Bedding the Heiress (Cameron Sisters, 4)

Now that Justin Maddox has been given his rightful title as Duke of Colster, he is expected to take his place in society. He must wear gloves, attend balls and of course he must marry. It is now his duty to wed and provide heirs. Uncomfortable in his new role as Duke, marrying is the last thing Justin wants to do. When he encounters a lovely beauty alone on a terrace during a ball, Justin steals a kiss. Although Justin is sure Francesca is not at all proper, indeed she was alone on a terrace, he is also certain he is drawn to her. From that one kiss on the terrace, Justin and Francesca start a relationship that may turn into more than just a kiss between strangers. Cathy Maxwell is one of my favorite historical romance authors. She consistently delivers what I want in a historical romance. Her heroines are strong, her heroes deliciously alpha and her plot lines engaging. Bedding the Heiress is another terrific Cathy Maxwell novel. I love Francesca's spirit, Justin's honor and strength and I was immediately sucked in to the story. The chemistry between Francesca and Justin made me shiver in delight. Bedding the Heiress is all that I could want in a romance and, as always, I am eagerly awaiting more from Cathy Annmarie reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Because of other reviews I put this on the bottom of my stack. The thing I remembered about the prequel (In the Bed of a Duke) was it was in a tent. I thought Bedding an Heiress was a more complete story. These are the only two books I have read from this author but not the last. Chemistry and action are in abundance. I read at least 4 books a week and I finished this in a 1/2 day. I enjoyed the hero.

In an attempt at rebellion Francesca Dunroy makes an almost fatal mistake when she tangles with a disreputable rake. While saving herself from rape she loses a treasured family heirloom. At a ball held in her honor she makes an assignation with the rake to convince him to return her property. The only problem is, in the darkened library, she mistakenly approaches and offers a clandestine kiss to a man she later discovers is Justin Maddox, the newly appointed Duke of Colster and London's most eligible bachelor. Justin, the new duke is the older twin who was kidnapped at birth, raised in Scotland and earned his living as a blacksmith. Married and betrayed by a childhood sweetheart, he is determined to never marry again but the memory of Francesca's lips enflame his desires and when next they meet, in a most unusual scenario, Justin isn't about to let Francesca escape his embrace. As they discover true love, dangerous people from Justin's past come forward ready to ruin the happiness he's always longed for. Maxwell is a perennial favorite of mine and her latest, BEDDING THE HEIRESS, is proof that this master word smith has not lost her touch. Consistently weaving together skillful plotting, a heady romance, delectable humor, along with a touch of dangerous intrigue has kept this author at the top of her game. Reeling you in from the very first page, Maxwell holds you enthralled until the last page is turned, and leaves you still aching for more. The lead characters are very well-developed with enough detail in their backgrounds that the reader can easily discern their motivations and their interactions with the numerous enhancing secondary characters all cleverly worked in to bring this story to life. Fans like myself, are sure to embrace this new hero who is caught between two worlds and will certainly look forward to the continuance of this fabulous series as Justin's enemies continue plotting to regain control of the sword of the MacKenna in this fabulously entertaining keeper. Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com

Francesca Dunroy is considered both a catch and somewhat of a pariah of the London ton. She is desirable because she is quite beautiful and an heiress who will inherit a lot of money and land upon marrying. She is considered an outsider because due to her recently deceased mother's illness, she had missed coming out to society at an appropriate age, she is older than most unwed ladies of the ton. Also, her father married a younger woman very quickly after being widowed. London society is punishing her for her father's lack of mourning. Then one night at a lavish affair hosted by her father, she meets the newly and reluctantly named Duke of Closter, Justin Maddox. Justin is of English nobility who was raised as a blacksmith in Scotland. He is a sexy man who is more that a little out of his element and uncomfortable with his new position. When Francesca inadvertently walks into his arms the sparks ignite and soon they find themselves more involved with each other than either of them seems to want. This book is part of a series, you could probably read it as a stand alone, but I wouldn't recommend it. It has been so long since I read the last book in the series, that it really took some deep searching in my brain to remember some of the characters. I had a hard time remembering how Justin and Phillip got to be where they were in this book. I wish I would have read the last book over, as a refresher. Francesca and Justin make a charming couple with a lot of passion and Ms. Maxwell writes an exciting tale. This was a delightful historical romance with wonderful characters. This book was really hard to put down, but things like sleep, food and family kept getting in my way. I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning last night reading; I kept saying one more chapter then I will go to bed. If my eyelids would have cooperated I would have finished this story last night, one more chapter was never enough. At the end of the book you get a small insight into the next book in the series, I am really looking forward to it; I hope Ms. Maxwell won't keep us waiting long.

The book has been reviewed so I will get to the *good* parts. The sensual tension is exquisite, the love scenes are steamy. The heroine, Francesca, is no simpering miss and doesn't shy away from the luscious Scotsman that attempts to seduce her. Justin and Francesca both have painful pasts but are not the cookie-cutter "tortured souls" much to my enjoyment. For me this only increased their appeal. "Bedding the Heiress" contains most of the elements I love in romance: hero jealousy, taut sensual tension, steamy love scenes, and an emotional love story. This book is a definite keeper. I also recommend "The Price Of Indiscretion"