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Self-Made Men #1
His To Command
From the moment John Fordyce saved Charlotte Clayworth from drowning at the age of five, the two of them have been inseparable. Trapped in a deserted farmhouse on a blizzardy Christmas Eve, John desperately struggles to control his desire for the woman he’s grown up with. When a small act of discipline compromises Charlotte, honor requires John to make a marriage proposal different from the one he intended.
When Charlotte realizes she’s in love with her best friend, she can’t contemplate another man caressing her the way John does. But when he states they must marry to save her reputation and satisfy his honor, she refuses. The thought of their friendship dissolving into a marriage embittered by a single indiscretion horrifies her.
Their friendship crumbles as they go their separate ways until a close-knit group of Self-Made Men decide to meddle in their mentor’s love life and reunite the two lovers. But will John and Charlotte realize they both have the same wish—that the best of friends make the best of lovers?
This novella was originally included in the Wanton Christmas Wishes box set, however, has been expanded to include additional scenes.
When Charlotte realizes she’s in love with her best friend, she can’t contemplate another man caressing her the way John does. But when he states they must marry to save her reputation and satisfy his honor, she refuses. The thought of their friendship dissolving into a marriage embittered by a single indiscretion horrifies her.
Their friendship crumbles as they go their separate ways until a close-knit group of Self-Made Men decide to meddle in their mentor’s love life and reunite the two lovers. But will John and Charlotte realize they both have the same wish—that the best of friends make the best of lovers?
This novella was originally included in the Wanton Christmas Wishes box set, however, has been expanded to include additional scenes.
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First published January 1, 2015
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About the author
Monica Burns
52 books508 followersAn award-winning author of spicy historical and paranormal romance, Monica Burns penned her first short romance story at the age of nine when she selected the pseudonym she uses today.
Facebook Reader Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/Monic...
Her historical book awards include the 2011 RT BookReviews Reviewers Choice Award and the 2012 Gayle Wilson Heart of Excellence Award for Pleasure Me .
She is also the recipient of the prestigious paranormal romance award, the 2011 PRISM Best of the Best award for Assassin’s Heart .
From the days when she hid her stories from her sisters to her first completed full-length manuscript, she always believed in her dream despite rejections and setbacks. A workaholic wife and mother, Monica believes it’s possible for the good guy to win if they work hard enough.
Facebook Reader Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/Monic...
Her historical book awards include the 2011 RT BookReviews Reviewers Choice Award and the 2012 Gayle Wilson Heart of Excellence Award for Pleasure Me .
She is also the recipient of the prestigious paranormal romance award, the 2011 PRISM Best of the Best award for Assassin’s Heart .
From the days when she hid her stories from her sisters to her first completed full-length manuscript, she always believed in her dream despite rejections and setbacks. A workaholic wife and mother, Monica believes it’s possible for the good guy to win if they work hard enough.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 2, 2015
One of the things I love most about Monica Burns’ stories is how she is not afraid to feature older protagonists. Most historical romances I read are about very young and beautiful twenty-somethings, but Burns lets us know that true love and, indeed, lust are ageless.
Charlotte and John are close childhood friends who share a sexual attraction and affection. But one snowy Christmas Eve, when a heated interlude prompts John’s hasty proposal, Charlotte believes it’s nothing more than obligation, not true love. And so they part…
For twenty five years! Charlotte doesn’t marry but John does and adopts four young men–the heroes of the Self-Made Men series set in Victorian London. I don’t care for this part of the plot because why is it only the man that marries (and it means nothing supposedly?). Plot quirk aside, the sex scenes are steamy yet sweet. There is some light BDSM–spanking–and dirty talk but Burns keeps the emotions of both John and Charlotte at the forefront. Though they are both in their forties (and perhaps, in John’s case, fifty), the love and passion is still there.
I also like the heartwarming holiday reunion of John’s family here with heroes of the stories to come. I would call this book #1.5 in the series since it is a novella that can be read in under an hour.
This review first appeared in the collection Wanton Christmas Wishes: http://austenstudent.tumblr.com/post/...
Charlotte and John are close childhood friends who share a sexual attraction and affection. But one snowy Christmas Eve, when a heated interlude prompts John’s hasty proposal, Charlotte believes it’s nothing more than obligation, not true love. And so they part…
For twenty five years! Charlotte doesn’t marry but John does and adopts four young men–the heroes of the Self-Made Men series set in Victorian London. I don’t care for this part of the plot because why is it only the man that marries (and it means nothing supposedly?). Plot quirk aside, the sex scenes are steamy yet sweet. There is some light BDSM–spanking–and dirty talk but Burns keeps the emotions of both John and Charlotte at the forefront. Though they are both in their forties (and perhaps, in John’s case, fifty), the love and passion is still there.
I also like the heartwarming holiday reunion of John’s family here with heroes of the stories to come. I would call this book #1.5 in the series since it is a novella that can be read in under an hour.
This review first appeared in the collection Wanton Christmas Wishes: http://austenstudent.tumblr.com/post/...
July 4, 2021
I'd actually read the second in this series beforehand, and enjoyed it. But this one was a miss for me. Part of it was a frustration with how much time they wasted. They'd been best friends since childhood, but a couple of dumb decisions later, and they missed out on even that friendship for 14 years(!), much less the happily wedded bliss they should have had. That's not romantic, that's just sad. And at every turn there's a path to perhaps get things back on track- but then they head off some other way instead. And because they're not even penpals during that time, there are large stretches of the book where they aren't even interacting with each other. Lame. There's like one chapter in the middle of the book about a secondary relationship, and I think I actually preferred it to the entirety of the main one. They had my respect and empathy so I cared more about their HEA. And lastly, I didn't like how this couple's reunion was handled. There's a time and place for bedroom games, but I don't think this was it. At all. It made it into playing mind games and throwing the other off balance, rather than sitting down to finally address some things, or having an emotional heart to heart, or some physical tenderness during this emotionally trying time, or anything one might expect in this scenario. If things go well then there will always be more time later to play around and experiment, etc. It made it seem like sex, and in particular the hero's fantasies, were the real priority and everything else could just be squeezed in in the gaps. So I didn't find the story romantic, and because the one real sex scene is that last one and I didn't like how it was handled, it didn't end up feeling particularly steamy to me either. I didn't hate it, but it was definitely a disappointment. Overall though, I disliked the characters' decisions but I didn't particularly dislike them. So it had potential, but just missed its mark.
April 24, 2015
I loved this story when I first read it as part of the WANTON CHRISTMAS Anthology and it left me wanting more and not because of cliff hangers or anything! I wanted more because the story is AMAZING and it leaves you wanting to know more about the characters!!! Monica does NOT disappoint her readers in this expanded version of HIS TO COMMAND! Holy HOTNESS and talk about creating curiosity and adding another Book Boyfriend to my list! Cannot wait until the next one!!
A beautiful story about second chances and going after what you want! You'll fall for both John Fordyce and Charlotte Clayworth as well as for John's family!
Can't say enough of the awesomeness this story is! Great start to the series!
A beautiful story about second chances and going after what you want! You'll fall for both John Fordyce and Charlotte Clayworth as well as for John's family!
Can't say enough of the awesomeness this story is! Great start to the series!
December 18, 2017
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋💋
I so loved this book , rich , and full story , of two best friends who are like two ships passing in the night , constantly passing love by , because neither wants to say those three little words , just incase their love is not returned.
A lesson to us all .
Monica writes with such passion and even though this book is quite steamy , it’s written beautifully and with taste
💋💋💋
I so loved this book , rich , and full story , of two best friends who are like two ships passing in the night , constantly passing love by , because neither wants to say those three little words , just incase their love is not returned.
A lesson to us all .
Monica writes with such passion and even though this book is quite steamy , it’s written beautifully and with taste
June 1, 2015
John Fordyce is a man of honor. He has always loved his best friend, Charlotte Clayworth. He's just never told her. When they become stranded on Christmas Eve, he compromises her. She rejects his offer of marriage and runs away to America. The stubborn man refuses to follow her and press his suit! Will they ever be together? Charlotte is a charmer. She has always been able to get John to do her bidding. Now this outspoken beauty is afraid to tell John that she loves him. In turn, John is hurt by her rejection. He won't confess his love to her. He may be a strong Alpha male but he won't risk being hurt again. I wanted to shake these two. Don't the realize they are only hurting each other. Pride is a poor bedfellow. The passion and love that they felt is apparent to their family and friends. I wanted these two to acknowledge their love. His To Command had me on the edge of my seat. I wanted a HEA. Also, I loved the secondary characters. Clara, John's sister, was charming and a meddler. She wanted her brother to be happy. When she had a chance at love and passion with Luke, I cheered. That couple had remarkable chemistry. Monica Burns created characters I cared about, a setting that was romantic and dialogue that was sparkling. I loved His To Command. I can't wait for the next book in the Self-Made Men series.
May 9, 2021
This is a short story about Charlotte and John, who have been friends since childhood and are now becoming aware that their feelings have changed. After a brief incident, John is determined to marry her to save her reputation. Not wanting to marry John if he doesn't love her, Charlotte flees.
I've read quite a few of this author's books, and this is the first one that I've actually disliked. It's short, and it consists of a scene, a jump of quite a few years, another scene, another long jump, and then the ending. And yet, with all the time that has passed, neither of the main characters has changed in any way. Neither of them has moved on with their life. Apart from being unbelievable, there is no opportunity to get to know either character, so I didn't really get invested in the story.
As well as this, the book is badly in need of proofreading. Sorry, but this book really didn't do it for me.
I've read quite a few of this author's books, and this is the first one that I've actually disliked. It's short, and it consists of a scene, a jump of quite a few years, another scene, another long jump, and then the ending. And yet, with all the time that has passed, neither of the main characters has changed in any way. Neither of them has moved on with their life. Apart from being unbelievable, there is no opportunity to get to know either character, so I didn't really get invested in the story.
As well as this, the book is badly in need of proofreading. Sorry, but this book really didn't do it for me.
August 13, 2021
John and Charlotte
Exceptional book and characters, John and Charlotte have always been the best of friends their whole lives never realizing that they loved each other deeply under two separations kept them apart. many years later on Christmas eve Charalotte came back to England and met again and knew that their two souls were empty without being to get her and that she was his to command and had their HEA would highly recommend the series and author.
Exceptional book and characters, John and Charlotte have always been the best of friends their whole lives never realizing that they loved each other deeply under two separations kept them apart. many years later on Christmas eve Charalotte came back to England and met again and knew that their two souls were empty without being to get her and that she was his to command and had their HEA would highly recommend the series and author.
September 16, 2022
I do enjoy Monica Burns and have read quite a few of her books. I liked this one but was not too happy that John and Charlotte took such a long time for their HEA. Way too much time and I really thought they should have talked at least halfway through the book. At times I thought it was childish the way they behaved - never talking about how they really felt about each other and wasted years - years apart.
January 24, 2018
This one was a little hard for me, but well written.
April 1, 2021
Sensual, Sexy, Hot
Victoria era Christian Grey and the woman of his heart. Neither thinks the other one loves them. Lost to each other for years but for his meddling family.
Victoria era Christian Grey and the woman of his heart. Neither thinks the other one loves them. Lost to each other for years but for his meddling family.
November 6, 2023
Meh story
Meh execution
Meh characters
Meh execution
Meh characters
June 1, 2015
Previously in "Wanton Christmas" anthology. This is the story of John Fordyce and Charlotte Clayworth. A NOVELLA and a quick read. A story if second chances, passion and romance. Ms. Burns never fails to please her readers with her fast paced tales of romance and love. Another must read. Can't wait to see what's next. A satisfying and enjoyable read!
*Personal buy *
Rating : 4.5
Heat rating : Hot
Reviewed by : AprilR
*Personal buy *
Rating : 4.5
Heat rating : Hot
Reviewed by : AprilR
May 9, 2015
I really liked the characters and wish it didn't take them that long to work it out. I found it a little frustrating
February 21, 2016
Not much to this one, as it was a short story. But it was entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews