The Abduction of Julia

Fieldnotes:

1 Accidental Abduction
1 Marriage of Convenience
1 Absurdly Large Fortune
Several Stodgy Executors
2 Gorgeous But Devious Cousins (of which 1 Reformable Sequel Bait)
1 Battle Axe Old Lady to put Dame Judi Dench to Shame
1 Homely Urchin
3 Overly Protective Servants
1 Sequel Bait Best Friend
1 Lovable Nitwit
Several Ill-Conceived Charity Rescue Attempts
Several Nigh-Scandals
1 Very Scandalous Portrait
1 Not-so-accidental Abduction

The Long Version:
Alec MacLean, Viscount Hunterston is in a devil of a fix. In order to inherit an absurdly large fortune (and keep it away from his devious cousin and rival), his grandfather's will stipulates that he must be married by his next birthday - in two hours time. So when it turns out he has eloped not show more with the Incomparable toast of the ton Therese, but with her frumpy, goody-two-shoes American cousin and chaperone (nicknamed the Dragon), he has no time to do anything but make her an offer - half of his fortune in exchange for a year lived free of scandal. But given the chemistry between them, two scheming money-grubbing cousins and Julia's less-than-wholesome pet charity projects, that might be more difficult than expected.

The Abduction of Julia is a fun marriage of convenience story, sweet, but not really intriguing enough to make my keeper shelves. The story of Alec and Julia is one I felt like I read before -which is not to say the story is boring; it was just rather comfortably familiar rather than inspiring and fresh. I liked Julia slowly blossoming into the beautiful woman she could be - while not losing sight of her ambitions to continue to do good. But at the same time, I was a bit exasperated by her seemingly complete selflessness. I mean, she doesn't want to put her domineering petulant cousin in HER shadow for a bit? She doesn't enjoy being the center of not only Alec's attention (whom she has had a crush on for years), but also of his delicious (though dastardly) rival and cousin? Really? She may be just a bit too Goody-Two-Shoes for me. Particularly when even a five-year-old child could see that her plan to populate London's servant halls with reformed wayward women is BOUND to cause a scandal...

Anyway, what saves the book for me is some nice tension between Alec and Julia and the secondary (and sequel-baiting) side characters that completely stole the show over and over again. There's Gorgeous-Damaged-Misunderstood Sequel-baiting Nick (whom I really liked, actually). Wry and Teasing Studly Best Buddy Lucien Devereux (hi, his name is Lucien, he is DESTINED for a sequel). Bumbling Fashion Disaster Edmund, who just tries SO HARD. His Aunt the Formidable Battle-Axe of a Woman (who would put Dame Judi Dench to shame). Muck, the Incredibly Homely Urchin withOUT a heart of gold and with a distinct Fear of Baths. And let's not forget Burroughs, the butler who without fail brings Alec a glass of warm milk before bed. A collective 'Awwwwwwww', if you please.

The best part about Karen Hawkins' debut is the introduction of another (unfortunately scarce) author who writes humorous historicals. So when Hawkins had me chuckling over Edmund's deplorable fashion sense and Lady Birlington's insistence that he fight a duel with a chimney-sweep in the middle of the road...well, I knew I would be reading on in this series. show less

Nice stock spinster romance. Insecure wallflower and rake. She has secretly been in love with him for years and believes he will never love her. Still one of my favorite tropes. (3.5 stars)

Re-read seven years later, and I still love the bits of angst and insecurity, but I can't help being a bit annoyed as well. The heroine is kind of an idiot. She is warned about Nicholas by both her husband and her friends, yet she still falls into his trap, even knowing it to be one! I appreciate her commitment to her cause, but she is profoundly naive about it. And unreasonably stubborn and short-sighted. The obvious thing to do is spend a year as a model society matron, secure the money, and then continue her work with the Society. She stubbornly show more insists that there will not be a scandal when she clearly has no idea what she is talking about! I wish the angst had been centered around her insecurity about her appearance and her unrequited love for the hero, rather than have her naivete and Nicholas' machinations be the central conflict. show less

I've just re-read one of my favorite books, The Abduction Of Julia, by Karen Hawkins. It gets a rare 5 stars from me. First published in 2000 I found it on a shelf in a used bookstore. It's been on my shelf since then and been read several times. Alec and Julia are 2 wonderfully written characters, they were a delight to follow on their journey. The accompanying cast were all interesting as well. A few will show up in later books and they all become entwined in a series of stories that move from one character and family to another. The books are all stand-alone but the people weave in and out of each others lives as folks do in real life. I won't give away the plot, any more than the blurb already does, you should enjoy it yourself. I show more have found it an enjoyable read time and again. I only have one burning question...what happened to Edmond Valmont? He's a hapless creature but surely he deserved an HEA too.

#KarenHawkins #TheAbductionOf Julia #Rogues #AvonBooks #HarperCollinsPublishers show less

I really enjoyed this Regency. Forced marriage scenario with plain Jane nobody marrying devilishly handsome rake. Surprise! Suprise! They fall in love, but not without the usual miscommunications sexual tension. Good story - eager to read the rest of the series!

http://ktleyed.blogspot.com/2010/10/abduction-of-julia-by-karen-hawkins.html

Julia Frant, in a case of mistaken identity, gets taken by the one man that she has loved for over four years, Alec MacLean. Alec MacLean in order for him to get his inheritance and keep it from his cousin, must marry by a appointed day and live free of scandal for one year. Julia Frant see's this as a opportunity as her dream of being with Alec, whom she has loved for four years, finally coming true when she thought it would be impossible. She also after coming into a agreement with Alec will have access to funds inorder to help with her efforts to help those that are less fortunate than herself and in need of help to better their lives. For this is one of Julia's greatest passions in life. After marrying Alec, Julia goes through a show more wonderous transformation that stuns Alec, from a plan jane to a beautiful woman that stirs up every desire. Alec finds himself hesitant to be too far from Julia's side, and he cant help but want her, only her. Even though at time her do-gooder ways frustrate him to no end, her passion for everything in her life draws him like nothing else could.The Abduction of Julia is the first installment in the Abduction/Seduction Trilogy written by Karen Hawkins. As far as authors goes, this is one of the best in the romance industry, and you would definitely be missing out if you haven't read any of her books. The Abduction of Julia is about two people that are so much alike in temperment that they definitely clash heads, but the desire they feel for each other is just as strong, and over-rules any rational thought. Throughout the story we see two people, even though at odds for most of the book, they come together in the end, trusting in the love they have built, and definitely proves in this wonderfully written love story, how love does conquer any obstacle. The plot is filled with intrigue, danger, passion and a emotional cap to finish it with a wonderous story from beginning to end. Definitely kept me on my toes, and I could hardly read this book fast enough, it drew me in like a child to candy. One thing that I didn't like was the contention between this couple so much throughout the story, I kinda felt that there were times that it was petty, but this story was definitely filled with human aspects, that made it feel more real for this reader. So overall a good love story and looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the trilogy and by this author that I have yet to get my hands on!!! show less

Nice stock spinster romance. Insecure wallflower and rake. She has secretly been in love with him for years and believes he will never love her. Still one of my favorite tropes. (3.5 stars)

This historical romance started out pretty good but before long the heroine agreed to an obvious ploy then story went downhill turning into typical marriage of convenience conflicts. I skimmed a lot. Viscount Alec accidentally captures Julia instead of her cousin but learns he can marry her to get his inheritance.