Bound to a stranger …in a secret ceremony! With her finances, reputation and heart all broken by a family scandal, Grace Linwood seeks employment. But the lady she’s companion to isn’t long for this world. She’s intent on seeing Grace protected and quickly wed to her son, curt and closed-off Captain Spencer Dauntsey. With little choice, all Grace can say is “I do”…but who is the man she has … is the man she has just married?
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Scandalously Wed to the Captain
Sophia Johnson
https://m.facebook.com/JoannaJoJohnsonAuthor/
Release Date 11/01/2019
Publisher Harlequin Historical / Mills&Boon Historical
Blurb :
Bound to a stranger
…in a secret ceremony!
With her finances, reputation and heart all broken by a family scandal, Grace Linwood seeks employment. But the lady she’s companion to isn’t long for this world. She’s intent on seeing Grace protected and quickly wed to her son, curt and closed-off Captain Spencer Dauntsey. With little choice, all Grace can say is “I do”…but who is the man she has just married?
Blurb :
When married to hold on a promise, can two persons who vowed to never love again come to find new hope in one another…
This is my first read by Mrs Sophia Johnson, one thing I must say is she had definitely a very personal style, her story was very focused on the psyche of her characters.
She walked me from one mind to another, each daunted to wish for more by past wound.
Grace and Spencer lost sight of each other eight years ago when they were only thirteen and seventeen. But the person they were acquainted with is now very different from their childhood self.
At first I was worried about the story moving or not as both heroes rambled again and again about their dismay and rejection of love.
And part of the story is about their past pain, and it will be what hold them from reaching the other, fear of rejection, fear of choosing the wrong person.
I liked the story was not set in ballrooms and with commoners as protagonists.
They still suffered under society’s scorn when a scandal left their reputation in tatters.
Worst is how the ones left, even innocent, are to take the blame and live with it in shame.
This no action-packed read, it is a slow paced story to let Grace and Spencer get to know each other, very slowly come to interpret each other reactions to finally reward the other with one’s trust. It was as if they dance around each other, going closer then farther until they were able to reach for one another’s heart.
The amorous scenes are behind closed door still it is a sensual story with the impact of lingering touches, stares of desire and longing for the other.
4.5 stars
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/494000961189080?sfns=mo
Scandalously Wed to the Captain is author Joanna Johnson’s second novel. I was highly impressed with her first novel and the trend continues. Ms. Johnson is turning out to be a fantastic author and one I believe we will be hearing from for many years to come!
Grace Linwood’s family is in the midst of a scandal. Her father has been framed by his partners and been declared bankrupt and sent to debtor’s prison. The family has no prospects, no fortune, and with four daughters to support, they face losing their home. When Grace’s fiancé ends their engagement, an old family friend comes to the rescue.
Captain Spencer Dauntsey left Lyme Regis with his mother and twin brother after the death of his father eight years ago. With his mother’s health deteriorating, he’s brought her back to Lyme Regis. But after eight years and the death of his twin, Spencer is not the same man who left.
I love it when characters have known each other in the past. Spencer & Grace’s mothers were close friends before the Dauntsey family left for York eight years ago. Grace was a child of thirteen & Spencer just seventeen when they last saw each other. With Grace’s family in turmoil, Spencer’s ailing mother Dorothea suggests that Grace become her companion to help ease the burden of the Linwood family.
First, before I talk about Grace and Spencer, I have to give a mention to Dorothea Dauntsey, Spencer’s mother. I absolutely loved her! She’s dying, but you see glimpses of the wonderfully spirited woman she was before she became ill. She was a fabulous character in this story and it was her dying wish that got Grace and Spencer together in the beginning.
I really loved Grace and Spencer! Grace is a sweet young woman who is dealing with the devastation of her family with no way to fix it. Spencer is haunted by the past and the death of his twin. They both are hurting and are forced into a marriage neither one was planning. As they move forward trying to get to know each other and work through the past, you can’t help but root for them as a couple. I liked watching them start to trust and gradually fall in love. They were an adorable couple and I absolutely loved the ending!
Ms. Johnson has given us another extremely well-written story with fabulous characters and an absolutely perfect ending! I loved this story and highly recommend the book and author!