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The Defiant Hearts #0.5-2
The Defiant Hearts Series Box Set
From critically acclaimed author, Sydney Jane Baily, comes the first three stories in her Victorian Romance series, Defiant Hearts.
AN INTRIGUING PROPOSITION: Intent on keeping the news of foreclosure from her grieving, funds-starved family, Elise answers the bank summons and faces Michael Bradley, an old flame who still owns her heart. When Michael extends an unseemly dinner invitation, Elise invents a nameless suitor as an excuse. Now, to save face, she must produce him.
AN IMPROPER SITUATION: Desperate to keep the children she's come to love, Charlotte heads for Boston to find Reed Malloy, the heart-stealing lawyer who left the orphans in her care, only to discover that Boston's glittering high society intends to keep them apart.
AN IRRESISTIBLE TEMPTATION: In San Francisco awaiting an audition with the symphony, Sophie is working as a piano player at The Grand Hotel when Riley Dalcourt walks into her life and everything changes—again.
REVIEWS:
"...a glittering tale of star-crossed lovers, threatened by a web of lies... a great new book in a new series." ~Adrienne deWolfe, Bestselling Author of Scoundrel for Hire
"...a tantalizing glimpse of the author's delicate writing style as she melds romance with humor, conflict, and adventure. An entertaining read." ~Bestselling Author, Marliss Melton
"Many wonderful characters including nasty villains and villainesses. I had a hard time putting it down!" ~Lady McNeill, Mrs. Condit & Friends Read Books
THE DEFIANT HEARTS SERIES, in order
An Intriguing Proposition
An Improper Situation
An Irresistible Temptation
An Inescapable Attraction
MEET SYDNEY JANE BAILY
Sydney Jane Baily completed her first novel at the tender age of 17. Thankfully, that manuscript resides in an undisclosed secure location. After spending years as a book editor, Sydney is thrilled to be crafting her own stories of a bygone era. She resides in New England with her family—human, feline, and canine. www.sydneyjanebaily.com
AN INTRIGUING PROPOSITION: Intent on keeping the news of foreclosure from her grieving, funds-starved family, Elise answers the bank summons and faces Michael Bradley, an old flame who still owns her heart. When Michael extends an unseemly dinner invitation, Elise invents a nameless suitor as an excuse. Now, to save face, she must produce him.
AN IMPROPER SITUATION: Desperate to keep the children she's come to love, Charlotte heads for Boston to find Reed Malloy, the heart-stealing lawyer who left the orphans in her care, only to discover that Boston's glittering high society intends to keep them apart.
AN IRRESISTIBLE TEMPTATION: In San Francisco awaiting an audition with the symphony, Sophie is working as a piano player at The Grand Hotel when Riley Dalcourt walks into her life and everything changes—again.
REVIEWS:
"...a glittering tale of star-crossed lovers, threatened by a web of lies... a great new book in a new series." ~Adrienne deWolfe, Bestselling Author of Scoundrel for Hire
"...a tantalizing glimpse of the author's delicate writing style as she melds romance with humor, conflict, and adventure. An entertaining read." ~Bestselling Author, Marliss Melton
"Many wonderful characters including nasty villains and villainesses. I had a hard time putting it down!" ~Lady McNeill, Mrs. Condit & Friends Read Books
THE DEFIANT HEARTS SERIES, in order
An Intriguing Proposition
An Improper Situation
An Irresistible Temptation
An Inescapable Attraction
MEET SYDNEY JANE BAILY
Sydney Jane Baily completed her first novel at the tender age of 17. Thankfully, that manuscript resides in an undisclosed secure location. After spending years as a book editor, Sydney is thrilled to be crafting her own stories of a bygone era. She resides in New England with her family—human, feline, and canine. www.sydneyjanebaily.com
666 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 2, 2014
64 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Sydney Jane Baily
60 books185 followersUSA Today bestselling author Sydney Jane Baily writes historical romance with engaging characters, attention to period detail, and sensual romance ~ often with a touch of intrigue. Amazon page: author.to/SydneyJaneBaily
A first-generation American daughter of Brits from either end of London, Sydney resides in Massachusetts with her family -- human, feline, and canine. The rest of her extended family live in the U.K. where she spent many happy childhood summers. She loves shandy, Maltesers, Cadbury bars, fish and chips, and anything from Harrod's food hall or in a Fortnum and Mason's basket.
Learn more about her books, read her blog, and contact her via her website at https://www.SydneyJaneBaily.com. She loves to hear from readers. On her site, you can also sign up for her Readers' Group and receive an occasional (not bothersome) newsletter along with a free book.
A first-generation American daughter of Brits from either end of London, Sydney resides in Massachusetts with her family -- human, feline, and canine. The rest of her extended family live in the U.K. where she spent many happy childhood summers. She loves shandy, Maltesers, Cadbury bars, fish and chips, and anything from Harrod's food hall or in a Fortnum and Mason's basket.
Learn more about her books, read her blog, and contact her via her website at https://www.SydneyJaneBaily.com. She loves to hear from readers. On her site, you can also sign up for her Readers' Group and receive an occasional (not bothersome) newsletter along with a free book.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 25, 2017
An Intriguing Proposition: Caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, Elise Molloy accepts Jonathon Amory's proposal of marriage, but the hasty decision comes back to bite her. She knows that she is being played with and the only reason she has accepted the proposal is because Michael Bradley pushed her into a corner. Elise realises that if she is going make things right, she has to at least be honest with Michael. Putting her pride aside, she opens up to him and finds that seeming insurmountable obstacles can be dealt with. In this slightly suspenseful romance, prevarication almost interfered with the possibility of a lifetime. The story is well written and keeps the reader intrigued. I loved Michael's character, even though he was a little too sure of himself and one could not help but feel for Elise as she tried to protect her loved ones.
An Improper Situation: In this well written and suspenseful romance, I found the plot to be engaging and was unable to put the book down. From the very first, academic writer lady Charlotte drew me in. Her absent mindedness and lack of domestic skills were unusual for her time, but she had the respect of many readers across the country. When literary admirer Reed decides to meet the writer lady by bringing her deceased cousin's children to her in accordance with her will, he did not expect to see a young and very beautiful woman. Reed decides there and then to stay until such time as Charlotte agrees to become the caregiver to the children. Things don't work out the way either of them planned, and ultimately naive Charlotte finds herself thrust into the sophisticated and somewhat jaded Boston society with its gossip and sharp tongues. I loved Reed's character, his caring for the children and Charlotte, as well as his gentle approach towards them. Charlotte was floundering in Boston society, but she quickly finds her feet and is able to make a stand, winning Reed's respect. I previously read this book as part of a box set, and enjoyed it just as much the second time around.
An Irresistible Temptation: A romance set in an era when a man's word was his bond, Riley's attraction for Sophia got in the way of his promises and obligations made. Sophia felt just as strongly for Riley, which was strange given her sophisticated Bostonian upbringing. As a concert pianist, Sophia found beauty and healing in music, but the tempestuous romance with Riley had her reeling. An Irresistible Temptation is beautifully and well written, however I did get very frustrated with the hero who appeared to be leading Sophia on without stating his true feelings. I enjoyed insights into society and history of the late 1800's and found that the advances in technology made at that time were earlier than I originally thought. This is an entertaining read and although part of a series, it is nevertheless a standalone. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
An Improper Situation: In this well written and suspenseful romance, I found the plot to be engaging and was unable to put the book down. From the very first, academic writer lady Charlotte drew me in. Her absent mindedness and lack of domestic skills were unusual for her time, but she had the respect of many readers across the country. When literary admirer Reed decides to meet the writer lady by bringing her deceased cousin's children to her in accordance with her will, he did not expect to see a young and very beautiful woman. Reed decides there and then to stay until such time as Charlotte agrees to become the caregiver to the children. Things don't work out the way either of them planned, and ultimately naive Charlotte finds herself thrust into the sophisticated and somewhat jaded Boston society with its gossip and sharp tongues. I loved Reed's character, his caring for the children and Charlotte, as well as his gentle approach towards them. Charlotte was floundering in Boston society, but she quickly finds her feet and is able to make a stand, winning Reed's respect. I previously read this book as part of a box set, and enjoyed it just as much the second time around.
An Irresistible Temptation: A romance set in an era when a man's word was his bond, Riley's attraction for Sophia got in the way of his promises and obligations made. Sophia felt just as strongly for Riley, which was strange given her sophisticated Bostonian upbringing. As a concert pianist, Sophia found beauty and healing in music, but the tempestuous romance with Riley had her reeling. An Irresistible Temptation is beautifully and well written, however I did get very frustrated with the hero who appeared to be leading Sophia on without stating his true feelings. I enjoyed insights into society and history of the late 1800's and found that the advances in technology made at that time were earlier than I originally thought. This is an entertaining read and although part of a series, it is nevertheless a standalone. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
January 9, 2018
These stories revolve around three siblings. The first is quite short and concerns the oldest sister. The other two stories are much longer. They were all enjoyable stories. The second did lack pace in the middle but made up for it in the latter stages. Here there was a woman writer and a lawyer and also the contrast between life on the west and life in Boston. The third was my favourite, two likeable characters but as with all the stories the male had problems. It also gave a flavour of San Francisco at the time. Three interesting and entertaining reads. I received a copy from EBooks Discovery and have voluntarily and honestly reviewed it. I had also previously purchased my own copy.
March 12, 2018
The three writings seemed to have a common style, and as the reader, I did get to the point of saying to self, "get on with it, quit over-thinking it." And then, about that same time, each couple worked it out. I have a vivid memory of the way the author described their eyes locking, over and over, and I remember "the eyes are the windows to the soul." I could feel God's presence as each relationship unfolded.
April 9, 2019
Love overcomes all
A most heart warming series of love overcoming obstacles in the way of three sisters who seemingly prevent them from having the man they want but who need to just find a way to do so. Beautifully written and problem solving. I also enjoyed the history of our San Francisco which followed the stories.
A most heart warming series of love overcoming obstacles in the way of three sisters who seemingly prevent them from having the man they want but who need to just find a way to do so. Beautifully written and problem solving. I also enjoyed the history of our San Francisco which followed the stories.
February 25, 2021
This story is about how Elise Malloy manages to get herself into a tangle web she can’t get out of, when trying to handle a situation (alone ) involving a past situation her now deceased father created. The more she tries to fix it, the more complicated it gets. Michael (a banker) finally rescues her from herself.
January 14, 2018
Different characters and settings, good stories. Liked everything about them.
September 15, 2015
What can I say? I read all three as one story and as they deal with the same family it felt like one book. The first was short and felt like it was just starting to get good when it abruptly ended. The next two were full length so we had time to bounce back and forth in love but doubting or doing something stupid and getting in trouble. True love does conquer all but apparently in this family you have to wade through plenty of rough seas before that can happen. Nevertheless I am headed off to try the next one so...
March 11, 2023
Powerful Love
This is a story of two people with very different life styles.
They meet unexpectedly, immediately fall in love and then struggle to make things work. A very good book as you follow their paths to an amazing conclusion of their forever love!
Read and enjoy!
This is a story of two people with very different life styles.
They meet unexpectedly, immediately fall in love and then struggle to make things work. A very good book as you follow their paths to an amazing conclusion of their forever love!
Read and enjoy!
August 17, 2015
Sleeper hit
This was one of the best trilogy I've read. It was unexpectedly enjoyable to read. It wasn't vulgar or graphic like a lot of historical novels nowadays. I recommend it.
This was one of the best trilogy I've read. It was unexpectedly enjoyable to read. It wasn't vulgar or graphic like a lot of historical novels nowadays. I recommend it.
September 20, 2015
Fun Set of Short Stories
These were charming historical fiction love stories. They had some explicit sex scenes. I enjoyed the stories and each story had a closing.
These were charming historical fiction love stories. They had some explicit sex scenes. I enjoyed the stories and each story had a closing.
January 4, 2020
Wonderful
Great books that draw you into the character's lives. Hard to put down once you start reading. I've read myself to sleep several nights.
Great books that draw you into the character's lives. Hard to put down once you start reading. I've read myself to sleep several nights.
April 18, 2021
PURPLE!
EACH STORY WAS BETTER THAN THE LAST.
EACH STORY WAS BETTER THAN THE LAST.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews