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The Hostage Bride
Tamara Jones borrows company funds to help her dying mother, but when ruthless tycoon Bickford Rutledge discovers her secret, he blackmails her into marriage
189 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
About the author
Janet Dailey
402 books1,869 followersJanet Anne Haradon Dailey was an American author of numerous romance novels as Janet Dailey (her married name). Her novels have been translated into nineteen languages and have sold over 300 million copies worldwide.
Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.
She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.
Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.
Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.
She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.
Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 16, 2022
“The Hostage Bride” by Janet Dailey made me squirm, smile and jump around in my room because i just couldn`t handle the tension at times. This is a real vintage romance with a great deal of sensuality and drama mixed together. Its also one of those rare cases where we get Male Hero`s point of view and i marveled of how entirely gone he was for his heroine. I am also so mad at myself for not picking up more titles by this author to read, she really gets the romance genre and knows how to deliver. This book and its main characters especially the oh so besotted alpha-hero Bickford Rutledge made me fall in love. I just love falling in love.
Tamara James is a beautiful and sweet heroine, i love how she fought for her love until she couldn`t take his lack of trust in her anymore. The chemistry and sexual tension between Bick & Tamara was delicious as heck, just wow did author do a number on this one! I rate it 5-stars (despite the kinda abrupt ending) because it has everything i crave in a well done romance!
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Tamara James is a beautiful and sweet heroine, i love how she fought for her love until she couldn`t take his lack of trust in her anymore. The chemistry and sexual tension between Bick & Tamara was delicious as heck, just wow did author do a number on this one! I rate it 5-stars (despite the kinda abrupt ending) because it has everything i crave in a well done romance!
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August 24, 2022
Total crap but has the sweetest angst!
June 11, 2025
3.75 stars
This was a fun a little romp and nearly a 4-5 star for me until 70% mark. Yes I enjoyed it that much. This nearly would have been a 5 star if it wasn't for that ridiculous cobbled-together rushed ending. Leave it to a dated 80's Contemporary Harlequin Romance to do what new romance releases couldn't do for me this past year. That speaks volumes and sad. :( Please bring back sweeping romances. Loved how smitten and obsessed the hero was for the heroine. Who doesn't love virile possessive heroes who give heated looks and make a simple kiss feel like sex? Wooh. Tanned face, big hands and chest hair. Yessss. Shag carpets and Roledexs....lmao. I really enjoyed the sexual tension and angst but the last 50 pages fell apart, the hero's jerk phase took too long to overcome and the resolution and grovel was ridiculously short. Like the final chapter short. He's clearly crazy in love with her but is too bullheaded to admit he was wrong and was mean for a bit too long. Typical bodice ripper-harlequin alpha headspace and behavior. Yet I wanted more groveling from the hero. And I was surprised this was a closed door romance given all sexual build up and heated makeouts. But the chemistry and tension was delicious and I zoomed through this fast. Fun read if you go in knowing what to expect.
This was a fun a little romp and nearly a 4-5 star for me until 70% mark. Yes I enjoyed it that much. This nearly would have been a 5 star if it wasn't for that ridiculous cobbled-together rushed ending. Leave it to a dated 80's Contemporary Harlequin Romance to do what new romance releases couldn't do for me this past year. That speaks volumes and sad. :( Please bring back sweeping romances. Loved how smitten and obsessed the hero was for the heroine. Who doesn't love virile possessive heroes who give heated looks and make a simple kiss feel like sex? Wooh. Tanned face, big hands and chest hair. Yessss. Shag carpets and Roledexs....lmao. I really enjoyed the sexual tension and angst but the last 50 pages fell apart, the hero's jerk phase took too long to overcome and the resolution and grovel was ridiculously short. Like the final chapter short. He's clearly crazy in love with her but is too bullheaded to admit he was wrong and was mean for a bit too long. Typical bodice ripper-harlequin alpha headspace and behavior. Yet I wanted more groveling from the hero. And I was surprised this was a closed door romance given all sexual build up and heated makeouts. But the chemistry and tension was delicious and I zoomed through this fast. Fun read if you go in knowing what to expect.
November 21, 2017
One of the very first English romance I've read way back on my high school days, and the effect of it still resonates these days after so many years. I've re- read this last night and still enjoyed the angst of the story. I don't care what other reviews said because for me this is one of the great classic I've read. Janet Dailey sure knows how to twist hearts into knots and make us cling to every page of her story. Love it before, and definitely LOVE it today and forever.
September 5, 2025
As another reviewer has stated, this speeds along happily with angst and a besotted Hero, but the last section let the story down.
