When Dreams Come True [Mass Market Paperback]

Cathy Maxwell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1998

Everyone knew the Earl of Penhollow needed a wife, so one thunderous night the villagers gathered together to ask the ocean to deliver a bride to the bachelor lord . . .

When Pierce Kirrier rescues a mysterious beauty from the billowing ocean waves, he has no idea who she is or where she came from. But at first sight of this enchanting maiden, he knows he must claim her for his own. Taking her back to Penhollow Hall, he pampers her like a princess, determined to win her trust and her heart.

For Eden, awakening in an elegant bedchamber in a remote corner of Cornwall is like a perfect dream. In Pierces arms she has discovered true love, true joy, and a passion she never imagined could exist. Yet she knows in her heart that, once her secret past catches up with her, her dreams could be shattered . . . forever.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

On her way to become part of a royal harem, virginal but romantically trained Eden takes advantage of a storm and escapes in a dinghy only to be rescued by Pierce Kirrier, earl of Penhollow, who, according to the villagers and his mother, is badly in need of a wife. Of course, Eden isn't exactly the wife his mother had in mind?no one knows anything about her and she's not telling?but that doesn't stop Pierce and Eden from falling in love. Secrets and deception are all part of this readable, romantic Regency-era tale that features likable characters, an improbable but enjoyable plot, and just a touch of magic. Maxwell (Falling in Love Again, Avon, 1997) has written a number of historical romances and lives in Midlothian, VA.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Cathy Maxwell spends hours in front of her computer pondering the question, "Why do people fall in love?" It remains for her the great mystery of life and the secret to happiness.

She lives in beautiful Virginia with her children, horses, dogs, and cats.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (August 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380797097
• ISBN-13: 978-0380797097
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 3.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #830,650 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

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting, Passionate Tale, August 24, 2003

By 

Trisha A. Howell "Howell Canyon Press author" (Los Angeles, CA, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: When Dreams Come True (Mass Market Paperback)

Cathy Maxwell is a wonderful writer whose fairytale yet richly developed characters and stories never fail to delight!

When Dreams Come True is the entertaining story of the ravishing Eden, a woman of great compassion, generosity and integrity who had the misfortune to be raised for a life as a courtesan. A virgin yet thoroughly schooled in the art of lovemaking, she's sold to a foreign sheik for an astronomical sum. Escaping in a dingy during a storm at sea, Eden finds herself washed onto the shores of Cornwall and into the arms of the handsome, gallant and highly principled Pierce Kirrier, Lord Penhollow.

Villagers believe she is the answer to their magical incantations for a bride for the Lord. Eden and Pierce's courtship while she recovers at his gorgeous estate is exciting and moving. But with Pierce's mother dead set against her and her enslavers searching for her all over England, Eden must struggle with the warring instincts of her passionate attraction to Pierce and her determination to protect him from her past.

This is an exciting tale of passion, loyalty, suspense and friendship. Most of all, it is a lot of fun. You won't want to put this one down, so be sure to start reading when you have a few hours of free time ahead of you.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What Fairytales Are Made Of, May 31, 2002

By 

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

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: When Dreams Come True (Mass Market Paperback)

Cathy Maxwell does it again with this wonderful story of an uncommon earl - Lord of Penhollow - Pierce Kirrier and the beautiful and mysterious Eden who he rescued from the sea.

You do have to believe, of course, that she is what the villagers have conjured up for their beloved Earl. They knew he must marry and beget his heirs and he was so loved by all, that they just had to believe that the perfect bride would show up.

Well, maybe not so perfect, but appearing so, the very elegant, beautiful and accomplished Eden did wash up on their shores, and it was something of an instantaneous love at first sight kind of attraction. But where would any story be without the mystery and the secret of who Eden really was.

Delightful, warm, loving and just the type of novel to curl up with any old day and fall in love all over again. Personally, I'd like to conjure up an Earl of Penhollow - dreamy, noble, sexy and strong! Lovely!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars *FABULOUS*, July 21, 2006

By 

Canadian Girl (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When Dreams Come True (Mass Market Paperback)

It is so romantic! I love Cathy Maxwell! Her books are excellent! I love them all! This is a wee bit predictable but in a good way! Loved it!