His Stolen Bride

I really enjoyed this book. It portrays the Moravian community of North Carolina in great detail, while never losing sight of an engrossing plot featuring Nicholas Blum, who needs to grow up, and Abbigaiil Till, who needs to grow out--out and away from the father who has been running her life.There is a great secondary romance as well, between Nicholas' brother and the woman Nicholas thought he was in love with once upon a time. The Blum family was interesting enough that I plan to go back and read Stanton's first book, WILD INDIGO, and I'm hoping for more books set in this time period and place.

His Stolen Bride was a wonderful follow-up to Wild Indigo. Nicholas is a warm and honorable hero, and the history was beautifully done. Ms. Stanton's stories are never sappy, but always touching. This is the best romance I've read this year.

Unlike many of the historical romances I read, in "His Stolen Bride," Judith Stanton has used her setting - the Moravian community of Salem, North Carolina, in 1795 - to shape her story and the actions of her characters. The hero, Nicholas Blum, is something of a square peg in a round hole: an energetic, charismatic man in a society that values restraint and conformity. Sent by the community to Bethlehem, PA, to learn how to be a shopkeeper, Nicholas finds himself thinking more and more about his employer's daughter, Abbigail Till, while still considering himself betrowthed to Catherina Baumgarten, back in Salem. When he learns that Catherina has been betrothed to his younger brother, Matthias, Nicholas' impetuous reaction precipitates a crisis.I found Nicholas an unusually interesting hero, both because of his imperfections and because of the conflict between his natural character and the constraints imposed by the community he loves. Abbigail was a feisty heroine, if a bit short for my taste...why can't we have a few tall heroines?...and the setting was memorable.

Another great romance novel from Judith Stanton. I'm very particular about romance: I can't tolerate dishrag heroines, obnoxious heroes, or contrived plots. Abbigail and Nicholas were perfect. If you like great storytelling about intelligent, passionate, funny people, check out this book.