The Bride Thief [Mass Market Paperback]

Jacquie D'Alessandro (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 26, 2002

HAS ENGLAND’S MOST INFAMOUS BRIDE THIEF FINALLY MET HIS MATCH?

At six-and-twenty, Samantha Briggeham knew her marital prospects were fading by the season and she was pleased by the thought. She had no intention of being betrothed–especially against her will–to a man she did not love. She had a plan...and it didn’t include being swept into a pair of powerful arms and spirited away by a masked rider. News of Sammie’s heroic rescue from undesired wedlock turned her into the toast of the ton, wooed by suitors far and wide. But she couldn’t forget the swashbuckling brigand who’d abducted her–something about him intrigued her completely. Then she met Eric Landsdowne, the dashing and seductive Earl of Wesley.

His exploits were legendary, his life filled with danger. He was the elusive Bride Thief, who had his own reasons for helping young women escape the unhappy fate of arranged marriages, and whose true identity was a scrupulously guarded secret. But from the moment he rescued Sammie–only to discover she’d already managed to get herself un-betrothed–Eric knew he couldn’t lose her a second time. Marriage was out of the question. Which left only one option: A clandestine affair that might lead to scandal, social ruin, and the unmasking of a love-bested legend. . .

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A passionate tale peopled with appealing characters, D'Allesandro's newest Regency-era romance (following Whirlwind Wedding) is fresh, funny and loaded with charm. When Samantha Briggeham is mistakenly abducted by the Bride Thief (aka Eric Landsdowne, the Earl of Wesley), she comes away fascinated by the enigmatic man who has made it his mission to rescue women from arranged marriages. The eldest of three beautiful, married sisters, bookish Sammie has consigned herself to spinsterhood and is content to explore nature and conduct scientific experiments with her 16-year-old brother, Hubert. At least, that's what she tries to convince herself. She still harbors feelings for the Bride Thief, and she is intrigued by the Earl of Wesley as well, little realizing they are one and the same. Drawn to the earl, Sammie decides to engage in a romantic liaison with him; but when they are discovered, the earl must do the right thing and propose. Sammie, however, is torn between her desire for the earl and her resolve to remain independent. Will the Bride Thief now hunted by rapidly growing numbers of irate fathers whose daughters are missing attempt one more abduction to free the woman he loves from a marriage she may loathe? Though the plot takes few uncharted turns, this entertaining romp is on par with some of the best works from seasoned authors like Julia Quinn and Stephanie Laurens.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School-Although this novel depicts an England of 1820 when women were the property of their fathers or husbands to do with as they pleased, D'Alessandro keeps the tone light and even humorous. Atypical of her peers, Samantha is interested in science and not frilly dresses. After rejecting her father's choice of a husband for her, she is kidnapped by the masked Bride Thief. He rescues ladies prior to an unhappy marriage and starts them out on a new life in America. She convinces the Thief that she can go back to her family and becomes the talk of the town because she returns. Soon she meets Eric Landsdowne and has a wonderful affair, although she is concerned for the safety of the Bride Thief as the reward purse mounts because the local gentry is eager for his capture. Lots of dialogue keeps the story moving quickly. Teens will enjoy the accomplishment of Sammie's younger brother, a sleuth who first identifies the Bride Thief. Anticipating much of the ending, readers will find suspense and creative twists of plot.
Claudia Moore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Dell (March 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440237122
• ISBN-13: 978-0440237129
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.1 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #203,429 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure delight!, June 25, 2002

By 

Fani "avid reader" (Greece) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Bride Thief (Mass Market Paperback)

I just finished reading one of the best books I've read this year and probably one that deserves a place in my all time top 5 list! Lately I read several romance books, all of them nice but nothing to rave about. Well, this is cartainly not thie case with the Bride Thief. Thanks to Jaquie d'Allessandro, I spend a most delightful weekend (and came to work after only 5 hours of sleep, since I couldn't out it down)! I've read "Whirlwind wedding" and "Red roses mean love" and liked her style very much, but this time she wrote a novel that could only be described as perfect. What I find most amazing about her writing style, is her ability to blend humorous, lighthearted scenes with heartwrenching ones with extreme efficiency, making you pass from laughter to tears and vice versa with ease. This is a book that has it all: tenderness, humor, friendship and of course -what most romance readers crave for- Passion. The characters don't stare at each other and find themselves immediately in love or in lust as is the case with many books: their relationship and feelings for each other evolve as they spend more and more time together, until they realize they can't keep their hands to themselves and get caught in a very compromising situation. The story is fast paced, humorous, witty, the heroine lovely (who else can write a book about a 26 year old, average looking bookworm with spectacles and make the reader actually believe she is desirable???) and the hero is to die for!!!

Do yourself a favor and buy this book as soon as possible. You certainly won't regret it! At the least, you'll have an entertaining evening. But what I think, is that you'll find a new keeper. If you haven't read other books by Jaquie d'Alessandro this is definately the place to start.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Joy to Read, May 25, 2002

By 

M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Bride Thief (Mass Market Paperback)

Samantha Briggeham - Sammie to most - was resigned to spinster hood at the ripe old age of 26. She was intelligent, kind and very happy in her own little world - happy that is, until her mother was determined to have her last daughter married off. It didn't seem to matter to anyone but Sammie that the chosen bridegroom was not anyone she was the least bit interested in or wanted for that matter.

Enter the notorious "Bride Thief". He heard of the plight of poor Sammie and set in motion her kidnapping. Unfortunately for him, Sammie, had solved her own problems with her betrothed and by the time she was kidnapped, her problem betrohtal was resolved to be dissolved. The bigger problem was that now, the Bride Thief had to return his victim, and hope that her reputation was not diminished.

Eric Lansdowne, the Earl of Wesley, was actually the Bride Thief with a huge bounty on his head, that would get him hung if caught. He felt responsible for Sammie and set out to make sure that she suffered no ill effects from her kidnapping. Quite by accident, he found himself drawn to this young woman who was like no other he had ever met, and he began to feel things that for him could prove dangerous to his health.

Ms. D'Allesandro serves up another wonderful cast of characters in this tale. A brilliant younger brother, the meddling marriage minded mama, and the intelligent lovely Samantha. The dialog is witty and fast moving. Scenes of Sammie and her sisters discussing ways to prevent pregnancy are a hoot. The romance and seduction of the Earl are hot and sizzling! A wonderful story. Can't wait for more for this amazing talent!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable book !, March 31, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Bride Thief (Mass Market Paperback)

I deeply enjoyed Jacquie D'Alessandro's previous books and looked forward to reading "The Bride Thief" as soon as it was released. While this book lacks the rolicking humor in her previous books, it's still a light and enjoyable read. The story is told well, and I appreciated the premise of the book...a handsome stranger whisks off unwilling brides before they must make unhappy marriages.

That said, I did find Eric Landsdowne to be a character of contrasts. He seems very much the "love them and leave them" rake, and yet, he rescues young women from desperate fates. The main character of Samantha Briggeham is delightful. It's nice to know that an intelligent woman *can* get Prince Charming in the end !

I do recommend this book, but I would recommend previous titles by the same author above this one. If you are already a Jacquie D'Alessandro fan, I am sure you will have fun as you read.