale so that eases the blow a little. I would consider trying another book by this author if it were only $5 but no way would I blow a credit on one!

Good Story - Wonderful Narrator

This is the first installment of the Chattan Curse series by Cathy Maxwell, and I must say, what a marvelous start! This book is *sigh* inducing and oh, so romantic. A great story of second chances and true love conquering all .

Neal Chattan aka Lord Lyon and his family are cursed. The Chattan Curse is to punish and prevent any of them from falling in love. For generations, his ancestors have been attempting to avoid or stop the curse only to wind up with the same fate, death. Lyon's brother and sister have made a pact that the curse will end with them, not continuing with their blood line. But Lyon has other plans.

Widowed with two young sons, Thea Martin has become the town's successful match maker. Lord Lyon requested for her services but with specific requirements. Although Thea was against them, Thea accepts the job as her financial status has gone to a dwindle. The problem is Thea and Neal shared a past that will complicate their business arrangements.

I love second chances at love. Ms. Maxwell has given this couple a chance at a well deserved happiness despite their life struggles.

The world building was great and Ms Maxwell's writing flowed. The character buildup was also good even for the secondary characters. Thea was a great heroine, a kick ass single mom who knew her priorities. And Neal the honorable hero who makes the right decision in the end. I love that their romance was done in good timing and being acquainted in the past, their love only needed to grow. Some parts of this book were totally cliche but every bit as heart warming.

With that, I leave you with a quote:

"No woman had ever completely over powered him with desire. She was quicksilver and light. She was the stars, the moon, the sun. In this moment, she owned his entire being."

Excellent!!

What did you love best about Lyon's Bride?

The story between Neal and Tess, of course. This was a well put together storyline. Once again Roslyn did an exceptional job narrating and Cathy did well on this storyline.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Lyon's Bride?

For me, when the boys along with the Chattom siblings playing marble! Priceless. Then it was all interrupted by the Dowager Chattom.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene in Lyon's room with the ladies and later with him and Tess.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes and I would have had there not been minor interruptions here and there. I finished it however in a day and some hours.

Any additional comments?

Is there a book 2? I am patiently waiting for it to continue.

What A Roar

What made the experience of listening to Lyon's Bride the most enjoyable?

It made me laugh, it made me cry, it was just a lovely story. I enjoyed it so much I'm downloading book 2.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Lyon's Bride?

When he finally hunts her down and tells her he loves her.

Have you listened to any of Rosalyn Landor’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

both

Any additional comments?

Great read

Excellent Start to the series!

If you could sum up Lyon's Bride in three words, what would they be?

Curse vs Love

What other book might you compare Lyon's Bride to and why?

No other book I can think to compare.

Which character – as performed by Rosalyn Landor – was your favorite?

Neal - his strength in the face of adversity.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes and I did listen in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

Would be nice if book 2 - Scottish Witch - was available on audible. I will be ordering the paperback I suppose.

What????

Where does Lyon's Bride rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Got this book on a sale and really liked it went to buy the rest in the series and you can buy 3rd in the series but 2nd is not available, not happy, don't get why you would not have a whole series available
Great listen but left me wanting more that I can't have

Good

I enjoyed this series very much. My only complaint for this story is I found Thea a bit obnoxious. Her not believing in the curse is one thing...I might have found that a bit much too...but her pride and stiff neck was often hard to take. I couldn't believe how often she put her pride before her sons. I do recommend.

Narrator could NOT do men's voices

This story was the first one I've heard on Audible that left the reader hanging at the end. The reader MUST read the next book to see what happens. It's not a bad thing, just strange for Audible and maybe should be stated in the book's description. It's a good story! I thought that the narrator did ladies and little boys voices fine, but the men's voices were terrible. Here these men (especially the main character) were supposed to be young & vital, but they sounded like 45 year old bankers! I could not imagine the main character man having such a stuffy and old-man voice! I think the narrator, Mary Jane Wells would have done a much better job! Overall, though, the story is good and exciting!

Cliffhanger?

I felt like this book ended in a cliffhanger. The story is clearly not over and that bothers me because I usually like complete stories in one book. Nevertheless I found the story intriguing and can’t wait to see what happens with Neil and the curse.
The narration is stellar like all the work Rosalyn Landor does. Very entertaining historical romance.