Customer Reviews

The Bride Thief

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

Samantha Briggeham is independent and unconventional (she is often referred to as "eccentric" by those who know her) for any century, but she happens to be living in 1820 when young women often find themselves in arranged marriages and being "independent" is not something that is encouraged in a young woman.

Samantha's father, Charles Briggeham, believes Major Wilshire is perfect for Samantha and has made the arrangements for her to marry. Samantha, who enjoys reading and carrying on scientific experiments with her younger brother, Hubert, has other ideas and they do not include being married off to the dour Major Wilshire, who she considers a "tiresome dolt". Although Samantha's three younger sisters are married and seem to be happy, Samantha has no desire for the married life especially to a man she does not love.

Samantha decides that since she can't convince her father that she is not suitable marriage material, she will speak to Major Wilshire and convince him. Samantha's meeting with Major Wilshire is successful and he is quite sure he doesn't want to marry such a "strange" woman. When Samantha is returning home from her meeting with the Major, she is kidnapped by a masked man on horseback. The mysterious masked rider is the infamous "Bride Thief" who rescues ladies from arranged and unwanted marriages. Samantha is terrified, then intrigued, by the mysterious kidnapper and she explains to him that she is no longer in danger of being married off since she had just convinced Major Wilshire that she is completely unsuitable for marriage. The Bride Thief returns Samantha to her home and news of her adventure spreads rapidly through the social circles making Samantha a much sought after guest at numerous parties.

At one of the parties Samantha attends she meets the Earl of Wesley, Eric Landsdowne. Samantha is very intrigued by the Earl and finds him to be somewhat familiar to her in his mannerisms and speech. The Earl of Wesley and the Bride Thief are one and the same person. Samantha is unaware of the earl's secret identify and finds herself inexplicably drawn and attracted to him. Sadly, she feels he is much too good looking and sought after by too many women to be interested in someone like her.

Ms. D'Alessandro's books are always filled with witty scenarios and dialog as well as heart warming scenes and this book is no exception to that rule. The Bride Thief is one of the best of Ms. D'Alessandro's books, perhaps the best or at least it's a tie between The Bride Thief and Whirlwind Wedding.

The Bride Thief won't disappoint Jacquie D'Alessandro fans it will only add weight to the conviction that Jacquie D'Alessandro is one of today's hot regency romance writers!

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

Few romance writer can be as consistent as Jacquie D' Alessandro since her buoyant debut Red Roses Means Love and the utterly charming Whirlwind Wedding. Refreshingly original too, judging by her latest romantic romp about a bride brigand...

The Bride Thief is again a delightful charade by D' Alessandro with her sensitive characters who are both quirky and tender. Laced with sparkling humour and backed by endearing sub-characters like Sammie's sister and the nascent romance between the magistrate and Margaret, The Bride Thief is joyously fun and unfetteringly romantic. Even though the ending is a bit rushed and Sammie's rejection is inexplicable, The Bride Thief will steal your heart away with its riotous cast and old-fashioned comedy. Jacquie D' Alessandro again shines with her empathy for her characters and sharp wits in this triumphant outing.

I must say that this story was great! I am a big fan of this storyteller and I can't say enough about her!

I liked this story for the fact that the heroine is not your normal "beautiful" girl that is found in most romance books. Sammie is more "real". She wears glasses, likes science,and math, and is not accomplished in talking about fashion, or dancing.

Eric is a handsome Earl and has promised himself that he will never marry. He has seen the damage that can be done to everyone in a family when there is no love between husband and wife. He has made it his job to look out for young women that are forced into a loveless marriage like his mom and sister have endured. Eric is the perfect hero because he sees the beauty that is sammie on the inside. This is just what a hero should do. Once he meets Sammie nothing is as it should be for him.

The Bride Thief is a fast read with plenty of laughter, (not as much as in her other books but still you will smile) romance, and you will find yourself falling in love with the characters.

Samantha Briggeham was nothing like other society women. Sammie was intelligent! While other women flirted, wed, and had children, Sammie preferred being with her younger brother, Hubert, in "the Chamber (his laboratory), working on their experiments. In fact, Samantha was on the verge of a breakthrough with her's. However, her mother decided to play matchmaker and force Sammie into a marriage she did not want.

Eric Landsdowne, Earl of Wesley, was a confirmed bachelor. He never intended to marry. Yet he was also the notorious Bride Thief that everyone was after. The price on his head was constantly growing. Eric abducted women who were being forced into unwanted marriages and gave them money to begin life anew elsewhere. Samantha was the first woman who had not been happy when she was rescued.

Samantha thought the Bride Thief was a blood pain in the arse! She did not need his help. She had already rescued herself! But she did admire what he did for the other poor women. The abduction made Sammie into the toast of the ton and she was overwhelmed by suitors. She did not want their attention! The only exception was for Lord Wesley, who paid much wanted attention to Hubert. As their attraction grew, Sammie decided that for just once in her life she would have an affair and know love!

***** Oh Readers, books get no better than this! Jacquie D'Alessandro has become one of my all time favorite authors! I read this book twice! My husband would come up to me and ask what had me chuckling. So I began sharing sections with him.

I urge all romance lovers to purchase this book! I have absolutely no doubt that you will love it! Long live Jacquie D'Alessandro! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch

This romance was a pure delight. Eric as the Bride Thief was this hero to all the poor women that found themselves in a bad potential marriage situation like his sister had. Since he could not save his sister he decides he will save as many other young females as he can. Of course since he is totally upsetting all the ton's families who want to force their daughters into these marrigaes Eric is a wanted man. If he is found he will be hung. So, as you read this book you understand the seriousness of what Eric is up to and how devoted he is to his cause. Sammie finds this to be her hero, even though she had already saved herself. But apart of her is really taken with the Bride Thief. Then of course she meets Eric the Earl of Wellsey and she becomes totally taken with him too, except for the fact that he has such distain for the Bride Thief. I just loved that, it is always so comical and interesting when a man is jealous of himself - his other person. This book is very different - Sammie not being the complete beauty but a bluestocking scientific nerdy type, that is free spirited and not at all interested in a match. However the Earl is so taken with her and their passion for one another is totally believable and so endearing. It all gets very complicated at the end when Eric is about to be arrested as the Bride Thief and he wants to save Sammie and she wants to save him. Even though I knew it all had to work out - I really had no idea how it could possibly work out. Another great book by Jacquie and the only reason not 5 stars is because I truly do keep that rating for the highest most compelling reads. this book was a little lighter than that but still amazing!

What to say about Ms. D'Alessandro's sinfully delicious novel....I just couldn't get over her main characters. Samantha, I thought was hilarious with her obssession with science, but she compares nicely to some of the more modern day, "nerdy" girls who actually get the guy in the end. Lord Wesley....who could not help but fall for the handsome, passionate man on a mission? As a distinguished gentleman, he's the kind of guy who could treat a girl like a princess. As the Bride Thief, he's the guy who can sweep a girl off of her feet with just a few words, and a sauve hand gesture.
The only thing I did not like about this book was that it was a way too fast read!!!!!! Anyway, this was absolutely delicious and worth your precious reading time. Give this book a try. You'd be surpised.