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Richly Deserved
More than twenty years ago, Claudia Aronson escaped an abusive marriage. She built a secure, stable life, and is now only weeks away from realizing a long-held dream—opening her own art gallery. But her well-ordered world is threatened by the compelling, abrasive man essential to bringing her new venture into the spotlight.
Artist Titus Wilcox is reclusive, nomadic, and passionate. His solitary, drifting habits have fed his creative soul, but played hell with his love life. Soon after he meets the statuesque, seemingly-serene Claudia, however, he feels a compulsion to paint a new reality—with her.
When an antique painting reveals mysterious documents concealed behind its frame, Titus and Claudia unite in a hunt for lost riches—a pursuit that takes them into the remote hills surrounding the fabled gold rush town of Barkerville.
To these two skeptics, true love is as phony as fool’s gold. But this improbable search for buried treasure could lead to their hearts’ hidden desires.
Artist Titus Wilcox is reclusive, nomadic, and passionate. His solitary, drifting habits have fed his creative soul, but played hell with his love life. Soon after he meets the statuesque, seemingly-serene Claudia, however, he feels a compulsion to paint a new reality—with her.
When an antique painting reveals mysterious documents concealed behind its frame, Titus and Claudia unite in a hunt for lost riches—a pursuit that takes them into the remote hills surrounding the fabled gold rush town of Barkerville.
To these two skeptics, true love is as phony as fool’s gold. But this improbable search for buried treasure could lead to their hearts’ hidden desires.
315 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 29, 2021
2 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Margriet
24 books100 followersBrenda Margriet writes savvy, slow burn, contemporary romances with ordinarily amazing characters. In her own ordinarily amazing life, she had a successful career in radio and television production before deciding to pilfer from her retirement plan to support her writing compulsion.
Readers have called her stories “poignant,” “explicit and steamy,” “interesting, intriguing and entertaining,” and “unlike any romance you’ve read before” (she assumes the latter was meant in a good way).
Subscribe to Brenda’s newsletter and you’ll immediately receive a free read. You’ll also tag along with her dog-walking adventures, find out what she’s reading when she should be working, and other randomness…along with all her writing news, of course!
https://www.subscribepage.com/brendas...
A quick note to those reading Brenda's reviews on Good Reads. Her star rankings might seem on the low side. It's not because she's mean, just picky.
Readers have called her stories “poignant,” “explicit and steamy,” “interesting, intriguing and entertaining,” and “unlike any romance you’ve read before” (she assumes the latter was meant in a good way).
Subscribe to Brenda’s newsletter and you’ll immediately receive a free read. You’ll also tag along with her dog-walking adventures, find out what she’s reading when she should be working, and other randomness…along with all her writing news, of course!
https://www.subscribepage.com/brendas...
A quick note to those reading Brenda's reviews on Good Reads. Her star rankings might seem on the low side. It's not because she's mean, just picky.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 30, 2021
Richly Deserved serves up a little mystery, history and romance!
Claudia’s past has dictated how she views men and her relationships with them, until she meets Titus, but learning to trust again is a very hard thing to do.
Titus is an artist in the body of an MMA fighter...strong, yet gentle. His patience and empathy for Claudia was downright swoon worthy and their sexual tension was off the charts!
The mystery behind a painting and a possible buried treasure weren’t the only things needing unraveling...puzzling and complicated emotions and feelings needing resolving as well.
Incredibly intriguing and sexy as hell, you’re going to love it!
Make sure you read the Acknowledgments as they are an incredibly interesting addition to the well researched people and stories Brenda Margriet used in this book!
Claudia’s past has dictated how she views men and her relationships with them, until she meets Titus, but learning to trust again is a very hard thing to do.
Titus is an artist in the body of an MMA fighter...strong, yet gentle. His patience and empathy for Claudia was downright swoon worthy and their sexual tension was off the charts!
The mystery behind a painting and a possible buried treasure weren’t the only things needing unraveling...puzzling and complicated emotions and feelings needing resolving as well.
Incredibly intriguing and sexy as hell, you’re going to love it!
Make sure you read the Acknowledgments as they are an incredibly interesting addition to the well researched people and stories Brenda Margriet used in this book!
March 17, 2021
5 stars
Romance AND mystery in the form of almost a treasure hunt, with two authentic, wonderful main characters!
Claudia Aronson and Titus Wilcox are not 20 somethings...no, Claudia is the mother of two adult children, 24 and almost 27 and Titus has had a long and successful career as an artist.
Claudia is opening her own art gallery, something she has been working towards achieving for a long time and is hoping to contract with Titus Wilcox to showcase his work at her gallery’s grand opening.
Titus is currently staying in the area (Prince George, BC) and is intrigued by what exposure Claudia’s gallery might offer in showing his paintings and, rather begrudgingly agrees to meet with her at the gallery, which is still under construction.
While their first meeting is rather bumpy, soon Titus is intrigued by Claudia; she is both strong, determined and motivated, yet also generous as displayed in her gentle treatment of a young woman from a nearby women’s shelter and her desire to hold an auction to benefit that shelter. Also, Claudia is very devoted and supportive of her two adult children.
Claudia, in turn, while initially somewhat exasperated with Titus’s behaviors, soon is cautiously interested in him.
With a mystery to solve, a grand opening to plan and execute, new staff, family matters...Claudia has a lot on her plate! Titus wants to help in solving the mystery and, as he gets to know Claudia more, enjoys spending time with her.
These are not young starry-eyed lovers. These are older adults who have pasts that have shaped who they are. They have their own commitments and busy lives, and yet, as they get to know one another, there’s a definite spark!
How does their romance progress? What is the mystery and how do they use resources, both what they know and others to help, to solve it? Is Claudia’s grand opening everything she had hoped? How are Claudia’s family issues resolved?
Skillfully written in a way that moves at just the right pace, engaging characters who know themselves well (no silly immature behaviors) and are well established, and a fun mystery thrown in, makes this a story you will thoroughly enjoy!
Romance AND mystery in the form of almost a treasure hunt, with two authentic, wonderful main characters!
Claudia Aronson and Titus Wilcox are not 20 somethings...no, Claudia is the mother of two adult children, 24 and almost 27 and Titus has had a long and successful career as an artist.
Claudia is opening her own art gallery, something she has been working towards achieving for a long time and is hoping to contract with Titus Wilcox to showcase his work at her gallery’s grand opening.
Titus is currently staying in the area (Prince George, BC) and is intrigued by what exposure Claudia’s gallery might offer in showing his paintings and, rather begrudgingly agrees to meet with her at the gallery, which is still under construction.
While their first meeting is rather bumpy, soon Titus is intrigued by Claudia; she is both strong, determined and motivated, yet also generous as displayed in her gentle treatment of a young woman from a nearby women’s shelter and her desire to hold an auction to benefit that shelter. Also, Claudia is very devoted and supportive of her two adult children.
Claudia, in turn, while initially somewhat exasperated with Titus’s behaviors, soon is cautiously interested in him.
With a mystery to solve, a grand opening to plan and execute, new staff, family matters...Claudia has a lot on her plate! Titus wants to help in solving the mystery and, as he gets to know Claudia more, enjoys spending time with her.
These are not young starry-eyed lovers. These are older adults who have pasts that have shaped who they are. They have their own commitments and busy lives, and yet, as they get to know one another, there’s a definite spark!
How does their romance progress? What is the mystery and how do they use resources, both what they know and others to help, to solve it? Is Claudia’s grand opening everything she had hoped? How are Claudia’s family issues resolved?
Skillfully written in a way that moves at just the right pace, engaging characters who know themselves well (no silly immature behaviors) and are well established, and a fun mystery thrown in, makes this a story you will thoroughly enjoy!
March 17, 2021
Another incredibly intriguing and sexy as hell read by Brenda Margriet!
If you haven’t read a Brenda Margriet book before, you’re in for a treat, especially if you like a little history and some mystery along with your romance.
Claudia’s past has dictated how she views men and her relationships with them, until she meets Titus, but learning to trust again is a very hard thing to do.
Titus is an artist in the body of an MMA fighter...strong, yet gentle. His patience and empathy for Claudia was downright swoon worthy and their sexual tension was off the charts!
The mystery behind a painting and a possible buried treasure weren’t the only things needing unraveling...puzzling and complicated emotions and feelings needing resolving as well.
Make sure you read the Acknowledgments as they are an incredibly interesting addition to the well researched people and stories Brenda Margriet used in this book!
If you haven’t read a Brenda Margriet book before, you’re in for a treat, especially if you like a little history and some mystery along with your romance.
Claudia’s past has dictated how she views men and her relationships with them, until she meets Titus, but learning to trust again is a very hard thing to do.
Titus is an artist in the body of an MMA fighter...strong, yet gentle. His patience and empathy for Claudia was downright swoon worthy and their sexual tension was off the charts!
The mystery behind a painting and a possible buried treasure weren’t the only things needing unraveling...puzzling and complicated emotions and feelings needing resolving as well.
Make sure you read the Acknowledgments as they are an incredibly interesting addition to the well researched people and stories Brenda Margriet used in this book!
March 29, 2021
Maybe it's because I've had a big birthday this year but seasoned characters really appeal to me! I've read this author many times and have never been disappointed, and her seasoned love books are delightful.
Claudia is a proud woman, confident and determined, and a woman living her life her way. I thought she was fabulous, slightly guarded but most definitely all woman.
Titus is the artist Claudia wants to exhibit at her opening, she may have bitten off more than she thought as he's quite a character. He's no spring chicken, just like her. He's quite determined himself when something takes his interest, he seems to dig in for the win! I really liked his personality and the banter they shared.
This story is mainly about Claudia and Titus, but there's also a mystery item to research along with interesting side characters and their lives. All in all, this was an entertaining seasoned love story.
Claudia is a proud woman, confident and determined, and a woman living her life her way. I thought she was fabulous, slightly guarded but most definitely all woman.
Titus is the artist Claudia wants to exhibit at her opening, she may have bitten off more than she thought as he's quite a character. He's no spring chicken, just like her. He's quite determined himself when something takes his interest, he seems to dig in for the win! I really liked his personality and the banter they shared.
This story is mainly about Claudia and Titus, but there's also a mystery item to research along with interesting side characters and their lives. All in all, this was an entertaining seasoned love story.
March 29, 2021
This is a beautifully written story centered around Claudia and Titus. They meet when she wants him to have an exhibition of his paintings at her new gallery. When Mae brings a painting to Claudia, Titus and her decide to found the origin of the painting and see if they can solve the mystery around it. During this time, they grow closer, but Titus never stays in one place for more than a year and his time is almost up. Claudia has a friends with benefits relationship with her accountant, Frederick. What is going to happen? I won’t leave any spoilers, but parts of this story will have in tears. I highly recommend this book and I look forward to reading more from Brenda Margriet.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review.
April 2, 2021
Richly Deserved is a well written romance with elements of mystery. Over twenty years ago, Claudia left an abusive marriage with her young daughters and rebuilt her life in her hometown in northern British Columbia. She is on the point of opening an art gallery when she meets Titus, a well known, anti social and nomadic artist of the same age. The book follows Claudia and Titus while they deal with various complications in the opening of the gallery, their research into mysteries about a painting apparently dating back to one of the gold rushes and other events. Claudia and Titus are both mature, well rounded and believable individuals and all of the other characters are fully developed. As always, Ms Margriet's descriptions of places are lyrical and the historical research, including the history of a gold rush town and an early Canadian artist who documented the gold rush, is meticulous and woven seamlessly and naturally into the story.
I received an ARC in return for my promise to provide an honest review.
I received an ARC in return for my promise to provide an honest review.
April 13, 2021
This is my second book by @brendamargriet_author and I really love her writing.
The dynamic between these characters were awesome.
I also love how this romance doesn't revolve around young adults, these characters are older.(which I am)
It gives me hope that those little sparks will still fly even into my fifties.
Not only is this book a romance and second chances at finding love later in life , but sprinkled with amazing canadian history and a treasure hunt to boot!
"Adding titus to my list of book boyfriends"
The dynamic between these characters were awesome.
I also love how this romance doesn't revolve around young adults, these characters are older.(which I am)
It gives me hope that those little sparks will still fly even into my fifties.
Not only is this book a romance and second chances at finding love later in life , but sprinkled with amazing canadian history and a treasure hunt to boot!
"Adding titus to my list of book boyfriends"
Read
July 25, 2021Fun to learn about the art world, the gold rush in BC. Lovely story.
June 15, 2023
Great story that combined many big themes, art, love, abuse, family and trust. I thought the story was well written and had a touch of historical content that added to its appeal.
January 26, 2022
This book , like the title, richly deserves the 5 stars that I gave it. The storyline addressed issues relevant to today. Great characters who were not your typical 20ish which ,as an older person. I was more able to relate to . A fast read, well written, loved it!
April 1, 2021
Excellent!
What a pleasure to read a romance between two mature, experienced people! Characterizations are excellent, and the plot intriguing. Highly recommend!
What a pleasure to read a romance between two mature, experienced people! Characterizations are excellent, and the plot intriguing. Highly recommend!
May 31, 2021
Rich Read
I thoroughly enjoyed the history and romance, as well as reading about seasoned couples and strong female characters. It's never too late to find love very well written.
I thoroughly enjoyed the history and romance, as well as reading about seasoned couples and strong female characters. It's never too late to find love very well written.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews