Kept Bride: A Dark Romance Novel - The Secret Bride | Forbidden Love & Suspense | Perfect for Late-Night Reading & Book Club Discussions

The second book in The Secret Bride trilogy is not as much a harrowing psychological thriller as the first book, Captive Bride. In many ways, it is a crueler reality than when Ember was just the Ghost of Hallelujah Junction. She goes from one prison to another, and the results are scary, vicious, and in many ways, more challenging. At least what she was used to was comfortable and her normal—but the asphalt jungle of New York City is full of the unknown.“I think about when things were simpler, with my books and my cat, Pine Cone. I don’t want to forget like Christopher does. If I forget, it will be as if I never existed. Hallelujah Junction might be Christopher’s nightmare, but it’s all I had. It’s me. I’m nothing but the ghost of Hallelujah Junction stuck in a different kind of purgatory.”As a reviewer, I must keep this short and not give anything away; I guess this could be considered another page-turning psychological thriller. The story has the good, the bad, and the very evil of people. Ember has no memory of life before Papa Rich and living as a ghost, accepting his word and dictates. Christopher has accepted Ember, is dedicated to her care, and that includes escaping a madman that has held them prisoner, forced them to marry, and will kill to have his way. Christopher is determined to find freedom for them both—and when the world wants to say they aren’t married—he fights back and insists they are in all ways that matter. When his mother is against Ember, he tries to keep the peace, but Ember has no peace. The wolves at the door are dressed in finery, but their bite is lethal—the fate of Christopher and Ember hangs in the balance.Ember: “We’re married now. I know your mother says we aren’t. But I believe we are. Under God, we are. In my heart and soul, we are. How do you feel?”Christopher: “You’re my wife. I don’t care what anyone says; you are my wife. Yes, we made wedding vows, but I made my own vow to you that has nothing to do with being married. I’m never going to leave you, Ember. I’m here for you through all of this. I’m not letting you go. I know you’re afraid I will, but I swear to you, you’re mine. My wife. My future.”“My captive bride is finally happy. A little taste of freedom is all it takes.”Ember: “He’s my husband.”Louisa: “No, Amber, he isn’t.”Ember: “I’m not going to leave Christopher. I’m sorry. I’m not.”Louisa: “Then you’re just as bad as Richard. He may have forced you both to get married, but you are forcing it to continue. My son was a victim of your father. But you, Amber, are torturing him more than Richard ever did.”“I relate to Alice. I, too, have gone down my own rabbit hole. I’m in a Wonderland of my own. A mad, mad world where everything is foreign and different. But I’m coming out of it stronger. I have to believe that.”Warning to those who hate cliffhangers—this ends on another heart-stopping cliffhanger. I have already preordered the last book, Taken Bride. I am too invested in this story, and I must see where it finally ends for Christopher and Ember.