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    Trial by Desire
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    Trial by Desire
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    Trial by Desire
    Ebook389 pages5 hours

    Trial by Desire

    By Courtney Milan

    4/5

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    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    Lady Kathleen Carhart knows all about imperfect marriages. For years, she has secretly helped women escape their violent husbands. She feels she owes it to womankind. After all, her husband is perfect: handsome, gentle, amusing...and best of all, he left the country three years ago. She isn't even bitter about that anymore. Mostly.

    When Ned Carhart returns in the middle of her most delicate operation to date, her life is thrown into turmoil. She'll do anything to preserve her secrets...even if it means risking her heart to the man who abandoned her once.

    This is an enhanced ebook. In addition to the text of the book itself, it contains pictures, audio, and author commentary. You can read this enhanced ebook on any device, but the audio content may not be accessible on all ereaders. That content has been made available on the web, so you won't miss anything if your device doesn't support audio.

    Trial by Desire is the second full-length book in the Carhart series. The full series is:
    - This Wicked Gift,     a prequel novella
    - Proof by Seduction
    - Trial by Desire

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMacmillan Publishers
    Release dateJul 7, 2014
    ISBN9781622667703
    Unavailable
    Trial by Desire
    Author

    Courtney Milan

    Courtney Milan lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, an exuberant dog, and an attack cat. Before she started writing historical romance, Courtney experimented with various occupations, none of which stuck. Now, when she's not reading (lots), writing (lots), or sleeping (not enough), she can be found in the vicinity of a classroom. You can learn more about Courtney at http://www.courtneymilan.com.

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    Reviews for Trial by Desire

    4/5

    113 ratings12 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Trial by Desire is an intelligent, honest romance that promises hope and a realistic HEA without cheating the reader by sweeping away problems that by their nature have no simple cure.
    • 4/5
      I really enjoyed this book. The main characters had really interesting backstories and intricate relationships I didn't realize this was part of a series and now I'm going to go back and read the first one to see how it all started.
    • 3/5
      I’m not really into historical romances, and yet I really appreciate Milan’s attempts to create unusual situations in which mostly privileged men and women fight the prejudices of the time and place (which I understand is between the Regency and the Victorians, if I have it right). This round, it’s a hero who’s chosen to fight his depression by running away from his new marriage. When he comes back, he has to win over his profoundly pissed-off wife, who has secrets of her own surrounding her covert rescues of abused women. The attraction between them feels real, and the barriers are mostly internal but not misunderstanding-based.
    • 5/5
      Wonderful story, characters and humor, great voice. Simply loved it.
    • 4/5
      Summary When Kate ends up in a compromising position with Ned, she ends up married. Then after three months he abandons her and leaves and she doesn't hear from him for three years. Then he pops back into her life. Kate has not been sitting idly by while her husband has been gone. She has had a very fulfilling life, living a life that no one knows her deep secret. Because knowledge of it could put others lives at risk, not to mention her own. So when Ned returns, she can't deny the desire she feels, what she has always felt for him. Ned left three years ago to find himself, he knew he needed to prove himself. Even though he regretted having to leave Kate, he knew it was for the best. Now he is back, strong and capable and determined to prove himself to her...The Hero (Ned Carhart) Ned has always felt less than himself and has felt like he has needed to prove himself all of his life. When events are set in motion where he finds himself married at a very young age, he knows he needs to find himself and establish a life for himself, even if that means leaving Kate for a time. When he returns he senses that things are very different for both himself and Kate. He knows he has much to make for when it comes to Kate. He also knows that he has never wanted someone so much as he wants Kate.The Heroine (Kate Carhart)Kate, has led a double life, a life that even though it saves others from harm, she has no choice but to do it in secret, and must keep it from those that she cares about the most. When Ned, her husband returns back into her life, she has no idea what to expect from him. He has changed so much, but the passion she feels for him is rekindled, and she doesn't know if she can or will deny it...My Thoughts I have to say I am truly enjoying this author...way too much. There is just something about her books that keeps you reading. When I first read the blurb for this story, I wasn't too overly excited to read it. However I had a feeling I would enjoy it, and did I ever. I am so glad I listen to that sixth sense at times. There were so many aspects of the story that I just fell in love with. The first one would be the plot....it was such a engaging plot that was full of excitement and enough mystery to almost give me a heart attack. There were a few twists and turns throughout the story that made me always wonder 'What Would Be Happening Next? ' I was always being surprised at different intervals that just kept me involved in the story. I found that I truly enjoyed the characters quite a bit. Maybe more than the first book. Ned is the type of hero that one doesn't see too often, but you are always pleased when it does. I probably wouldn't put him in the alpha male category, more like beta male. He will fight for what he wants, but isn't too domineering or controlling. You can see what a gentle man he is, although he can certainly be protective when its needed. I also enjoyed Kate, whose secret life just made me grin the whole time I was reading it. Kate is very caring and would sacrifice herself to help another. I really loved seeing Ned and Kate interact with each other, since they definitely have different backgrounds in a way that keeps their relationship very interesting. A Lovely written story that will tug at those heartstrings!
    • 2/5
      Meh. Not sure what I didn't like about this book. The MCs just didn't seem to fit. I never connected with either of them & they didn't seem to have much chemistry. I actually liked Ned better & felt more for him in the 1st book in the series. It's never revealed why Kate has such strong feelings/passion for him. It's hinted at, from their meeting & courtship in the 1st book, but never revealed or explained. What does Kate see in him? Even their sex scenes fall flat, no pun intended! I think his serious mental health issues were glossed over & made light of to come to an easy solution for the couple to have their HEA. I was particularly discouraged that Ned's clinical depression was overcome by him just resolving to "power" thru it & remember it too will pass. Really?? Maybe Milan was just overly ambitious, I have to give her mad props for saddling her hero with such an unheard of & taboo affliction, particularly in a Regency Romance! But I think she bit off more than she could chew & then got lost in the mess she created.

      The only reason this isn't 1 star is Milan's excellent writing, her dialogue is witty, the internal dialogue creative, the villain diabolical, & setting well described without being redundant. Her heroines are always bucking the tends of a typical female of that time period in someway & each is creatively constructed which is so refreshing & empowering. Sadly, it's the relationship & MCs that are lacking. This is the first book of hers I didn't care for, I do love her writing usually, so i'll just chalk this one up to being a dud & continue reading her other works.

      Well, I guess I was able to describe all the reasons I didn't like this book after all.
    • 5/5
      The more and more I read of Courtney Milan the more and more I fall in love with her work. I LOVED 'Proof by Seduction' so I was so excited to have the opportunity to read Ned's story. The end of Seduction pretty much set up the events that start out in 'Trial By Desire'. Anyway..on to the good stuff, shall we?

      I love...can you guess...the characters! I love the vividness in which Courtney Milan paints Ned and Kate. They are strong, vivid people in my mind not just characters I read in a book. I love the way she makes them come together slow and I especially love the sensuality and eroticism of this story.The scene (that was extensively talked about on twitter that made me run and start reading) was the scene where Ned...took matters into his own hands and then Kate walks in and then they proceed to have a small conversation...*sigh* it was HOT! and beautifully written!

      I like the plot as well...the bad guy in this story is a pretty bad guy and I love how his wife gets her end...just perfect! I also truly enjoyed the interesting themes...while reading I was making notes and trying to decide what was wrong with Ned ...and then I was thinking about it how it would seem to have what I think he has back then...probably difficult and scary (just as Ned describes). I will ask the author on that one. I love the other interesting nuances and historical inputs...who would stand up to a man who was doing that to his wife back then? not many....very interesting indeed.

      I love everything about this story...the one complaint I had was it starts out slow...about halfway though it gets hot and edgy and I was unable to put it down. You won't either. Authors like Courtney Milan are the reasons I stick around for historical romance! She makes smart stories and smart characters that grab the reader and keep the sucked in! You have to read this book!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 2/5
      This book had me rolling my eyes within the first ten pages and I just never stopped. I found it...dull and stuffy, and generally underwhelming.

      So we have this story where Ned marries Kate, but he's kind of young and silly so he decides to go off to China and be a man. Unfortunately, that means leaving behind his wife of three months. She's not really charmed by his decision, especially since he doesn't tell her his plans until the very day he plans to leave. Talk about rude.

      Three years later Ned comes home in order to unveil his new, improved personality! And then TRIAL BY DESIRE (really, what desire? where?) turns into an issue book. Kate's new mission in life is helping battered women, and at the moment she's hiding her best friend Louisa from her abusive husband, the Earl of Harcroft. This is a great way for Kate to spend her time, but unfortunately she's convinced that nobody would approve of her good works, so she pretends to be a useless airhead. Then she resents the fact that people think she's a useless airhead. This is a vicious cycle, and up until the very last page of the book she is still shocked that her husband "will not turn away in disgust if she proved strong." Yeah, that's some deep inner conflict for you. Her husband doesn't mind that she's so perfect. What a relief.

      Ned seems a little bipolar and he's worked really really hard to overcome some childhood trauma. He likes having Louisa around because he can use all these nifty self-help tricks he's developed in order to help her recover from her husband's abuse. This is really great of him but, unfortunately, his inner conflict is a lot like Kate's. He really, really needs to be perfect. Nothing less will do. And so he will not accept help from anyone! Any help of any kind is the equivalent of having someone reach over and cut all his meat up into little tiny pieces for him, and it will not be tolerated.

      The saddest way that Ned expresses his need for control is by acting like a cold fish. He's really attracted to his wife but he has all these dark, animal urges and in order to keep them under control he avoids having sex with her. Kate wanders around begging him to have sex, and he refuses over and over again. Call me crazy, but on the book jacket I could have sworn that Ned was going to launch some sort of wild seduction of his wife at some point. Nope. Not at all. When they finally do get around to doing the deed, it's all very tame because Ned has figured out how to exert self-control and restraint.

      Honestly, there is no real conflict between them. They're married, they both want to make the best of their marriage, they're nice people of similar backgrounds, and they're attracted to one another. Instead of actual conflict, actual dilemmas, actual challenges to overcome, we get these lame spats. It's almost like a Big Misunderstanding, except Ned and Kate are too calm and rational to really pitch fits and fight. They quarrel, or speak sharply, or can't come to the right compromise immediately.

      The writing is good, but that almost makes it worse -- gilding the lily or, I don't know, serving a hot dog on fine china. I'd be reading all these pretty sentences and nicely chosen words and thinking to myself, "What a waste."
    • 4/5
      I liked this book, but it was bit of a struggle at times. Such issues as depression and domestic abuse are interwoven in this story of two troubled spouses trying to build a marriage. The ending was fairly satisfying, considering the issues at stake. It was a little too "heavy" in places and too many misunderstandings.
    • 5/5
      I loved Trial By Desire well enough, but not as much as I did for Ms. Milan's debut Proof By Seduction. The writing is still full of sharp wit, and the characters definitely tug at your heartstrings, and it is definitely a worthy sequel full of enjoyment - I just didn't fall in love as hard with Ned and Kate. I did, however, LOVE the cover - not every day that you have the male model staring straight out into your soul! :)
    • 4/5
      This book is a sequel to Milan’s debut book from last year, “Proof by Seduction”. In order for you to get the full effect of this book, I highly recommend reading “Proof by Seduction” before picking up “Trial by Desire”. In it she introduces Ned as a very pivotal second character. Have you ever read the book where a secondary character almost takes over the story (like the movie “Tombstone” with Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer, where Val just STEALS the movie as Doc Holiday)? Well, that’s how I felt as I was reading “Proof by Seduction”.Ned’s voice was loud and clear and I was so glad that Ms. Milan listened to it! Reading it first will help you understand Ned and where he’s coming from, as well as the reasoning behind his desertion of Kate. From the first book we all know that Ned can be a very strong Hero, and in this book he proves us right. We so wanted him to redeem himself, so when he does, it makes our hearts sing! As for our Heroine, even though she gets abandoned right after her wedding, this chick is not giving up. In time when women were considered property, she puts herself in a lot of danger by helping not just her friend but a lot of other abused women. These two people, Ned and Kate, after reuniting, get caught in a battle of wits and seduction. Kate is still hurt by his abandonment, and is slowly learning to trust Ned. Ned, on the other hand, is determined not to let his emotions show through and keeps his guard up. It takes danger to get that wall down, and once it does, well…..you should read the book.This is a story that gives wonderful depth to all the characters. She did an extraordinary job in balancing two very touchy subjects such as spousal abuse and depression. Not an easy thing to tackle in a romance novel. I truly enjoyed this story of love and forgiveness. I was connecting to all of the characters, even the bad guy. This new author will be with us for years to come.Courtney Milan is one of my favorite new authors and her books are definitely KEEPERS!!
    • 4/5
      Trial by Desire is an intelligent, honest romance that promises hope and a realistic HEA without cheating the reader by sweeping away problems that by their nature have no simple cure.