To Marry an Heiress (Avon Romantic Treasure) [Mass Market Paperback]

Lorraine Heath (Author)

Book Description

Series: Avon Romantic Treasure | Publication Date: September 3, 2002

The USA Today bestselling author returns with an unforgettable tale of a marriage of convenience that becomes a love match.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Often in Heath's novels (A Rogue in Texas, etc.), English aristocrats head to the Wild West to find love and make a fresh start, but this time around, an American heiress heads to Victorian London and winds up getting married. Devon Sheridan, a widowed earl and father with a deteriorating estate, seeks to replenish his empty coffers by marrying Georgina Pierce, the plain, stubborn daughter of wealthy American Nathaniel Pierce. In exchange for unlimited access to Nathaniel's funds, Devon agrees to woo Georgina and provide her with the one thing she desires most children. Georgina quickly sees through the charade but marries him to please her father, who dies shortly after the wedding, having gambled away his fortune. With the help of his unconventional wife, however, Devon comes to realize that he can be wealthy without riches. The clash between Georgina's lack of inhibitions and Devon's strict adherence to society's rules serves as a source of comedy, but Devon is an unlikely character for the period despite his English starchiness. Not only does he work his own fields (a "no-no" for the aristocracy), but he fails to make a proper marriage settlement before entering into the union. Still, Heath's vivacious heroine shines, and she plays well off her proud and proper counterpart.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Lorraine Heath wrote her first story at seven, and it involved a fisherman who fell in love with a mermaid. She has since moved on to writing about sexy cowboys and dashing English lords (and sometimes, cleverly, in the same book!). Publishers Weekly says she is a "master of her craft." She is, indeed, and along with being a New York Times and USA Today bestseller, she has won the RITA^® Award, Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award, and a Career Achievement Award.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon; mass market edition (September 3, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 038081742X
• ISBN-13: 978-0380817429
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #752,433 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lorraine Heath always dreamed of being a writer. After graduating from the University of Texas, she wrote training manuals, press releases for a publicist, articles, and computer code, but something was always missing. In 1990, she read a romance novel and became not only hooked on the genre, but quickly realized what her writing lacked: rebels, scoundrels, and rogues. She's been writing about them ever since, for both adult and young adult readers (as Rachel Hawthorne). Her work has been recognized with numerous industry awards including RWA's RITA(R), a HOLT medallion, a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, three Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Awards, and several Texas Gold Awards. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA Today, Waldenbooks, and most recently, the New York Times.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another treasure from this awesome writer..., September 9, 2002

By 

Freelance Reviewer "Carla" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Marry an Heiress (Avon Romantic Treasure) (Mass Market Paperback)

London, 1878

Devon Sheridan, the Earl of Huntingdon needs an heiress -- yesterday. When he hears about an American heiress visiting England with her father, he makes a point of meeting Georgina Pierce. Sheridan also meets with Mr. Pierce, who promises his fortune to the earl as soon as he and Georgina wed. So sets the tone for a convenient marriage that neither party finds very convenient.

Georgina has already concluded that England is filled with fortune hunters and she wants to marry for love. When she hears that the Earl of Huntingdon has asked for her hand in marriage, and after only one meeting, she is naturally suspicious. But the earl seems sincere and Georgina also wants her father to be happy, so she agrees to the arrangement -- a union she quickly discovers isn't due to the earl falling head over heels in love with her.

Lorraine Heath travels from Fortune, Texas to London, England with some of the characters from her beloved "Texas" series and does so seamlessly and skillfully. Georgina is a forward-thinking woman aware of the fact that most men are attracted only to her money. Lord Huntington is presented as a devil-may-care rake until he finds out the true story about Georgina's fortune. Although he would like to claim indifference to his new bride, her fortitude and perseverance toward changing him back into some semblance of a human being, and her voluntary help on his estate, soon start to wear down his anger at what he thought was a betrayal. Her loving and caring nature toward his two young children also raises her in his esteem; his late wife never seemed to care for them as much as Georgina does.

TO MARRY AN HEIRESS is a tender, warm-hearted romance that progresses naturally from beginning to end. Georgina is a strong, willful woman unwilling to accept defeat in her quest for true love. Lord Huntingdon never stands a chance.

I highly recommend this as a fast-paced tale with many poignant and eye-opening moments for both parties. TO MARRY AN HEIRESS is another treasure to add to your Lorraine Heath keeper shelf.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars To Marry a Heiress, November 5, 2002

By 

Judy Edwards (Kent, Wa United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Marry an Heiress (Avon Romantic Treasure) (Mass Market Paperback)

I won't go into the plot since others have but this is a beautiful book. Very very romantic. This one you won't read for the sex even though it is also sensual. The children are adorable and so is our heroine. But the hero is the one whom you feel so much for because he is a man caught up (as are a lot of men) in trying to do the right thing. But also not to let anyone know how much he feels and how deeply. He has been hurt but heals and is unhappy but becomes happy. Read it you can't miss. I have read several of Ms. Heath's other books and they are all beautifully written and moving. These English men are sure sexy.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Satisfying and emotionally rich, August 31, 2002

By 

booksforabuck "BooksForABuck" (Long Beach, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: To Marry an Heiress (Avon Romantic Treasure) (Mass Market Paperback)

Devon, Lord Huntingdon can see no other way to escape poverty and disgrace than to marry an heiress. A rich American heiress would bring enough money into the marriage to let him pay off his debts, restore his estate to its traditional elegance, and most importantly, to keep up appearances. To Devon, the social norms are all-important, aristocracy is real and must set an example, and hard work is to be avoided or, if not, at least hidden. Georgina Pierce grew up in Texas during the hard years of the American Civil War and reconstruction. She knows and values work--and men who know how to work. Still, Devon seems a good sort and Georgina desperately wants children to call her own. Her father's money can buy her a husband so why should that be so terrible?

Devon is soon surprised to find how much he enjoys spending time with Georgina. She is unlike any other woman he knows--and certainly unlike his deceased wife, who had lived for frivolity and spending money that Devon could not provide her. Still, when the marriage 'deal' turns sour on him, Devon feels betrayed and used. Only by truly examining the beliefs that form the basis of his whole life--and that were drilled into him by the example of his first wife, can Devon achieve true happiness and love. Yet, when a relationship is based on mercenary goals, can love and happiness really be expected?

Author Lorraine Heath creates two wonderful characters in Devon and Georgina. Georgina represents the best of Texas--brash, unconcerned with tradition, unafraid to work, and compassionate with anyone in need. Devon is a straight-laced Englishman on the surface, yet Georgina holds the key to unlock the emotions that lie, locked by tradition and culture, beneath his proper exterior. With its powerful writing and compelling emotional character growth, TO MARRY AN HEIRESS is an wonderful read.