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Brethren Origins #4
Morgan
MORGAN HAD NO NEED OF A WIFE
The eldest daughter of a Privy Councilman to His Majesty, Lady Hawisia Van Goens is a reserved but levelheaded woman born and bred to serve her intended lord and master, without complaint. Dedicated to duty, she accepts her position as wife to a powerful man, with unimpaired aplomb, and refuses her husband naught. She supervises the household, maintains the undercroft stores, and charms local dignitaries. Although Hawisia is well aware of Morgan’s preferences, because he reminds her at every turn, she endeavors to fulfill her position, offering him everything he requires, except the one thing she holds most dear—her heart. Can she settle for friendship when all she ever wanted was love?
BUT HE CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT HAWISIA
The youngest and brashest Nautionnier Knight in service to the Crown, Morgan Le Aguillon embraces English life and all its temptations, much to the Brethren’s displeasure, thus he is in no hurry to wed. When he is commanded to take a bride, in a show of loyalty to the King, he is disappointed to learn his future mate is the older sister of the woman he desired. Once they assume their roles as stewards of a conflicted region, he manages his new chatelaine as he would any other servant. Soon, he realizes he woefully underestimated his lady and discovers her unimpeachable beauty. Given Morgan considers himself a consummate romancer, what happens when he courts Hawisia, in earnest, and all his skills prove futile?
The eldest daughter of a Privy Councilman to His Majesty, Lady Hawisia Van Goens is a reserved but levelheaded woman born and bred to serve her intended lord and master, without complaint. Dedicated to duty, she accepts her position as wife to a powerful man, with unimpaired aplomb, and refuses her husband naught. She supervises the household, maintains the undercroft stores, and charms local dignitaries. Although Hawisia is well aware of Morgan’s preferences, because he reminds her at every turn, she endeavors to fulfill her position, offering him everything he requires, except the one thing she holds most dear—her heart. Can she settle for friendship when all she ever wanted was love?
BUT HE CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT HAWISIA
The youngest and brashest Nautionnier Knight in service to the Crown, Morgan Le Aguillon embraces English life and all its temptations, much to the Brethren’s displeasure, thus he is in no hurry to wed. When he is commanded to take a bride, in a show of loyalty to the King, he is disappointed to learn his future mate is the older sister of the woman he desired. Once they assume their roles as stewards of a conflicted region, he manages his new chatelaine as he would any other servant. Soon, he realizes he woefully underestimated his lady and discovers her unimpeachable beauty. Given Morgan considers himself a consummate romancer, what happens when he courts Hawisia, in earnest, and all his skills prove futile?
- GenresHistorical Romance
110 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 25, 2017
46 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Devlin
53 books516 followersBarbara Devlin was born a storyteller. A Texan, through and through, Barbara hasn’t been without a book in her possession since she was in kindergarten. She wrote her first short story, a really cheesy murder-mystery, in high school, but it was a Christmas gift, a lovely little diary with a bronze lock, given to her in the fifth grade that truly inspired her love for writing.
After completing part of her undergraduate studies at the University of London, Barbara returned home and began a career in banking. But the late 80’s weren’t too promising for the financial industry, and every bank that hired Barbara soon folded. So she searched for a stable occupation, and the local police department offered the answer to her prayers.
Initially, Barbara wasn’t too sure about her new chosen career in law enforcement, but she soon came to love being a police officer. However, on an uncharacteristically cold and icy day in December 1998, Barbara was struck by a car and pinned against a guardrail while working an accident on a major highway. Permanently disabled, she retired from the police department and devoted her time and energy to physical therapy.
Once Barbara got back on her feet, she focused on a new career in academia. She earned an MA in English, continued on a course of study for a Doctorate in Literature and Rhetoric, started writing historical fiction in her spare time, and completed five full-length novels featuring her fictional knighthood, the Brethren of the Coast. Book six is currently in the works.
After completing part of her undergraduate studies at the University of London, Barbara returned home and began a career in banking. But the late 80’s weren’t too promising for the financial industry, and every bank that hired Barbara soon folded. So she searched for a stable occupation, and the local police department offered the answer to her prayers.
Initially, Barbara wasn’t too sure about her new chosen career in law enforcement, but she soon came to love being a police officer. However, on an uncharacteristically cold and icy day in December 1998, Barbara was struck by a car and pinned against a guardrail while working an accident on a major highway. Permanently disabled, she retired from the police department and devoted her time and energy to physical therapy.
Once Barbara got back on her feet, she focused on a new career in academia. She earned an MA in English, continued on a course of study for a Doctorate in Literature and Rhetoric, started writing historical fiction in her spare time, and completed five full-length novels featuring her fictional knighthood, the Brethren of the Coast. Book six is currently in the works.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 25, 2017
Oh, how the mighty have fallen :)
Morgan is the youngest and most handsome of the Brethren. He is also the only one who has embraced the secular life. And he is more than a little proud of his sexual prowess, much to the disgust of his fellow Brethren knights.
He's been ordered by the king to marry and shows up late for his wedding directly from the whorehouse and is very vocal about his displeasure with his chosen bride. He exchanges vows with Hawisia and then proceeds to ignore her and dance and flirt with other women. Later when he is confronted by Arucard about his appalling behavior, he again states that he had no desire to marry Hawisia and that he wanted her younger sister. But he what he doesn't know is that Hawisia has overheard the entire conversation and when she steps out of the shadows, she's more than happy to tell him that that was fine because she didn't want to marry him either.
These two have a rough beginning - Morgan cannot understand how she has not fallen at his feet like other women and Hawisia has no desire to be hurt anymore than she already has been by him. She's a dutiful wife in every sense of the word but she refuses to open her heart to him.
At first Morgan is fine with Hawisia basically just being his bed partner and servant. But soon he begins to desire more and asks his Brethren brothers and their wives what he can do to make her love him.
It was very sweet watching Morgan change and become a loving husband. And sweeter still once Hawisia allowed herself to love him back.
I would highly recommend this book and while it could be read as a standalone title, it would be best if the series was read in order.
Morgan is the youngest and most handsome of the Brethren. He is also the only one who has embraced the secular life. And he is more than a little proud of his sexual prowess, much to the disgust of his fellow Brethren knights.
He's been ordered by the king to marry and shows up late for his wedding directly from the whorehouse and is very vocal about his displeasure with his chosen bride. He exchanges vows with Hawisia and then proceeds to ignore her and dance and flirt with other women. Later when he is confronted by Arucard about his appalling behavior, he again states that he had no desire to marry Hawisia and that he wanted her younger sister. But he what he doesn't know is that Hawisia has overheard the entire conversation and when she steps out of the shadows, she's more than happy to tell him that that was fine because she didn't want to marry him either.
These two have a rough beginning - Morgan cannot understand how she has not fallen at his feet like other women and Hawisia has no desire to be hurt anymore than she already has been by him. She's a dutiful wife in every sense of the word but she refuses to open her heart to him.
At first Morgan is fine with Hawisia basically just being his bed partner and servant. But soon he begins to desire more and asks his Brethren brothers and their wives what he can do to make her love him.
It was very sweet watching Morgan change and become a loving husband. And sweeter still once Hawisia allowed herself to love him back.
I would highly recommend this book and while it could be read as a standalone title, it would be best if the series was read in order.
January 4, 2023
A good series. Worth reading and thoroughly enjoyable
I enjoyed all the books of the series that I have read. There are potentially 5 books in the series. Only 4 books appear available on Amazon as individual books. It is possible that the 5th book is part of an anthology.
However, I do have a complaint with the series. The 1st 2 books were over 200 pages the second 2 books were barely over 100 pages. This was disappointing as there was so much potential for all the books to be over 200 pages. The extra pages would Have enabled reader to spend more time with all their favorite characters.
There could have been excerpts from characters from prior books. Imagine how much fun it would have been to check in on prior characters in the current book.
There was also plenty of space to further develop the relationships between the characters of Each current book. Further character development would not have made the books boring or anything else of that nature. It would have just given us more time to embrace the story and fall in love with all the characters.
I enjoyed all the books of the series that I have read. There are potentially 5 books in the series. Only 4 books appear available on Amazon as individual books. It is possible that the 5th book is part of an anthology.
However, I do have a complaint with the series. The 1st 2 books were over 200 pages the second 2 books were barely over 100 pages. This was disappointing as there was so much potential for all the books to be over 200 pages. The extra pages would Have enabled reader to spend more time with all their favorite characters.
There could have been excerpts from characters from prior books. Imagine how much fun it would have been to check in on prior characters in the current book.
There was also plenty of space to further develop the relationships between the characters of Each current book. Further character development would not have made the books boring or anything else of that nature. It would have just given us more time to embrace the story and fall in love with all the characters.
July 31, 2017
Oh, how the arrogant and conceited have fallen! Morgan was not a likable character at the start of this book, or even as a minor character in the previous three books of this series. However, I thought his story was entertaining and I loved it. He certainly gets humbled, shamed, and falls hard for the wife he didn't want. He ignored her at their wedding party by dancing and flirting with every other pretty woman in the castle, he was a cad of the worst sort. He hurt her feelings badly in the beginning but she gradually got the better of him and gave him a few physical bruises too, she had plenty of spirit! Barbara Devlin is one of my favorite authors, her stories are wonderful and her book covers are the prettiest I've ever seen. I highly recommend this book for her fans and I look forward to reading about the next brethren, Geoffrey.
July 27, 2017
Morgan was bound to wed due to his oath to the king. Hawisia intended to do her duty as a good and loving wife, until she heard Morgan say that he had wanted her sister, not her. So, she determined she would fulfill her duties as a wife, much as she would a servant - leaving her heart out of it. But then Morgan finds he wants more than just a dutiful wife - he wants the attraction and closeness that he sees the other Brethren brothers have with their wives. Is it too late - has he hurt Hiwisia too much?
August 26, 2017
A great addition
Morgan's story is a great addition to the series. It is a short, quick read, but feels complete. I have enjoyed the characters of all the books. I anxiously await Geoffrey's book.
Morgan's story is a great addition to the series. It is a short, quick read, but feels complete. I have enjoyed the characters of all the books. I anxiously await Geoffrey's book.
July 31, 2017
Good read.
June 18, 2019
Love love
What amazing story! I can wait to read the next one! I would recommend this book if you like ood English and the time period.
What amazing story! I can wait to read the next one! I would recommend this book if you like ood English and the time period.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews