Abandoned & Protected: The Marquis' Tenacious Wife

Love's Second Chance Series: Tales of Lords & Ladies, Book 3

By: Bree Wolf

Narrated by: Ruth Urquhart

Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

On his way to claim his late father's title, highland chief Connor Brunwood stumbles upon an English lass in a deserted clearing. She's dressed like a man, in shirt and breeches, her blond tresses hidden under a large hat and a foil in her hand, as she practices the art of sword-fighting.

Awed by the sight of her spirited, blue eyes, and graceful, yet alluring movements, Connor calls her bluff, vowing that he will make her his wife. However, that is easier said than done.

Weary of men and their intentions, Henrietta Turner lives and plays by her own rules alone. So far she's thwarted every marriage proposal to come her way - though gentlemen aren't exactly beating down her door. Her scowl and outright manner have sent even the most steadfast of them running for the hills. Good riddance, for Henrietta is hell-bent on remaining unwed.

However, her plans come to an abrupt halt when a devilishly disarming highlander discovers her secret hideout. Undeterred by her rejection, Connor goes over her head to her uncle and secures her hand in marriage.

©2016 Sabrina Wolf (P)2020 Tantor

A truly emotional journey

This book, while a well written love story, delves deeper and explores surviving and overcoming trauma. we follow Henrietta's healing journey as a whole host of characters support her and love her while she lets go of hurt and fear that has dogged her since childhood. The story is deep and meaningful. You are brought along this emotional journey with our heroine and her ever faithful hero. We fall in love with the Brunwood Clan right along with Henrietta.

I enjoyed this book but I only gave it 4 stars because of the initial forced marriage with physically enforced closeness and even an illusion to a threat of rape. This hit a sour note with me and I don't get warm fizzles from this type of emotional abuse in the supposed "healthy" relationship that is purported to lead to the happy ending we want in a romance novel. This story could have done just fine without that element.

Abandoned & Protected: The Marquis' Tenacious Wife

Ruth Urquhart always dies an amazing job when she narrates novels for our pleasure! The book was fantastic in that I loved finding out how, through recalling and learning to face their past, helps that person to recognise responses in others aiding in understanding others reactions. The only thing I didn't like about the book was that I felt like the very chapter had been left out. The first epilogue touched on Tristan and revealed his "Guardian Angel" while the second epilogue spread forward about 5 years revealing cousins etc, but I felt like I had been left hanging about how Conner & wife saved her brother and solved the mystery about her uncle. Other than that, the book was fantastic. All of the information I felt had been left out, could possibly be dealt with in the next book since this is a series! 😊

Captivating Story. Exceptional Narrator

This story kept me glued, could not put it down until it was finished. Henrietta's emotional childhood memories control her life. She transfers her fears onto other young women, of marrying age, the dangers of putting trust in any man. How all this fear and need to be self-reliant resolves itself makes this book a joy to read. I've not heard this narrator before; however, her Scottish accent carries through on all levels. Well done.

Difficult to relate to

It was a struggle to get involved with this story, I was frustrated with Henrietta's behavior and comments when responding to Connor throughout most of the book. I couldn't relate to her, didn't feel the reason for her angst was properly developed. Please know, I am not diluting what she experienced when she was 5 but I had a conflict with her confusing behavior 10+ years later as the story attempted to portray her as a spirited strong female. It just fell flat for me. And I became quite distracted with the excessive use of "however".

Too many excuses for a waffling character. 

Too many excuses for a waffling character.  Tragedy yes, but you don't have to beat that dead horse forever when it doesn't progress the story. It became tiresome. I just couldn't read on..