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Inviolate
1813.
Numb after the pain of an intolerable betrayal, 19 year old Alexandra Broughton turns to her only source of hope - an arranged marriage. Resolutely accepting this as her last chance to make a future for herself, she journeys to Scotland to face the unknown.
Although Alex makes every effort to settle into her new life, she struggles to suppress the memories of her lost lover's passionate yet faithless embrace, and remains haunted by a fleeting and impossible love affair.
For Alex, this is a time of growing, a coming of age where she turns to her husband in a desperate effort to carve out a life with him, and just as it seems that contentment is within her grasp, disaster strikes.
As the war against Napolean reaches a crescendo, Alex discovers a web of deceit that slowly unravels long-held secrets to reveal the true meaning of treachery.
Trapped in a loveless, violent marriage, and with nothing left to lose, Alex embarks on a fight for survival. Battling the irresistible forces ranging against her, she remains bound to the one man she can never forgive - the one man above all others she can never forget.
~
'Inviolate' continues the story of Alex Broughton, the passionate and determined young woman readers first met in 'Torn.'
Numb after the pain of an intolerable betrayal, 19 year old Alexandra Broughton turns to her only source of hope - an arranged marriage. Resolutely accepting this as her last chance to make a future for herself, she journeys to Scotland to face the unknown.
Although Alex makes every effort to settle into her new life, she struggles to suppress the memories of her lost lover's passionate yet faithless embrace, and remains haunted by a fleeting and impossible love affair.
For Alex, this is a time of growing, a coming of age where she turns to her husband in a desperate effort to carve out a life with him, and just as it seems that contentment is within her grasp, disaster strikes.
As the war against Napolean reaches a crescendo, Alex discovers a web of deceit that slowly unravels long-held secrets to reveal the true meaning of treachery.
Trapped in a loveless, violent marriage, and with nothing left to lose, Alex embarks on a fight for survival. Battling the irresistible forces ranging against her, she remains bound to the one man she can never forgive - the one man above all others she can never forget.
~
'Inviolate' continues the story of Alex Broughton, the passionate and determined young woman readers first met in 'Torn.'
417 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2014
2 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Karen Turner
5 books17 followersKaren, born in Australia to an English mother and Italian father, discovered a passion for historical fiction after twenty years in the Financial Services industry.
As an escape from corporate writing, Karen began writing short stories and, in 2009, published her first collection All That and Everything. Many of the short stories won awards, including the Society of Women Writers Victoria, Biennial Literary Award and the Free XpresSion Literary Award.
Her first novel, Torn was followed by its sequel, Inviolate, and more recently, Counterpoint a raunchy, adults only companion to Torn from another character’s point of view.
Stormbird, published in 2019, was written as the final instalment in the Torn series, but can also be read independently. It tells the story of an unexpected relationship that builds between a British war widow and a German fighter pilot, shot down and in hiding, despite their countries’ bitter differences.
Karen is currently working on her next book, Fever, set in the Victorian goldfields of Australia.
Additionally, Karen writes for several financial magazines, speaks at public events and facilitates writing workshops.
In her spare time, Karen volunteers at an animal shelter, enjoys running and drinks too much coffee.
To find out more about Karen, visit www.karenturner.com.au
As an escape from corporate writing, Karen began writing short stories and, in 2009, published her first collection All That and Everything. Many of the short stories won awards, including the Society of Women Writers Victoria, Biennial Literary Award and the Free XpresSion Literary Award.
Her first novel, Torn was followed by its sequel, Inviolate, and more recently, Counterpoint a raunchy, adults only companion to Torn from another character’s point of view.
Stormbird, published in 2019, was written as the final instalment in the Torn series, but can also be read independently. It tells the story of an unexpected relationship that builds between a British war widow and a German fighter pilot, shot down and in hiding, despite their countries’ bitter differences.
Karen is currently working on her next book, Fever, set in the Victorian goldfields of Australia.
Additionally, Karen writes for several financial magazines, speaks at public events and facilitates writing workshops.
In her spare time, Karen volunteers at an animal shelter, enjoys running and drinks too much coffee.
To find out more about Karen, visit www.karenturner.com.au
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 20, 2016
Inviolate is a worthy sequel to Torn. Darker and more dramatic than the first in the series, this book continues Alexandra's journey and Turner enthrals the reader with another compelling and beautifully written tale.
