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South Landers #4
Wenna
The lady’s maid meets her match…
Wenna Chenoweth’s future is secure, until dashing Devon Courtney’s illicit flirtation gets her dismissed from her job as a lady’s maid. With nowhere to turn, Wenna is forced to accept Devon’s bold To be his bride. To enter society on the handsome aristocrat’s arm. To give him the heir he requires. It’s a foolproof plan. Except Wenna finds herself falling hard for a man who can never love her for who she is….
Wenna is passionate, mysterious, and ill-suited to the idle life of a society wife. She’s also exactly the kind of woman who could endanger Devon’s hopes to build his own future far from his family’s influence. For the spirited beauty has embarked on an unthinkable plan of her own—one that could lead him to surrender his resolve, and sacrifice everything he believes he holds dear….
Yet amid the wondrous landscape of colonial South Australia, anything is possible. Perhaps even love between two people the boundaries of society would keep apart….
Wenna Chenoweth’s future is secure, until dashing Devon Courtney’s illicit flirtation gets her dismissed from her job as a lady’s maid. With nowhere to turn, Wenna is forced to accept Devon’s bold To be his bride. To enter society on the handsome aristocrat’s arm. To give him the heir he requires. It’s a foolproof plan. Except Wenna finds herself falling hard for a man who can never love her for who she is….
Wenna is passionate, mysterious, and ill-suited to the idle life of a society wife. She’s also exactly the kind of woman who could endanger Devon’s hopes to build his own future far from his family’s influence. For the spirited beauty has embarked on an unthinkable plan of her own—one that could lead him to surrender his resolve, and sacrifice everything he believes he holds dear….
Yet amid the wondrous landscape of colonial South Australia, anything is possible. Perhaps even love between two people the boundaries of society would keep apart….
232 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2017
4 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Virginia Taylor
22 books92 followersVirginia is a full time writer who used to be a nurse/midwife, a scenic painter and designer, a renovator of heritage houses, and still is an avid gardener. She is also a bad driver, an unenthusiastic cook and a reader of all things bookish.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 17, 2017
The red-haired hussy strikes again…
I find it extremely funny that in a lot of historical romances a red-headed lady is considered a hussy, fast or loose. I can honestly say that when I look at a lady with red hair, hussy is not my first thought. Maybe it’s because the first person I think of with red hair is Anne…of Green Gables. She is the LAST person I would think of as fast or loose. Wenna, the redhead in this story is not a hussy but she does have a trait that seems to be attached to the colour of her hair…fiery. In temper and attitude.
Wenna is a hard-working lady’s maid. She has been in service since she was 13 years old, the age when her mother died. Wenna has worked her way up through the ranks but she doesn’t plan to stay a servant forever. She has plans, big ones. With the higher income afforded to a lady’s maid position, she hopes to save up enough to go into business for herself while also sending money to her Grandparents in Cornwall. Things are going well until the day her employer hosts a cricket match…and catches one of the player's eye. It seems the smooth-talking gentleman has a thing for red heads.
Devon is a man on a mission. Actually, he’s got a few missions on his plate but the latest one involves bedding the flame-haired miss who had the nerve to talk back to him. For Devon, this is extremely refreshing. Most women of his acquaintance know that he’s the son of an Earl, an eligible bachelor, and, if he doesn’t mind saying so himself, fairly attractive. Not meaning to, he accidentally gets the woman he’s attracted to, fired from her job. Feeling a tad guilty, and seeing a plan (that will work in his favour) form in his mind, he takes the opportunity to help her out...by offering her marriage.
Wenna is not a silly woman and she’s hesitant to believe this gentleman wants anything more than a tumble. Devon knows his fiery miss won’t just settle for some sweet words to get what he wants. Maybe it’s time to arrange a deal.
For Wenna and Devon, things are not easy or straightforward. Wenna doesn't know a lot about Devon but what she sees makes her frustrated. He doesn't seem to have a purpose and spends money frivolously. Devon knows that Wenna started their relationship with a plan to keep things businesslike but the longer they are together, the more he starts to feel for her. They also have to tackle the questions of why a gentleman would marry a maid...and a red-haired hussy to boot.
I loved that Virginia Taylor has given us a glimpse into the past and what it took to get a little town started in the Australian outback. The social classes seemed a little different too. It was explained that titles, while important, didn’t hold as much weight as they do in England. In Australia, if you were a hard worker and could make your fortune by coming up with new ideas and practices, you held as high a place in society. We are also given a little glimpse of what a working woman faced if she decided to open a business of her own. All of these things fascinated me.
I really enjoyed Wenna. There were times that I thought their lack of communication was a little too drawn out and caused unnecessary drama. I had my married-lady hat on and I wanted to shake my finger at Wenna and Devon to lecture them on the importance of communication in a relationship. Luckily for them, they worked it out in the end.
Wenna was another great instalment to this series. I will definitely be keen to read more in the future.
To buy Wenna from Amazon - http://amzn.to/2k0jnLW
I’m an Aussie chick who loves to read and review romance, drink coffee, be a Style Setter and stalk David Gandy. To see more of my reviews, fashion, food and pervathons -
March 3, 2018
WENNA: SOUTH LANDERS..... this short series, WENNA, ELLA, CHARLOTTE and STARLING are the best Historical Romances I’ve read in a long time. My favorite female is Starling and favorite male Nick. Every woman needs a Nick !
The stories are interesting, the ladies are feisty and the men are loving men..... I gobbled the books up in 4 days.
The stories are interesting, the ladies are feisty and the men are loving men..... I gobbled the books up in 4 days.
February 7, 2017
It's 1865 and both men and women in Australia have the opportunity to make something of themselves. Wenna works as a lady's maid and has a secure business plan for her future. Unfortunately Devon messes things up for her. Because of him she loses her job and her reputation. Devon loved a fiery redhead in his past and decides to help the red haired Wenna by marrying her in exchange for an heir. Devon is the son of an earl from Cornwall. He needs to go back to England and they plan to travel together, it is where Wenna wants to go to as well to visit her only living relatives. The match seems to be a good one, but can a man with a high status in society fall in love with someone from a much lower class? Wenna wonders why Devon married her. What will Wenna's future be like now that she doesn't even know if she's financially secure, does she need to look for work to support them and can Devon be trusted?
Wenna is an ambitious and driven person. She has a kind heart and she has a good head on her shoulders, which are ideal qualities for the business she wants to start. Devon doesn't seem to take earning money seriously and Wenna has no idea where his monthly payments come from. For her money is incredibly important, but Devon doesn't seem to care about it at all. They're from different backgrounds, but Wenna is a classy lady and can easily be taken to any society event. Devon might have made a good match, but at first he's a bit rude and incredibly selfish. He likes Wenna, but has a lot to learn about the woman he married. Their match seems random and unusual and that makes it really interesting and fun to read about.
Virginia Taylor's writing flows easily and I enjoyed reading about Australia in the nineteenth century. The relationship between Wenna and Devon is complicated, every day is a new challenge and because of that there happens a lot. I admired Virginia Taylor's ability to always be in control. She makes the sequence of events seem entirely natural. I loved how the two headstrong main characters are trying to find their place in their impulsive marriage and was fascinated by the many unexpected twists and turns. I was spellbound by Virginia Taylor's impressive descriptions of society and the large number of issues women were struggling with in that time. Wenna is an entertaining story and I loved reading it.
Wenna is an ambitious and driven person. She has a kind heart and she has a good head on her shoulders, which are ideal qualities for the business she wants to start. Devon doesn't seem to take earning money seriously and Wenna has no idea where his monthly payments come from. For her money is incredibly important, but Devon doesn't seem to care about it at all. They're from different backgrounds, but Wenna is a classy lady and can easily be taken to any society event. Devon might have made a good match, but at first he's a bit rude and incredibly selfish. He likes Wenna, but has a lot to learn about the woman he married. Their match seems random and unusual and that makes it really interesting and fun to read about.
Virginia Taylor's writing flows easily and I enjoyed reading about Australia in the nineteenth century. The relationship between Wenna and Devon is complicated, every day is a new challenge and because of that there happens a lot. I admired Virginia Taylor's ability to always be in control. She makes the sequence of events seem entirely natural. I loved how the two headstrong main characters are trying to find their place in their impulsive marriage and was fascinated by the many unexpected twists and turns. I was spellbound by Virginia Taylor's impressive descriptions of society and the large number of issues women were struggling with in that time. Wenna is an entertaining story and I loved reading it.
November 14, 2016
I received an advance reading copy of Wenna from Net Galley for my fair and honest review. I loved this book, the characters and the setting. Well-written and well worth your reading time.
February 6, 2017
A little slow and had some problems with the hero - review coming
March 20, 2017
C+ on AAR, so 3.25 stars? I initially picked this book up because of its unusual setting. While Wenna provides a vivid picture of life in colonial Australia, I often found myself frustrated with both the hero and heroine. The book is well written, and definitely has some strong scenes, but much of the tension comes from a series of big misunderstandings and secrets, and those are just not my favorite plot devices.
Wenna Chenoweth is a bright, determined lady’s maid in the employ of the wealthy Brooks family. The family’s spoiled daughter, Patricia, is the bane of her existence. She’s not eeeevil, but spoiled, self-centered Patricia most definitely has an inflated opinion of herself. As the novel opens, she is at her worst because the handsome, eligible Devon Courtney has come to visit and she wants to show herself to best advantage in order to garner a proposal.
Patricia’s plan goes awry when Wenna and Devon find themselves accidentally entangled in a corridor. Given to believe their lady’s maid was throwing herself at a houseguest, Mr. and Mrs. Brooks fire Wenna on the spot. Overcome by guilt at being the cause of her plight, Devon offers to escort her from the Brooks’ country house to town. And along the way, he somehow convinces her to marry him. Devon needs an heir and also needs to sail home to Cornwall to attend to family business, and Wenna – coincidentally – wants to go to her grandparents in Cornwall. Though Wenna was born in Australia, these grandparents back in England are her only surviving family – and while she and Devon do discuss their prospective trip there, the events of the novel take place entirely in Australia.
What starts off as a marriage of convenience turns into an interesting relationship. Even though they don’t love each other (yet), the two certainly have physical chemistry together. Devon comes from an aristocratic background, but having largely turned his back on it, he lives in humble lodgings and spends many of his days as a laborer. Wenna has no idea that Devon owns the site where he is working, and he allows her to keep right on thinking that he is a somewhat unambitious manual worker. Wenna, for her part, has more than her fair share of initiative and she soon starts up a side business of her own – which she keeps a secret from her husband. This is a partial review. You can find the complete text at All About Romance: http://allaboutromance.com/book-revie...
Wenna Chenoweth is a bright, determined lady’s maid in the employ of the wealthy Brooks family. The family’s spoiled daughter, Patricia, is the bane of her existence. She’s not eeeevil, but spoiled, self-centered Patricia most definitely has an inflated opinion of herself. As the novel opens, she is at her worst because the handsome, eligible Devon Courtney has come to visit and she wants to show herself to best advantage in order to garner a proposal.
Patricia’s plan goes awry when Wenna and Devon find themselves accidentally entangled in a corridor. Given to believe their lady’s maid was throwing herself at a houseguest, Mr. and Mrs. Brooks fire Wenna on the spot. Overcome by guilt at being the cause of her plight, Devon offers to escort her from the Brooks’ country house to town. And along the way, he somehow convinces her to marry him. Devon needs an heir and also needs to sail home to Cornwall to attend to family business, and Wenna – coincidentally – wants to go to her grandparents in Cornwall. Though Wenna was born in Australia, these grandparents back in England are her only surviving family – and while she and Devon do discuss their prospective trip there, the events of the novel take place entirely in Australia.
What starts off as a marriage of convenience turns into an interesting relationship. Even though they don’t love each other (yet), the two certainly have physical chemistry together. Devon comes from an aristocratic background, but having largely turned his back on it, he lives in humble lodgings and spends many of his days as a laborer. Wenna has no idea that Devon owns the site where he is working, and he allows her to keep right on thinking that he is a somewhat unambitious manual worker. Wenna, for her part, has more than her fair share of initiative and she soon starts up a side business of her own – which she keeps a secret from her husband. This is a partial review. You can find the complete text at All About Romance: http://allaboutromance.com/book-revie...
February 6, 2017
*I received a copy via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This was my first time reading a book set in Australia and it was a nice change. I loved their meeting and how opposite they were of each other. The back and forth between them was good entertainment and at times I didn't know what would happen next with them because they weren't always on the same page. the ending wasn't what I expected with his letter from home. I wish there had been a bit more back story for both of them.
Wenna is passionate about her work and fears she won't fit in the society wives. I loved how she spoke her mind and stood up for herself even when sometimes it would be better to keep quiet. She didn't catch on to any hints of Devon's life, but she fell for him. I think more back story about her would have helped with understanding her feeling towards things a bit more.
Devon is a natural born flirt and charming. I liked him from the start when he didn't toss her aside after causing her to lose her job. His secrets did get him in trouble from time to time, but overall he was a good man. He had a rough relationship with his father that made him rebel some, but his plans were great and he did not show off at all.
His friends sounded interesting and I wanted to know more about them. I wanted to know if Patrica ever was happy after everything. I will be reading more of this series.
This was my first time reading a book set in Australia and it was a nice change. I loved their meeting and how opposite they were of each other. The back and forth between them was good entertainment and at times I didn't know what would happen next with them because they weren't always on the same page. the ending wasn't what I expected with his letter from home. I wish there had been a bit more back story for both of them.
Wenna is passionate about her work and fears she won't fit in the society wives. I loved how she spoke her mind and stood up for herself even when sometimes it would be better to keep quiet. She didn't catch on to any hints of Devon's life, but she fell for him. I think more back story about her would have helped with understanding her feeling towards things a bit more.
Devon is a natural born flirt and charming. I liked him from the start when he didn't toss her aside after causing her to lose her job. His secrets did get him in trouble from time to time, but overall he was a good man. He had a rough relationship with his father that made him rebel some, but his plans were great and he did not show off at all.
His friends sounded interesting and I wanted to know more about them. I wanted to know if Patrica ever was happy after everything. I will be reading more of this series.
February 1, 2023
This book takes place before "Charlotte". The H in that book plays a small part in this one. It's before he meets the h in that book. I really liked the other 3 books in this series. Gave them all a 5- rating. I liked the writing, books hold my attention. But I didn't care for the h in this book. Wenna is a sharp tongued, standoffish h. The H isn't the best either, he's a little too lackadaisical for my taste. By 70% I still didn't really care for the story, I got frustrated with their lack of honesty in their relationship. I had to push myself to finish it. The ending was pretty good. It's the only book that has an epilogue, I always like epilogues.
August 2, 2017
I love that the female characters in Virginia Taylors books are always admirable, feisty and determined. I had to laugh out loud in the middle of the night when Devon was off to buy a mattress and meets up with a slightly drunk character from another one of her books. I enjoy travelling back in time to the historical past of my own home town. Well done!
December 31, 2018
Read any and all of South Landers books.
The South Landers books do not disappoint. I have loved every one I have read, and Wenna is no exception.
The South Landers books do not disappoint. I have loved every one I have read, and Wenna is no exception.
November 14, 2016
Wenna is a book about a Lady's Maid that attracts the attention of Devon, a son of an Earl. She captures his attention because of her red hair and Devon's desire to be intimate with her. He also wants to get back at his father for decisions his father made about Devon's future that cost him the love of his life. Devon's attention got Wenna fired from her job as a Lady's Maid. It also cost her any references she would have gotten and makes her unemployable as a Lady's Maid. Devon takes responsibility for her and proposes marriage to her. He does it lightheartedly with hidden and less than noble motives. The two marry and try to build a life together, but both have secrets that they keep from one another.
The book did not impress me initially but as they story progressed it drew me in more. There were some pretty steamy intimate scenes but they were between Wenna and Devon after they were married. I enjoyed watching Wenna and Devon evolve as characters. It was an okay read that could have been so much better. I would read another book by Virginia Taylor because of the historical nature of the book. I did like the supporting characters. One was easy to really dislike but the others really added to the story line.
The book did not impress me initially but as they story progressed it drew me in more. There were some pretty steamy intimate scenes but they were between Wenna and Devon after they were married. I enjoyed watching Wenna and Devon evolve as characters. It was an okay read that could have been so much better. I would read another book by Virginia Taylor because of the historical nature of the book. I did like the supporting characters. One was easy to really dislike but the others really added to the story line.
February 2, 2017
'Wenna' by Virginia Taylor is book Four in the "South Landers" series. This is the story of Wenna Chenoweth and Devon Courtney. I have read some of the other books but feel this is easily a standalone book. Wenna is a ladies maid but also does other things for the family she works for. The family's daughter is spoiled and hateful to Wenna. Wenna is just a hard working women who is trying to keep her promise to departed parents that she will take care of her Grandparents. Devon had come to visit and the family had hoped to marry him off to their daughter but Devon is having none of that. As a matter of fact he takes a liking to Wenna. Wenna happens to accidentally run into Devon in the hallway and is caught by the daughter who turns what she saw into something ugly to get Wenna fired. But Devon takes to leaving with Wenna and they start to talk about them getting married. Wenna doesn't think he is for real at first.
Can these two make a go of a marriage? This was another sweet romance by Ms. Taylor!
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
Can these two make a go of a marriage? This was another sweet romance by Ms. Taylor!
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
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November 6, 2016I received this book from net galley for an honest review. Thank you!!
This book was a decent read. Wenna is a lady's maid and Devon believes he is currently his father's heir to the earldom in England. Wenna loses her job due to a misunderstanding with a dress with Devon. The daughter of Wenna's employer told a false tale which caused her to lose her job. Devon wants Wenna the moment he sees her. He proposes marriage so Wenna can travel to Cornwall to see her grandparents and he to handle his responsibilities. However, Devon does not want to leave. Both Wenna and Devon hide secrets from each other. This causes several problems within their marriage and many misunderstandings. Still, they fall in love with each other. Devon hides his title from Wenna and she is not afraid to be herself. They both has reasons for hiding their secrets but they eventually tell the other and realize that they love each other.
This book was a decent read. Wenna is a lady's maid and Devon believes he is currently his father's heir to the earldom in England. Wenna loses her job due to a misunderstanding with a dress with Devon. The daughter of Wenna's employer told a false tale which caused her to lose her job. Devon wants Wenna the moment he sees her. He proposes marriage so Wenna can travel to Cornwall to see her grandparents and he to handle his responsibilities. However, Devon does not want to leave. Both Wenna and Devon hide secrets from each other. This causes several problems within their marriage and many misunderstandings. Still, they fall in love with each other. Devon hides his title from Wenna and she is not afraid to be herself. They both has reasons for hiding their secrets but they eventually tell the other and realize that they love each other.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews