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The Heiress
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From Publishers Weekly
No one is richer than the Maidenhall heiress. Miserly merchant Perkin Maidenhall is to Elizabethan England what John D. Rockefeller was to 20th-century America. And his daughter Axia, whom he has never met, stands to inherit the whole enchilada. But can a rich heiress ever find true love? Can she ever be sure that the hard-muscled thighs between her 16th-century sheets have been attracted by hot passion and not cold cash? Playing God (as the reader finally learns), the omniscient and omnipotent merchant intends to make sure that his daughter marries for love. He betroths Axia to a wealthy but impotent Yorkshireman, then hires penniless but startlingly handsome Jamie Montgomery, Earl of Dalkeith, to escort her across England. Poor Axia, who has spent her whole life cloistered away, with only Tode, a deformed young man, and Frances, her beautiful but shallow cousin, as companions, has never known any real freedom. The spirited girl switches identities with Frances for the trip?unbeknownst to Jamie, who has been given the last Montgomery pennies in order to seduce the heiress. Poor, honorable Jamie is torn between his growing devotion to Axia and his responsibility to marry for money. Lots of predictable filler before he discovers that his loss is his gain. Reliable Deveraux, if not her best.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
Jamie Montgomery is hired by Perkin Maidenhall to escort his daughter safely across Europe so that she may be married. It seems like a simple task, until Jamie's sisters Berengaria and Joby come up with their own plan. Despite several titles, Jamie is not a wealthy man and his family is suffering. Berengaria and Joby know that any woman would be attracted to the beautiful Jamie-- and they think he should get the Maidenhall heiress to fall in love with him. Once married, Jamie will be a wealthy man and able to support his family. Jamie protests, but with two determined sisters and his own pride undermining him, he agrees to their plan and sets out to win the heiress. Axia Maidenhall has lived all her life isolated and protected from the outside world. Men are constantly asking for her hand in marriage-- not because she is beautiful but because she is the Maidenhall heiress. Now, as her wedding to a man she's never met approaches, she finds herself longing for a small taste of freedom-- to be able to be herself, loved or hated for who she is and not for how much money she has. When Jamie mistakes her beautiful, well dressed cousin Frances for the heiress, Axia convinces Frances to go along with her plan. For the duration of their journey, Frances will be the Maidenhall heiress and Axia will be her poor cousin. It's a perfect plan-- but she doesn't count on falling in love with Jamie. Pretending to be someone she isn't is more difficult than Axia anticipated. More than once she foils Jamie's attempts to court Frances. She wants to tell him who she is, but then he will only want her for her money. Marrying for money is Jamie's goal-- but his heart has other plans.Jude Deveraux proves once again that she is a master storyteller! Deveraux fans will be thrilled with The Heiress! An enchanting, entertaining love story! If you've never read Jude Deveraux, you don't know what romance is! She captivates the reader with her fascinating characters and intriguing plots! The Heiress is Jude Deveraux at her best! You will love this book!Kristina Wright -- Copyright © 1994-97 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From
28/02/2002
This writing style is what made Jude Deveraux, what she was known for. I was beyond HAPPY when I first read this book, so much so that I read it again immediatly after reading it. Jamie reminds me of what I thought, Miles (Velvet Series) should have been like, Axia is the perfect mischevious heroine. If you like some of Julie Garwoods characters you will absolutely ADORE this book. I have to agree with what some other reviewer said it is my favorite Deveraux.
I won't go into detail regarding the story line because the editorial reviews does such a fine job and some time you give away to much of the whole plot. I will just say it is well worth the time.
Happy Reading
08/03/2001
This was probably the funniest historical romance I've ever read. The characters are very unique, and well formed, and the plot is surprisingly smooth. I did not detect any uncomfortable plot devices - the story was very natural, and the narration was interesting and light.
Devereaux has a wonderful sense of humor, and a very positive way of looking at people. Her appreciation for different personality types comes through in her writing, and I found this book to be full of characters I could admire. The conflicts were real, but not because of some "evil" person, which I find refreshing.
There are lots of shades of grey in life, and in this book, and I appreciate Devereaux's ability to show this to us while maintaining such an overall upbeat attitude.
She's really one of the best.
17/01/2001
Jamie! I really, really enjoyed this book - had a hard time putting it down. A descendant of the Montgomery family (of the "Velvet" series full of spirit, ready to live life. But what makes this book special is the way the story is told. Not just through the eyes of the two main characters, but also through the perspective of the supporting characters. These people are interesting and wonderful in their own way. I too found the ending a bit rushed - not enough to really disappoint, but I would have liked to know more about what Jamie went through to eventually get to Axia, as well as how some of the other characters got to their final happiness. Although there is some conflict, suspense, and danger, this book is not as wrenchingly intense as the "Velvet" series - I loved those books, but found myself worn out emotionally after each one. I'd highly recommend this book!
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