December 9, 2021
Inviolate is the second book in the Broughton Hall series by Karen Turner and is as captivating as books one and three.
This book follows on directly from book one, Torn, where we met Alex Broughton, her older brother, Simon, younger sister, Anne, step siblings, Patrick and Maeve, half-sister, Meg and intended fiancé Hamish.
Simon is now a doctor, and has returned from the war badly disfigured, but with a gorgeous gentle Spanish bride, Maria. Maeve is now working with her archeologist lover on a dig and Anne has returned to Broughton Hall from Italy, via a short sojourn in London. She’s pregnant and names Patrick as the father.
Alex, devastated by this betrayal by Patrick, has reluctantly agreed to go along with her mother’s and stepfather’s plans for her to marry Hamish Elginbury.
As with Torn, book two commences with a prologue, in which the strange old lady appears, this time seen in the gardens of Broughton Hall by Anne, now far along in her pregnancy. Anne decides to confront her, but as she does so, the woman ceases the task on which she is concentrating, pushes herself to her feet and slowly turns:
“And the blood froze in Anne’s veins; the old woman looked straight through her …
… and Anne knew her face.”
Chapter one then commences with Simon and Alex in Leeds on their way to their mother’s seamstress Mrs Gladstone who is to make Alex’s wedding dress. It is at the hotel they are staying at that that Simon provides Alex with the background to their mother’s unexpected and hurried marriage to Lord Thorncliffe. Meanwhile Lady Broughton and Lord Thorncliffe are desperately trying to find a match for Anne, someone they can pay to marry her and bring up her bastard child as his own, for it is clear that Patrick, who is still fighting in the war in Spain, will not have a bar of marrying her.
Again here, Turner leaves you in no doubt as to how these matters were dealt with in the 1800’s, money and ‘face’ were everything in the upper classes. No matter that Lady Broughton had found herself pregnant out of wedlock, Anne’s pregnancy would affect HER standing in the community, and must be dealt with.
The issue of money and social standing becomes even more apparent after Alex and Hamish’s wedding when she is confronted by Hamish’s true nature, something that she comes to realise everyone else was fully aware of but didn’t think it was relevant to discuss with her. Her misery in her marriage is exacerbated by Hamish’s violence, highlighting that in the nineteenth century domestic violence was as prevalent, and ignored, as it remains sadly today.
Desperately unhappy, Alex reaches out to the one man she has truly loved, but Patrick has returned from the horror of war a changed man and rejects her cruelly. Yet as he pours vitriol upon her she begins to become aware of the level of treachery and deceit that she has unwittingly become embroiled in.
Now, with everything against her, she must fight, for her sanity, her life and her one true love.
Inviolate has everything, joy, despair, happiness, heartbreak, love and hate, along with bleak castles, fabulous costumes and a birds eye view into how the upper classes lived and loved, as well as occasional teases of the future via an insubstantial old woman, and an auburn-haired lady, who make brief appearances throughout the tale.
I was enthralled by Inviolate, and didn’t want to put it down, the characters and events seeming so real. Turner writes beautifully, drawing you deeply into her story so that you experience the emotions of her characters. A fabulous read, highly recommended. Five stars from me.
As with book one, Torn, my grateful thanks to Karen Turner for the opportunity to read and review Inviolate.
This book follows on directly from book one, Torn, where we met Alex Broughton, her older brother, Simon, younger sister, Anne, step siblings, Patrick and Maeve, half-sister, Meg and intended fiancé Hamish.
Simon is now a doctor, and has returned from the war badly disfigured, but with a gorgeous gentle Spanish bride, Maria. Maeve is now working with her archeologist lover on a dig and Anne has returned to Broughton Hall from Italy, via a short sojourn in London. She’s pregnant and names Patrick as the father.
Alex, devastated by this betrayal by Patrick, has reluctantly agreed to go along with her mother’s and stepfather’s plans for her to marry Hamish Elginbury.
As with Torn, book two commences with a prologue, in which the strange old lady appears, this time seen in the gardens of Broughton Hall by Anne, now far along in her pregnancy. Anne decides to confront her, but as she does so, the woman ceases the task on which she is concentrating, pushes herself to her feet and slowly turns:
“And the blood froze in Anne’s veins; the old woman looked straight through her …
… and Anne knew her face.”
Chapter one then commences with Simon and Alex in Leeds on their way to their mother’s seamstress Mrs Gladstone who is to make Alex’s wedding dress. It is at the hotel they are staying at that that Simon provides Alex with the background to their mother’s unexpected and hurried marriage to Lord Thorncliffe. Meanwhile Lady Broughton and Lord Thorncliffe are desperately trying to find a match for Anne, someone they can pay to marry her and bring up her bastard child as his own, for it is clear that Patrick, who is still fighting in the war in Spain, will not have a bar of marrying her.
Again here, Turner leaves you in no doubt as to how these matters were dealt with in the 1800’s, money and ‘face’ were everything in the upper classes. No matter that Lady Broughton had found herself pregnant out of wedlock, Anne’s pregnancy would affect HER standing in the community, and must be dealt with.
The issue of money and social standing becomes even more apparent after Alex and Hamish’s wedding when she is confronted by Hamish’s true nature, something that she comes to realise everyone else was fully aware of but didn’t think it was relevant to discuss with her. Her misery in her marriage is exacerbated by Hamish’s violence, highlighting that in the nineteenth century domestic violence was as prevalent, and ignored, as it remains sadly today.
Desperately unhappy, Alex reaches out to the one man she has truly loved, but Patrick has returned from the horror of war a changed man and rejects her cruelly. Yet as he pours vitriol upon her she begins to become aware of the level of treachery and deceit that she has unwittingly become embroiled in.
Now, with everything against her, she must fight, for her sanity, her life and her one true love.
Inviolate has everything, joy, despair, happiness, heartbreak, love and hate, along with bleak castles, fabulous costumes and a birds eye view into how the upper classes lived and loved, as well as occasional teases of the future via an insubstantial old woman, and an auburn-haired lady, who make brief appearances throughout the tale.
I was enthralled by Inviolate, and didn’t want to put it down, the characters and events seeming so real. Turner writes beautifully, drawing you deeply into her story so that you experience the emotions of her characters. A fabulous read, highly recommended. Five stars from me.
As with book one, Torn, my grateful thanks to Karen Turner for the opportunity to read and review Inviolate.
May 28, 2014
Inviolate is the third book by Karen Turner with All That and Everything, a compilation of short stories, being her first. Following her second book Torn, Inviolate continues the journey with
Alexandra Broughton, a young 19 year old who, after turning to her only source of hope, an
arranged marriage, finds the man she married is not all she thought he would be. Struggling with her love for another Alex makes every effort possible to fit into her married life, a life that leads to a web of deceit, lies, betrayal, violence and personal loss. Against the advice and approval of others she continues to seek the love of the man who is dear to her heart.
Within Inviolate Karen Turner has once again shown her strength as a romance writer, providing all that is required with a little bit more. For myself this book was more than a romance, it was an
adventure full of twist, turns, emotions and the strong will of a young lady who’s determination see’s her battle against expectations of the era. Inviolate took me on an emotional roller coaster from page to page. At times I was gripping the edge of my seat, holding on tight, willing Alexandra to leave her unsatisfactory husband behind and seek the love she so deserved. I laughed at times and I cried at the loss and pain. At times I found tears rolling down my cheeks leading me to having to put the book down and walk away, coming back only after I had composed myself.
I loved the way Karen Turner connected Inviolate with Torn yet allow’s it to stand alone. I felt as though it was only yesterday that I had read Torn yet when I looked back at the date of my review a whole year had passed. As the reader I immediately fitted snugly back into the life of Alexandra Broughton, feeling as though I was visiting an old friend. In the first instance I yet again met the old crone who instantly reopened my intrigue. I was left wondering who this ghostly lady that continues to appear before Alex was. The lady who’s warning before her wedding she ignored.
Love! Love! Loved this book! From my first read by Karen Turner to this latest my only
disappointment has been that each book has come to an end. If you love a good romance that tears at your heart and offers the determination of a young lady in love who dares to follow her heart then both Torn and Inviolate are for you.
Alexandra Broughton, a young 19 year old who, after turning to her only source of hope, an
arranged marriage, finds the man she married is not all she thought he would be. Struggling with her love for another Alex makes every effort possible to fit into her married life, a life that leads to a web of deceit, lies, betrayal, violence and personal loss. Against the advice and approval of others she continues to seek the love of the man who is dear to her heart.
Within Inviolate Karen Turner has once again shown her strength as a romance writer, providing all that is required with a little bit more. For myself this book was more than a romance, it was an
adventure full of twist, turns, emotions and the strong will of a young lady who’s determination see’s her battle against expectations of the era. Inviolate took me on an emotional roller coaster from page to page. At times I was gripping the edge of my seat, holding on tight, willing Alexandra to leave her unsatisfactory husband behind and seek the love she so deserved. I laughed at times and I cried at the loss and pain. At times I found tears rolling down my cheeks leading me to having to put the book down and walk away, coming back only after I had composed myself.
I loved the way Karen Turner connected Inviolate with Torn yet allow’s it to stand alone. I felt as though it was only yesterday that I had read Torn yet when I looked back at the date of my review a whole year had passed. As the reader I immediately fitted snugly back into the life of Alexandra Broughton, feeling as though I was visiting an old friend. In the first instance I yet again met the old crone who instantly reopened my intrigue. I was left wondering who this ghostly lady that continues to appear before Alex was. The lady who’s warning before her wedding she ignored.
Love! Love! Loved this book! From my first read by Karen Turner to this latest my only
disappointment has been that each book has come to an end. If you love a good romance that tears at your heart and offers the determination of a young lady in love who dares to follow her heart then both Torn and Inviolate are for you.
August 18, 2021
Overall Rating: 4 STARS ****
Read as... Paperback.
Brief Synopsis...
Picking up from where Torn left off, Alex is hurt and betrayed, forced into a loveless union and is desperate to wipe all thoughts of Patrick from her mind.
She begins a new chapter of her life in Scotland, however, things don't go as smoothly as she'd planned and she longs for the comfort of home. When her circumstances change and she finds herself once again face-to-face with Patrick, Alex soon realises that she is icily received. Can they find their way back to one another?
-------------------------------
My Thoughts...
Inviolate was a satisfactory conclusion to Alex and Patrick's story as it seamlessly followed on from where the first novel in the series left off. Alex spends the first quarter of the book attempting to make her new marriage work and trying in vain to cast Patrick from her mind forever. When it is revealed that Patrick may not have been as cruel nor as calculating as first believed, Alex spends the latter half of the novel crawling back to him with her tail between her legs.
To add to the suspense, Patrick is less than impressed to find Alex at his doorstep. Romance is off the table and he is intolerant and contemptuous in her presence, (borderline abusive).
I didn't enjoy Inviolate as much as Torn as I found Patrick's bouts of angry verbal abuse very unappealing. The strong language directed at Alex was not the type of language that a man in love would or should ever contemplate uttering. It was also out of character for a gentleman from that time period.
Yet again, this is another slow-burn romance that falls under the "enemies to lovers" trope. Despite being more enamoured with Alex and Patrick's budding relationship found in the first instalment, Inviolate had a similar steamy-ness and a more sufficient conclusion. I still heartily recommend this series.
Read as... Paperback.
Brief Synopsis...
Picking up from where Torn left off, Alex is hurt and betrayed, forced into a loveless union and is desperate to wipe all thoughts of Patrick from her mind.
She begins a new chapter of her life in Scotland, however, things don't go as smoothly as she'd planned and she longs for the comfort of home. When her circumstances change and she finds herself once again face-to-face with Patrick, Alex soon realises that she is icily received. Can they find their way back to one another?
-------------------------------
My Thoughts...
Inviolate was a satisfactory conclusion to Alex and Patrick's story as it seamlessly followed on from where the first novel in the series left off. Alex spends the first quarter of the book attempting to make her new marriage work and trying in vain to cast Patrick from her mind forever. When it is revealed that Patrick may not have been as cruel nor as calculating as first believed, Alex spends the latter half of the novel crawling back to him with her tail between her legs.
To add to the suspense, Patrick is less than impressed to find Alex at his doorstep. Romance is off the table and he is intolerant and contemptuous in her presence, (borderline abusive).
I didn't enjoy Inviolate as much as Torn as I found Patrick's bouts of angry verbal abuse very unappealing. The strong language directed at Alex was not the type of language that a man in love would or should ever contemplate uttering. It was also out of character for a gentleman from that time period.
Yet again, this is another slow-burn romance that falls under the "enemies to lovers" trope. Despite being more enamoured with Alex and Patrick's budding relationship found in the first instalment, Inviolate had a similar steamy-ness and a more sufficient conclusion. I still heartily recommend this series.
March 14, 2014
Karen Turner's Inviolate continues Alex Broughton's journey from the firs book Torn. This time we see Alex to someone she was forced to marry due to circumstances. While we see how Alex's character grows from a naive young girl to someone thrown into the throes of lies, adultery and the harsh realisation that she had sacrificed her one true love for nothing, we also learn of the abuse and acceptance of abuse that happens behind closed doors during that period.
The author does play out on what happens in the day-to-day going ons during the period, complete to the way social connections work and even a play by play account of the war that was happen during that time. Combining history with drama, Karen has woven a beautiful novel perfect for those who love a period novel.
I did find a few parts tiresome like the description of the war for the publication they were reading, something probably because I wasn't too interested in and quickly skimmed through. While Alex's character grows to be this disenchanted and sad individual, I thought what made it pathetic was the way Alex kept on grovelling for forgiveness from her one true love. Something I didn't expect from someone who would've had enough negativity and bullsh*t thrown at her to know that grovelling once was fine but continually doing it was bordering on desperation.
Overall an intriguing book as I really wanted to see if she has a happy ending or not and what truly happened to lead up to the deception.
The author does play out on what happens in the day-to-day going ons during the period, complete to the way social connections work and even a play by play account of the war that was happen during that time. Combining history with drama, Karen has woven a beautiful novel perfect for those who love a period novel.
I did find a few parts tiresome like the description of the war for the publication they were reading, something probably because I wasn't too interested in and quickly skimmed through. While Alex's character grows to be this disenchanted and sad individual, I thought what made it pathetic was the way Alex kept on grovelling for forgiveness from her one true love. Something I didn't expect from someone who would've had enough negativity and bullsh*t thrown at her to know that grovelling once was fine but continually doing it was bordering on desperation.
Overall an intriguing book as I really wanted to see if she has a happy ending or not and what truly happened to lead up to the deception.
October 8, 2019
So at the end of the first novel, Torn, you find yourself begging for more, wanting answers to the questions left hanging and desperately waiting for the sequel. Inviolate did not disappoint. The writing style changed and the often gritty, gut wrenching scenes had me eagerly turning the pages to find out what happens next. My emotional involvement with the characters in Torn continued in this book and I found myself audibly yelling at times, in a futile attempt to rescue young Alex. If you haven't read either book, I suggest you get to a bookstore or online and purchase a copy of both. It will be well worth your time and money spent!
May 14, 2014
Boy oh boy, wowie! What an amazing follow on from Torn.
I can truly and wholeheartedly say I thoroughly enjoyed Inviolate. Such an emotional roller coaster ride. Beautifully crafted desperation and despair, sorrow and happiness. Alexandra Broughton truly goes through hell and back for love.
All I can say is thank God for women's rights!
And thank you Karen for such a brilliantly written and delightful book. I think I might go reread Torn and relive Alex's adventures.
Can't wait to see what Karen has in store for us next!
I can truly and wholeheartedly say I thoroughly enjoyed Inviolate. Such an emotional roller coaster ride. Beautifully crafted desperation and despair, sorrow and happiness. Alexandra Broughton truly goes through hell and back for love.
All I can say is thank God for women's rights!
And thank you Karen for such a brilliantly written and delightful book. I think I might go reread Torn and relive Alex's adventures.
Can't wait to see what Karen has in store for us next!
May 1, 2014
I have never cried in a fictional book before, but I did four times reading Inviolate. Author Karen Turner keeps you in suspense waiting to find out what will become of Alex & Patrick with a lot of dramas along the way & then BAM - it doesn't disappoint. With twist & turns along the way, it leaves you with a full range of emotions right up until the end. Karen writes with such clarity it was like a movie rolling out in my head. Absolutely thoroughly enjoyed it & left a void once finished.....
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews