When the Earl of Salt Hendon marries squire’s daughter Jane Despard, Society is aghast. But Jane and Salt share a secret past of heartache and mistrust. They are forced into a marriage neither wants; the Earl to honor a dying man’s wish; Jane to save her stepbrother from financial ruin. Beautiful inside and out, the patient and ever optimistic Jane believes love conquers all; the Earl will take some convincing. Enter Diana St. John, who has been living in a fool’s paradise believing she would be the next Countess of Salt Hendon. She will go to extreme lengths, even murder, to hold Salt’s attention. Can the newlyweds overcome past prejudices and sinister opposition to fall in love all over again?
Full-length novel (117,000 words, about 460 standard pages)
Parental Guidance Recommended (mild sensuality)
Classic romance with a modern voice, similar to Regency noir
Accolades
- 2015 B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree
- 2011 Australian Romance Readers Awards Finalist
Reviews
"As the plot develops and darkens to a place where you start to squirm you realize that the imagery is spectacular. If you have never met true evil just wait 'till you meet Diana St. John’s. Definitely made me a Brant fan. Enjoy. †— SWurman: 5 STAR Top Pick Night Owl Reviews
“The rakish, raucous character of the Georgian period is contrasted superbly with the sophistication of the age. The author has created a love story that fans of historical romance will relish." — Fiona Ingram: 5 STARS Readers’ Favorite
"Brant’s talent is undeniable and I can’t wait to get lost in more of her wonderful storytelling. Dare I admit… I enjoyed Salt Bride more than many of Georgette Heyer’s own beloved works and that is high praise indeed." — Courtney Webb: Stiletto Storytime
"Brant really knows her history and drops in historical fact with fiction in a way that informs and delights. The style of writing veers comfortably away from the sort of 'contrived speak' that flags—and trips up—modern writers." — Lady A~:Ye Bath Corner Review
Connecting Books
Many readers enjoy Lucinda Brant's books as part of a wider series since her characters inhabit the same meticulously-researched 18th Century world with people and events cross-referenced throughout. Should you wish to read each series in chronological order, here is the sequence:
Salt Hendon Series
1763 SALT BRIDE (Magnus and Jane)
1767 SALT REDUX (Antony and Caroline)
SALT HENDON COLLECTION — boxed set with bonus novella SALT ANGEL
Alec Halsey Mysteries
Spring 1763 DEADLY ENGAGEMENT (Country house murder and mayhem)
Autumn 1763 DEADLY AFFAIR (A poisoned vicar and the mysterious Miranda)
Winter 1763 DEADLY PERIL (Bloody intrigue abroad)
Summer 1764 DEADLY KIN (Evil lurks in Edinburgh) In progress
Roxton Family Saga
1740s NOBLE SATYR (Renard and Antonia)
1760s MIDNIGHT MARRIAGE (Julian and Deb)
1770s AUTUMN DUCHESS (Antonia and Jonathon)
1770s DAIR DEVIL (Dair and Rory)
1770s PROUD MARY (Mary and Christopher) In progress
1780s SATYR’S SON (Henri-Antoine and Lisa) In progress
