Dinca’s review of Unclaimed Bride by Lauri Robinson
Harlequin Historical published by Harlequin 16 Oct 12
Cute. Sweet. Adorable. How many adjectives can I put in here? Oh well, how about one more. It is an adorable little tale. Starts out in England and ends in Wyoming by way of New York and Virginia. This part I find a little unusual. It makes the heroine sound a little like the Roaming Gnome. I did keep turning the pages, all 288 of them. This is not a Love Inspired. It does have some very tasteful sex scenes.
With no other means of support, Constance Jennings becomes a mail-order bride, only to find her groom to have died from an accident before she arrives. Angel Clayton rescues her from the train station and convinces her father they need to take her home with them. She doesn’t understand why all the men are gathering and staring until Angel takes her away from the depot. She agrees to pay for her room and board by teaching Angel etiquette while keeping house and cooking.
Ellis Clayton’s young daughter brings home everything from skunks to abandoned mail-order brides. This thirteen-year-old child is so logical he cannot refuse her. For someone who doesn’t want to please, Ellis sure is doing a good job of pleasing everyone. He pleases the store keeper just to get him to shut up, his daughter has him wrapped around her finger, and now Constance is making his life a lot easier just by being there and instilling some social graces into his daughter.
I love the midnight baking! I find that very sensual and unique. The banana fiasco is highly entertaining and goes on forever. I also love the part where the ranch cook feels threatened. I think it’s just thrown in, but it fits so well and creates the levity that’s needed at the appropriate time. I did get teary eyed when Ellis says his last goodbye to his deceased wife at her graveside. It’s totally appropriate in the book so he could move on.
I am surprised at all the later developments that create the events that lead up to the trip to Wyoming and why she needs to become a mail-order bride. The characters are well-developed and, of course, we all love a villain we can despise to the very end. I will have to find another book by Ms. Robinson very soon.
Grade: A
Summary:
Running from the past…she bumps into her future!
Mail-order bride Constance Jennings steps off the stage in Cottonwood, Wyoming, and waits for her husband-to-be. But he never shows up, and instead several other men are vying to take his place!
Single father Ellis Clayton must be the only man in town not looking for a bride. But his young daughter’s habit of rescuing wounded critters means he ends up offering Constance a temporary shelter.
Having a woman around the house again is all too easy—especially seeing her bond with his daughter—but Ellis can’t seem to let go of the past. Problem is, neither can Constance. And hers is about to catch up with her….
Read an excerpt.
