This Regency romance by USA TODAY bestselling and HOLT Medallion winning author Bree Wolf featuring an English lady and a French privateer proves that fairy tales sometimes do come true.England 1796: Frenchman ANTOINE DURET, privateer by trade, finds his way to a lonely beach in Norfolk one night. Why he feels compelled to reach it, he cannot say. All his life, he’s dreamed of nothing else but … dreamed of nothing else but sailing the seas, his own ship, the Chevalier Noire, his pride and joy. Still, his father’s voice echoes in his ears, whispering of a bond that would guide him once he drew closer to the one woman who would hold his heart.
Foolish superstition, no doubt! Still, Antoine cannot resist and orders his crew to approach the beach.
ALEXANDRA WINTERS, COUNTESS OF SILCOX, spent her youth dreaming of love and the one man who would steal her heart, Prince Charming on a white steed come to sweep her off her feet. But then real life interfered and urged her into a sensible match in order to see her beloved brother happily married. Resigned to a life without love, Alexandra takes joy in her little daughter. However, a part of her still does hope. No matter how foolish that notion might be!
And then one fateful night, something leads her down to the beach below Silcox Manor and into the arms of a man who does not at all resemble the Prince Charming Alexandra had imagined in her youth. Nevertheless, his dark gaze sets her world on fire, and Alexandra finds her heart stolen from her chest with a swiftness that yanks the air from her lungs.
The shock of their encounter slams into Antoine with a force that nearly brings him to his knees, and in an instant, he knows that after finding Alexandra against all odds – and in enemy territory no less – he cannot let her go.
At war or not, she must be his.
If you like Regency romances with deep, heartfelt emotions and a dash of humour, then you’ll love this novella in Bree Wolf’s emotionally charged Love’s Second Chance Series. Grab TRAPPED AND LIBERATED, get 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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I loved how Violet’s mother and the father of her heart met. How destiny and the hearts of two people found each other because they listened not to their practical mind but to the hopes and desires and the pull of their hearts. Great story that gives some insights to Violet’s story, Condemned and Admired, which is a must read. The author’s writing and imagination gives her stories life, adventure and compassion. They tug at your heart, bring tears to eyes, and make you laugh out loud.
5 stars
I received a free copy of the clean historical novella Trapped and Liberated- The Privateer’s Bold Beloved: Love’s Second Chances Book 10/Tales of Damsels and Knights book 4 by Bree Wolf and this review was given freely.
Alexandra and Antoine’s romance is one of escaping the controlling English aristocracy’s habit of selling daughters into marriage for gain and that of finding an everlasting true love when you least expect it. Seamless and smooth flow this is a complete and fulfilling sweet romance. I could feel the emotions between Antoine and his father, Antoine and Henri and Antoine and Alexandra. This is a well written sweet romance and an excellent precursor to Condemned and Admired or Violet’s story.
11. Book 10: Trapped and Liberated- The Privateer’s Bold Beloved also Tales of Damsels and Knights book 4: 5 stars
I received a free copy of the clean historical novella Trapped and Liberated- The Privateer’s Bold Beloved: Love’s Second Chances Book 10/Tales of Damsels and Knights book 4 by Bree Wolf and this review was given freely.
Alexandra and Antoine’s romance is one of escaping the controlling English aristocracy’s habit of selling daughters into marriage for gain and that of finding an everlasting true love when you least expect it. Seamless and smooth flow this is a complete and fulfilling sweet romance. I could feel the emotions between Antoine and his father, Antoine, and Henri and Antoine and Alexandra. This is a well-written sweet romance and an excellent precursor to Condemned and Admired or Violet’s story.
12. Book 11: Oppressed and Empowered: The Viscount’s Capable Wife also Tales of Damsels and Knights book 5:5 stars
I received a free copy of the clean historical novel Oppressed and Empowered: The Viscount’s Capable Wife: Love’s Second Chance Series Book 11/Tales of Damsels and Knights book 5 by Bree Wolf and this review was given freely.
Best if read in series. Contains social conflicts and a cliffhanger.
Evelyn and Lord Richard Ashford’s romance is a sweet historical winter-based novel of opposites both in both personality and belief in a woman’s ability to have a career, an arranged marriage, and that of hidden attraction realized. Suspenseful with some twists, multiple conflicts, an ailing father, a loving mother, an unplanned pregnancy, a well-meaning brother who guards his emotions, and a young woman advocating her right to be a Doctor are just of the few of the things that make this novel interesting while reflecting concerns of the era. Although there is a happy ending for Evelyn and Richard, this novel does end in a cliffhanger.
13. Book 12: Destroyed & Restored: The Baron’s Courageous Wife also Tales of book 6: 5 stars
I received a free copy of the novel Love’s Second Chance Series book #12: Destroyed & Restored: The Baron’s Courageous Wife by Bree Wolf and this review was given freely.
Matthew suffering from regret, insecurity regarding his self worth and nightmares after a duel gone wrong vows to do anything his cousin Tristan requires.
Coincidence and a threat to use Lady Adelaide as collateral at a card game embroils Matthew Baron Whitworth in a marriage of convenience to the woman he has been secretly attracted to. Complexed, interesting, and easy flowing this novel focuses on such topics as legitimacy and birthright vs blood and emotions as the true meaning of family and recovering from abuse. There are some twists and secrets but the end is ultimately heartwarming.
14. Book 12.5: Dared & Kissed The Scotsman’s Yuletide Bride also Highland Tales book 2:5 stars
I received a free copy of the short novella Dared & Kissed The Scotsman’s Yuletide Bride (# 12.5 Love’s Second Chance Series: Highland Tales book 2) by Bree Wolf and this review was given freely.
Complex, easy flowing, complete, and satisfying with suggestions at sequels. Emma and Finnegan are nudged by well-meaning friends who try and bring them together and thus end the seven-year misunderstanding that continues to separate them. Wonderful characters, glimpses at four vastly different romances, and of course a happy ending make this complex holiday clean romance one well worth reading.
15. Book 13: Tamed & Unleashed The Highlander’s Vivacious Wife also Highland Tales book 1: 5 stars
I received a free copy of the full-length clean novel Tamed & Unleashed The Highlander’s Vivacious Wife (#13 Love’s Second Chance Series: Highland Tales Series Book 1) by Bree Wolf and this review was given freely.
Poignant and suspenseful with many twists and turns. Amnesia, a drunken encounter, a kidnapping, and the tenacity of true love fill the pages of this complex clean romance featuring Scotsman Garrett and his quest to reunite with his English wife Claudia.
Short and Sweet.
Alexandra used to dream of a love match but her hopes were dashed when circumstances made her marry a man old enough to be her father. Six years later on a dark and stormy night, she meets Antoine a French privateer and the heart she thought cold is lit with a fire.
Short and sweet
This is a different kind of historical romance. Trapped and Liberated is the perfect fairy tale for an anti-Cinderella – the young woman of means who marries for all the socially acceptable wrong reasons. Her much older husband wants the heir her womb can provide; she is a tool for his ambition and nothing more. The daughter she bears him cements his dislike until he realizes she can be used in the marriage trade to his advantage. As a despairing young mother, she walks the deserted beach at night – and one night, her fairy tale begins. Most enjoyable.
Alexandra was the one trapped in a marriage of convenience. When she first laid eyes on Antoine she finally felt unexplainably liberated. Conversely, Antoine never believed he would find his other half as his father had predicted. When he first laid eyes on Alexandra it practically hit him in the gut. This story is a fairy tale brought to life by this talented author and such a pleasure to read.
I have read most of this series of books and they are wonderful. I really enjoy the interweaving of characters through the series. You get to know them and understand them. I would highly recommend this series.
This was my first adventure into the Love’s Second Chance series and I couldn’t have chosen a better novella to start with!
This is the story of Alexandra Sombersby and how her mother told her fairy tales and to never to give up on her dreams of finding her own prince charming. And this is the story of Antoine Duret and how his father told him to believe in an all encompassing love of finding your other half to make one whole. Each in their own way and with life events never thought their dreams would ever become reality. Then one stormy day, each was compelled by an unknown feeling to visit a wave drenched beach, little knowing they’d find each other there. They chose to take a second chance at love and they lived happily ever after!
In this story, Alexandra with her husband Lord Silcox had a daughter, Violet. When Antoine and Alexandra meet, they take Violet with them, so she’ll be free to chose her own spouse and have a happy life. I can’t wait to read Violet’s love story in book #9 of the Love’s Second Chance Series!
Trapped And Liberated is a historical romance by Bree Wolf. This is a quick read, perfect for those with limited reading time. Ms. Wolf has delivered a well-written book. I love the characters. Alexandra always dreamed of marrying her one true love, if she could only find him. She tossed her dreams aside and married an older man to help her brother. Antoine’s father always told him he’d find his perfect love someday, but Antoine scoffed at the idea. Alexandra and Antoine’s story is full of drama. This is a clean read, appropriate for any age. I enjoyed reading Trapped And Liberated and look forward to my next book by Bree Wolf. Trapped And Liberated is book 10 of the Love’s Second Chance Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
A sweet prologue to Condemned and Admired, Trapped and Liberated tells us the story of Alexandra and Antoine. Alexandra found herself married to an obnoxious man, but she longed for the love that her brother experienced. When she met the one man who could touch her heart, she had to search deep within herself to decide on whether to find happiness or remain entrenched in a system where status was the main criteria in a marriage of convenience. Antoine, on the other hand, grew up with a family who understood and lived by the code of love and even though he never expected it, when he met Alexandra he knew that she was the only answer to the demands of his heart. This is a sweet story and can be read in an evening. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
As with all Bree’s books a wonderful story. Only drawback? Too short.
SETTING: Touching back-story of Alexandra Sombersby and Antoine Duret, whom we met in an earlier story, “Condemned & Admired’. We meet both of them as children with loving parents. Alexandra’s mother was a hands-on mother, devoted to her child and teaching her to watch for her true love when she grew up. However, this loving mother died before Alexandra had even her first season. To allow her brother to marry the love of his life, Alexandra was willing to marry an older man who would raise the family’s status, making her brother acceptable to his prospective in-laws. Thus, she enters into this arranged marriage, thinking that perhaps she will never have the same happiness she sees in her brother.
Antoine’s father, Hubert Duret, has always taught him the importance of family. Hubert is a French privateer, who spends his free time at home with his wife and family, and Antoine has followed in his father’s footsteps becoming a captain in his own right. His father has told Antoine that his other half is out there in the world, somewhere, waiting for him. When Antoine finds her, his father tells Antoine to grab her and not look back, or he will regret having let her go the rest of his life.
SUMMARY: Thus, although both Alexandra and Antoine were raised with the expectation that they will meet their ‘other half’ and live HEA, they have nearly give up on that actually happening. A chance encounter on a dark and stormy night, brings the 2 halves together. Will Alexandra go with Antoine? What will happen to her 6 year old daughter Violet? Where will they live? Will Lord Silox, Alexandra’s husband and Violet’s father, search for them and take them away, back to his loveless home? This story works out all these questions and more, filling in the blanks about Violet’s parents’ past. A book to be cherished on its own, or as part of the saga we have begun with “Love’s Second Chance”.
DREAMS DO COME TRUE!!!
OMG! I love, love, love this exciting, adventurous, thrilling, page turning tale that captivates from the start. All the twists and turns, ups and downs, along with a few glitches here and there make for one enjoyable experience. Bree brings it all alive in such an expressive way you can’t help falling in love with the characters. The characters and their personalities are so realistic and believable it feels like you can just reach out and touch them. The scenes are descriptive and detailed it’s easy to picture each scenario as it plays out before your mind’s eyes. Bree did an excellent job bringing this read to life flawlessly. Fantastic job Bree, thanks for sharing this awesome read with us.
Alexandra has an arranged marriage to make it easier for her brother to have a better life per her father’s request. She’s in a unhappy marriage and had to give up long ago on finding love but at least she has a daughter to care for. One night on a dark beach she meets a French privateer who never wanted to find love but these to do. Read what happens next!
Loved Alexandra and Antoine’s love story. I was intrigued by it when I read Condemned & Admired − The Earl’s Cunning Wife, and am so glad Bree decided to write their story. Alexandra is an amazingly strong woman and I love her. I already loved Antoine from the previous book, but he was still wonderful. I suggest reading this before reading Condemned & Admired − The Earl’s Cunning Wife if possible, but if not you will still really enjoy this story.
I enjoy these novellas very much it gives you a little more depth and background of the novels that came before them. This is the story of Violette’s mother and her journey to true love. Alexandra chose to marry without love not what she wanted but so her brother could marry the woman he loved. She was never happy in this cold marriage the only joy her life had was for her daughter for her she would do anything. Upon learning that her husband has signed a marriage contract with his old friend to marry Violette to him when she turns eighteen causes her great distress she wants her daughter to have love in her marriage, What she does could carry dire consequences if her judgement is wrong, her and Violette’s future depend on Antone a complete stranger.
Alexandra Winters and Antoine Duret were destined to be together. She was trapped in a loveless marriage. He never thought of being tied to anyone. But fate thought otherwise for these two souls.
Trapped & Liberated is a wonderfully descriptive, romantic read packed with plenty of emotion. It provides insightful information about Violet, from Condemned & Admired, the ninth book in Love’s Second Chance series. I was fortunate to receive an ARC from the author and offer this voluntary and unbiased review.
I loved this book. It was a very gentle reading of devotion to family. I found the heroine of the story Alexandra, Lady Silcox , a determined young woman and fiercely devoted to her brother and father. Her mother passed away from illness. Alexandra had a wonderful childhood, full of love and fairytales. Twelve years had passed and at eighteen Alexandra was ready for her first season. She never felt a connection to anyone. However, her brother William did. He found Lady Agnes. William’s suit was thwarted by Lady Agnes’s father because of his lack of social standing. Their father was a Baron. But that was not enough to secure his beloved’s hand in marriage. When Alexandra’s father told her this and that the only way to secure the match was for her to marry advantageously. Her father had received a proposal of marriage for Alexandra from a Viscount Silcox. The Viscount was older than Alexandra’s father and at first, she was opposed. But quickly realized she may never have what William had found. So, she decided for the match with the Viscount even though she did not want to. Alexandra put her mind on having children to buoy her spirits. She convinced herself, her brother and father that this is what she wanted. On her wedding day to Viscount Silcox, William made Alexandra promise that if she should ever find her other half that she would take the risk and not fight it. He told her that it was never too late to be happy. She agreed. Her life with her husband was not a happy one. But she was overjoyed when she became pregnant. She gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Viscount Silcox was not happy at all. As a matter of fact, he was appalled that Alexandra did not give birth to a son. He needed an heir. It became apparent that the Viscount had no love for the child and held her in contempt. Alexandra named her daughter Violet. Six years passed and things became worse for Alexandra. That morning, the Viscount had informed her that he had signed a contract with his very old friend Lord Dowling. for Violet’s hand in marriage when she turned eighteen. Alexandra became terror stricken that her daughter would be in the same predicament that she was in, an arranged marriage, against her will. But at the time, there was nothing she could do about it. That evening she wanted to go for a walk even though it was quite windy outside. Alexandra needed time to wrap her mind around what would happen to Violet. She was drawn to the beach. Alexandra wanted to just feel the strength of the sea and hoped it would share some of it with her. While she waded in the water, someone abducted her. Panic stricken, Alexandra was taken to a cave where a ship had docked. She was taken aboard and when she saw the captain, she finally felt desire and longing. Fortunately, Captain Antoine Duret felt the same. He never thought he was made for marriage but finding Alexandra was everything he never knew he wanted and he wanted her. They spoke with each other honestly. Antoine was now aware of Alexandra’s situation and predicament. He asked her to sail away with him. She finally decided to risk everything and said yes. This was the beginning of their grand adventure, of their romance. They’re finally finding their place in this world. Their spiritual home in each other. For Violet she took to the ship and the sea like a fish in the water. Antoine knew his life was change forever for the better. Now he had a family to call his own. Alexandra had found her true heart, an escape from a loveless marriage and a new future for Violet. This was such an emotional read. I highly recommend it.
There proved to be a reason why Alexandra sacrificed her future and married such an awful man, a good reason, or so she thought. We’re given an honest glimpse into the lives of women in this era, and their lack of true choices. Alexandra, along with her daughter violet, would prove to be a breath of fresh air as she kept a promise and seized her dream. You’ll be pleased to cheer her on, and perhaps move forward with your own dreams. Happy reading!
Can one night change everything? Absolutely! Once again another fantastic book by Bree Wolf!