Reviewer: Connie
Title: Adam’s Promise
Author: Julianne MacLean
Publisher: Harlequin Historical
ISBN: 0-373-29253-8
Release Date: April 2003
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical Romance
Year/Setting: 1775
Overall rating: 4.5
Sexual content rating: One sensual scene
Julianne's Website:
www.juliannemaclean.com
Madeline has always loved Adam (from the age of seven) even though it was her older sister,
Diana, whom Adam courted. Having his heart broken when Diana chooses another who is titled
and wealthy, he soon found himself married to another
(rebound-style) until her death a few short years ago.
Circumstances find Madeline on a ship bound for Nova Scotia, fifteen years later, with the intention and understanding she’s to marry the man she’s never forgotten. She’s hoping to find a lasting love, a place to belong, as she’s never felt either with her father or sister.
Adam had contacted Madeline’s father, requesting to marry Diana (at long last) and is shocked and angry when he learns it’s Madeline who has been sent to marry him. Much of his frustration is taken out on Madeline, crushing her dreams and confidence.
Almost immediately, he sends a missive off to London requesting Diana marry him by proxy. Madeline’s torn between leaving, finding a position in another household, and staying, becoming Adam’s housekeeper and his children’s governess. Her heart, though in conflict, wins. She stays. When his feelings begin to shift and change, his rashness is something Adam begins to regret. Most especially when Diana shows up unexpectedly and much sooner than anticipated.
This story moves along at a brisk pace. The hero/heroine both learn much about themselves and each other through a series of events.
Madeline finds her heart at war with her loyalty to her sister. Adam sees love through opened eyes and discovers a new meaning to the word...Madeline.
Julianne MacLean delivers a book bursting with emotion and content. From hopes and dreams, unrequited love, loyalty and heartache, to courage and fear.
I was caught up in the story right from the start. Julianne has the ability to transport the reader directly into the pages of the book as a silent observer. Her knowledge of each character shone through as I found myself identifying with the fears, conflicts, and emotions of both Adam and Madeline. I only wish there had been more time for Julianne to go into detail a bit more regarding the shift in Adam’s changing feelings for Madeline. How he went from feelings of near animosity to love seemed a bit abrupt, as if I missed out on something. But that didn’t deter me from being that silent observer until the very last word or getting caught up in each sequence of events.
Julianne MacLean’s style of writing becomes richer with each book she writes. Every aspect of her stories are fully developed and are packed with undending depths of emotion and conflicts the reader is able identify with on some level. Her settings are vivid as are the characters. There’s nothing lacking in one of Julianne’s books. She’s become an author of automatic reads for me.
I definitely recommend Adam’s Promise.
Connie
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