Timothy Lazaro

Bartered Bride: the Story of a Russian Contract Bride Timothy Lazaro

Beautiful and blonde, twenty-seven-year-old Katerina Valensky lives a comfortable life in modern-day Russia as the "kept woman" of a Mafioso. But she longs for the freedom to raise her son and live life on her own terms. After escaping to America as a contract bride, she discovers that marriage to her brutal new husband, a retired professional wrestler named Henry Chanler, is more intolerable than life in Russia. Simon Owens lives in the same apartment complex as Katerina. Many times in his childhood, he sat trembling under the kitchen table as his father beat his mother. Simon can't help but see what is happening to the pretty young girl that Henry-dubbed the Ogre-has in his power, but he doesn't know how to help. Yet Simon has his own secrets. When he witnesses the brutal murder of someone Katerina loves, he must remain silent to protect his own life. He can only offer her financial security and the chance to start her life in America again. Will Katerina triumph over adversity and escape the men who pursue her? Can Simon resolve his own problems and forge a relationship with Katerina?