Title: Their Kidnapped Bride
Author: Vanessa Vale
First published May 15, 2015
174 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 3.51
Overview
If you’re a fan of historical romance, you won’t be able to put down this sizzling series set in the heart of the American West. For Sophia, life is good.
She has money, social status, and the love of her husband – or so she thought. But when she discovers his dark secrets, he turns on her and sells her to a brothel to keep her quiet.
There, she’s forced to participate in a virgin auction and is won by two rugged ranchers, Carson and Logan. As they lead Sophia back to their ranch, she knows that marrying them is the only way to keep herself safe.
But can she learn to love two men at once? And when Carson’s past comes back to haunt him, will Sophia be able to save the men she’s grown to love?
Don’t miss this thrilling tale of love and danger in the Wild West.
About the Author
Meet Vanessa Vale, a bestselling author known for her steamy romance novels. Vanessa’s writing is famous for its unapologetic bad boys who fall hard in love.
Her books, including the popular Bridgewater historical romance series and sexy contemporary romances, have sold over one million copies worldwide in various formats such as e-books, print, audio, and even as an online game.
When Vanessa is not busy creating enticing stories, she enjoys the chaos of raising two boys and experimenting with pressure cookers to prepare multiple meals. Although not as tech-savvy as her kids, Vanessa loves to engage with readers and interact with them.
To know more about Vanessa and her work, visit VanessaValeAuthor.com.
Editoral Review
Their Kidnapped Bride by Vanessa Vale is a steamy historical western romance about a young woman and her two male suitors who join forces to rescue her from her kidnappers. Published on May 15, 2015, the book takes place in Wyoming in the early 1860s and features strong themes of family, justice, and the power dynamics between men and women in that era.
Vale, an American author known for her historical and contemporary romance novels, brings her trademark passion and sensuality to Their Kidnapped Bride. Her storytelling is vivid and immersive, transporting the reader to the rugged landscape of the American West and the rough-and-tumble world of the cowboys who inhabited it.
The plot revolves around the abduction of Elizabeth, the daughter of a wealthy rancher, by a group of outlaws seeking to extort a ransom. Elizabeth has two men vying for her affection: her childhood sweetheart, Jack, and a new arrival in town, Sam, who is a former soldier with a troubled past.
When Jack and Sam learn of Elizabeth’s kidnapping, they reluctantly team up to rescue her, setting out on a perilous journey that will test their loyalties, courage, and their feelings for each other. Vale’s character development is a highlight of the book, with both Jack and Sam undergoing significant transformations over the course of the story.
Jack starts off as a somewhat naive but determined young man, while Sam is a brooding loner with a mysterious past. As they work together to save Elizabeth, their personalities clash and they confront their deepest fears and desires, leading to some steamy and emotionally charged scenes.
The pacing of Their Kidnapped Bride is fast-paced and engaging, with plenty of action, drama, and romance to keep the reader hooked. Vale also weaves in some historical and cultural elements, including depictions of Native American tribes and the harsh realities of life in the Old West.
However, the book could benefit from more nuanced exploration of the power dynamics between men and women in that era. While Vale touches on the fact that women were often treated as property, especially by men with wealth and status, her female characters are somewhat one-dimensional and lack agency.
Elizabeth, in particular, is portrayed as a passive object of desire rather than a fully realized character in her own right. Overall, Their Kidnapped Bride is a fun and engaging read that is sure to appeal to fans of the historical romance genre.
Vale’s writing is passionate and evocative, and her characters are compelling and multifaceted. While the book has some limitations in its portrayal of gender dynamics, it is still a highly enjoyable story that will whisk the reader away to a bygone era of rough-hewn cowboys and rugged landscapes.
I would recommend this book for fans of romance novels, especially those who enjoy western or historical romance. The steamy scenes and high stakes drama will keep readers on the edge of their seats, while the evocative descriptions of life in the Old West will transport them to another time and place.
On a scale of 1-5, I would give Their Kidnapped Bride by Vanessa Vale a solid 4 stars, with points deducted for its limited portrayal of women’s agency and power.