Bride to Be [Mass Market Paperback]

Jane Ashford (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

The humor flows, the characters sparkle, and the enjoyment is abundant. --Rendevous

...a fast-paced story and Ms. Ashford is adept at adding humor and madcap characters to the story of a man searching for the true meaning of his life --Romantic Times

From the Back Cover

The daughter of free spirits who routinely outraged the haut ton, Emily Crane longed for a less scandalous life. Now she's the toast of society -- and she couldn't find it more tedious. Until, in the midst of yet another ball, she suddenly comes face to face with the darkly sensual stranger she once rescued from footpads. When danger seems to dog him at every turn, Emily is determined to unmask his foe. Now her London season promises to be infinitely more exciting.

A former pink of the ton returned from the wilds of South America, Lord Richard Sheldon has only contempt for tiresome London chits. But the dauntless Emily Crane ignites a passion like no other woman has, and he finds himself stunningly intrigued. When the two become embroiled in a budding scandal of their own, they are forced into an engagement...and they soon discover a most powerful attraction -- a desire more dangerous then any killer...

--Backcover copy

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Fanfare (August 3, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553577743
• ISBN-13: 978-0553577747
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,639,127 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jane Ashford has written Regency and contemporary romances. Her books have been published in Sweden, Italy, England, Denmark, France, Russia, Latvia and Spain, as well as the U.S. She is a two-time nominee for a Career Achievement Award by Romantic Times Magazine. See her website at www.janeashford.com and an interview about her writing at http://www.likesbooks.com/ashford.html.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Jane Ashford Keeps Getting Better and Better, August 24, 1999

By 

Tasha B. (Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bride to Be (Mass Market Paperback)

Jane Ashford has written her best book yet with Bride to Be. Her writing improves with every novel she publishes, and I hope to see -- and read, of course -- many more of her novels in the years to come.

Bride to Be is not a completely typical romance, though a Regency romance novel can never really escape the confines of it's genre (nor would the readers want it to), neither the hero nor the heroine are wealthy, and the courtship is not conducted in the . . . usual manner.

What sets Jane Ashford apart from other historical romance writers, and what makes her books so enjoyable, are the historical details and the way she makes the relationship of the two main characters progress convincingly. While there are flaws in the book (more detail about the hero's survival in the South American jungle, for instance, would have been a welcome addition), I know of very few books without flaws, and Ashford's novel is a joy to read and worth every penny. I can't wait wait for the next one.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A real disappointment., September 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bride to Be (Mass Market Paperback)

The romance between this couple was under-developed and unbelievable. While Emily's character was full and her motives understandable, Richard's character was sparsely developed. I wish the plot had been more straightforward instead of the many sub-plots which could have been interesting if fleshed out a bit more. The true enjoyment in this book is the relationship between Emily's parents. Since I enjoyed Ms. Ashford's other books very much, this one was a real disappointment.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Regency romantic suspense, May 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bride to Be (Mass Market Paperback)

In 1790, her aristocratic parents scandalized the Ton with their bohemian behavior. The twosome have never looked back as they enjoy their life together. However, their daughter Emily Crane wants a more stable life for herself. Therefore Emily's mother arranges for her sister, Aunt Julia to introduce Emily to society. Very quickly, Emily finds the rigid rules boring. Her only exception being the time spent with Richard Sheldon, Baron Warrington.

Everyone, including his beloved mother thought Richard died in the shipwreck off the South American coast, but somehow he survived living in the jungle. Richard returns home a changed person. The Ton bores him except for his time with Emily. As Emily and Richard fall in love, an unknown assailant tries to kill him.

Jane Ashford is the popular author of several popular Regency intrigue tales such as CHARMED AND DANGEROUS, THE BARGAIN, and THE MARRIAGE WAGER. Her latest tale, BRIDE TO BE, is an interesting mixing of a Regency romance with mystery elements, an exotic combination that will occupy readers from start to finish. The lead protagonists are an entertaining couple, but Emily's eccentric parents with their loving but odd behavior makes this a must read for sub-genre fans.

Harriet Klausner