Adventures of a Scottish Heiress [Mass Market Paperback]

Cathy Maxwell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 29, 2003

She was determined to marry for love, never expecting that her adventures would lead her to a lifetime of passion.

The Runaway Heiress

Like many a Regency miss, Lyssa Harrell longs for love, but knows her duty lies in marriage. Still, when her father promises her hand to a dissolute but well-connected lord, she does the unthinkable ... she flees to Scotland. Not to Gretna Green, but to her family -- and to the castle where her mother once had been so happy. In this romantic land she will discover her heart's desire.

A Man Seeking His Fortune

But she doesn't count on Ian Campion. The ruggedly handsome man has his orders: fetch the runaway daughter home! Ian has a price on his head and a dire need for the reward Lyssa's father offers. Tracking Lyssa down is easy enough, convincing her to return is difficult ... and not seducing her is impossible.

And Their Scandalous Adventures

Soon, Lyssa is on the adventure of a lifetime. She has to sleep in the great outdoors, and flee from mysterious attempts on her life. She knows she's ruined in the eyes of society, but she is willing to face true ruin -- and risk everything for the unimaginable passion she finds in Ian's strong arms. And when they return to civilization, the two must confront the most perilous adventure of all ... admitting their unanticipated love.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As the title of Maxwell's newest Regency-era romance (following The Lady Is Tempted) accurately proclaims, this spirited and tender yarn is a joyride that careens from adventure to adventure. When the wealthiest man in London asks bare-knuckle fighter Ian Campion to retrieve his "kidnapped" daughter, Ian devotes himself to the task. The down-on-his-luck Irishman, who is the sole breadwinner for his two sisters and their children, longs to move his family from the London slums to America, and retrieving a runaway heiress seems like an easy way to earn some much needed cash. But when Ian catches up with Lyssa Harrell in Scotland, an attempt on the redhead's life forces the pair on the run-without a chaperone. As disasters pile up in their wake, Lyssa keeps Ian off balance with her endearing combination of reckless bravery and optimism. Meanwhile, plainspoken Ian, who's so unlike pampered society men, earns Lyssa's respect and affection. Maxwell strikes a perfect balance between screwball action and introspection, letting Ian and Lyssa grow up even as they grow on one another. Readers who have enjoyed the works of Julia Quinn and Victoria Alexander shouldn't miss this winsome tale.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“...This spirited and tender yarn is a joyride that careens from adventure to adventure.” (Publishers Weekly )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (April 29, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060092963
• ISBN-13: 978-0060092962
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #829,471 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Bestselling novelist Cathy Maxwell, a storyteller since childhood, embraces her writing romance as a way to express her belief that "loving well is the greatest adventure of all," and to explore her fascination with the Regency period.

The author of twenty-five historical romance novels and four novellas Cathy's latest THE SEDUCTION OF SCANDAL, the fifth of her Scandal and Seduction novels, has just been published. The others, also set in the Regency period, are quintessential Cathy Maxwell--traditional historicals with a contemporary sensibility and a touch of humor. They are A Seduction at Christmas, The Marriage Ring, The Earl Claims His Wife, and His Christmas Pleasure. Each has appeared for multiple weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list.


Cathy received recognition from the start with her first novel, All Things Beautiful. Published in 1994, it was nominated for Best First Book by the Romance Writers of America and for Best First Historical by Romantic Times magazine. It also received first place recognition as Best Read of 1994 from the Reader's Voice

Born in Olathe, Kansas, Cathy's family roots go back to the Mayflower and the Revolutionary War. She has long called Virginia home, noting she is "a Virginian by choice, but a Kansan by nature." She worked in television news and spent six years in the Navy. She attended Air Force intelligence school, worked in the Pentagon and did a tour with Naval Intelligence.

Cathy began her writing career in 1991. Now, twenty years later, she is the author of sixteen national bestsellers and her novels appear regularly on The New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists. Her books include In the Highlander's Bed, Bedding the Heiress, In the Bed of a Duke, The Price of Indiscretion, Temptation of a Proper Governess, and The Seduction of an English Lady. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Washington Romance Writers, Virginia Romance Writers, and Novelists Inc., and she is a frequent speaker at writers' conferences, libraries and special events.

She lives in rural Powhatan County with her rescued dogs Rico and Maya and with her son during college breaks, and is just a few miles from her horses, Duncan and Dinero.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Regency, June 1, 2003

By 

M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Adventures of a Scottish Heiress (Mass Market Paperback)

London and Scotland in the year 1816 is where this very lively tale by Cathy Maxwell takes place. It tells the story of Ian Campion, an Irishman who supports his two widowed sisters, nephews, and niece by whatever means he can, lately by bare fisted fighting for money. He is approached by one of the wealthiest men in England, Dunmore Pirate Harrell with an offer he cannot refuse, namely to find his daughter Lyssa, whom he thinks has been kidnapped, even though no ransom has been requested. After being introduced to Viscount Gorssett, the man Dunmore had betrothed Alyssa to, Ian believes she ran away from home to elude her snobbish fiancé.

Lyssa is a rather spunky lead character, who has effected her own escape by hiring a family of gypsies to escort her to Scotland, and the ancestral home of her deceased mother. Ian catches up with Lyssa, and her band of gypsies who he quickly routs out for the imposters that they are, but before he can return with her, ruffians attempt an ambush kill her. During Ian and Lyssas flight, they overhear the leader speaking and know that the road back to London will be watched so, Ian agrees to travel in the opposite direction of the road to London and complete her trip to bring her to Scotland. Along the way, the pampered wealthy heiress learns a few lessons of survival, human dignity and love, from the Irishman sent to bring her home.

This delightful Regency romance has two very likeable lead characters, who discover true love along the way. The chase through the countryside was not without the authors characteristic enjoyable dialog and sensual awakenings to new love. Toss in a little excitement of the chase, suspenseful escapes and fights and you have a wonderfully enjoyable read for a rainy afternoon! This has it all and I most definitely recommend this for fans of this genre.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars An adventure I can do without, June 12, 2004

By 

S. Reader "scibarfan" (Franklin, TN) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Adventures of a Scottish Heiress (Mass Market Paperback)

Cathy Maxwell seems to be one of those authors who runs either hot or col. This one falls into the cold territory.

Lyssa is spoiled, immature, and annoying. Ian is much too good for her. He's the best part of this novel, and his struggles against the prejudices of his Irish heritage ring true without beating the reader over the head with it (most of the time).

Most of Lyssa's adventures result from her selfish immaturity, thus making them senseless and rather annoying for the adult reader. A disappointment.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Just couldn't get into it..., February 18, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Adventures of a Scottish Heiress (Mass Market Paperback)

I really enjoy Cathy Maxwell's books, but for some reason just had a difficult time getting into this book. It seems that many other liked it, but I just found the story obvious and a tad boring. Just my opinion though.