Samantha Briggeham, a scientific and bookish woman, is being forced to marry an older, undesirable human male. She is highly upset by this, so decides to take fate into her own hands and persuades her fiance to break the engagement. On her way home from her successful mission, she is suddenly abducted by a man known as the Bride Thief. He is man who steals woman being forced into marriage and gives them their freedom by providing funds for a fresh start somewhere new. The Bride Thief is actually, Eric Landsdowne, the Earl of Wesley, and when he discovers that he has made a mistake, he returns Sammie with and apology.
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Sammie, who was totally taken in with respect and admiration for the Bride Thief, suddenly finds herself transformed from unpopular scientist to the Belle of the Ball. Sammie, who grows tired of everyone questions about the masked man, finds herself irritated with everyone, except Eric Landsdowne, who has shown a sudden interest and desire in her.
Eric finds himself desiring and wanting Sammie, even though he is a man who won't even consider matrimony. Sammie, who believes herself firmly on the shelf, desires Eric and matter of factly informs him she wishes to have an affair, no strings attached. The two embark on a torrid love affair, only to find their situation compromised by a matchmaking mama and the authorities, who are pursuing the identity of the bride thief. The two fight the odds and allow their love to blossom.
The review of this Book prepared by Angel Manners
Dell, Apr 2002, 6.999, 400 pp.
ISBN: 0440237122
Considered on the shelf by most of the Ton, Samantha Briggeham has no plans to marry unless somehow love enters the equation. However, at her advanced age (the mid-twenties) she knows that will never happen. However, the infamous BRIDE THIEF thinks that Sammie is being forced to wed in an arranged marriage. Unable to allow that to happen to her or other unwanted females, he abducts Sammie.
After being freed by him, Sammie cannot forget the BRIDE THIEF or the wonderful Eric Landsdowne, the Earl of Wesley, who she has just met. Eric also cannot ignore his feelings for Sammie, who he met when he “rescued” her as his alter ego the BRIDE THIEF. Instead of receiving the typical courting scenario from him, Sammie engages in a romantic liaison with Eric, but they are caught. He does the honorable thing and proposes, but Sammie fears for her independence. Then there is the Bride Thief, under siege by angry fathers seeking missing daughters, wanting to set free the woman he loves from an arranged marriage, ironically to him.
THE BRIDE THIEF is an entertaining, often humorous Regency romantic romp that also provides a lesson in sticking to ones values even if it hurts to do so. The story line retains its amusing posture throughout the tale though a couple of subplots seem like unnecessary detours. The characters are a delightful group, especially the bewildered Eric and the intrepid Sammie. which Jacquie D'Alessandro provides her readers with a hilarious historical romp.
Harriet Klausner
The review of this Book prepared by Harriet Klausner
