Rating: 
Summary: A great read!
Review: I liked this novel a lot. It was a funny and enjoyable read. Alec was great and I loved the way Hawkins described what he felt. He was a good guy that needed a little reforming! Julia was nice too. I liked the way Hawkins portrayed her character: Not vain but still wanting to look good for Alec. Not selfish, always helping others. I loved the secondry characters in this book too (I think Hawkins always has very good secondry characters - usually old funny people). I adored Alec's cousin (the bad guy) and really want to read his story when it comes out! Basically the story line was very good - you'll find that having a story based around a 'no scandal' theme when really there's scandal weaving its way around the characters all the time, can be very amusing! I do recommend this book - a satisfying read.
Rating: 
Summary: Only Average...
Review: Alec MacLean, the rakish Viscount Hunterston, must marry by midnight and live without scandal for a year, or lose his grandfather's inheritance to his no-good cousin. He's to marry the scheming Teresa, but ends up mistakenly grabbing her cousin Julia instead. Julia Frant, dubbed the "Frant Dragon", is a rather plain version of Teresa, but she has loved Alec from afar for years. Having little choice, Alec marries Julia, but only after he agrees to a marriage of convenience and to give her half of the inheritance. By marrying Alec, Julia plans to support her charities and reform her wild husband. With the help of "Aunt Maddie", Julia eventually transforms from ugly duckling to beautiful swan, and Alec can't help noticing. As their desire for each other grows, so does the danger of scandal from Julia's continued charity reform work.I read this book because it is listed on the Romance Writers of America's top ten list for the year it was published. And I have to say I expected more and was disappointed. There were some humorous moments and I liked the secondary characters of: the outspoken Aunt Maddie, silly Edmund and Alec's sexy, bad boy cousin, Nick. In fact, I felt like Aunt Maddie was a pretty well developed character, but she didn't seem to be used enough in the story. There were a few plot elements I found rather annoying. One example is when Nick told Julia about the girl who needed saving, she immediately hired her as a servant at their home. Now Julia's a smart girl, and she knew Nick was trying to cause Alec a scandal, so I wonder if that was a set-up??! There was also only one love scene and it wasn't very descriptive. Having said all that, overall it was not a bad book, but really nothing special. This was my first Hawkins read, and I'm willing to give her another try. Plus, I am interested in reading Nick's story. As for a recommendation, there's so much out there that's better. But if you're a Hawkins' fan, then you'll probably want to read this one.
Rating: 
Summary: If only the Flant Dragon had magically disappeared!
Review: Oh dear God! I had to force myself to finish this book thinking that the heroine would turn for the better but alas she did not. I swear the villains in the story were a heck of a lot more interesting than our protaganists. LIke one of the reviews below said, Julia was hellbent on saving all the poor people in England that she didnt seem to care about the man she so "desperately loved" even when she knew that by her working for this Society would eventually lead to scandal causing Alec to lose what he was franticallyfighting to keep. Well to get to the point Alec is the hero and he was basically a nice guy. He "drank" his butler's warm milk as to not to hurt the old man's feelings, he gave gifts and attention to some urchin Julia brought into the home from the street, he cared so much for his grandfather that he fought to keep his cousin Nick from bringing the family legacy to ruin and he split his inheritance 50/50 with the bride from hell, Julia. As you can see the guy was a winner who treated all those around him dearly I really dont know how he ever had the reputation as a rake since that aspect of his life was never really revealed by Hawkins. The guy was a sweetheart who didnt have a strong enough character because he never stood up to Julia. It was just a lukewarm relationship between the two. You end up liking Alec because of the way he is portrayed but at the same time you want him to be a bit more forceful, meanwhile you appreciate Julia's efforts for reforming the streets of England but you want to have her run off because she is so focused on saving the world that no one else can fit into her picture. The two just weren't compatible. Not even in bed since there was only one love scene. But anyway moving on, if you dare to read the book you'll find Aunt Maddie a riot who speaks her mind with a nephew (Edmund) who you love for being such a whipped loveable dufus. IF it werent for Julia's mule like personality I wouldve thouroughly enjoyed the book because like it's been said the secondary characters were great but the love story just didnt work.
Rating: 
Summary: The Abduction of Julia is a Keeper.....
Review: Karen Hawkins excites the reader from the very first page in The Abduction of Julia. The characters and plot are wonderful. I couldn't wait to turn the last page. Alec McLean, Viscount Hunterson, must marry the daughter of the Earl of Covington by midnight. Alec mistakenly abducts Julia instead of Therese. Julia dubbed the Frant Dragon is not at all what Alec expected. However, circumstances require that he marry immediately. Julia Frant is upset and outraged to have been kidnapped however she realizes marrying Alec could greatly benefit her charity work. Julia and Alec are married but the war between them begins with her asking for half of his inheritance. The two lead each other on a merry chase as they each try to avoid scandal and falling in love. There are several delightful supporting characters in the story including Aunt Maddie, Edmund and Lucien. Some parts of the story are so hilarious you can't help but laugh out loud. The Abduction of Julia is a remarkably funny and entertaining story. I can't wait to read the next Karen Hawkin's book.
Rating:
Summary: Only a hairsbreadth from perfection
Review: Karen Hawkins could not have made a better debut; this book is so close to perfection that's astounding! I truly cannot understand how anyone can think it average or, shudder, less. I was totally captivated by the time I was halfway through the first chapter. Julia is, argually, one of the best, if not the best romance heroine to date. She is witty, charming, strong of character, and unique. And Alec is that most delightful of creatures, a scandalous rake with a heart of gold. Whether the sparks flying are those of attraction or personality, sparks do fly. Yes, there is only one "love scene," but they keep getting interrupted! Besides, this story is about so much more than seduction; it's about finding true love and companionship, about dreams coming true, about discovering what's really important in life. It is truly, in every sense, a romance. Sigh. The Adbuction of Julia is why Karen Hawkins has earned a spot at the top of my favorite authors list. Read it immediately!
Rating:
Summary: enjoyable read
Review: The Abduction of Julia is light and humorous, with likeable characters. Julia's been in love with Alec for as long as she can remember so when he kidnaps her by mistake, meaning to elope with her cousin, she's not too unhappy! Alec isn't too unhappy, either, because he's marrying to gain an inheritance. A familiar plot, but it's entertainingly handled. I usually like a bit more adventure mixed in with my romances, but I'll be looking out for more books by the same author.
Rating: 
Summary: YAAAAWWWWWWNN!!!
Review: I really tried to give this book a chance. Unfortunately, I could not stop my eyes from rolling to the back of my head from reading such self-righteous, feministic( yes! that's my word) drivel! Could Julia be any more of a pain in the butt? I'll admit that the blurb on the back cover was cute in concept and the book started out well enough. It is, after all, gratifying to read about the ugly ducklings that turn into swans. But part of the fun is reading about the transformation. With The Abduction of Julia, I felt like I was missing chapters! What happened that all of a sudden Julia was this STUNNING beauty that was making everyone stop in their tracks? Because she took off her glasses??? Okay. . . But let's move beyond the looks. . . What is up with Julia's obsession with the Society? Poor Alec was pretty much stuck at the back of the bus in this book! Truly, all he needed was a spine. By the middle of the book, Julia was grating my last nerve and I was practically yelling at Alec to run while he still could! I've read other Karen Hawkins books because she is listed as a recommended author by Julia Quinn (who is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers). And the only book of hers that I truly liked was "An Affair to Remember." Unfortunately, her books don't have the spark that Quinn's books do. Anyway, I think after reading "The Abduction of Julia," I'm done with Hawkins.
Rating:
Summary: Average romance novel with questionable [morals]
Review: This is another variation of the old theme "Virtuous virgin reforms debauched rogue"...The book description on the back page didn't give away that...Karen Hawkins does not write badly and the story is developed nicely...The heroine Julia Frant is an impoverished American reformer with a penchant for charity. She has made the resolution to change the dissolute viscount Alexander after they got married under very peculiar circumstances. Alex had to marry Julia to get into his inheritance. She has taken him because she has secretly been infatuated with the beautiful and dashing womanizer who has only taken notice of her as the plain and righteous "Frant dragon" so far. And of course she wants the money to fund her charity projects. But her virtue, her selflessness and her hidden sensual beauty very soon capture Alex' hardened heart. The quickness with which he is passionately attracted to her is quite unbelievable. But of course he fights those unwanted feelings...villains in this piece are as we expect them. The bad women are of course no virgins but sexually experienced and dissolute. The book has a simple formula. Virgins who keep themselves intact till they get married are good, the others who follow their natural impulses are either bad and depraved or mentally sick. Only the virtuous woman are depicted as sympathetic, whereas the men can be nice and good despite adultery and promiscuity. Men, however debauched can be reformed by the right (and of course chaste) woman any time whereas dissolute women are doomed from the start...If you are a fan of Barbara Cartland novels which are very similar to this one this might be a treat for you.
Rating:
Summary: A delight!
Review: A wonderful story that had me laughing out loud! I loved Julia and Alec. And that wicked Mad Maddie! She was too much. Wonderful supporting actors Lucien & Edmund. And of course the alluring Nick (what a hottie!), can't wait to read his story!
Rating:
Summary: More, please!!!
Review: With one book, Karen Hawkins leapt to the top of my Automatic Buy list. I laughed and laughed and laughed -- and finally took pity on my poor sleep-deprived husband by finishing the book on the sofa. I went to work bright and early the next morning tired but still smiling. Brava, Ms. Hawkins, on an irresistible first book! HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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