Bogus Bride

by Emily French

He married the wrong sister...

Ten years after he left England, Sam Jardine wrote home for a bride, but instead of the angelic beauty he remembered, the fiery Caitlin Parr had arrived on America's shores.

A decade of silent infatuation had finally paid off. Caitlin knew she wasn't Sam's first choice, but she vowed that he would never regret making her his wife, and the fire that sparked between them only proved that her rightful place was by his side.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Harlequin Historical

297 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Emily writes for Harlequin Historicals. She enjoys writing about the past, because there are a lot of issues you can raise in a historical novel that become more difficult in a contemporary novel. Her books are set in many different periods: 1204 in Wales, 1640 Wisconsin and 1757 Connecticut through to 1842 Maine and the Manhattan of 1865. Emily’s heroines are women who were unable to do the sorts of things they would today, but at the same time they have to be gutsy enough to appeal to today's readers. Historical novels are very popular, she says, because they can help the reader escape the misery of the present. Looking back always looks better than now. But for Emily, married at 17 and a mother at 18 at a time when that was "the done thing", the 21st century is full of promise. It's a time when a woman can do or be anything she wants. Apart from a couple of years with the kids, Emily has kept on working, but she always had a keen interest in the arts. She spent nine years in the theatre, but her husband complained about the noise and the mess of props for plays, so she took up drawing and painting and the smell of turpentine invaded the house. Now, Emily says, her dear heart knows where she is and that she's not turning their riverside home upside down. Emily French can be contacted at P.O. Box 5187, Bundaberg, Queensland 4670, Australia.

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

After waiting 10 years to hear from the man she loved, Caitlin Parr was eager to follow Samuel Jardine to America regardless of the fact that he mistakenly wrote her sisters name, Caitryn on the personal letter that accompanied the marriage proposal. Maine 1842 - Waiting on the docks for his soon to be bride, Sam was momentarily shocked to find that the wrong sister had accepted his offer. Making the best of the situation and not letting on that he had made a mistake, the marriage went forward, then he took his new wife to the lumbering camp.

The characters in this story where good, the story was good, the description of Maine’s forest and timber business was good, some of the writing was confusing though. Very repetitive on some points while other things seemed to get lost in the descriptions. This book was apparently named before it was written, while once or twice calling Caitlin a ‘Bogus Bride’ would have been ok, it didn’t stop at that. Also, ‘Bogus’ didn’t seem to fit, it was a misunderstanding, a mistake, and they made a few bad choices, but I would not consider it fake, the feelings were real for both of them, not intentionally deceitful. A decent historical romance, a few minor writing style quirks to overlook, but a good story in general.

[Angie Ankrum · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the most terrible romance novel I have ever read. The heroine is self-centered and whiny. I felt sorry for the hero. I read this over 20 years ago and it is still the worst on my list. The plot sounded good but the development was not well thought.

[Priscilla · Rating 1 out of 5]

História repetitiva.

Dispensável.

[Michael K · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is terribly written. The writing skips, it tangents and is confusing. The whole premise often spins off the difference between two sisters, their names being 'Caitryn' & 'Caitlin,' (yet the book immediately drops Caitryn,) which would have been great if that's all that remains strangely ambiguous.

These main characters have a huge backstory that the author tries to integrate into the current action--but for this novel, that flashback technique does not work. While describing the past, the current actions get put on the back-burner, and her synonyms get really strange, oftentimes I found myself going back to re-read sections because of its misleading syntax.

The characters seem like an afterthought, and the story's concept is really the only thing the author's given this book. The premise is why I picked it up, and the premise is why I've decided to put it back down. I made it to chapter four before I called it a day. When a plot is muddled that badly by poorly written details--you're better off with another novel.

[Joy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was more than halfway through this when I set it aside for 2 months, so I am officially giving up on it. An American colonizer writes to a family in his old village to send his old friend as his bride. The wrong sister sets sail, and of course he comes to appreciate her after he marries her. The vivid, colorful scenery of the old Northeast isn't enough to make me finish the book.

[Aileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caitlin Parr-Jardine is one hell of a woman! As Samuel described her, a doctor, a passionate lover and one hell of an enemy! I so love the story all in all. With all its twist and turns, you sure would keep the pages turning.

[Beckey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok historical romance read.

[Tracy Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Love this theme but.....

Just couldn't get into the story, skimmed through most of the book! Didn't really care what happened to the characters.

[Hortensia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Demasiadas vueltas sobre el mismo asunto.