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For Honor's Sake
Desperate to escape an arranged marriage, young Juliet Darcy finds herself aboard a ship full of mail-order brides bound for California and promised to a man she's never met. Darkly handsome Rodrigo Delgado has no intentions of claiming a husband's rights--until he looks into Juliet's eyes, and sees a woman he must make his own at any cost.
398 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
7 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
About the author
Connie Mason
140 books534 followersConnie Mason or Cara Miles is the best-selling author of more than fifty historical romances and novellas. Her tales of passion and adventure are set in exotic as well as American locales. Connie was named Story Teller of the Year in 1990 by Romantic Times and was awarded Career Achievement award in the Western category by Romantic Times in 1994. Connie makes her home in Tarpon Springs, Florida with her husband Jerry.
Prior to her first published work in 1984, Connie was a full time homemaker. Always an avid reader, writing was one of Connie's dreams.
In 1995 Connie was featured on a segment of the CBS news show 48 Hours, a television production that devoted an entire program to the romance novel industry. Connie was also featured in an article published by National Inquirer.
In addition to writing and traveling, Connie enjoys telling anyone who will listen about her three children and nine grandchildren, and sharing memories of her years living abroad in Europe and Asia as the wife of a career serviceman. In her spare time Connie enjoys reading, dancing, playing bridge and freshwater fishing with her husband.
Prior to her first published work in 1984, Connie was a full time homemaker. Always an avid reader, writing was one of Connie's dreams.
In 1995 Connie was featured on a segment of the CBS news show 48 Hours, a television production that devoted an entire program to the romance novel industry. Connie was also featured in an article published by National Inquirer.
In addition to writing and traveling, Connie enjoys telling anyone who will listen about her three children and nine grandchildren, and sharing memories of her years living abroad in Europe and Asia as the wife of a career serviceman. In her spare time Connie enjoys reading, dancing, playing bridge and freshwater fishing with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 1, 2011
I read this 15+ years ago, so I might be wrong here but I think the hero in this book cheats on the heroine with HER STEPMOTHER (in vivid details)! Ewwww.......
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2021
(Might be a few spoilers here, so be warned!)
It wasn't a perfect story, but despite a few flaws in the main characters (like their inability to trust and hiding their true feelings once too often), I liked them, as well as the supporting players and the storyline. I also appreciated learning a bit of California history, like the many missions from San Francisco to San Diego, some of their names and stories, the legendary Joaquin Murrieta (I'm going research his true story and see how it compares) and San Francisco in its mid 19thc days. I always appreciate some real history thrown in, so I feel I'm learning something while being entertained.
It starts out a bit different, with Rodrigo Diego getting a lottery bride he didn't ask for, having won her in a bet, and Julie Darcy being a reluctant participant, having no other way to get to San Fran, where she wants to search for her missing father, who went in search of a fortune in gold, and ended up part of an outlaw gang (but in a nice way).
Rod and Julie are immediately wed, and so the adventure begins! Between outlaws, a couple of rape attempts, a jealous, vengeful ex-fiancee, misunderstandings galore, separations, childbirth, an earthquake....well, you get the idea! Way over the top, but still fun.
The secondary characters were likeable, especially Carl Darcy, Julie's long lost dad, who shows up in the nick of time to save his daughter from a fate worse than death, as it was said back then. Luckily for Julie, her husband did the same on a previous occasion. This is one of the things I like most about what I call the transition period in historical romances, which started in the mid 1980's. Rapes become near rapes instead, with someone coming along in time to rescue the h, or else she manages to rescue herself, or something else happens to prevent the vile act. (In one book I read, before the villain could do the evil deed, he got bit by a poisonous snake and died! Now that was a riot!) Also, it's made abundantly clear that the h is totally revolted, not once (as in those early ripper days) does she feel the least bit turned on.
There's also another plus to the later works, as morality starts to kick in, and the h (and often the H as well) are no longer quick to give in to lustful desires and betray their significant others, even if kept apart by misunderstandings. (bit of a spoiler here, so forewarned...) At one point, Murrieta, who's made it clear to Julie he's fallen for her, attempts seduction when he comes upon her naked in a stream. Despite his taking off his clothes and kissing/fondling her, she pulls away from him and states she won't break her marriage vows. Even when he told her he loved her, had a feeling he wouldn't be alive too much longer and needed her to care (as it turns out, this wasn't a bunch of crap) she still remained faithful. As it happened, her intense desire for Rod prevented her interest in other men, but even if she had been tempted, she wouldn't have given in. Later, she rebuffs another attempt to get her into bed, when a close call has her alone with Brett, owner of a saloon/casino, where she's working temporarily, as he plies her with wine and succeeds in having a bit of fun with her breasts but, despite the alcoholic influence, it doesn't go further than that. Even at a point when she wasn't sure of their future or his feelings, she stayed faithful to Rod.
(I do have to add, though, that it was a bit ridiculous when after Julie upbraids Brett for his behavior, she then asks him if he'll still be a friend to her, if she needs one. After the way he acted, I'd think the last thing she'd want is him for a friend, because with one like him....well, you know the rest of the saying. At least, he wasn't guilty of trying to seduce a married woman, as he didn't know Julie and Rod were married, she led him to believe she was single.)
For his part, Rod gave in to desire once, but this was because of both heavy drinking and the machinations of Elena, his ex-fiancee and stepmother (not to mention vile bitch), who snuck into his bed and let him think she was Julie. (Can you say RAPE?) Once things got started, his body had to finish, though he despised himself later. Another time, when she again paid an unwelcome visit and started making a lollipop out of his penis, despite his responding he pushed her away and that was the last of those encounters. Later, he had a few amorous moments with Rita, a girl at Brett's place who had the hots for him, but didn't go too far, even though he mistakenly thought Julie was involved with Brett. I find all these close calls entertaining, as long as what's started doesn't get completed.
Besides, what did they need with other people when their lovemaking was so HOT!!!
This book has secondary characters that add to the story without bogging it down, like Brett, Polly (a friend of Julie's and also a lottery bride, who overcame tragedy to start over, with Julie and Brett's help), Ramona, a Mexican widow who saved Carl's life, and adorable, precocious Felicia, a nine year old with a mystery past.
Elena was a bit much, a bad penny that kept turning up (though she gets her comeuppance at the end.) I also think Julie was a bit of a dunce to fall for Elena's latest ruse and run off, putting her soon to be born baby in danger. And too often, both Julie and Rod hold back their true feelings, and don't learn from their mistakes in that respect. Also, all the melodrama (attacks by outlaws, an earthquake, a long trek for help while barefoot and carrying a baby, and so on, would have been better if they had occurred earlier in the story, not when things were winding down.
Still, it'll hold your interest and I don't think you'll regret reading it.
It wasn't a perfect story, but despite a few flaws in the main characters (like their inability to trust and hiding their true feelings once too often), I liked them, as well as the supporting players and the storyline. I also appreciated learning a bit of California history, like the many missions from San Francisco to San Diego, some of their names and stories, the legendary Joaquin Murrieta (I'm going research his true story and see how it compares) and San Francisco in its mid 19thc days. I always appreciate some real history thrown in, so I feel I'm learning something while being entertained.
It starts out a bit different, with Rodrigo Diego getting a lottery bride he didn't ask for, having won her in a bet, and Julie Darcy being a reluctant participant, having no other way to get to San Fran, where she wants to search for her missing father, who went in search of a fortune in gold, and ended up part of an outlaw gang (but in a nice way).
Rod and Julie are immediately wed, and so the adventure begins! Between outlaws, a couple of rape attempts, a jealous, vengeful ex-fiancee, misunderstandings galore, separations, childbirth, an earthquake....well, you get the idea! Way over the top, but still fun.
The secondary characters were likeable, especially Carl Darcy, Julie's long lost dad, who shows up in the nick of time to save his daughter from a fate worse than death, as it was said back then. Luckily for Julie, her husband did the same on a previous occasion. This is one of the things I like most about what I call the transition period in historical romances, which started in the mid 1980's. Rapes become near rapes instead, with someone coming along in time to rescue the h, or else she manages to rescue herself, or something else happens to prevent the vile act. (In one book I read, before the villain could do the evil deed, he got bit by a poisonous snake and died! Now that was a riot!) Also, it's made abundantly clear that the h is totally revolted, not once (as in those early ripper days) does she feel the least bit turned on.
There's also another plus to the later works, as morality starts to kick in, and the h (and often the H as well) are no longer quick to give in to lustful desires and betray their significant others, even if kept apart by misunderstandings. (bit of a spoiler here, so forewarned...) At one point, Murrieta, who's made it clear to Julie he's fallen for her, attempts seduction when he comes upon her naked in a stream. Despite his taking off his clothes and kissing/fondling her, she pulls away from him and states she won't break her marriage vows. Even when he told her he loved her, had a feeling he wouldn't be alive too much longer and needed her to care (as it turns out, this wasn't a bunch of crap) she still remained faithful. As it happened, her intense desire for Rod prevented her interest in other men, but even if she had been tempted, she wouldn't have given in. Later, she rebuffs another attempt to get her into bed, when a close call has her alone with Brett, owner of a saloon/casino, where she's working temporarily, as he plies her with wine and succeeds in having a bit of fun with her breasts but, despite the alcoholic influence, it doesn't go further than that. Even at a point when she wasn't sure of their future or his feelings, she stayed faithful to Rod.
(I do have to add, though, that it was a bit ridiculous when after Julie upbraids Brett for his behavior, she then asks him if he'll still be a friend to her, if she needs one. After the way he acted, I'd think the last thing she'd want is him for a friend, because with one like him....well, you know the rest of the saying. At least, he wasn't guilty of trying to seduce a married woman, as he didn't know Julie and Rod were married, she led him to believe she was single.)
For his part, Rod gave in to desire once, but this was because of both heavy drinking and the machinations of Elena, his ex-fiancee and stepmother (not to mention vile bitch), who snuck into his bed and let him think she was Julie. (Can you say RAPE?) Once things got started, his body had to finish, though he despised himself later. Another time, when she again paid an unwelcome visit and started making a lollipop out of his penis, despite his responding he pushed her away and that was the last of those encounters. Later, he had a few amorous moments with Rita, a girl at Brett's place who had the hots for him, but didn't go too far, even though he mistakenly thought Julie was involved with Brett. I find all these close calls entertaining, as long as what's started doesn't get completed.
Besides, what did they need with other people when their lovemaking was so HOT!!!
This book has secondary characters that add to the story without bogging it down, like Brett, Polly (a friend of Julie's and also a lottery bride, who overcame tragedy to start over, with Julie and Brett's help), Ramona, a Mexican widow who saved Carl's life, and adorable, precocious Felicia, a nine year old with a mystery past.
Elena was a bit much, a bad penny that kept turning up (though she gets her comeuppance at the end.) I also think Julie was a bit of a dunce to fall for Elena's latest ruse and run off, putting her soon to be born baby in danger. And too often, both Julie and Rod hold back their true feelings, and don't learn from their mistakes in that respect. Also, all the melodrama (attacks by outlaws, an earthquake, a long trek for help while barefoot and carrying a baby, and so on, would have been better if they had occurred earlier in the story, not when things were winding down.
Still, it'll hold your interest and I don't think you'll regret reading it.
May 30, 2020
THIS MAY NOT BE THE BEST CONNIE MASON STORY YET, THERE WERE SOME PARTS I ENJOYED BUT ALSO SOME PARTS THAT ANNOYED ME BECAUSE OF RIDICULOUS THEY WERE.
ROB won our heroine's lottery number while he was playing cards - I know, not the least honorable for a man who already has a betrothed waiting for him back home. Rob isn't much to my liking. I get that the author meant for him to be fated to Julie but the fact that he's already engaged but still accepted his winnings in the form of another man's intended? That just makes him a dog. Anyway, on the fateful day the Brides arrive fresh from port, he reluctantly claims his Anglo wife and soon abandons her before bringing her back home to his family hacienda. Rob's a Spanish aristocrat and his family only marry those with good bloodlines, and never mix blood from outside their own circle. Rob's the first to break tradition when he takes a blonde, English wife whom he has a passive-aggressive reaction to, it's part awesome, part annoying. While I LOVE it, I also HATE it - the way the author's characters are driven by stupid pride, obstinacy and not being able to have a proper conversation without jumping to conclusions AND pointing fingers. Once or twice is fine, but when it's overly done just for the sake of DRAMA, it can be vexing and becomes boring. Rob himself leaves little to be desired, he's always convincing himself that he cannot love his wife. What strikes me as funny for most of C.M's heroes' is the fact that they can't even recognise WHEN they are in love with their wife.
JULIET escapes life from home when she's nearly raped and forced into a marriage with her uncle, coming to San Francisco to find her long lost father. At the same time, she finds herself wedded to a Spaniard man who heats up her blood. Juliet has the annoying tendency to jump to conclusions and can't even confront her own husband properly. She's also the poor soul who keeps getting misled by Rob's bitter ex-fiance who would do anything to break up their marriage. Like all C.M's stories, the couple will always go through a trial of unfortunate events before they can find their HEA.
OVERALL this one did drag a little bit that I found myself bored at some moments and skimmed. While it did hold the same quality as C.M's books where you get the jealousy, drama and angst...I guess I wasn't enamored by the characters here nor their sheer stupidity and pride.
ROB won our heroine's lottery number while he was playing cards - I know, not the least honorable for a man who already has a betrothed waiting for him back home. Rob isn't much to my liking. I get that the author meant for him to be fated to Julie but the fact that he's already engaged but still accepted his winnings in the form of another man's intended? That just makes him a dog. Anyway, on the fateful day the Brides arrive fresh from port, he reluctantly claims his Anglo wife and soon abandons her before bringing her back home to his family hacienda. Rob's a Spanish aristocrat and his family only marry those with good bloodlines, and never mix blood from outside their own circle. Rob's the first to break tradition when he takes a blonde, English wife whom he has a passive-aggressive reaction to, it's part awesome, part annoying. While I LOVE it, I also HATE it - the way the author's characters are driven by stupid pride, obstinacy and not being able to have a proper conversation without jumping to conclusions AND pointing fingers. Once or twice is fine, but when it's overly done just for the sake of DRAMA, it can be vexing and becomes boring. Rob himself leaves little to be desired, he's always convincing himself that he cannot love his wife. What strikes me as funny for most of C.M's heroes' is the fact that they can't even recognise WHEN they are in love with their wife.
JULIET escapes life from home when she's nearly raped and forced into a marriage with her uncle, coming to San Francisco to find her long lost father. At the same time, she finds herself wedded to a Spaniard man who heats up her blood. Juliet has the annoying tendency to jump to conclusions and can't even confront her own husband properly. She's also the poor soul who keeps getting misled by Rob's bitter ex-fiance who would do anything to break up their marriage. Like all C.M's stories, the couple will always go through a trial of unfortunate events before they can find their HEA.
OVERALL this one did drag a little bit that I found myself bored at some moments and skimmed. While it did hold the same quality as C.M's books where you get the jealousy, drama and angst...I guess I wasn't enamored by the characters here nor their sheer stupidity and pride.
September 8, 2021
Well this was an anxious read! Everything that could happen in a romance, happened in this one I think. It was action-packed, hate to love, a jealous ex-lover, numerous near rapes, bandits, a missing father, fire, death, an earthquake and the wilds of California during the Gold Rush. Of course, there was also a BIG misunderstanding between the Hero and heroine which could have been easily rectified with a conversation. Still enjoyable!
January 9, 2020
I read about half way and had to stop, it just started getting to stupid. When the H watches h, who's his wife and working in a saloon as a blackjack dealer, goes upstairs with another man and there for 3 hrs in her bed room and just sets and gets drunk while waiting for the other guy to come back so he can go to her room... stupid.
November 26, 2017
1000000 out of 5 stars. Different but one of the most beautiful stories ever.
July 31, 2018
Tok much drama for my taste.
Currently reading
June 14, 2023I'm trying to read the book but don't know how to please help me .
July 16, 2023
Demasiado drama, hasta un terremoto hubo.
May 10, 2024
There are many forceful encounters which are not my thing. It is amazing how many times the tip doesn't make it in and she's saved once again only to be forced by her husband.
January 5, 2025
The misunderstanding where driving me crazy
March 30, 2016
I love Connie Mason. She writes fantastic stories with amazing plots and just as amazing characters. However, at the same time she is a very walk the line author for me when it comes to her books. There will the amazing in all ways books and those that generally keep on that line of being neither amazing or plain bad. This is for one or tow if not both reasons. The first being that too much concentration is given to a problem that is mixed with several other problems-- sometimes even going only to come back. If this is the case it gets exceedingly annoying, even more so when more attention to the more interesting happenings could be happening. This problem relates to the second reason and that is despite the great characters and the story the characters on their own may be very interesting but when put together they lack in any relationship growth whatsoever. Basically they spend no actual time together to get to know each other-- its sex and than they suddenly fall in love-- makes no sense and insults the individual characters that have been established.
Both are what I found in this book...I loved the characters and the plot was very good excluding the holes where so much relationship growth could've happened. As a result I didn't believe in romantic features, there was more potential than actual romance.
Yet, the books despite its flaws was good and didn't warrant less than two stars. For teetering on the line I give it three stars.
Both are what I found in this book...I loved the characters and the plot was very good excluding the holes where so much relationship growth could've happened. As a result I didn't believe in romantic features, there was more potential than actual romance.
Yet, the books despite its flaws was good and didn't warrant less than two stars. For teetering on the line I give it three stars.
August 17, 2010
this was a good read..a young girl ran away from the only home she has knowen to get away from a nasty man and she finds her self married and trying to feel loved and have the family that she wants
August 17, 2010
i like that this was from the western days and the man that she thought was there to just help her with farm she fell in love with but he made she keept her honor
April 25, 2016
Highly recommended!! Absolutely love Connie Mason's books!! She is one of my favorite author!!
(Not sure of the dates the I read this book, it's been several yrs.)
(Not sure of the dates the I read this book, it's been several yrs.)
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August 14, 2017I usually love Connie Mason, but this book just sucks. Spoiler-The so called hero sleeps with another woman, his own step mother on her wedding night.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews