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An Independent Woman
The Dangerous Detour
Too long had beautiful, spirited Miss Gillian Thorncliff remained single and seeking a mate to make her romantic dreams come true. Now she was ready to settle for a supremely sensible marriage to the Earl of Kintyre.
This Scottish lord was attractive, attentive, intelligent, and kindly. His estate in Scotland was secluded and splendid. Gillian's path to lasting, if less than heavenly, happiness lay open before her—when a tall, dark figure suddenly blocked her way.
Rory Kilmartin was devastatingly handsome, marvelously mysterious, irresistibly lawless—in short, everything that Gillian should avoid. Instead she found herself under his spell and in his arms, dangerously close to the greatest mistake a proper young lady could make and to the sweetest temptation a woman could want...
Too long had beautiful, spirited Miss Gillian Thorncliff remained single and seeking a mate to make her romantic dreams come true. Now she was ready to settle for a supremely sensible marriage to the Earl of Kintyre.
This Scottish lord was attractive, attentive, intelligent, and kindly. His estate in Scotland was secluded and splendid. Gillian's path to lasting, if less than heavenly, happiness lay open before her—when a tall, dark figure suddenly blocked her way.
Rory Kilmartin was devastatingly handsome, marvelously mysterious, irresistibly lawless—in short, everything that Gillian should avoid. Instead she found herself under his spell and in his arms, dangerously close to the greatest mistake a proper young lady could make and to the sweetest temptation a woman could want...
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 28, 1994
26 people want to read
About the author
Dawn Lindsey
20 books2 followersA Regency/Historical author. In 1978, Doubleday published The Duchess of Vidal; in 1979, Playboy Press reissued it, in paperback.
Dawn Lindsey continued to write Regency romance throughout the 1980's and 1990's.
Dawn Lindsey continued to write Regency romance throughout the 1980's and 1990's.
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November 14, 2022
This is the most wonderful Regency romance I've ever read -- though in many ways it's more of a Scottish historical set in Regency times. The basic story of a sophisticated lady of discriminating tastes falling for a gentleman pirate in a picturesque location owes a lot to Frenchman's Creek by Daphne Du Maurier. But the witty, elegant dialogue and the sensible, strong-willed heroine are straight out of Jane Austen. And the outdoor scenes and the adventurous plot owe more to later authors like Robert Louis Stevenson ("Kidnapped") and even action packed short stories of quick-thinking damsels in distress such as "Wee Willie Winkie" by Rudyard Kipling!
Gillian Thorncliff is an English spinster who journeys to Scotland in search of a suitable husband. Though outwardly sensible and even a little prim, at heart Gillian is a romantic who has been fascinated by Scotland all her life. So when a handsome, charming highwayman sticks up her carriage, it seems like a dream come true!
Rory, the highwayman, is actually a banished nobleman in disguise. He's the perfect gentleman thief -- charming, witty, light-hearted and courageous, also very protective of Gillian even when he's robbing her grandfather or kidnapping her!
It's hard to describe what makes these characters click. Gillian is so sensible on the surface, yet so passionate underneath. Rory is so cynical and carefree on the surface, but so tender and loyal deep down. You can see how they complete each other in a very special way.
More than that, Dawn Lindsey writes dialogue, especially witty Regency banter, better than any author since Jane Austen. When Gillian and Rory are chatting about Scottish history or local politics, you just naturally want to listen in, even when the topic is not romance. These two could spend two hours talking about the weather and still be a captivating couple!
It's hard to believe that this book came out in 1994 -- almost eighteen years since I first bought it. It's still on my keeper shelf, and always will be. I recommend AN INDEPENDENT WOMAN to any reader who loves the Regency period, Jane Austen, Scottish history, clever heroines, brave highwaymen, outdoor adventure, and fun.
Gillian Thorncliff is an English spinster who journeys to Scotland in search of a suitable husband. Though outwardly sensible and even a little prim, at heart Gillian is a romantic who has been fascinated by Scotland all her life. So when a handsome, charming highwayman sticks up her carriage, it seems like a dream come true!
Rory, the highwayman, is actually a banished nobleman in disguise. He's the perfect gentleman thief -- charming, witty, light-hearted and courageous, also very protective of Gillian even when he's robbing her grandfather or kidnapping her!
It's hard to describe what makes these characters click. Gillian is so sensible on the surface, yet so passionate underneath. Rory is so cynical and carefree on the surface, but so tender and loyal deep down. You can see how they complete each other in a very special way.
More than that, Dawn Lindsey writes dialogue, especially witty Regency banter, better than any author since Jane Austen. When Gillian and Rory are chatting about Scottish history or local politics, you just naturally want to listen in, even when the topic is not romance. These two could spend two hours talking about the weather and still be a captivating couple!
It's hard to believe that this book came out in 1994 -- almost eighteen years since I first bought it. It's still on my keeper shelf, and always will be. I recommend AN INDEPENDENT WOMAN to any reader who loves the Regency period, Jane Austen, Scottish history, clever heroines, brave highwaymen, outdoor adventure, and fun.
Displaying 1 of 1 review