A Will of Her Own

Heartwarming romance with a hero and heroine who are good people-no courtesans or rakes here-just two decent people who've been hurt in the past and must learn to love and trust. The story starts in England, travels to America, spends a great deal onboard a ship, to finally end back in England. Mild bedroom scenes, a formulaic but interesting mystery, and lot's of familiar relationships abound. If you are a fan of "nicer" or Christian romances, but without the religious aspect, then you'll enjoy this book. 4 stars.

I must say, I was very impressed. This is the 2nd novel I have read by Griggs, and absolutely love the way she draws you into the characters' lives! A Will of Her Own had a much more lengthy love scene than Whatever It Takes (her previous novel I read), and I realized it was because of the CHARACTERS. Genius! Griggs doesn't just incorporate certain boughts of romance just to have it there-- she genuinely customizes it to the characters. In all of the novels/fiction I have read, Griggs is the first author I have come accross to accomplish this so well. That alone is worth reading all of her works. England, 1824: Will Trevaron is banished from his family and his estate due to circumstances surrounding his broken engagement. A man of honor, Will lets his family (and most of England) believe he battered his ex-fiance, when actually he caught her in the arms of her lover. Will then moves to America where, over a course of six years, he becomes a very successful business owner. When he receives a letter from his grandfather stating he (Will) has become the rightful heir of Lynchmorne, return to England and find a wife, Will has an idea of his own... Maggie Carter is a recent widow and long time acquantance of Will's. Saving his life nearly six years prior and instantly taken with him, Maggie is surprised when Will proposes a marriage of convenience. By accepting she is able to recover from debt, save her stables and most importantly her stepchildren. Maggie then finds there may be much more involved than first expected--for both of them. When Will is attacked in an alley and nearly killed the day before their wedding, Maggie is forced to begin to come to terms with the way she really feels for her soon-to-be husband. While Maggie nurses him back to health, Will also realizes his feelings may be more than attractiveness and friendship. Still, because of occurances in their pasts, Maggie finds it difficult to fully trust Will on many levels. Does Will have the patience and tenderness it takes to uncover the truth and draw Maggie out of her shell? There are plenty of other interesting happenings as well. For instance: Is the attack on Will any relation to the fire that destroyed his business less than a week before? If so, who is responsible? How will the children adjust to all of the travel and changes? Will Will stand beside his wife when it comes to his family? Surprise after surprise, Griggs delivers way more than anticipated.

English aristocrat Will Trevaron comes to Virginia to escape from his oppressive martinet grandfather and the rest of his snobbish family. However, American Maggie Carter has to rescue him almost from the moment he steps off the boat. Her Good Samaritan efforts lead to her loss of employment, but she manages to become caretaker to three small children. Eventually Maggie married her kind employer, but six years from when she rescued Will she is a debt ridden widow who lost her three beloved stepchildren to a relative.Will loves life in America so in 1830 when he becomes the Marquess, he prefers to ignore the title, but breeding is too powerful. When his grandfather orders him home to marry and begat an heir, he reluctantly packs his bags. However, he sees a solution to his woes and that of Maggie who he still feels he owes. He offers her a marriage of convenience that will horrify his family to his satisfaction while saving her from poverty. He never expected to fall in love with her or her three wards, but he will do WHATEVER IT TAKES for he knows WHAT MATTERS MOST in life and that is gaining the love of a woman who possesses A WILL OF HER OWN.Winnie Griggs provides readers with a captivating Anglo-American historical romance that brings to life the differences between those of the peerage and those from the "Savage Country". Though the children seem a bit to precocious with all that has happened to shatter their lives, early nineteenth century romance readers will take pleasure in reading this fine novel and SOMETHING MORE from talented Ms. Griggs.Harriet Klausner