Seducing the Heiress [Mass Market Paperback]

Olivia Drake (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2009

Her wealth and beauty have made Miss Portia Crompton the catch of the season. Secretly determined to wed the maharajah’s son she left behind in India, Portia ignores the money-hungry bucks who ply her with bouquets and bonbons. But one suitor will not be deterred: Colin Byrd, Viscount Ratcliffe. He is persistent and presumptuous—and wickedly tempting.

Colin has no delusions about romance. He’s a rogue, a womanizer, and a murderer, and seduction comes as easily to him as breathing. Portia’s fortune is an irresistible lure until Colin’s mercenary scheme hits a snag. Winning her dowry is no longer enough—he wants her heart and her passion.  The more adamant she is in her refusal, the more determined he is to seduce her…

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This decadent Regency romance debut is carried along by a spunky heroine and sumptuous descriptions of upper-class life. Raised in India, beautiful Portia Crompton arrives in London just in time to be the premier debutante of the season. Portia—independent, witty and pragmatic—knows her many suitors really just want her enormous dowry. The disgraced, impoverished and devastatingly handsome Viscount Ratcliffe, Colin Byrd, romances her shamelessly, leaving Portia struggling to reconcile her forbidden love for her Indian childhood sweetheart with the passion Colin inspires. Portia's socially ambitious mother would like to see her wed to the immoral duke of Albright, but as Portia uncovers the true nature of Colin's character, she warms to him, and readers will too. The culminating bedroom scene does not justify the long buildup, but there's enough glitz to keep readers coming back. (Dec.)
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Review

“This book has it all: a fabulous hero, a wonderful heroine, and sizzling passion. Read it and watch the sparks fly!” —Christina Dodd

“Guaranteed to seduce readers everywhere. This book is something truly special, an unforgettable story filled with passion, intrigue, and sweep-you-away romance.”
—Susan Wiggs

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks; Original edition (December 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312943458
• ISBN-13: 978-0312943455
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #775,509 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The first half of the story was a four star, January 27, 2010

By 

Scout (ma.USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Seducing the Heiress (Mass Market Paperback)

I really liked Ratcliff and until the author had us do the math to figure out his age, I was delighting myself of seeing him 24 or 25. His antics were more of a younger lord that hadn't matured completely. He was honest with himself that he needed a wealthy debutante because of the the money. I agree with other reviews that the Portia's parents were well written. Also loved the strawberry scene! Spectacles. Ratcliffe trying to do the right things...all very, very good.

What I didn't like was the second half of the book.

1. The bad guy needed more of a reason to be in Ratcliff's face all the time.

2. Ratcliff stepped out of character when he didn't send his mother back to the country. As soon as the author allowed him to differ from his strategy of three years, it was too easy of a set up. I think the author could have still used the same plot ideas, just write it in a way that wasn't glaring to the readers that this was going to be an obvious problem.

3. Hated scenes where Portia constantly participated in romantic moments, then immediately would say I hate you. Leave me alone. If only the author didn't write every romantic scene that way, I would have enjoyed the book more. I would love to have Portia grow with her love and enjoy his attempts to be with her than do the hot cold relationship.

4. I didn't like the ending being so neat and clean so quickly and unbelievable.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a winner, December 27, 2009

By 

M. DETWILER "fairval4" (Martinsburg, PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Seducing the Heiress (Mass Market Paperback)

I was very pleased with this book. It was a perfect read for the day after Christmas--light, very entertaining, and with great characters. Olivia Drake also writes as Barbara Dawson Smith and I have always been a fan of hers. This book will end up on my keeper shelf as I am anxious to read the stories of the other two sisters. Portia and her family have returned from India, but she secretly plans to return there to marry her Indian love, Arun. However, she is much prized on the English marriage mart for her huge dowry and many men are planning to marry her and keep her in England. Naturally our hero, Colin, spies her and needs her to pay his enormous debts. I loved the scene where he saves her by throwing a strawberry. He was a real charmer and he really made the book for me. I liked her sisters, Blythe and Lindsey. Portia's parents were typical. Dad loved her but mom wanted her to marry up and pull the family up with her. Colin's mother had quite the backstory and really showed the kind of man Colin was. He was great with his mother and went above and beyond to protect her. I love it when these gorgeous, wonderful men have a little flaw. His was he had to wear spectacles when he read. Just made him even yummier. Anyway, this was a very good book by a very accomplished and prolific writer. I eagerly await her next offering.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars mmmm..something was missing, April 9, 2010

By 

Liz Bennet (Australia) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Seducing the Heiress (Mass Market Paperback)

Viscount Colin Byrd needs to marry a wealthy heiress rather quickly to pay off his debts and he decided to target Miss Portia Crompton. Unfortunately for him Portia is pining for her beloved Arun back in India. There was something lacking with this story. I felt it had potential as both Colin and Portia did have some chemistry but it needed to be developed further.