The Fleeing Heiress

I liked this book, it was good, clean, easy to read. I liked that the setting was different from the usual balls and social gatherings that you often find in historical romance novels. The main characters had enough time to get to know each other before they fell in love, which I really like and they were both intellegent.

Gayle Buck takes a simple story and weaves it with details which make you see how the heroine and hero feel. Thea's embarrassment caused by her family but yet her love for them shows through. And Lord Cardiff is the strong but not overbearing hero. You can actually picture him as someone who could carry off spying for the government with none the wiser. If there was anything about this book I didn't like it would have to be a little wordiness with the banter back and forth between Thea's brothers. Otherwise an excellent story. Someone else may consider this a five star book but unfortunately I just read something else right before it which I had to compare it to that was a 5+ star and had to judge accordingly.

Lord David Cardiff is a welcome change from the regular Regency rake. The difference: he's a genuinely nice guy. He's gallant, noble, and every bit a gentleman. The novel begins when he's on wounded leave (he's one of Wellington's aides-de-camp). While staying at an inn, he overhears a conversation. A girl is being kidnapped!!! Of course, Lord Cardiff jumps to the rescue of the damsel in distress.That damsel is Miss Thea Strafford. Her sister's fiance has kidnapped her, and plans to take Thea to Gretna Green! Lord Cardiff comes to her rescue, and takes it upon himself to see that she is safe.But our hero and heroine are out of the frying pan and into the freezer. The next day, Thea's father and brothers barge in--and demand that Cardiff marry Thea! (at gunpoint!) Her numbskull brothers kidnap them, and the rest of the novel begins. Thea and David have to deal with her eccentric relatives, renew Thea's deteriorating reputation, and try to thwart the unwanted marriage... with some funny results! Yes, the book is rather funny. And sweet. And thoroughly entertaining. However, I would have liked just a bit more romance. And I thought it ended too quickly. But it's still a very good read. Definitely recommended! Good job, Ms. Buck!

If you're looking for a somewhat lighthearted and humourous Regency-era romance novel reminiscent of Georgette Heyer's wonderful books, you have to take a look at Gayle Buck's latest offering, "The Fleeing Heiress." Recently home from the wars, and fresh from attending a house party where he successfully apprehended a French spy ("The Chester Charade"), Lord David Cardiff was on his way home when he decides to break his journey at a small inn. At the inn, he overhears enough of a conversation to realise that a young lady, Thea Strafford, has been abducted against her will and that her abductor is intemt on carrying her off to Gretna Green in order to force into marriage. A honourable and chivalrous gentleman, Cardiff steps in and rescues Thea from her tormentor. A happy ending all around, one would think. Except that the following morning brings Thea's father and her twin brothers -- three incredibly stubborn and thickheaded men -- who then decide that Cardiff must now marry Thea in order to restore her sullied reputation. What follows is a humourous and somewhat witty romp as Thea and Cardiff endeavour to cajole and divert these gentlemen from their purpose Will Thea and Cardiff succeed? And what of the feelings of warmth and admiration that each is beginning to feel for the other?There was so much to enjoy in "The Fleeing Heiress". The plot, the characters (from the sensible and much put upon heroine, to the intelligent and gentlemanly hero, to the brick-brained Stafford men, not to mention athe eccentric cat loving grand aunt), the humourous episodes -- this was a really well thought out and brillaintly penned romance novel. And while many things about this novel was quite a la Georgette Heyer, this did not mean that "The Fleeing Heiress" lacked an original voice. To the contrary, "The Fleeing Heiress" had a fresh feel to it. There was nothing recycled or stale or incongruous about it. And I do think that Gayle Buck succeeded in both paying homage to Georgette Heyer (if this was indeed what she was setting out to do) as well as putting her own personal stamp to the book. Smoothly told, and in an engaging and humourous manner, this is a book to be savoured and enjoyed. Definitely a 5 star read.

Lord David Cardiff had been hit with a piece of shrapnel while fighting in Spain. He returned to England on wounded leave. En route to London he stopped for the night at an inn. He overheard a lady nearby in need of help and did not hesitate to offer it. Miss Thea Stafford had been abducted by her sister's fiancé and was being taken to Gretna Green. Her abductor needed money and Thea had much more than her sister. He did not care that Thea hated him. Se was thoroughly compromised! But Lord Cardiff made short work of THAT idea. One the man was gone, Lord Cardiff decided to delay his trip to London and escort Thea back into the arms of her family. Thea explained how single-minded and hard headed her two brothers and father were. He understood shortly thereafter when the trio showed up to "rescue" her! One her relatives understood the problem had been dealt with, it should have all been over. Instead, the father ordered his sons to force Thea and Cardiff to Gretna Green at gun point and see them wedded. He had decided that Thea HAD to wed and Cardiff would suit just fine. From then on, the world went mad! This book is so good that I read it twice! It is over flowing with humor and I found Thea and Cardiff to be the only sane people during most of the book. Thea's family is more "stubborn" (a.k.a. pig-headed) than anyone I have ever met! Author Gayle Buck has earned herself a place of honor on my bookshelf. I can hardly wait for her next release. Astounding!