The Bridal Chase

The Bridal Chase: Robert Downs

Your wedding day is supposed to be special with only the best of everything happening. But, when the bride gets stuck in traffic with her maid of honor and the groom is standing in the church waiting for her, what happens next is right out of an episode of Law and Order or Criminal Minds as the groom is accosted by several goons, placed in the trunk of a car and then…..let’s start from the beginning so that you understand why Ronnie is now in deep trouble with some unsavory characters.

Elisha struck by the fact that Ronnie was gone and having no idea where she grabbed a set of car keys, got in and road haphazardly down many roads, highways and streets without any cause or care to her safety or that of others. Bent on finding Ronnie and not caring about her own self worth or safety she finally comes to a gripping stop after having a serious car accident. Not caring about her injuries and finding herself in the hospital you would think she was an escaped con trying avoid incarceration.

A man named Griffin and his dopey friend took Ronnie or partner who thought that 10,000 dollars was a good reason to try and beat the you know what out of Ronnie. Whips, smacks, and guns hitting him and yet Ronnie did not die and this guy became more enraged. Telling these two lunatics that it was his wedding day did not make a dent in their treatment of him. Trying to escape was an act of futility.

Blackouts, hoping to try and release his bonds and his head smacked and in pain, Ronnie managed to incense his kidnappers whose punishment came hard and fast because they were being paid to pay him back for losing at the casino. While Elisha remained in the hospital trying to escape but falls prey to her own injuries. Two misfits and two not so bright people just trying to get justice for themselves for a ruined wedding. Elisha has poor self-esteem and a poor self image and Ronnie is a total screw up and they both just want to get married because their day was ruined but will they live long enough and will she find him before the kidnappers whack him to death?

Imagine as Griffin describes how he and his friend abducted Ronnie during the wedding and before they said their vows. Guns drawn, taken and thrown inside a trunk clunking away until released, bond and beaten. While Elisha runs out wearing her wedding gone and of course her trademark chewing tobacco and the chase of a lifetime. But, will he know whom these men are working for and who orchestrated his capture?

Just how far will someone go to right what he or she think is a wrong? Just how crazy is Elisha as she is in the hospital and meets another lunatic named Laine who just wants out and will pay her way in order to go along with Elisha but she has no idea why. Elisha provides some levity along with Laine as she drives like a maniac, does not even worry about roadsides or the fact that the car is swerving and they could be killed hoping to find the cabin where she thinks she might find Ronnie.
Laine is an interesting character that it would have been nice to learn more about her and her history. Elisha is completely out of her mind, hears voices and escapes reality many times and you wonder why she even has the brain to try and find Ronnie and not kill anyone in her path. Ronnie is a gambler with a vengeance for wanting to make a big score at the tables in a casino and he could care less win of course would be nice but addictions know no bounds. He hates being in small or tight places so you can imagine what was going through his mind being confined and bound.

Told in three viewpoints, Ronnie’s, Elisha’s and Griffin’s you get their own sense of what they deem their situations and realities but you wonder just who will survive their own machinations.

Elisha was out to find Ronnie and her agility driving a car needs to be assessed as the dialogue between both her and Laine is right out an Ethel and Lucy episode of Laurel and Hardy movie. These two could have been Bonnie and Clyde as she drove with a hate, vengeance and determination to take down anyone in her wake or way. Laine is just as needy as Elisha and her presence is stated, as she just wants to help her new friend and get out of the hospital feeling her existence does not exist and she’s invisible. Three unhappy people just trying to find their way in life but will they ever stop and look in the mirror to know their real selves?

Ronnie does manage to escape but not for long and with Elisha hot on what she thinks is his trail you won’t believe the final action packed scene. Elisha is a definite force to be reckoned with and author Robert Downs places all the cards or shall I say the power in her hands. Elisha Crimson will never forget her wedding day and the happiness that she lost that day. Ronnie Washington will always remember his fate that day but if they ever survive will he stop gambling, will she take driving lessons and what about Laine? What’s her fate? The humor and banter between the bad guys and Elisha is hilarious and the fact that she says, that she is smarter than him is a riot and criticizing his kidnapping skills really cracks you up. So, what is the final fate of these two misfits? Will they get happily married? Will Ronnie realize that Elisa might be his real soul mate? Just how does she learn more about this guy who is fleecing gamblers and why won’t the police do anything about it?

An ending that keeps you on the page until you learn well you need to read it for yourself and you wonder what’s next for these three. Will they remain together? Is this just a passing fancy to right what they both think is an unjust wrong? One thing for sure this is on huge BRIDAL CHASE but where is the finish line going to land these three?
Fran Lewis: Just reviews/MJ magazine/MJ network