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Danger and Desire #3
Casarse con un extraño
Eran iguales pero tan diferentes...
La vida de Sophia Langley se vio inmersa repentinamente en un torbellino. Cuando se enteró de la muerte de su prometido en un naufragio, lo último que podía esperar era que Callum Chatterton, el hermano gemelo de este, le propusiera matrimonio.
Su romanticismo innato protestó ante la idea de un matrimonio de conveniencia, y el apenado Callum dejó muy claro que eso era lo único que podía ser. Sin embargo, las necesidades económicas de su familia y el carácter arrollador de aquel hombre tan distinto de su prometido, pero que físicamente era igual, la empujaban a aceptar
La vida de Sophia Langley se vio inmersa repentinamente en un torbellino. Cuando se enteró de la muerte de su prometido en un naufragio, lo último que podía esperar era que Callum Chatterton, el hermano gemelo de este, le propusiera matrimonio.
Su romanticismo innato protestó ante la idea de un matrimonio de conveniencia, y el apenado Callum dejó muy claro que eso era lo único que podía ser. Sin embargo, las necesidades económicas de su familia y el carácter arrollador de aquel hombre tan distinto de su prometido, pero que físicamente era igual, la empujaban a aceptar
317 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
41 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Louise Allen
424 books331 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
This author also writes under the name Francesca Shaw.
I have had my nose buried in a history book - fact or fiction - for as long as I can remember, but even more important to me are the places and the objects that conjure up the past. My first attempt at historical fiction at the age of eight was three pages of improbable medieval drama set in the local castle.
With a degree in geography and archaeology I love to try and 'read' the landscape and the buildings in it for clues about the past. Virtually any place can trigger ideas for plots, but I am particularly inspired by Venice, Burgundy, Mediterranean islands and the Hertfordshire and Norfolk countryside.
I live in England in a village in Bedfordshire with my long-suffering husband. He is not sure whether to be flattered or alarmed to be told he is the inspiration for all my romantic heroes! Whenever possible we escape to our cottage on the North Norfolk coast where Percy, the bossy pheasant, allows us to share the garden.
My resolution every time I start on a new plot is to plan it carefully, make copious notes first and write lots of drafts in a disciplined and orderly manner. What inevitably happens is that the story starts to write itself in my head until it gets completely out of control - meanwhile my study floor becomes a sea of open books, prints and maps and I am found sitting in the car at traffic lights, muttering dialogue. At that point I have to start writing, knowing full well that the hero and heroine are going to take over and sabotage all my attempts at discipline. It is, after all, their story.
This author also writes under the name Francesca Shaw.
I have had my nose buried in a history book - fact or fiction - for as long as I can remember, but even more important to me are the places and the objects that conjure up the past. My first attempt at historical fiction at the age of eight was three pages of improbable medieval drama set in the local castle.
With a degree in geography and archaeology I love to try and 'read' the landscape and the buildings in it for clues about the past. Virtually any place can trigger ideas for plots, but I am particularly inspired by Venice, Burgundy, Mediterranean islands and the Hertfordshire and Norfolk countryside.
I live in England in a village in Bedfordshire with my long-suffering husband. He is not sure whether to be flattered or alarmed to be told he is the inspiration for all my romantic heroes! Whenever possible we escape to our cottage on the North Norfolk coast where Percy, the bossy pheasant, allows us to share the garden.
My resolution every time I start on a new plot is to plan it carefully, make copious notes first and write lots of drafts in a disciplined and orderly manner. What inevitably happens is that the story starts to write itself in my head until it gets completely out of control - meanwhile my study floor becomes a sea of open books, prints and maps and I am found sitting in the car at traffic lights, muttering dialogue. At that point I have to start writing, knowing full well that the hero and heroine are going to take over and sabotage all my attempts at discipline. It is, after all, their story.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
June 6, 2013
DNF.
When she was seventeen, the heroine became engaged to the hero's twin brother who then traveled to India wihtout her to seek his fortune.
TEN YEARS later, her betrothed (still not husband) died in a storm on the ocean (no body found, so I suspect he may rise again later on in the story. Just a suspicion, not a fact since I didn't finish the story).
TEN YEARS. Do I need to say it again? Engaged for TEN YEARS. The best years of her life, her betrothed out of the country. She'd long fallen out of love with the man (eeee-gads, she hadn't seen him in TEN YEARS) but didn't have the courage to tell him to either come home and wed her or she'd call off the betrothal.
So she's now twenty-seven years old - an on the shelf spinster without any other beaus to cultivate. Her fiance failed to mention her in his will (don't think that's required for an intended, even one who has waited TEN YEARS) so she has no income, a mother and worthless brother (a vicar) to support and a bunch of debts that need to be paid.
(What the heck was she living on for TEN YEARS???).
She knows that without a man to support her, or the promise of a betrothal, she will have to find a job to support herself and her dependents - because she is too proud to ask her was-supposed-to-become-her-rich-brother-in-law-Earl for assistance after waiting TEN YEARS for a promise never to be fulfilled.
The hero, her fiance's twin, asks for her hand in marriage. He is still sunk in guilt and grief over the death of his brother. He had promised his brother he would take care of the heroine if anything ever happened to him. He thinks she is still in love with his brother, but wants to secure her future and pay her debts and take care of her dependents, help her brother find a decent living.
Does she use a healthy dose of common sense, swallow her pride, and say, "Thank-you very much! You are my hero! Yes, please. We've known each other since we were children. I'm certain we can make this work somehow. Yes, I will marry you." No, of course not.
Sorry, but I can't imagine a senseable woman with so much to lose would say no to an old family friend who has offered her the answer to all of her needs. Not only that, she's attracted to him, not repulsed. So what's the problem with saying yes?
Anyway, she doesn't act her age or behave sensibly, or intelligently. And the hero is still so wrapped up in his grief, six month after his brother's death, his emotions don't make sense. Can a person experience blazing desire while wrapped up in the deep depression of grief? I don't think he's be able to "rise" to the occassion. And yet he lusts after the heroine.
I moved on to another story where the characters' behavior was more intelligent, or at least more logical than this pair.
When she was seventeen, the heroine became engaged to the hero's twin brother who then traveled to India wihtout her to seek his fortune.
TEN YEARS later, her betrothed (still not husband) died in a storm on the ocean (no body found, so I suspect he may rise again later on in the story. Just a suspicion, not a fact since I didn't finish the story).
TEN YEARS. Do I need to say it again? Engaged for TEN YEARS. The best years of her life, her betrothed out of the country. She'd long fallen out of love with the man (eeee-gads, she hadn't seen him in TEN YEARS) but didn't have the courage to tell him to either come home and wed her or she'd call off the betrothal.
So she's now twenty-seven years old - an on the shelf spinster without any other beaus to cultivate. Her fiance failed to mention her in his will (don't think that's required for an intended, even one who has waited TEN YEARS) so she has no income, a mother and worthless brother (a vicar) to support and a bunch of debts that need to be paid.
(What the heck was she living on for TEN YEARS???).
She knows that without a man to support her, or the promise of a betrothal, she will have to find a job to support herself and her dependents - because she is too proud to ask her was-supposed-to-become-her-rich-brother-in-law-Earl for assistance after waiting TEN YEARS for a promise never to be fulfilled.
The hero, her fiance's twin, asks for her hand in marriage. He is still sunk in guilt and grief over the death of his brother. He had promised his brother he would take care of the heroine if anything ever happened to him. He thinks she is still in love with his brother, but wants to secure her future and pay her debts and take care of her dependents, help her brother find a decent living.
Does she use a healthy dose of common sense, swallow her pride, and say, "Thank-you very much! You are my hero! Yes, please. We've known each other since we were children. I'm certain we can make this work somehow. Yes, I will marry you." No, of course not.
Sorry, but I can't imagine a senseable woman with so much to lose would say no to an old family friend who has offered her the answer to all of her needs. Not only that, she's attracted to him, not repulsed. So what's the problem with saying yes?
Anyway, she doesn't act her age or behave sensibly, or intelligently. And the hero is still so wrapped up in his grief, six month after his brother's death, his emotions don't make sense. Can a person experience blazing desire while wrapped up in the deep depression of grief? I don't think he's be able to "rise" to the occassion. And yet he lusts after the heroine.
I moved on to another story where the characters' behavior was more intelligent, or at least more logical than this pair.
October 20, 2024
Finale di serie con un riabbraccio corale di tutti i personaggi (cosa che mi fa sempre rivalutare tutte le storie precedenti).
Qui la trama è davvero semplice, con un giovane che decide di sposare per onore la fidanzata del gemello morto, eppure è un lento innamoramento tra due sconosciuti che riesce a intrigare il lettore.
Sophia, quasi zitella, ha tutta la mia simpatia per accettare il matrimonio come il male minore e per come riesce comunque a ritagliarsi un piccolo spazio di autonomia e libertà rispetto al rigore di Callum (già vecchio dentro per i miei gusti).
Qui la trama è davvero semplice, con un giovane che decide di sposare per onore la fidanzata del gemello morto, eppure è un lento innamoramento tra due sconosciuti che riesce a intrigare il lettore.
Sophia, quasi zitella, ha tutta la mia simpatia per accettare il matrimonio come il male minore e per come riesce comunque a ritagliarsi un piccolo spazio di autonomia e libertà rispetto al rigore di Callum (già vecchio dentro per i miei gusti).
April 21, 2012
The third and final book centering around a Shipwreck in the Miniseries: Danger & Desire, a trilogy billed as "Shipwreck, Scandal, and Society Weddings".
In "Married to a Stranger", a marriage of convenience becomes something more, but neither party is brave enough to speak up.
Ten years after the twins left for India, only one twin, the wrong one, comes back. Cal is finally a man with 27 years of age and he has a prosperous career before him, all that is missing is a wife. Sophia seems perfect, she is mature and was the fiancée of his twin, Dan who he was not able to save in the shipwreck. Cal believes if he married Sophia, then he would also fulfill his promise to care for her if something happened to his twin. Sophia is with her 26 years of age a spinster, her family has huge debts and Cal's propose seems like a fine solution to the whole mess. But can they both overcome their misplaced guilty feelings and what happens when Sophia falls in love with Cal, because he is just too caring to resist? The sexual tension between those two does not make everything any easier (but was great to read).
Besides the plot around Cal's and Sophia's marriage, the book deals with three very interesting topics: the unique bond between twins, independence of women and trust.
Anyway, there ist this rumour that twins share a special bond where they are able to experience thoughts and feelings from each other. Cal lost his twin, Dan in the shipwreck and feels now empty inside. He thinks he will never be able to love again, because he will not risk getting hurt once more. Sophia is desperate in showing Cal that love is worth everything. I admired her strong attitude but also her understanding of the situation.
Furthermore, Sophia was dealing with her own problems. Independence of women was not easily reached and also not during Georgian times. Sophia is described as an talented artist. Finally, she wants to take the next step and find out how her art would be accepted by the public.
And with that, there is the last issue about trust. Sophia does not trust Cal enough to tell him about her art, she is afraid he will forbid it. But you need this trust that your love will understand and accept you, no matter what your dreams are.
Well, I like some books by Louise Allen and this was one of them. There was no murder or kidnapping or intrigue. It was just about two people who learned to trust each other and to care for each other and in the process to fall in love with each other.
The Story was sweet and fascinating and I enjoyed it very much.
In "Married to a Stranger", a marriage of convenience becomes something more, but neither party is brave enough to speak up.
Ten years after the twins left for India, only one twin, the wrong one, comes back. Cal is finally a man with 27 years of age and he has a prosperous career before him, all that is missing is a wife. Sophia seems perfect, she is mature and was the fiancée of his twin, Dan who he was not able to save in the shipwreck. Cal believes if he married Sophia, then he would also fulfill his promise to care for her if something happened to his twin. Sophia is with her 26 years of age a spinster, her family has huge debts and Cal's propose seems like a fine solution to the whole mess. But can they both overcome their misplaced guilty feelings and what happens when Sophia falls in love with Cal, because he is just too caring to resist? The sexual tension between those two does not make everything any easier (but was great to read).
Besides the plot around Cal's and Sophia's marriage, the book deals with three very interesting topics: the unique bond between twins, independence of women and trust.
Anyway, there ist this rumour that twins share a special bond where they are able to experience thoughts and feelings from each other. Cal lost his twin, Dan in the shipwreck and feels now empty inside. He thinks he will never be able to love again, because he will not risk getting hurt once more. Sophia is desperate in showing Cal that love is worth everything. I admired her strong attitude but also her understanding of the situation.
Furthermore, Sophia was dealing with her own problems. Independence of women was not easily reached and also not during Georgian times. Sophia is described as an talented artist. Finally, she wants to take the next step and find out how her art would be accepted by the public.
And with that, there is the last issue about trust. Sophia does not trust Cal enough to tell him about her art, she is afraid he will forbid it. But you need this trust that your love will understand and accept you, no matter what your dreams are.
Well, I like some books by Louise Allen and this was one of them. There was no murder or kidnapping or intrigue. It was just about two people who learned to trust each other and to care for each other and in the process to fall in love with each other.
The Story was sweet and fascinating and I enjoyed it very much.
Read
December 27, 2014Miniseries: Danger & Desire
"Allen delivers a lovely, sweet story demonstrating how strangers can build a relationship based on lost love. The gentle, yet powerful emotions of a grieving brother are sure to touch readers, as will the budding romance between him and a shy but emotionally strong woman." RT Book review, 4 stars
"Allen delivers a lovely, sweet story demonstrating how strangers can build a relationship based on lost love. The gentle, yet powerful emotions of a grieving brother are sure to touch readers, as will the budding romance between him and a shy but emotionally strong woman." RT Book review, 4 stars
July 22, 2025
Overall, I thought the story was good. It was more historically accurate than other marriage of convenience novels I've read previously. Depending on the reader that might be a bit of an annoyance since it was a bit more realistically written and less in the romantic style.
I didn't connect with the characters, though I don't really have any complaint about them, except one really. A character accuses other characters of snobbery, but literally is snobbish towards them in the next sentence (pg 241). Obviously, people are like this in real life, but this character is written in such a way that any fuming on the character's part would have been dispensed in a different way and was a little later.
Another scene felt awkward, like one of the characters was drunk during it, but you couldn't be precisely sure, so it fell flat when it should have been engaging and potentially exciting for some readers. Moments before this awkward encounter, one of the characters is reading a book called "The Husband and Wife, or the Matrimonial Martyr" by Bridget Bluemantle - a real book by the way - about a woman who feels trapped in a loveless marriage and is contemplating suicide. Like, based on the type of book Louise Allen has written here, why would this particular character be reading that type of book? I don't understand what the author is trying to say there. The author wrote the character willingly marrying the other, and even showed that the character had other potential options in life to get by, so again, I don't understand why that was added, especially on that night (pg. 120).
I don't recall any swearing, except for one use of the word 'hell.' There is sex throughout this novel, all done after marriage, but it is open door, I'd say about 2-3 spice level depending on your tolerance, for anyone who is not keen to read those types of scenes.
I'm not going to keep this book in my personal library, but if I happened across any of her other novels I wouldn't be opposed to potentially reading it.
I didn't connect with the characters, though I don't really have any complaint about them, except one really. A character accuses other characters of snobbery, but literally is snobbish towards them in the next sentence (pg 241). Obviously, people are like this in real life, but this character is written in such a way that any fuming on the character's part would have been dispensed in a different way and was a little later.
Another scene felt awkward, like one of the characters was drunk during it, but you couldn't be precisely sure, so it fell flat when it should have been engaging and potentially exciting for some readers. Moments before this awkward encounter, one of the characters is reading a book called "The Husband and Wife, or the Matrimonial Martyr" by Bridget Bluemantle - a real book by the way - about a woman who feels trapped in a loveless marriage and is contemplating suicide. Like, based on the type of book Louise Allen has written here, why would this particular character be reading that type of book? I don't understand what the author is trying to say there. The author wrote the character willingly marrying the other, and even showed that the character had other potential options in life to get by, so again, I don't understand why that was added, especially on that night (pg. 120).
I don't recall any swearing, except for one use of the word 'hell.' There is sex throughout this novel, all done after marriage, but it is open door, I'd say about 2-3 spice level depending on your tolerance, for anyone who is not keen to read those types of scenes.
I'm not going to keep this book in my personal library, but if I happened across any of her other novels I wouldn't be opposed to potentially reading it.
September 11, 2017
Really wanted to enjoy this after reading "One night with a rake", was sadly disappointed.
I hate to be brutally honest, though wish there had been more to sink my teeth into. It sadly seemed to lack a plot and lacked chemistry between the main characters. To me it seemed she fell in love with him only a days into their marriage but how and why? What made her fall for him in such a short time considering he was closed off, reserved and practically a stranger?
Unfortunately I found it boring, repetitive (very repetitive) and nonsensical in some parts?
A bigger plot or twist where Daniel returns and tries to steal her back from Cal etc. Or maybe when she sees Daniel again her feelings start to return for him? Could have been more built on this foundation, after all it seemed Daniel was the only one whom didn't survive?
Though had completed reading the book, unfortunately from me it only earmed two stars.
Will continue to read more of Allen's novels. 😊
I hate to be brutally honest, though wish there had been more to sink my teeth into. It sadly seemed to lack a plot and lacked chemistry between the main characters. To me it seemed she fell in love with him only a days into their marriage but how and why? What made her fall for him in such a short time considering he was closed off, reserved and practically a stranger?
Unfortunately I found it boring, repetitive (very repetitive) and nonsensical in some parts?
A bigger plot or twist where Daniel returns and tries to steal her back from Cal etc. Or maybe when she sees Daniel again her feelings start to return for him? Could have been more built on this foundation, after all it seemed Daniel was the only one whom didn't survive?
Though had completed reading the book, unfortunately from me it only earmed two stars.
Will continue to read more of Allen's novels. 😊
July 23, 2024
I found this book much too long but did finish it.
Sophia Langley and her mother are deep into financial debt but the people they owed knew she was supposed to marry Dan Chatterton so they knew they would get paid. But Dan Chatterton died when their ship was caught in a bad storm at sea.
Once she heard that Dan died, she and her mother were very worried....who would pay off the many debts they had? But eventually Callum Chatterton (twin with Dan) came to see her on his way home from India and told her that he would marry her, pay off the debts and they would live a life as friends.
This didn't happen after awhile because she fell in love with Callum but he was not in love with her but would look after her. I felt the book was too long but finished it and of course, Callum and Sophia were very happy at the end.
Sophia Langley and her mother are deep into financial debt but the people they owed knew she was supposed to marry Dan Chatterton so they knew they would get paid. But Dan Chatterton died when their ship was caught in a bad storm at sea.
Once she heard that Dan died, she and her mother were very worried....who would pay off the many debts they had? But eventually Callum Chatterton (twin with Dan) came to see her on his way home from India and told her that he would marry her, pay off the debts and they would live a life as friends.
This didn't happen after awhile because she fell in love with Callum but he was not in love with her but would look after her. I felt the book was too long but finished it and of course, Callum and Sophia were very happy at the end.
February 15, 2021
*DNF*
Made it halfway through, and the heroine Sophia was absolutely insufferable. What an awful lead. I found her selfish, ungrateful, and chock full of unwarranted self-righteous indignation. All on top of being incredibly stupid and irrational.
It's one thing to despise a lead and quite another to despise the story. Both of those things happened in this book for me. The story was boring because it was chock full of trite 'historical romance benchmarks' as though the author had a list of tropes they were checking off to make the story 'good.'
Made it halfway through, and the heroine Sophia was absolutely insufferable. What an awful lead. I found her selfish, ungrateful, and chock full of unwarranted self-righteous indignation. All on top of being incredibly stupid and irrational.
It's one thing to despise a lead and quite another to despise the story. Both of those things happened in this book for me. The story was boring because it was chock full of trite 'historical romance benchmarks' as though the author had a list of tropes they were checking off to make the story 'good.'
May 19, 2019
I started out not liking this one, then it grew on me and I really liked the couple... Until the very very end when everything got really stupid really fast, and I didn't like it again. The "big conflict" felt rushed and stuffed in there just because the author felt like it needed more conflict, and the heroine's reaction to said conflict felt wildly ooc. A good couple with good chemistry, foiled by uninspired writing.
May 5, 2017
I can't believe I actually read this book. The plot was horrifically boring. I felt no chemistry between the characters. It seemed forced in writing the whole way through. A story of girl who is betrothed, to a twin, and he dies so the brother marries her out obligation or love? It could have been better. Way better.
April 23, 2023
Successful second son
This was the first book I've read by this author and I am looking forward to reading others! I loved both the story and the characters. I especially liked that these characters weren't titled and that the second son of an Earl was ambitious and successful instead of being a feckless rake.
This was the first book I've read by this author and I am looking forward to reading others! I loved both the story and the characters. I especially liked that these characters weren't titled and that the second son of an Earl was ambitious and successful instead of being a feckless rake.
October 8, 2017
The setup was decently done. But after that it was neither angsty nor particularly funny.
June 20, 2019
El argumento no atrae mucho y se hace un poco pesada.
May 29, 2020
Too modern and frigging adversarial for me, plus woman in lust and uneasy about it, and dude just seems to be doing a job--never added up to anything interesting or enjoyable for me, so I ditched it
February 22, 2022
Es un 2.5; el romance no me convenció en lo personal.
July 3, 2022
3.5.
I enjoyed this a lot more than the first two in the series. Looking at some of the other reviews, I see some others had the opposite experience!
I enjoyed this a lot more than the first two in the series. Looking at some of the other reviews, I see some others had the opposite experience!
August 18, 2021
Casarse con un extraño ,al principio se me hizo un poco tedioso pero después no podía parar de leer. Un libro que me llevo al pasado y como las mujeres se.prometian y si al prometido le pasaba algo , está no se podía volver a casar
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July 4, 2022
This jumped the shark 3/4 way in.
August 14, 2019
Not my usual read but I enjoyed this. I liked the quiet pace and gentle humor. This is actually the first book in this genre I have read, so I cannot review the historical accuracy of the language or items used etc but I can say I did enjoy this.
It is quite a gentle, quiet book, maybe that is simply the style of this historical romance genre, I don't know, having not read this genre before. But overal this was an easy likable read. I liked the character's and there was some nice soft humor and also some nice, if lacking in detail, bedroom scenes. It's hasn't made me want to rush to read another historical romance but it was a nice easy read.
It is quite a gentle, quiet book, maybe that is simply the style of this historical romance genre, I don't know, having not read this genre before. But overal this was an easy likable read. I liked the character's and there was some nice soft humor and also some nice, if lacking in detail, bedroom scenes. It's hasn't made me want to rush to read another historical romance but it was a nice easy read.
October 15, 2024
"Where was Callum*? There was no sign of him, not so much as a note. Had he changed his mind and decided that after yesterday when she had slapped him*, insulted him, stolen his horses and abandoned him in the middle of the woods that she was impossible, duty or no duty?"
No. No. He didn't change his mind. Even thought there was no 'duty' anyway. Even though men are under no obligation to propose to their brothers fiance. Even though any intelligent man in existence who would have changed his mind. Even though any man or woman would be extremely pissed if they were slapped for no good reason. Aaaand I had enough of this stupidity.
Skimmed the rest, nothing exceptional, guy won't love cause he's afraid to be hurt, girl falls in love but is afraid to tell him, he also falls in love but is afraid to tell her... you've read it 100 times. But this version has nothing to add to a typical theme such as humour, a mystery, drama or something. Heartless was the only book that made an impression on me with this theme.
*Callum: the handsome, rich, 27 year old, polite, childhood friend from a good, nice family who proposed.
*slapped him: after he asked if he could kiss her and then kissed her when she said YES. The slap and insults etc were cause... he's a great kisser. Yes... if a man kisses great a reasonable woman will slap him, insult him, steal his horses and carriage and leave him stranded in the middle of nowhere with no money. That'll show you for kissing well, you bastard!
No. No. He didn't change his mind. Even thought there was no 'duty' anyway. Even though men are under no obligation to propose to their brothers fiance. Even though any intelligent man in existence who would have changed his mind. Even though any man or woman would be extremely pissed if they were slapped for no good reason. Aaaand I had enough of this stupidity.
Skimmed the rest, nothing exceptional, guy won't love cause he's afraid to be hurt, girl falls in love but is afraid to tell him, he also falls in love but is afraid to tell her... you've read it 100 times. But this version has nothing to add to a typical theme such as humour, a mystery, drama or something. Heartless was the only book that made an impression on me with this theme.
*Callum: the handsome, rich, 27 year old, polite, childhood friend from a good, nice family who proposed.
*slapped him: after he asked if he could kiss her and then kissed her when she said YES. The slap and insults etc were cause... he's a great kisser. Yes... if a man kisses great a reasonable woman will slap him, insult him, steal his horses and carriage and leave him stranded in the middle of nowhere with no money. That'll show you for kissing well, you bastard!
September 27, 2012
This is the third installment of Danger and Desire series. This where we learn about what happen to Callum Chatterton. In the first book, we learn that Daniel drown in the sea. So, we have Callum dealing with the aftermath of the wreckage. We would know that Callum was suffer from PTSD, however, back then it wouldn't diagnois and they would get over it.
Well, Callum has decide to do his duty and take care of his brother's bethrothed. What better way to do that than to marry her? Sophia Langley has been engaged to Daniel Chatterton 10years. By the way, is a long time to wait for a guy. I don't know if I would do that. Hey, if she hadn't, then we wouldn't have a story here. One problem she fell out of love with Daniel sometime ago. I guess that's a good thing that he had not come back, I guess.
However, Callum doesn't know this, but he pursues her. She final accepts his proposal. However, laden with the guilt that she didn't love his brother final tells him the truth after they were married. Eek! Rotten luck, right, not so fast, surprisingly it works. However,they have to work out trust issues after all it is a marriage of convience. Does it turn into love or is just as it is a marriage of connivence?
I love the third book. Who doesn't love having a marriage of convience, coping with the death of a brother, and secrets that could destroy them all? So, go on and finish the series by reading Married to a Stranger.
February 4, 2015
For once I read a series in correct order the first time around. And I must say that I wasn't expecting much for Callum. Perdita and Alistair, Averil and Luc were just so intriguing, but Callum came across as staid and solid. For this reason, I was even more pleasantly surprised. I found that his strength and solidity were a vital part in the narrative. His control made the change of falling in love more believable, and the plot that much more acceptable too.
Sophia is wonderful. I felt for her. She was forced to agree to a loveless marriage, but she wanted love and then felt she was asking for too much because she knew Callum was striving for a sensible relationship and he had already done so much for her. Well written. Allen is a entertaining and interesting writer.
Re-read 03/02/2015
I found it really interesting to go back and re-read this story. I felt I understood Sophia so much more and Callum started to seem a lot more believable. I found the way Sophia ran away a little disappointing. I expected better from her, but she didn't go far, and she went to a place where he could find her with ease. More, she left a clue and she hadn't gone for good. Just so she could get her head back in the game.
Sophia is wonderful. I felt for her. She was forced to agree to a loveless marriage, but she wanted love and then felt she was asking for too much because she knew Callum was striving for a sensible relationship and he had already done so much for her. Well written. Allen is a entertaining and interesting writer.
Re-read 03/02/2015
I found it really interesting to go back and re-read this story. I felt I understood Sophia so much more and Callum started to seem a lot more believable. I found the way Sophia ran away a little disappointing. I expected better from her, but she didn't go far, and she went to a place where he could find her with ease. More, she left a clue and she hadn't gone for good. Just so she could get her head back in the game.
July 6, 2016
Marriage is hard work, but Sophia Langley and Callum Chatterton have decided to make a go at it. A decade earlier Sophia was betrothed to Callum’s twin, Daniel, before the two brothers set off to make their fortune with the East India Company. Callum, however, is the only brother to return. Pushed into the married through a combination of necessity and obligation they muddle along as best they can, each hoping to find contentment—love seems out of the question, though desire sparks before the vows are said.
The bulk of Louise Allen's Married to a Stranger is about two people learning the joys and challenges of marriage. Communication, or lack thereof, plays a key role in moving the plot along. Any reader, whether newly-wed or otherwise will empathize with Sophia and Callum. What makes this story unique are the details, particularly the way in which parts of Callum’s Indian life return with him to Britain. The backdrop, not just of drawing rooms but also of empire, brings this Regency romance to life.
The bulk of Louise Allen's Married to a Stranger is about two people learning the joys and challenges of marriage. Communication, or lack thereof, plays a key role in moving the plot along. Any reader, whether newly-wed or otherwise will empathize with Sophia and Callum. What makes this story unique are the details, particularly the way in which parts of Callum’s Indian life return with him to Britain. The backdrop, not just of drawing rooms but also of empire, brings this Regency romance to life.
July 2, 2012
I enjoyed the first two books in the Shipwrecks trilogy enough to anticipate the third. Unfortunately, I was highly disappointed. I honestly never connected with Cal and Sophia, which made it difficult for me to enjoy their story. The conflicts that threaten their happiness throughout the book never felt big enough to be the cause of such dramatic separations. The only saving grace of this book was the ability to revisit the characters from the first two books in the trilogy.
Final thoughts: If you're going to read the first two books in the trilogy then I'd say continue on and read this one. Otherwise....meh.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://wp.me/p18lIL-15y
Final thoughts: If you're going to read the first two books in the trilogy then I'd say continue on and read this one. Otherwise....meh.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://wp.me/p18lIL-15y
June 26, 2013
This book was just so much BLAH!!! There was just not much of a plot, at all! I couldn't believe that within the first chapter the guy proposes! The author couldn't have dragged out a little bit of a courtship there? At all?? Give me a break! The rest of the book was all about them adjusting to being married to each other and I tell you what..... it was pretty darn boring. There was no plot, beyond that... at all... I had no clue this was the third book in a series and you may think that I may have enjoyed it more reading the first two, but I assure you..... I would not... This book needed some serious editing.
January 25, 2014
This was pretty good. I loved the characters and their personalities. This was a good book with plenty of emotions, a little heart-wrenching, some good humor, some 'people' I wanted to definitely smack upside the head (or simply step on their skirts...rip...it would have been more satisfying seeing their faces for that...mwah ha ha), a few moments I wanted to knock the leads heads together, great friends, and a sweet and happy ending. Good for cuddling up, snuggling in and relaxing with something interesting to read. This was a little fun and a little serious. Pretty much an anytime read. Enjoy
June 11, 2016
Good read. The heroine got engaged to the hero's twin brother years ago and has fallen out of love with him since, but her family has been living on her expectations of marrying, so when the fiancé dies, they're in trouble. The hero's proposal would help, but she's not sure she should. But of course she does. It's a good story, but there are some leftovers from earlier books that didn't mesh real well in this one. Still, it's a good story.
March 31, 2012
This is the first time I've read this author and would definitely look for more from Louise Allen. So many people I know roll their eyes if you're reading a Mills and Boon book but I always enjoy those that I do read, and I must say I don't read that many. They are inexpensive and reliable as a quick and easy read.
July 1, 2012
A good, quick romantic read. I love a dark, brooding, mysterious hero and this book delivered on that. In the middle of the book I was begging for the characters to just communicate with one another and finally they did and the ending was good.
September 30, 2012
Third in the series that I started reading in the middle. This had a lot of elements to recommend it, but was let down by the circumstances of the misunderstandings between the various characters. I'd have prefered more emphasis on the hero and heroine's interests in art.
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