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The Secrets of Wiscombe Chase
"What do I want? Satisfaction. Reparation. Revenge…"
Though Gerald Wiscombe left for war a naive boy, he returns a man determined to claim what's rightfully his! But when Gerry suspects that his wife has been less than faithful in his absence, he intends to seek the truth.
Lillian has endured all she can to protect her beloved son, until the arrival of her war-hero husband. Now, not only is Lily faced with revealing terrible secrets she has hidden for years, but also an attraction that bewitches her beyond her senses…
Though Gerald Wiscombe left for war a naive boy, he returns a man determined to claim what's rightfully his! But when Gerry suspects that his wife has been less than faithful in his absence, he intends to seek the truth.
Lillian has endured all she can to protect her beloved son, until the arrival of her war-hero husband. Now, not only is Lily faced with revealing terrible secrets she has hidden for years, but also an attraction that bewitches her beyond her senses…
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 16, 2016
10 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Christine Merrill
247 books217 followersChristine Merrill has wanted to be an author for as long as she can remember. But one thing stood in her way: touch typing.
Six weeks spent on an IBM Selectric in her Sophomore year of high school proved that she would never be able to produce one readable page of manuscript, much less several hundred.
Twenty years passed, and she found ways to pass the time: marrying her high school sweetheart; having two sons; and taking an assortment of jobs in professional theater costume shops, including a miserable year and a half spent styling wigs for a certain hamburger-selling clown (who shall remain nameless, since I don't want to incur the wrath of a major American corporation) and a couple of weeks working on a TV movie with one of the sexiest men alive (whose name I'm happy to drop: Mark Harmon!).
During that time, someone invented word processing, and a reliable spell checker.
Christine returned to her childhood dream, only to discover that there was more to the whole writing thing than accurate typing. The next years were spent learning to tell stories that people might want to read, and trying to find someone who wanted to buy them. Her chance came when she won the RWA's Golden Heart Competition for unpublished manuscripts. The winning story, soon to be known as THE INCONVENIENT DUCHESS, was bought by the contest judges, the delightful editors at Mills & Boon, in Richmond, Surrey.
Christine is now busy writing her fifth book, and is more than slightly jealous that her manuscripts get to visit England, while she stays home in Wisconsin
Six weeks spent on an IBM Selectric in her Sophomore year of high school proved that she would never be able to produce one readable page of manuscript, much less several hundred.
Twenty years passed, and she found ways to pass the time: marrying her high school sweetheart; having two sons; and taking an assortment of jobs in professional theater costume shops, including a miserable year and a half spent styling wigs for a certain hamburger-selling clown (who shall remain nameless, since I don't want to incur the wrath of a major American corporation) and a couple of weeks working on a TV movie with one of the sexiest men alive (whose name I'm happy to drop: Mark Harmon!).
During that time, someone invented word processing, and a reliable spell checker.
Christine returned to her childhood dream, only to discover that there was more to the whole writing thing than accurate typing. The next years were spent learning to tell stories that people might want to read, and trying to find someone who wanted to buy them. Her chance came when she won the RWA's Golden Heart Competition for unpublished manuscripts. The winning story, soon to be known as THE INCONVENIENT DUCHESS, was bought by the contest judges, the delightful editors at Mills & Boon, in Richmond, Surrey.
Christine is now busy writing her fifth book, and is more than slightly jealous that her manuscripts get to visit England, while she stays home in Wisconsin
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 24, 2019
This book was much darker than I was expecting. From the blurb I thought I would be getting a romance with some mystery involved. Gerald and Lillian get married and he leaves the next day for the wars. When Gerald returns home, it is to a wife and son who is not his since they never consummated their marriage. He comes home angry and bitter and ready for revenge.
Poor Lillian has spent her whole life at the whim of her father and brother. And now her husband. The girl just can't win. And this is where the romance didn't work for me.
And the Hero Gerald really annoyed me. I liked him as a man. I'm sure if I'd read about him during his time in the war I would like his character. But as a husband to Lillian, he was a Grade A Jerk.
So, I guess I shouldn't have expected any better. I just can't deal with the soap-opera type plots. With the violence, blackmail, and evil dad/brother this was not the romance I was hoping to get. You may like it if that is your thing.
