Ryder's Wife

I thought this was a rather slight book when I first read it, and I got rid of it. Recently, years later, I was finding myself remembering the story regularly and wanting to read it again - finally found it, thanks to Name That Book and the Romance: From Historical to Contemporary groups on LT. I pretty much remembered the story, though I got some of the details wrong, but I very much enjoyed the re-read. This is one that sneaks under your skin.
The story is reasonably standard - girl has to marry to inherit, refuses the planned husband and goes out and finds someone to be her husband for a year. He takes it because he doesn't really care (or thinks he doesn't) what happens to him - nursing a great guilt (his father died and he lived show more through a plane crash when he was flying the plane). She starts seeing her life through his eyes, and not liking quite a bit of it - makes some changes, to do with her half-siblings and her own skills. She did flat-out lie at the beginning - 'I'll cook your meals. Clean your house. I'll even share your bed.', then 'There won't be any [sex].' 'I've never washed dishes.' 'I don't know how to cook...'. Ah well.
A panic attack over flying (turns out, with reason); an ill-advised investigation; an enemy; a kidnapping; and eventually a rescue make the last half of the book rather frantic, after the first part of establishing characters and positions. It's a fun read, and I'll probably re-read it. show less

Casey Ruban has been raised by her grandfather to take over Ruban Industries when he dies. However, when he does go he leaves a stipulation that she must marry in 48 hours and reside with her husband for a year in order to inherit. He had his lawyer in mind and the lawyer went along with this stipulation, but his name was not mentioned. Casey storms off and finds her own husband in a bar in the flat lands, Ryder Justice. Ryder has spent 8 months drifting, since the day his plane was hit by lightning, crashed and killed his father. Ryder has been unable to fly and has flashbacks. He likes her grit and welcomes a purpose. She hires him as chauffeur and they move into the apartment over the garage. Ryder needs to deal with 2 selfish show more step-siblings, an aunt and the lawyer. And figure out a way to stay uninvolved with Casey while fulfilling the bargain. Well done. show less

First in the Justice Way series. Middle brother Ryder. A nice story of an arranged marriage in order to inherit. The hero was running from a tragedy in his life and agrees to marry the heroine, an heiress. He is nice to her and stands up for her which is a nice thing to see. Well written as are all Sala's stories. I did notice though that I've seen her use a bad guy almost exactly like this in a later book.

Typical early Sharon Sala fare.