The Bride Hunt

January 19, 2004
The second entry in Feather's Matchmaker trilogy (following The Bachelor List
) is a charming romp through 19th-century London featuring the Duncan sisters, who are trying to hold their family together financially by running a matchmaking service and producing the suffragist scandal sheet The Mayfair Lady
. When the paper is sued for libel, Prudence Duncan enlists the help of fierce barrister Sir Gideon Malvern. Gideon is convinced their case is hopeless, but he can't deny the attraction he feels for stubborn, strong-willed Prue. Because she can't afford his fees, Gideon agrees to argue the case if she finds him a suitable bride, but before long, Gideon finds himself as involved with Prue as he is with the Mayfair Lady
case. Readers may be surprised by the setting, which is unusual for historical romances; here the automobile and the telephone have already been invented. One amusing scene centers on a drive to the country, which takes three hours in Gideon's car (moving at its top speed of 20 miles an hour). Though this is Prue's story, both Constance and Chastity ably carry their portions of the novel, which will ensure that readers snap up the other two books in the series (each focusing on a sister and conveniently appearing in consecutive months).

February 15, 2004
The second installment in Feather's trilogy about the Duncan sisters focuses on Prudence, the most practical of the three. The paper that the sisters publish to maintain their aristocratic lifestyle in early twentieth-century London is being sued for libel by the very man who caused their economic downturn, and Prudence has approached the best lawyer their nonexistent funds can buy. Tenacious barrister Sir Gideon Malvern almost refuses the case until he decides that Prudence herself is a challenge worth taking. She sees Gideon as a disagreeable means to win the suit and offers to find him a bride in exchange for his services. Amused, he agrees. While Prudence tries to figure out what kind of woman will interest the divorced father of a 10-year-old daughter, Gideon tries to discern what kind of woman Prudence really is behind her prim facade. Interesting characters keep the sensual story lively, proving once again why Feather is so very popular. Readers will eagerly anticipate the adventures of the third Duncan sister.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)