Cassandra Elliot is willing to do anything to escape the madness of her step-brother, even risk the Solway’s deadly quicksand.

Captain Ross Graham arrives in Dumfries hoping to discover the secrets of his past and heal his broken heart. The last thing he expects is to fall in love. Again.

Having read several of Joanna Maitland’s Regencies, I have to say I am sorely disappointed with Bride of the Solway.

One of the problems I have with Bride of the Solway is that there are several pieces of the story that are not used to the fullest extent. They are dropped into the story to pique reader curiosity, and then for the most part left dangling. In my opinion, the author should have taken advantage of the mystery surrounding Ross’s heritage. Even Cassandra’s fondness for exotic gardens and the Colonel’s desire to find the perfect man to head up an expedition to Africa would have served the plot more effectively.

Ross felt a pang of sympathy for the man. As usual, he was thinking about his poor wife and looking for something—anything—to ease her suffering. But surely she would be unable to stand a voyage lasting for weeks? And what if the ship met bad weather?

"What is the destination of your proposed expedition, Colonel?"

"I had hoped to fund a ship for southern Africa, ma’am. That was why I mentioned Madeira. The ship would call there on its outward and return journeys. I intended to collect some plants from there on the way home."

"Oh, I do envy you, sir. I should so love to go on such an expedition. But it would be impossible, I suppose?"

The colonel smiled indulgently. ‘I have not heard that any lady has ever taken part in such an expedition, ma’am. And if you have read of the hardships experienced by Sir Joseph Banks and his companions, you will not wonder at it.’

"I have read of Sir Joseph’s adventures with Captain Cook. But surely that was much different? They were venturing into lands where white men had never been seen before. Whereas your expedition—"

"My expedition is quite likely to encounter hostile natives in Africa, ma’am. It would be no place for any woman, and certainly not for a lady."

"As far as Madeira only, perhaps?"

He patted her hand in a fatherly way. "That might be possible. For a married lady, with her husband. But I doubt your brother would agree to accompany you on such a trip, ma’am."

"No, he would not," she said bleakly.

Sadly, this thrilling adventure is not brought up again. Instead the bulk of the story is filled with ways to escape Cassie’s mad brother.

It is not only the misuse of elements that turned me off of Bride of the Solway, but the inconsistent characterizations of both hero and heroine. In her effort to portray Cassie’s brother as a madman, Maitland’s main characters end up disjointed. Cassandra Elliot lacks depth. One moment she’s an intelligent lady, the next impetuous and childish with no hint of growth. At times I could not help but wonder if she was truly a young lass of only fifteen summers Ross had thought her to be. The hero, Captain Graham, also lacks the qualities a reader would expect from a much-respected officer. At times he’s down right foppish. The sad part is that several of the supporting characters, not only rang true, but are much more likeable.

Even though there are many parts of the story I did not like, I will say there was an adorable air of romance between the two. And although not the happily ever after I would like to have seen, it was somewhat satisfying. ~ Christina