Madelyn, widowed Duchess of Glenmoor, had a tumultuous marriage and is learning how to be happy again. When she meets her brothers friend Brynn she is immediately attracted, but wary after her previous experience.
Their chemistry is off the charts. This story has it all and then some. Definitely recommend.
Thank you Caroline Warfield, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

When Secrets from the Past Shadow the Present

Madeline knows a secret, and if the truth should come into the light, lives might be ruined. Madeline is done with the past, her dead husband, and her painful marriage. However, the past is not finished with Madeline. Danger has come to her doorstep, but love has come there, too. Can she let love in, and would she be able to keep danger at bay? Brynn and Madeline both have demons from their past they must conquer before they can let their hearts heal and embrace love. First, Madeline must survive the danger that lurks because of a secret she holds from a past she thought was long buried. I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to those who like historical romance with secrets, suspense, and mystery.

The second book in this series, I found this novel as intense and intriguing as the first one. Madelyn, or Maddy to her family and friends, has no wish to ever marry again. Once bitten twice shy being the order of the day. Nevertheless, she cannot help but be attracted to her brother's friend, Colonel Brynn Morgan, who seems to be wherever he is needed most. As Maddy's family disperses after a wedding, it is once again Brynn who sees to her safety and well-being. However, when the truth of her travesty of marriage and the man she was married to start surfacing, Maddy ploughs right in to set matters right and Brynn is right behind her. Brynn has loved Maddy from afar for some time but realizes that not only is she far beyond his reach but that the wounds she carries are deep and painful. Together they choose to face the present day and in doing so a surprising amount of healing takes place, bringing people together and smoothing away the horrors of the past. I received a copy of this well-written and emotional novel as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

This was such an exciting book, our two protagonists are interesting l and unable, or unwilling to be vulnerable again.

Madelyn tried to escape an unpleasant and frankly abusive mother, by marrying a much older man, now the Dowager Duchess of Glenmoor, she was so traumatised by her husband's abuse and his treatment of her two stepsons, half brothers to each other, that Maddy has refused her settlement from the estate, and has lived with her brother Rob at his estate for the last 10 years, trying to forget her past. At her brother's wedding celebrations she meets his friends including Colonel Brynn Morgan, and is slowly staring to be drawn out, she also finds out that her Stepson Phillip, now Duke of Glenmoor, is being threatened. Reluctantly coming to London to support Lucy her sister in law, who is entering the ton for the first time, she is accosted by an uncouth American, Isaiah Jessop, who challenges her on the whereabouts of Gideon, Phillip's older half brother. This uncovers repressed memories of Gideon and questions of who the rightful heir to the Dukedom is. Madelyn is insistent on following the trail of the mystery, which leads to Brynn's family home in Wales and closer to Brynn's secrets, when Phillip turns up too, the complications and plot twists abound. Brynn's demons in the form of the mines, his brother and the widow and children he supports financially are also slowly brought to light.

This was an complicated plot which made for an absorbing read and had a host of really interesting additional characters. The growth and development of the hero and heroine was also beautifully handled and I couldn't put the book down. Highly recommended.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book and all opinions are my own.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

For Madelyn Tavernash, she though marriage to the Duke of Glenmoor would be the welcome freedom from her overbearing parents. However, her husband was controlling and abusive, and she just about survived under his reign of terror. Now happily widowed, she's pleased to be home in Ashmead, with her brothers, and their families, and can't even think about remarrying. But the handsome Colonel Brynn Morgan, a friend of Rob's, who's helped them a lot recently, has turned her head, and she needs someone to turn too when a past secret rears it's head. Together, they battle their demons, and soon realise that they are much better suited together, rather than apart - no matter their differing places in society.

When we met Maddy and Brynn in book 1, it was clear that the chemistry between the couple needed to be explored, and that they were fated for their own story. I loved how plot driven this was, and the fact that the couple spoke to each other - not always immediately, mind - about their troubles. Maddy was someone who I wanted to hug after what she had faced in her life. Her only saving grace during her horrific marriage was her two step sons, Gideon and Philip, and when events dragged them apart, it really hurt her. Now that she can restore their relationships, and hopefully discover the truth about lies her husband told, she can find comfort in the future. Brynn, also, had demons, but his were to do with his family, and living in a mining town and facing the horrors of colliery life. They both really exorcised their demons, and came out the other side so much better for it. I'm hoping we get to see them again, with their HEA, in book 3, The Forgotten Daughter!

The Defiant Daughter by Caroline Warfield. Her Grace, Madelyn Tavernash, widowed Duchess of Glenmoor, loved quietly in the Dowager House on her brother's estate. She refused monies from Glenmoor as she had been miserable in the marriage and wanted nothing more than to forget it. She had loved her stepsons, both of them, although she had not seen them in years. She reluctantly agreed to go to London to help with a dinner her brother was giving for their new sister-in-law, to introduce her to society. While there, she saw Phillip, on of her stepsons. The other, Gideon was presumed dead, many years ago. But thusly started a nightmare for the entire family, brought on by Gideon's American uncle, of which Maddie knew more than she wished to know. She had made a friend, Colonel Brynn Morgan, a Welshman, who now worked for the government. She felt safe in his presence and began to feel more, as did he. He knew that his social standing was to far below hers but he couldn't stay away. He offered the services of his brother, a Welsh mine owner, in locating Gideon, whom she no longer believed to be dead, or if he were, she wished to see proof.

The plot is a good one: what if the wrong person inherits he dukedom. Can it be undone, or righted in some way? Can this American bring down lives? To find out, it is determined that she and Brynn must go to Wales. Along the way, they meet up with the people Maddie's brother had sent to keep her safe. It all got very complicated. Brynn's brother owned mines. They all received an education. Brynn had to confront his past. It was eye-opening. Maddie was there to help. It was all very complicated, but relationships were forged and friendships developed. It was a good story that took a while to resolved. There were the obvious problems and there were small, less obvious problems that turned out to be just as important. It certainly kept the reader engaged. Good book!

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Defiant Daughter by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #dragonblade #thedefiantdaughter #carolinewarfield

There is so much to love about this wonderful story, and it does not stop until the end. A woman with secrets that still taunt her, even after years of seclusion and trying to establish a life for herself. But those secrets are about to break open.

He had always had an attraction for her, but he had no title and was below her in rank. He'd known her marriage to a duke had not been happy, but know she was a widow. It seemed he was to come into contact with her, while helping her brother and he could not help but want to know more about her.

When her past come forth to haunt her, He steps in to help. Suspense, intrigue, attraction and a love to be found, combine all the ingredients for a well penned tale that will keep you guessing! Cannot wait for more!

The Defiant Daughter is the second story of The Ashmead Heirs. In it we learn more about Maddy. She has not had a happy life. She endured horrible parents and an abusive, miserable marriage. She is content to live alone with her maid in the Dower House on her brother’s estate. She meets Brynn when he attends her brother’s wedding. There is an attraction, but neither believes it will go anywhere. That doesn’t mean they wouldn’t like for it to. Both of them have issues to solve before they can think about moving forward.

This is an intense story. There are secrets, mysteries, and a villain intent on destroying Maddy’s stepsons. A trip to Wales might provide answers about her stepson, and it will also give Brynn an opportunity to face painful events from his past. This one is unpredictable and hard to put down. It is a compelling story with complex characters. The family (families) changes and grows. There are reunions and first meetings. An HEA? Oh, yes. This is such a good series. I look forward to the next story.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Lady Madelyn (Maddy) Tavernash, widowed Duchess of Glenmoor had such an abusive first marriage, she has no desire to marry again. She returned to her brother's home and wanted nothing from the Glenmoor Estate.
Colonel Bryann Morgan left painful memories of the mines in Wales, had a career in the military, and now spends his days analyzing reports for Viscount Rockford.
Caroline Warfield has given us wonderful primary and secondary characters, secrets, and wonderful plot twists that definitely keep your attention that have you reading long after you should have gone to bed.
I loved this book, and highly recommend it.

4.5 stars

Interesting story. Madelyn is a duchess and a widow. She now lives contentedly in the dower house of her step brother and though her marriage was horrible she likes her step son Phillip, the Duke. Brynn, the hero, is enchanted by Madelyn and finds her inebriated and gallantly sees her home. The villain turns up asking about Gideon, the son of the previous Duke that everyone assumes died but was illegitimate. Gideon was disabled and helped save Madelyn from her husband. Madelyn knows more than she says and persuades Brynn to go back to Wales to search for information about Gideon. The Romance is quite slow and there is quite a cast of brothers, sisters, nephews and other children.

It will be interesting to read Gideons story.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a tangled family! And secrets! So many secrets!

Madelyn Tavernash, widowed Duchess of Glenmoor, is holding onto a gigantic secret. One that could destroy those she holds dear.
Meanwhile she’s come out of semi solitude to attend her friend Lucy and her half-brother Sir Robert Benson’s wedding. Somewhat off kilter from her unexpected attraction for Rob’s friend Colonel Brynn Morgan, Maddy contemplates her life and the reasons for her retiring to Clarion Hall’s Dower House at Ashmead. Not that we really see much, only hints. The Colonel is part of the security company Rob works with for the foreign office.
After the wedding Maddy consents reluctantly to journey to London staying with the family at her brother David Caulfield, the Earl’s home, Clarion House. She’s needed to help guide the newly married Lucy through the pitfalls of society.
Serendipityly the answers to many of Maddy’s questions are rudely awakened by the demands of an ill kempt American Isiah Jessop when he confronts her outside Clarion House demanding to know the whereabouts of Gideon Jessop, the half brother of her stepson, Phillip Tavernash, the Duke of Glenmoore. Rob calls in his security detail, whom Maddy dubs the ‘palace guard.’ Answers about Jessop are sought for by Brynn. Not that Brynn even guessed the half of it.
A trip to Wales, to Brynn’s home that he clearly doesn’t want to be near, is unfortunately for him, on the cards. Maddy insists on going much to Brynn’s exasperation. Unexpectedly her stepson, Phillip also turns up. Wales will be an eye opener for all.
I must say though that I lost patience with the Duchess’ prima donna behavior that endangered many.
Still the complexities begin to iron out. I’m sure there’s more to come from this interesting group of people.

A Dragonblade ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Madelyn assumed marriage as an old man’s ornament would be better than life with her abusive mother. She was wrong. Now the widowed Duchess of Glenmoor, she wrestles with ugly memories and cultivates a simple life. She is content. At least, she was until her half-brother Rob returned to Ashmead bringing a friend with knowing eyes and coal black hair to capture her thoughts. Colonel Brynn Morgan’s days as an engineer in his father’s coal mines in Wales are long behind him. With peace come at last and Napoleon gone, he makes a life for himself analysing the reports about military and naval facilities worldwide for a shadowy government department. Then he meets the Duchess of Glenmoor
The second book in this brilliant series, it could be read on its own but if you love series & love getting to know all the characters then I’d recommend reading from the start. I loved everything about this book the characters are so well portrayed that I felt that I actually knew them, the story is well paced & had me glued to my kindle. Then there’s the descriptions of places & that where the author excels, I could almost feel the coal dust under my finger nails & the bleakness of the welsh mines. I adored Brynn & Madelyn who were fascinated by each other from their first meeting & I loved how their relationship grew & changed. A very well written beautiful romance
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Will their past and wounds stand between what could be …

I discovered the author’s talent for storytelling not so long ago, with one single book, she transported me in a time and place as if I was a fellow traveler accompanying her in her journey.
And while this new series does not have the exoticism of my first read, the voyage is still full of surprises, with astonishing details and many twists and turns.

Brynn and Madelyn are two broken people who run away from the place of that damaged them.
Maddy was the daughter who defied her family, in retaliation she was married off and landed in a more hellish place that her birth place.
She went from a youth of bullying to an abusive marriage, it shaped her in a woman who gives her trust with parsimony and relies only on herself. Until she finds a man she feels in her inner core she can confide in and accepts his touch.
Brynn left his inheritance when an event shook him to the point of no return, since he has dug his own path as a soldier, making use of his former life’s knowledge. Yet still refusing to go back to his family’s seat and having anything to do with his legacy.

From the moment they meet, there is a spark but Maddy’s old fears and him putting her on a pedestal inhibit any deeper relationship between them, until secrets are unearthed and leave them shaken.
Maddy is as much flawed as Brynn, she retired for society’s life to leave into her shell, never letting anyone close by, she held on informations for years, keeping it locked until she has to face the weight of those and the wisdom of having concealed them.
Brynn is torn between his honor and his feelings for his unattainable duchess, yet he let her come to term with her errors. Giving her rein to decide to right or not the wrongs done by her late husband.
Together they are stronger, but until they are able to heal their soul by facing their fears and scars, nothing can come from those growing feelings.

An other beautiful moving tale of two beings bruised by life but determined to move forward and accept their errors even if it is going back to the places that haunt them.
5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scene

I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher Dragonblade Publishing, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Madelyn assumed marriage as an old man’s ornament would be better than life with her abusive mother. She was wrong.

Madelyn the widowed Duchess of Glenmoor, wrestles with ugly memories and cultivates a simple life. She is content. At least, she was until her half-brother returned to Ashmead bringing a friend with knowing eyes and coal black hair to capture her thoughts.

Colonel Brynn Morgan’s days as an engineer in his father’s coal mines in Wales are long behind him. With peace come at last and Napoleon gone, he makes a life for himself analyzing the reports about military and naval facilities worldwide for a shadowy government department. What income he has is committed elsewhere. He has nothing to offer a wife, much less a dowager duchess.

More lies between the duchess and the man she wants than money and class. They have personal demons to slay.
This is a friends to lovers story that makes me feel like this book quite the story.

Madelyn and Brynn are quite the pair in this second book in the series.
Caroline Warfield has written a stupendous book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Madelyn, the widowed Duchess of Glenmoor is at last living a peaceful life without being under the control of horrible men. She is not about to let any man control her again, even her well meaning family. When someone turns up to threaten the peace and possibly turn other peoples lives upside down she only has one person to turn to.
Colonel Brynn Morgan long ago left behind his life in the mines of Wales. That doesn't mean he's forgotten the painful memories. When a friend asks for help there's only one answer, even if it might cause him heartache.
Our heroine really wants to be independent but our hero wants to look after her.
This is a very entertaining historical romance that is full of great characters dealing with difficult family issues.
This is the second book in the series, and while you don't have to have read the first one to enjoy this, I personally think it would be better.
A very enjoyable read.

As the widowed Duchess of Glenmoor, Madelyn wrestles with the ugly memories she of her husband. Determined to lead a simple life, she is content until she meets Colonel Brynn Morgan, a friend of her half-brother. Morgan has left behind his life as an engineer in his father’s coal mines in Wales. His new life is filled with analyzing the reports about military and naval facilities worldwide for a shadowy government department. Yet he realises that his meagre income means that he has nothing to offer a wife, much less a dowager duchess.
I loved the first book but admit that it isn’t necessary to read the first to appreciate ‘The Defiant Daughter’. I enjoyed the fragility behind the attempted strength in Maddy, and I loved how Morgan, was her pillar of strength. Their relationship develops as they attempt to help Maddy’s stepson, Philip, the Duke of Glenmoor. At the same time, Morgan’s past threatens their relationship, as he returns to his home.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Madelyn is the widowed Duchess of Glenmoor, who survived her abusive mother and her even more abusive husband. She is fiercely independent, rejecting financial support from her stepson, the new duke, and resents her brother’s meddling in her life. She lives contently by herself in the dowager house on her brother’s estate.

Colonel Brynn Morgan is unsettled having left the military and no income for a wife. He is extremely honorable, brave and has some past issues that he needs to face. Maddy and Brynn are attracted to each other but Brynn doesn’t feel he has anything to offer to “her Grace” and Maddy has no interest in marrying after her abusive experience.

There’s a family secret, a son assumed dead, a trip to Wales and plot twists. Not having read the first book in the series; I felt I had been dropped in a party of strangers. The author had a subtle approach of introducing characters and by the end of the first chapter, I was looking forward to getting to know them all . This was a page turner and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.

The Duchess of Glenmoor is widowed with two step-sons. She has lived quietly and alone except for one maid since her husband died. She has not kept track of her step-sons and their lives. Maddy is attracted to Colonel Brynn Morgan as he is to her but she can't do anything about it until the two step-sons are settles with their lives. Thank you NetGalley and the author for the trip into Wales and learning about coal mines in that period.

I’m reviewing this book from Net Gallery. The Defiant Daughter not only gave you a kindling romance but it gave you mystery and excitement. Duchess Maddy had a very abusive relationship with her husband and parents. She endured so much pain and still kept a smile on her face. When she was finally unleashed from the shackles of that abuse she locked herself away from anything that could remind her of that. She enjoyed being alone until her half brother friend Brynn comes in and test Maddy every decision. Brynn and Maddy are one in the same and have similar past traumas. Watching them grow and work to unleash them self from there pasts was a truly amazing thing to read. I rate this book a 10/10. I truly enjoyed J live the fact that it didn't focus in sexual feeling but emotional ones.

I met and loved Brynn and Maddy in the first book of the series, The Wayward Son, and I couldn’t wait for their book. I’m here to tell you, it was worth the wait! This writer’s work always warms my heart and makes it soar, and that was definitely true with this book. I adored the characters and was so happy to see their personal growth throughout the book. Then, there are the secondary characters, Rhys, Gideon, and Philip – OMGoodness – though they aren’t Ashmead heirs, they definitely need their own books.

Lady Madelyn (Maddy) Tavernash, widowed Duchess of Glenmoor, was in a seriously abusive marriage and when her husband died, she walked away and never looked back. For the last ten years, she has been living at her brother’s estate because she refused to take any settlement from the Glenmoor estate. She may be living in lesser circumstances, but her life is quiet and peaceful – just as she wants it – until it isn’t. When she begins to enjoy the company of one of her brother Rob’s wedding guests AND she learns that her stepson is being accosted and threatened, her peace and quiet come to a rapid end and she finds herself doing things she never thought to do again.

Colonel Brynn Morgan is retired from the military and trying to determine what he wants to do with the rest of his life. He’s accepted employment with the Home Office under the leadership of Viscount Rockford and spends his days analyzing reports on ports and troops, etc. While helping his good friend Robert (Rob) Benson unearth and thwart a villain at his newly inherited estate, he meets a most intriguing woman. He enjoys teasing her but knows she has serious issues of her own. Brynn has plenty of issues himself and he certainly cannot pursue a relationship with the lady – especially since she is a duchess and he isn’t an aristocrat of any sort. She sure does call to him though.

When the two of them are thrown together in an effort to help one of Maddy’s stepsons (Philip) and to determine what actually happened to the other (Gideon), they each have to begin to deal with their personal demons. Brynn’s demons rear their ugly heads more and more as they draw nearer their destination – Brynn’s childhood home and his younger brother Rhys.

With danger lurking and futures at stake, Maddy and Bryn must finally confront their feelings and decide how they’ll deal with them.

I definitely recommend this book because I absolutely loved it and can hardly wait for the next one, The Forgotten Daughter, which releases in January. I hope you’ll choose to read it and love it as much as I did.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.