"A warm Regency romance"

Mothers of young ladies, who did not take during their first season turn to THE BRIDEMAKER, widow Hester Poitvant to perform miracles. Hester always seems to succeed regardless of the physical, emotional, or mental handicap of her client though sometimes the overbearing parent can be cause for alarm.

Her current class includes reticent and overweight Dulcie Bennett, whose mother and brother are obnoxious. Dulcie finds American businessman Adrian Hawke quite attractive, but her family snubs him as being born on the wrong side of the sheets. Hester knows he is using Dulcie to get at her brother and begs Adrian to not hurt her student who she cares for way beyond a fee. Adrian misinterprets Hester's pleading, feeling she thinks he is beneath her. As he tries to uncover the secrets of Hester, Adrian falls in love. However she cannot afford love with anyone as her mother has a reputation that makes Hester beneath Adrian.

THE BRIDEMAKER is a warm Regency romance starring two delightful lead characters who "inherit" baggage way beyond their years. The story line is loaded with joy as Adrian begins to peel the rose. Each time he thinks he has completed his mission, a new petal needs unwrapping including the identity of the late husband who know one recalls meeting. Dulcie is a fine person who proves that nature protects the kindhearted from the nasty though her mother and brother are more caricature snobs than family. Rexanne Becnel makes reading fun with this tale and her other pleasant "Maker" novels.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted October 10, 2002