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For Love Alone
After her husband dies, Lady Sophy Marlowe vows she will never wed again, except for love. So when she is suspected of murder, and Viscount Ives Harrington saves her from the gallows, she is none too pleased to have to marry him in exchange for his calculated kindness. But the union of these two passionate people is destined to become much more than a marriage of convenience.
448 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2000
41 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Shirlee Busbee
51 books272 followersShirlee Elaine was born 9 August 1941 in San Jose, California, USA. She was the first daughter of a career naval officer, later she had two sisters and three brothers, they raised traveling the world. She went to the institute in Kentri, Morocco, after which she returned to California and she went to Burbank Bussines College of Santa Rosa, where she received a certificate in 1962.
Shirlee married with Howard Busbee in June 22, 1963. Now, they live in hills of California, where they raise for pleasure Standard Schnauzers, Standardbred horses, and other many animals.
She has worked as a receptionist for the Marin County Title and Abstract Co., as plant supervisor for Fairfield Title Co., and as secretary and drafting technician for the County Parks Department of Fairfield, California, where she met her life-long friend and mentor Rosemary Rogers. Published since 1977, Shirlee Busbee is the proud author of over 18 novels, including seven New York Times bestsellers. With over nine million copies of her books in print, she is the recipient of numerous awards for excellence in writing, including the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award and Affaire de Coeur's Silver and Bronze Pen Awards.
You may write to Shirlee Busbee care of C/O Warner Books, Inc., Time and Life Building, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.
Shirlee married with Howard Busbee in June 22, 1963. Now, they live in hills of California, where they raise for pleasure Standard Schnauzers, Standardbred horses, and other many animals.
She has worked as a receptionist for the Marin County Title and Abstract Co., as plant supervisor for Fairfield Title Co., and as secretary and drafting technician for the County Parks Department of Fairfield, California, where she met her life-long friend and mentor Rosemary Rogers. Published since 1977, Shirlee Busbee is the proud author of over 18 novels, including seven New York Times bestsellers. With over nine million copies of her books in print, she is the recipient of numerous awards for excellence in writing, including the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award and Affaire de Coeur's Silver and Bronze Pen Awards.
You may write to Shirlee Busbee care of C/O Warner Books, Inc., Time and Life Building, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 3, 2018
DNF 30%. Inconsistent characters, unsubtle writing at times. Left me bored.
September 30, 2016
4 and 1/2 Stars! Murder, Mystery and a Marriage of Convenience… oh, my!
Set in 1805 (Prologue) and 1809, this is the story of Sophy, Lady Marlowe, who had the misfortune of being married off by her uncle to a brute, Simon, Marquis of Marlowe. She stood his abuse for a year, then learned to use a pistol and denied him her bed. But one night, Simon takes a plunge down their stairs. Was it an accident or murder?
It turns out that Simon was feeding information to Napoleon through a man known as Le Renard, “the Fox”, and was fool enough to threaten the spy with exposure. It cost Simon his life but the manner of death cast suspicion on Sophy.
Viscount Harrington is an interesting guy. A former officer, he has been dispatched to hunt for the Fox. That hunt brings him to Sophy’s rescue. First, he defends her against her despicable uncle and then he saves her from the gallows. He means to have her and it seems he will, for it is marriage to him that will be her salvation.
Harrington was a force and even strong-willed Sophy was not able to resist him. Busbee does a great job of bringing us into the Regency era with its house parties, balls and aristocracy with too much time on its hands. It’s a long tale at 448 pages but your patience will be rewarded with an exciting finish. Busbee’s fans will be sure to enjoy it.
Set in 1805 (Prologue) and 1809, this is the story of Sophy, Lady Marlowe, who had the misfortune of being married off by her uncle to a brute, Simon, Marquis of Marlowe. She stood his abuse for a year, then learned to use a pistol and denied him her bed. But one night, Simon takes a plunge down their stairs. Was it an accident or murder?
It turns out that Simon was feeding information to Napoleon through a man known as Le Renard, “the Fox”, and was fool enough to threaten the spy with exposure. It cost Simon his life but the manner of death cast suspicion on Sophy.
Viscount Harrington is an interesting guy. A former officer, he has been dispatched to hunt for the Fox. That hunt brings him to Sophy’s rescue. First, he defends her against her despicable uncle and then he saves her from the gallows. He means to have her and it seems he will, for it is marriage to him that will be her salvation.
Harrington was a force and even strong-willed Sophy was not able to resist him. Busbee does a great job of bringing us into the Regency era with its house parties, balls and aristocracy with too much time on its hands. It’s a long tale at 448 pages but your patience will be rewarded with an exciting finish. Busbee’s fans will be sure to enjoy it.
June 8, 2018
Not as cringe-worthy embarrassing as I was expecting but unfortunately, not as spicy as I was wanting. I liked the characters even though they were a tad inconsistent. Overall, not the best but still fun and interesting.
June 23, 2018
Dull. The heroine is so incredibly uptight that I don't understand the hero's interest in her. I need a nap after reading this.
March 24, 2017
Bisbee at her best
England at war with France. Spys, intrigue, live, passion and love. These are the things that make up one of the best books. This one.
England at war with France. Spys, intrigue, live, passion and love. These are the things that make up one of the best books. This one.
December 25, 2014
PUBLISHING INFO: Zebra, 12/2013
ORIGNIAL PUB: Warner, 5/2000
FORMAT: Paperback, E-book
GENRE: Historical Romance
SETTING: England, 1809
MY GRADE: B
This was more of a historical mystery than romance. Both hero and heroine were uninteresting to me. I wasn't too interested in their relationship, to be honest. I didn't care for how they came to be married either.
I really enjoyed the mystery of finding out who the Fox was and it was no surprise that it wasn't revealed until near the end. Surprisingly it wasn't who you'd think. I was annoyed that Sophy, out of nowhere, thought she'd figured out who the owner of the cravat pin was, the pin that belonged to the Fox, who's also a serial killer. We didn't get to see into her mind to understand how she came to that conclusion, she just blurted the name out to Ives.
I tend to like evil characters so I really liked her uncle Edward and Agnes but didn't see the point of Anne, Agnes' ward, being in the story at all. Bringing Anne into the story was how we were introduced to Agnes but I think there could have been a better way of writing her into the story. Sophy's siblings didn't play much of a role in the story either so I could have done without them too.
I received this from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
ORIGNIAL PUB: Warner, 5/2000
FORMAT: Paperback, E-book
GENRE: Historical Romance
SETTING: England, 1809
MY GRADE: B
This was more of a historical mystery than romance. Both hero and heroine were uninteresting to me. I wasn't too interested in their relationship, to be honest. I didn't care for how they came to be married either.
I really enjoyed the mystery of finding out who the Fox was and it was no surprise that it wasn't revealed until near the end. Surprisingly it wasn't who you'd think. I was annoyed that Sophy, out of nowhere, thought she'd figured out who the owner of the cravat pin was, the pin that belonged to the Fox, who's also a serial killer. We didn't get to see into her mind to understand how she came to that conclusion, she just blurted the name out to Ives.
I tend to like evil characters so I really liked her uncle Edward and Agnes but didn't see the point of Anne, Agnes' ward, being in the story at all. Bringing Anne into the story was how we were introduced to Agnes but I think there could have been a better way of writing her into the story. Sophy's siblings didn't play much of a role in the story either so I could have done without them too.
I received this from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
December 6, 2013
I really like Shirlee Busbee. Her "Becomes Her" series is truly fantastic. This book not so much.
I really did not like Sophy (the heroine) - yes she was abused by her first husband and her uncle was a jerk - but to me it didn't justify what a witch she was. She threatened to kill people at the drop of a hat and instead of asking questions just made assumptions and was nasty
Ives (the hero) was more likable but not enough to save the story. I think he could have handled Sophy much better. He could have let her know he was doing some investigating for a friend without revealing what he was doing - at least then she wouldn't have thought he was just like her former husband. But alas, that was not how the story was written.
And if all this nonsense was not enough - let's add a side story of the suicide of the hero's brother and let's make the hero for one paragraph decide to use the heroine for revenge and then never think of it again. Then let's have the heroine find out about it and use it to be nasty to the hero - for the hundredth time.
There were so many things that could have been done differently to make this story and the characters more enjoyable. But it fell short - in my opinion skip this one and read her Becomes Her series instead
I really did not like Sophy (the heroine) - yes she was abused by her first husband and her uncle was a jerk - but to me it didn't justify what a witch she was. She threatened to kill people at the drop of a hat and instead of asking questions just made assumptions and was nasty
Ives (the hero) was more likable but not enough to save the story. I think he could have handled Sophy much better. He could have let her know he was doing some investigating for a friend without revealing what he was doing - at least then she wouldn't have thought he was just like her former husband. But alas, that was not how the story was written.
And if all this nonsense was not enough - let's add a side story of the suicide of the hero's brother and let's make the hero for one paragraph decide to use the heroine for revenge and then never think of it again. Then let's have the heroine find out about it and use it to be nasty to the hero - for the hundredth time.
There were so many things that could have been done differently to make this story and the characters more enjoyable. But it fell short - in my opinion skip this one and read her Becomes Her series instead
January 6, 2014
FOR LOVE ALONE by Shirlee Busbee is another Regency Historical Romance set in 1809 England. Sophy Marlowe, a widow, accused of a crime to didn't commit finds herself accepting Viscount Ives Harrington's proposal to save herself. She swore she would Never marry again,except for love. So a marriage of convenience turns into intrigue, secrets, deception, betrayal, passion, romance, and danger. "For Love Alone" is an adventure on both land and sea, as the two flee from their enemies but they can not escape their fate. Desire is not the only thing between them. Fast paced with charismatic characters and an intriguing storyline. Another great read. Ms. Busbee is a consummate storyteller and one I enjoy reading tremulously. Received for an honest review from the publisher.
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING: MILD
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING: MILD
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
May 1, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. I really like Sophie's spirit throughout the book and her determination as well. The action and adventure continued throughout the book and kept you kind of questioning who "the fox" may have been. I like the subplot about Anna and her aunt as well as Silfies uncle William. So many characters sometimes model of the plot a bit, but in this case the more characters enhance the plot quite a bit and expanded the storyline in a non-confusing way. The ending, so I will not be specific, was very well done and had an excellent climax. In short, I look forward to reading more books by this author.
March 22, 2011
I liked the book. It got to a point where I couldn't put it down. I did figure out the villian before it was revealed in the story. I liked the way the relationship developed between the two main characters.
July 28, 2011
This was another book recomended by Catherine Anderson and well worth reading. The story of a woman mistreated by her husband prior to his death and then having difficulty wanting to be with a man afterwards. She does find love and romance so all ends happily.
June 29, 2016
The book is full of easy detective storylines which I enjoyed even if I'm not fond of detectives and I came there for romance! The romance part ofcourse is fine as well and I liked the characters, both of them were not dumbass, very intelligible, smart and simple. :)
September 7, 2019
i DNF not because it bored me but i really just had no motivation to read it! i make return to it...at some point. but for now? #dnf
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews