Captivated by Her Convenient Husband

Allied at the Altar #4

by Bronwyn Scott

“Looks like I’ve come home just in time.”

The duke’s son returns!

Part of Allied at the Altar . Avaline hasn’t seen her husband, Lord Fortis Tresham, for seven years, after he was presumed dead at war. Now her convenient husband has returned in time to save her from an unwanted suitor! Yet as he returns to her life—and her bed —Avaline is cautious… Why is he so mature, courteous and thoughtful—so different from the selfish soldier she married?

Genres: Regency, Historical, Harlequin, Historical Romance, Harlequin Historical, Romance

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published July 16, 2019

About the author

Bronwyn Scott writes historical romances for Harlequin, Mills and Boon. She has 50 titles currently in print with them.

Bronwyn's 2018 release, Dancing with the Duke's Heir was RITA finalist.
Bronwyn's 2009 novel, The Viscount Claims His Bride was a RomCon finalist for best short historical, as was her 2011 release, A Thoroughly Compromised Lady.

Reviews

[Emiliya Bozhilova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Когато Фортис Трешъм от кралската кавалерия се появява насред британски лагер в Крим през 1855 г., това е огромен повод за радост за семейството му. Те го смятат за мъртъв, след като е изчезнал безследно по време на битка преди няколко месеца. Още повече, че дори и в седемте години преди изчезването, Фортис изобщо не е благоволил да се прибере в отпуск в Англия при роднините и съпругата си, и за всички тях той е вече непознат. Особено за Авалайн Трешъм, спокойно зарязана три седмици след венчавката. Фамилията Трешъм действително посреща непознат, който дори няма ясни спомени кой е точно и сънува кошмари. А ухажорът на неосъществената вдовица Трешъм е бесен за изтървания шанс и се впуска в разследване кой е точно замаяният офицер, така чудодейно възкръснал по никое време.

С две думи, “Завръщането на Самърсби” в Арлекински вариант е доста приятен прочит. Цялата работа с Кримския военен театър е доста невероятна, но това е Арлекин, все пак. Авторката много свежо е поднесла втори шанс, първи шанс, че и лека мистерия. Героят направо на моменти е твърде добър, за да е истински, което почти засенчва героинята, а и чак такова широко скроено викторианско семейство граничи с фентъзи, но нали арлекините са си точно това.

[Frankie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, what can I say about this? I have been waiting for this book for such a long time and it was well worth the wait, I knew that this book; Fortis’ story was going to be an emotional one and by Jove, does it pull at your heartstrings! I am a weeping mess after that, not only because this is the last book in what has been an incredible series *sobs* really this series is so, so good I am lost for words just how amazing this series is, for the last few months we have been left tiny breadcrumbs of Fortis Tresham, there have been little whispers about him which intrigued me so much, I was so impatient to get hold of his story – I am not the most patient person at the best of times, but waiting for this book has been like torture, so to finally get my hands on Fortis was not only brilliant to finally get his story, but very emotional as this is the last in the series. I don’t want to leave these amazing character’s.

Bronwyn Scott, you really have excelled yourself with this book, I am in absolute awe of it and I bow down to your excellence. I am a huge fan of Bronwyn Scott’s work, her writing is second to none, her stories are supremely rich in emotion and romance, in other words they are flawless, but this really is right up at the top. This book is truly beautiful, and it is one of the very best, I am so in love with it. I was utterly blown away with Fortis’ story, this is emotional, tender, loving, surprising and so romantic. It is sad that this wonderful series has come to an end – unless of course there is more, please let there be more! But this is a fantastic ending, it answers all those niggling questions that have been arising throughout the series and it feels as though we have come full circle and all the ends have now been linked together.

As those who of you who have been following this series will know, that for the last three books we have been left breadcrumbs of what happened to Fortis when he went missing after the battle of Balaclava. He has been missing for a year and then all of a sudden Fortis Tresham comes walking out of the forest without a clue of who or where he is. I was intrigued, I needed to know his story and I really wanted him to find the peace that he deserved, and yes this does happen but there is a real twist and a surprise the story, that makes the reader stop and go; wow!

The story opens with Avaline, who is fearful of her future, she is trying to fend off the horrid Haywood who is trying to muscle in and get his hands on not only her but her land all in an attempt to gain his much sought after knighthood. The only protection she has from him and his manipulations is the fact that she is married into one of the old Dukedoms in the country, unfortunately her husband, third son; Fortis Tresham went to war eight years ago, and in the last year she has had word that her husband after falling in battle is now missing. With the help of her amazing in-laws she tries to move forward constantly hoping that her husband will return to her.

Well, she certainly doesn’t have to wait long as he returns, and what an entrance!! Scooping the swooning damsel up in his strong arms, after giving the baddie a good old fashioned ‘talking to’ and storming out is like something out of the movies, it is like something from a dream and by jove is it romantic – I may need to swoon myself, and that is just the beginning of getting to know this fine and vulnerable man.

As you can expect there is a lot that stand in the way for their happily ever after, there are things that Avaline and Fortis must over come, some expected and some not. Fortis is changed from the man she remembers, yes just as handsome with the same beautiful blue eyes but there is a shadow that is hanging over them. I really say too much about that aspect of the story, but believe me when I say that Fortis will break your heart, you will be at the edge of your seat hoping and praying thing everything works out that they both find the happiness that they both so desperately want and deserve. I absolutely love how Bronwyn has gone about revealing what happened to Fortis throughout the story with flash backs, you can really feel his fear, his confusion, his anguish and his desire to learn the truth.

Avaline really stood out for me, she is a wonderful, caring, kind and gentle woman. She isn’t a complex woman, she just wants love, she wants a happily ever after, but she is a practical woman if anything which is why she married Fortis in the first place, she needed protection and he was able to give it. But, that was all he gave her, within days he was off to war again. She didn’t know her husband then and after eight years she still doesn’t know him, what she does know is that he man who has returned to her has changed and it those changes that make her fall in love with him, but she is scared of having her heart broken as it was last time Fortis was home, which is why she holds back from him as she does, I can’t blame her, my heart goes out to this woman she has faced a lot in the years he has been away, not only faced the backstabbing of the ton but she has found a new independence while he has been away and she is fearful of long that now he is back.

Do not think that this is just a mere tortured hero comes homes and heroine tries to bring him back to his old self, because this book is far, far more then that, the story goes from the expected to the utterly heart in mouth unexpected and then finishes with the most beautiful ending, that was so fitting for Fortis and Avaline.

This is a gorgeous second chance love story, which really pulls at the heartstrings and it is the perfect ending to what has been an amazing series, one that I am very sad to see finish.

Perfect, there is no other words for this book, just perfect, I cannot recommend this book and this series enough.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my! This was a superb, emotional story. The scene when the family all got together had me in tears. The characters were all engaging, apart from the villain, Tobin Hayworth. Avaline has her husband, Fortis, back from the war. He seems so different and she’s wondering if she can trust him with her heart again. Fortis, had become such an honourable man, the way he put Avaline’s wishes before his own was endearing. Fortis experiences flashbacks to the time when he was missing and gradually his story unfolds. I enjoyed the loving family connection. I hadn’t read any of the previous stories in this series but it didn’t seem to make any difference to my enjoyment, just makes me want to read the previous books!

[Zubee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the H and h .... the story line has been done before but it was lovely to read ... it helped that H was a wonderful character ...

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was in a historical romance mood after watching a Jane Austen movie and this one didn't disappoint, charming and romantic

[Rosangela · Rating 4 out of 5]

All's Well That Ends Well. It was good to see all the Fortis's family bound for Aidan, after seven year Avaline deserved a true husband.

[Harlequin Historical]

Categories
Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Military Romance, Victorian Historical Fiction

Miniseries
Allied at the Altar (Book #4)

[Harlequin Books]

Categories
Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Military Romance, Victorian Historical Fiction

Miniseries
Allied at the Altar (Book #4)

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is always a scene that lingers for me in a Bronwyn Scott story, one that is evocative and engaging and so pitch perfect that I am there (and her tales are one fabulous scene after another—my response to just one is subjective). In this book that scene starts on page one. Completely drawn in. I want to both savor this story slowly and rush through so I can start over again. Fantastic read.

[Alexandra St'Siege · Rating 3 out of 5]

A serie é boa, o livro é bom. Mas pra mim tem uma vantagem, resolve uma frustração de décadas com Richard Gere em Sommersby. Aquele final me matou. Aqui o H é o criminoso (embora não assassino) e vai substituir o filho do duque.
O julgamento é uma palhaçada e não seria possível na Inglaterra vitoriana. Mas serviu

[Cecilia Rodriguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scott sets her story in 1855.
After missing in action for seven years, Lord Fortis Tresham returns home.
Avaline, is Fortis's wife, who has to the stranger who has returned to her.
Scott sympathetically addresses what is now known as: PTSD.

[DD · Rating 5 out of 5]

really enjoyed the first 2 books in this series, 3rd was disappointing, so not sure about reading the final book. I needn't have worried. the best of the 4 by far. emotional mess after reading it

[May Grider]

A DNF for me. Perhaps just not in the right mood.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was not great but good for what it was. The read was quick and left you questioning. Is the man the Duke's son or not? All the characters were very likeable. I liked Giles now sense of honor.

[Teju · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[John Milliner · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely fascinating story

[Ludovica Giardi · Rating 3 out of 5]

una bella lettura per un pomeriggio in cui si é liberi. la trama é molto interessante e peculiare e anche lo stile di scrittura chiaro.

[Nancy · Rating 1 out of 5]

What in the… There’s suspension of belief and then there’s throw yourself off the cliff of realism and come bouncing down the cliff face, smashing your skull every few yards, lord.

[Ruby · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story had so many plot holes that I was surprised my e-reader wasn’t taking on water.

I’m proud of that line, I thought it up while pondering the things I liked and disliked about it.

Liked:
•Actually steamy scenes; from Harlequin Historical, I’ve learned not to always expect much more than innuendo or reference to “last night.” Depending on the story, the lack of steam may actually be better. In this case, it helped.
•This was free because I borrowed it from the library.

Disliked:
•All the other things.
•Some writers can craft a story in such a way that each word pulls you to the next, where your eyes eat up words the way that any hero’s long legs eat up the earth in stride. With this story, I will not say it was a chore because it was not; no three-legged sack race here, to tie in with my previous metaphor. Rather, the story was simply more of a slow stroll, and I was not pulled in close to the events.
•Didn’t like the soap opera plot point of amnesia.
•Didn’t like plot holes surrounding the amnesia — and it was never truly explained why he had amnesia. Was he or was he not fully fine when he left the cave? His sudden amnesia on leaving the cave actually reinforces the concept that he might truly be (might he?) a purposeful imposter. (Might not be though.) And this is something I don’t believe the author thought through.
•The idea that a man gone for seven years coming back and that he might be (maybe?) an imposter is ridiculous to me. If my brother went missing for seven years and came back home, I would not question it in the least and would be able to know at a glance if he were my relative. The fact is, I know my brother. Even without the benefit of FaceTime and Thanksgiving meals and talking to each other on the phone, I would be able to identify my brother after years apart. And in this story, not only a wife, but parents, two brothers, two sisters-in-law, and a host of friends are accused by Hayworth of (maybe?) being taken in by someone who is probably the man who went to war. (Might not be, though.) If they’re not taken in by him, then they have a hand in his potential scheme. If they’re taken in by him, how? I would know my brother. My mother would know her son.
•The villain has an amazingly fortuitous (for the sake of the plot at least) ability to leap to the immediate conclusion that the missing husband surely cannot be said husband — that his sudden appearance is all part of a grand plot on the part of the entire family to keep him from forcing the wife into his clutches. But reading Villain Hayworth’s leaps of logic does not feel to me like reading the thoughts of a slightly unhinged villain. Instead, it feels very much like the author forcing plot points along, and forcing this character’s villainy into the story. All I know is, if this man is that good at leaping to PROBABLY WRONG conclusions (maybe?), I would still like his input on the winning lottery numbers.
•Speaking of mental powers from afar, while sitting in the cave across a continent, the husband knows that his wife back home is in danger from Hayworth. How? Her letters were dutiful — not begging for help to defend her from Hayworth, but dutiful recounting of the goings-on at the estate. The plot that expands from his telepathic knowledge is annoying. Leading me back to the man leaving the cave, and remembering nothing — how very convenient.

Should be titled His Convenient Amnesia. (I’m also proud of that line. Just thought it up.)