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Season of the Furies #2
Mrs. Lady
Once there was a notorious trio of young beauties who ruled the salons and ballrooms of London’s Season. They were known as The Furies.
From Society Maven to Maid of all Work….
Lady Katherine Saunders is as well known for her grace and beauty as for her arrogance and her viper-like tongue. Many people predicted arrogance would be her downfall. Many people were right. Forced to wed a wealthy commoner to save her own family from insolvency, Katherine struggles to find her footing in a marriage of convenience to the one man immune to her charms.
Jonas Rutledge, ruggedly handsome and self-made, values character and loyalty above all else. He decides to secure his family’s social position by marrying into the haut ton and chooses the proud and privileged Lady Katherine, after she publicly belittles both him and his family. Jonas doesn’t care what he has to do secure Katherine’s hand. He’ll have her on his arm to give him social prestige and in his bed to give him an heir. Loving, or even liking her shouldn’t enter into it – at least that’s what he thinks.
Protecting those close to her forces Katherine into a dangerous game of deception. When her dishonesty is exposed, an angry and disillusioned Jonas rips away the very foundations of her life. Katherine must find the resources within herself to start over without the man she has come to love. Will Jonas and Katherine rediscover the promise of love, or will pride and anger continue to keep them apart?
From Society Maven to Maid of all Work….
Lady Katherine Saunders is as well known for her grace and beauty as for her arrogance and her viper-like tongue. Many people predicted arrogance would be her downfall. Many people were right. Forced to wed a wealthy commoner to save her own family from insolvency, Katherine struggles to find her footing in a marriage of convenience to the one man immune to her charms.
Jonas Rutledge, ruggedly handsome and self-made, values character and loyalty above all else. He decides to secure his family’s social position by marrying into the haut ton and chooses the proud and privileged Lady Katherine, after she publicly belittles both him and his family. Jonas doesn’t care what he has to do secure Katherine’s hand. He’ll have her on his arm to give him social prestige and in his bed to give him an heir. Loving, or even liking her shouldn’t enter into it – at least that’s what he thinks.
Protecting those close to her forces Katherine into a dangerous game of deception. When her dishonesty is exposed, an angry and disillusioned Jonas rips away the very foundations of her life. Katherine must find the resources within herself to start over without the man she has come to love. Will Jonas and Katherine rediscover the promise of love, or will pride and anger continue to keep them apart?
410 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2017
38 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Patterson
8 books39 followersI began my writing career at age three by designing my own alphabet using symbols to represent words. Thankfully school got me back on track with mainstream communication and I've has been creating stories ever since. Words are magic to me and writing is my first love. I owe my beginnings in the romance field to the kindness of Katherine Falk and the vision of a new, up and coming publishing house she profiled in “Romantic Times Magazine.” My first romance, "Playing For Keeps," was published by Genesis Press under the pen name, Stephanie Salinas for their Tango 2 line. "The Woman in Question," a contemporary romantic thriller, was published under my own name a couple of years later. My current projects include a new historical romance series entitled, "Season of the Furies." The first book in the series, "A Terrible Beauty," was released March 4, 2016. Book 2 is scheduled for release in late Fall of 2016.
I live in northern Oregon in a town long the banks of the Columbia River. St. Helens is an interesting mix of both pioneer and nautical history. It’s a place steeped in tales of mystery and dark deeds like shanghaiing and murder. Our town has appeared on several ghost investigation shows and it was the filming location for Disney’s original “Halloween Town” and the first movie in the “Twilight” franchise. Every year we hold a month long festival commemorating the Disney film.
I’ve been a legal assistant for a criminal defense attorney for more than fifteen years, working all sorts of criminal cases from petty theft to capital murder and murder for hire. When I'm not writing I practice and teach the ancient divination art of cartomancy - a fancy way of saying I read tarot cards. Every Halloween I read cards at a local restaurant noted for its haunted history. As if that isn't weird enough, I'm also a belly dance hobbyist and perform at various festivals around the Pacific Northwest.
As I write this I’m deep into research for my next book in the “Season of the Furies” series.
EMAIL: stephaniepattersonwriter@yahoo.com
You can follow my FaceBook page dedicated to "Season of the Furies" at https://www.facebook.com/seasonofthef...
and my Pinterest Board for "A Terrible Beauty" at
https://www.pinterest.com/galhal2000/...
I live in northern Oregon in a town long the banks of the Columbia River. St. Helens is an interesting mix of both pioneer and nautical history. It’s a place steeped in tales of mystery and dark deeds like shanghaiing and murder. Our town has appeared on several ghost investigation shows and it was the filming location for Disney’s original “Halloween Town” and the first movie in the “Twilight” franchise. Every year we hold a month long festival commemorating the Disney film.
I’ve been a legal assistant for a criminal defense attorney for more than fifteen years, working all sorts of criminal cases from petty theft to capital murder and murder for hire. When I'm not writing I practice and teach the ancient divination art of cartomancy - a fancy way of saying I read tarot cards. Every Halloween I read cards at a local restaurant noted for its haunted history. As if that isn't weird enough, I'm also a belly dance hobbyist and perform at various festivals around the Pacific Northwest.
As I write this I’m deep into research for my next book in the “Season of the Furies” series.
EMAIL: stephaniepattersonwriter@yahoo.com
You can follow my FaceBook page dedicated to "Season of the Furies" at https://www.facebook.com/seasonofthef...
and my Pinterest Board for "A Terrible Beauty" at
https://www.pinterest.com/galhal2000/...
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 23, 2023
I was excited to read this book as I very much enjoyed Book 1 (I recommend reading it before reading this one but could be read as a standalone). The Furies were a group of 19-year-old stunningly beautiful women. This is the story of the Ice Queen and the self-made man's marriage that has was built on revenge and deception. The angst level stays high as secrets and being afraid to let people see who you really are plays a huge part of the storyline. Part of the series charm is the bad behavior by the H. makes for a good foil for the very strong women the characters become due to adversity. The book deals with factory conditions, workhouses and child labor. The author has a true talent for weaving the storyline through multiple timelines and great secondary characters. Lady Katherine is written so well, and you understand her actions. I had more difficulty feeling that way about Jonas. He is inflexible and written as a man of his time where a husband owns all this is his wife's. Then why not a 5*...not enough groveling and I thought the end should have been more concise.
December 10, 2023
All this book is a women so love starved that she will jump at whatever scraps offered her despite how many times she gets kicked and there's nothing more hateful than that in a book disguised as a romance.
I don't ever write a review, but I'm making an exception for this one, what started out as a spoiled girl's path to redemption which is an interesting concept to say the least and was so very well done in book 1, quickly turned into a blaming the victim, act of unnecessary cruelty(despite her having done him no harm or his family apart from a few careless words when she was 19 which no-one heard apart from her friend), unbearable pettiness in the name of justice and the worst part of it is even in the end no one seems to care enough about all that H put her through and all the misery she suffered(not even her best friends who she had done so much for, they instantly forgave him and no one even tried to defend her). I like an antihero as much as anyone else but Jonas was no hero even before her banishment he subjected her to the death of a thousand cuts and not once stood up for her despite her doing everything in her power to do right by him and giving him every chance not to mention countless forgivenesses (he wanted her, ruined her family to get her, married her used her for his lust and to launch his sisters into society and to advance his business interests and then tossed her out like so much garbage). The cruelty in this book is astounding, and the concept of "because she loves him everything is alright" is bull****, why does she love him anyway apart from him being good in bed he has no redeeming quality, since the beginning of their engagement up until he suddenly loves her, he's been nothing but nasty to her not to mention all the insults and demeaning acts done by his family and she forgives him and takes him back in like 2 days and forgives his family right away without any reparation or even contrition on their part.
