Avon has a selection of Cathy Maxwell's historical romances on sale for $1.99. If you're flying to RT soon, or about to find yourself with some reading time, you can have a pile of historical romances to read for a few dollars – spiffy! Which of these do you recommend for readers?
When Dreams Come True was originally published in 1998. The updated cover makes me want to smack the hero because I think he's pulling her hair.
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.
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The Scottish Witch is the second book in the Chattan Curse series, and is $1.99. It's a character driven romance with a spinster and a tortured hero, both characters determined to take care of their families.
Portia Maclean believes she is beyond love and marriage. Then one moonlit night, while attempting a daring masquerade in a desperate bid to protect her family, she finds herself swept off her feet by a powerful stranger. His very touch makes her long for much more. But what will he do once he discovers she has betrayed him?
Every man has his demons. Harry Chattan is fighting for his family-their honor and their lives. For two hundred years the Chattan men have been destroyed by love and now he's come to Scotland on the hunt for a witch who can break the legend's curse.
Instead he finds himself bewitched by the tantalizing Portia. Determined to right legendary wrongs, Harry has vowed to fight the demons that torture him. But will that battle destroy her as well?
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Falling in Love Again is $1.99. It was originally published in 1997. Reviewers at GR say it has a lot of fantastic banter, and is a second chance at love story – with a bit of a mystery built in.
Highborn country heiress Mallory Edwards was dutifully fulfilling family obligations when she exchanged marriage vows with a dashing gentleman she barely knew. But the charming beast abandoned her on their wedding night. Years later–facing prison because of her husband's debts–she has finally found the blackguard, John Barron, again. And she's not leaving until the faithless rogue grants her a divorce!
John is enchanted by this delightful hellion who causes a scene at his London soiree. Could this be the forgotten rural miss whom his father once forced him to wed? Now that Mallory's reentered his life, John desperately wants her to stay–and not merely to help him snare the criminal who is ruining them both.
But winning her hardened heart will take more than sweet words and sensuous kisses–he will have to become the caring, thoughtful husband who is truly worthy of her passion and her love.
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Married in Haste is $1.99. It's the first book in Maxwell's “Marriage” series. Some reviewers liked that it was an easy and fun read, while others thought it wrapped up too quickly.
With her exceptional beauty, heiress Tess Hamlin has been dubbed “the Incomparable” by the lords of the ton. Though she can have her pick of suitors, Tess has no desire to wed. She'd rather delight in the intoxicating effect she has on men when she enters a room. But when she makes a daring wager and must secure a marriage proposal in one evening, she plays a dangerous charade with the first man who's ever set her pulse racing.
As the new, impoverished Earl of Merton, Brenn Owen needs to find a wealthy wife–and fast. He can think of no better woman than Tess. She's stunning, intriguing– and rich! Utterly captivated by Tess, Brenn vows to have her. When news of Tess's wager breaks, her brother, who hopes to avoid the ensuing scandal, accepts Brenn's offer to marry his sister–much to Tess's dismay.
Now will a marriage made in haste lead to disaster . . . or the most blissful desire?
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Because of You is $1.99. This is a romance focused on class difference and a marriage of convenience, which I admit sets off my reader radar like whoa.
Pretty Samantha Northrup knew her duty was to marry, but this orphaned vicar's daughter wanted to be swept off her feet by someone whose kisses made her toes curl. She never dreamed her orderly life would be turned upside down when a mysterious stranger came knocking on her door one stormy night.
And, when they were found in a compromising position, she found herself marrying a man she barely knew…but couldn't resist.
What Samantha doesn't know is that her unknown bridegroom is Yale Carderock, the disinherited son of a duke, banished by his father years before. Now the prodigal has returned—rich, but only somewhat reformed.
Yale is bewitched by his bride's innocent fire, and he knows he's powerless to resist her awakening sensuality.
But is this outcast from society worthy of her tendor love?
I wasn’t crazy about that curse series, and I’m not sure I liked the marriage one either. In fact, I have a vague sense that I’ve never really totally luffed any of her books. But lord knows I keep reading them.
I think I liked Falling in Love Again, or something remarkably like it. Unless it’s just the blurb that sounds good. Shame about my memory.
Of course, I spent years confusing her with Catherine Coulter. And I’m irrationally suspicious of anyone who chooses to be called Cathy. I blame Emily Bronte. And the lady who taught me macramé. But I digress.
I think you just have to be in the right frame of mind, and the books are totally enjoyable. The characters and their development tend to be rather at the mercy of the plot,but that’s a common enough failing in all story telling, and as long as I’m braced for it, I’m fine.
The Scottish Witch is Book Two in the Chattan Curse series – Regency romance with a touch of magic. Of the three books in the series, THE SCOTTISH WITCH offers the most powerful hero in terms of wounded, vulnerability, and redemption.
I also enjoyed MARRIED IN HASTE as it takes place in Wales.
Sadly, I will RT … and Cathy who is attending it. Should you have the opportunity to chat with her, tell her a joke. Her laugh is contagious!