Adventure fiction is one of the easiest narrative forms to recognize but one of the hardest to define because of its overlap with many other genres. This collection of essays attempts to characterize adventure fiction through the exploration of key elements--such as larger-than-life characters and imperialistic ideas--in the genre's 19th- and 20th-century British and American works like The Scarlet Pimpernel by Orczy and Captain Blood by Sabatini. The author explores the cultural and literary impact of such works, presenting forgotten classics in a new light.

U.S. Deputy Marshal Gideon Fox's first glimpse of the ravishing beauty was like a mystical vision. But when Lorelei Russell identified herself, the lawman in Gideon kicked in; this woman was wanted for murder! He'd have to tame his fierce attraction until justice could be served. For her part, Lori couldn't believe the injustice of it all. Falsely accused, apprehended by a hard–hearted marshal and, the most unfair part how her body rebelled every time Gideon was near, making resistance to her gorgeous captor absolutely futile.

In a daring plan, Marshal Jackson Culpepper and his brothers disguise themselves as bandits and rob the corrupt local bank, hoping to root out the real embezzler. Too bad Cassandra Bixby was depositing her life savings that day… Naturally, Cassie demands an investigation…all the while fighting off her growing attraction to the Texas lawman who, to her frustration, refuses to take her seriously. Jack is in a bind—he can't very well arrest himself! Was it safe to share his secret with this woman–on–a–mission—the woman he's coming to love?

Evangeline Hallowell has sworn not to rest until she finds the dirty swindler who conned her sister. So when Colorado's best bounty hunter, J. D. Raven, refuses to help, the determined heiress joins the trail as his 'wife' for better or for worse. With enemies galore gunning for him, the last thing Raven needs is some stubborn, sass–mouthed hellcat landing them both in bigger trouble! But he soon finds keeping Eva safe is way easier than keeping himself from wanting her .