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Married to a Sea Lord
A new dynasty remade the old world... and her family wants to join the winners. By marriage.
The kingdom of Craerenth had been ruled by an austere and bloodthirsty leader for as long as Lady Julia Milburn had been alive. Perhaps, that was why she had made the decision that blighted her life for the years to come.
Now there is a new king on the throne - a golden prince, some say, a hero from tales who vanquished the evil. But Julia is not destined for his bridal bed - she cannot be, not with her reputation ruined so thoroughly. She is instead arranged to marry his grim younger brother, Lord Athelstan Waite.
The pale, the stern, the unwanted - a man far more comfortable on the deck of a ship than in the polished chambers of the palace. Perhaps, that was why Lord Waite's glamorous brother had sent him off to the bleak seaside castle of Grey Harbour - and his new bride with him.
Will the trial break Julia's spirit? Or will her bright nature become her new husband's salvation?
The kingdom of Craerenth had been ruled by an austere and bloodthirsty leader for as long as Lady Julia Milburn had been alive. Perhaps, that was why she had made the decision that blighted her life for the years to come.
Now there is a new king on the throne - a golden prince, some say, a hero from tales who vanquished the evil. But Julia is not destined for his bridal bed - she cannot be, not with her reputation ruined so thoroughly. She is instead arranged to marry his grim younger brother, Lord Athelstan Waite.
The pale, the stern, the unwanted - a man far more comfortable on the deck of a ship than in the polished chambers of the palace. Perhaps, that was why Lord Waite's glamorous brother had sent him off to the bleak seaside castle of Grey Harbour - and his new bride with him.
Will the trial break Julia's spirit? Or will her bright nature become her new husband's salvation?
- GenresFantasy
231 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 15, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 12, 2024
✨Married to a Sea Lord✨
Thank you, Diana, for reaching out and connecting with me. It was such a pleasure to read this gifted arc.
MTASL feels like a cozy historical Romantasy that follows the POV of two young adults forced into an arranged marriage by their king. Julia is happy to be given away only because her background has tarnished her reputation and hindered her marriage to the king. So, marrying his brother is the next best thing to rescue her from her abusive parents. And Athelstan, our cold and broody brother to the king, has grown used to being unwanted. He understands this marriage is to get him away from court and, with his tenuous relationship with his brother, he’s happy to do so.
Can Julia convince Athelstan that she’s worth keeping? Can she break into his disinterested and dutiful countenance to meet the man beneath? Can Athelstan look past Julia’s secret? And all this as an upcoming war rises upon the horizon…
Julia is so kind, witty, and driven. She makes a friend out of everyone and doesn’t mind stepping out of the bounds of “society’s image”. Athelstan is broody, distant, but honorable. He is new to feelings beyond what are necessary and his protectiveness of those he loves was so precious.
MTASL is the story of two people who didn’t want to marry bonding over the sea and neglectful pasts. I got big classic lit vibes with the characters behavior and displays of affection, reminding me of Jane Eyre or Bridgerton-like communication. We get some mention of magics and lots of lore that I predict will become more apparent as her series continues, but in here it’s very light.
Tropes you may find in MTASL are one horse, grumpy x sunshine, low stakes, arranged marriage, very broody MMC, historical fiction feels, light world building and magic, sea monsters, cozy romance, fade to black, and an open ending.
It was a wonderful and cozy read to slip between heavy books. And it releases July 15!
Thank you, Diana, for reaching out and connecting with me. It was such a pleasure to read this gifted arc.
MTASL feels like a cozy historical Romantasy that follows the POV of two young adults forced into an arranged marriage by their king. Julia is happy to be given away only because her background has tarnished her reputation and hindered her marriage to the king. So, marrying his brother is the next best thing to rescue her from her abusive parents. And Athelstan, our cold and broody brother to the king, has grown used to being unwanted. He understands this marriage is to get him away from court and, with his tenuous relationship with his brother, he’s happy to do so.
Can Julia convince Athelstan that she’s worth keeping? Can she break into his disinterested and dutiful countenance to meet the man beneath? Can Athelstan look past Julia’s secret? And all this as an upcoming war rises upon the horizon…
Julia is so kind, witty, and driven. She makes a friend out of everyone and doesn’t mind stepping out of the bounds of “society’s image”. Athelstan is broody, distant, but honorable. He is new to feelings beyond what are necessary and his protectiveness of those he loves was so precious.
MTASL is the story of two people who didn’t want to marry bonding over the sea and neglectful pasts. I got big classic lit vibes with the characters behavior and displays of affection, reminding me of Jane Eyre or Bridgerton-like communication. We get some mention of magics and lots of lore that I predict will become more apparent as her series continues, but in here it’s very light.
Tropes you may find in MTASL are one horse, grumpy x sunshine, low stakes, arranged marriage, very broody MMC, historical fiction feels, light world building and magic, sea monsters, cozy romance, fade to black, and an open ending.
It was a wonderful and cozy read to slip between heavy books. And it releases July 15!
July 16, 2024
This eerie and gothic-like tale was a delight to read!
Julia Milburn accepts a marriage proposal enforced by the newly appointed ling to his younger brother, now heir to the castle at Greyharbor, a land that borders the Glittering Sea. She soon realizes that there is more to the brooding, standoffish, and conflicted man whom she calls husband. While Athelstan may hide his true yet conflicted feelings toward his new wife and his brother, he learns that Julia holds secrets from both her past and present that may be the key to saving his home from the dreaded northmen. Will Julia and Athelstan’s love help them work together to save their people?
This story was filled with ancient lore, swashbuckling secrets, a dark yet perpetually illuminated castle, and a unique found family. Some stories that are reminiscent to this one are Jane Eyre, The Moonstonea and Dragonwyck with a little bit of sea monsters and ancient lore sprinkled in.
I cannot wait for book 2 in this series!
Romantic Content: Closed Door
TW: Death, Abandonment, Abuse, Brief Discussion of an Extra Marital Affair
Julia Milburn accepts a marriage proposal enforced by the newly appointed ling to his younger brother, now heir to the castle at Greyharbor, a land that borders the Glittering Sea. She soon realizes that there is more to the brooding, standoffish, and conflicted man whom she calls husband. While Athelstan may hide his true yet conflicted feelings toward his new wife and his brother, he learns that Julia holds secrets from both her past and present that may be the key to saving his home from the dreaded northmen. Will Julia and Athelstan’s love help them work together to save their people?
This story was filled with ancient lore, swashbuckling secrets, a dark yet perpetually illuminated castle, and a unique found family. Some stories that are reminiscent to this one are Jane Eyre, The Moonstonea and Dragonwyck with a little bit of sea monsters and ancient lore sprinkled in.
I cannot wait for book 2 in this series!
Romantic Content: Closed Door
TW: Death, Abandonment, Abuse, Brief Discussion of an Extra Marital Affair
September 28, 2024
I got a hardbound copy through Kickstarter yesterday. I had to force myself to put it down to go to bed, otherwise I would have finished it in the early hours of this morning. At the beginning it gives you several mysteries to figure out. Actually they are not hard to guess, but confirmation of your guesses do not come until much deeper in the book. The world building is excellent, and allows for a climatic battle scene. The pale, the stern, the unwanted younger brother and the spirited, the disreputable, dishonored daughter are hurriedly married at the end of the war and pushed out of the capitol. Love follows a crooked path as they get to know each other and realize that their exile may be an unanticipated surprise of happily ever after.
January 8, 2025
DNF at 15%. It's so dull I couldn't get past it.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews