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The Marquess Who Kissed Me
Forced to betray the only man she ever loved…
Lady Belle Lawrence knows she’ll never have the man of her heart.
The Marquess of Venmont.
So, in order to save a friend, she decides to marry a man she loathes.
Venmont saved her a long time ago.
Now, Belle has the chance to save someone else.
She sees the sacrifice as only fitting.
Sadly, her rescuer doesn’t agree...
Lord Oliver Childs didn’t become a hired assassin just to see Belle sell herself to yet another man.
He’ll protect her with his life, just as he’s always done.
But something is different about this time.
He’s always been dangerous, and with Belle, he’s worse.
But enemies past and present make it impossible for them to be together.
Will these two ever find their happily ever after?
And what happens when it's revealed that Oliver is not the man she always thought him to be?
Lady Belle Lawrence knows she’ll never have the man of her heart.
The Marquess of Venmont.
So, in order to save a friend, she decides to marry a man she loathes.
Venmont saved her a long time ago.
Now, Belle has the chance to save someone else.
She sees the sacrifice as only fitting.
Sadly, her rescuer doesn’t agree...
Lord Oliver Childs didn’t become a hired assassin just to see Belle sell herself to yet another man.
He’ll protect her with his life, just as he’s always done.
But something is different about this time.
He’s always been dangerous, and with Belle, he’s worse.
But enemies past and present make it impossible for them to be together.
Will these two ever find their happily ever after?
And what happens when it's revealed that Oliver is not the man she always thought him to be?
643 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 9, 2019
115 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Wilson
29 books56 followersLibrarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 12, 2021
This was quite an entertaining a different type of historical romance. It is a very well written story; that you could almost say is about "star-crossed" lovers. except they weren't lovers in the true sense... But, I get ahead of myself...
To me, this is a story about perception; how someone is perceived vs. who they truly are. Let's face it; we can all show the world a different/muted version of ourselves in public than who we are in private. Afterall, celebrities have to do it all the time if they want any kind of private life vs. their public persona. Lady Belle has been in a living hell for many years; when her father sold her to a controlling and powerful man in exchange for the forgiveness of his debts. She is forced to do unspeakable things in order to garner information for her owner. She becomes an actress extraordinaire in order to survive. She is beaten and dumped on a marquess' land that Belle's owner wants her to convince to work for him. Belle comes to have feelings for her "rescuer". Will he be her hero or her heartbreak?
To me, this is a story about perception; how someone is perceived vs. who they truly are. Let's face it; we can all show the world a different/muted version of ourselves in public than who we are in private. Afterall, celebrities have to do it all the time if they want any kind of private life vs. their public persona. Lady Belle has been in a living hell for many years; when her father sold her to a controlling and powerful man in exchange for the forgiveness of his debts. She is forced to do unspeakable things in order to garner information for her owner. She becomes an actress extraordinaire in order to survive. She is beaten and dumped on a marquess' land that Belle's owner wants her to convince to work for him. Belle comes to have feelings for her "rescuer". Will he be her hero or her heartbreak?
November 11, 2019
This book is AMAZING! It is a continuation of the characters in the new Lord Van Dero's world. This story centered around Lady Belle and Lord Oliver. Oliver grew up with a father who ruthlessly was deranged. He believed "The Circle" was going to come and kill them all. He viciously and maliciously taught Oliver and his two brothers through pain, beatings, starvation, how to survive. He even taught them to maim and kill others considered enemies. Can you just imagine how warped their view on life would be? Oliver was barely ten when he killed his first victim. Still the three brothers managed to keep hold of their sanity. It was clear their father had caused a serious amount of damage physically and emotionally. At twelve years old Belle's father sold her to the old evil Van Dero to settle his debts. Van Dero owned her for 20 years. He trained her and made her do unspeakable things. Things she would like to forget. Somehow along the way there were a couple of people who gave her hope. Deep inside she was a wonderful compassionate person. Living with Van Dero she kept up her facade but dreamed of the day she would be free. Five years ago, old Van Dero sent her on a mission to seduce Oliver to come to him so he could offer him a job. Oliver feeling betrayed by Belle he treated her with contempt and scorn. The reality of what was between them was the opposite of that. When Belle's life is threatened Oliver gets involved and he and Belle cannot stand to be near each other. They say things they should not and treat each other rudely. In the meantime, Oliver agrees to take the older boys from Belle's orphanage on a nature trip. He would teach them survival skills. Suspicious things occur during the trip, a conspiracy is revealed and everything points to the "Circle". Little is known about this secret evil society but somehow the threat to Belle's life and the accidents on the nature trip all point to them. All throughout the book Oliver and Belle have this rubber band attached between them. One time it is stretched taut and other time when the tension is released, they are drawn together. It goes back and forth but each time they learn more about themselves and each other. A must read. An excellent story. Do not pass it up you will not be disappointed. I highly recommend it.
November 20, 2019
Compared to every other one of Deborah Wilson's books that I have read, this one was disappointing. The writing was just as good as in every other one, but I liked Belle too much to want her to end up with Oliver. The two of them experienced unspeakable childhoods, but their similarities ended there. Belle loved people and believed in their inherent goodness. Oliver was incapable of love, and I'm not sure I believe he was capable of change. Especially in such a short period of time. I'm not saying I had no sympathy for Oliver. What I am saying is that any woman who thinks she can fix a man who is that messed up from childhood abuse is delusional. Of course, Oliver is not completely without some personal insight and I thought this was a great revelation when he realized it:
"He'd assumed he was running in the opposite direction only to find out he'd been set to travel in the circle with Belle as the eternal center point. She was the point of everything."
I also liked the idea that his desire for Belle was so strong he'd barely kept control of it for five years. I suppose I'm impressed that he was so disciplined. "The window to his desires that had been cracking for years had shattered with her kiss, and the winds of need swirled around him in a storm of angry heat." Maybe he did have the self-control needed to change…
It's a romance; of course, we expect them to end up together. But if I'm being honest, Belle would be better off without him. No matter his good intentions, I don't see unending future happiness for them. I see struggles and bits of joy, and perhaps eventually, contentment. Maybe that's enough for them.
My other complaint with the book has to do with proofreading. I believe it was edited, but I think the author failed to have a proofreader do a final read-through. That resulted in mixed pronouns and mistaken names and a few conversations that didn't track properly because they'd probably been altered and not reread. And twice, I encountered the phrase "once and awhile." I'm disappointed that something like that made it through however many rounds of editing there were, even if it was just one. It's the sort of mistake that shouldn't have been made in the first place.
"He'd assumed he was running in the opposite direction only to find out he'd been set to travel in the circle with Belle as the eternal center point. She was the point of everything."
I also liked the idea that his desire for Belle was so strong he'd barely kept control of it for five years. I suppose I'm impressed that he was so disciplined. "The window to his desires that had been cracking for years had shattered with her kiss, and the winds of need swirled around him in a storm of angry heat." Maybe he did have the self-control needed to change…
It's a romance; of course, we expect them to end up together. But if I'm being honest, Belle would be better off without him. No matter his good intentions, I don't see unending future happiness for them. I see struggles and bits of joy, and perhaps eventually, contentment. Maybe that's enough for them.
My other complaint with the book has to do with proofreading. I believe it was edited, but I think the author failed to have a proofreader do a final read-through. That resulted in mixed pronouns and mistaken names and a few conversations that didn't track properly because they'd probably been altered and not reread. And twice, I encountered the phrase "once and awhile." I'm disappointed that something like that made it through however many rounds of editing there were, even if it was just one. It's the sort of mistake that shouldn't have been made in the first place.
November 14, 2019
“A prison,” she said. “For men who’d otherwise get around the law. The titled. The wealthy and powerful.”
What a brilliant twist with which to base the premise of the entire book—that meek & mild Milly could have taken matters into her OWN hands to bring powerful, evil men to their knees and locked them up! And done it without the help—and knowledge—of her powerful husband, Cassius, the Duke of Van Dero! Now, when Belle’s future is threatened, she reveals her secret to the man she has determined can end the threat—permanently, Oliver.
I enjoyed this Regency Romance: the characters were well drawn and the plot follows along the story set out in the prior books in the series, and yet builds the characters of Belle and Oliver, which appeared as secondary or tertiary figures in prior books. We see the curtain drawn back on these 2 and see brief glimpses of the horrors they underwent, which have had a major impact on the people they have become. Despite their sufferings, they BOTH have built their lives around making the lives of others better—Belle and her “boys”, and Oliver and the people he has hidden to protect from death at the hands of the old Duke of Van Dero. Yet, each has ‘ghosts’ they must put to rest before they can move ahead to being healed adults, able to fully share their lives with another. This book moves them along that path nicely, yet leaves us eager to read what happens next in their lives. Good job!
What a brilliant twist with which to base the premise of the entire book—that meek & mild Milly could have taken matters into her OWN hands to bring powerful, evil men to their knees and locked them up! And done it without the help—and knowledge—of her powerful husband, Cassius, the Duke of Van Dero! Now, when Belle’s future is threatened, she reveals her secret to the man she has determined can end the threat—permanently, Oliver.
I enjoyed this Regency Romance: the characters were well drawn and the plot follows along the story set out in the prior books in the series, and yet builds the characters of Belle and Oliver, which appeared as secondary or tertiary figures in prior books. We see the curtain drawn back on these 2 and see brief glimpses of the horrors they underwent, which have had a major impact on the people they have become. Despite their sufferings, they BOTH have built their lives around making the lives of others better—Belle and her “boys”, and Oliver and the people he has hidden to protect from death at the hands of the old Duke of Van Dero. Yet, each has ‘ghosts’ they must put to rest before they can move ahead to being healed adults, able to fully share their lives with another. This book moves them along that path nicely, yet leaves us eager to read what happens next in their lives. Good job!
November 14, 2019
Wilson's Valiant love series is one of my absolute favorites! Men who have been absolutely ruined and are completely unloveable because of what life has dealt them are redeemed by the love of a good woman. In this story, we not only have a Marquess who was badly abused by his own father and ignored by his mother and only finds pleasure out on his land living like a savage, we also have the beautiful Lady Belle who was sold to the old Duke Von Duro as a sex slave when she was twelve years old. She has used the wiles the Duke insisted she develop to get secrets for him for years. Then he had her beaten and thrown on Oliver's land where he finds her and carries her back to his home to nurse her himself.
Now we get their tale five years later and one year after the old Duke is dead. Both are in the new Duke's circle. Oliver had made a contract with the old Duke to own her body until she was 32. He has never told Belle why he is so adamantly her protector while he does his job as an assassin for the old regime and now the new. But Wilson has us caught up in their constant hateful fighting as they cast aside their lustful longings, all while tending the Duke's business and their own charitable works. Lots of exciting plot twists and turns, especially when Oliver plans a four-week outing for a dozen of Belle's rescued boys to teach them survival skills on his land!
Now we get their tale five years later and one year after the old Duke is dead. Both are in the new Duke's circle. Oliver had made a contract with the old Duke to own her body until she was 32. He has never told Belle why he is so adamantly her protector while he does his job as an assassin for the old regime and now the new. But Wilson has us caught up in their constant hateful fighting as they cast aside their lustful longings, all while tending the Duke's business and their own charitable works. Lots of exciting plot twists and turns, especially when Oliver plans a four-week outing for a dozen of Belle's rescued boys to teach them survival skills on his land!
November 13, 2019
Wounded Souls
I don't know why this story puts me in the mind of Beauty and the Beast but it does. When I think of Oliver I think of him as the Beast has been twisted and tortured all of his life. The monster in his mind in the monster who controls him are two different characters. Belle is his sunshine or more like his freedom.
Bell herself is like this Charmed character on the surface but yet she is tortured, brutalized, and controlled.
Everything for them will have to come full circle the path will not be easy goodness Thing Worth Fighting For Ever is.
In the story you'll find that Bell has a tattoo and once you find out what that means it may mean something in your life to. Because when I found out what it meant it had been a saying I've gotten from my aunt when I was younger and it's something I totally believe in.
Each book has gotten better with its telling but this book read for me a lot differently. It was still a very great read and I enjoyed understand me Oliver and Belle so much better.
Again I recommend this series to anybody who likes strong male leads who are not perfect and the smart, sassy, devoted women who love them to get these books and enjoy themselves.
I don't know why this story puts me in the mind of Beauty and the Beast but it does. When I think of Oliver I think of him as the Beast has been twisted and tortured all of his life. The monster in his mind in the monster who controls him are two different characters. Belle is his sunshine or more like his freedom.
Bell herself is like this Charmed character on the surface but yet she is tortured, brutalized, and controlled.
Everything for them will have to come full circle the path will not be easy goodness Thing Worth Fighting For Ever is.
In the story you'll find that Bell has a tattoo and once you find out what that means it may mean something in your life to. Because when I found out what it meant it had been a saying I've gotten from my aunt when I was younger and it's something I totally believe in.
Each book has gotten better with its telling but this book read for me a lot differently. It was still a very great read and I enjoyed understand me Oliver and Belle so much better.
Again I recommend this series to anybody who likes strong male leads who are not perfect and the smart, sassy, devoted women who love them to get these books and enjoy themselves.
November 13, 2019
Ah, true love
I received this book free from the author as part of the ARC team. This is my honest and voluntary review.
I have enjoyed the Valiant Love series & highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great Regency Romance. What I especially like is that the author manages to take characters & turn them into our friends and family. I like that there is action, adventure, twists and turns that keep me glued to my eReader to the end. Historically accurate and much more than just a romance, The Marquess Who Kissed Me is a heart warming story of triumph over evil.
I highly recommend reading the series in order to get the most out of your reading experience. Characters are introduced & reappear throughout the series. Much information is gleaned by reading them all.
I received this book free from the author as part of the ARC team. This is my honest and voluntary review.
I have enjoyed the Valiant Love series & highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great Regency Romance. What I especially like is that the author manages to take characters & turn them into our friends and family. I like that there is action, adventure, twists and turns that keep me glued to my eReader to the end. Historically accurate and much more than just a romance, The Marquess Who Kissed Me is a heart warming story of triumph over evil.
I highly recommend reading the series in order to get the most out of your reading experience. Characters are introduced & reappear throughout the series. Much information is gleaned by reading them all.
November 14, 2019
Yes! In usual Deborah Wilson fashion we get a wonderful HEA! But it is really the journey getting there that is the best. A slow burn romance with much emotion going both ways, back and forth, love - anger, love - anger; does he love me? Does he hate me? Does she really love me? Does she really hate me? This behavior really keeps the action going so much so that sometimes you want to shout YES, HE LOVES YOU! YES, SHE REALLY DOES LOVE YOU! Wake up! But we the reader have the advantage hearing the feelings of both sides while it’s happening. I probably would feel just as much insecurity as both characters did at the time. I highly recommend reading this, but if you do, you’ll need to buckle up ‘cause you’re in for a bumpy ride.
November 13, 2019
Two Damaged Souls
Oliver and Belle have appeared as secondary characters in previous books but now their story is told and they finally get their HEA. How both of them have endured what they have and be relatively upright individuals is remarkable. It is Oliver who proves the biggest stumbling block to any relationship between the two of them but in his defence he does have the most psychological damage, which has to be worked through during the course of the story. Can be read as a standalone.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Oliver and Belle have appeared as secondary characters in previous books but now their story is told and they finally get their HEA. How both of them have endured what they have and be relatively upright individuals is remarkable. It is Oliver who proves the biggest stumbling block to any relationship between the two of them but in his defence he does have the most psychological damage, which has to be worked through during the course of the story. Can be read as a standalone.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 11, 2020
The conversations between these two characters are delightful and hurtful. Both are trying to protect their hearts, without giving of themselves. When Oliver and Belle try to make a concerted effort to truly know one another. Oliver finds himself withdrawing away from Belle. Belle knew at one time, but that was before her mother died and her father sold her into slavery. Belle finally understands as they attempt to know each other that Oliver doesn't know what love is. What Oliver doesn't understand and Belle realizes that Oliver needs to be unconditionally loved. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:7-8.
November 12, 2019
This is the story of Oliver & Cebele (Belle). This is the 14th book of the Valiant Love Series. Both of their pasts are beyond believable. This book definitely holds your attention from beginning to end. What they have to conquer in this story is unimaginable. They are highly attracted to one another. They have trust issues with each other. These two characters are very frustrating, which means the writing is excellent the way they are portrayed. I am so looking forward to the next book in this series. Deborah Wilson, you have outdone yourself with this book.
November 15, 2019
Having become familiar with both Lady Bella and Oliver, Marquess of Venmont from previous books in this series, it was good to finally read their story. Their relationship was birthed in brutality, which continued to dog them during the ensuing years and even after Gregory's death. Oliver is keeping secrets, but then Bella is too. Although generally well written, I did find the plot dark and somewhat disturbing and wasn't able to fully identify with the characters. Although some of the past is unraveled in this book, there would appear that Gregory's legacy still lives on.
November 19, 2019
And we get another wonderful couple from Deborah Wilson. We met Belle many books back and I've always thought I would probably be just like her, if I had lived at this time. Oliver we met later but he's intrigued me. And when you put them together, dynamite!
Ms. Wilson has a unique talent. She can, through her words, make you feel like you are right there with the characters. You feel what they're feeling and with her words, helps you understand why they're acting and doing what they are. I've read every book she's put out and will continue to be a fan.
Ms. Wilson has a unique talent. She can, through her words, make you feel like you are right there with the characters. You feel what they're feeling and with her words, helps you understand why they're acting and doing what they are. I've read every book she's put out and will continue to be a fan.
November 20, 2019
Deborah Wilson is a great writer. I have loved all off the books that I have read so far. Oliver has suffered so much at the hands of his father and Just the thought of him trying to turn his oldest son against his own brothers is heartbreaking. Belle was sold, at a young age, by her father to the old Duke of Van Dero to pay his debts and she was forced to do things a young girl should have to worry about. Oliver avoided people and Belle wanted to save people, mostly the boys that she found. Two broken people living two totally different lives but still able to find happiness.
January 24, 2020
Distraction and decisiveness make Oliver Childs seem like the least likely person to marry. His father was seriously affected by the idea that the Circle was out to kill his family and he made his sons become spies and avengers to protect them.
Lady Belle has seen both sides of Oliver and tries to protect him by marrying another but Oliver wants to protect her even though he has vowed to never marry. He sees Belle as someone who is good and she expects him to help her with her task of seeing the evil ones ensconced in a private prison.
Lady Belle has seen both sides of Oliver and tries to protect him by marrying another but Oliver wants to protect her even though he has vowed to never marry. He sees Belle as someone who is good and she expects him to help her with her task of seeing the evil ones ensconced in a private prison.
November 21, 2019
The Marquess who kissed me
This was a great book on love ,intrigue and lasting friendships. Some were able to go about their business without any trouble but others could not. The Marquess was in love with Lady Belle but she with held her love for him as he could not bring himself to tell her. This is a book well worth reading and learning some of the things that happened back a century ago. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
This was a great book on love ,intrigue and lasting friendships. Some were able to go about their business without any trouble but others could not. The Marquess was in love with Lady Belle but she with held her love for him as he could not bring himself to tell her. This is a book well worth reading and learning some of the things that happened back a century ago. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
December 19, 2019
Once again Deborah Wilson has written a great story, there was plenty of intrigue and tension between the characters. I didn't guess who all the bad guys were throughout. I love how Belle looks out for her boys and how Oliver went about training them in the bush. I enjoyed learning all of Oliver's secrets, he's not quite the darkhorse he seems to be. I can't wait to read the next chapter in this series.
November 14, 2019
A fantastic story that will kept reading until the end...
This is the story of Oliver and Belle... and two complex person with a painful past and strange present...
Belle is determined to marry a man she hates to save others... Oliver is her savior as always...
New surprises in this story, full of twists and new discoveries...
A book for all that love Regency and suspense...
This is the story of Oliver and Belle... and two complex person with a painful past and strange present...
Belle is determined to marry a man she hates to save others... Oliver is her savior as always...
New surprises in this story, full of twists and new discoveries...
A book for all that love Regency and suspense...
November 16, 2019
I’ve been reading this series since Book 1 and every time I think it can’t get any better, then Deborah Wilson proves me wrong. Belle and Oliver’s story shouted to be told and it was worth the wait. While you can read this book as standalone, I do suggest reading the previous books to get the full effect of this one. The only bad thing about finishing this book is waiting for the next one.
November 19, 2019
This story has many twists, turns, and some surprises, mystery. I enjoyed reading about Oliver and Belle. Its well written and a good storyline. It held my attention throughout the story. I look forward to reading more stories by this author.
I read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are of my own.
I read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are of my own.
November 15, 2019
Both Oliver and Bella have suffered from the past. They have been in other books of this series, which each one has been exciting. They now get their HEA. But, they both have many things in their past that they have to overcome. I didn't want to put it down.
November 17, 2019
Loved it!
Deborah Wilson never disappoints! I used to have a favorite of the Valiant Series, but now I love them all! If you haven’t read this series, you should definitely start! Literally the best books on kindle unlimited subscription
Deborah Wilson never disappoints! I used to have a favorite of the Valiant Series, but now I love them all! If you haven’t read this series, you should definitely start! Literally the best books on kindle unlimited subscription
December 1, 2019
Awesome
To see that all the struggles and trials we can go through are worth it in the end. That is as long as you have someone fighting with you, for you on your corner.
To see that all the struggles and trials we can go through are worth it in the end. That is as long as you have someone fighting with you, for you on your corner.
December 1, 2019
Romance
Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novels series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you
Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novels series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you
December 30, 2019
Wonderful book!
I didn't think this story would turn out this way. There were so many twists and turns, but true love found them in the end. A very good read, I highly recommend.
I didn't think this story would turn out this way. There were so many twists and turns, but true love found them in the end. A very good read, I highly recommend.
March 28, 2020
I enjoy her books. They are fun to read. This one is no exception
November 19, 2019
Another exciting story from Deborah Wilson. I felt like this book had a lot of character background info, so that was fun to read about. I love the vastly different plots each book has, keeping things from feeling stale even a dozen books in. I enjoyed this book.
December 8, 2019
Another wonderful story in the continuing saga of Valiant Love. Belle is promised to marry someone she does not love, but cannot let herself dream of marrying the man she loves and loathes at the same time. Can Belle and Oliver over come the sins of the past to find love for the other? All will be revealed if you let yourself into the world they live in.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews