Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of Kidnapped: His Innocent Mistress by Nicola Cornick
Historical romance released by Harlequin Historical 1 Mar 09

When I was a wee little Super Librarian, I spent many Saturday afternoons browsing the shelves of my hometown public library. It was there that I discovered the gothic novels of Victoria Holt and Barbara Michaels, which I devoured. One reason I think these books worked so well for me was because, coming from a mystery reading background, I adore first person narration, and so many of those books were narrated in first person by the intrepid heroines. It was these books, and my growing sense of nostalgia, that had me falling hard and fast for Nicola Cornick’s latest. It probably won’t work for every reader, but damn if it didn’t work for me.

We meet Catriona Balfour on a dreary day in 1802 Scotland as she’s burying her beloved father. He was a respected teacher and scholar, which means young Catriona now has a whole lot of nothing. Currently staying with her godfather, the local minister, Catriona is more than slightly shocked when handsome Naval officer, and the heir of the Earl of Strathconan , Neil Sinclair, shows up at her godfather’s door to spirit her to her family’s estate. Catriona had no clue that her father had a brother, but he apparently does and the man has agreed to take her in. Neil, a charmer and rake of the first order, is there to escort her. Not seeing much of an option (other than marrying one of the local boys, which she doesn’t want to do), Catriona agrees to travel to Glen Clair and meet the long lost family she didn’t know existed. Naturally, adventure ensues.

Nicola Cornick fashioned this story after one of her favorite books, Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson, and certainly there are similarities (including the name of Balfour!), but she makes it her own by adding a compelling romantic storyline. Neil is the stuff of romantic dreams. Charming, rakish, and not above making outrageous propositions to our heroine, who flatly turns him down. Our girl Catriona is made of sterner stuff than that, and what I so enjoyed about her was that she has believable gumption and backbone. She’ll stand up for herself, and say one or more cutting remarks, but it’s not like she’s running around in trousers and getting into random sword-fights with thugs. She behaves like a young lady would in 1802, although those of higher station and rank find her totally unacceptable. The girl has nerve, and darn if I didn’t fall madly in love with her.

Cornick crams a lot into this story without making it feel stuffed or frantic. The romance does take a back seat for a good portion of the novel, which the author uses to lay the groundwork on the flirtation between Neil and Catriona, and also to introduce her long-lost relatives. The plot is a bit soap-opera-like, which worked extremely well for me, and only kicked up my nostalgia another notch. It’s the second half where the real adventures begins, with Neil and Catriona having to spend a lot of time, in close quarters, together. Here is where the romance blossoms, and the novel concludes with them dealing with the societal demands of Neil’s station, and finally admitting their true feelings for each other.

I just adored this story from start to finish, and I want everyone else to read it and adore it as well. Certainly first person narration is a hard sell for many romance readers, but for those of us who cut our teeth on those fabulous first-person books of yesteryear, this is really a must read. I couldn’t get enough of it, and darn if I don’t want to drop everything and reread it right this minute. Brava!

Grade: A-

Summary:
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If I accept his offer to be his mistress, I could have the finest silks, the best carriage and be transformed from ugly duckling to a pampered, pretty swan! And although I would feel a virtuous pride in turning down the wicked rake, I also have an unmaidenly interest in exactly what the role would entail….
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Catriona is doing her best to resist the skillful seduction of the scandalous heir to the Earl of Strathconan. But kidnapped and shipwrecked with only this rake as company, her adventure has just begun….
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Read an excerpt.