I don't ever write a review, but I'm making an exception for this one, what started out as a spoiled girl's path to redemption which is an interesting concept to say the least and was so very well done in book 1, quickly turned into a blaming the victim, act of unnecessary cruelty(despite her having done him no harm or his family apart from a few careless words when she was 19 which no-one heard apart from her friend), unbearable pettiness in the name of justice and the worst part of it is even in the end no one seems to care enough about all that H put her through and all the misery she suffered(not even her best friends who she had done so much for, they instantly forgave him and no one even tried to defend her). I like an antihero as much as anyone else but Jonas was no hero even before her banishment he subjected her to the death of a thousand cuts and not once stood up for her despite her doing everything in her power to do right by him and giving him every chance not to mention countless forgivenesses (he wanted her, ruined her family to get her, married her used her for his lust and to launch his sisters into society and to advance his business interests and then tossed her out like so much garbage). The cruelty in this book is astounding, and the concept of "because she loves him everything is alright" is bull****, why does she love him anyway apart from him being good in bed he has no redeeming quality, since the beginning of their engagement up until he suddenly loves her, he's been nothing but nasty to her not to mention all the insults and demeaning acts done by his family and she forgives him and takes him back in like 2 days and forgives his family right away without any reparation or even contrition on their part.
May 27, 2023
This was an angst-fest... and all the stars are for how awfully the hero treated the heroine. The author does an excellent job in showing how few (none) rights women had in that era, and it's pretty horrible.
Maybe the heroine gets a star too, because holy cow did she overcome diversity and flourish. There definitely wasn't enough groveling, but again, she had no rights so in theory she's lucky he felt guilt at all - she had to jump if he told her to jump.
I'm enjoying this author's works, she seems to do a lot of research to keep things as historically accurate as possible, no matter how depressing it was.
Maybe the heroine gets a star too, because holy cow did she overcome diversity and flourish. There definitely wasn't enough groveling, but again, she had no rights so in theory she's lucky he felt guilt at all - she had to jump if he told her to jump.
I'm enjoying this author's works, she seems to do a lot of research to keep things as historically accurate as possible, no matter how depressing it was.
February 2, 2023
Liked the idea but the story moved between current and past, I found it tedious. I struggled to believe that the H really loved her, and not sure how she could love him when he was so cruel? Yet there were good elements too, so 3-5 to 4 stars.
September 22, 2022
Angst, betrayal and a relatable FMC
I recently discovered this author and I have to say I'm hooked. While I enjoyed the first book, A Terrible Beauty more, this one still goes on my favorites list for its superior female lead and her character growth.
This book made me laugh and cry and made my heart ache, not an easy thing to do normally, and would have been a 5 star read if only Jonas had grovelled more. I personally haven't forgiven his shoddy treatment of Kathy and since unlike her I'm not in love with him, I needed him to suffer more. At least as much as Kathy herself did.
Still a wonderful historical romance with lovable side characters to boot.
I recently discovered this author and I have to say I'm hooked. While I enjoyed the first book, A Terrible Beauty more, this one still goes on my favorites list for its superior female lead and her character growth.
This book made me laugh and cry and made my heart ache, not an easy thing to do normally, and would have been a 5 star read if only Jonas had grovelled more. I personally haven't forgiven his shoddy treatment of Kathy and since unlike her I'm not in love with him, I needed him to suffer more. At least as much as Kathy herself did.
Still a wonderful historical romance with lovable side characters to boot.
May 21, 2022
Loved this, couldn’t put it down and stayed up all night.
This is the second book in a series of three mean girls, even more angst than in the first book, again very good story and interesting setting (mills with horrible labor conditions in rural England) and again a despicably cruel hero who doesn’t listen or understands his heroine and mistrusts and mistreats her ALL THE TIME. Heartbreaking angst fest!
My only complaint is not enough groveling, disappointing to have her forgive him and move one after five minutes, he needed to suffer as she did.
This is the second book in a series of three mean girls, even more angst than in the first book, again very good story and interesting setting (mills with horrible labor conditions in rural England) and again a despicably cruel hero who doesn’t listen or understands his heroine and mistrusts and mistreats her ALL THE TIME. Heartbreaking angst fest!
My only complaint is not enough groveling, disappointing to have her forgive him and move one after five minutes, he needed to suffer as she did.
June 27, 2022
This second instalment of the season of the furies did not deceived me. I could not put it down!
The final scene where the villain’s plans are destroyed was a bit too “action moviesque” for me but for sure I would detract a star just for this.
There was angst, fun, intrigue, characters’ development, enchanting secondary characters (livestock included!).
A story of an arranged (forced ) marriage, revenge, estrangement, soul searching blinking an eye to a reversed Pride and Prejudice couple making and North and South context.
A sure re-read
The final scene where the villain’s plans are destroyed was a bit too “action moviesque” for me but for sure I would detract a star just for this.
There was angst, fun, intrigue, characters’ development, enchanting secondary characters (livestock included!).
A story of an arranged (forced ) marriage, revenge, estrangement, soul searching blinking an eye to a reversed Pride and Prejudice couple making and North and South context.
A sure re-read
January 22, 2023
damn, i will never be this forgiving. my eyes are still wet with the tears I shed for dear kathy. jonas is absolutely undeserving of her and very rotten.
November 4, 2024
This is the second book of the Season of the Furies saga. I usually don’t care reading books out of order or as standalone, and while you can get away with this as standalone, the books have overlapping timelines and crossover with each other, so I recommend reading the first. Plus I looooooved A Terrible Beauty.
Here, Katherine was hands down one of my favorite heroines I have read in a long time. The author wrote a beautiful a character arc of a spiteful snooty “mean girl” ton debutante who makes a transformation through adversity and obscene amount of cruelty from the hero. Her transformation is gradual so it’s realistic that by the time you realize you love her, you forgot why she had to learn so many lessons to begin with.
I disliked the hero as much as I loved the heroine. Yeah she messed up and he had his justifications blah blah and I get that the book was illustrating the historical reality of women’s powerlessness in a marriage but his inner monologues were tedious as well. I could have even understood his treatment if the grovel was enough but it was not worthy for Katherine.
Last critique - that cover is unfortunate 😬
All in all, the book was a page-turner though and I would still recommend it because it’s just a great part of the overall Furies drama. Can’t wait for Rafa and Sarah’s book next!
Here, Katherine was hands down one of my favorite heroines I have read in a long time. The author wrote a beautiful a character arc of a spiteful snooty “mean girl” ton debutante who makes a transformation through adversity and obscene amount of cruelty from the hero. Her transformation is gradual so it’s realistic that by the time you realize you love her, you forgot why she had to learn so many lessons to begin with.
I disliked the hero as much as I loved the heroine. Yeah she messed up and he had his justifications blah blah and I get that the book was illustrating the historical reality of women’s powerlessness in a marriage but his inner monologues were tedious as well. I could have even understood his treatment if the grovel was enough but it was not worthy for Katherine.
Last critique - that cover is unfortunate 😬
All in all, the book was a page-turner though and I would still recommend it because it’s just a great part of the overall Furies drama. Can’t wait for Rafa and Sarah’s book next!
January 10, 2025
An absolutely terrible H in contrast to a strong and capable heroine. She truly deserved better. There is no grovel to be found and is truly a shame because the writer is really good at her prose.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2022
Wow!!!
It was midnight and I was crying with Kathy.
She’s strong, so strong! She didn’t deserve what happened to her 😞
But she got some lemons, so why not make a lemonade?
Jonas
“I can assure you I will be fair and promise to listen to you from this day forward. I want you to come home with me.”
Kathy studied him for a moment, then rose gracefully from the table. She looked steadily into his eyes. “I am home, Jonas,” she said, then turned and walked away.
“You wanted me to struggle and rest assured I did, but I also learned. I became a part of something and I won’t have you belittle it. For the first time in my life the best I could do was good enough for everyone.” She swiped at tears that had forced their way from her eyes regardless of her valiant struggles to contain them. “I didn’t have to be perfect, I only had to give it my best efforts.”
This book is heartbreaking and beautiful 😍
It was midnight and I was crying with Kathy.
She’s strong, so strong! She didn’t deserve what happened to her 😞
But she got some lemons, so why not make a lemonade?
Jonas
“I can assure you I will be fair and promise to listen to you from this day forward. I want you to come home with me.”
Kathy studied him for a moment, then rose gracefully from the table. She looked steadily into his eyes. “I am home, Jonas,” she said, then turned and walked away.
“You wanted me to struggle and rest assured I did, but I also learned. I became a part of something and I won’t have you belittle it. For the first time in my life the best I could do was good enough for everyone.” She swiped at tears that had forced their way from her eyes regardless of her valiant struggles to contain them. “I didn’t have to be perfect, I only had to give it my best efforts.”
This book is heartbreaking and beautiful 😍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2017
I so loved this book that I actually read it twice. I read a lot of regency romance and many feel like I've already read it before, but not this book or the first book in the series, The Furies. There is something different in Stephanie's writing style that makes her books stand out. You have to read this book, but make sure to read The Furies first so that you have the back story of Katherine. I will be desperately awaiting the next book to see where life has taken Sarah and to see how far Rafe is willing to go to right a wrong.
January 27, 2022
fantastic
After marrying Katherine, Jonas begins to care for her and this cannot happen. He does not intend for her to hold power over him. There is a constant theme of commoner vs aristocrat that Jonas contends with. The process of resolving their differences and having a real marriage brings the couple thru a heart wrenching process. They don’t trust each other enough to confide in each other. Consequently, the problems magnify.
The author writes similar to Mary Balogh where your emotions are all over the place; happy, sad, mad, tormented, etc. Such a good read. A little long. Some passion and sex.
After marrying Katherine, Jonas begins to care for her and this cannot happen. He does not intend for her to hold power over him. There is a constant theme of commoner vs aristocrat that Jonas contends with. The process of resolving their differences and having a real marriage brings the couple thru a heart wrenching process. They don’t trust each other enough to confide in each other. Consequently, the problems magnify.
The author writes similar to Mary Balogh where your emotions are all over the place; happy, sad, mad, tormented, etc. Such a good read. A little long. Some passion and sex.
July 16, 2020
Continuation of the interrelated story of three Victorian mean girls. As in the first book, the female protagonist has her life and world views changed by a set of unfortunate experiences, triggered by her husband, who is out for revenge and who is a not very sympathetic character. The real draw here is mid nineteenth century England, and the setting of terrible labor conditions in the mills in the north of England, and the powerlessness of wives. Real historical figures, such as Charles Dickens, make an appearance.
September 5, 2017
Great Book!
This is the sequel to a "A Terrible Beauty" and is an outstanding read. Do yourself a favor and read both. They are both such good books. I'll be on the lookout for more by this author.
This is the sequel to a "A Terrible Beauty" and is an outstanding read. Do yourself a favor and read both. They are both such good books. I'll be on the lookout for more by this author.
December 3, 2017
Sweeping historical melodrama
Excellent book full of angst betrayal and lies. A wonderful way to forget the world and immerse yourself in another!
Excellent book full of angst betrayal and lies. A wonderful way to forget the world and immerse yourself in another!
October 29, 2022
3.5 stars. The last few chapters were so tedious and unnecessary!
February 7, 2023
Katherine (Kathy) and Jonas. Favorite side character was Josie the sheep. Loved this epic story.
December 25, 2025
Hiw can the author understand so little of groveling? How come not one soul told her how awful the ending was?
After all ge did to her she just forgives him so easily
It was pathetic
After all ge did to her she just forgives him so easily
It was pathetic
February 5, 2025
Ok this book kinda sucked and it’s mainly due to the H and his most of his family. One multiple occasions he places the h in horrible/ difficult positions, treats her like scum and expects full loyalty from her. On multiple occasions, he’s admitted what’s he’s doing is wrong and that he can’t just expect loyalty.
They treated her like an object, snubbed her constantly, isolated her, threatened her only friends, still felt the need to look down on her. Im genuinely shocked how he could be surprised that she could betray him. And this comes after her discovering how he ruined her family so that he could marry her.
When she was finally finding peace and a sense of family (which all she wanted), he finds out the truth and tries to win her back. Apparently, both sisters were still in communication with her (despite being told not to). This doesn’t make sense, because the horrible sister continued to laugh and mock her banishment.
I think he said sorry once or twice and all was forgiven. I’m honestly not sure how he fell in love with her, or even if feelings are genuine. And this also happens with the family, besides the one sister, what have they done to earn her forgiveness?
So why the 4 stars? I really enjoyed the angst and overall the h is an amazing character. She was complex, showing us the layers of vulnerability and desires she has that’s hidden by this popular face. I enjoyed seeing her character grow and find herself without the help of others. But I hate that everyone was so easily forgiven.
They treated her like an object, snubbed her constantly, isolated her, threatened her only friends, still felt the need to look down on her. Im genuinely shocked how he could be surprised that she could betray him. And this comes after her discovering how he ruined her family so that he could marry her.
When she was finally finding peace and a sense of family (which all she wanted), he finds out the truth and tries to win her back. Apparently, both sisters were still in communication with her (despite being told not to). This doesn’t make sense, because the horrible sister continued to laugh and mock her banishment.
I think he said sorry once or twice and all was forgiven. I’m honestly not sure how he fell in love with her, or even if feelings are genuine. And this also happens with the family, besides the one sister, what have they done to earn her forgiveness?
So why the 4 stars? I really enjoyed the angst and overall the h is an amazing character. She was complex, showing us the layers of vulnerability and desires she has that’s hidden by this popular face. I enjoyed seeing her character grow and find herself without the help of others. But I hate that everyone was so easily forgiven.
historical
January 28, 2019Once there was a notorious trio of young beauties who ruled the salons and ballrooms of London’s Season. They were known as The Furies.
From Society Maven to Maid of all Work….
Lady Katherine Saunders is as well known for her grace and beauty as for her arrogance and her viper-like tongue. Many people predicted arrogance would be her downfall. Many people were right. Forced to wed a wealthy commoner to save her own family from insolvency, Katherine struggles to find her footing in a marriage of convenience to the one man immune to her charms.
Jonas Rutledge, ruggedly handsome and self-made, values character and loyalty above all else. He decides to secure his family’s social position by marrying into the haut ton and chooses the proud and privileged Lady Katherine, after she publicly belittles both him and his family. Jonas doesn’t care what he has to do secure Katherine’s hand. He’ll have her on his arm to give him social prestige and in his bed to give him an heir. Loving, or even liking her shouldn’t enter into it – at least that’s what he thinks.
Protecting those close to her forces Katherine into a dangerous game of deception. When her dishonesty is exposed, an angry and disillusioned Jonas rips away the very foundations of her life. Katherine must find the resources within herself to start over without the man she has come to love. Will Jonas and Katherine rediscover the promise of love, or will pride and anger continue to keep them apart?
From Society Maven to Maid of all Work….
Lady Katherine Saunders is as well known for her grace and beauty as for her arrogance and her viper-like tongue. Many people predicted arrogance would be her downfall. Many people were right. Forced to wed a wealthy commoner to save her own family from insolvency, Katherine struggles to find her footing in a marriage of convenience to the one man immune to her charms.
Jonas Rutledge, ruggedly handsome and self-made, values character and loyalty above all else. He decides to secure his family’s social position by marrying into the haut ton and chooses the proud and privileged Lady Katherine, after she publicly belittles both him and his family. Jonas doesn’t care what he has to do secure Katherine’s hand. He’ll have her on his arm to give him social prestige and in his bed to give him an heir. Loving, or even liking her shouldn’t enter into it – at least that’s what he thinks.
Protecting those close to her forces Katherine into a dangerous game of deception. When her dishonesty is exposed, an angry and disillusioned Jonas rips away the very foundations of her life. Katherine must find the resources within herself to start over without the man she has come to love. Will Jonas and Katherine rediscover the promise of love, or will pride and anger continue to keep them apart?
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews