Rating: 
Summary: spy subplot saves this otherwise rather formulaic plot
Review: "My Favorite Bride" does read like Catherine Dodd's salute to "The Sound of Music" -- with a few obvious differences of course. To begin with, she's transplanted everything (era and locale) to Victorian England Lake District. Another variation is that "My Favorite Bride" has a rather predominant subplot involving foreign and traitorous English spies. This is a subplot that has more or less linked two previous Dodd's novels to this one. In the other two books, "In My Wildest Dreams" & "Lost in Your Arms," the spy subplot was a rather muted one. However, this subplot is featured more dominantly in this novel, and I for one am glad as this saved the book from being an otherwise rather bland and unsurprising read. That's the trouble with refittings: everyone is rather familiar with the plot, and in order for a reader's interest to be piqued and held, either the characters have to be really special, or else the take on the well known plot has to be different enough to be engrossing. And unfortunately, I found that Christina Dodd's Victorian take on "The Sound of Music" was not quite different enough to make it a completely engrossing read for me. The Colonel, while an almost carbon copy of the Captain from the Sound of Music, was a lot less of a romantic a hero (I thought) and seemed to be a lot more lust driven. And I couldn't really make up my mind if he was truly in love with Samantha (the Maria-clone and our heroine) or if it was a case of his libido at work. And while I liked the character of Samantha Pendregast quite a bit, and rather enjoyed Dodd's twist of making her a reformed pickpocket, I found her obsession with the notion that wild animals lurk in the Lake District, ready to devour her, to be quite irritating. I did not find it credible at all that she would not have realised that wolves and bears were practically nonexistent in the Victorian England Lake District. Surely as a governess, she would have come across this nugget of information somewhere in her training/reading? What saved this novel for me was the character of the other woman -- the 'suitable' bride that the Colonel had initially decided to marry, Teresa, the Countess of Marchant. From the very moment she entered the plot, I was captivated. What a refreshing and intelligent character (in fact she was the only intelligent character in the entire book) the countess turned out to be. I was so glad that she did not end up with the Colonel. She was too good for him! My opinion on "My Favorite Bride?" It depends on whether or not you're a Christina Dodd's fan. The book is not a bad one, esp since the spy subplot and the countess really do make reading "My Favorite Bride" a much more entertaining read than it otherwise might have been. However, if you're looking for a good romance novel that takes a more in-depth look at how a governess wins over her charges and actually helps them cope with grief and loss, take a look at Karen Hawkins's "An Affair to Remember."
Rating:
Summary: spy subplot saves this otherwise rather formulaic plot
Review: "My Favorite Bride" does read like Catherine Dodd's salute to "The Sound of Music" -- with a few obvious differences of course. To begin with, she's transplanted everything (era and locale) to Victorian England Lake District. Another variation is that "My Favorite Bride" has a rather predominant subplot involving foreign and traitorous English spies. This is a subplot that has more or less linked two previous Dodd's novels to this one. In the other two books, "In My Wildest Dreams" & "Lost in Your Arms," the spy subplot was a rather muted one. However, this subplot is featured more dominantly in this novel, and I for one am glad as this saved the book from being an otherwise rather bland and unsurprising read. That's the trouble with refittings: everyone is rather familiar with the plot, and in order for a reader's interest to be piqued and held, either the characters have to be really special, or else the take on the well known plot has to be different enough to be engrossing. And unfortunately, I found that Christina Dodd's Victorian take on "The Sound of Music" was not quite different enough to make it a completely engrossing read for me. The Colonel, while an almost carbon copy of the Captain from the Sound of Music, was a lot less of a romantic a hero (I thought) and seemed to be a lot more lust driven. And I couldn't really make up my mind if he was truly in love with Samantha (the Maria-clone and our heroine) or if it was a case of his libido at work. And while I liked the character of Samantha Pendregast quite a bit, and rather enjoyed Dodd's twist of making her a reformed pickpocket, I found her obsession with the notion that wild animals lurk in the Lake District, ready to devour her, to be quite irritating. I did not find it credible at all that she would not have realised that wolves and bears were practically nonexistent in the Victorian England Lake District. Surely as a governess, she would have come across this nugget of information somewhere in her training/reading? What saved this novel for me was the character of the other woman -- the 'suitable' bride that the Colonel had initially decided to marry, Teresa, the Countess of Marchant. From the very moment she entered the plot, I was captivated. What a refreshing and intelligent character (in fact she was the only intelligent character in the entire book) the countess turned out to be. I was so glad that she did not end up with the Colonel. She was too good for him! My opinion on "My Favorite Bride?" It depends on whether or not you're a Christina Dodd's fan. The book is not a bad one, esp since the spy subplot and the countess really do make reading "My Favorite Bride" a much more entertaining read than it otherwise might have been. However, if you're looking for a good romance novel that takes a more in-depth look at how a governess wins over her charges and actually helps them cope with grief and loss, take a look at Karen Hawkins's "An Affair to Remember."
Rating: 
Summary: William and Samantha
Review: Favorite scene with Samantha-
Saying goodbye forever to the kids and William. Favorite scene with William-
His daughter's confession. Together-
Samantha saying goodbye to him forever. What did you like about Samantha-
Her independence, her strength, her stubborness, her passion, her love for the kids. What didn't you like about Samantha-
Her fears and unable to forgive William at first. What did you like about William-
His humor despite his stiffness and his love for his kids. What didn't you like about William-
Unable to forgive Samantha at first.
Rating: 
Summary: I would have liked more origionality
Review: I bought this book when traveling by myself for work and I was scared in my hotel so I ran out to buy a book that would distract me. "My favorite Bride" was the only book in this small town grocery store that didn't look like it would freak me out more (mostly mystery novels) so I picked it up without knowing anything of Christina Dodd! Pretty much at her first meeting with the children (or maybe even their description before she met them) I thought to myself "Dodd isn't really going to write The Sound of Music is she." Well, she did. There was nothing really wrong with the book I guess, I just love the Sound of Music and feel this was a little ripped. The ending sequence when the kids go to find her and get her back was pretty trite! This was my first Christina Dodd book, and it was going to be my last, but some of her other books got rave reviews on amazon so i gave her a second change and wasn't sorry! I suggest people check out one of her other books first to get a taste of what she is capable of!
Rating:
Summary: I would have liked more origionality
Review: I bought this book when traveling by myself for work and I was scared in my hotel so I ran out to buy a book that would distract me. "My favorite Bride" was the only book in this small town grocery store that didn't look like it would freak me out more (mostly mystery novels) so I picked it up without knowing anything of Christina Dodd! Pretty much at her first meeting with the children (or maybe even their description before she met them) I thought to myself "Dodd isn't really going to write The Sound of Music is she." Well, she did. There was nothing really wrong with the book I guess, I just love the Sound of Music and feel this was a little ripped. The ending sequence when the kids go to find her and get her back was pretty trite! This was my first Christina Dodd book, and it was going to be my last, but some of her other books got rave reviews on amazon so i gave her a second change and wasn't sorry! I suggest people check out one of her other books first to get a taste of what she is capable of!
Rating:
Summary: I would have liked more origionality
Review: I bought this book when traveling by myself for work and I was scared in my hotel so I ran out to buy a book that would distract me. "My favorite Bride" was the only book in this small town grocery store that didn't look like it would freak me out more (mostly mystery novels) so I picked it up without knowing anything of Christina Dodd! Pretty much at her first meeting with the children (or maybe even their description before she met them) I thought to myself "Dodd isn't really going to write The Sound of Music is she." Well, she did. There was nothing really wrong with the book I guess, I just love the Sound of Music and feel this was a little ripped. The ending sequence when the kids go to find her and get her back was pretty trite! This was my first Christina Dodd book, and it was going to be my last, but some of her other books got rave reviews on amazon so i gave her a second change and wasn't sorry! I suggest people check out one of her other books first to get a taste of what she is capable of!
