When her father dies, Juliana and her mother lose everything they own. Wealthy relatives Lilith and Trenton coldly offer them shelter but only out of a society-imposed sense of duty. Juliana's cousins, both sadistic brats, make sure her life is miserable. Except for orphaned heir Nicholas, who is also at the mercy of Lilith and Trenton, Juliana is friendless. When Nicholas leaves his family estate, Juliana is truly alone. She finds work as a lady's companion; then, years later, while accompanying her charge to a ball, she runs into Nicholas, now a wealthy lord. When he finds out how miserable her life is, Nicholas proposes, although he is not sure that her feelings for him run beyond the bounds of friendship. The wedding itself is made even more memorable when one of their guests is murdered--and Nicholas is the main suspect.
Karin A. (Jerseygirltoo) -
Helpful Score: 1
Quite good childhood friends to lovers story, although I was a bit frustrated by their lack of communication at some points. The murder mystery plot was pretty good too, I didn't guess who it was till near the end.
Very good read. I enjoyed the characters and how they came together after so many years of being apart.
Another great contribution from Camp - a leader in historical romances.
Good book. Mystery and intrique.
Kandis N. (bookermom) - , reviewed An Independent Woman (Women and Men, Bk 1) on + 323 more book reviews
This is a story about whether love can conquer one man's greed and bloodlust...
LOVED THIS BOOK! One of my new fave's! :-)
Regency romance - A fast, easy read, with a few twists in the plot.
Amanda (RockStarGirl) reviewed An Independent Woman (Women and Men, Bk 1) on + 329 more book reviews
Sweet historical about two childhood friends coming together again. There is also a murder mystery, which makes for a unique secondary plot. Very enjoyable.
Julie P. (cindersatin) reviewed An Independent Woman (Women and Men, Bk 1) on + 265 more book reviews
A great book- moved along nicely.
Good story line, enjoyed it very much.
Melissa R. (SilverBee75) reviewed An Independent Woman (Women and Men, Bk 1) on + 60 more book reviews
Only one person ever treated Juliana Holcott with anything other than disdain - Nicholas Barre, the orphaned heir to the estate where she spent her childhood. And when wild, rebellious Nick left home, Juliana was left to fend for herself.
Forced to seek employment as a lady's companion, Juliana has resigned herself to a life of lonely independence...until Nick's innocent attentions at a ball cause her to lose her position, and he offers her the only recompense he can - a marriage of convenience.
It now falls to Juliana to prove to Nick that he is capable of the love they both so richly deserve. But when a guest at their wedding turns up dead, they must pursue a more urgent quarry - a murderer.
Will one man's greed and bloodlust ruin their chance at happiness or will love conquer all?
Forced to seek employment as a lady's companion, Juliana has resigned herself to a life of lonely independence...until Nick's innocent attentions at a ball cause her to lose her position, and he offers her the only recompense he can - a marriage of convenience.
It now falls to Juliana to prove to Nick that he is capable of the love they both so richly deserve. But when a guest at their wedding turns up dead, they must pursue a more urgent quarry - a murderer.
Will one man's greed and bloodlust ruin their chance at happiness or will love conquer all?
Laura W. (Pharmtoxgirl) reviewed An Independent Woman (Women and Men, Bk 1) on + 52 more book reviews
When her father dies, Juliana and her mother lose everything they own. Wealthy relatives Lilith and Trenton coldly offer them shelter but only out of a society-imposed sense of duty. Juliana's cousins, both sadistic brats, make sure her life is miserable. Except for orphaned heir Nicholas, who is also at the mercy of Lilith and Trenton, Juliana is friendless. When Nicholas leaves his family estate, Juliana is truly alone. She finds work as a lady's companion; then, years later, while accompanying her charge to a ball, she runs into Nicholas, now a wealthy lord. When he finds out how miserable her life is, Nicholas proposes, although he is not sure that her feelings for him run beyond the bounds of friendship. The wedding itself is made even more memorable when one of their guests is murdered--and Nicholas is the main suspect.
Sandra H. (oldbamagirl) reviewed An Independent Woman (Women and Men, Bk 1) on + 293 more book reviews
Forced to seek employment as a ladies companion, Juliana has resigned herself to a life of lonely independence....until Nick's innocent attentions at a ball cause her to lose
Michelle D. (mdagosta) -
Only one person ever treated Juliana Holcott with anything other than disdain - Nicholas Barre, the orphaned heir to the estate where she spent her childhood. And when wild, rebellious Nick left home, Juliana was left to fend for herself.
Forced to seek employment as a lady's companion, Juliana has resigned herself to a life of lonely independence...until Nick's innocent attentions at a ball cause her to lose her position, and he offers her the only recompense he can--a marriage of convenience.
It now falls to Julia to prove to Nick that he is capable of the love they both so richly deserve. But when a guest at their wedding turns up dead, they must pursue a more urgent quarry--a murderer.
Will one man's greed and bloodlust ruin their chance at happiness...or will love conquer all?
Forced to seek employment as a lady's companion, Juliana has resigned herself to a life of lonely independence...until Nick's innocent attentions at a ball cause her to lose her position, and he offers her the only recompense he can--a marriage of convenience.
It now falls to Julia to prove to Nick that he is capable of the love they both so richly deserve. But when a guest at their wedding turns up dead, they must pursue a more urgent quarry--a murderer.
Will one man's greed and bloodlust ruin their chance at happiness...or will love conquer all?
Kelly O. (KellyWilloughby) reviewed An Independent Woman (Women and Men, Bk 1) on + 193 more book reviews
Enjoyed. Great story line.
Forced to seek employment as a companion, Juliana has resigned herself to a life of lonely independence. Until a childhood friend offers her a marriage of convenience.
Only one person ever treated Juliana Holcott with anything other than disdain-Nicholas Barre, the orphaned heir to the estate where she spent her childhood. And when wild, rebellious Nick left home, Juliana was left to fend for herself.
Forced to seek employment as a lady's companion, Juliana has reigned herself to a life indepence...until Nick's innocent attentions at a ball caused her to lose her position, and he offers her the only recompense he can-a marriage of convenience.
It now falls to Juliana to prove to Nick that he is capable of the love they both so richly deserve. But when a guest at their wedding turns up dead, they must pursue a more urgent quarry-a murderer.
Will one man's greed and bloodlust ruin their change at happiness...or will love conquer all?
Forced to seek employment as a lady's companion, Juliana has reigned herself to a life indepence...until Nick's innocent attentions at a ball caused her to lose her position, and he offers her the only recompense he can-a marriage of convenience.
It now falls to Juliana to prove to Nick that he is capable of the love they both so richly deserve. But when a guest at their wedding turns up dead, they must pursue a more urgent quarry-a murderer.
Will one man's greed and bloodlust ruin their change at happiness...or will love conquer all?
Good read. Good mystery.
