Adam's Promise [Mass Market Paperback]

Julianne Maclean (Author)

Book Description

Series: Harlequin Historical | Publication Date: April 1, 2003

Madeline Oxley could not completely fault Adam Coates. Her father had hoodwinked them both...but now that she stood at last before him, how could she ever walk away?

"Your father sent me the wrong bride!"

Madeline gritted her teeth. "Sir, you are not the only one who has been inconvenienced by this. I just spent forty-six days on a damp, creaky ship, and now you tell me in front of everyone that I’ m not the one you ordered, and I shouldn’ t have bothered. I believe I’ ve had quite enough insults for one day. My father assured me you had asked for my hand. I had no reason to question the truth of it."

Adam’ s chest heaved with a sigh. "No reason to question it? Do you not have a mind of your own?"

Oh, this was too much. "To tell you the truth, Mr. Coates, I do have a mind of my own—a mind to poke my father with a knitting needle, and if I may say so, you could use a poke yourself!"

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

When Madeline steps off the boat in Nova Scotia ready to meet her new husband, Adam, whom she has been in love with since she was a young girl, she finds that he is less than delighted to see her. Unbeknownst to Madeline, Adam had written to her father asking to wed Diana, Madeline's older, more beautiful sister, but Madeline's father has deceived them both since a scandal has ruined any chance Madeline might have had of marrying respectably in England. Madeline briefly entertains hopes that Adam might forget about Diana and fall in love with her, but she quickly recognizes the foolishness of this dream. Agreeing to stay together until Diana arrives, Madeline and Adam try living and working together as friends, only to gradually realize they want something more. MacLean's quietly compelling writing turns this simple, classic love story into a richly emotional romance, and by combining engaging characters with a unique, vividly detailed setting, she has created an exceptional tale for readers who hunger for something a bit different in their historical romances. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373292538
• ISBN-13: 978-0373292530
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #375,479 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

USA Today Bestselling author, Julianne MacLean (who also writes under the pseudonym E.V. Mitchell), came to the romance genre after completing a degree in English literature from the University of King's College in Nova Scotia. She fell in love with some of the classic romances - Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, Pride and Prejudice - and after a brief stint as a federal government auditor, decided to try her hand at becoming a modern day romance writer.

She is a three time Rita Finalist and winner of numerous awards, including the Romantic Times Magazine Reviewers Choice Award, the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence, and the Greater Detroit Romance Writers Booksellers' Best Award.

She is a devoted wife and mother, and loves to travel. She has lived in New Zealand and Ottawa, and is now settled happily in Nova Scotia, while working on her latest historical romance.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Warm and enchanting tale!, May 16, 2003

By 

Tara A. Green (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Adam's Promise (Mass Market Paperback)

From Yorkshire England to stunning Nova Scotia, take a journey rich with romance and forbidden love with Madeline Oxley and Adam Coates.

Taking place in 1775 and spanning two countries, this tale begins with Madeline Oxley believing she is to marry Adam Coates, her sister's former suitor. When her sister instead chooses class over love, and marries someone else, Adam leaves for Nova Scotia and has several children with another wife.

Madeline's father receives a letter from Adam asking for her hand in marriage, Madeline is surprised but believes it to be true. Her father, who is ashamed of her due to a scandal that left her unmarriable, sends her quickly on her way to Adam's home.

When Madeline arrives she quickly discovers that Adam did not request Her hand in marriage, but her widowed sister Diana's.

Humiliated and finding herself weeks from her own home, Madeline stays with Adam while she figures out what she is going to do. In the meantime, he writes her father to bring the correct bride over.

This warm and enchanting tale is a full of rich characters, and a family held together by love and devotion. Madeline and the sexy Adam Coate find themselves drawn to each other in a deep emotional bond. When Madeline's sister Diana arrives, she contracts strikingly with Madeline. Though she is beautiful on the outside, her true fickle personality shows through. As Madeline and Adam fight their feelings, Diana quickly discovers something is afoot.

Ms. MacLean has delivered a wonderful story not to be missed! HistoricalRomanceWriters.com highly recommends this story, as it will warm your heart.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book!, April 7, 2003

By 

L. Robitaille (East Coast) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Adam's Promise (Mass Market Paperback)

Julianne Maclean paints a beautiful picture of a noble Yorkshire Immigrant in intriguing colonial Nova Scotia and the tension that builds between him and the sister of his betrothed. It's obvious that Adam and Madeline were meant to be together, and I loved going along for the ride as they attempt to hurdle over the obstacles in their way. This story was so alluring; I couldn't bear to put it down!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling read!, April 6, 2003

By 

Norah Wilson (New Brunswick, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Adam's Promise (Mass Market Paperback)

I highly recommend this Harlequin Historical title, and not just for its unique setting (Tantramar Marshes, 1775). Author Julianne MacLean makes your heart break right along with Madeline's when our heroine arrives in the British Colony of Nova Scotia to find that the man who sent for her, the man she's been in love with all her life, actually wanted her older, more beautiful sister. And that's just the beginning. MacLean will quietly and deftly wring a whole lot more emotion from you before you close this book with a satisfied sigh.