''Adam Loveday'' is a novel by Kate Tremayne, and is the first in the ''Loveday'' series of books.

Plot summary

The plot centres on the rivalry between Adam and his brother St John. As the younger of the two, Adam knows that when their father dies, the family estate and shipyard that he loves so much will be inherited by his wayward brother. The rivalry between the two men intensifies when Adam falls in love with

Meriel Sawle Meriel may refer to: *Mériel, a commune in the French department of Val-d'Oise People with the given name *Meriel Barham, musician * Meriel Forbes (1913–2000), English actress * Meriel Horson, British actress who play one of the women in the wo ...

, the beautiful daughter of the local tavern keeper. But St John is determined that Adam will have neither the estate or Meriel. According to genealogical information provided in the book, Adam Loveday was born in

Cornwall Cornwall (; kw, Kernow ) is a historic county and ceremonial county in South West England. It is recognised as one of the Celtic nations, and is the homeland of the Cornish people. Cornwall is bordered to the north and west by the Atlantic ...

in 1767 as the son of Edward and Marie Loveday. He has a twin brother,

St John Loveday St John Loveday is a fictional character in the ''Loveday'' books written by Kate Tremayne. According to genealogical information provided in the books, he was born 1767 as the son of Edward and Marie Loveday. His twin brother is Adam Loveday. A ...

. Adam Loveday was encouraged to join the Royal Navy, and spent much of his early life as a junior officer. However, he was eventually forced to leave after being caught duelling with a rival officer, Lieutenant Francis Beaumont. After this he spent much time working in his father's shipyard where his designs for new ships helped to expand and improve the business. His talent for shipbuilding encouraged his father to make Adam heir to the family shipyard, further fuelling the rivalry between himself and St John. Adam is described as being tall, with dark shoulder length hair, a lean build and deeply tanned skin from his long days spent at sea. He is twenty years old when introduced in the first book of the Loveday series. 1999 British novels Novels by Kate Tremayne Hodder & Stoughton books Historical romance novels Literary characters introduced in 1999 {{2000s-hist-novel-stub