A Novel with Thoughts and Ponderings

THE BRIDE HUNT

Author: Jane Feather ISBN: 055358619x 3/2004 HISTORICAL Publisher: BANTAM DELL
Time Period: Turn-of-the-Century

The Bride Hunt by Jane Feather No sooner had the Duncan sisters' Personals service turned a profit than their controversial newspaper, The Mayfair Lady, offended a powerful earl—who is now determined to ruin them with a lawsuit. In dire need of counsel, the women turn to England's most-sought-after young barrister.

Sir Gideon Malvern is notorious for his aggressive style—and his love of a challenge. Spirited Prudence, with her beauty unsuccessfully hidden behind spectacles and frumpy clothes, provides him with exactly that. But how in the world will the Duncan sisters be able to afford Gideon's fee? Prudence proposes a barter: Gideon defends their case; they find him a bride. It's an exchange of services even this most cynical, single barrister can't refuse.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

This follow up and second book in Feather's new Bride trilogy, THE BRIDE HUNT is middle sister Prudence's story. The business brains behind the girls' foray into the publishing world, it's her duty to defend their paper and themselves, as the editors and writers, from a scandalous lawsuit brought on by their father's best friend and gad-about partner, Lord Barclay. The girls are determined to remain the anonymous creators and publishers of The Mayfair Lady, so Prudence is elected by her sisters to seek out the help of Sir Gideon Malvern, an up-and-coming successful barrister, to defend them and help prove Lord Barclay guilty of ill-gotten gains and moral turpitude.

I have to say that I like Prudence in this book much more than I did Constance. She's not as strong-willed nor spoiled, and she seemed a bit more human to me. Prudence has the same doubts and reservations I think most of us would under the circumstances, but she also understands her responsibilities and stands up to them. I also thought that she and Gideon were perfect fits for each other, and their relationship seemed natural and believable; their romance is more subdued compared to the sparks and rockets of her head-banging sister, Constance, and her husband Max.

Typical of Jane Feather, she takes a character and does the unusual. Feather writes Gideon as more than just a single, working father. He's divorced at a time when the scandal of simply being divorced could ruin a man or woman's social status and career (think of the mighty Vanderbilt when he and his wife Alva divorced. It wasn't pretty.). Not only that, but he's a cook! Yes, the man likes to toss the pans and can bake up a mean souffle. How could a woman not love a man like that?

The conversation throughout THE BRIDE HUNT seemed to flow much better than it did in THE BACHELOR LIST, but unfortunately the story, overall, wasn't as good as I'd hoped it would be. The return of Gideon's wife (no surprise) was a neither-here-nor-there event, and it seemed placed simply to strike up a "misunderstanding" scenario between Gideon and Prudence. Also, there's a long drawn out car ride over several hours, that has the two happily chatting to each other over the sound of the car. I may be mistaken, but until the advent of the Model T around 1910, and modifications to the water pump previously in use, the old crank cars at the turn-of-the-century were quite loud, making long conversation in an open car somewhat difficult, shouting rather than talking at each other as you ride along. Couple that with horrible roads, and, well, yes, it's a nit-picky sticky point, I know, but nevertheless it's those little detail buggers that can dash a reader's concentration to bits.

Still, I did enjoy THE BRIDE HUNT, and have no qualms about recommending it to others. That's two down, and just one sister left to go.

Nancy Davis

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