Books*Reviews*Etc: SECRETS OF A RUNAWAY BRIDE by Valerie Bowman

RATED 4 RAKES

SOMETIMES THE WRONG NOBLEMAN

IS OH, SO RIGHT....

SECRETS OF A RUNAWAY BRIDE

Secret Brides Book 2

Valerie Bowman

Secrets of a Runaway Bride (Secret Brides, #2)

Historical Romance

Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages

Published March 26th 2013

St. Martin's Paperbacks

Language: English

ISBN 1250008964

(ISBN13: 9781250008961)

OVERVIEW

(from Goodreads)

First Sentence:

"Annie Andrews was halfway up the side of Arthur Eggleston's town house --scaling an oh-so-convenient and strong ivy vine -- when the telltale clip-clop of a horse's hooves stopped her."

The Thrill Of Escape
Miss Annie Andrews is finally free to marry the man she loves. With her overprotective sister out of the country on her honeymoon, nothing can prevent her flight to Gretna Green—nothing, that is, but an abduction by the wrong gentleman.

The Sweetness Of Surrender
When Jordan Holloway, the Earl of Ashbourne, promised to look after his best friend's sister-in-law, he didn’t realize she would prove so difficult. But when he spirits her away to his country house to prevent her elopement, he discovers that the tempting beauty knows how to put up a fight. To make matters worse, he’s stuck playing the role of honorable protector...when what he really wants is to run away with her himself.

REVIEW

Ms. Bowman continues SECRETS OF A WEDDING NIGHT with SECRETS OF A RUNAWAY BRIDE. This regency series (books shown below) is the story of Lily's sister, Annie. Annie is a strong willed, take charge woman. Now that her sister, Lily has left for her honeymoon, Anne Andrews is pretty much left to her own devices. Except of course for her aunt by marriage, Aunt Clarissa, who is now her chaperon for the entire month. Aunt Clarissa is not much on chaperoning. She likes the brew a little too much.

Annie has her sights set on one man, whom she thinks she is in love with. He is Arthur Eggleston.

So before her sister left on her honeymoon, she asks a friend of her husband to keep an eye on Annie. The Earl of Ashbourne takes this very seriously. He does seem to appear at the wrong times which ruins all of Annie's plans.

Annie is determined to marry Arthur. But the problem being, Arthur doesn't quite rise to the occasion. Annie is acting like a spoiled child that has to have her way. She's being foolish and whose lap does this fall in. Jordan Holloway, the Earl of Ashbourne. He tries real hard to save her reputation and keep Annie on the right track. But to put it bluntly, Annie is being a royal pain in the ass. She's a sweet girl with good intentions. She has some self confidence issues since her sister Lily is so beautiful. Her father had told her time and time again she wasn't pretty. I believe the lack of confidence is why she went from Arthur to Jordan so quickly.

Jordan decided years ago he would never marry. He does however, try to find eligible bachelors to be suitors for Annie. He is so fed up with her, he takes her, her maid and Aunt Clarissa to his manor in Surrey.

Jordan had the reputation of being a rake since he had a mistress. I thought he was quite the gentleman and quite patient with Annie but she didn't make it easy.

What will happen to Annie? Will she find true love? And who will that be? Jordan?

I simply loved the book. It was a fun, light read with little midnight escapades to keep your attention. I can't wait to get on with the series.

I would give the book SECRETS OF A RUNAWAY BRIDE 4 RAKES.

I was given a complimentary copy of SECRETS OF A RUNAWAY BRIDE from the author, Valerie Bowman for my uncompensated opinion.

AUTHOR

Valerie Bowman is an award-winning author who writes Regency-set historical romance novels aka Racy Regency Romps!
Valerie writes the Secret Brides series and the Playful Brides series for St. Martin's Press. She has a B.A. in English Language and Literature with a minor in history from Smith College. By day, she is a technical editor at a computer software company. By night, she combines her love of writing, history, and romance to craft stories about people falling in love.

Originally from Rantoul, Illinois, Valerie lives in Jacksonville, Florida with her family including her rascally rescue dog, Roo. When she's not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS.

RUNAWAY BRIDES SERIES

Book 1 Book 3 Book 1.5 Book 2.5