Condemned & Admired
Page 28
“It no longer matters which ship she took,” her father said, his gaze intent on hers as his hands held tightly to her upper arms, “because it was intercepted on its way and taken by Capitaine Dubois.”
Violette’s blood ran cold as she remembered the French privateer, whose pale blue eyes never failed to send a cold shiver down her back. There was something dark about that man that she could not name.
Gritting her teeth against the nausea that rose in her throat, Violette inhaled a slow breath. “We need to go after them,” she whispered, her mind racing to figure out how best to proceed. “We need to get her back.”
“And we will,” her father assured her, a quiet confidence in his eyes that Violette wished she felt in her own heart. “Henri is already in pursuit.”
“He is?”
Her father nodded. “He will attempt to negotiate her release. However, should he fail, then we have a problem. Since we all sail under the same flag, we cannot attack another French vessel without facing severe repercussions once we return to France.”
Violette nodded, understanding with perfect clarity what he was saying. “But the Freedom sails under an English flag, and France and England are still at war.” A tense chuckle rose from her lips. “For once, this actually benefits us.”
“Exactly.”
Violette inhaled a determined breath, squaring her shoulders as she met her husband’s questioning gaze over her father’s shoulder. “Then there is no time to lose,” she spoke calmly. “Will you take Antoinette to Mother and then follow?”
“Of course.” Squeezing her hands, her father held her gaze. “Do not act rashly. I know she is your sister, but you need to keep a clear head. I’m already worried about what Henri might do once he catches up to Dubois’s ship. We should not add more powder to the fire.”
Violette nodded, knowing how deeply her cousin cared for Juliet despite his claims to the contrary. Although they had not seen each other in years, he had never forgotten about her. And now she was in danger, her life threatened, and Henri might never get the chance to admit to himself how he truly felt about her.
Violette could only hope he would keep his wits about him. However, although Henri was far from a fool, he was a fiercely protective man who cared very little for his own life when it came to saving someone he loved.
The End
While it will be a few years before we meet Henri and Juliet again, you won’t have to wait that long to read about the night Captain Duret found his way to the beach below Silcox Manor and met Violet’s mother in Trapped and Liberated – The Privateer’s Bold Beloved.
Read on to find a sneak-peek…
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About Bree
USA Today bestselling author, Bree Wolf has always been a language enthusiast (though not a grammarian!) and is rarely found without a book in her hand or her fingers glued to a keyboard. Trying to find her way, she has taught English as a second language, traveled abroad and worked at a translation agency as well as a law firm in Ireland. She also spent loooong years obtaining a BA in English and Education and an MA in Specialized Translation while wishing she could simply be a writer. Although there is nothing simple about being a writer, her dreams have finally come true.
“A big thanks to my fairy godmother!”
Currently, Bree has found her new home in the historical romance genre, writing Regency novels and novellas. Enjoying the mix of fact and fiction, she occasionally feels like a puppet master (or mistress? Although that sounds weird!), forcing her characters into ever-new situations that will put their strength, their beliefs, their love to the test, hoping that in the end they will triumph and get the happily-ever-after we are all looking for.
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Also By Bree
Historical Romance:
Love's Second Chance Series
#1 Forgotten & Remembered - The Duke's Late Wife (Now Perma-free!)
#2 Cursed & Cherished - The Duke's Wilful Wife
#3 Despised & Desired - The Marquess' Passionate Wife
#4 Abandoned & Protected - The Marquis' Tenacious Wife
#5 Ruined & Redeemed - The Earl's Fallen Wife
#6 Betrayed & Blessed - The Viscount's Shrewd Wife
#7 Deceived & Honoured - The Baron’s Vexing Wife
#8 Sacrificed & Reclaimed - The Soldier’s Daring Widow
#9 Condemned & Admired - The Earl’s Cunning Wife
#10 Trapped & Liberated - The Privateer’s Bold Beloved (Coming October 2, 2018)
Love's Second Chance Series Box Set One (Books 1 - 4)
Love’s Second Chance Series Box Set Two: (Books 5 - 8)
Contemporary Romance:
A Love Trapped in Time
Paranormal Fantasy:
Crescent Rock Series
#1 How to Live and Die in Crescent Rock
Dear Reader,
Book nine in this series finally brought back Oliver, Frederick's childhood friend we first encountered in book three, Despised and Desired. Sometimes it takes quite a while to bring all those wonderful supporting characters back and give them their own story.
