"strong Regency romance"
In 1809 England most of the Ton considers twenty-nine years
old Lady Diana Fordham as a spinster with no chance of
marrying. Her peers have shelved her, but her enormous
dowry makes Diana still a fine catch for anyone short in
the pockets. However, Diana does not want a spouse, as her
heart was broken years ago by a man she still loves. All hell breaks loose when her father frantically announces
that a rogue has kidnapped his daughter taking her to
Gretna Green. Most of the aristocracy cannot believe an
old maid like Diana can be abducted so they ignore Lord
Fordham's rant. However, some reconsider when he announces
the man who saves Diana will marry her. The Marquis of Templeton, known as the "Temple" of foppish
good fashion, is upset because secretly he loves Diana.
However he rationalizes that he must not act on his
feelings because of the danger of his profession as a spy
that might place his beloved in danger. The Foreign Office
orders a reluctant and irate Temple to insure that Diana is
rescued and safely married. When he catches up to her he
finds an incredibly brilliant counter move by a strategist
who makes Napoleon look like a bonehead as the clever ploy
shakes his heart to the core. STEALING THE BRIDE will steal the hearts of Regency romance
readers due to the final desperate fling of the heroine.
Diana is a strong individual who knows what she wants. The
audience will feel some frustration over Temple allowing
his childhood demons to interfere with a relationship with
Diana. Still this is a fun historical that fans will
appreciate. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted June 1, 2003
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