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Armstrong Sisters #5
Unwed and Unrepentant
PRETEND ENGAGEMENT
Burned by love and fearful of being trapped by marriage, headstrong Lady Cordelia Armstrong is furious when her father manipulates her into a betrothal with his business partner, and her one-time lover, Iain Hunter.
Understanding Cordelia's reluctance, Iain proposes a pretend engagement. For now they will make believe, but there is no need to fake the attraction that still burns hotly between them. As they travel to magical Arabia, the lines between fantasy and reality blur. Will either of them really be able to walk away once their deal is done?
Burned by love and fearful of being trapped by marriage, headstrong Lady Cordelia Armstrong is furious when her father manipulates her into a betrothal with his business partner, and her one-time lover, Iain Hunter.
Understanding Cordelia's reluctance, Iain proposes a pretend engagement. For now they will make believe, but there is no need to fake the attraction that still burns hotly between them. As they travel to magical Arabia, the lines between fantasy and reality blur. Will either of them really be able to walk away once their deal is done?
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
5 people are currently reading
584 people want to read
About the author
Marguerite Kaye
252 books345 followersMarguerite Kaye is a prolific historical romance author hailing from Argyll’s West Coast. She is a voracious consumer of books, Scotland’s world-class larder, and the occasional cocktail.
Find out more on her website at www.margueritekaye.com
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Find out more on her website at www.margueritekaye.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
July 19, 2014
Unwed and Unrepentant – just ponder a little at the brilliance of this title.
Alliteration is common among historical romance titles, see: ‘Tryst with Trouble’, ‘Dancing with the Duke’, ‘To Defy a Duke’, ‘How to Master Your Marquis’ etc. etc. These playful titles go to show that the authors don’t take themselves and their novels too seriously, so don’t you even start with ‘anachronistic this’ and ‘anachronistic that’. Let’s accept that these books take place in an alternative universe called Victorian Lalaland, where Lady Cordelia Armstrong can go to Scotland and have an amazing one night stand there. This obviously caused me to have unrealistic expectations and when I had to make a few trips to Scotland myself recently I was very disappointed to only get a dinner and a handshake. I guess those were different times.
Have you ever had a one night stand that was so good and magical it freaked you out? No, me neither. How is that fair that those romance novels heroines get not only a happily ever after but they also get way better one night stands than us, the regular 21st century girls?
This is the last one in the Armstrong sister series. One last sister to be married off by their mean, calculating father. All his previous plans failed or backfired; his daughters running off with foreigners or worse, so I guess he is a bit tired (also knows his last daughter is damaged goods so his prospects here are limited) and decides to shift this last one on the first man who comes along, and it just happens that the first man to come along is his business associate Iain Hunter.
So now I want you to picture this: it’s the first time you see your father in ages and he announces he’s found you a husband, here, meet Iain. And to your horror you realise it’s the very same guy you had a one night stand a year ago. But Cordelia and Iain decide to play along and take all the benefits they can from this situation, so enter: Pretend Engagement! How I love pretend engagements! (note to the UK Visas and Immigration Office: NOT in real life, I would never do that, I promise.) Of course, you know what happens with pretend engagements in romance novels and so it happens here as well, but not before the hero and heroine go across the world. Iain and Cordelia’s relationship is all fire. Sometimes I thought maybe too much fire, just because I’m cynical like that. Additionally with that much fire their reluctance was baffling. Nonetheless the writing is superb as Kaye’s writing usually is.
And the irony - for once the evil father got his way! He successfully married off one of his daughters. He’s got 20% success rate. And in the end it still seems the joke is on him.
Alliteration is common among historical romance titles, see: ‘Tryst with Trouble’, ‘Dancing with the Duke’, ‘To Defy a Duke’, ‘How to Master Your Marquis’ etc. etc. These playful titles go to show that the authors don’t take themselves and their novels too seriously, so don’t you even start with ‘anachronistic this’ and ‘anachronistic that’. Let’s accept that these books take place in an alternative universe called Victorian Lalaland, where Lady Cordelia Armstrong can go to Scotland and have an amazing one night stand there. This obviously caused me to have unrealistic expectations and when I had to make a few trips to Scotland myself recently I was very disappointed to only get a dinner and a handshake. I guess those were different times.
Have you ever had a one night stand that was so good and magical it freaked you out? No, me neither. How is that fair that those romance novels heroines get not only a happily ever after but they also get way better one night stands than us, the regular 21st century girls?
This is the last one in the Armstrong sister series. One last sister to be married off by their mean, calculating father. All his previous plans failed or backfired; his daughters running off with foreigners or worse, so I guess he is a bit tired (also knows his last daughter is damaged goods so his prospects here are limited) and decides to shift this last one on the first man who comes along, and it just happens that the first man to come along is his business associate Iain Hunter.
So now I want you to picture this: it’s the first time you see your father in ages and he announces he’s found you a husband, here, meet Iain. And to your horror you realise it’s the very same guy you had a one night stand a year ago. But Cordelia and Iain decide to play along and take all the benefits they can from this situation, so enter: Pretend Engagement! How I love pretend engagements! (note to the UK Visas and Immigration Office: NOT in real life, I would never do that, I promise.) Of course, you know what happens with pretend engagements in romance novels and so it happens here as well, but not before the hero and heroine go across the world. Iain and Cordelia’s relationship is all fire. Sometimes I thought maybe too much fire, just because I’m cynical like that. Additionally with that much fire their reluctance was baffling. Nonetheless the writing is superb as Kaye’s writing usually is.
And the irony - for once the evil father got his way! He successfully married off one of his daughters. He’s got 20% success rate. And in the end it still seems the joke is on him.
April 4, 2014
I have received an advance copy of Marguerite Kaye's novel, 'Unwed and Unrepentant' in return for an honest review. I have to say that this was no hardship! This is an absolutely perfect ending to the intriguing family saga of the Armstrong sisters. Although each novel stands alone there are a few surprises in this final book which answers some questions which were not even apparent. One of Ms.Kaye's particular talents, ideas occur to her as she writes, and she includes and intertwines as if they have always been intended. I love this aspect of her writing. One never has an idea what to expect.
Iain Hunter is the most delicious of her male characters in this series....in my opinion.... a tough, self made man who has amassed his skills and fortunes from hard work and intelligence. It is certainly a novelty to have a powerful character who is not an aristocrat but still nevertheless commands respect and acceptance. This has been cleverly achieved by Ms.Kaye, Iain Hunter's character is believable, charismatic and utterly gorgeous.
Ms.Kaye's trademark, strong, independent, feisty, vulnerable female is also in attendance. Lady Cordelia Armstrong is beautiful, sexy and desirable. She has made her way in a mans world, using her intelligence and wit to acquire a fortune and winning her hard fought independence. Her controlling and cold parent, Lord Armstrong had disowned her 9 years previously after an aborted elopement. Unwed and unrepentant, Cordelia chooses her own path.
Marguerite Kaye's 2nd chapter is absolutely electric, beautiful, sensual, sexy but it is the immediate awareness of these two unusual characters, from different sides of the fence, their soul deep awareness of each other, which is so spine tingling and makes for such compulsive reading. A definite recognition of the 'one and only' mate for each of them, although neither of them admits to it to begin with. Each of them has secrets and no commitment is on the agenda for either of them.
They go their separate ways after their first encounter and are brought together a year later by, of all people, Lord Armstrong, who is hoping to strike a deal with Hunter for a ship building deal involving one of his Arabian sons-in-law, which would help to restore some of his lost political power. In his usual manipulative manner he decides that he can forgive Cordelia, who has visited her Father in the hope of a reconciliation with her family, if she marries Iain Hunter. Unaware of their previous meeting, Lord Armstrong believes he has manoeuvred a marriage of convenience between the Scottish shipping magnate and his errant daughter. They decide to play along with his plan to their own ends and enter into a faux betrothal, the attraction between them still soul deep and electric.
Again Ms Kaye's talented descriptive powers and thorough research shows. The amount of work involved (and I can't believe it was compelling bedtime reading) in so thoroughly getting to grips with the understanding of ship building practises, engines etc is eye watering, but to which we the readers are only treated to the interesting, pertinent facts. The visit to Cyprus, obviously drawn from Ms.Kaye's own time spent on that island, is quite beautiful and conjures up visions, of soft warm sand, balmy seas and delicious food eaten out of doors and the romance of it.....
Then there is their disembarkation in Arabia:
'The arrival at the port of A'Qadiz in the late morning. The harbour was crowded with people, camels, mules and cargo of every kind. Bales of cloth, terracotta urns, crates, boxes, sacks and parcels were stacked in precarious heaps on the quayside. Chickens cheeped, dogs yapped, donkeys brayed, and above it all the musical ululating of the Arabic language could be heard'.
No-one of my recently discovered authors, paints such vivid pictures in words as does Marguerite Kaye.
Marguerite Kaye, herself a Scot, cleverly uses the Scottish slang and vernacular to weave Iain's 'Scottishness' into the prose and the imagination to hear and understand him without the cringeworthy attempts by some I have read, 'my ain wee darling' all adds to the realism of this beautiful story.
I loved this beautiful story, plenty of twists and turns with strong, charismatic characters. My own personal 'rule of thumb' when reviewing and awarding a star rating is based on my utter absorption with the story, does it keep me under its spell? Am I anxious to reach the end, but sad to at the same time? Can I find any faults? All of my expectations were met and more. I am so sad to reach the end of this family saga but it has been brought to a clever ending, back where it all began, with all ends tied off and Lord Armstrong well and truly hoist by his own petard. 5 Sparkling, glittering, well deserved stars. I cannot recommend this novel more highly.
Iain Hunter is the most delicious of her male characters in this series....in my opinion.... a tough, self made man who has amassed his skills and fortunes from hard work and intelligence. It is certainly a novelty to have a powerful character who is not an aristocrat but still nevertheless commands respect and acceptance. This has been cleverly achieved by Ms.Kaye, Iain Hunter's character is believable, charismatic and utterly gorgeous.
Ms.Kaye's trademark, strong, independent, feisty, vulnerable female is also in attendance. Lady Cordelia Armstrong is beautiful, sexy and desirable. She has made her way in a mans world, using her intelligence and wit to acquire a fortune and winning her hard fought independence. Her controlling and cold parent, Lord Armstrong had disowned her 9 years previously after an aborted elopement. Unwed and unrepentant, Cordelia chooses her own path.
Marguerite Kaye's 2nd chapter is absolutely electric, beautiful, sensual, sexy but it is the immediate awareness of these two unusual characters, from different sides of the fence, their soul deep awareness of each other, which is so spine tingling and makes for such compulsive reading. A definite recognition of the 'one and only' mate for each of them, although neither of them admits to it to begin with. Each of them has secrets and no commitment is on the agenda for either of them.
They go their separate ways after their first encounter and are brought together a year later by, of all people, Lord Armstrong, who is hoping to strike a deal with Hunter for a ship building deal involving one of his Arabian sons-in-law, which would help to restore some of his lost political power. In his usual manipulative manner he decides that he can forgive Cordelia, who has visited her Father in the hope of a reconciliation with her family, if she marries Iain Hunter. Unaware of their previous meeting, Lord Armstrong believes he has manoeuvred a marriage of convenience between the Scottish shipping magnate and his errant daughter. They decide to play along with his plan to their own ends and enter into a faux betrothal, the attraction between them still soul deep and electric.
Again Ms Kaye's talented descriptive powers and thorough research shows. The amount of work involved (and I can't believe it was compelling bedtime reading) in so thoroughly getting to grips with the understanding of ship building practises, engines etc is eye watering, but to which we the readers are only treated to the interesting, pertinent facts. The visit to Cyprus, obviously drawn from Ms.Kaye's own time spent on that island, is quite beautiful and conjures up visions, of soft warm sand, balmy seas and delicious food eaten out of doors and the romance of it.....
Then there is their disembarkation in Arabia:
'The arrival at the port of A'Qadiz in the late morning. The harbour was crowded with people, camels, mules and cargo of every kind. Bales of cloth, terracotta urns, crates, boxes, sacks and parcels were stacked in precarious heaps on the quayside. Chickens cheeped, dogs yapped, donkeys brayed, and above it all the musical ululating of the Arabic language could be heard'.
No-one of my recently discovered authors, paints such vivid pictures in words as does Marguerite Kaye.
Marguerite Kaye, herself a Scot, cleverly uses the Scottish slang and vernacular to weave Iain's 'Scottishness' into the prose and the imagination to hear and understand him without the cringeworthy attempts by some I have read, 'my ain wee darling' all adds to the realism of this beautiful story.
I loved this beautiful story, plenty of twists and turns with strong, charismatic characters. My own personal 'rule of thumb' when reviewing and awarding a star rating is based on my utter absorption with the story, does it keep me under its spell? Am I anxious to reach the end, but sad to at the same time? Can I find any faults? All of my expectations were met and more. I am so sad to reach the end of this family saga but it has been brought to a clever ending, back where it all began, with all ends tied off and Lord Armstrong well and truly hoist by his own petard. 5 Sparkling, glittering, well deserved stars. I cannot recommend this novel more highly.
April 28, 2014
'She could not have said what drew her attention, only that it was drawn, almost as if she were compelled to look at him. He was dressed somberly, in a black coat and trousers, black shoes. His hair was cut short. Deep auburn, it was burnished by the silver-yellow rays of the setting sun filtered through the darkening clouds, giving him the look of a fallen angel.'
My thoughts
This is the fifth book in the Armstrong Sister's series by Margeurite Kaye. Including this book, I've now read Cressie, Caro, and Cordelia's stories, and I'm looking forward to getting stuck into the first two of the series.
I've thoroughly enjoyed the Armstrong Sisters stories so far, as I always admire their strong female characters. However, their father, Lord Armstrong, always has a large part to play in these books, and I have to say that I'm disliking him more and more with each book I read. However, he gets his comeuppance in this book, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I had a good chuckle at his expense.
Cordelia is the youngest of the Armstrong sisters, and as such, has seen her older sisters grow up and fly the nest. All of her sisters have found happiness and married the men that they love, despite their father's wishes, and Cordelia is the only one unmarried. This of course sparks her father to try and marry her off as soon as she returns from her long absence. He knows how much she wants to see her family again, so he uses this against her in order to get her to bend to his will. He didn't count on Cordelia already being familiar with his business associate Iain Hunter, and the pair strike up a deal that benefits them both.
The story is told through alternating points of view, between Cordelia an Iain. I always enjoy stories that are told in this way, as I find it interesting to see into both of their minds and to also see how they interpret each situation differently. It also gave me an opportunity to learn more about Iain's character, and his mysterious family. I loved watching their feelings for each other growing, as they spent more time together. They try so hard to deny the feelings exist, but there are some feelings that just won't go away.
I'd like to thank the author Marguerite Kaye for providing me with a free copy of her book to read and review. Once again I've loved every page of the story and struggled to put it down. It's the type of book that you can curl up and relax with, and before you know it, you've read half of it! I highly recommend this book to lovers of Historical Romance with strong female characters.
My thoughts
This is the fifth book in the Armstrong Sister's series by Margeurite Kaye. Including this book, I've now read Cressie, Caro, and Cordelia's stories, and I'm looking forward to getting stuck into the first two of the series.
I've thoroughly enjoyed the Armstrong Sisters stories so far, as I always admire their strong female characters. However, their father, Lord Armstrong, always has a large part to play in these books, and I have to say that I'm disliking him more and more with each book I read. However, he gets his comeuppance in this book, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I had a good chuckle at his expense.
Cordelia is the youngest of the Armstrong sisters, and as such, has seen her older sisters grow up and fly the nest. All of her sisters have found happiness and married the men that they love, despite their father's wishes, and Cordelia is the only one unmarried. This of course sparks her father to try and marry her off as soon as she returns from her long absence. He knows how much she wants to see her family again, so he uses this against her in order to get her to bend to his will. He didn't count on Cordelia already being familiar with his business associate Iain Hunter, and the pair strike up a deal that benefits them both.
The story is told through alternating points of view, between Cordelia an Iain. I always enjoy stories that are told in this way, as I find it interesting to see into both of their minds and to also see how they interpret each situation differently. It also gave me an opportunity to learn more about Iain's character, and his mysterious family. I loved watching their feelings for each other growing, as they spent more time together. They try so hard to deny the feelings exist, but there are some feelings that just won't go away.
I'd like to thank the author Marguerite Kaye for providing me with a free copy of her book to read and review. Once again I've loved every page of the story and struggled to put it down. It's the type of book that you can curl up and relax with, and before you know it, you've read half of it! I highly recommend this book to lovers of Historical Romance with strong female characters.
April 2, 2014
UNWED AND REPENTANT by Marguerite Kaye is an intriguing Regency Historical Romance set in 1837 London and Arabia. #5 in "The Armstrong Sisters" series, but can be read as a stand alone. Although, I would recommend reading the others in this amazing series, of the Armstrong Sisters. See, "Innocent in the Sheikh's Harem","The Governess and the Sheikh", "The Beauty Within", and "Rumours that Ruined a Lady".
Meet, Lady Cordelia Armstrong and Iain Hunter and follow them on their quest or journey toward love and happiness.
Lady Cordelia's father is a unforgiving, arrogant, demanding, manipulator, of a father, to say least and his daughters have suffered for his behavior. As you will see, Lady Cordelia is unrepentant for her past behavior, but she wishes to see her sisters, and other siblings. Enter.... Iain Hunter, A Scottish, ship designer, who needs Mr. Armstrong for an introduction to one of his son-in-a-law's. So of course, Cordelia's father sees another opportunity to bring his wayward, unrepentant daughter to heel. So he manipulates Iain and Cordelia into a betrothal, or does he?
Cordelia has been betrayed before and therefore, is reluctant to trust anyone, especially a man. Iain has no wish to marry, so they form their own alliance, a pertain betrothal.
Fast paced and passion filled. UNWED AND UNREPENTANT is filled with passion, secrets, deception, family drama, romance, and love. Redemption at its best with dark overtures and the power of true love. A must read for anyone who enjoys dark secrets, love, a trip though a magical place, such as Arabia and passion. Many secrets will be revealed, as well as things the Armstrong Sisters' father would rather not be known. I have enjoyed the Armstrong sisters series, their trails, and their triumphs. Cordelia needs her HEA, now!
Ms. Kaye, has a way with her emotional tales of love and redemption that draws the reader into her tales and holds them spellbound. A very sensual, surprising and stimulating read! Well done!!
Received for an honest review.
RATING: 4.5
HEAT RATING: HOT
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
Meet, Lady Cordelia Armstrong and Iain Hunter and follow them on their quest or journey toward love and happiness.
Lady Cordelia's father is a unforgiving, arrogant, demanding, manipulator, of a father, to say least and his daughters have suffered for his behavior. As you will see, Lady Cordelia is unrepentant for her past behavior, but she wishes to see her sisters, and other siblings. Enter.... Iain Hunter, A Scottish, ship designer, who needs Mr. Armstrong for an introduction to one of his son-in-a-law's. So of course, Cordelia's father sees another opportunity to bring his wayward, unrepentant daughter to heel. So he manipulates Iain and Cordelia into a betrothal, or does he?
Cordelia has been betrayed before and therefore, is reluctant to trust anyone, especially a man. Iain has no wish to marry, so they form their own alliance, a pertain betrothal.
Fast paced and passion filled. UNWED AND UNREPENTANT is filled with passion, secrets, deception, family drama, romance, and love. Redemption at its best with dark overtures and the power of true love. A must read for anyone who enjoys dark secrets, love, a trip though a magical place, such as Arabia and passion. Many secrets will be revealed, as well as things the Armstrong Sisters' father would rather not be known. I have enjoyed the Armstrong sisters series, their trails, and their triumphs. Cordelia needs her HEA, now!
Ms. Kaye, has a way with her emotional tales of love and redemption that draws the reader into her tales and holds them spellbound. A very sensual, surprising and stimulating read! Well done!!
Received for an honest review.
RATING: 4.5
HEAT RATING: HOT
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
June 20, 2021
I received an advance review copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review. This novel is the final volume of the Armstrong Sisters books and the heroine is Lady Cordelia Armstrong and the hero – a working class Scot – is Iain Hunter. Both are unusual business people with very strong opinions despite their diverse backgrounds.
As in the previous books Cordelia’s father has a hand in arranging a marriage for her whether she likes it or not. The difference being in this book is that she had previously escaped his clutches by running away with her lover as a young debutante, he a worthless rake and their relationship fizzles out relatively quickly leaving Cordelia to find her own way in the world still unmarried and with a ruined reputation. Don’t feel you have to feel sorry for her though as this does not bother her in the least all she misses are her sisters which by extension to her father she is also estranged from.
Iain by contrast comes from a very poor family and is self-made a ship builder who by his business talents is useful to Lord Armstrong who wants to use them in Arabia the home of his two eldest daughters and their powerful husbands. By ‘chance’ bringing the hero and heroine together he believes he can manipulate a partnership in marriage between the two. What he does not know is that they have already had one passionate night together and the spark between them hasn’t gone away in the ensuing years…
What I liked was a slightly later setting (1837), the chance to return to Arabia to revisit two of the sisters and a sparky self-made hero (and the way he attempts to protect the heroine) and heroine surprisingly the hero to me appeared to have the softer heart and the slightly easier time of it allowing himself to fall in love Cordelia took quite some time to do that.
What I didn't like so much was that despite the plenty of opportunity on the journey to Arabia there was very little time spent with the two oldest Armstrong girls/women hardly anything at all and we didn't get to hear from Cassie except via her sister. Lord Armstrong did get his comeuppance from his wife you might say and she got what she wanted out of her marriage in the end but this seemed small satisfaction for Bella and Lord A. still seemed to me to get away with being downright cruel at times. It would have been nice to see all his older children together finally showing how they had triumphed without him and in spite of him.
I did enjoy this book though and it rounds out the series well each of the girls finding their own distinct personalities and happiness in their own ways. I would probably recommend that if you could only pick one of the books going for Rumours that Ruined a Lady (Caroline).
Oh and another lovely cover (but the fashion is all wrong M&B, and what's the house for?).
As in the previous books Cordelia’s father has a hand in arranging a marriage for her whether she likes it or not. The difference being in this book is that she had previously escaped his clutches by running away with her lover as a young debutante, he a worthless rake and their relationship fizzles out relatively quickly leaving Cordelia to find her own way in the world still unmarried and with a ruined reputation. Don’t feel you have to feel sorry for her though as this does not bother her in the least all she misses are her sisters which by extension to her father she is also estranged from.
Iain by contrast comes from a very poor family and is self-made a ship builder who by his business talents is useful to Lord Armstrong who wants to use them in Arabia the home of his two eldest daughters and their powerful husbands. By ‘chance’ bringing the hero and heroine together he believes he can manipulate a partnership in marriage between the two. What he does not know is that they have already had one passionate night together and the spark between them hasn’t gone away in the ensuing years…
What I liked was a slightly later setting (1837), the chance to return to Arabia to revisit two of the sisters and a sparky self-made hero (and the way he attempts to protect the heroine) and heroine surprisingly the hero to me appeared to have the softer heart and the slightly easier time of it allowing himself to fall in love Cordelia took quite some time to do that.
What I didn't like so much was that despite the plenty of opportunity on the journey to Arabia there was very little time spent with the two oldest Armstrong girls/women hardly anything at all and we didn't get to hear from Cassie except via her sister. Lord Armstrong did get his comeuppance from his wife you might say and she got what she wanted out of her marriage in the end but this seemed small satisfaction for Bella and Lord A. still seemed to me to get away with being downright cruel at times. It would have been nice to see all his older children together finally showing how they had triumphed without him and in spite of him.
I did enjoy this book though and it rounds out the series well each of the girls finding their own distinct personalities and happiness in their own ways. I would probably recommend that if you could only pick one of the books going for Rumours that Ruined a Lady (Caroline).
Oh and another lovely cover (but the fashion is all wrong M&B, and what's the house for?).
February 20, 2014
Unfortunately, this didn't turn out good for me. I didn't dislike this book, but neither did I like it much. But, the story was fine and it was an overall okay read.
Cordelia was a frustrating heroine. I liked that she was independent and wanted to live life on her own terms. However, I didn't like that she could be infuriatingly stubborn about all the wrong things and had a serious problem with assuming things about other people (i.e: Iain) that made her push them away. I got annoyed with her more than once. So, I didn't like her too much, but I was okay with her.
Iain was better. He was sweet and willing to go after what he wanted. But, he had an issue with miscommunication that caused problems more than once. At the risk of sounding cheesy, I would say he seriously needed to learn how to express his feelings. And, like Cordelia, he was so stubborn about making their relationship seem platonic, that he just caused problems that didn't need to exist. I understood both of their reluctance, but not to the point that it became aggravating. Again, I didn't love him, but, overall, I was okay with him.
The romance was okay. Honestly, with both Cordelia and Iain dragging their feet, it was a bit frustrating. I thought they were well matched, but their reluctance sapped away at the sweetness of it. One part that was left intact was the seriously hot chemistry between them. Quite a few steamy scenes in store with these two.
The plot was fine, though I wasn't hooked. There were a few parts that dragged, probably just because something annoyed me and made me lose interest for a while. But, something kept me going and I ended up liking the story. And, the ending was good.
Unwed and Unrepentant was an okay historical romance. I didn't love it, but I was okay with it. I wouldn't really recommend it, because it didn't work for me, but it's up to you if you want to read it.
*I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Cordelia was a frustrating heroine. I liked that she was independent and wanted to live life on her own terms. However, I didn't like that she could be infuriatingly stubborn about all the wrong things and had a serious problem with assuming things about other people (i.e: Iain) that made her push them away. I got annoyed with her more than once. So, I didn't like her too much, but I was okay with her.
Iain was better. He was sweet and willing to go after what he wanted. But, he had an issue with miscommunication that caused problems more than once. At the risk of sounding cheesy, I would say he seriously needed to learn how to express his feelings. And, like Cordelia, he was so stubborn about making their relationship seem platonic, that he just caused problems that didn't need to exist. I understood both of their reluctance, but not to the point that it became aggravating. Again, I didn't love him, but, overall, I was okay with him.
The romance was okay. Honestly, with both Cordelia and Iain dragging their feet, it was a bit frustrating. I thought they were well matched, but their reluctance sapped away at the sweetness of it. One part that was left intact was the seriously hot chemistry between them. Quite a few steamy scenes in store with these two.
The plot was fine, though I wasn't hooked. There were a few parts that dragged, probably just because something annoyed me and made me lose interest for a while. But, something kept me going and I ended up liking the story. And, the ending was good.
Unwed and Unrepentant was an okay historical romance. I didn't love it, but I was okay with it. I wouldn't really recommend it, because it didn't work for me, but it's up to you if you want to read it.
*I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
May 12, 2014
Lady Cordelia Armstrong is beautiful, head strong, independent and refuses to kowtow to her father’s wishes and manipulations. She takes matters into her own hands and strikes out on her own. She made decisions for her life that have left her alone and feeling lonely. During her time away from her family she has amassed financial independence, which surprises her father.
Iain Hunter is a steam ship builder. He is strong willed, confident, smart and does not suffer fools or manipulations well. While he was not born with a title he has more integrity and honor than a large portion of the ton. Unfortunately, he needs the assistance of Cordelia’s father to help pave the way for his business to grow.
Theirs is a hot steamy and intense relationship. Their one night together was cataclysmic and neither of them has forgotten it. When they meet again a year later things are still just as explosive. Her father manipulates them to gain position and to get Cordelia off his hands. Their road to happiness is filled with jealousy, triumphs, misunderstandings, personal growth and revelations and steamy kisses. Iain finds he wants and needs to take care of and nurture Cordelia, something they have both lacked in their lives. This is a fast paced story that uncovers some of the Armstrong family secrets and reminds us that families are complicated. This is the fifth in this series and I have now read two of them. I plan to catch up and read the others. Ms. Kaye has created complex characters, relationships and brilliant stories that make you want to stay and enjoy longer.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Iain Hunter is a steam ship builder. He is strong willed, confident, smart and does not suffer fools or manipulations well. While he was not born with a title he has more integrity and honor than a large portion of the ton. Unfortunately, he needs the assistance of Cordelia’s father to help pave the way for his business to grow.
Theirs is a hot steamy and intense relationship. Their one night together was cataclysmic and neither of them has forgotten it. When they meet again a year later things are still just as explosive. Her father manipulates them to gain position and to get Cordelia off his hands. Their road to happiness is filled with jealousy, triumphs, misunderstandings, personal growth and revelations and steamy kisses. Iain finds he wants and needs to take care of and nurture Cordelia, something they have both lacked in their lives. This is a fast paced story that uncovers some of the Armstrong family secrets and reminds us that families are complicated. This is the fifth in this series and I have now read two of them. I plan to catch up and read the others. Ms. Kaye has created complex characters, relationships and brilliant stories that make you want to stay and enjoy longer.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
April 6, 2014
This is the story of the youngest sister in the Armstrong family. Lady Cordelia Armstrong has returned home ten years after eloping only to find that her domineering father has maneuvered her into marrying Iain Hunter a Scottish shipbuilder he hopes to have build ships for him. However, unknown to Lord Armstrong, the two of them had a one-night fling a year previously when she returned from the Highlands. Now, the two of them pretended to be strangers for each of their own reasons as they played out the farce they were forced to play. Iain was traveling to Arabia for her father and Cordelia was forced to go with him if she ever wanted to see her sisters again as they both lived there. On the long voyages that took them from England, the two seemingly dissimilar people discovered that they had more in common than they thought and that love comes in the most unexpected ways!
As a conclusion to the trilogy this is a great finish. Lord Armstrong gets what's coming to him; his wife and the girls' stepmother finds true love; and so do the sisters. Iain shows himself to be a man after my own heart and Cordelia is made of sterner stuff than everyone believes.
As a conclusion to the trilogy this is a great finish. Lord Armstrong gets what's coming to him; his wife and the girls' stepmother finds true love; and so do the sisters. Iain shows himself to be a man after my own heart and Cordelia is made of sterner stuff than everyone believes.
January 16, 2016
Unwed And Unrepentant by Marguerite Kaye
The Armstrong Sisters Series Book 5
Lady Cordelia Armstrong was not going to marry someone of her father's choosing. She could make the best choices for herself, or so she thought. After ten years of separation from her family, she decided to come home to England. To face her biggest fear, her father.
Iain Hunter was a shipbuilder. He needed Lord Armstrong's connections to go and talk with Arabian prince about building ships for them. What he didn't expect was to run into the woman he had met a year ago in Glasgow. A woman he had never forgotten.
Lord Armstrong fits his name well as he likes to strong arm those around him. He was falling from his political heights and an up and coming man like Iain could help him, especially if his daughter was thrown into the match. And Cordelia will agree to most anything to see her two sisters who are in Arabia. Even pretend to give up her independence.
**Sexual content
**Received through NetGalley for review
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
The Armstrong Sisters Series Book 5
Lady Cordelia Armstrong was not going to marry someone of her father's choosing. She could make the best choices for herself, or so she thought. After ten years of separation from her family, she decided to come home to England. To face her biggest fear, her father.
Iain Hunter was a shipbuilder. He needed Lord Armstrong's connections to go and talk with Arabian prince about building ships for them. What he didn't expect was to run into the woman he had met a year ago in Glasgow. A woman he had never forgotten.
Lord Armstrong fits his name well as he likes to strong arm those around him. He was falling from his political heights and an up and coming man like Iain could help him, especially if his daughter was thrown into the match. And Cordelia will agree to most anything to see her two sisters who are in Arabia. Even pretend to give up her independence.
**Sexual content
**Received through NetGalley for review
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
October 11, 2017
http://leslecturesdeveralice@blogspot...
A vrai dire, l'histoire de Cordelia et de Iain ne m'a guère charmée. Cela s'explique par plusieurs choses.
1) Les héros se tombent, littéralement, dans les bras dès le premier regard. En 1835, et même si l'auteur ne cesse de nous rappeler que l'héroïne est une femme indépendante, libre, farouchement autonome,..., sa conduite, en général, de même que sa façon de s'exprimer ou d'interargir avec Iain, se rapprochent trop des attitudes actuelles pour la rendre crédible... ou attachante. Et surtout, pour que son désir de s'intégrer de nouveau à la société, ne fasse pas hausser des épaules. Et donc : mais pourquoi revient-elle en Angleterre au début du roman? Voilà une idée de départ basée sur des sables mouvants, et qui manque, à mon avis, cruellement de fond !
2) Je te veux, tu me veux... Ben alors, elle est pas belle la vie? Il est où, le problème, hmm?
3) Le lancement du projet de mariage tombe comme un cheveu sur la soupe, avec ces retrouvailles improbables du chapitre 1 entre Iain et Cordélia. J'ai dû m'y reprendre à deux fois pour comprendre les motivations du père Armstrong, ainsi que la rapidité de son intervention... Euh, je cherche encore... Oui, bon, les intérêts "relationnels"... Mince, je n'y crois guère.
4) Cordélia est un personnage très fort, certes, mais aussi et surtout, très "rèche". Quant à Iain, il la suit comme son ombre, dirait-on. On sent qu'il aurait pu avoir de l'envergure, car son profil s'y prête, mais, comment dire? Le soufflé retombe...
5) J'aime bien d'habitude les profils "homme du peuple", "armateur", "constructeur", avec les à-côtés techniques qui donnent du corps historiquement parlant. Bon, là, clairement, ils m'ont laissée froide. Outch...
Au final, dommage de ne pas finir la série (ce roman est le dernier tome de la série sur les sœurs Armstrong, Princes du désert) sur une plus jolie note ! Pour moi, c'était, on l'aura compris, un rendez-vous manqué. Mais on peut aussi trouver plein de qualités à écriture, ou à l'originalité des héros. Alors pourquoi pas?
A vrai dire, l'histoire de Cordelia et de Iain ne m'a guère charmée. Cela s'explique par plusieurs choses.
1) Les héros se tombent, littéralement, dans les bras dès le premier regard. En 1835, et même si l'auteur ne cesse de nous rappeler que l'héroïne est une femme indépendante, libre, farouchement autonome,..., sa conduite, en général, de même que sa façon de s'exprimer ou d'interargir avec Iain, se rapprochent trop des attitudes actuelles pour la rendre crédible... ou attachante. Et surtout, pour que son désir de s'intégrer de nouveau à la société, ne fasse pas hausser des épaules. Et donc : mais pourquoi revient-elle en Angleterre au début du roman? Voilà une idée de départ basée sur des sables mouvants, et qui manque, à mon avis, cruellement de fond !
2) Je te veux, tu me veux... Ben alors, elle est pas belle la vie? Il est où, le problème, hmm?
3) Le lancement du projet de mariage tombe comme un cheveu sur la soupe, avec ces retrouvailles improbables du chapitre 1 entre Iain et Cordélia. J'ai dû m'y reprendre à deux fois pour comprendre les motivations du père Armstrong, ainsi que la rapidité de son intervention... Euh, je cherche encore... Oui, bon, les intérêts "relationnels"... Mince, je n'y crois guère.
4) Cordélia est un personnage très fort, certes, mais aussi et surtout, très "rèche". Quant à Iain, il la suit comme son ombre, dirait-on. On sent qu'il aurait pu avoir de l'envergure, car son profil s'y prête, mais, comment dire? Le soufflé retombe...
5) J'aime bien d'habitude les profils "homme du peuple", "armateur", "constructeur", avec les à-côtés techniques qui donnent du corps historiquement parlant. Bon, là, clairement, ils m'ont laissée froide. Outch...
Au final, dommage de ne pas finir la série (ce roman est le dernier tome de la série sur les sœurs Armstrong, Princes du désert) sur une plus jolie note ! Pour moi, c'était, on l'aura compris, un rendez-vous manqué. Mais on peut aussi trouver plein de qualités à écriture, ou à l'originalité des héros. Alors pourquoi pas?
January 28, 2018
Ho superato la metà da un pezzo e di Arabia ne ho vista ben poca. L’azione sin qui si è svolta a Londra, anche se al punto in cui sono si è quasi pronti alla partenza. Ma qualcosa non va. La lettura arranca e non è piacevole. Il motivo? Non è un romance classico, pare più una sorta di saga familiare in cui niente è come uno se lo aspetti. Tutti questi intrighi e maneggi non fanno proprio per me. Tra l’altro l’unico personaggio a piacermi è il povero Iain, che viene bistrattato dalla Lei del momento, assurda e bisbetica. La traduzione del titolo è fuorviante e assurda. “Nubile e impenitente” (la traduzione è di google, perché in inglese non sono questo granchè) ha molto più senso.
September 2, 2021
There was way too much angst for me. The heroine was particularly annoying.
May 31, 2023
The last two books in this series had two of the most unlikeable "heroines" I've ever read. To ignore your family for nine years and then act shocked when your father is mad at you... like come on.
April 1, 2024
LoL. How did I ended with this garbage?
May 4, 2014
A sumptuous feast for the imagination, this story takes readers from London society to the colorful lands of Arabia! Taken from my review on RomanceJunkies.com:
Lady Cordelia Armstrong did not want her father to choose a husband for her after witnessing his attempts at finding a husband for her sisters. She has managed to get by her father in the past by appearing to go along with him and then doing what she wanted to do all along. So when her father leaves on a trip, leaving Cordelia with her aunt, she takes the opportunity to run off with a man, Gideon, whom she is sure loves her. After his intentions prove to be not quite so honorable, she still does not return to her family for nine years. Instead, she spends that time traveling and building her own fortune. But independence and wealth could not take the place of her family and now she wants only to be reunited with them. Her two married sisters have assured Cordelia that their father has changed and is no longer the domineering force that she had known. But during the meeting, a man arrives for his own meeting with her sire, a man she knows. They had previously met while she was using a different name and presenting herself as a widow. They had spent a very passionate night together during her time out of the country. Since she does not need her father’s money, she figures she has the upper hand with him. But then he drops his own bombshell. In order for the reunion to come about, she must meet her father’s price and marry his business partner, who is also her one-time lover.
Iain Hunter has built his fortune through designing and building ships. Since the night he and Cordelia spent together, he has found her hard to forget, but he has no intention of marrying yet. He is about to go to Arabia to build ships for the prince, who is married to Cordelia’s sister. But he must get the contract from Lord Armstrong, who is the prince’s father-in-law. Unfortunately, the only way he can get the contract is to become betrothed to Cordelia. So the two agree to a faux engagement and soon set sail for the exotic land of Arabia. This fake betrothal also gives Cordelia her much desired chance to see her two sisters again since both have managed to marry for love, despite their father’s manipulations, and now live in Arabia. But during the trip, the two find that they have more in common than the sexual attraction they feel for each other. Can they find the same happiness together that her sisters have already found?
UNWED AND UNREPENTANT, the fifth book of author Marguerite Kaye’s THE ARMSTRONG SISTERS, is a clever, spirited, historical romance which takes you from London society to the colorful land of Arabia. With Ms. Kaye’s talented storytelling prose and realistic characters, you can almost feel the sand beneath your feet. I enjoyed watching as Iain and Cordelia find their way to true happiness, despite her father’s interference, and Lord Armstrong finally gets his much needed comeuppance. Being reunited with Cordelia’s sisters was a bonus. This is one aspect that I love about many series books.
The exotic lands, sizzling sensuality, deceit, family dynamics, secrets, surprises, tender romance and true love, as well as the well-drawn characters all serve to stimulate the imagination and draw the reader right into the story. Each of the stories in this series can be read as a standalone, but together, they are quite a feast for the imagination. You will not want to miss one of these delectable stories as you become acquainted with the ARMSTRONG SISTERS and the men who love them!
Dottie, RomanceJunkies.com
Lady Cordelia Armstrong did not want her father to choose a husband for her after witnessing his attempts at finding a husband for her sisters. She has managed to get by her father in the past by appearing to go along with him and then doing what she wanted to do all along. So when her father leaves on a trip, leaving Cordelia with her aunt, she takes the opportunity to run off with a man, Gideon, whom she is sure loves her. After his intentions prove to be not quite so honorable, she still does not return to her family for nine years. Instead, she spends that time traveling and building her own fortune. But independence and wealth could not take the place of her family and now she wants only to be reunited with them. Her two married sisters have assured Cordelia that their father has changed and is no longer the domineering force that she had known. But during the meeting, a man arrives for his own meeting with her sire, a man she knows. They had previously met while she was using a different name and presenting herself as a widow. They had spent a very passionate night together during her time out of the country. Since she does not need her father’s money, she figures she has the upper hand with him. But then he drops his own bombshell. In order for the reunion to come about, she must meet her father’s price and marry his business partner, who is also her one-time lover.
Iain Hunter has built his fortune through designing and building ships. Since the night he and Cordelia spent together, he has found her hard to forget, but he has no intention of marrying yet. He is about to go to Arabia to build ships for the prince, who is married to Cordelia’s sister. But he must get the contract from Lord Armstrong, who is the prince’s father-in-law. Unfortunately, the only way he can get the contract is to become betrothed to Cordelia. So the two agree to a faux engagement and soon set sail for the exotic land of Arabia. This fake betrothal also gives Cordelia her much desired chance to see her two sisters again since both have managed to marry for love, despite their father’s manipulations, and now live in Arabia. But during the trip, the two find that they have more in common than the sexual attraction they feel for each other. Can they find the same happiness together that her sisters have already found?
UNWED AND UNREPENTANT, the fifth book of author Marguerite Kaye’s THE ARMSTRONG SISTERS, is a clever, spirited, historical romance which takes you from London society to the colorful land of Arabia. With Ms. Kaye’s talented storytelling prose and realistic characters, you can almost feel the sand beneath your feet. I enjoyed watching as Iain and Cordelia find their way to true happiness, despite her father’s interference, and Lord Armstrong finally gets his much needed comeuppance. Being reunited with Cordelia’s sisters was a bonus. This is one aspect that I love about many series books.
The exotic lands, sizzling sensuality, deceit, family dynamics, secrets, surprises, tender romance and true love, as well as the well-drawn characters all serve to stimulate the imagination and draw the reader right into the story. Each of the stories in this series can be read as a standalone, but together, they are quite a feast for the imagination. You will not want to miss one of these delectable stories as you become acquainted with the ARMSTRONG SISTERS and the men who love them!
Dottie, RomanceJunkies.com
October 10, 2014
*I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Unwed and Unrepentant is the fifth book in a series from which I've only read the previous book but, like I mentioned in my opinion of that book, each story is independent enough to allow for an isolated reading.
The protagonist is Cordelia, the last of the Armstrong sisters to have her story told. In the previous book the author had already hinted at the fact that Cordelia had run away from home and no one knew her whereabouts. Now, nine years later, Cordelia returns to her father's house with the purpose of reconciling and resuming her relationship with her sisters. Contrary to what her father might have thought, though, Cordelia didn't come running with her tail between her legs, she doesn't need him for she has her own means of subsistence. But even so, her father manages to complicate things for her by telling her she'll only be a part of the family again if she marries the man he has chosen for her: Iain Hunter. The man she spent a night with a year ago.
Cordelia won't even consider her father's proposal until Iain comes up with the idea of a fake engagement so they'll both get what they want. Because, you see, Iain is a member of the bourgeoisie, he owns a shipyard and he wants to get a contract with Cordelia's brother-in-law, the sheikh to whom Celia has married, to build ships in Arabia. But Cordelia's father will only give him the business if he allies himself with Cordelia. And that's exactly what he does, although not exactly in the way Lord Armstrong thinks...
The attraction they felt for each other a year ago is as strong or even stronger than it was back then so, even though it's a fake engagement, it doesn't mean it can't be consummated, right?
Even more than the story, it were the characters that enchanted me in this book, and that made me give it a five star classification. Cordelia is an independent woman who has decided, long ago, that she was never going to get married and subject herself to the will of any man. Besides that, she is also a woman ahead of her time, comfortable with her sexuality and shameless about having sexual relations with strangers something that, at the time, was a male exclusive. I loved Cordelia because she is faithful to her principles till the end and she doesn't turn into a silly woman just because she fell in love.
And Iain is also lovely... Being a member of the bourgeoisie, he has always had to work and fight for what he has and that's maybe why he can understand Cordelia's reasons. And even though he is always trying to seduce her, never once does he try to change her, he accepts her as she is and likes her that way. And he is always truthful to her, and that was another thing I enjoyed immensely, the sincerity of their relationship. They talk things through and they clarify situations and positions, always with mutual respect.
A romance I sincerely recommend, different from the others I have read, and probably with the most functional relationship I have ever read. And that leaves nothing to desire in terms of sensuality and romance. Oh, I did I mention that Iain is Scottish, and sometimes talks with an accent?
Unwed and Unrepentant is the fifth book in a series from which I've only read the previous book but, like I mentioned in my opinion of that book, each story is independent enough to allow for an isolated reading.
The protagonist is Cordelia, the last of the Armstrong sisters to have her story told. In the previous book the author had already hinted at the fact that Cordelia had run away from home and no one knew her whereabouts. Now, nine years later, Cordelia returns to her father's house with the purpose of reconciling and resuming her relationship with her sisters. Contrary to what her father might have thought, though, Cordelia didn't come running with her tail between her legs, she doesn't need him for she has her own means of subsistence. But even so, her father manages to complicate things for her by telling her she'll only be a part of the family again if she marries the man he has chosen for her: Iain Hunter. The man she spent a night with a year ago.
Cordelia won't even consider her father's proposal until Iain comes up with the idea of a fake engagement so they'll both get what they want. Because, you see, Iain is a member of the bourgeoisie, he owns a shipyard and he wants to get a contract with Cordelia's brother-in-law, the sheikh to whom Celia has married, to build ships in Arabia. But Cordelia's father will only give him the business if he allies himself with Cordelia. And that's exactly what he does, although not exactly in the way Lord Armstrong thinks...
The attraction they felt for each other a year ago is as strong or even stronger than it was back then so, even though it's a fake engagement, it doesn't mean it can't be consummated, right?
Even more than the story, it were the characters that enchanted me in this book, and that made me give it a five star classification. Cordelia is an independent woman who has decided, long ago, that she was never going to get married and subject herself to the will of any man. Besides that, she is also a woman ahead of her time, comfortable with her sexuality and shameless about having sexual relations with strangers something that, at the time, was a male exclusive. I loved Cordelia because she is faithful to her principles till the end and she doesn't turn into a silly woman just because she fell in love.
And Iain is also lovely... Being a member of the bourgeoisie, he has always had to work and fight for what he has and that's maybe why he can understand Cordelia's reasons. And even though he is always trying to seduce her, never once does he try to change her, he accepts her as she is and likes her that way. And he is always truthful to her, and that was another thing I enjoyed immensely, the sincerity of their relationship. They talk things through and they clarify situations and positions, always with mutual respect.
A romance I sincerely recommend, different from the others I have read, and probably with the most functional relationship I have ever read. And that leaves nothing to desire in terms of sensuality and romance. Oh, I did I mention that Iain is Scottish, and sometimes talks with an accent?
April 17, 2014
First book by Marguerite Kaye this year. I just say I had been looking forward to this for some time for many reasons. Her superb way of telling stories is definitely one of them.
Unwed and Unrepentant is set around the time when Queen Victoria first took the throne. It was a transition time in all aspect. The story kind of give me a sense of that, too, for it span from Glasgow, London, to Arabia, and covered from horses to paddle steamers. Suddenly we no longer stay just in British Isles. Our center stage extend toward a much boarder horizon.
The story started nine years prior, when Lady Cordelia Armstrong decided to get away from her dominating father and elope with the man she believed she loved. Fast forward to nine years later, she returned to London and face a rather tricky dilemma: either agree betrothing with her father's business partner, her one time lover Iain Hunter, or forever banned from seeing her beloved siblings again. Fortunately, Iain came up with a alternative solution-a pretend engagement. It all worked very well, but neither of them expect their emotions, as well as attractions, will also play the part. It complicated their pack and leaded both of them to somewhere that was entirely unexpected.
This is the last of the Armstrong sister series. I must admit I love almost every characters in it. Cordelia is very different, much like the period she was in. She is definitely a non-conventional beauty. She is independent, strong, opinionated and not give a damn about what the general member of the ton thinks. I fall in love with her almost as soon as she entered the scene. she is no a damsel in distress, which she has stated to Iain over and over. again that statement itself was very different from the period her oldest sister represent a mere decade ago. I also like how Iain is no gentry. He earns his own living, has no intention to use connections to climb the social ladders, and take pride on what he does. I am sure I am not the only one who growled and fisted our hands when we read how manipulative Lord Armstrong was. And I have a distinct feeling this is not the last time we heard from Gideon. There was definitely a hint there we will see him very soon, in another story and another time.
The pace of the story is satisfying. I arrived at each plot point without feeling being rushed. I like the how the key mysteries of the story were hinted from the beginning, and gradually revealed throughout the book. My most favourite part is the how Cordelia and Iain first met at Glasgow. The distinct feeling of two souls finally found their missing half filled the page and made me sighed in dreamy fashion-something I usually do when I read a good romantic piece. I also like the scenes when the characters traveled through Greece and Arabia. Getting to see what they were seeing inside my head is just as good as visit the place myself.
Unwed and Unrepent is a good story. It is one of those good ones that make you bury your head in and forget about the night and day. I highly recommend it, especially to the Marguerite Kaye fans. Five Stars.
Unwed and Unrepentant is set around the time when Queen Victoria first took the throne. It was a transition time in all aspect. The story kind of give me a sense of that, too, for it span from Glasgow, London, to Arabia, and covered from horses to paddle steamers. Suddenly we no longer stay just in British Isles. Our center stage extend toward a much boarder horizon.
The story started nine years prior, when Lady Cordelia Armstrong decided to get away from her dominating father and elope with the man she believed she loved. Fast forward to nine years later, she returned to London and face a rather tricky dilemma: either agree betrothing with her father's business partner, her one time lover Iain Hunter, or forever banned from seeing her beloved siblings again. Fortunately, Iain came up with a alternative solution-a pretend engagement. It all worked very well, but neither of them expect their emotions, as well as attractions, will also play the part. It complicated their pack and leaded both of them to somewhere that was entirely unexpected.
This is the last of the Armstrong sister series. I must admit I love almost every characters in it. Cordelia is very different, much like the period she was in. She is definitely a non-conventional beauty. She is independent, strong, opinionated and not give a damn about what the general member of the ton thinks. I fall in love with her almost as soon as she entered the scene. she is no a damsel in distress, which she has stated to Iain over and over. again that statement itself was very different from the period her oldest sister represent a mere decade ago. I also like how Iain is no gentry. He earns his own living, has no intention to use connections to climb the social ladders, and take pride on what he does. I am sure I am not the only one who growled and fisted our hands when we read how manipulative Lord Armstrong was. And I have a distinct feeling this is not the last time we heard from Gideon. There was definitely a hint there we will see him very soon, in another story and another time.
The pace of the story is satisfying. I arrived at each plot point without feeling being rushed. I like the how the key mysteries of the story were hinted from the beginning, and gradually revealed throughout the book. My most favourite part is the how Cordelia and Iain first met at Glasgow. The distinct feeling of two souls finally found their missing half filled the page and made me sighed in dreamy fashion-something I usually do when I read a good romantic piece. I also like the scenes when the characters traveled through Greece and Arabia. Getting to see what they were seeing inside my head is just as good as visit the place myself.
Unwed and Unrepent is a good story. It is one of those good ones that make you bury your head in and forget about the night and day. I highly recommend it, especially to the Marguerite Kaye fans. Five Stars.
March 23, 2014
When I reached the end of this book, I craved something I rarely want: an epilogue. I just didn't want to have to say goodbye to Cordelia and Iain.
To be honest, the book should not have appealed to me at all. For one thing, it's set in 1837, 20 years after my favourite period for historical romances. It's about a couple who travel abroad, when I prefer my romances involving British people to be set in Britain. And... they're going to Arabia, and (historical or modern) I'm really not sold on desert-bound stories. Ninety years ago, I would NOT have been a fan of Valentino, and had this book been by anyone other than Marguerite Kaye, whose work I love and trust, I would have put it down after reading the back cover blurb. I am glad I didn't do that.
The story was upbeat and vibrant, with main characters who were very real. They were (usually) of their time while managing to seem modern, which meant I could identify with them on every level. I did have a hard time accepting that a man so scared of scandal as Lord Armstrong would want to put his disgraced daughter in a room with his influential Society friends, or that he would a) invite the man she eloped with and b) stand by while said man made a scene. But I could live with it.
I had a bigger problem with believing he would allow his daughter to go off to Arabia with a man she hadn't already married. Of course, if he had insisted on the proprieties, there would have been no story, but it could have benefited from a sentence or two explaining why he was allowing it, or how he was being frustrated in trying to force a wedding. To be honest though, the whole held my interest enough that I only pondered this issue a couple of times.
On the plus side, half the story takes place in London which meant that, by the time they left, I was heavily invested in the story and happy to move off with them. The stopover at Zante was beautiful and the Arabian part just right - not too much sand for me.
Although I love Regency romances and always look for them first, this book could not have worked had it been set earlier. The ideas of a meritocracy, independence for women, and the birth of a new order are integral to the story. These things began to come along during the reign of Victoria, and to set the story at the time of Prinny would have required a suspension of disbelief that would have been too much.
My only other criticism is that Lord Armstrong is just too sociopathic. He really has no redeeming features at all, and even the worst of us has some good in us. I'd like to have seen some hint of regret, repentance and redemption there. Some inkling of why he was as he was. Anything to turn the monster into a man.
But my gripes don't take away from the fact that I enjoyed this book immensely, and wanted more of the main characters.
I would recommend it.
To be honest, the book should not have appealed to me at all. For one thing, it's set in 1837, 20 years after my favourite period for historical romances. It's about a couple who travel abroad, when I prefer my romances involving British people to be set in Britain. And... they're going to Arabia, and (historical or modern) I'm really not sold on desert-bound stories. Ninety years ago, I would NOT have been a fan of Valentino, and had this book been by anyone other than Marguerite Kaye, whose work I love and trust, I would have put it down after reading the back cover blurb. I am glad I didn't do that.
The story was upbeat and vibrant, with main characters who were very real. They were (usually) of their time while managing to seem modern, which meant I could identify with them on every level. I did have a hard time accepting that a man so scared of scandal as Lord Armstrong would want to put his disgraced daughter in a room with his influential Society friends, or that he would a) invite the man she eloped with and b) stand by while said man made a scene. But I could live with it.
I had a bigger problem with believing he would allow his daughter to go off to Arabia with a man she hadn't already married. Of course, if he had insisted on the proprieties, there would have been no story, but it could have benefited from a sentence or two explaining why he was allowing it, or how he was being frustrated in trying to force a wedding. To be honest though, the whole held my interest enough that I only pondered this issue a couple of times.
On the plus side, half the story takes place in London which meant that, by the time they left, I was heavily invested in the story and happy to move off with them. The stopover at Zante was beautiful and the Arabian part just right - not too much sand for me.
Although I love Regency romances and always look for them first, this book could not have worked had it been set earlier. The ideas of a meritocracy, independence for women, and the birth of a new order are integral to the story. These things began to come along during the reign of Victoria, and to set the story at the time of Prinny would have required a suspension of disbelief that would have been too much.
My only other criticism is that Lord Armstrong is just too sociopathic. He really has no redeeming features at all, and even the worst of us has some good in us. I'd like to have seen some hint of regret, repentance and redemption there. Some inkling of why he was as he was. Anything to turn the monster into a man.
But my gripes don't take away from the fact that I enjoyed this book immensely, and wanted more of the main characters.
I would recommend it.
March 4, 2017
The fifth in the Armstrong series about some pretty rebellious daughters and a pretty nasty father. Lady Cordelia is on the outs with her family since 10 years prior she eloped with a man and never returned. So she's back quite suddenly and trying to work things out with her father for some inexplicable reason. Ever the man to be in control, Lord Armstrong sees his opportunity to manipulate things and forces his newest business prospect, Iain Hunter, into an engagement with Cordelia. Little does he know, these two have a history - they met, they had sex and felt the insta-love thing - both kind of ran away from it. They agree that to get what they want, they have to agree to a fake engagement.
I'm of two minds here and I'm not sure which takes precedence. First, I do find it somewhat refreshing that Cordelia is an experienced woman with a sexual history, but the author kept slapping me in the face with it and I didn't care for that. I typically prefer my historical heroines to be less experienced (couldn't care less in contemporary), but even if they aren't I don't mind as long as it's not constantly being mentioned. And it really is here. And the hero takes issue with it, which just makes it an even bigger deal. I absolutely couldn't stand the fact that every time things got physical with the hero, Cordelia would be thinking about how it compared to her other sexual experiences. I don't like it when heroes do that either.
On the other, quite opposite hand, it frustrated me that we never really held the hero under the same magnifying glass as the heroine. As much as he's getting jealous of her other lovers, it's not like he hasn't had far more lovers than she. Yes, the times were what they were and women weren't supposed to act like that and men were taught that they had every right to expect an inexperienced woman...and I also see where his own past would sort of influence his feelings. But she only once asked him about how many women he'd been with. As much as she was made to feel guilty about her experience and we didn't see the tables really turned on the hero. That was somewhat disappointing.
Other than that, the story was very well written and obviously tackled some of the historical issues and double standards that we see in romances. I respect that. The characters were okay - I loved Iain and found Cordelia a bit selfish (who else could totally abandon family for 10 years like that?). A good story, but not to my tastes really.
I'm of two minds here and I'm not sure which takes precedence. First, I do find it somewhat refreshing that Cordelia is an experienced woman with a sexual history, but the author kept slapping me in the face with it and I didn't care for that. I typically prefer my historical heroines to be less experienced (couldn't care less in contemporary), but even if they aren't I don't mind as long as it's not constantly being mentioned. And it really is here. And the hero takes issue with it, which just makes it an even bigger deal. I absolutely couldn't stand the fact that every time things got physical with the hero, Cordelia would be thinking about how it compared to her other sexual experiences. I don't like it when heroes do that either.
On the other, quite opposite hand, it frustrated me that we never really held the hero under the same magnifying glass as the heroine. As much as he's getting jealous of her other lovers, it's not like he hasn't had far more lovers than she. Yes, the times were what they were and women weren't supposed to act like that and men were taught that they had every right to expect an inexperienced woman...and I also see where his own past would sort of influence his feelings. But she only once asked him about how many women he'd been with. As much as she was made to feel guilty about her experience and we didn't see the tables really turned on the hero. That was somewhat disappointing.
Other than that, the story was very well written and obviously tackled some of the historical issues and double standards that we see in romances. I respect that. The characters were okay - I loved Iain and found Cordelia a bit selfish (who else could totally abandon family for 10 years like that?). A good story, but not to my tastes really.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2014
Lady Cordelia Armstrong runs away from her father's London home to escape his plans to marry her off to a man she detests. Her father of course merely sees it as his duty to make advantageous matches for his daughters, so when Cordelia returns nine years later he wants to put her in what he sees as her place.
Cordelia has learnt some life lessons by now and met some men, calling herself an ordinary widow. She's been travelling and producing guidebooks for lady travellers. In her father's office she meets Iain Hunter, a Scots engineer who designs paddle steamers. Without knowing that the two have already met, Lord Armstrong orders Iain to marry Cordelia if he wants to secure a contract to build boats for Araby countries with which the Armstrongs have family connections. Secretly Iain gets the haughty Cordelia to agree on a pretended betrothal.
I liked all the travel and contrasts in this tale, which moves from Scotland to the Red Sea in gradual stages, including a look at the shipbuilding yards on the Isle of Dogs in London. This departure from the normal period scenes of balls and card parties made UNWED AND UNREPENTANT memorable and a very good read. There is plenty of adult behaviour as it turns out that the two can't keep their hands off each other, though they are determined not to marry. I enjoyed this book.
Cordelia has learnt some life lessons by now and met some men, calling herself an ordinary widow. She's been travelling and producing guidebooks for lady travellers. In her father's office she meets Iain Hunter, a Scots engineer who designs paddle steamers. Without knowing that the two have already met, Lord Armstrong orders Iain to marry Cordelia if he wants to secure a contract to build boats for Araby countries with which the Armstrongs have family connections. Secretly Iain gets the haughty Cordelia to agree on a pretended betrothal.
I liked all the travel and contrasts in this tale, which moves from Scotland to the Red Sea in gradual stages, including a look at the shipbuilding yards on the Isle of Dogs in London. This departure from the normal period scenes of balls and card parties made UNWED AND UNREPENTANT memorable and a very good read. There is plenty of adult behaviour as it turns out that the two can't keep their hands off each other, though they are determined not to marry. I enjoyed this book.
July 1, 2014
"Unwed and Unrepentant" is the fifth book in Marguerite Kaye's Armstrong Sisters series - I have read two others, The Beauty Within and Rumours That Ruined a Lady. I have very much enjoyed them all!
Lady Cordelia Armstrong has been estranged from her family for several years since her elopement, but returns to her father to see if she can build bridges, as she so very much wishes to see her sisters. She is deeply angered when he manipulates her into an engagement with his business partner, Iain Hunter, who is none other than her one-time lover.
The pair embark on a make-believe engagement, confident that when the time comes they will only be too happy to part, but their hearts have other ideas...
I really enjoyed this book - I very much liked the headstrong, intelligent Lady Cordelia and the down-to-earth Iain Hunter. I even found myself enjoying the way Cordelia's monstrous father was portrayed. I was genuinely pleased that she was reconciled with her sisters and even her difficult step-mother, Bella.
The short "author's note" detailing Marguerite Kaye's research is also very interest, explaining a little of the background of shipbuilding (Iain's profession) at the time the novel is set.
I haven't read the first two books in the Armstrong Sisters series, but they are definitely on my "to read" list.
Lady Cordelia Armstrong has been estranged from her family for several years since her elopement, but returns to her father to see if she can build bridges, as she so very much wishes to see her sisters. She is deeply angered when he manipulates her into an engagement with his business partner, Iain Hunter, who is none other than her one-time lover.
The pair embark on a make-believe engagement, confident that when the time comes they will only be too happy to part, but their hearts have other ideas...
I really enjoyed this book - I very much liked the headstrong, intelligent Lady Cordelia and the down-to-earth Iain Hunter. I even found myself enjoying the way Cordelia's monstrous father was portrayed. I was genuinely pleased that she was reconciled with her sisters and even her difficult step-mother, Bella.
The short "author's note" detailing Marguerite Kaye's research is also very interest, explaining a little of the background of shipbuilding (Iain's profession) at the time the novel is set.
I haven't read the first two books in the Armstrong Sisters series, but they are definitely on my "to read" list.
August 6, 2016
This is the fifth and final book in the Armstrong Sisters series. I did not read the first two books in the series and do not think it’s necessary to read them in order unless you are someone who prefers to read any series in order. I’ve been waiting for Cordelia’s story and did not want to put the book down until the end.
Lady Cordelia Armstrong went her own way years ago, but she is finally back and asking her father to let her see her family. Her father has his own plans for her. Will she give into them in order to see her sisters? Or will she walk out again?
Iain Hunter is a very skilled shipbuilder, and Cordelia’s father has plans that involve Iain right now, and in the future. When
Cordelia and Iain discover that one of the things that her father wants is to announce an engagement between the two of them they devise a plan of a fake engagement to appease him. There is just one problem, the more time they spend together traveling to Arabia, the more they find that it may be more than they bargained for to just walk away as they planned.
I received a copy of this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Lady Cordelia Armstrong went her own way years ago, but she is finally back and asking her father to let her see her family. Her father has his own plans for her. Will she give into them in order to see her sisters? Or will she walk out again?
Iain Hunter is a very skilled shipbuilder, and Cordelia’s father has plans that involve Iain right now, and in the future. When
Cordelia and Iain discover that one of the things that her father wants is to announce an engagement between the two of them they devise a plan of a fake engagement to appease him. There is just one problem, the more time they spend together traveling to Arabia, the more they find that it may be more than they bargained for to just walk away as they planned.
I received a copy of this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
April 21, 2014
I received this book from Marguerite in exchange for a honest review.
Having received the book, I realised it was part of a wider series, one which I had not read, but that didn't ruin the reading of this one. Unwed and Unrepentant is a beautiful standalone romance, with an amazing heroine, Cordelia. No fainting, pathetic female here! Cordelia is indeed a feisty lady, determined to stand up to her father. The hero, Iain, is a stand up guy, hard working and noble, even if the blood in his veins isn't. It was nice to have an average joe hero, not a lord or a duke or something like that.
However, it's not just the great characters that make this book sing. It's the settings, the places. Marguerite is a great scene setter and the world comes alive with the deft stroke of her pen. I love it when a setting is almost as much a character, as the people are, as I like to travel when I read, and be transported to places and feel like I'm there.
Marguerite does this beautifully and this book is well worth your investment.
Having received the book, I realised it was part of a wider series, one which I had not read, but that didn't ruin the reading of this one. Unwed and Unrepentant is a beautiful standalone romance, with an amazing heroine, Cordelia. No fainting, pathetic female here! Cordelia is indeed a feisty lady, determined to stand up to her father. The hero, Iain, is a stand up guy, hard working and noble, even if the blood in his veins isn't. It was nice to have an average joe hero, not a lord or a duke or something like that.
However, it's not just the great characters that make this book sing. It's the settings, the places. Marguerite is a great scene setter and the world comes alive with the deft stroke of her pen. I love it when a setting is almost as much a character, as the people are, as I like to travel when I read, and be transported to places and feel like I'm there.
Marguerite does this beautifully and this book is well worth your investment.
April 5, 2014
I always look forward to a new MK book and have been waiting impatiently for Cordelia's story since I started reading the Armstrong Sisters books.
It's fabulous. What can I say? Feisty heroine who isn't too snooty to say the word 'arse' and other bottom related adjectives. To me, Cordelia is simply delightful. Iain (love the extra i) is gorgeous, Scottish, a bit rough around the edges but makes love with the same gusto as he lives his life. The couple come together and their passion is just white hot, with one exception to the rule, it doesn't burn out.
This is quite simply a regency that has blown the envelope open. Crossing not only the regency era, but also the early Victorian period with the seeds of the Industrial Revolution starting to propagate.
I have loved the Armstrong sisters series, and as this book is the last in the series...well I am very sad to say goodbye to them. Well done Marguerite, this is a corker of a book!
It's fabulous. What can I say? Feisty heroine who isn't too snooty to say the word 'arse' and other bottom related adjectives. To me, Cordelia is simply delightful. Iain (love the extra i) is gorgeous, Scottish, a bit rough around the edges but makes love with the same gusto as he lives his life. The couple come together and their passion is just white hot, with one exception to the rule, it doesn't burn out.
This is quite simply a regency that has blown the envelope open. Crossing not only the regency era, but also the early Victorian period with the seeds of the Industrial Revolution starting to propagate.
I have loved the Armstrong sisters series, and as this book is the last in the series...well I am very sad to say goodbye to them. Well done Marguerite, this is a corker of a book!
June 9, 2014
Unwed and Unrepentant starts with the prologue of Lady Cordelia Armstrong meeting Iain Hunter. It was a one-night stand. A few years later, Cordelia met Iain Hunter at her father's home to reconcile her relationship with her father and to be able to see her sisters and her youngest brothers.
During her meeting with her father, her father tried to manipulate her to marrying Iain Hunter. She wasn't too keen with that thought but when Iain proposed a pretense proposal, she accepted the proposal in order to be able to see her sister in Arabia.
Cordelia isn't any typical heroine in the story. The author, Marguerite Kaye has explored the limits of what is unconventional for a lady to act in this era. Marguerite has added to Cordelia's character of having several other lovers before Iain. Cordelia is also intelligent to make her way as an independent woman instead of depending on a man for financial support.
During her meeting with her father, her father tried to manipulate her to marrying Iain Hunter. She wasn't too keen with that thought but when Iain proposed a pretense proposal, she accepted the proposal in order to be able to see her sister in Arabia.
Cordelia isn't any typical heroine in the story. The author, Marguerite Kaye has explored the limits of what is unconventional for a lady to act in this era. Marguerite has added to Cordelia's character of having several other lovers before Iain. Cordelia is also intelligent to make her way as an independent woman instead of depending on a man for financial support.
December 2, 2015
I just finished reading Unwed and Repentant,by Marguerite Kay, let me began by saying I have read the other books in this series The Armstrong Sisters. I must say that I enjoyed the others very much, especially The Beauty Within, plus lots of other books by her, I just went to her page and realized that I have read more books of hers that I realized! But I digress, I must confess I thought the story a bit slow moving, but to be truthful it was essential to the story-line; (I have ADD and tend to get bored easily),I did like it very much and thought Cordelia and Iain were well suited and must likely fell in love at first sight, just very slow to realize it. I must say it is more realistic that a lot of others stories I have read in that their romance took time to develop and not over night. I I really like it and encourage you to read it.
Thank you Marguerite Kaye for another well written book.
Sincerely,
Susan Dahdah
Thank you Marguerite Kaye for another well written book.
Sincerely,
Susan Dahdah
May 31, 2014
This is the fifth book in Marguerite Kaye’s Armstrong Sister series and for me it was the best one. Cordelia Armstrong the youngest daughter had eloped rather than bowing to her fathers wishes. When she returns years later Her father Lord Armstrong is determined to put Cordiela back in her place.
She isn’t the person he thinks she after learning worldly lessons whilst she was traveling abroad. Making her become betrothed to ship builder Iain Hunter a person Cordelia is already familiar with. Yet they strike a bargain to enter into a fake betrothal so they can both get what they want.
I found it refreshing to read a book that used equaling point of views for the hero and heroine. They try so hard to deny what is between them that they enchanted me with their dance. A great finale to a wonderful series, I do recommend reading them all.
April 17, 2014
Let's start saying that Marguerite Kaye is possibly the nicest authors on earth. She provided for me this book (a real, autographed book!) plus chocolate. Really, how did she knows that I have a sweet tooth? So now I know that Scottish chocolate is goooood. .. and I like to learn new things, lol. So. This is the end of the Armstrong sisters saga. So sad. The story came full circle ending where it started, in Arabia, my favourite place. Brownie points for this. The heroine is strong willed and independent. .. ring a bell? Ennnnnd the hero is so sweet. I thing it will sound silly, but I like most his insecurities. That said, I think this book was a little too slow paced, but a good reading.
Vote: 3.5 stars!
Vote: 3.5 stars!
August 29, 2014
There's a reason Marguerite Kaye is one of my favorite romance authors. She writes her characters with such sensitivity and nuance and with an awareness of the impact of social issues both on those (fictional) historical characters and on her readers. The result: stunning and interesting historical romance novels that I just want to hug and hug and hug for all eternity. I particularly loved Unwed and Unrepentant because it takes a risk: it asks -- in a histrom -- why marriage needs to be the endgame. (It also asks questions about double standards and familial love.) And -- in case you were wondering whether it has any romance mixed in with all that interesting, cerebral stuff -- the romance is lovely, smoldering, and cathartic. Seriously: read this book and the ones before it.
May 21, 2014
As a Regency romance fan I was very enthusiastic to read this book, even though I haven’t read the first 4 books of the series. And I really liked it: Lady Cordelia and Ian are very independent, unusual, and stubborn even, but lovable characters, the story is partly set in Arabia, which gives it an exotic charm, there is a little bit of everything in there – strong emotions, passion, family drama… As I am not an English native speaker, I also found the language richer and more authentic as in an “average” historic romance novel.
The book made me want to read the whole series of the Armstrong sisters.
The book made me want to read the whole series of the Armstrong sisters.
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