BOOK REVIEW- The Bride Gift by Sarah Hegger

 1153, in the period dubbed ‘The Anarchy’, King Stephen and Empress Maud are not the only ones embroiled in a fierce battle of the sexes.

Determined to control her own destiny, wilful Helena of Lystanwold has chosen just the husband to suit her purposes. But when her banished guardian uncle attempts to secure her future and climbs through her bedroom window with a new husband by a proxy marriage, she understandably balks. Notorious warrior Guy of Helston is everything Helena swore she would never marry; a man who lives by the sword.

This marriage finally brings Guy close to his lifetime dream of gaining lands and a title. He is not about to let his feisty bride stand in his way. A master strategist, Guy sets out to woo and conquer his lady.

Against a backdrop of vengeance, war, and betrayal, Guy and Helena must learn to forge a united front or risk losing everything.  AMAZON 4 STARS

Helena chose a weak man as her future husband.  But her uncle was smarter than her and knew there was no way that man would be strong enough to protect her.  He also knew that she needed someone she couldn't easily bend to her will. 
The opening scenes of Helena and Guy meeting and declared husband and wife was pretty wild.  I liked the originality of it.  There was such an urgency that there was no time to just ease into it.
 Guy has his work set out before him when it comes to Helena.  But he does get to the point of wooing her.  She doesn't make it easy but he is determined.  They are headed to a H.E.A. but it's going to be a rough ride.
Several people have their own plots and agenda's in this story.  One man named, Ranulf is one smooth evil guy.  So many people really see him for who he is but he's so slick it's almost impossible to pin him down.  He has many people fooled but Helena and Guy aren't in that number. 
 There is plenty of action and adventure in this book. With a huge surprise of two towards the end.  The romance was enjoyable as well.  Don't forget to add in several other interesting secondary people and you have a pretty good story.