Improperly Wed

Aristocratic Grooms #3

by Anna DePalo

Mills & Boon Desire series delivers powerful, passionate romances…Responsible Belinda Wentworth has always been a dutiful society daughter. Except for when she married her family's sworn enemy, Colin Granville, Marquess of Easterbridge, in a quickie Las Vegas wedding -- which she annulled hours later. Or so she thought. Because just as she's about to say "I do" to a respectable man, impossibly sexy Colin bursts into the church with the news that they're still married. And he takes his vows very seriously. Especially the one about attaining what no Granville has before him: a takeover of the Wentworths. Including his wife -- body and heart.

Genres: Romance, Harlequin Desire, Harlequin, Contemporary, Adult, M F Romance, Fiction

155 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

While still in her teens, Anna DePalo began her first novel. She wishes she could say that this early manuscript went on to receive numerous accolades and to bring her fame and fortune. Instead, that first attempt—well, all three pages of it—hit the trash heap, and she understood why many authors have burned their papers for posterity.

She has lived in Italy and England, graduated from Harvard, earned an advanced degree in political science, and practiced intellectual property law.

One day, she decided to give fiction writing another try, believing that having done some more living would help her tell the truth about life in the pages of made-up stories. This time she didn’t stop at three pages—or even ninety-three. That first finished manuscript soon sold to Harlequin, became a bestseller and award-winner, and has been published in over twenty countries to date.

Anna's books have hit the USA Today best-seller list, and have won the RT Book Club Reviewers' Choice Award, the OCCRWA Book Buyer’s Best, the NJRW Golden Leaf, and the NECRWA Readers' Choice. She lives with her husband, son and daughter in New York.

Reviews

[Arminzerella · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Wentworths and the Granvilles (British aristocrats) have been at odds for years, so when Brenda Wentworth marries Colin Granville on a whim (they meet in Las Vegas and have a fiery one-night stand after their nuptials), it doesn’t go over well with either of their families – especially when they find out about the secret marriage as Brenda is about to marry another well-to-do gentleman. Brenda is forced to call it off mid-ceremony in order to straighten matters out with her first husband, who is, oddly, reluctant to let her go. When Colin reveals that he has been buying up Wentworth real estate, the two come to an agreement – Brenda will remain married to Colin if he signs the properties over to her over the course of their marriage. Is Brenda making a huge sacrifice to preserve her family’s heritage, or will Colin win her affections over with his undeniable charm and sex appeal?

Not bad, but there isn’t a lot of time to get to know the characters well – or to understand what it is that’s so appealing to Colin about Brenda and why he’s so determined to keep her. There are some steamy scenes toward the end, and the usual miscommunication that causes the lovers to part, then reunite after making amends. This should appeal to fans of the contemporary romance genre – especially those who like British titles.

[Deava101 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Collin and Belinda elope in las Vegas two years ago but Belinda ran out on him because of a feud between their families for centuries.

Revenge was on Collins mind when he crashed Belinda's wedding. He refuses to le t her forget what they shared but he also wants to vanquish her family but it isn't long before their passion turns into something deeper.

[Alexis-Morgan Roark · Rating 3 out of 5]

The opening was the best part of this book for me. The rest was okay, but I still liked it. The heroine almost ruined it for me with her wishy-washy whiny ways. :-)

The hero...well, he's just plain hot and a little "jerky" at the same time! I liked the whole waiting until they're married to crash the party scene. Ah, the drama.

[Mem · Rating 5 out of 5]

D2123 Nov11 Aristocratic Grooms #3. Three aristocratic grooms and the women they marry. This is the 3rd book and the story of Colin Granville, Marquess of Easterbridge and Belinda Wentworth. Colin stops Belinda's wedding, to another man, when he announces they are married. Belinda was sure that wedding had been annulled.
Their families have been at odds over property lines for generation!
Interesting mix with the three couples showing up in each of the three books.

[J.J. Phillips · Rating 2 out of 5]

Belinda is about to wed Tod, a stable young man from a well-to-do family when Colin Granville shows up and sabotages her storybook wedding. Colin is more than just Belinda's family's arch rival. He is also her husband. At least, that is what he exclaims in the front of the church. Belinda thought her one impulsive night in Vegas was cleared with an annulment when she came to her senses the following morning. She couldn't marry a man she just met, even if her body tingled every time he stepped in the same room as her. Her family would disown her, especially if they found out her new spouse was a Granville.

Unfortunately for Belinda, Colin isn't about to just let her walk away from their marriage. He plans to fight for what he wants, and what he truly wants is Belinda by his side and in his bed. Colin plans to end the Granville-Wentworth family feud once and for all so that he and Belinda can live a fairytale life together as man and wife.

This is the first billionaire romance that I've read and I found the character's pretentiousness a little overwhelming. I had a hard time relating to the dukes and countesses in the story. I felt there was a lot of name dropping and I never really connected with the characters. Also, as a Harlequin Desire book, I expected the sexual tension in this book to be off the charts. I was really looking forward to a hot and steamy read. Unfortunately, I found this story to be similar to other genres of romance. I'm not entirely sure what qualifies a book for Harlequin's Desire line, but I was disappointed by the romantic descriptions in the story.

[Jasey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Belinda Wentworth married Colin Granville,Marquess of Easterbridge, in vegas on a dare from him as the only way she would have sex with him. He was to have the marriage annulled after but never did. He shows up on her wedding day to inform her at the service that they are still married. Their families are sworn rivals (enemies). He wants the marriage to stay and has been slowly buying her family's property to have control He agrees to return a different property every year they are married. 4 1/2

[Destiny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. I admit I was excited when Colin's sister, Sophie, said she was a designer because of manga. I was hoping to see more interaction between Belinda and Sophie, but alas besides two scenes there wasn't much. I really enjoyed the romance between Colin and Belinda as well.

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was not surprised how much I liked this 2nd book in the series of 3. Well written and I love how the story progressed and made me eager to read the last book in this series. Definitely a fan of Anna DePalo's writing!

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting modern Romeo and Juliet type love story but there was way too much development in the beginning and the climax/conclusion were too quick in comparison. Not that I really read these books for quality literature but I was fairly unimpressed

[Irene · Rating 2 out of 5]

Totally a waste of time

[Beret Brenckman]

bad Harlequin

[Samar Estwacol · Rating 3 out of 5]

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