Bride of the Solway
by Joanna Maitland
Cassandra Elliott has suffered many abuses in the wilds of Scotland at her feudal step brothers hands, but being locked in her room, nearly starved, and threatened to be have her virginity sold off to the highest bidder is the last straw. She knows she has to flee to her uncle in England. But when her daring, if ill-planned, escape goes awry she has no other option than to accept the help of Captain Ross Graham.
Poor Ross. He had no idea what he was getting himself into when he rescued Cassandra from being dragged to her death by her horse. All he wanted was to hunt down his past and uncover the mystery behind why his mother changed their name and hid them away for so many years. What he gets instead is a beating from Cassandra's brother and a few days locked up in gaol. Thankfully he makes a powerful ally that not only brings him up to speed about the nature of the Elliott family, but helps him prove his innocence so he can get out of gaol. But his gentlemanly conscience won't let him forget about Cassandra and her need for rescuing.
I've been glomming Joanna Maitland and enjoying most of the time spent with her stories. Bride of the Solway is the exception. I just couldn't get into the story, and I really disliked our heroine Cassandra. I kept being told how strong she was, but very few actions proved that to me. Everything was just a bit too gothic for my tastes with silly heroines, overly protective heroes, and utterly ridiculous evil stepbrothers. Still, the secondary plot of a husband who is watching his beloved wife die was great. I would have much rather read that story, even if it will end a la Nicholas Sparks.
Bottom Line: Pass this one by if you are new to Maitland because this novel just isn't among her strongest.
Currently available for Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Bride-of-the-Solway-ebook/dp/B003ZK5MAU/ref=sr_1_cc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291186437&sr=1-1-catcorr"
“A hero who can't help but be heroic meets the ultimate woman in need of rescue in the wilds of Scotland.”
September 2010, 382 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Historicals
If Cassandra Elliott does not escape from the Laird of Galloway, she'll be forced into marriage or confined to Bedlam! Desperate, she turns to Captain Ross Graham, and begs for help in a most unladylike manner.
Fleeing across the Solway, Cassie and Ross cannot be distracted by a desire as wild as the Scottish hills. When Cassie is kidnapped, Ross realizes exactly what this spirited, seductive woman has come to mean to him...but will he find her in time to tell her?