I loved how vintage and UN-PC it is with the boss making a grab and kissing her the first day, then trying to coax her to his house the second afternoon lol. He’s completely ruled by his libido. It seems he has ‘had’ about 50 women, but she’s special to kiss, so he feels let down when learning that the heroine embezzled $20,000 (and really she did steal it despite all the excuses). I’m not surprised he’s gutted that she stole and finds himself unable to trust her. But the angry mistrust went on WAY too long. The main problem was the quick - one minute she’s making do at 6 months pregnant - then she gets enough money to run away (dismisses paying him back!) - and she’s gone! 4 months pass in a page and the ending comes out of the blue.
3 1/2 stars
I loved how vintage and UN-PC it is with the boss making a grab and kissing her the first day, then trying to coax her to his house the second afternoon lol. He’s completely ruled by his libido. It seems he has ‘had’ about 50 women, but she’s special to kiss, so he feels let down when learning that the heroine embezzled $20,000 (and really she did steal it despite all the excuses). I’m not surprised he’s gutted that she stole and finds himself unable to trust her. But the angry mistrust went on WAY too long. The main problem was the quick - one minute she’s making do at 6 months pregnant - then she gets enough money to run away (dismisses paying him back!) - and she’s gone! 4 months pass in a page and the ending comes out of the blue.
3 1/2 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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February 25, 2021Never read from this writer before ima think. Either ways, dreadfully boring. Bickford falls for Tamara at first sight. Tamara was a blonde but had a very dowdy personality. No snazz in this book. If you can’t fall asleep, maybe try reading this one!
April 1, 2011
This does not even deserve one star. I want everyone to know why I read this book so they don't think I've gone crazy. I was stuck at some fundraiser, and I hadn't brought a book. So, I took this one (There were like 50 bookshelves there) I read it, while I was reading. And I couldn't stop laughing. It was just so freaking ridiculous! The writing was crappy- at one point, Tamara talks about having a nauseous pain IN HER HEAD!!!! Can some explain how your HEAD could feel nauseous? YOUR F****** HEAD? HOW!!!!!! This is just one example of the terrible writing. See, I never thought I would say this, but Willow was better then this book. And if any of you read my Willow review, you'll know where I stand on that book. And this one is worse. I don't normally like romances, but I was just bored. Where was the romance? The male lead was laughable, starting from the first second you meet him. His name. Is. BICKFORD!!!!!!!!! Bick, for short. Tamara was one of those mopey, weepy, PATHETIC heroines. Give me Scarlett O'Hara any day. This book was so ridiculous, I can't believe I made it through it. (Well...I skipped some parts, but believe me the plot was simple. The whole story is pretty much on the back flap.) Okay, I'm still going to recommend this, though: I recommend it for anyone looking for a good laugh. Forget humour- this is a million thousand billion trillion funnier, absurder, and more hilarious then any other book on this earth. So laugh it up, and read the Hostage Bride.
December 30, 2021
Real vintage. I first read this when I was a teenager. I liked it then and I still like it now.
He’s a besotted H. She’s an innocent h. And Janet Dailey is an excellent writer. All combined makes it a very good read.
He’s a besotted H. She’s an innocent h. And Janet Dailey is an excellent writer. All combined makes it a very good read.
December 20, 2015
The cover of my copy is different, but the publication info was the same.
The more I think about this book, the more I don't like it. Bick was such a rude bastard, that I couldn't like him even after he became the "love interest." He was so mean and distrusting. I don't see how Tamara could fall for him like she did. Just because he was good looking, she was swooning for him? He treated her terribly. And then the whole loan/embezzlement thing was just ridiculous. I realize it was a plot device to get them together, but even with suspension of disbelief, it doesn't work for me. If you read romance novels for the sex scenes, pass this one by. What tiny bit there was wasn't sexy or fulfilling for the characters or the reader. So much for a trashy romance, this one is just trash. I'm glad to be done with it. This does not inspire me to read anything else by the author, and she is supposed to be one of the best women authors in American at the time. If this is representative of her work, I don't see how that claim can be true.
The more I think about this book, the more I don't like it. Bick was such a rude bastard, that I couldn't like him even after he became the "love interest." He was so mean and distrusting. I don't see how Tamara could fall for him like she did. Just because he was good looking, she was swooning for him? He treated her terribly. And then the whole loan/embezzlement thing was just ridiculous. I realize it was a plot device to get them together, but even with suspension of disbelief, it doesn't work for me. If you read romance novels for the sex scenes, pass this one by. What tiny bit there was wasn't sexy or fulfilling for the characters or the reader. So much for a trashy romance, this one is just trash. I'm glad to be done with it. This does not inspire me to read anything else by the author, and she is supposed to be one of the best women authors in American at the time. If this is representative of her work, I don't see how that claim can be true.
