When a master of disguise marries a woman who sees right through him… and their marriage never really had a chance. Now she’s in trouble, and Colin has reentered her life. She’s determined to refuse his help, especially after the way he’s treated her, but Colin can be persuasive…especially when he has her alone.
Baring it all is part of the seduction.
Colin FitzRoy was known as The Pretender during the war. He’s an expert in the art of disguise, but even when he takes off the mask, he hides who he really is. Colin pretends he doesn’t have feelings, but when he’s thrust together with his estranged wife, his buried emotions resurface. Before long Colin is juggling an elderly pug, a wife-hunting Scotsman, and a duplicitous street urchin in an effort to keep Daphne safe. But his greatest challenge is not only to seduce her but to win her heart.
more
With each new release in this series, I always say, “This one is my very favorite.” And in each case, that is absolutely true. Again, this one is my very favorite so far. I loved Daphne from the very first page, but it took me a while to warm up to Colin. I think it was because I had a hard time understanding how he became so emotionally closed off based on the circumstances given in the book. Anyway – I did love him in the end. BTW, one of the reasons I absolutely loved this book is that the villain got his just desserts! I absolutely detest it when the villain gets little or no punishment.
While this is part of a series, you can easily read it as a standalone – not that I understand why you’d want to – the entire series is great. If you do decide to read it as a standalone, I’ll give you some background on The Survivors. During the Napoleonic wars, an elite group of thirty men with special skills was formed to take on what were basically suicide missions. None of them expected to survive the war. Of the thirty men, twelve survived and returned home to England. These are the stories of their struggles with survivor’s guilt and fitting back into a society where they never really fit in the first place.
Colin FitzRoy is the younger son of a Viscount and a surviving member of the group Lieutenant Draven formed during the war. Colin was known within the group as The Pretender because of his skills for disguise, blending into the background, and showing no emotion. He could become all but invisible and blend right in with any group. Colin married a lovely young woman, at the request of his ill mother, just before he left for the wars. Since he was sure he wouldn’t be returning, there was no problem with honoring his mothers request, and it wouldn’t hurt the young lady that he lacked the ability to love or really have any kind of emotion.
Lady Daphne, the daughter of the Duke of Warcliffe, is beautiful, smart, resourceful, charming and well-liked among the ton. She wanted to marry her husband, but it sure turned out different than she expected. He left her after one miserable wedding night and hasn’t contacted her since. He’s been back in England for over a year and still, he hasn’t contacted her. Now, she finds herself in trouble – big trouble – and a husband should normally be the first person she would turn to for aid. Since she can’t count on him and she got herself into the mess, she’ll just have to figure out how to handle it herself. Even after Colin approaches her to ask if she’s in trouble and to offer help, she denies it. She can’t let herself get close to him again and suffer another broken heart. She caused her problem and she’ll solve it!
Their yin-yang, push-pull, on-off dance was fun to watch and I thoroughly enjoyed watching Colin when his grand epiphany occurred. They were a lovely couple and a delight to come to know.
I thoroughly enjoyed the read and can’t wait for the next book. Duncan Murray, one of Lieutenant Draven’s group – and a Scotsman, was featured in this book and I assume he’ll be the subject of the next book in the series. I really liked him.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I enjoyed this 7th in series about a group of war heroes/friends and their HEAs.
This features Colin, dubbed The Pretender for his ability to hide his feelings and blend in and Daphne, the headstrong duke’s daughter he marries and then leaves for 7 years to go wage war. They were obliged to marry because of their parents, but Daphne has always secretly loved him. However Colin finds it hard to show or even develop feelings as he fears loss and abandonment.
There is some danger and adventure here, however rather than Colin automatically assuming the protective hero role, Daphne insists on helping to get herself out of the situation (as she caused it), and Colin is receptive and admiring of this.
I liked that this hero was a bit different as they married young, and he had absolutely no experience with women (which is a rarity in the typical historical romance hero). I liked their growth, both individually and as a couple. An overall solidly good story.
How the Lady Was Won
The Survivors Series #7
Shana Galen
https://www.facebook.com/ShanaGalen/
Release date 02/11/2020
Blurb :
When a master of disguise marries a woman who sees right through him…
Lady Daphne, daughter of the Duke of Warcliffe, is one of the Three Suns. Society revolves around her. But there’s one person who doesn’t seem to know she’s alive—her own husband. Lady Daphne was thrilled to marry Colin FitzRoy, the son of her mother’s dear friend, seven years before. But then he left for the army and their marriage never really had a chance. Now she’s in trouble, and Colin has reentered her life. She’s determined to refuse his help, especially after the way he’s treated her, but Colin can be persuasive…especially when he has her alone.
Baring it all is part of the seduction.
Colin FitzRoy was known as The Pretender during the war. He’s an expert in the art of disguise, but even when he takes off the mask, he hides who he really is. Colin pretends he doesn’t have feelings, but when he’s thrust together with his estranged wife, his buried emotions resurface. Before long Colin is juggling an elderly pug, a wife-hunting Scotsman, and a duplicitous street urchin in an effort to keep Daphne safe. But his greatest challenge is not only to seduce her but to win her heart
My review :
After years apart, can a man repressing every sensation get a second chance with his estranged lively wife …
I have discovered this series with the Claiming of The Shrew, Colin’s former commander’s story.
So I slowly meet the various survivors along my few reads.
I do not think I liked Colin until quite later in the book, I resented him as a coward of the emotions, running away from any feeling that might unsettle or wound him.
He is in fact a cripple of the senses.
I can comprehend a bad experience or a trauma leave scars but to the point to shut everyone down, to keep even your dear ones at bay. It is extreme.
All his life, Colin was wary to display his feelings, so scared to feel. Which makes him aloof and awkward when around people, and worst with his own wife.
Yet, when she requires his assistance, he will do anything for her, using his own talent and those of his friends to find a way out of her plight.
I do not liked Daphne much more when she was introduced, the picture she presents to the ton and her ill placed vanity put herself right in her predicament.
Still, she had to built a facade with few other choices when she was left as barely a girl out of the schoolroom by her husband of one day. It was that or being eaten alive by the Society’s jackals.
She makes mistakes and takes not always well advised decisions, but she finally accepts help, even if it is when she finds herself coerced.
She is proud, and feels like she had been betrayed by her ghost of a husband, still she understands if she wants to extricate herself from her pickle, she need his assistance but she won’t stay behind pacing her room.
She is his Yin to her Yang, his other half, together they complete each other as she is the spirited answer to his restraint. But will he be able for once to let slip his walls and defenses until it is too late and she loses her ability to trust him.
I love a good redeeming tale, because outside the villain, Colin has a long way stretching before him, he failed his wife on their wedding day, and each one of their encounters causes her more hurt and pain after another, Daphne will need more than his help and few words to win back her belief.
5 stars for the saving of the pretender, Mrs Shana Galen gifts us an emotional read with these two wounded souls who will have to see past their leaking scars for a future together.
I was granted an advance copy by the author, and prior to it I preordered my own. Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/552168358705673/?d=n
Lady Daphne FitzRoy is aware that her husband has returned to London after a seven- year absence. She is not amused that he has not returned home. In fact, Colin FitzRoy has been in England for over a year. Colin’s reluctance to reunite with his wife piqued my interest and drew me into Shana Galen’s new novel.
I adored the characters in this fast-paced story. Shana Galen has a knack for creating strong heroines. Daphne may wear her signature color of pink and her gowns may contain an overabundance of bows but, she’s a strong , determined woman. Her big mistake? She overplayed her hand at a game of cards and owes a small fortune to the wrong person. I admired Daphne for owning her mistake and wanting to be the one to fix it.
Colin’s sobriquet in the Survivor’s group was The Pretender. He had the ability to assume another’s identity and could blend into a crowd. He was devastated after his mother’s death and he learned to keep his feelings to himself. He didn’t want to form an attachment to anyone or fall in love as he might lose them. Colin endeared himself to me when he remembered conversations with his mother and when he took care of Pugsley, his mother’s pug.
Loved how the story unfolded. Colin figures out that Daphne is in serious trouble. He enlists a few of the Survivors to help Daphne. Loved Duncan Murray—such a great character—and his mission? To find a bride. Each scene that contained Duncan was a pleasure to read! The banter between Daphne and Colin was fabulous-I enjoyed their entertaining conversations! The chemistry between the couple was more of a slow burn with a few sparks! Colin was definitely attracted to Daphne but he struggled with their relationship. The balance between intrigue and danger was perfect—this book held my interest and each page reveled something important about the couple’s journey.
How the Lady was Won is part of the author’s Survivors series—but can be read and enjoyed as a stand- alone book. I enjoyed this fast-paced novel, adored the characters and loved Colin and Daphne’s journey.
If you are looking for an entertaining character driven novel—pick up a copy of How the Lady was Won-you will love it!
This is the story of an estranged husband and wife who married too young. Their mothers arranged the marriage of their children who really didn’t know each other. Unfortunately Colin left for the war two weeks after the wedding. He was so uncomfortable with the marriage that he spent about 10 minutes of their wedding night with her consummating it, and left the next morning to prepare to leave for war.
Colin is a younger son of the Viscount Fitzroy. After the war he’s one of the survivors in a very effective suicide squad for England fighting Napoleon. Because he keeps his feelings and thoughts and emotions hidden he was The Pretender of the troup, easily disappearing in the crowd gaining valuable intel for the war. When he got home he failed to reconnect with his wife and she’s further hurt by him. Daphne is a daughter of the Duke of Wardcliffe and is one of the ton’s three Suns. She has a lot of power within her social set and if she gives you a nod of approval, your place in the ton is set. She still lives with her parents, a wife but not a wife, making excuses as to why her husband is not beside her. She keeps from her parents the fact that she has a gambling debt to a sketchy Earl of Battersea she thinks of as a copperhead snake. He’s determined to get her into bed and probably worse as he has a very bad reputation outside of the ton. Her mother knows something is wrong and calls Colin to come to his wife’s aide. I enjoyed the give and take of these two people learning each other and Colin’s heart to help. Eventually he comes to see her as smart, resourceful, brave, passionate, independant and loyal if a bit reckless. She on the other hand helps him open his very shielded heart to see and feel the love that others hold for him.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Lady Daphne has not seen or heard from her husband, Colin FitzRoy in seven years, as he went off to war shortly after their very lackluster wedding night, even though he has been back in England for over a year. She was angry and hurt by his desertion and is not thrilled that her mother the Duchess of Warcliffe has harassed him into helping her out of her current spot of trouble.
Colin FitzRoy is known as the Pretender in the Survivors, he is able to blend in anywhere, a trait he is using to its full advantage as he watches his wife at a ball. Daphne is a lovely woman and is revered in the ton as one of the three “suns”, a trio of very popular and influential women. She is dangerous to his peace of mind, so Colin’s plan is to solve Daphne’s problem as quickly as possible and then disappear again. It isn’t that he dislikes his wife, in fact the problem is that he does and that she makes him feel things, she stirs up feelings that he doesn’t was to think about or feel. So the sooner he can help her, the better. But Daphne isn’t going to make it easy and when you throw in a duchess hell-bent on seeing her daughter settled, a Scotsman on the hunt for a wife, fellow survivors insisting on discussing feelings, an aging pug, a very nasty villain and a sassy street urchin, it is clear that Colin’s life is never going to be the same.
This was a well written, fast paced, fun read. I loved Daphne and Colin, they were both likable and intelligent, I loved that even though Colin’s first impulse was to bolt, he tried to consider Daphne’s feelings, even though “feelings” clearly terrified him. It was amusing watching Colin convince himself that he wasn’t in love. And Daphne was a delightful heroine, she is not perfect, but she is forgiving, patient and kind. I love that she didn’t give up on Colin, but neither did she turn into a doormat or waste away pining for him, and while she was angry and hurt, she didn’t become petty and hurtful in return. I also liked that she wasn’t stupid enough to think that she didn’t need Colin’s help, but it was her problem, she owned it and while she would accept help, she wasn’t going to let him push her aside to take care of it. This was a great book with witty dialogue, steamy love scenes, great secondary characters, kidnapping, a heroine who can hold her own and finally a very HEA. This is the seventh book in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone title. I loved this book and I happily recommend this entire series.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me*
Lady Daphne FitzRoy is one of the leading lights of London society, but despite all that notoriety and influence, her own estranged husband barely seems to notice her existence. Though theirs was an arranged marriage, Daphne was excited to marry the son of her mother’s dearest friend, but that was seven years ago, before Colin left to fight Napoleon. She hasn’t heard from him in all that time, even after his return to England, and he’s only turned up now because he caught wind of the fact that she’s in some trouble. Daphne is determined to refuse any help from Colin, but he can be rather persuasive, especially when the spark between them becomes clear and undeniable.
Known as The Pretender by the fellow members of the suicide squad he was part of during the war, Colin FitzRoy is a master at disguises, but hides his thoughts and emotions even when not in character. He presents a stoic facade to the world, but those long-hidden emotions begin to reemerge the more time he spends in the company of his wife. These feelings leave Colin terrified, but soon he will do anything to keep Daphne safe, including earning her love and trust.
I felt so awful for both Daphne and Colin and all their wasted time, as I always do with second chance stories. I didn’t really understand Daphne’s deal with all the pink and bows and at times she came off as childish and vapid, though thankfully this improved as the story went on and she showed her true self rather than her society mask. Uncovering Colin’s true self was rather more difficult and his internal battles with his emotions got a bit repetitive toward the end; he made up for it, but I would’ve liked to see a bit more of the vulnerable side of him. I think perhaps I wanted Colin to have a bit of a larger role in using his skills to catch the villain, and perhaps the villain was dealt with a bit quickly. Either way, I really loved that these two both stayed faithful to one another despite their separation and they were great together when they both finally learned to let go and be themselves. I’m so sad this series is nearing its end, but I love these books and I can’t wait for Duncan’s story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
They’ve been married for 7 years but have only spent a few minutes together on their wedding night! If that doesn’t catch your attention, I don’t know what will! lol I so enjoyed Daphne and Colin’s story, such an unusual one, with a hero deathly afraid of love and emotions.
When Colin returns from the war after 7 years away, he would be more than happy to forget he even has a wife but when he finds out she’s in trouble, he has no choice but to come to her aid. Daphne cannot forgive him for having abandoned her all these years ago but she admits that she does need his help in a situation she got herself into. Amidst the danger, passions flare and no matter how much Colin tries to deny it, he IS emotionally involved.
Well written story, lots of action, danger, subterfuge and heated passion. I must add that I really love the cover as well!
I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Spurned, rejected and set aside, Lady Daphne has had to face the tonn and her spiteful friends to deal with the fallout of her husband’s absence. His return to London should have resolved some of the issues they are facing but his continued avoidance of her gives society even more fodder for gossip. Colin knows that he has done badly by Daphne, but rectifying the matter is no easy task when the thing he fears more than war and battling the French is his wife’s insistence that he tell her what he is feeling. However, it is his ability to keep his mask in place that allows him to deal with the difficulties that face Daphne, without casting blame or putting her down. Having known men just like Colin, who have difficulty in expressing themselves and facing up to their feelings, I could appreciate his pain and discomfort in having to face up to his feelings. But having been on the receiving end of similar treatment, I felt Daphne’s pain only too keenly. My heart ached for her as Colin carelessly abandoned her at the beginning of their marriage and felt her rejection, disillusionment, and pain. The novel is well written with a plot that keeps one’s interest throughout out. It is suspenseful and as the plot escalates, the reader is on tenterhooks wondering whether Daphne will be able to escape the determination of an evil man. The story comes to a delightful close, making one feel that all is well with the world. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
I was looking forward to reading Colin and Daphne’s story and Ms. Galen does not disappoint. She has written a intriguing, compelling and complex story. Lady Daphne, daughter of the Duke of Warcliffe, married Colin Fitzroy 7 years ago and she has been disappointed ever since Colin disappeared the day after a disastrous wedding night. Now that he’s back from the war, she expected him to reunite with her, but she’s afraid that he’ll continue to ignore her and she’s running out of excuses why her husband isn’t joining her at the ton events. Colin has issues expressing himself and with feelings ever since he was a young child so he stays away from Daphne to protect himself from having to confront long buried emotions. Can they finally come together and heal their emotional wounds to be able to live as husband and wife?
Throughout the war, Colin was known as “The Pretender” for his ability to blend in and not be noticed as he gathered intel. Ms. Galen does a great job slowly teasing out why Colin is so uncomfortable talking about “feelings.” There’s plenty of sexual attraction between these two, but sex is not a full relationship for Daphne. She wants her husband to love her. In addition to the main story of these two’s compatibility, there is the “trouble” that Daphne has found herself embroiled in with Lord Battersea. I liked Daphne’s tenacity in trying to resolve her problem on her own. She’s brave and clever, but only when she works with Colin can they find a final solution. The plot moves along nicely with no sluggish parts. There is a lot of sex in this book so reader beware if you don’t prefer that. I’m looking forward to reading the next story in the series
How the Lady Was Won is the seventh book in The Survivors Series. This has been such an amazing series and this book just adds to it. The series is based on a group of soldiers during the Napoleonic war called the Survivors. They were a team of soldiers that Lieutenant Colonel Benedict Daven (from the fifth book in the series) was ordered to put together that took on suicide missions. There was thirty men in the group but only twelve made it back to England alive. Even though the war was over they still worked together to help each other when needed. The books can be read as standalones but it’s such a great series and one that is certainly on my reread list. I love the author’s style of writing and her characters. They grab the reader and keeps their attention until the very end of the book.
Colin FitzRoy marriage to Lady Daphne was arranged between their mothers who were best friends. He was not a man of emotions and was happy to escape after the wedding to go to war. He became part of the Survivors and was known as The Pretender since he was an expert at disguises. After returning to London at the end of the war, he was forced to accept the reality of marriage. Lady Daphne didn’t hear from her husband for seven years and when he did return to London he didn’t contact her. She had managed on her own during those years and doesn’t want Colin’s help once she finds herself in trouble. She is determined to take care of herself, but Colin keeps interfering with those plans. With a little help from some of the Survivors they are able to catch the villian. Duncan Murray, another member of the Survivors was introduced in the book and I’m hoping the next book is his.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
London 1810
“He wasn’t suppose to be nervous. He was suppose to be confident and self-assured, to soothe his bride’s frayed nerves. But Colin had never done this before.” Yes the first line drew me in quickly! Colin and Daphne were married due to their mother’s being best friends and arranging for them to join their families. Logical? Well, they hardly knew each other and to say it was an awkward wedding night.. He was going to the Continent to fight the French and would probably get killed anyway! Yes, I felt so bad for these two! Then….
Seven years later…Colin returned and he ought Daphne out because her mother had said she was in trouble and needed help. Oh yes, now they were both mature and it really got interesting!! Colin was use to holding in his emotions, he played a part and Daphne was the exact opposite! But there was a fire about to spark as they traded quips.
I will leave it at that because I feel the need to tell you the entire story, but you will just have to find out for yourself!
Delightful, humorous (yes laugh out loud moments), tense, mysterious, a braw Scot (cannot wait for his story!), vicious “friends”, a villian, and everything needed for a perfect romance that melted my heart!!!
I’m always excited to read a new novel by Shana Galen. The Survivors series has been a great one. This is book 7 in the series and it didn’t disappoint. If you haven’t read the others, you can still read this one then go back and enjoy the others. I love the men in this series and I enjoy finding out how they find their loves. The cover of the novel is beautiful and perfect for Lady Daphne! Definitely recommend reading.
A second chance romance…between a husband and wife.
Married young and just days before he left for the war, Daphne and Colin shared a rather disastrous wedding night and then didn’t see each other again for seven years.
Now he’s one of Draven’s Dozen to make it home but, considering his poor performance on that long ago wedding night, he is no rush to make his marriage real.
Having been in love with her husband since she was a girl Daphne isn’t willing to give up on her marriage or love!
I absolutely love The Survivors’ series and that each hero has a unique set of skills that comes in handy not only in winning his lady but in also saving the day, or in this case helping his wife save the day. Each of these books have the perfect blend of regency romance fun and steam and action and intrigue of a suspense.
Can’t wait for more of the Dozen!
I received a complimentary review copy of this book but all opinions are my own.
This book was wonderful. I read the entire thing on a plane . Loved it.
I requested an ARC of this book, and these opinions are my own.
I have to say – I’ve read A LOT of series in my time, and Shana Galen’s The Survivors Series is one of the best out there. The characters are interesting, the stories are intriguing, and the dialogue never disappoints. And the love scenes? Wowza.
This is the story of Colin and Daphne – married at a young age to please their families, while never really getting a chance to know one another before he goes off to fight Napoleon. Flash-forward seven years, and Colin is back in Town, much to Daphne’s dismay.
He intends to stay clear of her, feeling she’s better off without him in her way, but circumstances force them to work together. This is where they FINALLY get to learn about each other, and confront the truth – that they truly do belong with one another. And once their chemistry takes over, it’s a wonder the book doesn’t set itself on fire. Truly some of the best love scenes I’ve had the pleasure of reading.
Overall, I am very happy with this book, and the entire series in general. You don’t have to read them all – they work great as stand-alone stories as well – but I do highly recommend you give them all a whirl.
A super villain in this one.
To be married and then deserted must have been hard for Daphne. Then have things turn out years later that she needs said deserter help. Now Colin our jerk of the story has been to war and now back for a year but still not till he thinks Daphne needs his help does he show himself. I would tell the jerk no too. The back and forth in this one was so entertaining and I found the time just flew when reading this enjoyable tale. This second chance romance was a real charmer and I highly recommend it. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Pretty In Pink
ADULT Second Chance Regency Romance, Romantic Comedy and Mystery.
Their arranged marriage is one night of two naive young people fumbling together, then seven years of separation, while Colin, a spare son of a Viscount is off in France fighting Napoleon. He is known as The Pretender, a master of disguise and a spy .
Lady Daphne, his wife, is the youngest daughter of a Duke and spends her evenings attending balls and musicals, as a cog in the wheel of the Three Suns, three influential women of the ton. She always wears pink with lots of strategically placed bows.
Colin, now a war hero, is back nearly two years before he contacts Daphne! He never wrote her a single letter. She makes up excuses as to why he hasn’t come home.
When he finally shows up, she is dismayed and entranced at the same time! Colin is definitely not the same man he was when he left!
ARC Provided by Booksprout
This ebook was $3.99 on Amazon at the time of this review.
Opinions Expressed here are entirely my own.
I enjoyed this ADULT Historical Romance, which parts of it were a very romantic comedy. I hope to see a book about, Duncan, Colin’s huge Scottish comrade, next!
Seven years.
Lady Daphne, a dukes daughter, married Colon FitzRoy seven years ago. They were both inexperienced and it didn’t go well the first time. Colin then promptly left her for seven years with no contact.
Can The Pretender woo and win back his wife that he has been married to for seven years? She’s in a spot of trouble and he insists on aiding her.
What I liked? Colin was inexperienced and wasn’t a rake or a rogue. I loved that!
That they only got to truly know each other after years of marriage (it helps if they are actually on the same continent).
That Daphne is all emotions and Colin is the opposite.
Highly recommend.
Purchased .
Book seven of The Survivors a well written story with a very good storyline, I was not putting the book down until I finished reading. Lady Daphne, daughter of the Duke of Warcliffe and Colin FitzRoy a man who does not want to let love in. There is suspense, drama, danger, kidnapping, a really evil villain, and romance. I enjoyed reading and want to read more in this series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.