Wednesday, December 24, 2008

The Runaway McBride-Elizabeth Thornton

The Runaway McBride
Elizabeth Thornton
Berkley, Feb 2009, $7.99
ISBN: 9780425226346

In 1885 on her deathbed, his grandmother Lady Valeria pleads with James Burnett to find his ex fiancée Faith McBride to protect her as her life is in danger. He would do anything for his grandma the witch but not that; still he swears he will keep his former fiancée safe even as he wonders who will keep him safe from her. He also knows his grandma’s last act of life is passing on her clairvoyance skills to him; either that or he is hallucinating.

Faith believes her beloved James dumped her to marry someone else. When she sees him, she knows she still loves him even if he is somewhat cold towards her. He offers to help her learn how her mother died. As they follow the clues their love remains strong but their trust remains at zero; love is not enough until she realizes James risks his life for his Faith.

This superb late Victorian romance is enhanced by a touch of the paranormal and by the whodunit amateur sleuth investigation. The story line is fast-paced, filled with humor and action, but it is the second chance at love between the wonderful lead pair who makes this a fine historical.

Harriet Klausner

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