However, Condemned and Admired was well worth the wait and such a joy to write. I loved Oliver and Violet and their rather unusual story.
Naturally, new supporting characters were introduced in Juliet and Henri, whom we will definitely see again. Still, their own adventure will be a little while down the line as you were able to glimpse from the epilogue. First, I felt compelled to write down the love story of Violet's parents about the night they met. The one night that changed not only both their lives, but also Violet's and eventually Oliver's. If you wish to read it, it is already available for pre-order.
In the future novels of this series, the previous couples will often do a short appearance and reveal a little about what they've been doing and (my particular favorite) how many children they have by then! I often consult those readers subscribed to my mailing list about naming the little ones. So, if you would like to put in your vote, sign up!
Or join my FB group Bree's Belles of the Ball and put in your vote! It's as simple as that!
In the meantime, if you enjoyed book seven, would you mind leaving an honest and fair review?
Would it help if I said, “pretty please” with a cherry on top?
In all honesty, reviews and recommendations are so important for attracting new readers, especially for indie authors like me. I would greatly appreciate your support! Thanks so much for reading!
Here is a link that will quickly get you to the review page. (Click me! Click me! Click me! ... Okay, I'll stop now!)
All the best to you,
Bree
Read a Sneak-Peek of
Trapped & Liberated
The Privateer’s Bold Beloved
(#10 Love’s Second Chance Series)
(Bonus Novella)
Coming October 2, 2018
An English lady. A French privateer.
And a chance encounter that was destined to be.
Long ago, ALEXANDRA WINTERS, LADY SILCOX, dreamed of love and the one man who would st
eal her heart. However, when her family needs her to agree to a sensible match in order to see her brother happily married, Alexandra gives up on finding love for herself.
Today, Alexandra is trapped in an arranged marriage, her hope for love dashed, and her only happiness comes from the little girl she gave birth to six years ago.
Until one night when destiny leads Alexandra down to the beach below Silcox Manor and into the arms of a French privateer.
After years of biding his time, ANTOINE DURET is finally made Captain of the Destinée, a French privateer. All his life, he has dreamed of nothing but sailing the seas, ignoring his father's mumblings of finding the woman destined for him. Although he loves his family and enjoys taking his nephew on board, Antoine cannot imagine tying himself to another.
Until one night when an irresistible pull guides him to an English beach and a young lady tumbles into his arms.
Can there be a happily-ever-after for an English lady and a French privateer? Or is love truly just a myth that has no place in the real world?
Prologue
England 1777 (or a variation thereof)
“Good night, Sweetheart.”
Smiling at her mother, Alexandra Sombersby snuggled into her pillows, enjoying the softness of her little cocoon as she closed her eyes. Dimly, she heard the door close and her mother’s footsteps walk down the small corridor until their sounds were swallowed up by the soft howling of the wind outside her window.
Even at the young age of six, Alexandra knew that she was one of the few fortunate children of her station. One of the few who was tucked in at night not by a nanny or governess, but by her own mother. Although Miss Barton, their governess, kept a sharp eye on Alexandra and her elder brother during the day, bedtime was a moment that belonged to Alexandra and her mother alone.
Huddled together in Alexandra’s bed, the two of them would pull up the coverlet, enjoying the warmth of their embrace, and her mother would tell her a story.
A fairy tale.
A tale of beautiful princesses, of knights in shining armour, of evil dragons and long journeys that always, always led to a happily-ever-after.
Her mother’s soothing voice would chase away the excitement of the day and gently lull her to sleep. Often, Alexandra was not awake to bid her mother a good night. Often, she slipped into a deep and peaceful slumber before her mother had even whispered the words, “And they lived happily ever after.”
Alexandra loved nothing more but these quiet moments alone with her mother. They were her favourite part of the day, and yet, she longed for the moment when she would be all grown up, find her own prince charming and live happily-ever-after.
What would he be like? Alexandra mused as her eyelids fluttered closed and a large yawn pulled on her lips. Naturally, there was no need for him to save her from a tower. Would she meet him at a ball then? Or by chance when walking about the countryside?
Alexandra sighed, picturing all the different ways her own prince charming might sweep her off her feet and carry her off to his castle.
If only that moment was not that far off. If only she did not have to wait so much longer.
Still, what mattered was that he would find her.
After all, there was someone destined for her out there, was there not?
In the depth of her little heart, Alexandra believed that there was, and when sleep claimed her, her dreams put a gentle smile on her little face.
Coming October 2, 2018
Click here to pre-order your own copy!
Overview
Love’s Second Chance Series
#1 Forgotten & Remembered
GRAHAM ASTOR, Duke of Kensington, is done with love, and ROSABEL LANDER never believed in it. But when Graham needs help raising his daughter and Rosabel cannot burden her family any longer, can they find a new, happy life together?
Click here to claim your free copy!
#2 Cursed & Cherished
EDMOND DUNSWORTH, Duke of Cromwell, is bankrupt and therefore he marries ANNA HANDFORD for her sizable dowry. Anna is determined to hate him. Can Edmond change her mind with his oh so charming self or will there never be a happily ever after?
Click here to get your own copy!
#3 Despised & Desired
War hero FREDERICK LANCASTER never intended to become the Marquess of Elmridge. When his mother picks spinster ELLIE MUNFORD as his bride, he doesn’t expect romance — but together they might find love and healing in each other’s arms.
Click here to get your own copy!
#4 Abandoned & Protected
When HENRIETTA is married off to CONNOR BRUNWOOD, Marquis of Rodridge, she’s determined to hate the Scotsman. Can she learn to look past her prejudices and find love?
Click here to get your own copy!
#5 Ruined & Redeemed
When Lady CHARLOTTE’s life is ruined, she buries her past and reinvents herself as Lotte, a lady’s companion. SEBASTIAN, the future Earl of Weston, thinks marrying unsuitable Lotte is just the thing to aggravate his father — only to later learn who his bride really is…
Click here to get your own copy!
#6 Betrayed & Blessed
TRISTAN TURNER, Viscount Elton, is haunted by his past and tries every day ineffectively to live up to his family’s expectations. When he meets ELIZABETH „BETH“ WALKER he thinks his dreams of finding unconditional love have finally come true. But Beth has a secret which threatens to tear them apart. Can Tristan and Beth find love after all?
Click here to get your own copy!
#7 Deceived & Honoured
LADY MADELEINE, daughter to the Earl of Carlton, has vowed not to marry below the rank of an earl. But her plans go horribly wrong when she is compromised by the wrong man. A man named DEREK MCKNIGHT, a farmer’s son who was given a run-down barony for his service to the crown. Will Madeline ever be able to see past his title?
Click here to get your own copy!
#8 Sacrificed & Reclaimed (Bonus Novella)
MEAGAN DUNNING thought she'd lost her husband EDWARD to the war. Until he−presumed dead for over two years−shows up on her doorstep unexpectedly. However, although he returns from the war after all, the battle for his soul is only just beginning.
Will Meagan be able to reclaim his heart? Or has Edward given up hope long ago?
Click here to get your own copy!
#9 Condemned & Admired
VIOLET WINTERS, a French privateer’s daughter who fled England with her mother when she was a little girl, takes the chance to return to her home country unrecognised when fate delivers an English lord into her hands. OLIVER CORNELL, EARL OF CULLINGWOOD, fascinated by the adventurous gleam in her eyes, does not hesitate to offer his assistance…and pose as her husband.
Can a privateer’s daughter and a marquess’s son ever have a happily-ever-after?
Click here to get your own copy!
#10 Trapped & Liberated (Bonus Novella)
Trapped in an arranged marriage, ALEXANDRA WINTERS, LADY SILCOX, has abandoned every hope of true love. Her only happiness comes from her six year old daughter. Until one night when destiny leads Alexandra down to the beach below Silcox Manor and into the arms of the French privateer, ANTOINE DURET.
Can there be a happily-ever-after for an English lady and a French privateer?
(Coming October 2, 2018)
Click here to pre-order your own copy!
MORE TO FOLLOW
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Bree Wolf, Condemned & Admired