The Other Guy's Bride by Connie Brockway

Book Description:
Determined to prove her worth as a budding archaeologist, Genisse Braxton vows to solve one of the world's greatest mysteries-to find the location of the lost city of Zerzura. Unfortunately, no man dares take the risk of escorting the resolute young scholar across the open desert. But on her way to Egypt, Genisse engages in a daring deception-she will switch places with Mildred Whimpelhall, who is traveling to meet her fiancé.

Cynical adventurer Jim Owen will do anything to escape the dark secrets of his troubled past. Betrayed by the woman he loved, scorned by proper society, he agrees to carry out a danger-fraught task: escort Mildred Whimpelhall across a lawless desert to her intended. But Jim is about to learn that "Mildred" isn't exactly what she seems...and the dangers they face together are eclipsed only by an even greater peril: falling in love, against all reason, with another guy's bride...

Quickie Review:  At long last a sequel to As You Desire, one of my favorite historical romances!  I must mention that this book is a first for Connie Brockway, who decided to break away from the traditional publishing world by "going rogue" and self publish this e-book.  Then Amazon made a deal with her to publish it in print as well, so she had the best of both worlds.  Tired of having to kowtow to what her publishers wanted her to write, she wanted the freedom to write what she wanted to write! I applaud her courage to break away and - I'm so glad she did!

This story revolves around the daughter of Harry and Dizzy Braxton from As You Desire.  Ginny, following in her parent's footsteps, has a passion for archeology, but she is chagrined because no one will take her seriously.   Plus, her tendency to wreak havoc wherever she goes has given her a reputation amongst the locals - avoid at all costs!  No one wants anything to do with her, convinced she is a jinx.  Certain she has made a new and spectacular discovery, she sneaks off to the Saharan desert passing herself off as the fiancée of the commander of a British outpost in the middle of nowhere. Her guide is Jim Owens, a quasi American cowboy who's a scoundrel but knows his way in the desert.  The commander of the post has hired Owens to escort his fiancée, Miss Whimpelhall, since Owens owes him a big favor.  Of course, no one has any idea that Miss Whimpelhall got seasick and decided to take a different route to Egypt.  Ginny, a fellow passenger on their ship, takes advantage of Miss Whimpelhall's change of plans and blithely dyes her hair a garish henna red and "becomes" Miss Whimpelhall.

In Cairo, Ginny and Jim hook up and their journey together begins.  It soon become clear that Ginny is a magnet for problems and small catastrophes.  Yet Jim still finds himself falling in love with her. Ginny is just as you'd expect Dizzy and Harry's daughter to be, she holds her own against Jim, although their constant bickering and miscommunication with one another after her identity is  revealed grew tedious and frustrating. Still, the ending was very romantic, which made up for some weaker parts in the middle in the book.  But overall, this was a real treat.  Ginny and Jim are a great pair and I loved his secret and the way it all unfolds - it really was a fun plot line with lots of humor that is expected with a Connie Brockway novel, adventure, sand storms, kidnappings and even some glimpses of Harry and Dizzy as parents to their large brood of children!  (I loved Harry's reaction when he finds out his daughter has been alone - in a cave - with the notorious Jim Owens!)  It all made for a very satisfying read!  *clapping*

4/5

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