Determined to prove her worth as a budding archeologist, Ginesse 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 an unwed young lady across the open desert. But on her way to Egypt, Ginesse engages in a daring deception ― she will switch places with Mildred Whimpelhall, who is traveling to meet her fiancé, an officer posted deep in the Sahara.
Years before, cynical adventurer Jim Owen disappeared from his former life to escape the dark secrets of a troubled past. Betrayed by the woman he loved and 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.
“Take one enchanting, free-spirited woman and one hard hearted loner, toss in some witty dialogue [and] some heated passion, and you have the perfect recipe for romance ― The Other Guy’s Bride.” ―Christina Dodd, author of In Bed with the Duke
A Q&A with Connie Brockway
Question: You’ve written over 20 different titles ranging from historical romance to contemporary women’s fiction. What inspired you to write The Other Guy’s Bride?
Connie Brockway: For years, readers have been asking me to write sequels to two of their favorite books, As You Desire and All Through the Night. Happily, they happen to be two of my favorites also, so the idea of revisiting the characters and settings has always been particularly appealing and always something I intended to do. After spending the last five years doing Regency romances, I’ve been starving to write something set outside the British Isles, something that would be both familiar and exotic. Turn-of-the-century Egypt fit the bill. Not only is it historically and culturally rich but a treasure trove of fun and fascinating minutiae (and I do love my minutiae)–bonus points for being peopled with intriguing historical figures from all over the world. And finally, that sort of milieu provides the opportunity to write a love story outside the mainstream of Polite Society, where the rules are different, the stakes are higher, the romance more exquisite.
Question: Since this is, as you mentioned, a departure from your Regency romances, what research did you do while writing the book to help you create the setting and characters?
Connie Brockway: Books. Dozens of nonfiction books. I read about Thomas Cook’s ship tours and the advent of all-inclusive cruising, Mark Twain’s journals about his trip to Egypt, histories of ancient Egypt and the Sudan, books about the French Foreign Legion and the life of Sir Eldon Gorst, and books about the birth of archeology and the establishment of Arabian horse bloodlines. And then there were the websites and the hyperlinks and…
Question: Is there any character you most identify with? Why?
Connie Brockway: Well, since I just finished cleaning up the house after the Easter extravaganza, I’d have to say the housemaid.
Question: How does The Other Guy’s Bride compare to your previous titles? What can readers expect?
Connie Brockway: I expect readers will find all the elements they’ve enjoyed in the past: engaging characters, irreverent humor, and sigh-provoking romance. But it will have a freshness and spark that comes out of my feeling less of a need to follow a proscribed romance blueprint.
Question: What other authors or books have influenced your writing?
Connie Brockway: Such a hard question! I read constantly in all sorts of genres, and it’s hard to pinpoint specific titles. But as far as romances go, I started out being drawn to the rich, detailed narrative styles of Victoria Holt and Mary Stewart. Dorothy Cannell’s mysteries, starting with The Thin Woman, gave me my first inkling that romance could be downright hilarious and still breathtaking. The unique, fully fleshed characters created by such authors as Pat Gaffney, Laura Kinsale, and the wonderful late Edith Layton have certainly inspired me to be equally conscientious in creating my own characterizations.
Question: Have you considered trying your hand at other genres?
Connie Brockway: I’ve already authored two books that crossed from contemporary romance into contemporary women’s fiction. I’m very intrigued about relationships outside of strictly romantic ones, how those bonds morph and develop throughout a lifetime, as well as community and family dynamics. Those books gave me the chance to indulge my curiosity. As for the future, I’m almost always in the middle of reading a mystery and hope to some day try my hand at historical mystery.
Editorial Reviews
“Brimming with wonderfully dry wit, infused with lush sensuality, packed with action and adventure, Brockway’s spin-off of her popular As You Desire (1997) features one of the best romantic match-ups since Hepburn and Bogart verbally duked it out on the African Queen. The title that launched Amazon’s Montlake Romance line, this is simply sublime.” –Booklist (starred review)
“Take one enchanting, free-spirited woman and one hard-hearted loner, toss in some witty dialogue, some heated passion, and the sweeping adventure of an Indiana Jones movie and you have the perfect recipe for romance–Connie Brockway’s THE OTHER GUY’S BRIDE.” –Christina Dodd, New York Times best-selling author of Revenge at Bella Terra
“He’s a hard-eyed loner, out to prove that he has nothing to give. She’s a Victorian lady, with everything to prove and no time for love. THE OTHER GUY’S BRIDE is a battle-of-the-sexes caper so witty and sensual that only Connie Brockway could have written it. Romancing the Stone meets Roman Holiday…in Egypt! I absolutely loved it!” –Eloisa James, New York Times best-selling author of When Beauty Tamed the Beast
“When I heard Connie Brockway was writing a sequel to her classic romance AS YOU DESIRE, I did a little jig of joy. THE OTHER GUY’S BRIDE was well worth the wait! It’s an absolutely spectacular blend of breathtaking romance, unforgettable characters, thrilling adventure and sensual delights. I was rooting for Ginesse and James from their very first meeting. I haven’t had this much fun since The Mummy hit the big screen!” –New York Times best-selling author Teresa Medeiros
“THE OTHER GUY’S BRIDE is filled with the romantic magic that only Connie Brockway can create…deep emotion, high adventure, sensuality, and sly wit combine to make this a book you will read over and over again. A knockout story by an exquisitely gifted author.” –Lisa Kleypas, New York Times best-selling author of Love, Come to Me
