Bedding the Heiress Reviews

• Delightful - Marvelous Dialogues

  
  By A3B48AN8JID1JK on 2007-04-26
  In an attempt at rebellion Francesca Dunroy makes an almost fatal mistake when she tangles with a disreputable rake. While saving herself from rape she loses a treasured family heirloom. At a ball held in her honor she makes an assignation with the rake to convince him to return her property. The only problem is, in the darkened library, she mistakenly approaches and offers a clandestine kiss to a man she later discovers is Justin Maddox, the newly appointed Duke of Colster and London's most eligible bachelor.
  
  Justin, the new duke is the older twin who was kidnapped at birth, raised in Scotland and earned his living as a blacksmith. Married and betrayed by a childhood sweetheart, he is determined to never marry again but the memory of Francesca's lips enflame his desires and when next they meet, in a most unusual scenario, Justin isn't about to let Francesca escape his embrace. As they discover true love, dangerous people from Justin's past come forward ready to ruin the happiness he's always longed for.
  
  Maxwell is a perennial favorite of mine and her latest, BEDDING THE HEIRESS, is proof that this master word smith has not lost her touch. Consistently weaving together skillful plotting, a heady romance, delectable humor, along with a touch of dangerous intrigue has kept this author at the top of her game. Reeling you in from the very first page, Maxwell holds you enthralled until the last page is turned, and leaves you still aching for more. The lead characters are very well-developed with enough detail in their backgrounds that the reader can easily discern their motivations and their interactions with the numerous enhancing secondary characters all cleverly worked in to bring this story to life. Fans like myself, are sure to embrace this new hero who is caught between two worlds and will certainly look forward to the continuance of this fabulous series as Justin's enemies continue plotting to regain control of the sword of the MacKenna in this fabulously entertaining keeper.
  
  Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com
  
  
  

• Charming

  
  By A37E6RW5BUX4U0 on 2007-04-19
  Francesca Dunroy is considered both a catch and somewhat of a pariah of the London ton. She is desirable because she is quite beautiful and an heiress who will inherit a lot of money and land upon marrying. She is considered an outsider because due to her recently deceased mother's illness, she had missed coming out to society at an appropriate age, she is older than most unwed ladies of the ton. Also, her father married a younger woman very quickly after being widowed. London society is punishing her for her father's lack of mourning.
  
  Then one night at a lavish affair hosted by her father, she meets the newly and reluctantly named Duke of Closter, Justin Maddox. Justin is of English nobility who was raised as a blacksmith in Scotland. He is a sexy man who is more that a little out of his element and uncomfortable with his new position. When Francesca inadvertently walks into his arms the sparks ignite and soon they find themselves more involved with each other than either of them seems to want.
  
  This book is part of a series, you could probably read it as a stand alone, but I wouldn't recommend it. It has been so long since I read the last book in the series, that it really took some deep searching in my brain to remember some of the characters. I had a hard time remembering how Justin and Phillip got to be where they were in this book. I wish I would have read the last book over, as a refresher.
  
  Francesca and Justin make a charming couple with a lot of passion and Ms. Maxwell writes an exciting tale. This was a delightful historical romance with wonderful characters. This book was really hard to put down, but things like sleep, food and family kept getting in my way. I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning last night reading; I kept saying one more chapter then I will go to bed. If my eyelids would have cooperated I would have finished this story last night, one more chapter was never enough.
  
  At the end of the book you get a small insight into the next book in the series, I am really looking forward to it; I hope Ms. Maxwell won't keep us waiting long.
  
  
  

• Good romance, but lacks action and drama....31/2 stars

  
  By A2NICGGIGIFU22 on 2007-04-06
  Francesca Dunroy is in a pickle. Due to her own foolishness, she has lost a priceless family jewel to a loathsome rake who she thought she was in love with. In desperation she decides to seduce him into giving it to her at a ball -BUT she seduces the WRONG MAN! Justin Maddox maybe the new Duke of Colster and new to London society (he was kidnapped in infancy and raised in the highlands before his twin brother found him and restored his title) but he knows a fiery lass when he sees one. Sparks fly between these two, even though neither is interested in marriage. They seem to be constantly bumping into each in the most unexpected places. While Francesca searches for her jewel, Justin is experiencing a major identity crisis. How is a former Scottish blacksmith supposed to act like an English duke? And what of the possible Scottish rebellion? Who's side is he on? Just who should Justin trust? The land where he was raised or his own twin brother?
  
  I enjoyed this one sort of. Both the H/H have major trust issues with their families for different reasons. They turn towards each other as a means of a lifeline. A well developed romance. Very good love scenes with likable characters. The only thing lacking is drama/action. There is a little bit with the loathsome rake who possesses the jewel, but thats about it. Maxwell (author) spends a fair amount of time and uses plenty of secondary characters to introduce a possible Scottish rebellion plot which never materializes. There are plenty of people threatening and harassing Justin into giving them what they want, but no one actually ACTS on the threats! Sheesh! Whats the point of the villains telling the hero "you'll be sorry if you don't....." or "we'll kill you if...." and then NOTHING happens to back that up? The reader doesn't find out till the epilogue that the whole thing is just a setup for the sequel. Gimme a break!
  
  So if you liked the prequel (In the Bed of a Duke -which I had mixed feelings about), you'll probably like this one. Not as good as some of her earlier historicals (Falling in Love Again, You and No Other etc) but perhaps worth a read just to continue the series. It looks like Maxwell in saving all the Scottish/English conflict for the next in the series -at least I hope so!
  
  

• fresh Regency romance

  
  By AFVQZQ8PW0L on 2007-03-30
  In 1807 Phillip Maddox gives up his claim to being a duke to his recently discovered older twin Justin, who was snatched as an infant and raised as a blacksmith. Phillip is comfortable with doing the honorable thing, but Justin is not as he is a Scot not an Englishman. One thing he does is hide the "Sword of the Mackenna" that in either the wrong English or Scottish hands would mean war.
  
  Heiress Francesca Dunroy enjoyed the attention of rake Lord Penthorpe following a sheltered life in which her mother died two years ago and her father instantly remarried a woman younger than her. However, she realized Penthorpe is no good as he stole her mom's necklace and is blackmailing her for its return.
  
  Phillip accepts an invitation to the Dunroy party as a minor first appearance for his brother as the duke. Because Justin will be there, the small party becomes the event of the season. Justin hates the gala so he hides in the library only to have Francesca arrive. He kisses her just before Penthorpe comes to demand Francesca give him 1000 pounds if she wants her necklace back. Justin wants Francesca but assumes she is Penthorpe's mistress; besides he distrusts females after the betrayal of his ex-wife. As he becomes entangled in Francesca's affairs they fall in love until his Scottish past arrives with a vengeance.
  
  Justin is a fresh character struggling between his old world and his new while his beloved Francesca is an out of control heiress who tries to protect her reputation only making it worst with every bold breech of etiquette she manages to break. The support cast is solid as they bring out the best and worst of the era. Though there is much less action involving the potential Scottish rebellion than in Phillips' tale (see In the Bed of a Duke) Regency fans will appreciate the anointing of the new Duke.
  
  Harriet Klausner
  
  
  

• Snappy engaging plot with likable characters

  
  By A3PCS59M8DKBTT on 2007-04-02
  This is a wonderful new historical from Cathy Maxwell. There are some romance books that have spy plots or rebellion plots that feel like they are grafted onto the story. This is not one of them. Despite the cover and the title, this is one hot read, where the plot and the characters are organically related to each other.
  
  Let's start with the basics. The heroine does not start off as the most sympathetic character. She treats her stepmother horribly and is very self-absorbed. As the book goes on, she grows. She learns to get along with those who matter. Likewise, the hero learns to trust others. The character growth is both believable and understandable.
  
  The plot that underlies this all is also very interesting. It was always engrossing and believable, and I really enjoyed it.
  
  I couldn't give this book five stars because there's a scene at the very end that's kind of over the top. Someone stands up and says "You can't do that!" Someone else says, "Yes you can." And that's the end of it. I don't see what that little scene has to do with anything. Furthermore, it's completely wrong. I don't want to say much without giving out spoilers, but we're talking about Scotland here. Remember Gretna Greene? There are different rules for marriage in Scotland than in England. Authorization was nowhere nearly as important, and there were common-law rules that attached for those who presented themselves as husband and wife. That little bit really should have been left out; it ruined the ending and made me roll my eyes.
  
  
• Excellent!
  By AYSGFQ8IISIZ4 on 2007-04-13
  The book has been reviewed so I will get to the *good* parts. The sensual tension is exquisite, the love scenes are steamy. The heroine, Francesca, is no simpering miss and doesn't shy away from the luscious Scotsman that attempts to seduce her.
  
  Justin and Francesca both have painful pasts but are not the cookie-cutter "tortured souls" much to my enjoyment. For me this only increased their appeal.
  
  "Bedding the Heiress" contains most of the elements I love in romance: hero jealousy, taut sensual tension, steamy love scenes, and an emotional love story. This book is a definite keeper. I also recommend "The Price Of Indiscretion"
  
  
• Unbelievable heroine
  By A205MVZWDI7JM0 on 2007-04-30
  Maybe it's just me being more critical of romances of late but I found Franscesca Dunroy a particulary unbelievable Regency heroine - not that they aren't all somewhat unbelievable since we wouldn't want to read about reality, would we?!
  Not only is she very independent and defies convention at every turn (sneeking out of her father's house for an assignation) she easily escapes an attempt at rape by kneeing the assailant (and where would she have learned that I'd like to know) and then has no qualms trying to seduce said assailant later on to get back the necklace she lost in the struggle. Yeah, right.
  Enter the Duke Justin Maddox who is as much a misfit as Franscesca and they kiss before ever exchanging a word and know they are made for eachother. Yeah, right again.
  No, I wasn't thrilled with this book. I like to read romances where the main characters battle with each other in the creation of their relationship and not just kiss and fall in love for no reason but physical attraction.
  Cathy Maxwell has written some good books but this one is not one of her better ones.
  
  
• If only all mistakes were this good...
  By A3O4EN7KWJM88P on 2007-06-28
  The heroine, Francesca, is angry at her father and his new wife, and a bit angry at life as well. Mostly, she is angry at the scoundrel, Penthorpe, who convinced her to meet him discreetly, tried to convince her to elope with him, and then tried to compromise her when she wouldn't agree. Although a well placed knee allowed her to get away, she lost a prized piece of jewelry in the process. She develops a plan to cajole him into getting the necklace back. What she doesn't know until too late is that the man meeting her on her father's terrace is not Penthorpe, but Justin Maddox, the newly titled Duke of Colster. The two hit it off immediately, but Francesca's forwardness leads the Duke to assume she is more experienced than she is. The resulting story is funny and sultry.
  
  
  
  This quick read will keep you turning the page. A great beach or poolside read!
  
  
• Not as good as the prequels
  By A2J64R11ESKMNV on 2007-04-12
  I really enjoyed the two prequels to this story but Bedding the Heiress is somewhat disappointing as it plods along. Totally lacks the excitement of the previous books.
  
  
• What Was I Thinking?
  By A1U2TS03ZL3P8G on 2007-04-12
  I usually like Ms. Maxwell's books but please. Ifound that by the end of this book I didn't care about any of them.
  
  

• The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell
• Beware a Scot's Revenge (School for Heiresses, Book 3)
• Too Wicked to Tame
• Sins of a Duke
• And Then He Kissed Her