2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

A ruthless tycoon.

Savage ambition has brought common-born Rhys Winterborne vast wealth and success. In business and beyond, Rhys gets exactly what he wants. And from the moment he meets the shy, aristocratic Lady Helen Ravenel, he is determined to possess her. If he must take her virtue to ensure she marries him, so much the better . . .

A sheltered beauty.

Helen has had little contact with the glittering, cynical world of London society. Yet Rhys’s determined seduction awakens an intense mutual passion. Helen’s gentle upbringing belies a stubborn conviction that only she can tame her unruly husband. As Rhys’s enemies conspire against them, Helen must trust him with her darkest secret. The risks are unthinkable . . . the reward, a lifetime of incomparable bliss.

And it all begins with . . . marrying Mr. Winterborne

Settings
Hampshire, England
London, England
Caernarvon, Wales

35 Chapters
Epilogue

Character List
(view spoiler)[
Helen Ravenel: Theo’s oldest sister. She’s 21-years old with white blond hair and light blue-gray eyes.
Rhys Winterborne: Wealthy businessman and owner of a successful department store.
Devon Ravenel: New Earl of Trenear. He’s 28-years old, tall with dark brown hair and blue eyes.
Kathleen Ravenel, Lady Trenear: Widow of Theo Ravenel, the former Earl of Trenear who recently died. She was the daughter of Lord Carbery, an Irish peer. She was only married to Theo three days before he died. She has amber eyes and auburn hair.
Weston (West) Ravenel: Devon’s younger brother. He’s 24-years old.
Cassandra Ravenel: Theo’s younger sister, Pandora’s twin. She’s 19-years old with blond hair and blue eyes.
Pandora Ravenel: Theo’s younger sister, Cassandra’s twin. She’s 19-years old with dark brown hair.
Theo Ravenel, Lord Trenear: Former Earl of Trenear who died when he was thrown from a horse.
Jane Ravenel: Mother of the Ravenel siblings, deceased.
Edmund Ravenel: Father of the Ravenel siblings, deceased.
Lord Berwick: Man who, along with his wife, took Kathleen in when she was sent away by her parents.
Lady Berwick: Woman who helped raise Kathleen after she was sent away by her parents.
Lord Carbery: Kathleen’s father.
Bronwen Winterborne: Rhys’ mother.
Charity Wednesday: Peggy’s child by Albion. She’s 4-years old. Rhys renamed her Carys Winterborne.
Tom Severin: Railroad magnate. He owns London Ironstone, a private railway company. He’s a friend of Devon.
Ransom: Man Rhys hired to follow Vance.
William Havesby: Rhys’ staff doctor.
Garrett Gibson: Female doctor trained in France.
Mrs. Fernsby: Rhys’ personal secretary.
Sutton: Devon’s valet.
Quincy: Theo’s former valet, now working for Rhys Winterborne.
Clara: Kathleen’s lady’s maid.
Agatha: Lady’s maid for Helen and the twins.
Mrs. Church: Eversby Priory housekeeper.
Mrs. Abbott: Housekeeper at the London Trenear house.
Anna Edevane: Carys’ nursemaid.
Mr. Bloom: Stablemaster.
Weeks: Doctor.
Ioan Crewe: Rhy’s best friend, deceased.
Peggy Gilmore Crewe: Ivan’s wife, deceased.
Mr. Sauveterre: Master jeweler.
Charles Burgess: Rhys’ solicitor.
Albion Vance: Lady Jane’s former lover. He’s Lord Berwick’s nephew.
Hamlet: The sisters’ pet pig.
Asad: Kathleen’s horse, an Arabian.
Napoleon: One of the Trenear’s two dogs.
Josephine: One of the Trenear’s two dogs.
(hide spoiler)]

Spoiler Info
(view spoiler)[
Helen’s biological father isn’t Edmund, it’s Albion Vance. Vance also sired a daughter through an affair with Peggy, Rhys’ best friend’s wife. She died in childbirth and the baby girl ended up in an orphanage, named Charity Wednesday. Helen found her with help from Garrett and brought her home. Rhys renamed her Carys Winterborne. He and Helen married and he threatened Vance with death. Carys is living with them.

Helen is pregnant.

Kathleen had a son, William Ravenel. (hide spoiler)]

Can't wait to read this one. I loved the first book.

I have the book and ready to start reading.

The wait list at my library is insane! I put it on hold the middle of the month and I'm still #19 at one library and #7 at another. I've already put "Devil in Spring" on hold for the June read.

I have such high expectations for this one.

Anita, fingers crossed that folks return their copies quickly.

I just looked at my library and there is a long wait. Thank goodness Scribd has the audio.

Karen, you might want to request next month's book now, so you have a chance of getting it when you need it. These books are quite popular.

Thanks, Anita. I think I will.

Karen ♐ wrote: "I just looked at my library and there is a long wait. Thank goodness Scribd has the audio."

I'm doing the audios on Scribd too, Karen. I love this narrator!

Charlene wrote: "Karen ♐ wrote: "I just looked at my library and there is a long wait. Thank goodness Scribd has the audio."

I'm doing the audios on Scribd too, Karen. I love this narrator!"

Me too!

Anita wrote: "Karen, you might want to request next month's book now, so you have a chance of getting it when you need it. These books are quite popular."

It's amazing that these books are still so popular at the library. They're not new! Lol

I know! I was really surprised that the wait was so long for them.

They are always out at my library too. I have purchased Marrying Winterborne for my kindle and just reserved Devil in Spring at the library. I might just get in in June if I am lucky!!!

I lucked out and got the audio today!

Woo hoo!

I look forward to listening to this one. My April was such a disappointment that I look forward to a book I know will be good.

Anita wrote: "I lucked out and got the audio today!"

Yay!

I lucked out at the library for this book. They are very popular. It seems that we have a lot of historical romance fans in my area. They are often hard to get. The librarian told me that they get multiple copies when release, but sell the multiples at book sales after a year or so to make room for new releases so everyone is scrambling for that one book.

I like the narrator a lot. We are so busy at work right now, I don't think I would have time to read anything this month.

didn't disappoint me either.

Jonetta,

I hope one of the questions is about Lady Berwick. I'm having a hard time figuring her out even adjusting my mindset to the era.

I’ll make sure of it. I’m working on them today.

Sharon wrote: "I lucked out at the library for this book. They are very popular. It seems that we have a lot of historical romance fans in my area. They are often hard to get. The librarian told me that they get ..."

The really good Historical Romance books are hard to get for me too. I live in the Los Angeles area and frequently have long waits for the good ones.