Poor Lillian has spent her whole life at the whim of her father and brother. And now her husband. The girl just can't win. And this is where the romance didn't work for me.
And the Hero Gerald really annoyed me. I liked him as a man. I'm sure if I'd read about him during his time in the war I would like his character. But as a husband to Lillian, he was a Grade A Jerk.
So, I guess I shouldn't have expected any better. I just can't deal with the soap-opera type plots. With the violence, blackmail, and evil dad/brother this was not the romance I was hoping to get. You may like it if that is your thing.
September 5, 2022
Quick palate cleanser. Fluffy.
November 5, 2016
A cura di Teresa Siciliano (Rubrica L'Artiglio Rosa, del Blog di Babette Brown).
Un bel romanzo * * * * *
Una trama abbastanza complessa e due giovani onesti e perbene in un mondo corrotto: entrambi crescono e maturano, sia pure in mezzo a notevoli difficoltà, ovviamente di stampo diverso sulla base del sesso. Un ostacolo dopo l’altro, i nostri finiranno per trionfare secondo le regole del romance.
Mi è piaciuto molto.
Le altre recensioni dell'Artiglio Rosa le trovate su http://www.babettebrown.it
Un bel romanzo * * * * *
Una trama abbastanza complessa e due giovani onesti e perbene in un mondo corrotto: entrambi crescono e maturano, sia pure in mezzo a notevoli difficoltà, ovviamente di stampo diverso sulla base del sesso. Un ostacolo dopo l’altro, i nostri finiranno per trionfare secondo le regole del romance.
Mi è piaciuto molto.
Le altre recensioni dell'Artiglio Rosa le trovate su http://www.babettebrown.it
October 14, 2016
A pretty standard historical romance, this one with much less of an anachronistic feel to the characters than I'm used to of late. Unfortunately, the more classical historical feel was accompanied by a deluge of tropes, with no variation or twist to make things interesting. The plot was gothic, the baby was secret, the suffering was noble and silent.
November 19, 2018
Hloupoučká hrdinka a nudný hrdina.
Nepochopila jsem základní zápletku. Otec provdal Lilian, která měla nabídek, za nemajetného kluka z bezvýznamné rodiny. Jeho jediným majetkem je zchátralý lovecký zámeček. Namluví mu, že ho krasavice, která ho nikdy neviděla, miluje, koupí mu „důstojnický patent“ a pošlou ho do armády umřít.
Všechno jen proto, aby zámeček zrenovovali a provozovali tam pochybné hráčské doupě. Až tak?
Hrdina se po sedmi letech vrátí (krásný a bohatý), takže se do sebe hrdinové zamilují během pár hodin. Protože oba se milovali už sedm let, prostě na první pohled. Tak to opravdu nevypadalo.
V otci se po letech probudila otcovská láska, bratr a zlosyn dostali za vyučenou, hrdina si oblíbil nemanželského syna manželky a odešli vstříc zapadajícímu slunci. Během SEDMI dnů.
Bonusem bylo, že se hrdinka léta snažila vymanit z tyranie své rodiny, ale teď na to najednou nebyla připravená.
s. 57 Poté, co obětoval třetinu svého života armádě.
7 let. To by se nám chlapec ženil ve čtrnácti s třináctiletou, která už má za sebou jednu sezónu v Londýně.
Hrdina je možná matematický génius, ale autorka má rezervy.
A neudrží myšlenku. Tři verze a všechny její.
s. 143 a nechala nezamčené dveře
s. 176 „Zamkla jsem spojovací dveře, ale klíč jsem uložila do prádelníku. Ten muž ho tam našel."
s. 190 „Zamkla jsem se, ale dal jsi mu klíč.“
s. 11 Nechtěla se na pan Wiscombea zlobit
s. 56 Komorná držela Lily u každého ucha jinou náušnici, aby mohla její paní posoudit v zrcadle na nočním uchu výsledný efekt.
s. 60 požádal tě u ruku
s. 65 do Lilyina
výstřihu
s. 125 topily [North a spol.]
