A Necessary Heir

In a world of secrets and mistaken identities…

Abigail Gibbons, an outcast due to birthright, is thrust into a whirlwind of intrigue when summoned from her mundane life to serve as a paid companion to the enigmatic Lady Waterford. Little does she know her destiny is about to take a thrilling turn. With the untimely passing of the Earl of Waterford, Abigail’s fate now rests in the hands of Jackson Danvers, a man whose allure is as dangerous as it is irresistible.

A twist of fate…

Their first meeting is fraught with misunderstanding when Jackson, quick to judge, accuses her of an illicit affair with his late grandfather. But as they navigate through societal scorn, murder attempts, and a mother’s misguided intentions, a shocking secret is revealed: the late Earl of Waterford orchestrated an audacious switch at birth, exchanging his granddaughter Abigail for the baby boy, Jackson Sethos Rameses Danvers, now the Earl himself.

Unlocking the family’s hidden truth…

As Abigail and Jackson’s bond deepens, they uncover a web of deceit that challenges everything they thought they knew. Abigail’s unwavering spirit and Jackson’s newfound understanding propel them towards a love that transcends deception and adversity. In a world where nothing is as it seems, they are destined to fight for a love that proves sometimes losing one’s heart is the greatest victory of all.

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Reviews on A Necessary Heir

“This has to be one of my favorite book that I have read. The pace was smooth, allowing the reader to flow from one page to the next. It was also filled a few twists and turns along the way.

The characters were brilliant as well as. Abigail was a great character to watch and the more I read, the more I wanted to know more about her. As family secrets are revealed and love blooms, this novel will have you entranced.

A lovely historical romance well suited for adult readers.”

Angela Simmons
Reviewed 05/17/2011 on ReviewTheBook.com

“A Necessary Heir by L.A. Hilden was a fantastic read. I am partial to historic fiction. I love reading about the London elite falling in love. This story did not disappoint. The entire process of falling in love, marrying and all the trials and tribulations that go with it were laid out in full. The only thing this book left to me wanting is more. I wish that it could go on forever. However, that cannot be.

Unlike your typical historic romances where the handsome aristocrat seduces the young girl into his bed before they have even wed, this young couple follows the propriety of the time. I like that. It is true to the period in every sense.

L.A. Hilden writes in a way that makes you feel like you are there. You have a vested interest in this couple’s lives. When they hurt, so do you. Their joy is yours to share. My favorite line in the book is repeated numerous times. It is, “Stuff and Applesauce.” I can picture the matronly woman saying this. I can even picture my own grandmother using this line. It put a smile on my face each time I saw it.

This book will definitely please historical romance readers of all ages. Although there are a few sex scenes, they are not distasteful. The storyline is believable. It could honestly have happened to some or many. How many titled men would do anything for a male heir? I found myself angry for the characters and inspired by their strength as they worked through their own personal dramas.

I found it nearly impossible to put this book down. Each time I had to put it down, I dwelled on what would happen next. I wondered where the story line would lead. I pondered what I would do if I were in the characters shoes. I considered what I would do if it were my own story.

L.A. Hilden did an astonishing job with A Necessary Heir. I have never read another historical romance like hers. It is original and enjoyable. I look forward to reading many more of her books.

Tiffany A. Higgins, children's author
Reviewed 06/14/2011 on ReviewTheBook.com

“I just love this story!!!! I’m only half way through and just love it. I laughed so hard,I can’t wait to finish it. Great author!!!!!! Ill be reading all her books!!!!! Keep em coming,there great!!!!!!”Abigail Gibbons is beautiful and well educated, and has the bearing of a duchess. She is, however, illegitimate, and the stigma limits her choices in life and how the world sees her.

Jackson is the new Earl of Waterford. He is tall, blonde, handsome, and autocratic. He is at his wits’ end trying to sort out the mess his grandfather left behind.

Abby is grateful to the Earl of Waterford for offering her a position as companion to his wife. She suspects that he paid for her education at a good school. When she gets to London, she is distressed to find that the old earl has died and his grandson has no idea who she is. Insulted and distraught, she flees to a friend’s house. Jackson is soon put right by his grandmother and sent to find Abby. She loves her new position and employer, who treats her like a member of the family. The two fall in love, but an earl does not marry a bastard. Abby is not quite who she seems and neither is Jackson.

Ms. Hilden has written an entertaining and well researched historical romance. The characters are very real, with all of the virtues and foibles of people of any time period. Abby is a wonderfully sympathetic character who does not let her circumstances limit her. She also does not let anyone push her around. Jackson is overbearing but has a good heart. He is a bit too fond of making Abby jealous which can be annoying but overall I did like him. The plot grabbed my interest right from the start and held it to the very end. I really liked the interaction between the main characters and Abby’s friend Clarissa with her overbearing father and colorblind mother was a bit of comic relief.

4/5
Maura
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More

“A necessary Heir is a the greatest historical novel I have ever read. I love reading about people falling in love, and this story did not disappoint.The entire book shows the characters falling in love, marrying, and all the troubles that go along with it. This story is true to the period it was written for. L.A. Hilden has written this book, in a way to make the reader fell as if she is Abigail, showing all the feelings the young woman has. You can not help but smile as you read this story.
This book will please all readers, either historical romance or others. In the past, how many times have people given up their biological child to claim a male heir? It shows the strength that the young woman has growing up to think she was illegimate, when in fact she was the true daughter of the Earl of Waterford.
Once you pick this book up it is not reasonable to put it down until it is finished. I realized that someone has actually lived this life or something close to it. I recommend everyone to buy this book, as it is the best historical romance novel I have ever read. It is Enjoyable and I look forward to reading more of L.A. Hilden’s books. Go and get yours….now.

Abigail Gibbons grew up with the stigma of being illegitimate. Not only was she born out of wedlock, she has no clue who her father is. In the time period she lives in, this is a major flaw, one that causes her to be an outcast. When she meets and falls in love with Jackson Danvers, the new Earl of Waterford, she fears her illegitimacy will keep him from being accepted into society if they marry. Then she finds out that the late Earl of Waterford switched Abigail and Jackson at birth in order to secure a male heir.

What do you do when you suddenly realize your whole life you were living a lie? Being stripped away of all you thought you were shows the world your true colors. Abigail and Jackson react very differently to the news. Both feel betrayed by the late Earl of Waterford and both are angry. Abigail has lived all her life being shunned, this has made her a very strong woman and it shows. Jackson, on the other hand, has had everything easy in life and doesn’t handle it as well as Abigail. He feels like he doesn’t deserve her now that he’s not the Earl of Waterford anymore.

L.A. Hilden’s A Necessary Heir is a well-written historical romance filled with strong characters. There’s love, betrayal, and angst. I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it for fans of historical romances. With Hilden’s skillful pen, it’s easy to imagine yourself in Abigail’s place. Hilden does a wonderful job bringing to life the emotional ups and downs of her characters. The sex scenes are tastefully done; they are almost sweet and have an innocence to them that seems well suited to the time period. True to the genre, despite the trials and tribulations they face, there is a happy ending.

Nicole Mahoney
Reviewed 03/31/2012 on ReviewTheBook.com