March 12, 2011
This is one of my all time favorites from the Romance Genre. It must be the tension, 'hate', Alpha Male and angst. Love it! I for one am not ashamed of reading and enjoying this type of story.
September 15, 2025
Just a bit bummed the biggest strain in their relationship is never properly settled but that's just a quick pocketbook read for you. I do enjoy this book, just felt like everything was shoehorned just to wrap it all up.
January 29, 2011
A dated Mills & Boon book from 1981.
Heroine's mother is dying, Tamara, our heroine needs $20,000 for medical bills and borrows it from the company she works for, intending to pay it back from an insurance policy when the mother dies. Unbeknowst to her the mother has cashed in the policy.
Our hero takes over the company and is besotted with Tamara, then finds out about the money. He forces her to marry him but is still distrustful. The mother dies, Tamara is pregnant and still Bick, our hero, distrusts her.
She can't take it anymore and flees, he spends 4 months looking for her and finds her 2 pages from the end of the book.
This book is very old-fashioned, our hero doesn't want her to work after marriage but doesn't give her any money. The housekeeper hates her and she has no friends or relatives. But at every turn we are told how beautiful she is. This was a by-the-numbers where is my cheque please romance. Do yourself a favour and don't bother.
Heroine's mother is dying, Tamara, our heroine needs $20,000 for medical bills and borrows it from the company she works for, intending to pay it back from an insurance policy when the mother dies. Unbeknowst to her the mother has cashed in the policy.
Our hero takes over the company and is besotted with Tamara, then finds out about the money. He forces her to marry him but is still distrustful. The mother dies, Tamara is pregnant and still Bick, our hero, distrusts her.
She can't take it anymore and flees, he spends 4 months looking for her and finds her 2 pages from the end of the book.
This book is very old-fashioned, our hero doesn't want her to work after marriage but doesn't give her any money. The housekeeper hates her and she has no friends or relatives. But at every turn we are told how beautiful she is. This was a by-the-numbers where is my cheque please romance. Do yourself a favour and don't bother.
March 22, 2016
One of the first romance I read and loved.This was a Janet Dailey early classic. That really got me to love silhoutte romance love. I wish I still had my copy of this book.
March 16, 2026
Total campfest that was highly entertaining until the abrupt ending. The heroine in this one has so much audacity that it borders on delusional behavior. She embezzled twenty thousand dollars from the company she worked for, covered it up, then flirted with the CEO hoping this would help when her crime would undoubtedly be uncovered, and then is distraught that said CEO is a wee bit disappointed in her when the worms come crawling out of the can lol. Her great plan for repaying the “loan”? Cash in on the life insurance of her terminally ill mother. ROFL What a gal!
As for the hero, his bark is so much worse than his bite. He is completely sexually enthralled by his wife, and does all her bidding, from repaying her “loan,” to taking care of all her mother’s medical needs, to marrying her in order to save her reputation and shield her from prosecution, to giving her nightly orgasms. I mean, what a jerk!
As for the hero, his bark is so much worse than his bite. He is completely sexually enthralled by his wife, and does all her bidding, from repaying her “loan,” to taking care of all her mother’s medical needs, to marrying her in order to save her reputation and shield her from prosecution, to giving her nightly orgasms. I mean, what a jerk!
November 25, 2019
Beneath Tamara's cool beauty lay a dangerous secret--she had borrowed company funds for a desperate family crisis. But before she could return the money, ruthless entrepreneur Bickford Rutledge took over the firm. Bick was a handsome, hard-driving man who always got what he wanted--and he wanted Tamara. When he discovered the truth, he offered her a choice. She could escape the law's revenge--if she surrendered to the smoldering passion of the one man who ruled her destiny--a man who would own her, body and soul! (
December 2, 2025
It started very well then it was a disaster , like baseless and groundless. It was really 90s book where FMC is beautiful and there is no one like her and same for MMC no one like him mascular and tall.FMC did a mistake but a/c to her it was ok like literally she was saying I had borrowed the amount from the company but who borrowed her? Ending was sudden. Inshort for me title is WRONG FMC was not a hostage bride. Even there was no need of marriage as a solution I have never said it any other review but this book wasted my time 🥹
July 6, 2024
So sad 😭 yet heartfelt
Such a sad tale of mistakes and misunderstanding that the reader feels all the pain of the main character well as the frustration that escalates into the final conclusion.
Such a sad tale of mistakes and misunderstanding that the reader feels all the pain of the main character well as the frustration that escalates into the final conclusion.
April 8, 2019
Made me cry but just like the other Silhouette, Harlequin and M&B books, it ended abruptly. I didn't get a chance to enjoy Tamara and Bick's reunion. Still a great story though.
February 21, 2020
A nice light easy book to read
December 11, 2020
I have read this book since I was a teen.
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February 26, 2023The old novels , why I don’t see this type of angst anymore in novels nowadays
The novel itself simple but much better than a lot of other recent novel
The novel itself simple but much better than a lot of other recent novel
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September 2, 2024Read in 1986.
February 17, 2025
Disappointing
Interesting plot but unbelievable characters. Time seems to happen in big chumps that aren't explained. I generally love her books but I was let down by this one.
Interesting plot but unbelievable characters. Time seems to happen in big chumps that aren't explained. I generally love her books but I was let down by this one.
walai
March 24, 2016พระจันทร์ขึ้งน้ำผึ้งขุ่น / จามรี พรรณชมพู
นางเอกโกงเงินบริษัท
เรื่องมันคงไม่ปูดก่อนหมุนเงินมาคืนได้ ถ้าเจ้าของบริษัทไม่ขายให้กับบริษัทมหาชนขนาดใหญ่ที่พระเอกหนุ่มรูปหล่อของเราเป็นเจ้าของ
ขนาด ว่านางเอกสวยจนพระเอกหลงรักหัวปักหัวปำและหาเรื่องลูบคลำตลอดเรื่องอย่างนี้ ก็ยังเดาไม่ออกเลยว่าจะหลุดพ้นจากความผิดดังกล่าวอย่างไร
ในแง่ความน่าเห็นใจนางเอกสอบผ่านฉลุย กับอาการป่วยของแม่ที่รักษามายาวนาน แต่โกงบัญชียังไงก็ผิด
พระเอกแก้ปัญหาด้วยการแต่งงาน....จริงๆมันเป็นปัญหาหัวใจมากกว่า
เพราะกว่าครอบครัวจะสงบสุขและไว้ใจกันได้นั้น ก็ยังอีกหลายตอน...
นางเอกโกงเงินบริษัท
เรื่องมันคงไม่ปูดก่อนหมุนเงินมาคืนได้ ถ้าเจ้าของบริษัทไม่ขายให้กับบริษัทมหาชนขนาดใหญ่ที่พระเอกหนุ่มรูปหล่อของเราเป็นเจ้าของ
ขนาด ว่านางเอกสวยจนพระเอกหลงรักหัวปักหัวปำและหาเรื่องลูบคลำตลอดเรื่องอย่างนี้ ก็ยังเดาไม่ออกเลยว่าจะหลุดพ้นจากความผิดดังกล่าวอย่างไร
ในแง่ความน่าเห็นใจนางเอกสอบผ่านฉลุย กับอาการป่วยของแม่ที่รักษามายาวนาน แต่โกงบัญชียังไงก็ผิด
พระเอกแก้ปัญหาด้วยการแต่งงาน....จริงๆมันเป็นปัญหาหัวใจมากกว่า
เพราะกว่าครอบครัวจะสงบสุขและไว้ใจกันได้นั้น ก็ยังอีกหลายตอน...
June 14, 2010
Going into Romance novels I KNOW not to expect to much, but this was just ridiculous. Usually you can find something to guiltily love in this style of writing, however, I just love the fact I finished reading it. Can't exactly dub it fluff when I didn't enjoy it. Just passing some time and upping my book count for the year.
October 15, 2014
One of the first few romances I ever read...I remember it more fondly than I liked the book, I think...
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December 31, 2017Beneath Tamara's cool beauty lay a dangerous secret--she had borrowed company funds for a desperate family crisis. But before she could return the money, ruthless entrepreneur Bickford Rutledge took over the firm.
Bick was a handsome, hard-driving man who always got what he wanted--and he wanted Tamara. When he discovered the truth, he offered her a choice.
She could escape the law's revenge--if she surrendered to the smoldering passion of the one man who ruled her destiny--a man who would own her, body and soul!
Bick was a handsome, hard-driving man who always got what he wanted--and he wanted Tamara. When he discovered the truth, he offered her a choice.
She could escape the law's revenge--if she surrendered to the smoldering passion of the one man who ruled her destiny--a man who would own her, body and soul!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews