What if two people determined to marry anyone but each other end up falling in love?
A hatpin-wielding, parasol-armed poet with a maddening Royal Navy officer in tow races against time to attract the marital attentions of the perfect “gentleman of the ton.”
Sophia Brancellli, the orphaned, illegitimate child of a duke’s daughter and an Italian poet, is on a mission. She must ensure her marriage to a “suitable gentleman of the ton” before her twenty-first birthday or she’ll be destitute, per the terms of her ducal grandmother’s will. Close to having her own poems published, Sophia has her hopes dashed each time by someone revealing her secrets. That same someone so desperately wants her to fail the terms of the will, they’re willing to commit violent acts to ruin her reputation.
Captain Arnaud Bellingham has ascended the ranks of the Royal Navy in spite of his half-French heritage by proving himself at the Battle of Algiers and with the West African Squadron. He seeks a simple marriage of convenience to a mature woman, a widow who has been his sometime mistress the last several years. The very thing he does not want, an exotic Italian innocent, literally falls into his life when he rescues her from kidnappers, although she disputes she needed saving. And now, honor and duty dictate he has to waste the rest of his leave guarding her through the mad whirl of the Season.
Andrea K. Stein is a native Ohioan, the daughter of a trucker and an artist. She grew up a scribbler. The stories just spilled out--the pony escaped, the window magically shattered. Not her fault.
Twenty years as a journalist couldn't stifle the yarns. Yacht delivery up and down the Caribbean only increased the flow. Now those tales celebrate romance and adventure on the high seas.
Looking for a fresh take on historical romance? One filled with vibrant characters, humor and two incredibly well-suited characters who dare to attempt to defy what their hearts and the Fates know?
PRIDE OF HONOR by Andrea K. Stein is everything a good historical romance should! Filled with characters who leap off the pages, the atmosphere of a long ago era when things must be handled “delicately,” and an illegitimate, headstrong young woman with dreams of her own, quite inappropriate for the times, as well as a Naval officer who wishes to distinguish himself among his peers, in spite of his heritage.
Sophia will lose an inheritance if she does not marry a proper gentleman, she also has dreams of her own in a world where women really cannot act on their dreams, feisty, a little too independent, but aware of her station, she comes across as completely likeable! Arnaud has his life planned out, but must marry well to further his career. Together, they deny what they feel, his in a quiet manner, all while looking out for the headstrong Sophia, hers as a matter of independence.
A delightful case of two people who do not tell the full story of themselves, too busy trying to ignore their hearts! Andrea K. Stein has captured the era, created her own world and given us characters to root for in this brilliant foundation for a new series!
I received a complimentary copy from Andrea K. Stein! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Series: Men of the Squadron - Book 1 Publisher : Muirgen™ Publishing, LLC (February 25, 2020) Genre: Historical Romance Print Length : 322 pages Available from: Amazon For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
What if two people determined to marry anyone but each other end up falling in love?
A hatpin-wielding, parasol-armed poet with a maddening Royal Navy officer in tow races against time to attract the marital attentions of the perfect “gentleman of the ton.”
Sophia Brancellli, the orphaned, illegitimate child of a duke’s daughter and an Italian poet, is on a mission. She must ensure her marriage to a “suitable gentleman of the ton” before her twenty-first birthday or she’ll be destitute, per the terms of her ducal grandmother’s will. Close to having her own poems published, Sophia has her hopes dashed each time by someone revealing her secrets. That same someone so desperately wants her to fail the terms of the will, they’re willing to commit violent acts to ruin her reputation.
Captain Arnaud Bellingham has ascended the ranks of the Royal Navy in spite of his half-French heritage by proving himself at the Battle of Algiers and with the West African Squadron. He seeks a simple marriage of convenience to a mature woman, a widow who has been his sometime mistress the last several years. The very thing he does not want, an exotic Italian innocent, literally falls into his life when he rescues her from kidnappers, although she disputes she needed saving. And now, honor and duty dictate he has to waste the rest of his leave guarding her through the mad whirl of the Season.
𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will they see what is right in front of them before it is too late ...
In a week, the second installment in this series will be released, as I am very much intrigued about it. So as the first book was collecting dust on my kindle shelves, I decided to give it a go. First, it is a tale of many voices, the main couple but also supportive characters and even the villains. I confess I did not really understand why Sophia reacted this way and what she had against Arnaud, he came to her rescue, is handsome and part of the ton when she is looking for a match in the same set and she is attracted to him. So, it was not very clear. I do understand why Arnaud might see Sophia as not his best prospect as a wife, his idea of a spouse is predatory but he is not looking for a love match. His line of job is risky, and few comes back. I found him very conceited to believe his former lover would have waited two years for him to come back to her when there were no promise exchanged, only rolls in the sheets. After it was without counting on his newly appointed matchmaking mama, aghast at his idea of a perfect marriage, and some other meddling people to turn his life upside down.
I was a bit upset at their one step forward, two steps back, all their excuses to not give in their sentiments then their fits of temper because they cannot be together, outside the threat against Sophia, they are their own impediment for their happiness, believing by not giving to their heart, they will spare it. I felt like the story dragged a bit, it could have been shortened this and there to break less the rhythm of the plot. Separately, Sophia and Arnaud are resourceful and courageous characters, together they had me on edge, grinding my teeth.
But I loved the dynamic of the different friendship, Sophia’s friend Lydia is silly and spoiled but also so fun, when Arnaud’s crew turned friends added to the spirit of this book, I want their story now, then Arnaud’s mother, Lydia’s grandmother and father were also great supportive characters, and last the six toyed tomcat and Sophia’s rescued tiny dog.
In all, while a bit long, it is an enjoyable read. 3.75 rounded up to 4 stars
To note, I was surprised when I read about a train ticket as railways roads came more than a decade later.
Pride of Honor is the first book in Andrea K. Stein’s Men of the Squadron series, and it was one of those books that wasn’t quite for me. I’m sure it will work for many people, but personal preference meant this one didn’t work for me.
There were two simple reasons why this one wasn’t for me. The first is that there were too many perspectives for me in a romance book. I much prefer to follow just the main characters, and this one gave us plenty of insights into what other people were doing. This works for some, but it’s not something I’m crazy about in my romance stories. The second is that there was a bit too much back-and-forth between the characters for me.
All in all, I’m sure this will work for many, but it wasn’t for me.
I really enjoyed this book, I think it was mainly due to the very engaging characters. Sophie was very aware of her situation and was very grateful to Lord Howick and the Dowager Lady Howick for all they have done for her. She is also a poet and had a bohemian background with her father. Sophie also needs to marry before six months is up to gain her inheritance. Sophie has a very close friend in Lady Lydia Howick, who is the extreme opposite to Sophie, but very likeable. Captain Arnaud Bellingham is determined to succeed in the Royal Navy and has been advised to marry. He is falling in love with Sophie but stubbornly refuses to acknowledge it. He has a very interesting group of friends and I look forward to reading their stories. Their teasing banter was amusing. There are other characters who have an intriguing background. There is an element of danger and a mystery as to who is the instigator. This story moved along at a good pace and I found it to be an entertaining read. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Sophia Brancellli, the orphaned, illegitimate child of a duke’s daughter and an Italian poet, is on a mission. She must ensure her marriage to a “suitable gentleman of the ton” before her twenty-first birthday or she’ll be destitute, per the terms of her ducal grandmother’s will. Sophia is a poet but is being thwarted by someone who so desperately wants her to fail the terms of the will, they’re willing to commit violent acts to ruin her reputation. Captain Arnaud Bellingham has ascended the ranks of the Royal Navy in spite of his half-French heritage by proving himself at the Battle of Algiers and with the West African Squadron. He seeks a simple marriage of convenience to a mature woman, a widow who has been his sometime mistress the last several years. The very thing he does not want, an exotic Italian innocent, literally falls into his life when he rescues her from kidnappers, although she disputes she needed saving. This is the first book I’ve read by the author & it certainly won’t be the last. I found it to be a well written, well paced book but it was the strength of the characters & descriptions of places, which made it so very good. Sophia & Arnaud meet by chance & their attraction is born. I loved the road to their HEA so much that I read it in two sittings. As well as a lovely romance it had a mystery & intrigue My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was full of angst, fear, danger, tension, denial, matchmaking mamas, family, loyalty, friendship and romance. This story had a little of everything but enough to satisfy. There were street urchins, fellow soldiers, best friends, bad guys and the mysterious villain. I felt our leading lady Sophie lead an unusual life which gave her a unique personality. Her mother was a daughter of a duke and Sophie was the result of a deep love between her mother and her Italian father, a poet. She was illegitimate and was absolutely and utterly loved by her mother and grandmother who was the dowager duchess. When the grandmother died, she left Sophie an inheritance. However, she must marry a man from the ton to claim it and by a certain time frame. She was running out of time. For her safety she secretly moved out of the ducal home to a dear friend of her grandmothers whose granddaughter also happened to be her best friend. Out shopping one day Sophie was grabbed by two villainous men trying to kidnap her. That's when Arnaud saved her. He was an officer in the royal navy. She was immediately attracted to him and he to her. But they fought it every step of the way. Arnaud is the son of an Englishman and a French mother. Both he and Sophie faced some of the same discrimination for being different. I was glad the author touched on that shameful society shortcoming that is still with us today. The author wrote in a mature and realistic manner that made sense but did not overwhelm the story. Arnaud was working his way up the chain of command and had already made a name for himself. His best friend was the ship's doctor. His men respected him and were loyal. The author really emphasized the camaraderie between them as they had been through many bloody fights. Arnaud was the captain in charge of stopping the slave traders off the coast of Africa and so far, had been successful but not without the loss of his naval mates. Arnaud took it upon himself to see that Sophie was protected at all costs for it seemed she was a target. Sophie did not know who it could be that would wish her harm. There had been several attempts all thwarted except the last one. An exciting romance adventure story. I highly recommend it. You will not be disappointed.
A fairly busy Regency romance, this novel is interesting with good historical background. Captain Arnaud Bellingham is on leave and determined to marry his mistress, who has strong political connections and is wealthy. A chance encounter with Sophia Brancelli, when he comes to her rescue, sparks his interest, which in turn sparks the interest of his mother and comrades. It quickly becomes evident that Sophia is the target of some unknown person who has set out to destroy her reputation, the reasons for which are not at all clear to Sophia or her friends. Arnaud is tasked with protecting Sophia and the more time they spend together, the deeper the attraction. The novel started off really well, but as more and more characters were added, I found myself becoming a little confused. The second third of the book was very busy but did not enhance the plot dramatically, however, the closing chapters are exciting and the book came to a good conclusion. It is certainly a good start to a series and I look forward to reading how the other characters find love. I received a copy of this novel as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
A group of military men from a naval squadron almost guarantees plenty of action for the reader. This book does not disappoint although since the men are on leave while their ship gets re-fitted, the action revolves around society functions rather than military mission.
Unfortunately, as with many first in series books, the introduction of many characters as secondary until later in the series presents a challenge for readers like me. I thought that as a secondary character Lydia 's romance was given too much attention in this story. Also, I am not sure I ever fully understood Lord Howick's attitude toward members of the squadron relative to involvement with the young ladies. I pitied rather than empathized with the heroine, Sophia, but I very much liked Arnaud for his principles and honor. I did not miss overly graphic sex which was not included.
Overall, I liked the plot, and I look forward to reading the upcoming stories about these men of the squadron. Finally, I delighted in learning about England's long battle against slavers along the West coast of Africa which the author detailed in her Afterword.
This is the first book I've read from Ms. Stein, and I did enjoy this story. Sophie and Arnaud are thrown together by chance - or fate - and hold an attraction for each other from the start. He's honorable and noble but the fireworks start as soon as they give in just once. Read for yourself what happens to this lovely by-blow and her handsome Royal Navy captain, and who is behind all the kidnapping attempts! I'm looking forward to Book 2 in the series!
** I was fortunate to receive an ARC of this book in return for an honest review. **
Pride of Honor (Men of the Squadron #1) By Andrea K. Stein
This is my first time reading a novel written by Andrea Stein, after reading this though, it most certainly won’t be my last.
I love historical novels and I haven’t read enough of them of late. On the first page of the prologue to this book, I started to relax, enjoy and that need to know more took over and I literally melted into this story.
Captain Arnaud Bellingham, Royal Navy, my gosh just the name makes you want to see what this man will do and does he end up with the heroine and we haven’t even met her yet! He and is crew are back in London while work is done on their ship. His plans are to visit an old paramour but even the best-laid plans of a Naval Captain don’t always come to fruition.
Sophia Brancelli is not your normal British miss. She is the illegitimate granddaughter of a Duke, her father was a poet and her maternal grandmother wrote books. Sophie, however can and has taken care of herself quite well until the day she had a savior step into her life. Leaving the milliner with her friend Lady Lydia Howick, suddenly Sophia is grabbed by two men trying to pull her into a hackney cab. She finds herself hitting the men with her parasol and trying to stab them with a hat pin, and when she is caught in the arms of another she realizes that she has someone else helping fight the men off and offering support. Yes, they meet finally Captain Bellingham and Sophie and now we the reader begin the wonderful adventure that Stein is about to give us.
This author gives you descriptions that make you feel like you are there, outside the milliners, in the teashop, in the family parlor at Howick House. Her characters become your friends. You laugh a lot at some of their antics. We get to meet a number of Navel officers and men that sail with Captain Bellingham. By the end of the book we should know them all by name. As well we get to meet the family of Lady Lydia and Captain Bellingham’s mother. All become fast friends to the reader.
Along with these characters Stein lays out a story of intrigue and emotion. Who is trying to abduct Sophia, why do these two keep denying what is starting to bloom between them? Her use of humor keeps readers on their toes and just when you think you know who the real villain is, you have to go back and order your clues in another direction.
As I said at the beginning, I love historical romance and this story was a breath of fresh air. I enjoyed reading the history at the finish of the book in regards to the Royal Navy and their job on the West African Coast. If you’re thinking of reading this book do not hesitate.
I was given a free copy of this book. I am hitting one click on this book now, because I know this is one that I will reread over and over again!
I was disappointed with this book. It looked so promising as the premise sounded interesting and there were many good reviews, however I found it to be severely disjointed. Very poorly written. The characters were not consistent in their thoughts and actions. Captain Arnaud’s self talk wanted to be with his mistress but was attracted to Sophia. What? He didn’t want to be with Sophia because she needed a husband? Furthermore, Sophia was attracted to Arnaud but didn’t want to marry him because what? It was all a bit silly and almost the entire book was taken up with this back and forth indecisiveness it became a bit obnoxious. I kept putting the book down out of frustration and kept picking it back up just to see if things changed but it only got worse as the inconsistency continued. I felt the book could have been shortened if all the fluff was edited out. And then....all of a sudden near the end of the book there was a detailed sex scene? Where was the warning that this book contained R-rated material? I would not have picked up this book had I known ahead of time. I do not recommend this book at all.
I am so glad that I discovered this author, Andrea K. Stein. I love Victorian romances, and I have been waiting so long for a great new one in audiobook. This book, “Pride of Honor”, really delivered an excellent story and an entire forthcoming series about Royal Navy officers to enjoy. I had a couple of tiny complaints early in the book, but the excellent narration, surprising plot twists, deep friendships, wonderful characters, and romantic development all combined to make me love this book. The heroine Sophie is an orphan who is about 18 who is under the guardianship of her best friend Lydia’s parents in London in the 1830s. Her father was an Italian poet, and she is a poet as well. A sudden and unexpected kidnapping attempt on Sophie was foiled partly by Sophie’s quick work with a hat pin and partly by Captain Arneau Bellingham of the navy. Kidnapping attempts continue, and Arneau agrees to be the bodyguard of the beautiful Sophie. Who is behind the kidnapping attempts and why? It really kept me guessing. The book didn’t have a dull moment. I totally recommend this audiobook to all fans of historical romance. FYI, there is a small amount of mild to moderate steaminess. The story is told in third person mainly from the perspective of Arneau and Sophie but with a few other chapters from the perspective of minor characters. I have a couple of tiny complaints. I wish Sophie had a more consistently bold personality. She is great at defending herself, but she also blamed herself for the kidnapping attempt, even though she had no idea why it had happened. Also, Sophie early on feels “terror” at routine social situations and is constantly blushing. It was slightly annoying, but she thankfully grew out of it and became a lovable character. Arneau is a bit too stubborn and clueless about women, but that was okay. I must sing the praises of the marvelous, delicious male narrator Arthur Rowan. His voice is like warm caramel or something equally decadent. His high-class English accent is perfect, and he is also talented at women’s voices and Scottish accents. I love his sexy voice for the hero Arneau. Arthur Rowan is one of the sexiest male narrators I have ever heard, and I am definitely looking for his other work. I am also really looking forward to a future book with Arneau’s Scottish friend as the hero. The female Heather Tracy did a pretty good job, but she made the heroine Sophie sound too out-of-breath and overcome with emotion when the text indicated otherwise. She did a very good job with the men’s voices and the pacing. She did a good job with the French accent of Arneau’s mother Honneur. I requested and received a free audiobook code from the #Flock group, and I voluntarily wrote this honest review. #Flock, #AudiobookObsession
Let me start by saying, I have never read anything written by Andrea K. Stein but I was pleasantly surprised and impressed. You will fall in love with with her main & secondary characters who pull you right into the adventures. Lords & Ladies join Royal Navy sailors, a doctor, a captain in saving the heroine.
Orphaned, Sophia Brancellli is the by-blow of a duke's daughter & an Italian poet and she needs to marry in order to receive the inheritance her Grandmother left her with the added term that she must marry a gentleman of the Ton.
Captain Arnaud Bellingham has worked his way through the ranks of the Royal Navy; despite his 1/2 French heritage, but proved himself many times over in stopping slaver ships, earning commendations for bravery & gaining wealth by taking the slaver ships as spoils of war. Now his commanding officer wishes for Arnaud to take a wife.
Arnaud & Sophie met when she was being accosted by some footpads - she was wielding hat pins & her umbrella at them but Arnaud stepped in and finished the job but they escaped. There was an instant attraction between them but both knew nothing could come of it. The mystery of why, who was trying to kidnap her and Arnaud's need to protect her brought us to kidnapping attempts, evil villains, loyal/loving friends & families with a lot of humor along the way. I am looking forward to reading Book 2 in this series.
I was gifted the Advanced Reader Copy of this book & all opinions are my own & have been voluntarily given.
I liked the story, but I had issues with the plot and characters.
Sophia is an heiress, but none of the people who know how much she is actually worth will tell her! It was ridiculous! So while she knows she will inherit something, she thinks it’s for a lot less than what the amount actually is. But no one tells her anything until right near the end. I think it would have influenced her actions for the better, though I can’t say for certain because she kind of just did whatever she wanted regardless. Also, she’s supposed to be smart but knows nothing about proper behavior in London society. Which, yes, is a skill, but I questioned her intelligence every time she made a mistake that she shouldn’t have made with her level of intelligence.
Also, Arnaud was frustrating. He was planning on marrying a different woman at the beginning of the book but then refused to marry Sophia even though he actually loved her because he didn’t want her to be alone while he was at sea. Which I think he would have done with the other woman he thought to marry, so what’s the difference now?
I know I already have another one of the books from this series, and I might read it (if I want something quick and easy to read), but at this point, I’m not in a hurry to read it or any of the other books in the series.
Pride of Honor Series: Men of the Squadron By Andrea K.Stein
What happens when a Captain of the Royal Navy’s African Squadron recues a young lady while he waits for his ship to be refitted? Imagine that this Captain is committed to not marrying for love, but finds himself attracted to the young lady he rescues. Capt. Arnaud Bellingham finds himself and some of his fellow officers called in to protect a lovely young women who must get married in the few short weeks of the Season in order to receive her inheritance from her grandmother. Sophie Brancelli is facing her first Season where she must find a husband, but she is truly a naïve young woman raised separated from the Society she must now enter. The intrigue continues as several attempts are made to harm her. To add to the problem no one can figure out who is behind the attacks. Read this intriguing visit to Regency England. Watch as two people with reasons to stay away from each other battle the draw they feel for each other and the people who attempt to harm her. I recommend this book. It is well written with well-developed characters.
I wasn't blown away but it was a pretty good story. I just don't know that it was executed well. The narration was good, but I think that there were parts that may have missed the mark. Sophie has to marry so that she can get her inheritance, but her parentage isn't great so making a suitable match is going to be tough. Captain Arnaud was in shore leave and ended up saving Sophie from being kidnapped. It ends up being decided that she needs a bodyguard, which being as independent as she is, didn't take to it that well. Arnaud falls for her but thinks that she deserves better than a man that will leave to go to sea for 18-24 months at a time. But he gets to watch her try to make a match with some other man. Jealousy is funny to watch. If you aren't looking for something too steamy I would totally suggest this. It's a bit frustrating at times, but a decent read/listen.
Story 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Spice 🔥 Swoon 😍😍😍 Angst 💔 Narration 👏👏👏👏
Pride Of Honor is a fantastic historical romance by Andrea K. Stein. Ms. Stein has provided readers with a well-written book. The characters are awesome and you can't help but love them. Arnaud is a captain in the Royal Navy and just wants to marry quickly and get back to sea. Sophia is orphaned and living with her friend's family. When she's the victim of a kidnapping attempt and saved by Arnaud he believes that's just the start of her problems. Arnaud and Sophia's story is packed with drama, humor, spice, action and suspense. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from Andrea K. Stein in the future. Pride Of Honor is book 1 of the Men of the Squadraon Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book that I received from Bookfunnel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A dashing Naval Captain comes to a woman's rescue while on shore leave. After saving her from the kidnap attempt, he becomes her bodyguard. The close proximity becomes more than simple protector and civilian. Each come to realize their feelings for the other, but for various reasons cannot reconcile actually taking the next step and become husband and wife. Through some more kidnap attempts and strained words spoken, they admit to each other that they are the one for each other.
I enjoyed the addition of Arnaud's crew to the bodyguard detail; they barbed their captain mercilessly. And Sophie's best friend Lydia was such a fun vivacious chatterbox that she had me smiling at her antics.
I listened to the audiobook and was enchanted by the dual narration. The narrators were lively and performed both male and female voices well.
Good Victorian Romance with Suspense – Audiobook Review 🎧
I don’t listen to a lot of regency romances, but this one was good and I liked that it had some mystery and suspense in it. Captain Bellingham was on leave waiting for his ship to be ready and saves Sophie from an attempted kidnapping. After that, he becomes her bodyguard to protect her so it doesn’t happen again. Sophie is a strong woman who can protect herself with a hat pin! Captain Bellingham just wants to help and doesn’t want to fall in love and Sophie wants to meet a man that she can fall in love with and have a family. This was a good story to listen to if you don’t want too much steam but want a nice romance and some suspense. The narration was great and you could easily distinguish between all the voices. #AudiobookObsession #TheFlock #PinkFlamingoProductions
He's brought his ship and crew home to England from the west coast of Africa, They have been doing their mission of finding searching for slaving ships, to return the slaves to their homes. While his ship is being replenished, he plans to ask is some time mistress to marry him. She is searching for a husband. She has no prospects but must find a husband, or she'll have to forfeit her aunt's legacy. When they meet, she has just been attacked in the streets by a group of strangers who seem set on kidnapping her. He and his friend help to save her, after all, she's already hit them with her umbrella and stabbed them with her hair pins! A fun and twisted plot that will make you loose sleep--you won't be able to stop reading and laughing.
I usually don't listen to Regency Romance , sometimes i find them boring.This story had me interested from the beginningRowan to end. Sophie is a strong female lead, who is smart, intelligent. It is her time to find a suitable husband so she can receive her dowry. There are dangers ahead, someone trying to kidnap her. The dashing Captain Arnaud Bellingham in the Royal Navy is assigned to protect her. This story shows the sacrifice that Sophie is willing to make to save the people she loves. She realizes that she doesn't need her dowry or a man in her life to be happy. This story has drama, intrigue, a mystery and danger. Heather Tracy and Arthur Rowan narration is very good. They portrayed all characters with their own personalities and voices. 🎧🎧audiobookObsession🎧🎧
This is my first time reading this author and I became an instant fan of hers. Sophia Brancelli is staying with her best friend Lady Lydia Howick and her parents. She is an orphan as her parents are both dead. Her grandmother has left her an inheritance based on her marrying a gentleman of the ton. She narrowly avoids being kidnapped by a couple of gentlemen who just happened to be walking by. They are Captain Arnaud Bellingham and his ship's surgeon Dr Cullen Maccloud. They are in town on leave from the Royal Navy and have to save Sophia and Lady Lydia from numerous kidnapping attempts. Read the book to find out what happens and you won't regret doing so.
Can Captain Arnaud Bellingham have his Naval Career & the love of his life Miss Sophia Brancelli? Captain Arnaud Bellingham is married to his Naval career. The handsome, honorable Captain is preparing for a long mission with his fellow officer to & assist in the stop of the slave trade in the African Squadron. What he didn't expect was to save a damsel in distress. Then be ordered by his commanding Officer to protect Miss Sophia Brancelli & her childhood friend Lydia from a potential kidnapping & murder due to her inheritance. Sophia a stubborn beauty with a talent for writing has a will of her own. She is Captain Arnaud Bellingham weakness & he knows he cannot give her what she needs as a husband while being a Naval Officer. Can he & his crew protector from the threat to her life.
I enjoy spunky heroines that believe in saving themselves and solving the mystery on their own. Strong independent women who sometime clash with strong over protective males! Someone is out to kill Sophie and a young granddaughter of a duke who's parent married against the Dukes wishes and so she was raised my her mother and her writer /poet father in a different manner. Somehow someone tries to grab Sophie off the street and she stabs him with her hat pin and is then rescued by a naval captain in port waiting for his ship to be reoutfitted. This leads to love at first sight and many harrowing adventures!
Arnaud rescues a lady from attempted kidnappers and his world turned on its axis! Sophie is living with her friend Lydia and her parents and upon marriage will receive an inheritance! Sophie has no reason to think anyone would want to harm her! Arnaud has come home to propose to his sometime mistress who is a widow until fate literally lands Sophie in his arms! I have never seen two people absolutely right for each fight tooth and nail against it! Everyone can see they are made for each other but can they? Will they? Too stubborn for words!!! This one is nonstop action!!
Once I started this book, I could not put it down. Trying to figure out who was after Sophie was a real puzzle.
The building love story between Sophie and Arnaud, with Lydia's and Neville's on the periphery, was sweet and frustrating. Hopefully, Lydia and Neville will be addressed in a subsequent book.
Arnaud's stubbornness at fighting the love he felt for Sophie was a bit frustrating and I was a bit concerned Sophie would accept Sir Thomas's offer; however, I think he was just playing at getting Arnaud to see the light.
Sophie was a determined, industrious woman to get out of the kidnapping and had resolved to be on her own until Arnaud came to his senses.
Wow, I did manage to finish this in two days while packing up to leave the house we just sold. My dad was a Navy man, flying in a bomber off the deck of an aircraft carrier in the WWII Pacific Ocean so I’m partial to Navy stories. The characters were well written and very personable. I decided on the bad guy early in the story, and found myself very wrong. There were parts of the story which seemed to drag a bit but then it picked up. I do recommend this book and will be onto the Book 2. Happy reading and May the wind be forever at your back.