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Marriage by Deceit #4
The Earl's Stolen Bride
Orlando Emmett, the Earl of Reddington, has one regret in his letting the lady of his dreams go. Before he could make his feelings known to Miss Chloe Boyle, he found out she married Lord Hawkins. Night after night, he’d think of all the things he should have told her when he had the chance, and all he could do was watch her, secretly admiring her from afar. A year later, fate intervenes. News of Lord Hawkins’ death has just given him a second chance, an opportunity to make his dreams come true, but he’ll have to risk a scandal to take it. Chloe was relieved when news came of her husband’s death. The two had hardly spoken more than a few words to each other before he left for India on their wedding day. And a full year passed with only polite correspondence between them. While some envied her marriage, the aching loneliness in her life only reminded her that money couldn’t buy happiness. Fate intervenes when a friend takes her just outside of London to meet Orlando, a handsome stranger she only barely remembers. During her entire marriage to Lord Hawkins, all she’d wanted was a husband who’d love her so much he’d give up anything to be with her. And now she just might get her wish, if only she’s strong enough to take it.
175 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2015
76 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Ann Nordin
172 books715 followersWhat's to say? I write a lot. I read often. I sleep little. Once in awhile, I've been known to clean the house. A number of kids live in my house and there's this guy they call dad and I call husband. All in all, it's a pretty good life. :-)
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 24, 2016
++Spoilers++
Much better than the last one in the series. Lower angst, but the heroine was weak, and I personally do not care for weak heroines.
The hero was sweet and perfect. The antagonists were believable, but the conflict with them resolved too easily and too quickly.
I would recommend to those who like little conflict in their romances.
100% safe. No issues whatsoever.
PS ....She's a widow but the marriage was never consumated.
Much better than the last one in the series. Lower angst, but the heroine was weak, and I personally do not care for weak heroines.
The hero was sweet and perfect. The antagonists were believable, but the conflict with them resolved too easily and too quickly.
I would recommend to those who like little conflict in their romances.
100% safe. No issues whatsoever.
PS ....She's a widow but the marriage was never consumated.
October 28, 2016
This is a sweet, TOTALLY SAFE, anachronistic Regency romance. The sex scenes are racy so no under 18, but not over the top.
Orlando has been in love with Chloe for over a year. She married another man who, yippee, is now dead. Yep, that's pretty much everyone's reaction to her first husband's death. He wasn't a wife-beater, sex peddler, abuser or manwhore. He is simply a literary convenience.
Orlando doesn't want to take a chance on losing Chloe again so he arranges a meeting and proposes. Chloe has already had one marriage of convenience, and figures, what the heck, this one is young, cute, and he loves me so off to Gretna Green.
Both characters are virgins. What they lack in sexual experience, they more than make up with youthful passion and enthusiasm. All is well until, da da dum, Chloe's vile parents show up. Nope, they aren't cruel and vicious, but they make Mr. Collins and Mrs. Bennett from Pride and Prejudice look like intelligent, rational people. Mom and Dad raise the bar on obsequious behavior and social sucking up.
I won't get into the plot point that kind of keeps the young lovers away, but I thought it was a little feeble.
The best part of the book is the young lovers; they are to put it simply: sweet. They are obviously very young and innocent.
Not a lot of drama .
Orlando has been in love with Chloe for over a year. She married another man who, yippee, is now dead. Yep, that's pretty much everyone's reaction to her first husband's death. He wasn't a wife-beater, sex peddler, abuser or manwhore. He is simply a literary convenience.
Orlando doesn't want to take a chance on losing Chloe again so he arranges a meeting and proposes. Chloe has already had one marriage of convenience, and figures, what the heck, this one is young, cute, and he loves me so off to Gretna Green.
Both characters are virgins. What they lack in sexual experience, they more than make up with youthful passion and enthusiasm. All is well until, da da dum, Chloe's vile parents show up. Nope, they aren't cruel and vicious, but they make Mr. Collins and Mrs. Bennett from Pride and Prejudice look like intelligent, rational people. Mom and Dad raise the bar on obsequious behavior and social sucking up.
I won't get into the plot point that kind of keeps the young lovers away, but I thought it was a little feeble.
The best part of the book is the young lovers; they are to put it simply: sweet. They are obviously very young and innocent.
Not a lot of drama .
August 18, 2021
Oh, Orlando. You are too good to be true, you are.
2.75 stars. Even though the hero was a total beta, he was assertive where it mattered. I'm glad that the author had the heroine finally grow a backbone before it was too late. However, the way her parents treated her and how she allowed them to treat her and Orlando made me pretty mad. Basically, all the stars are for Orlando and the friendship that the heroine had with her friends. In the end, all's well that ends well, I suppose, and it felt like the appropriate apologies were issued and accepted.
As a side note, I don't like explicit intimate scenes and I skip over them. This book had more than the typical RAN book.
Safety
2.75 stars. Even though the hero was a total beta, he was assertive where it mattered. I'm glad that the author had the heroine finally grow a backbone before it was too late. However, the way her parents treated her and how she allowed them to treat her and Orlando made me pretty mad. Basically, all the stars are for Orlando and the friendship that the heroine had with her friends. In the end, all's well that ends well, I suppose, and it felt like the appropriate apologies were issued and accepted.
As a side note, I don't like explicit intimate scenes and I skip over them. This book had more than the typical RAN book.
Safety
May 6, 2022
This was a sweet read. It wasn’t heavy on angst and their romance progressed smoothly. The hero had loved heroine from the moment he met her, but he was shy and hadn’t made his move soon enough. Before he knew it, her parents had married her off to a wealthy sea captain. He continues to love her from afar,tormented by the knowledge that she belongs to another man and they will never be together. Until…the sea captain was dead and the hero seizes his chance—he convinces the heroine to run away with him and marry him before her family can arrange another advantageous marriage
The hero was devoted and smitten with the heroine, and it was his love that moved her. After a marriage in which her husband abandoned her to his sea ventures, she wanted to be loved and cherished and she’s willing to risk a scandal to get it. She was a shy, sweet woman, but it was the hero who made this book. His unwavering devotion to the heroine was all swoon.
Even tho the h had been married, her marriage had gone unconsummated since her husband left so soon after the wedding. He never returns.
100% safe. Dual virgins. No others, no cheating or abuse of any kind. HEA with epilogue
The hero was devoted and smitten with the heroine, and it was his love that moved her. After a marriage in which her husband abandoned her to his sea ventures, she wanted to be loved and cherished and she’s willing to risk a scandal to get it. She was a shy, sweet woman, but it was the hero who made this book. His unwavering devotion to the heroine was all swoon.
Even tho the h had been married, her marriage had gone unconsummated since her husband left so soon after the wedding. He never returns.
100% safe. Dual virgins. No others, no cheating or abuse of any kind. HEA with epilogue
August 8, 2022
This last in this series was a bit better than the third book. I thought the hero was very sweet and kind and for the most part the mean spirited individuals...made believable. Don't think this was the best series that I've read by Ms. Nordin. Felt something was amiss.
January 16, 2016
The Earl's Stolen Bride by Ruth Ann Nordin
Marriage by Deceit Series Book Four
Orlando Emmett, the Earl of Reddington, fell in love over a year ago. He is still in love and now she's a widow. He is ready to throw all of the Ton's rules out the window. He could care less about her needing to mourn a year. He's already waited a year, he is not about to wait again and chance losing her to any other man. He has a plan.
Chloe, Lady Hawkins, had been married for a year to a man she never really knew. He left for business after their marriage...and will never be returning. She has envied her friends as they found love matches and enjoyed every single part of being married, while she had to do what was best for her family.
The story moves fairly quickly in the beginning. Orlando and his plan. Chloe jumping on board with his plan. I knew it couldn't be this easy for the couple. I was right.
Many of the previous characters from this series are revisited and there is more to come in the next series; Marriage by Arrangement. Chloe, Helena and Melissa join together to help other couples find the happiness they have.
**Sexual content within marriage
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
Marriage by Deceit Series Book Four
Orlando Emmett, the Earl of Reddington, fell in love over a year ago. He is still in love and now she's a widow. He is ready to throw all of the Ton's rules out the window. He could care less about her needing to mourn a year. He's already waited a year, he is not about to wait again and chance losing her to any other man. He has a plan.
Chloe, Lady Hawkins, had been married for a year to a man she never really knew. He left for business after their marriage...and will never be returning. She has envied her friends as they found love matches and enjoyed every single part of being married, while she had to do what was best for her family.
The story moves fairly quickly in the beginning. Orlando and his plan. Chloe jumping on board with his plan. I knew it couldn't be this easy for the couple. I was right.
Many of the previous characters from this series are revisited and there is more to come in the next series; Marriage by Arrangement. Chloe, Helena and Melissa join together to help other couples find the happiness they have.
**Sexual content within marriage
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
February 23, 2024
2.5 🌟 rounded up
This started out so promising. It begins with Orlando (H) finding out that the husband of the woman he’s been in love with for a year, Chloe (h), died. He immediately sets a plan in motion to finally have her for himself. Despite the risk of scandal, Chloe agrees to run off to Gretna Green with him. However, Chloe’s awful parents (social climbing snakes) are worried about how a scandal might affect them, so Chloe asks Orlando to hide their marriage until her mourning period is over.
To me, Chloe was a horrible wife to Orlando.
She did nothing to deserve such devotion from the him, and she let her parents run the show to the point where he had to hide in her bedchamber for days just to see her. She let them walk all over her. I hate weak characters so despite loving the H I just couldn’t rate this any higher. He deserved much more than what the h gave him and much better than she treated him.
Safety:
Dual v - both first everything.
h is a widow but her previous husband never consummated the marriage before his death.
No ow or om drama.
This started out so promising. It begins with Orlando (H) finding out that the husband of the woman he’s been in love with for a year, Chloe (h), died. He immediately sets a plan in motion to finally have her for himself. Despite the risk of scandal, Chloe agrees to run off to Gretna Green with him. However, Chloe’s awful parents (social climbing snakes) are worried about how a scandal might affect them, so Chloe asks Orlando to hide their marriage until her mourning period is over.
To me, Chloe was a horrible wife to Orlando.
She did nothing to deserve such devotion from the him, and she let her parents run the show to the point where he had to hide in her bedchamber for days just to see her. She let them walk all over her. I hate weak characters so despite loving the H I just couldn’t rate this any higher. He deserved much more than what the h gave him and much better than she treated him.
Safety:
Dual v - both first everything.
h is a widow but her previous husband never consummated the marriage before his death.
No ow or om drama.
February 8, 2017
TheEarl,s StolenBride Good Read
Good read but could have been better with a different plot twist. Both main characters are very likable. Enjoyed this final book of the series.
Good read but could have been better with a different plot twist. Both main characters are very likable. Enjoyed this final book of the series.
August 26, 2017
Wonderful love story!
One look, one dance and you are in love! Hard to believe, but it is true. Then you lose the love of your life to someone else., and a year later she becomes available again. What do you do? Ruth Ann Nordin weaves a tale of wonder and some intrigue to keep your interest in to finding out what will happen next. Ruth writes with a marvelous sense of humor. I am sure that you will enjoy this book as much as I have. Happy reading!
One look, one dance and you are in love! Hard to believe, but it is true. Then you lose the love of your life to someone else., and a year later she becomes available again. What do you do? Ruth Ann Nordin weaves a tale of wonder and some intrigue to keep your interest in to finding out what will happen next. Ruth writes with a marvelous sense of humor. I am sure that you will enjoy this book as much as I have. Happy reading!
February 3, 2018
Kept expecting the deceased husband to turn back up. Glad that things have worked out so well. Marriage by Arrangement series directly follows this series.
Actually Three short series that could all be part of one large series: Married by Scandal, Married by Deceit and then Married by Areangement.
Actually Three short series that could all be part of one large series: Married by Scandal, Married by Deceit and then Married by Areangement.
June 16, 2020
Was hoping, during Earl's Scandalous Wife, that these 2 would get a chance!
Love that you see the last 2 couples more in this book, too. Now, have to wait till 2016 for the next book :-(
Order...
1 - The Earl's Inconvenient Wife (Marriage by Scandal 1) - Nate Buford (Earl of Roderick) & Claire Lowell - April 1813
2 - Breaking the Rules (Marriage by design 1) - November 1813
3 - Her Counterfeit Husband (was Marriage by Scandal 2) - Anna & Jason Merrill, the Duke of Watkins - October 1814
4 - A Most Unsuitable Earl (Marriage by Scandal 2) - Ethan Silverton (Earl of Edon) & Catherine - April 1815
5 - His Reluctant Lady (Marriage by Scandal 3 / same time as "The Earl's Secret Bargain") - Christopher Robinson (ward of Perry/Earl of Clemen) & Agatha Lyons (Lady Richfield) - June 1815
6 - The Earl's Secret Bargain (Marriage by deceit 1) - same time as "His Reluctant Lady" Lord Davenport, Lord Pennella, & Regina Giles - June 1815
7 - The Earl's Scandalous Wife (Marriage by Scandal 4) - Perry Ambrose (Earl of Clement) & Paula Leighton - September 1815
8 - Love Lessons with the Duke (Marriage by deceit 2) - Helena Walter, Lady of Seyton & Camden, Duke of Ashbourne - June 1816
9 - Ruined by the Earl (Marriage by deceit 3) - Logan Breckman, the Lord of Toplyn & Melissa Jasper - June 1816
10 - The Earl’s Stolen Bride (Marriage by deceit 4) - Orlando Emmett, the Earl of Reddington & lady Chloe Hawkins - August 1816
11 - His Wicked Lady (Marriage by Arrangement 1) - June 1817 - Malcolm Jasper & Regan Alger, the Lady of Cantrell
12 - Her Devilish Marquess (Marriage by Arrangement 2) - July 1817 - Dr. Derek Westward / Marquess of Dodsworth & Danette Everson
13 - Earl’s Wallflower Bride (Marriage by Arrangement 3) - August 1817 - Lady Iris (Duke of Hartwell’s daughter) & Warren Beaufort, the Earl of Steinbeck
Love that you see the last 2 couples more in this book, too. Now, have to wait till 2016 for the next book :-(
Order...
1 - The Earl's Inconvenient Wife (Marriage by Scandal 1) - Nate Buford (Earl of Roderick) & Claire Lowell - April 1813
2 - Breaking the Rules (Marriage by design 1) - November 1813
3 - Her Counterfeit Husband (was Marriage by Scandal 2) - Anna & Jason Merrill, the Duke of Watkins - October 1814
4 - A Most Unsuitable Earl (Marriage by Scandal 2) - Ethan Silverton (Earl of Edon) & Catherine - April 1815
5 - His Reluctant Lady (Marriage by Scandal 3 / same time as "The Earl's Secret Bargain") - Christopher Robinson (ward of Perry/Earl of Clemen) & Agatha Lyons (Lady Richfield) - June 1815
6 - The Earl's Secret Bargain (Marriage by deceit 1) - same time as "His Reluctant Lady" Lord Davenport, Lord Pennella, & Regina Giles - June 1815
7 - The Earl's Scandalous Wife (Marriage by Scandal 4) - Perry Ambrose (Earl of Clement) & Paula Leighton - September 1815
8 - Love Lessons with the Duke (Marriage by deceit 2) - Helena Walter, Lady of Seyton & Camden, Duke of Ashbourne - June 1816
9 - Ruined by the Earl (Marriage by deceit 3) - Logan Breckman, the Lord of Toplyn & Melissa Jasper - June 1816
10 - The Earl’s Stolen Bride (Marriage by deceit 4) - Orlando Emmett, the Earl of Reddington & lady Chloe Hawkins - August 1816
11 - His Wicked Lady (Marriage by Arrangement 1) - June 1817 - Malcolm Jasper & Regan Alger, the Lady of Cantrell
12 - Her Devilish Marquess (Marriage by Arrangement 2) - July 1817 - Dr. Derek Westward / Marquess of Dodsworth & Danette Everson
13 - Earl’s Wallflower Bride (Marriage by Arrangement 3) - August 1817 - Lady Iris (Duke of Hartwell’s daughter) & Warren Beaufort, the Earl of Steinbeck
November 3, 2015
The Earl’s Stolen Bride
By Ruth Ann Nordin
** This May Contain Spoilers **
I am never surprised when it comes to Ruth Ann Nordin’s books. I love her style and I love the stories. Not sure what it is about her books but while I am reading I am always wondering about other characters as well. Makes the books so enjoyable for me. I’m always guessing.
After reading the first book in this series I felt for The earl of Reddington. So of course once his story was out I had to skip to it to see if he finally finds his love. Orlando and Chloe’s love to me is a “Love at first site kinda love. Chloe’s first husband has died and Orlando finds it his top priority to express his feelings to Chloe. Will Chloe share Orlando’s feeling?
I really enjoyed this book. I love their love story. I love his devotion to a woman he hardly knows. The whole time I was reading I could not help but think. What is her first husband was not dead. Like i said sometimes I think about other characters as well.
I would suggest this book to friends.
By Ruth Ann Nordin
** This May Contain Spoilers **
I am never surprised when it comes to Ruth Ann Nordin’s books. I love her style and I love the stories. Not sure what it is about her books but while I am reading I am always wondering about other characters as well. Makes the books so enjoyable for me. I’m always guessing.
After reading the first book in this series I felt for The earl of Reddington. So of course once his story was out I had to skip to it to see if he finally finds his love. Orlando and Chloe’s love to me is a “Love at first site kinda love. Chloe’s first husband has died and Orlando finds it his top priority to express his feelings to Chloe. Will Chloe share Orlando’s feeling?
I really enjoyed this book. I love their love story. I love his devotion to a woman he hardly knows. The whole time I was reading I could not help but think. What is her first husband was not dead. Like i said sometimes I think about other characters as well.
I would suggest this book to friends.
January 1, 2024
this was so boring
July 10, 2015
SWEET, GENTLE, ALMOST PREDICTABLE
A nicely sketched out story, that is well- painted, with no excess appliance.
And what I ask for when I pick up a book by this author is exactly that.
I use this author to escape to a pleasant place, where even the villains have redeeming qualities, and the hero gets the girl with a little help from his friends.
The characters are as expected, and their lives and relationship, while perhaps stilted, are beautifully combined. I feel a bit sorry for the mother of the heroine - I think she was walked on even more than usual - until she found her spine and put her foot down.
The plot was also pretty much as expected. A few characters I didn't really expect showed up once the mother got involved, but the added nicely to the whole story.
A nicely sketched out story, that is well- painted, with no excess appliance.
And what I ask for when I pick up a book by this author is exactly that.
I use this author to escape to a pleasant place, where even the villains have redeeming qualities, and the hero gets the girl with a little help from his friends.
The characters are as expected, and their lives and relationship, while perhaps stilted, are beautifully combined. I feel a bit sorry for the mother of the heroine - I think she was walked on even more than usual - until she found her spine and put her foot down.
The plot was also pretty much as expected. A few characters I didn't really expect showed up once the mother got involved, but the added nicely to the whole story.
September 10, 2019
Oh, how I loved Orlando's determination and love for Chloe. It's exactly what poor Chloe needs after a disastrous first marriage. Orlando isn't taking any chances that she'll slip away from him again. It was wonderful to see Chloe blossom into an independent, passionate woman. She grows to love Orlando as deeply as he loves her. Unfortunately, the rules of the Ton make things difficult. I was impressed by all that Orlando was willing to do for Chloe's sake as well as her family. I liked how Dr. Westward proves to be a better man than others by jumping in to help regardless of the situation. He has my admiration and I'm looking forward to his book.
Adult read
Adult read
June 8, 2015
Oh! My! Word!
Orlando has loved Chloe from afar ever since he first met her. He was on the verge of asking to court her when her engagement to someone else was announced.
That someone was Lord Hawkins, who sailed to India immediately after the wedding. Lost at sea, he leaves Chloe a very wealthy and desirable widow.
Orlando is thrilled at the thought of a second chance, but he fears he'll miss out again if he waits out her year of mourning, so he must find a way to marry her sooner.
Orlando has loved Chloe from afar ever since he first met her. He was on the verge of asking to court her when her engagement to someone else was announced.
That someone was Lord Hawkins, who sailed to India immediately after the wedding. Lost at sea, he leaves Chloe a very wealthy and desirable widow.
Orlando is thrilled at the thought of a second chance, but he fears he'll miss out again if he waits out her year of mourning, so he must find a way to marry her sooner.
June 17, 2015
Very enjoyable.
A simple story with amhappy ending. Good lead into the next series. I enjoyed all 4 books in the series.
A simple story with amhappy ending. Good lead into the next series. I enjoyed all 4 books in the series.
March 31, 2020
Chloe and Orlando/Reddington-
Loved this story that is well written with charismatic characters and witty dialogue. Their story has a lovely HEA.
Loved this story that is well written with charismatic characters and witty dialogue. Their story has a lovely HEA.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews