A Will of Her Own

Rating:
Summary: An enjoyable read...almost a 4
Review: English aristocrat Will Trevaron comes to Virginia to escape from his oppressive martinet grandfather and the rest of his snobbish family. However, American Maggie Carter has to rescue him almost from the moment he steps off the boat. Her Good Samaritan efforts lead to her loss of employment, but she manages to become caretaker to three small children. Eventually Maggie married her kind employer, but six years from when she rescued Will she is a debt ridden widow who lost her three beloved stepchildren to a relative.

Will loves life in America so in 1830 when he becomes the Marquess, he prefers to ignore the title, but breeding is too powerful. When his grandfather orders him home to marry and begat an heir, he reluctantly packs his bags. However, he sees a solution to his woes and that of Maggie who he still feels he owes. He offers her a marriage of convenience that will horrify his family to his satisfaction while saving her from poverty. He never expected to fall in love with her or her three wards, but he will do WHATEVER IT TAKES for he knows WHAT MATTERS MOST in life and that is gaining the love of a woman who possesses A WILL OF HER OWN.

Winnie Griggs provides readers with a captivating Anglo-American historical romance that brings to life the differences between those of the peerage and those from the "Savage Country". Though the children seem a bit to precocious with all that has happened to shatter their lives, early nineteenth century romance readers will take pleasure in reading this fine novel and SOMETHING MORE from talented Ms. Griggs.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: captivating Anglo-American historical romance
Review: English aristocrat Will Trevaron comes to Virginia to escape from his oppressive martinet grandfather and the rest of his snobbish family. However, American Maggie Carter has to rescue him almost from the moment he steps off the boat. Her Good Samaritan efforts lead to her loss of employment, but she manages to become caretaker to three small children. Eventually Maggie married her kind employer, but six years from when she rescued Will she is a debt ridden widow who lost her three beloved stepchildren to a relative.

Will loves life in America so in 1830 when he becomes the Marquess, he prefers to ignore the title, but breeding is too powerful. When his grandfather orders him home to marry and begat an heir, he reluctantly packs his bags. However, he sees a solution to his woes and that of Maggie who he still feels he owes. He offers her a marriage of convenience that will horrify his family to his satisfaction while saving her from poverty. He never expected to fall in love with her or her three wards, but he will do WHATEVER IT TAKES for he knows WHAT MATTERS MOST in life and that is gaining the love of a woman who possesses A WILL OF HER OWN.

Winnie Griggs provides readers with a captivating Anglo-American historical romance that brings to life the differences between those of the peerage and those from the "Savage Country". Though the children seem a bit to precocious with all that has happened to shatter their lives, early nineteenth century romance readers will take pleasure in reading this fine novel and SOMETHING MORE from talented Ms. Griggs.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: An enjoyable read...almost a 4
Review: HK always writes wonderful reviews and she has detailed the story wonderfully so I will defer to her review. My comments are geared more to the enjoyment of the book. Will Trevaron is actually exiled from england and his family by his grandfather who believes Will abused his fiancee. Will won't defend himself as he thinks his grandfather should have faith in him without need for explanation. Since he broke the engagement he feels Lily can use whatever story she wants and so he keeps silent.

That, among family, is a bit far fetched and starchy but pride is an encumbering emotion. Will goes to America, and is rescued and cared for by a young woman who loses her job over her conviction to help him. He remains friends with her over the next 5 years even "helping" her to marry an injured, grieved widower with 3 adorable children. When her "husband"dies she is left in poverty and unable to provide for herself or the children. Will has received a dictate to return to england to his "rightful heritage" out of necessity not forgiveness. But he has little trust for women in general and no wish to fall into his grandfather's control so he solves Maggie's problem and his. They marry. Before this can happen 2 more "accidents" occur and Maggie once again saves Will's life medically. Will is very slow in thinking that these accidents aren't accidents!!! when it's pretty obvious to the rest of us. Eventually Maggie and Will and the 3 precocious but adorable kids set sail for england in a 2 room cabin. The dialogue in this story is delightful. The children hit "trigger points" as children do and the adults, both of whom have 'issues' try to be honest with each other. Both have had traumatic pasts that need to be faced but are deeply held secret. The writing is excellent and when Maggie faces the duke and other pretentious english elite with her forthright manner of speaking, it is too funny. She is a strong woman and incredibly vulnerable as is Will but she doesn't let anyone interfere with those she loves, no matter what. When she finally comes to realize why Will won't defend himself she confronts his family. Of course the bad guy is found after perilous moments and the ending is as it should be. The "honor" issue is a bit overdone and its a stretch that after being abused by an employer and married for several years, maggie still goes to Will as a virgin...and he never comments on it! It surprised me. Although this isn't my first pick to re-read as it's pretty standard fare, I still plan to keep it as it is an enjoyable light read..