When a Marquess Loves a Woman       Season’s Original #3      By: Vivienne Lorret                                                   Released Oct 4th, 2016                      Avon Impulse

 Blurb

As a young, penniless gentleman, Maxwell Harwick knew he had little to offer Juliet White—the most beautiful debutante of the season—except his love, and one thoroughly scandalous kiss. But when they were discovered in a compromising position, a nearly ruined Juliet fled into the arms of a rich, older lord… taking Max’s heart with her.

Now a widow, Lady Juliet Granworth intends to use the fortune she inherited from her odious husband to build a new life in London. Five years have passed, but she’s never forgotten Max… or his soul-searing kiss. Yet it’s clear the newly-minted Marquess of Thayne has not forgiven her—after all, the infuriating man can barely stand the sight of her. But Juliet has endured far too much to give up without a fight and if it’s a battle of wills he wants, it’s a battle he’ll get.

He hates her for breaking his heart. She detests him for destroying her future. But beneath all the loathing, simmers an intoxicating passion that neither can ignore… and the harder they resist, the harder they will inevitably fall.

Link to Follow Tour:  http://www.tastybooktours.com/2016/10/when-marquess-loves-woman-seasons.html

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28510811-when-a-marquess-loves-a-woman?from_search=true

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/157217-season-s-original

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Author Info
USA Today bestselling author, VIVIENNE LORRET loves romance novels, her pink laptop, her husband, and her two sons (not necessarily in that order … but there are days). Transforming copious amounts of tea into words, she is an Avon Impulse author of works including: Tempting Mr. Weatherstone, The Wallflower Wedding Series, The Rakes of Fallow Hall Series, The Duke’s Christmas Wish, and the Season’s Original Series.

Author Links:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

“That has always been your problem, Max,” she hissed, rounding the banister and storming toward him, armed with a pointed finger. “You’ve always believed you could do whatever you wanted and damn the consequences. Well, I’m not allowing it this time.” She stopped within poking distance and did just that, her fingertip meeting the taut muscle beneath the fine lawn. “I expect you to have this completely repaired, or you can forget the fair price I was willing to pay.”

He straightened. Uncrossing his arms, he leaned toward her as if he didn’t even feel her assault. “Perhaps you don’t recall, but I have always been fully prepared to face the consequences of my actions. You were the one who ran.”

She scoffed and jabbed him again. “I was right! All along, this has been about what happened between us five years ago. Oh, I apologize for wounding your poor ego when I left, though it seems you’ve managed to recover, as you are busy narrowing down your list of bridal candidates.”

“Ego?” He took her by the shoulders, his grip firm but not cruel, as contempt burned in his dark gaze. “I wanted to marry you. There was more than ego involved.”

“That kiss happened because you were consoling me, and we both know it.”

“Do we, Lady Granworth? Or is that something you told yourself to validate running away to marry a rich old man?” Gritting his teeth, seething as much as she was, he spun her around and pressed her back against the wall just inside the bedchamber. “And if you think for one instant that I’m going to sit back and watch you bring your next husband here to live, not four doors down from my mother’s house, then you are sorely mistaken.”

Then, without warning, he crushed his mouth to hers.

 

Max Harwick grew up in the shadow of his older, titled brother, Bram, who was born from his mother’s first marriage.  Even his own father seemed to prefer his stepson, while Max went largely unnoticed.  As the brothers grew into young men, Bram began looking for a bride.  Among the contenders was Juliet White, a dear friend to Max, though he was secretly deeply in love with her.  As with most other people, she preferred Bram.  When Bram decides to marry another, and plans to announce the engagement at a party at Juliet’s own home, Max only thinks of her feelings, and tries to give her some advance warning.  As Max tries to console Juliet, they share a kiss, and they are caught in the act.  Though not titled or wealthy, Max happily offers to marry Juliet.  Her father has other plans, and whisks her away from town and arranges a quick marriage to another man, leaving Max brokenhearted, and determined never to forgive Juliet.

Over the years, Max unexpectedly inherits a title and accompanying wealth.  The new Marquess Thayne finds that people no longer find him invisible.  When the now widowed Juliet returns to town, intent on buying her family’s previous home, Max is quick to buy the property ahead of her.  Every encounter with Juliet brings back the feelings of hurt and bitterness to the forefront for Max.  He hopes that she will leave again since she was unsuccessful in obtaining her family home.  Instead, they agree to a silly wager as to who will be the next “Original.”  If Max wins, Juliet leaves town.  If Juliet wins, she gets the house.

As Max and Juliet snipe and quibble, it’s obvious that Max still harbors deep feelings for her that he’s determined to conquer.  While Juliet was never in love with Max years ago, she was affected by his kindness and his kiss, but chose to give in to fear and run away and follow her father’s wishes.  Through the first two books of this series, we’ve had glimpses of this couple and their adversarial relationship, and I was anxiously waiting for their story.  I love Max and admire his character.  I felt so bad for him growing up, it was especially painful to see his own father fawning over his stepson and favoring him over Max.  Max’s actions when Juliet returned somewhat surprised me, as they seemed out of character, but his hurt ran soul deep, and he was only trying to protect himself.  I’m a little less sympathetic for Juliet.  I understand that she was reeling because the man she was infatuated with chose another bride, but I can’t admire her rushing off to marry a stranger, leaving a dear friend deeply hurt.

Max and Juliet have a bumpy road to finding happy ever after.  While they wait for the outcome of their wager, the attraction that’s lurking behind their public battles won’t be denied.  They begin an affair which, while steamy, is also fraught with doubts and insecurities.  Can this star-crossed couple make it work?  WHEN A MARQUESS LOVES A WOMAN is a sexy and delightful read that wraps up Max and Juliet’s story most satisfyingly, and I highly recommend it.

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