Seventeen years ago, after losing his mother and brothers in a horrific tragedy, Endymion de Waryn left his memories, his past, and the childhood friend he’d been forced to marry behind in Cornwall, vowing never to return. Now, as the Duke of Pendeen, he lives a very ordered life, just as he prefers. Having scheduled the months of August and September to conceive an heir, he summons his wife to … to London to do just that. When her answer is an emphatic No! he is left no choice but to break his vow and go to Cornwall to fetch her. However, a duchess who meets her husband at the door with one of Manton’s finest firearms needs more than a ducal command to be fetched.
Seventeen years ago, Rhiannon Harvey, daughter of a wealthy coal merchant, made a devil’s bargain with a ruthless duke to marry his heir the boy she loved with all her girlish heart. Wedded, bedded, and left to run the ducal Cornwall estate, she becomes the keeper of her husband’s tragic memories, owner of the family’s secrets, and a duchess not to be trifled with. Her husband’s uninvited arrival introduces her to a man haunted by the past he cannot remember and one determined, God help her, to woo her into his bed.
When Rhiannon’s life is threatened, she and Endymion must work together to discover why. His haunted memories and inept wooing may bring them together. But the secrets of the past promise to tear them apart and if they cannot overcome the lies and betrayals of their broken hearts, their newfound love may be stolen from them forever.
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A wonderful beginning to a series – I really want to find out how the remaining brothers find their HEA’s…
I did enjoy this story very much and read it in a day. Rhiannon was a strong woman who had been running the estate in Cornwall for many years. Now, Endymion, Duke of Pendeen, her husband is back, wanting an heir. Much has changed in the time since they last saw each other. Rhiannon has become a beautiful woman, who has the loyalty of her staff. Unfortunately, Pendeen has been influenced by his manipulative grandfather. There is much ground for Pendeen to make up and his friend Voil who has come with him, tries to give him some helpful advice. Voil is certainly a character who will make you smile. There is a murder to solve and also who is trying to kill Rhiannon. This is the first in the series and I look forward to reading the next.
This is the 1st book I’ve read written by Louisa Cornell; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the chemistry between the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved his story which kept me reading straight through. The twists and turns this story took as Endymion and Rhiannon pair up after 17 years married, but apart was delightful. The author has a wicked sense of humor which she endows her characters with. Looking forward to reading more of her work
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Overall, this is a good story! I really like Endymion and Rhiannon. There is a bit of mystery and intriguing twists and turns. However, I did feel there is unnecessary repetitiveness in the story causing it to drag in spots. I did find some parts of the story to be entertaining and others emotional. I liked how the story concluded.
This is my first book by this author and I think I will be checking out her other offerings. This story could have been better as far as the “exciting” scenes go as they were somehow less that thrilling. Overall the main characters are great but his friend is a little over the top. There is a mystery relating to her maid, Bea, but there is no hint at anything that would lead to another story nor do we learn her secret. Not a bad book to read on a cloudy day.
I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
New author and a wonderful surprise.
Endymion de Waryn somehow thought his beloved wife would just love to come to London in late summer just so he could conceive an heir. Now, this was after leaving her in Cornwall for 17 years. I think he was lucky she did not shot him. I really enjoyed this story Rhiannon and Endymion have to face some interesting challenges and I loved how the author ended the tale. This was an excellent story and I highly recommend it. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Thief of Broken Hearts is the first book in The Sons of Eliza Bryant series and the first I have read by this author. This historical romance has well-developed characters that are strong, likable, and have a long history between them. The storyline is well written and fast-paced, with mystery, danger, suspense, and a possible second chance at romance. I love that Rhiannon stood up to Endymion instead of obeying him blindly as a wife was supposed to do in that era.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Didn’t Quite Work for Me
I enjoyed the first part of the book as we got to know the duke and his estranged duchess. But then it felt like the story got a bit repetitious and didn’t really have an escalating progression of events that a story should have to keep it interesting. I soon found it a little tiresome, especially the continual reference to 17 years ago and other such concepts; yes, we know! Because the heroine had such contempt for the hero at first, I had a hard time believing her turn around. It’s one thing that authors need to consider. When the couple is very distant from each other at the start of the novel, the author has to work to show us a true evolution, which will be a rocky road but should mostly progress in a 3-steps-forward, 2-steps-back way. I did not feel that happened here. Therefore, I found this a somewhat disappointing read.
The first book in The Sons of Eliza Bryant series a well written story that held my interest until the end. Endymion de Waryn the Duke of Pendeen married Rhiannon seventeen years ago and went to London leaving her there. He has not seen her in all that time he wants a heir and demands she come to London. But Rhiannon is not someone who follows anyone’s orders and she says NO. It will takes these two alot to come together as he left her with a broken heart. I enjoyed reading this story, and I want to read the next book in this series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was such an awesome read that I couldn’t atop reading tell the end. The story line and characters pulled me in form the beginning and the word usage was done so well it made me feel like I was there watching the story unfold. I loved Endymion and Rhiannon the author did such a wonderful job with their characters and their chemistry. With many lol moments and the authors humor the book kept my interest through the whole book it’s a definite must read for any fan and I can’t wait to read more form this author!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Seventeen years ago, Endymion de Waryn left his home and the woman he was rushed to wed after losing his mother and brothers in a horrific tragedy. Now as a Duke, he lives a very ordered life and because of that decides to summon his wife to London but when she responds with a definite no, he resolves to go to Cornwall to fetch her himself. Do they still have a chance to have a happy life together and will he let his past go, even after discovering the lies they have been keeping from each other all this time?
Good story, i could not put this book down.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I was looking for a new author to read & I came across this book by Louise Cornell – it sounded very interesting & I had never read any of her books. I am so happy I found her!
Endymion “Dymi” de Waryn, Duke of Pendeen left his home in Cornwall seventeen years ago after his mother & two brothers were murdered & he was whisked off to London by his grandfather & uncle. After the grisly catastrophe, Dymi left his memories, past & the childhood friend he’d been forced to marry (he was 15 & she was 14), vowing never to return. Seventeen years later he lives the organized life that he prefers & has decided it is time to contact his wife so he may sire an heir.
Seventeen years ago, Rhiannon Harvey, daughter of a wealthy coal merchant, wedded the childhood friend she loved – they were rushed to wed, bed & he was gone the next morning, leaving her to oversee the successful running of the ducal seat in Cornwall. She becomes a duchess that is respected & highly regarded – she also holds the secrets to her husband’s lost memories & family secrets.
Now, he has returned, uninvited to get her in to his bed but she does recognize the stranger he has become. Can he woo her, can she help him chase away his demons, why is someone trying to kill her, can they ever go back to the friends they were seventeen years ago or do they want to? I highly recommend this book & cannot wait to read the second on in this series.