Rating: 
Summary: LOVELY
Review: This book is how romance novels should be. Though it didn't become one of my favorites, I could not put it down. Julia was a steady woman(just the way women should be in and out of love)and Alec couldn't help but fall in love with is unorthodox wife. It is a book with developed characters that makes for a good read.
Rating: 
Summary: BEEN THERE, DONE THAT
Review: Fairly good writing and characterizations, but not an original plot. For the perfect book using this plot, read Georgette Heyer's "Devil's Cub". I guess it is unfair to compare the two since Ms. Heyer is the queen of this genre. Abduction is an amusing story but maybe a little too much angst.
Rating:
Summary: Light, amusing, fast-paced
Review: Alec, Viscount Hunterston, must marry by midnight or his fortune goes to his wicked cousin Nick. Thus says his grandfather's will - and even more specifically, he must marry the daughter of the late Earl of Covington. Therese, the daughter of the Earl of Covington, has responded to his advances and agreed to run away with him... but what he doesn't know is that she's in league with the wicked Nick. Thus he ends up abducting Julia.Julia Frant (Miss Frant, according to Hawkins, but she should be Lady Julia) is Therese's cousin and also a daughter of a late Earl of Covington. Under the influence of rum punch, she agrees to marry Alec, but since she has him over a barrel she makes some conditions. One, she gets half of his fortune to give to her charity. Two, it's to be a marriage in name only. Three, he must not take a mistress. In desperate straits, Alec agrees... and reminds Julia that one condition in the will is that they must remain scandal-free for a year. Julia thinks that will be no problem for her. But will it? There are some entertaining, and intriguing, secondary characters in this book. Lucien, Duke of Wexford, in particular is a man I want to know more about, and I'm delighted to see that Hawkins has now published 'The Belated Bride', which revisits Lucien. Nick, the so-called wicked cousin, is actually quite a well-rounded character and not as black as he's painted; it would be nice to know more about him one of these days. He'd make a great dissolute-in-need-of-reforming hero. Some of the misunderstandings and failures to communicate did irritate a little, but in all this was a light and amusing read.
Rating: 
Summary: Too Contrived
Review: I found the situations created in this book were done by having the heroine do stupid things, like getting herself into bad situations with her husband's enemy. The fact that she was presented as intelligent in the beginning of the story made this all the more hard to read. I didn't care for the book.
Rating:
Summary: Fun and intelligent
Review: Sabrina Jeffries told me, "If you like my work [and I DO!], you'll like Karen Hawkins." And yes, I certainly liked this book! The intelligent heroine, so long ignored by society, finds her wishes coming true, her lifestyle abruptly changing to the point where she can finally dig in and do a lot of good in the world within her marriage of convenience (ha ha! Little does she realize...). Chemistry between hero and heroine was right up there, although I thought the "crossed wires" misunderstanding went on too long and came out of nowhere. A minor quibble that didn't detract too much from the rest of an excellent work. Even the servants are richly-painted characters that you can chuckle with. Very nice characterizations all around. Wonderful situation. A lovely read.
Rating: 
Summary: lovely lovely book
Review: (sigh) what can I say? I thoroughly enjoyed every minute I spent with this wonderful book. Alec MacLean, the hero, is forced to marry and live scandal-free for a year in order to inherit a fortune. His last-minute choice is none other than Miss Julia Frant, an American known to the ton as the Frant Dragon because of her reformist ideologies. In truth, Julia has had a secret crush on Alec since the first time they met. Yet she resists Alec's charm for fear that her love for him will only cause trouble and break her own heart. Alec is a perfect gentleman. It's interesting to see how a rake and a reformer gradually come to terms and fall in love with each other. Alec and Julia are both strong-willed so before they can live happily ever after, there is lots of compromising to do. I'm drawn to the process although sometimes Julia's stubborn (and sometimes unncessary) adherance to her reformist efforts is tiring.......But oh, how I love the scene where they finally, er, succumb to their passion for each other. It's refreshing to encounter a heroine who is as aggressive as the hero during the love-making. The secondary characters are almost as attractive and intriguing as the hero and heroine. Alec's best friend, Lucien, is without a doubt handsome and hero-material. I was dying to know more about him as I read THE ABDUCTION OF JULIA. Fortunately, his own story is told in THE BELATED BRIDE, which I bought immediately after I finished TAOJ. And Nick. Oh, he is the most alluring and irresistable villain I've ever known. He is the classic bad boy and I found myself helplessly drawn to him. Really, who can not be attracted to a beautiful,lost soul? I was relieved to see that he was not beyond redemption. My only complaint is that his story is not out yet (please, Ms. Hawkins, is there a possiblity that you'll finish Nick's story before I finish THE BELATED BRIDE? the prospect of waiting for Nick's story without any of your new books to read makes me shudder......) All in all, THE ABDUCTION OF JULIA is a book no one should miss. I highly recommend it!
Rating:
Summary: A keeper!
Review: Ever since I became a reviewer here in Amazon, I have been lucky in my book reading. I have read so many worthy books in the past month & I owe it to Amazon & the rest of the reviewers! Thanks for your time in sharing your opinions. His grandfather left Alec MacLean, famously known as Viscount "Devil" Hunterston, a lot of fortune before he died. Of course, with an ultimatum... he must marry the daughter of the late Earl of Covington ( before his birthday ) and lived with the society for one year without scandal. If he fails, the fortune will be inherited by his cousin, Nick. Alec had at least 6 months to take care of this matter but he waited the last minute to elope & marry Therese Frant. Then things even gotten worst for him as he mistakenly abduct Therese's cousin, Julia Frant (known as the "Dragon Frant"). He also found out that Therese actually planned to duped him in the altar for Nick. The story gets EVEN better after this.... Known as the bad boy of the high society, a rake & a scoundrel among other things... Alec also possessed a handsome look that Julia admired ever since she first saw him, four years ago. When she offered to help him by marrying him, she really had nothing to loose. She find herself in love with him in the first place, though not yet deep at the time, plus, she wanted to help her charity society group with the money she could get from Ale'c inheritance. She ask for half! I know there are some reviewers who don't like this idea but i think it is realistic. What has love got to do with money if she knows she can put the money in good use rather than Alec squandering it away (with his drinking & gambling & God knows what)? Julia Frant is a prim reformer. She has the tendency of wanting to help everyone, even Alec. She planned to help him with his scoundrel ways... Yet, each day he live with him, the more he sees he is afterall a good hearted man. She finds herself falling deeply in love with him while he too couldn't stay away from her. The way Alec seduces Julia is my favorite of all. He is indeed a flirt, A big TEASE! Prim & proper Julia versus rakey Alec... They are both very opposite yet perfect for each other. I was getting tired of a perfect, "VERY" beautiful heroine in books. So, this one was somehow a change. Julia wasn't a perfect beauty. In fact, she wears glasses and described as an old maid... yet she had potentials. Mind you, she was decent & well mannered. It's just her looks & clothing that needed some polishing. With proper help & guidance, she turned into a swan. I like this kind of idea. Despite her change of clothing, her personality remain intact. She was loved and accepted by the "Ton" because of her charming ways & good hearted intentions. This is my first book of Karen Hawkins & (again) won't be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed each page as I read along. The twist & all the secondary characters overwhelmed me. I love them all... Edmund is a doll! Alec's servants, The S.S.W., Mad Maddie, Muck & even Nick. They all contributed in making this book one of a kind. The ending was unexpected to me... It was a good ending too! This book also emphasized that there is good in every one of us. Love & good heart always wins! I hated for this book to end but I heard that there is a sequel, story of Duke of Wexford, Lucien. He is Alec's bestfriend. So of course, I am looking forward for the release of this book in 2001. I hope it contains many updates of Julia & Alec.
Rating:
Summary: Keep it and re-read it!
Review: Karen Hawkins has written a 5-star novel in "The Abduction of Julia." I smiled, I grinned, I chuckled, and I laughed out loud while reading it. Ms. Hawkins' characters are fully developed and ready for your enjoyment. If you haven't read it, pick it up and schedule time for a good read. You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Tender and humorous!
Review: A wonderful book by Ms. Hawkins! I loved it! Julia was capable and Alec was a great hero. I'm looking forward to the next one.
Rating:
Summary: Delightful Book!
Review: This was a great book! I liked the witty characters, the scheming villians, and the tender relationship between the hero and heroine. I would recomend this book to all readers who enjoy Georgette Heyer. It is a humorous regency romance, with delightful characters. I fell in love with Julia and Alec, and you will, too!
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