Gery [Gerry]
s. 126 pod-ráždění
s. 132 krásou [krásnou]
s. 216 je mi naprosto jednu, co
čárka - s. 93
ji/jí - s. 13
Nepochopila jsem základní zápletku. Otec provdal Lilian, která měla nabídek, za nemajetného kluka z bezvýznamné rodiny. Jeho jediným majetkem je zchátralý lovecký zámeček. Namluví mu, že ho krasavice, která ho nikdy neviděla, miluje, koupí mu „důstojnický patent“ a pošlou ho do armády umřít.
Všechno jen proto, aby zámeček zrenovovali a provozovali tam pochybné hráčské doupě. Až tak?
Hrdina se po sedmi letech vrátí (krásný a bohatý), takže se do sebe hrdinové zamilují během pár hodin. Protože oba se milovali už sedm let, prostě na první pohled. Tak to opravdu nevypadalo.
V otci se po letech probudila otcovská láska, bratr a zlosyn dostali za vyučenou, hrdina si oblíbil nemanželského syna manželky a odešli vstříc zapadajícímu slunci. Během SEDMI dnů.
Bonusem bylo, že se hrdinka léta snažila vymanit z tyranie své rodiny, ale teď na to najednou nebyla připravená.
s. 57 Poté, co obětoval třetinu svého života armádě.
7 let. To by se nám chlapec ženil ve čtrnácti s třináctiletou, která už má za sebou jednu sezónu v Londýně.
Hrdina je možná matematický génius, ale autorka má rezervy.
A neudrží myšlenku. Tři verze a všechny její.
s. 143 a nechala nezamčené dveře
s. 176 „Zamkla jsem spojovací dveře, ale klíč jsem uložila do prádelníku. Ten muž ho tam našel."
s. 190 „Zamkla jsem se, ale dal jsi mu klíč.“
s. 11 Nechtěla se na pan Wiscombea zlobit
s. 56 Komorná držela Lily u každého ucha jinou náušnici, aby mohla její paní posoudit v zrcadle na nočním uchu výsledný efekt.
s. 60 požádal tě u ruku
s. 65 do Lilyina
výstřihu
s. 125 topily [North a spol.]
Gery [Gerry]
s. 126 pod-ráždění
s. 132 krásou [krásnou]
s. 216 je mi naprosto jednu, co
čárka - s. 93
ji/jí - s. 13
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2020
An unlikely hero to save the day
Gerry was an earnest student of mathematics when he wed Miss North and entered into a fool's deal with her family that saw him go off to war against Napoleon. The man that returns is leaner, harder and a survivor who is more than a match for the Norths and their money making schemes. His wife has secrets of her own, including a seven year old son who idolises his war hero father but who was born 10 months after Gerry left Engand. A real page turner of a book.
Gerry was an earnest student of mathematics when he wed Miss North and entered into a fool's deal with her family that saw him go off to war against Napoleon. The man that returns is leaner, harder and a survivor who is more than a match for the Norths and their money making schemes. His wife has secrets of her own, including a seven year old son who idolises his war hero father but who was born 10 months after Gerry left Engand. A real page turner of a book.
December 4, 2018
This was pretty good though i didn't like the very end it seemed a little slapped on to tie up the last loode end.
August 13, 2020
Partito come un ragazzino, torna dalla guerra, come un'eroe che deve lottare ancora, per riavere la sua casa e la sua sposa
April 9, 2016
Christine Merrill is one of my favorite authors of the Regency period. She writes in prose that is accessible to modern readers and often creates stories based on themes that may be controversial or challenging to fit the time period. I enjoyed her earlier stories about a couple dealing with the husband's blindness or a couple that was estranged after the wife's miscarriage.
In this story Lily and Gerald get married and he goes off to fight in the Napoleonic Wars without consummating their marriage first. After he has been gone for 7 years, he returns home to discover that his wife has a child while his father-in-law and brother-in-law have turned his house into a gambling hall and hunting lodge. Gerald has a lot of work to do in evicting his in-law's unwelcome guests. This story is very captivating and moves along at a great pace.
In this story Lily and Gerald get married and he goes off to fight in the Napoleonic Wars without consummating their marriage first. After he has been gone for 7 years, he returns home to discover that his wife has a child while his father-in-law and brother-in-law have turned his house into a gambling hall and hunting lodge. Gerald has a lot of work to do in evicting his in-law's unwelcome guests. This story is very captivating and moves along at a great pace.
March 10, 2016
A story of an arranged marriage between Lillian and Gerald. Gerald returns from war to find Lillian's Dad and brother have turned his house into a hunting lodge. Also Lillian has a son so he assumes she has been unfaithful to him. It is an adventure reading about the characters. An Earl, , drunkscheated out of their money. Gerald quickly exposes Lillian's brother as a cheat. All guests leave but the Earl. He insists on one last hunt before he will leave. The ending will surprisd you. I applaud the Stag Deer.
March 3, 2016
Another great story by Christine Merrill. I enjoy her writing so much. A tale of arranged marriage by the father of the bride and a young innocent boy in need of money and social standing. The groom goes off to war almost immediately. Upon his return, 7 years later, he finds a son (story behind that) and that his house has been taken over by his in-laws and their invited guests. Since he handled troops in war, surely he can handle this situation also and reclaim his house and his wife.
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March 30, 2016"Merrill’s newest combines hints of the traditional gothic romance with a contemporary theme of a blended family when a war hero finally returns home to discover he’s a father … even though he and his bride never had a honeymoon" (RT Book Reviews).
May 1, 2016
I must read more of Christine Merrill. This novel, in my opinion, is well constructed and built up little by little to a lovely HEA. A most enjoyable story!
July 13, 2017
wonderful setting and story
March 30, 2023
Great story
September 2, 2017
Un romanzo c.d. "edificante".
Una volta facevano leggere ai ragazzi i racconti di "Cuore" per dare loro modelli da seguire, e questo potrebbe essere un libro adatto per istruire signorine di buona famiglia (sempre quelle di una volta).
C'è il buono che sposa lei, sta sette anni in guerra e torna da eroe, con tanto di cavallo-guerriero, ma pur sempre "puro", incontaminato e preservato per la sua sposa (con cui non aveva consumato - prima Dio e la patria, poi il volgare interesse carnale).
Lei all'apparenza sembra una fedifraga, ma invece è stata vittima degli eventi e di parenti malevoli. Ci sarà però tempo per punizioni, redenzioni e vittoria sul male.
A dieci pagine dalla fine, la trama fa uno scivolone: per la prima volta l'eroe si toglie la maschera, e risulta un grande st... ipocrita. Stavo finalmente apprezzando la svolta, ma ben presto l'autrice si riprende e in altre due pagine lo rimodella bruscamente a lodevole padre di famiglia.
Finale con campane in sottofondo: mancano solo gli angeli a benedire il roseo futuro.
Una volta facevano leggere ai ragazzi i racconti di "Cuore" per dare loro modelli da seguire, e questo potrebbe essere un libro adatto per istruire signorine di buona famiglia (sempre quelle di una volta).
C'è il buono che sposa lei, sta sette anni in guerra e torna da eroe, con tanto di cavallo-guerriero, ma pur sempre "puro", incontaminato e preservato per la sua sposa (con cui non aveva consumato - prima Dio e la patria, poi il volgare interesse carnale).
Lei all'apparenza sembra una fedifraga, ma invece è stata vittima degli eventi e di parenti malevoli. Ci sarà però tempo per punizioni, redenzioni e vittoria sul male.
A dieci pagine dalla fine, la trama fa uno scivolone: per la prima volta l'eroe si toglie la maschera, e risulta un grande st... ipocrita. Stavo finalmente apprezzando la svolta, ma ben presto l'autrice si riprende e in altre due pagine lo rimodella bruscamente a lodevole padre di famiglia.
Finale con campane in sottofondo: mancano solo gli angeli a benedire il roseo futuro.
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January 15, 2018Didn't care for this at all. All the male characters, including the hero, are very disagreeable people. The heroine has no specific character traits at all really, and is just flat and uninteresting.
Plot is more than usual for these books unrealistic and incredible. The sexist double standards are, realistic for the time, but it is common that the author has her hero at least be aware of them to make him less irksome to a modern audience.
Not so in this case, and I cannot muster anything but distaste for his childish selfishness.
Plot is more than usual for these books unrealistic and incredible. The sexist double standards are, realistic for the time, but it is common that the author has her hero at least be aware of them to make him less irksome to a modern audience.
Not so in this case, and I cannot muster anything but distaste for his childish selfishness.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews