The Runaway McBride (A Seers of Grampian Novel)

by Elizabeth Thornton

James Burnett is a widower who's given up hope of finding someone to share his life with. He did, however, once have a lover he later dubbed Faithless McBride. For eight years, he'd suppressed... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425226344
• Release Date: February 2009
• Publisher: Berkley
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.7" x 0.8" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

Not the best of this Seers series.

I read this group of three books out of order. The last one was the best, this, the first one, by far the worst. Rather dull characters, insufficient explanation of the initial estrangement and dialogue that was rather boring. Had I read this one first I would not have read the subsequent two. Had this been my first by this author it would probably have been my last.

Compelling, exciting and more than a little sexy

The life of Miss Faith McBride, a former Lady's companion and current schoolteacher at a prestigious girl's academy, is in danger. Warned by a whispered warning of his grandmother on her deathbed, her ex-fiancé James Burnett is intent on keeping his nightly premonitions of her death from coming true. With a great misunderstanding about their past lying between them, and a murderer intent on Faith, the odds seem overwhelming. The pair must unravel a mystery, navigate the social niceties of the 19th century, and possibly even repair their damaged romance. The trouble with many romantic suspense novels is that they can often veer into the realm of predictability and tediousness. Thankfully, Ms. Thornton's book has no need to fear in that respect. Even as I attempted to unravel the mystery before the heroine and hero, there was always some twist that I had not been expecting. The author manages to keep the tangled weave believable, as well as her characters relatable. I plan on not only recommending //The Runaway McBride// to my friends and family, but also tracking down any other books Ms. Thornton has read. Reviewed by Alicia Davis

A Romance Mystery set in England in 1885...

James Burnett was given the gift to seeing the future on his grandmother's death bed. He was now has a mission to find Faith McBride who he once loved and save her from a killer. Faith and James were once in love but as the story moves along the reader find out why they broke-up and who is after Faith. I really enjoy this book - great characters and amazing mystery. Looking forward to her next book The Scot and I due out June 2009.

Romance could be stronger...but writing good and mystery held my interest

On her deathbed, James Burnett's clairvoyant Scottish grandmother foretells that his bride is in mortal danger. James must save her or she will die. The problem is, James is a widower living in London and does not have a bride. Soon, though, he begins to have nightmares about Faith McBride, his first love to whom he was once engaged, but who abandoned him before their wedding. James has not seen her in the eight years since and has no desire to see her now. But when he dreams that Faith is being stalked by a murderer - a dream that is all too real - he is compelled to find her and protect her. Faith remembers their break-up completely differently, namely, that James left her for another woman and broke her heart. Now she wants nothing to do with him, or so she keeps telling herself. Then she is attacked by unknown assailants, and James comes to her rescue. It seems their love may yet get a second chance...if only James can keep his `bride' alive. By and large this is a worthy read: the writing is good, the cast likeable, and the story draws one in. I especially like the way everyone assumes Faith and James are engaged (when they are not), and how tellingly feeble are the couple's denials. And the who-done-it is exciting and keeps one guessing till the end. But the couple's relationship, which has so much potential, falls short. For instance, Faith and James learn that they can communicate telepathically with one another, yet oddly give it little importance. One would think they'd be thrilled with such a gift and try to perfect it - particularly when Faith's life is in danger - but instead they muddle along and hope for the best until it is almost too late. The love scenes are fine but, when the couple becomes intimate, their reaction to it is unbelievably - and disappointingly - casual and uncommunicative. A certain lack of communication is expected in order to prolong the sexual tension, but this seems overdone. It somewhat weakens the romance, although of course true love prevails. I like this author and have read many of her books. This is the first in a new series involving James' family, all of whom appear in this story and are very appealing. On the whole, it's a good start. 3 ½ - 4 stars

superb late Victorian romance

In 1885 on her deathbed, his grandmother Lady Valeria pleads with James Burnett to find his ex fiancée Faith McBride to protect her as her life is in danger. He would do anything for his grandma the witch but not that; still he swears he will keep his former fiancée safe even as he wonders who will keep him safe from her. He also knows his grandma's last act of life is passing on her clairvoyance skills to him; either that or he is hallucinating. Faith believes her beloved James dumped her to marry someone else. When she sees him, she knows she still loves him even if he is somewhat cold towards her. He offers to help her learn how her mother died. As they follow the clues their love remains strong but their trust remains at zero; love is not enough until she realizes James risks his life for his Faith. This superb late Victorian romance is enhanced by a touch of the paranormal and by the whodunit amateur sleuth investigation. The story line is fast-paced, filled with humor and action, but it is the second chance at love between the wonderful lead pair who makes this a fine historical. Harriet Klausner