Customer Reviews

The Hostage Bride

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is your standard historical romance book, but I really felt a connection to the characters in this one. Even when the three girls meet at the beginning, I attached to each of them in their own special way. Portia is a very loving, intelligent and strong woman who fights for what she believes in. I found myself really liking this woman and cheering her on. I also really wanted her and Rufus to get together...I laughed and cried right along with the ups and downs of their relationship. The pinnacle scene in this book where they finally get together can put me in tears every time I read it. If you read these books for the historical/battle scenes, you may be a bit disappointed. The battle scenes are somewhat realistic, but are pretty glossed over in that everyone makes up and becomes friends in the end after years of hatred. That was a bit amusing, but is really a small part of the overall story. I also purchased the other two books in the series and look forward to reading them.

At the beginning of this book we meet the three young girls who are the heroines of this series: Portia, Phoebe and Olivia. This introductory scene appears in all three books, just in case anyone's missed it.

Portia is the bastard daughter of the Marquis of Granville's bastard brother. When her father dies, Granville offers her a home within his household, but he isn't that interested in her, and his wife, Diana, makes it clear that she is to be an extra servant, helping take care of the infant children. Olivia, Granville's daughter from an earlier marriage, befriends Portia, however.

An old enemy of the Granville household, Rufus Decatur, former Earl of Rothbury, has sworn revenge on the family of the man who was responsible for his father's death and disgrace. Olivia is to be kidnapped and used as a bargaining tool. However, a mistake is made and Portia is kidnapped instead. Rufus isn't sure what to do with her, so he keeps her prisoner.

However, Portia then decides that she wants to train and to join his militia as a soldier - even though she knows that Rufus intends to attack her uncle's household! That part was difficult to swallow; war is a serious business, and even if Portia isn't particularly loyal to either King or Parliament, the thought of striking against her uncle's home, and especially her cousin, should surely not have come so easily to her.

Like another reviewer, I wasn't convinced by the 'falling in love' part of the book, and the resolution in particular was unconvincing.

Finally, Rufus at one point used the term 'bourgeoisie'. Isn't early seventeenth-century England a little early for that term to be in common currency, since it's normally associated with the French revolution?

This book is a great read, with well-developed and lovable characters and a pretty good plot. I love the heroine's spunk, independence, and determination, and I will most definitely buy the next two books of the trilogy when they come out. I also like the settings--a drafty castle, a frozen moat, a freezing countryside, a secluded criminal camp, a cozy cottage. I also liked that the heroine is not absolutely perfect in looks; she is realistic, like the rest of us, and her beauty comes from her heart and personality. The sexual tension is believable every step of the way, and the plot never slows down. My favorite scene is the practical jokes that Portia and Olivia play at one point.

THE HOSTAGE BRIDE is the first in the "Bride" trilogy by Jane Feather, followed by THE ACCIDENTAL BRIDE, then THE LEAST LIKELY BRIDE.

THE HOSTAGE BRIDE is the story of Portia, one of three friends who vow together to always remain friends and to never get married. Portia is a "double-bastard" teenager who wants to be a soldier and wants nothing to do with men in the biblical sense.

When her father dies, Portia is taken in by her uncle, Cato Granville, a rich Marquis and his wife, Diana. Portia becomes an inseparable, good friend to Cato's daughter, Olivia; but while she is clothed and fed by the Granvilles, she is treated as the bastard niece that she is.

THE HOSTAGE BRIDE takes a major turn when Rufus Decatur, sworn enemy of the Marquis, attempts to kidnap the Marquis' daughter, Olivia, but accidentally kidnaps Portia instead. A relationship develops between Rufus and Portia that neither anticipated, but neither can deny.

This is an excellent book is about friendship, loyalties, civil strife, passion and romance.

i loved this book it had alot of elements that make up my kind of book. i mean Portia was not classically beautiful but had fire in her which made for great dialogue between her and the mischievious Rufus, i think miss Feather did a good job on this one.

The Hostage Bride is the first in Jane Feather's Brides Trilogy, but I actually read it after having already read The Accidental Bride (Book 2) and The Least Likely Bride (Book 3). I normally read Regency and Victorian era romances, but I really loved this book and although Feather writes in much more of a historical background than one often gets from regency romances, it is by no means overwhelming and only adds to the book.

The age difference between the hero and heroine (she's 17 and we don't know Rufus's age exactly, but ~early 30s) bothered me, but I just changed her age in my mind since it's only mentioned once or twice, lol. The feud which dominates the book and the misunderstanding at the end between the hero and heroine are quite quickly and anti-climatically resolved, but I really can't complain - I hate it when authors feel they have to throw obstacle after obstacle between the main characters and extend misunderstandings for more than half the book, so I'm thankful Feather did neither. I really enjoyed The Hostage Bride and would highly recommend it. Great characters, unusual heroine, easy-to-fall-for hero, well-written chemistry, and an interesting plot with great twists and turns - all in all, a definite keeper and reread!

MAIN CHARACTERS:
The hero and heroine in this book were terrific; I read that some reviewers were not compelled by their connection or didn't feel the chemistry between them, but I strongly disagree. Portia and Rufus are perfect for each other - they are both outcasts in a way, unsure of their place in the world and not really belonging anywhere. They're very strong and courageous individuals who have suffered through loss and loneliness, yet retain their humor and good nature.

There is no annoying love-at-first-sight (which I always find hard to believe) in this book and the initial antagonism and teasing between them is really fun to read; the chemistry and sexual tension between them is well-written. I love the verbal sparring and battle of wills that often goes on between main characters in romances, but I also love the scenes of humor and tenderness and love, and you definitely get both of these sides in the book.

Portia is a very unusual heroine - she's extremely skinny, not particularly pretty or womanly, has flame-red hair and freckles, and is a bastard/by-blow tomboy who wants to be a soldier. She's had a difficult life and right after we meet her at the beginning of the book (excluding the preface which introduces us to the three heroines of the Brides trilogy) her father dies and she is left basically all alone in the world. She's independent and brave, smart and loyal, and IMO a perfect match for Rufus.

Rufus is a wonderful hero; he's got that roguish-bad-boy appeal, but he's also sweet and thoughtful and really cares about the people in his life. Watching him fall for Portia, a little slip of a girl, is so fun, and just as Portia finds a sense of belonging by his side, it's great to see him find peace and love with her after feeling an outcast and being ruled by revenge for so long.

SIMILAR BOOKS:
Other romances that have the kidnapping theme and that I've really enjoyed include: The Least Likely Bride by Jane Feather (last book in the Brides Trilogy); The Bride Thief by Jacquie D'Alessandro; To Catch an Heiress (Agents for the Crown, Book 1) by Julia Quinn; Irresistible (second in the Banning Sisters Trilogy) by Karen Robards; The Runaway Princess (Princess Series, Book 1) by Christina Dodd; and Honor's Splendour by Julie Garwood.

Since the other reviews here are rather skimpy, I thought I'd add my two cents. I just finished this book in a bit over a day, while working more than 10 hours and taking care of the family - in other words, I stayed up really late! (And probably ignored my family more than I should!) Portia and Rufas have really dorky names but that's the only criticsm you'll get from me about this book. She's a great female character - she wants to be a soldier and goes out and does it! Rufas is a bit over the top with the revenge thing, but his reckoning at the end is totally believable. The plot is great, and the timeframe is one that isn't covered in many books - I get bored with the Regency "ton" and with circa-1100 war lords. I'm buying the next book in the series, can hardly wait to see what awaits Phoebe and Cato (who is a bit of a jerk in this book, so I wonder how he redeems himself!) Buy this book!

The best romance I have ever read. Enough said!

This book is excellent. I'm really looking forward to the final two books; they just can't be published fast enough in my opinion!!

This review is my personal opinion, this is not a paid review. To form your own opinion please support the author and invest in your own copy to read.

This is the first in a 3 book series. The series is Bride Trilogy by Ms. Feather. This book is set in the mid-17th century.

This book start out with a wedding and 3 misfit young females. The 3 females form a bond of sorts. They each make a small cut on the palm of there hand to mix there blood and cut 3 locks of there hair to braid in to a circle. They tell each other that if one is in need to mail the lock to one of the others and they will come to help assist.

This book is about Portia. She is the bastard daughter to the brother of Marquis of Granville. When Portia's father dies she sends her father .'s letter to his brother not knowing what is inside. Shortly her uncle sends some of his men to meet up with her and bring her back to his castle.

Portia is the type of female that is beautiful but does not care. She has live her life in taverns, brothels, rat holes and anywhere else her father can find for them to live after he squandered his inheritance.

Portia is kidnapped by Granville's enemy not once but twice. Granville does not trust Portia, he thinks she is there to acquire information for his enemy.

Portia and Rufus Decanter (Granville's enemy) fall in love.

Will they be able to overcome the obstacles and form a family or will family honor step in and block them from true happiness?

I enjoyed this book but found it hard to connect with the characters. The plot was interesting but it just did not seem to flow right for me.

The bunnies and I give this book 3 Carrots.