Rating:
Summary: OK, but enough with the spies already
Review: I hadn't considered the similarities to The Sound of Music until I read them here, but they are there. Still, William is much more interesting, heroic, and sexy than that movie's leading male. William does go overboard on the rules, integrity bit. He's rather dour at first and there are times that he's totally obnoxious. Samantha does forgive him too easily for his horrid treatment of her. Sh'es very energetic and fun-loving, which appeals to both him & his kids. Lady Marchant is interesting as is Duncan. In fact, they sometimes steal the scene. Nevertheless, Samantha is a feisty gal, and her sparring with William is often quite comical. The spy subplot is very long & involved and detracts from the romance. The worst thing is why on earth did it take nearly 4 years since the last book for the spies to be routed!!!!! Ridiculous! Beyond that, the traitors became stupid (no hints of such different inner characters in previous books) and, once it's done, the reader is thrilled to be finished with it. "It's about time!" Ms. Dodd makes many mistakes here as well, often forgetting her plotting or the details of her settings. For example, early in the book, there is an appearing/disappearing rug in the girls' room. This sort of thing occurs often enough to distract and annoy the reader. 3 stars for Samantha's excellent characteriation & her interactions with the children & William; and William's not all bad either.
Rating:
Summary: Gorblimey! Christina Dodd keeps getting better....
Review: I have been a big fan of Christina Dodd's governess series from the first book. Each time I read one I think, there's no way she can write a better one, she has peaked. Then, she goes and proves me wrong. I truly loved MY FAVORITE BRIDE. The heroine was sassy and sweet, the kind of woman you want to be friends with. The hero was dark and enigmatic enough to be really appealing. And, as always, Ms. Dodd develops her scenes in a way that make the reader feel as if she has fallen through a time warp and landed in the scene. I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Dodd at a writer's conference last year. She was such a kind and generous person. I believe those qualities bleed over into her writing. More governess books, please.
Rating:
Summary: Favorite Bride--Nasty Groom
Review: I have read many of Christina Dodd's books, and like most of the other reviews believe she should steer clear of movie plots and try a little harder to be original. However, this is not why I didn't like this book. Although it was a quick, fast read--I didn't like the relationship with the two main characters. I felt like William was too easily forgiven. He was a JERK and didn't deserve the quick forgivness. I don't expect a lot of realistic stuff in my romance novels, but no way I would have forgiven him so quickly. This took away from the book and from the heroine. All in all this book annoyed me.
Rating:
Summary: HEY, CHRISTINA, GET OFF THE MOVIES!
Review: I like Christina Dodd's books, except her last two which have the same plots as old movies. I realize it must be hard to write new plots, but Christina Dodd, in the past, has done it fine. I don't really mind authors being INSPIRED by old movies, it's just that it's BORING to have nearly everything the same. What I liked about the novel: the love scenes and the occasional playfulness between Samantha and William. What I didn't like about it: My major complaint was that when William finds out Samantha's past as a pick pocket, he rejects her. She suffers intensely and logically realizes that she cannot marry him. When he realizes what he has done, they reconcile in ONE PAGE! I hate it when the hero hurts the heroine and then she forgives him almost immediately! I want him to suffer longer and more intensely than she did. After all, if he really loves her, not only does he have to realize that he was wrong, he must also face that he badly hurt the woman he loves! Basically, William apologizes in one paragraph! Yes, he realizes that Samantha could no longer trust him because of his character faults, parallel to his unfounded objection to her. Although this is great insight, Christina Dodd dropped it in ONE SHORT PARAGRAPH! Ugh! I've always thought that the captain in "The Sound of Music" was stolid, cold, and unbending, even when he was supposed to be in love. If you had a problem with him, you will probably not fall in love with William.
Second, Lady Marchant's characterization was very uneven. In the beginning, she is portrayed as a manipulative woman who is criticized when she disables a highway robber. She is hostile to Samantha, but she changes to her protecter with no essential reason. I was more interested in her romance than I was in William's.
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