Publishers Weekly 

A passionate tale peopled with appealing characters, D'Alessandro's newest Regency-era romance (following Whirlwind Wedding) is fresh, funny and loaded with charm.

When Samantha Briggeham is mistakenly abducted by the Bride Thief (aka Eric Landsdowne, the Earl of Wesley), she comes away fascinated by the enigmatic man who has made it his mission to rescue women from arranged marriages. The eldest of three beautiful, married sisters, bookish Sammie has consigned herself to spinsterhood and is content to explore nature and conduct scientific experiments with her 16-year-old brother, Hubert. At least, that's what she tries to convince herself. She still harbors feelings for the Bride Thief, and she is intrigued by the Earl of Wesley as well, little realizing they are one and the same.

Drawn to the earl, Sammie decides to engage in a romantic liaison with him; but when they are discovered, the earl must do the right thing and propose. Sammie, however, is torn between her desire for the earl and her resolve to remain independent. Will the Bride Thief-now hunted by rapidly growing numbers of irate fathers whose daughters are missing-attempt one more abduction to free the woman he loves from a marriage she may loathe?

Though the plot takes few uncharted turns, this entertaining romp is on par with some of the best works from seasoned authors like Julia Quinn and Stephanie Laurens.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

His legendary exploits have made the Bride Thief the most wanted man in England.  The daring masked rider helps young women extricate themselves from unwanted marriages -- leaving behind enraged fathers.  Eric Landsdowne, the Earl of Wesley, has reasons for saving these women…so when he hears of Samantha Briggeham’s undesirable betrothal, she becomes his next mission.  Eric has no way of knowing that Sammie has already extricated herself from the marriage.

Once Eric discovers his mistake, he returns Sammie to her family, but now fears she might be able to identify him.  In order to find out if she recognizes her masked savior, he frequents the myriad of social events she attends, now that the story of her escape has made her the Ton’s most sought after women.  Sammie is drawn to Eric and the two become friends and…slowly fall in love.  Jacquie D’Alessandro’s delightful story revs into high gear as Eric strives to hide his identity while Sammie gets closer to discovering the truth.

This charming, funny romp is destined to delight readers with its fast pace, snappy dialogue, winsome characters (especially Sammie’s inquisitive younger brother!) and the sweet yet sexy love story.  This “feel good” read brings smiles galore while tempting readers to keep turning pages.

Affaire de Coeur Magazine

At twenty-six, Samantha Briggeham is considered to be on the "shelf". She is content with her life. Her three sisters are happily married and she can devote her time to helping her brother with his experiments and doing some of her own. Unfortunately, her mother has plans for Samantha - wedding plans. Without Samantha's knowledge or consent her mother has coerced her father into betrothing Samantha to Major Wilshire, a man Samantha doesn't care for in the least. While on her way back from a visit with the Major, she leaves her carriage and coachman while she investigates some fireflies she has seen from the window. While stooping down to collect them she is suddenly grabbed about the waist and hoisted onto the lap of a masked man riding a huge black stallion.

He is "The Bride Thief". He rescues women who are being forced into unwanted marriages. What the Bride Thief does not know is that Samantha has already extricated herself from the attentions of the Major and not only are the Bride Thief's services not needed, he must now return Samantha to the safety of her home. The Bride Thief intrigues Samantha, but she is also drawn to her neighbor Eric Lansdowne, the Earl of Wesley.

Ms. D'Alessandro's debut novel RED ROSES MEAN LOVE was a triumph. Her second historical WHIRLWIND WEDDING was also excellent. Any fears that I had that Ms. D'Alessandro might not be able to sustain her high level of masterful writing have been put to rest after reading THE BRIDE THIEF. Her dialog is excellent and flows naturally. There is never a forced moment in either her dialog or her ability to create some the best and well remembered characters in historical fiction. Ms. D'Alessandro's books are not only keepers - they are treasures.

Samantha Briggeham was nothing like other society women. Sammie was intelligent! While other women flirted, wed, and had children, Sammie preferred being with her younger brother, Hubert, in "the Chamber (his laboratory), working on their experiments. In fact, Samantha was on the verge of a breakthrough with her's. However, her mother decided to play matchmaker and force Sammie into a marriage she did not want.

Eric Landsdowne, Earl of Wesley, was a confirmed bachelor. He never intended to marry. Yet he was also the notorious Bride Thief that everyone was after. The price on his head was constantly growing. Eric abducted women who were being forced into unwanted marriages and gave them money to begin life anew elsewhere. Samantha was the first woman who had not been happy when she was rescued.

Samantha thought the Bride Thief was a bloody pain in the arse! She did not need his help. She had already rescued herself! But she did admire what he did for the other poor women. The abduction made Sammie into the toast of the ton and she was overwhelmed by suitors. She did not want their attention! The only exception was for Lord Wesley, who paid much wanted attention to Hubert. As their attraction grew, Sammie decided that for just once in her life she would have an affair and know love!

***** Oh Readers, books get no better than this! Jacquie D'Alessandro has become one of my all time favorite authors! I read this book twice! My husband would come up to me and ask what had me chuckling. So I began sharing sections with him.

I urge all romance lovers to purchase this book! I have absolutely no doubt that you will love it! Long live Jacquie D'Alessandro! *****

Romance Fiction Forum

Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, 1820

Samantha Briggeham is on the shelf and perfectly happy with her situation.  She cannot imagine being married to any of the gentlemen of her acquaintance, most of whom recoil in horror when she tries to discuss mathematics or scientific matters with them.  Convinced that no man will want to marry a plain, bespectacled, gauche, spinster bluestocking, Sammie is stunned when her father announces she is betrothed to Major Wilshire.  But not so astonished that she agrees to the match.  Her father ignores her protests, telling her everything is already arranged.  Sammie knows that if she refuses to honor the agreement, her family will suffer from the resulting gossip and scandal.  She cannot disgrace them, but neither can she marry the pompous major.

When he returned from the Peninsula five years ago and learned his father had forced his sister into an abhorrent marriage, Eric Landsdowne, the Earl of Wesley, vowed to help other young women in the same dire straits.  His dashing rescues of more than a dozen ladies brought the problem of forced marriages to the nation's attention -- and resulted in an enormous reward being offered for the capture of the "Bride Thief."  Now, the search for the Bride Thief has escalated to the point that Eric risks his life every time he dons his costume.  Although he has no intention of marrying, he cannot bear the thought of another woman suffering the heartache and despair that are his sister's lot.  Thus, when he hears of Miss Samantha Briggeham's plight, Eric decides to rescues her.

And so he does…only to learn that she has already unarranged her betrothal. So now the Bride Thief must do something he has never done before:  return a woman he has rescued.  Sometimes being the most notorious man in England is more trouble than it's worth.  And sometimes it brings rewards beyond one's wildest dreams.

A light-hearted tale despite the seriousness of its underlying premise, THE BRIDE THIEF is a charming story of two lonely people who find love although neither expects it.  The characters, both main and secondary, are deftly drawn, likeable, and engaging.  Samantha is not a typical Regency era miss, but her uniqueness is part of her appeal -- for Eric and the reader.  Eric, too, is refreshingly different; instead of wallowing in guilt because he could not prevent his sister's marriage or brooding over the injustice of her situation, he is determined to help other young women in similar straits, even if the cost is his life.

Crisp dialogue and realistic interactions between the characters move the story forward at just the right pace.  Readers will enjoy the relationship between Sammie and her family, especially her younger brother.  The interactions between Sammie and Eric sizzle with passion and are, at times, delightfully unpredictable.

For a well-written, thoroughly entertaining romp through the British countryside, I highly recommend THE BRIDE THIEF.