In this HOLT Medallion winning regency romance by USA Today bestselling author Bree Wolf, an English earl and a French privateer’s daughter learn that trust and love can exist even across enemy lines. England 1808: OLIVER CORNELL, EARL OF CULLINGWOOD, is trapped in a life he abhors. Not seen as a son, but merely an heir, he longs for something meaningful to enter his life. But as the years go by, … life. But as the years go by, Oliver falls prey to self-doubt as well as complacency, playing the handsome rogue, untamed by the ladies of London.
Then an error of judgment – or Fate perhaps? – lands him on an English merchant ship, which is promptly boarded by a French privateer. On board, Oliver’s eyes are drawn to the captain’s daughter, standing at the bow, a sword in her hand and a pistol strapped to her hip, her golden tendrils dancing in the wind. Mesmerized by the adventurous gleam in her blue eyes, Oliver stands and stares at the woman unlike any he’s ever met.
VIOLET WINTERS was born English, but life led her down a different path and made her a French privateer’s daughter. Today, she sails the seas with her adoptive father, dreaming of one day commandeering a ship of her own. However, when she stumbles upon a piece of her past, Violet feels honor-bound to return to England and repay a debt.
An English earl taken prisoner on her father’s ship offers to pose as her husband in order to guide her through English society in exchange for his freedom. Tempted by the devilishly disarming spark in his eyes, Violet agrees, knowing he’s her best chance for success. However, as the days tick by, their simple mission is made complicated by the bond that grows between them.
Before long, Oliver realizes that simply posing as Violet’s husband will not do. Violet, however, reminds herself that she must not surrender her freedom to a man, even one who holds her heart.
If you like marriage of convenience stories with a touch of mystery, a dash of humour as well as deep, heartfelt emotions, then you’ll love this installment of Bree Wolf’s emotionally charged Love’s Second Chance Series. Get CONDEMNED AND ADMIRED, grab a cup of tea, settle into your favorite reading spot, and start this swoon-worthy romance now!
Each love story in this series can be read as a stand-alone. However, most readers prefer to read them in order.
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A very exciting and a real page turning book
Free has original plot lines. Her writing style uses advanced structures which increases the pace when reading: a great deal is learned in each sentence .
Lady Violet Silcox is now Violette Duret, a privateer’s daughter, treasuring a life of adventure on the high seas when she encounters an English Lord with a secret longing for adventure. What could possibly bring about an alliance for these two,except the well being of family. You are in for a wild ride, between hidden identities, frantic carriage rides to kidnapping and attempted murder. Hold on to your hats. This is a page turner you won’t want to put down.
An enjoyable Regency adventure story, this book is entertaining, keeping the reader’s interest from the opening chapter through to the epilogue. Violet has had an unconventional upbringing as part of her step-father’s crew on board a French privateer. She has been given the rare privilege of being encouraged to make her own choices and as such, she chooses the sea and longs to captain her own ship. Oliver, Earl of Cullingwood has been raised with the expectation that he will marry, produce an heir and generally obey his father’s every command. Their unconventional meeting is the catalyst to an adventure, one that takes Violet back to meet her past, and Oliver to meet his future. The story is clean and generally well written, with strong characters and lots of action. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Condemned and Admired is a wonderful story, Violette and Oliver come alive on the pages of this beautiful story of what family really is and of true love. The love and bond between Violette and her step-father allowed her to have a life few women of her time could ever dream he has given her the gift of choice. She wants to give the same to Juliet and to teach Oliver that he also has the right to choose for himself, I also enjoyed catching up on old friends from earlier books.waiting for the next story eagerly.
Fate brought them together not just because a young lady needed saving, but because they needed each other. Every page turn brought something new to their romance and the story. There was a spark between them from the moment they met and it started their adventure. I could not put it down from the moment I picked it up. There were twists at every turn that I didn’t see coming and had me gasping and holding my breath at times. They were truly meant for each other and everyone could see it just by looking at them. The ending to everything was perfect. This was my first time reading a book by Bree Wolf and I can’t wait to read more and get to know characters.
Violet is driven by the need to rescue this girl and give her the chance to make her own choices. I loved her right away because she ran her life and was pretty much equal to the men around her. She had a large family behind her that supported her no matter what. She could use a dagger too and wasn’t afraid to use it or do what needed to be done to save her love.
Oliver seeks something more in life but doesn’t know what it is until he meets her. He was a thousand times more than what he father saw him has. My heart broke for him every time his father spoke, but he found the family he deserved. I loved that he didn’t hold back his emotions and would do anything to help others. He found what he needed in the end.
Copy provided for an honest and voluntary review.
A privateers daughter who loves the sea and loves her freedom, has big dreams of commandeering a ship of her own some day. Violet is a strong independent young women and our hero is mesmerized by strength and bravery.
Oliver, an English Lord is unhappy with his station in life and he is lonely. He yearns for adventure on the sea. Fate brings Violet and Oliver together for an amazing adventure filled with romance, daring, and bravery. Bree Wolf truly has a gift for story telling and i have enjoyed many of her books.
OH MY CHIRPING CHICKEN!!!
Talk about putting one over the fense. This is one read that totally blew my mind. I was captivated from the beginning. The actions, scenes, characters. Bree brought everything to life with such splendor, it’s breathtaking. From the strong plot to the characters dialogue and presentation to their personalities playing off one another was displayed quite brilliantly. Bree shows us just how talented and imaginative she has always been to get where she is today. Truly amazing. Bree did a phenomenal job bringing this read together beautifully. Fantastic job Bree, thanks for sharing this awesome read with us.
I loved this story full of action and unexpected love. A love so deep that one is willing to turn his back on his legacy as an earl and leave all he knows for a daughter of a French privateer. The journey to their story is wonderful. I received a complimentary copy and I am giving a review voluntarily.
I really, really liked this book. It felt more mature than most romances I have read. I could not put this book down. Page after page there was glimpses of devotion of family, reflection of one’s life and love. I loved the characters in the book. Especially, Violette, she is a far cry from any heroine from the books I have. I feel she is the hero in this story. She is an individual, feisty, independent, fiercely loyal, loving, appreciative, resourceful and wise for her age. Oliver, Earl of Cullingwood heir to a Marquess, is floundering in his life with no direction. He is a rake, but tries to be honorable and at times he fails. But at least he tries. His father shows no love towards him and is constantly dissapointed in him. Oliver bares this burden and wishes for a different life full of adventure. When he meets the beautiful Violette, his breath is taken away. His is amazed at her daring choices she has made for her life and admires her. Violette helps Oliver make sense of his life and he listens. They have a grand adventure a head of them trying to save her step sister from a fate that she escaped. Oliver finds his inner strength and finally stands up to his father, thanks to Violette. This is full of action and adventure on the high seas and on land. I totally recommend this book.
Another wonderful addition to the Love’s Second Chance Series by Bree Wolf. I love Violet/Violette and Oliver’s story. Having gotten to know a little bit about Oliver in previous editions of this Series, it was nice to finally get Oliver straightened out and on the right path to happiness.
Bree writes such wonderful stories of love and faith, without shoving it down your throat. Good, clean adventure and romance in every book. I can’t stop reading her books and never will. They are all keepers.
If you like reading books with adventure and romance, and where the bad guy/girl finally gets what’s coming to him/her, then you will love Bree’s books. Check out this one and all the others. They can be read as stand alone books, but starting with book one helps things run more smoothly along. You won’t be disappointed. Enjoy!
I received an advance copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not expected, but it is freely given. All statements and opinions are strictly my own.
Twelve years ago, Lady Silcox fled England with her six-year-old daughter Violet to spare her the life she herself had been forced into: an arranged marriage to an older man.
Today, Violet Winters is a grown woman sailing the seas on her French stepfather’s privateer the Chevalier Noir, dreaming of commandeering a ship of her own. However, when she stumbles upon a betrothal announcement of the man she was set to marry, Violet cannot help but feel honour-bound to protect the woman who had been forced to take her place.
Oliver Cornell, Earl Of Cullingwood, is trapped in a life he abhors. Seen only as an heir, he dreams of a life of freedom. By sheer happenstance, Oliver ends up on a merchant vessel, which is promptly boarded by a French privateer. On board the Chevalier Noir, Oliver meets the captain’s daughter, a woman unlike any other he has ever met. Utterly fascinated by the adventurous gleam in her eyes, he does not hesitate to offer his assistance when Violet finds herself in need of a guide to London’s upper society.
Another engrossing read from the author, the pace of the story flows very well, the characterisations have depth the good guys are very likeable & the bad are horrid. Oliver & Violet are immediately attracted to each other but she is determined to live her own life. There are some twists along the way as well as arranged marriages & a kidnapping. I liked that there were appearances from characters in previous books & the promise of more books to come in the series as Juliet & Henri are made for each other. I would have liked a certain Marquis to have suffered far more! But that’s my only quibble to a well written, well paced book
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Violette’s mother faked their deaths and took young Violette with her to France to escape her abusive husband and intolerable marriage. Several years later, Violette is living a life she loves, sailing with her step-father on the high seas aboard his French privateer. Violette meets Oliver Cornell, Earl of Cullingwood, when the English merchant ship he is on surrenders to the French privateer. Oliver is attracted to Violette and the adventurous life she lives. He is trapped in a life he abhors. Oliver agrees to enter into a faux marriage with Violette when she reads of a young woman betrothed to the older man she was betrothed to as a child. Violette wants to enter society so hopefully, she can help the young woman escape the life to which Violette had once been destined.
This was a complex plot and quite entertaining read by Bree Wolf. As to the high seas and privateer scenario, though a bit outside her normal venues used, I thought it was refreshing. I enjoyed the lively banter between Oliver and Violette and the growing attraction between them. It was lovely to be reintroduced to characters featured in some of the previous works in the Love’s Second Chance series. What struck me most about this work though, was the inherent message, that the ties of love and family aren’t necessarily limited to blood relationships, but can and do encompass others with whom we have established a lasting bond.
I received an ARC of Condemned and Admired from the author and voluntarily offer this review.
Rating: 4 ½ Stars
Not my favorite
I’m all kinds of bothered by this book. Quite apart from the too-modern language that creeps in, quite apart from the ridiculously impossible plot, I just had too great an issue with the constant exposition about freedom and choices.
Violet and her mother snuck away in the dead of night when Violet was just six years old. Her father was under the impression that they are both dead, but they stumbled across a French privateer as they escaped the estate. And like fate, her mother and the French provateer fell in love and made a new life together as a family.
Always curious about the life she left behind, Violet is determined to return to it temporarily in order to save a young woman she hs never met from the life that fate that was once her own. But to navigate the the English ton she will need the help of someone familiar with that life. That helps comes in the guidance of Oliver, who has been searching for adventure, purpose, and acceptance his entire life.
For all the high stakes in this one, it kind of fell flat for me. I wasn’t really invested in this one and had a hard time sticking with it. The two bad guys in the story seemed a bit like caricatures of villians. Most of the plot was unrealistic and I just didn’t get pulled into the storyline as I normally do with Bree Wolf’s books. It was a good book, I just didn’t feel a engaged with the story as I normally do. I didn’t feel much connection to either Oliver or Violet, both of them felt a little lacking in personality and their regard for one another felt a bit fast.
I think this one was just off for me though because I normally enjoy her books so much. So I’m looking forward to moving on to the next one, which expands on the story of her mother and their new life after they snuck away in the night.
Many thanks to the author, Bree Wolf, who shared a copy of this book with me. This is my honest review.
I have always like Darcy Burke books, very entertaining good story lines.
Condemned and Admired promises a good read right from the Prologue! Dark and intense it totally catches you in its net before quickly dancing along. You once again find yourself admiring the character development and the theme of the book. Wolf also earns style points in this book for the numerous times she introduces seemingly implausible new action, but which she pulls off amazingly well, and leaves you scratching your head in wonder at her accomplishment. Definitely a big thumb’s-up!
Well-written and easy to read. However, there are several plot developments which raised unanswered questions or I had trouble accepting – even in fiction. Some have been mentioned by other reviewers. While Violet’s strong love for her French “relations” was understandable, I found it very odd how she could feel such a strong feeling of family for a step-sister she’d never met before. It goes far beyond empathy.
I read an advance copy and voluntarily post my review.