Invitation to Passion

Invitation Series, Book 3

By: Bronwen Evans

Narrated by: Marian Hussey

Consummate rake, Richard Craven, has his heart broken when the woman he loves is forced into an arranged marriage to a violent brute. To make matters worse, circumstances force him to marry Lady Madeline Knight - a woman he views more like a sister - only for fate to play the cruelest of tricks. Shortly after his wedding his former lover is widowed, and Richard learns she could be pregnant with his child. Madeline Knight thought she was doing the right thing when she saved Richard Craven from his lover's irate husband. Now her silly schoolgirl crush has left her married to a man who's in love with another woman. Consumed with guilt over trapping Richard, she tries her best to be the perfect wife and win his heart. Failure is not an option. For if she fails she loses everything, she loves him too much not to set him free.... While Richard and Madeline confront the reality of their marriage, Madeline's life comes under threat. A family enemy is set on revenge. Will Richard learn the truth of his heart, and what is truly precious to him, before the unknown enemy destroys their world?

©2014 Bronwen Evans (P)2015 Bronwen Evans

Exciting tale of deceit and the meaning of love

These books have been exciting, enchanting, serious, funny, and sensual. Much more than a typical era romance...

Marian Hussey is excellent and other than the one time I thought her heroines voice was getting a whiny pitch to it I found absolutely nothing negative to say. She delivered a stellar performance.

This book is steaming hot and very visual, but no complaints from me.

Creditworthy? Oh yes!

I just want to know when the next one will be!?

Very good storey

I enjoyed all the books in this series. The only problem I had with this story was I felt the "best friend" line was used a bit much. It didn't take away from the storey. I really enjoyed it but It was like " OK we get it you are best friends. No need to keep saying it"

A rollercoaster to a HEA

Where to begin....

I adored the story. The slow build up to Richard figuring out his feelings. Maddy's growth and maturing sense of self. It was a hard fought ride. The letters at the start of each chapter added depth to their love and friendship.


The need for an antagonist and drama is understood, expected and appreciated, but Sarah was just too much. Her constant whining and simpering were draining. Seeing Richard fall for her schemes had me shaking my Kindle, I couldn't shake him. Admittedly, I am not sure if I would have disliked her as much if I was reading it in my head or if it was how the narrator worked her vocal magic. But she needed and deserved her final comeuppance.

Richard's grand gesture was hard won for them both. I cheered for them and was also wringing my hands. Well done Ms. Evans. This series has been filled with such amazing characters, deep, touching and strongly built up. you will not be disappointed.

5 star invitation to love

Regency historical Romance . Third in a series . Hero is Richard . Heroine is Madeline (Maddy) .
Richard and Madeline meet each other when Maddy was 13 years old . Madeline was stuck in a tree with some boys were tormenting her . All of England thought her father was a traitor. Madeline and Sir Richard made a promise to each other ... To always be honest to each other and to communicate once a month .
Years later Madeline was in London where her brother (Ruffas book 1) was throwing her a ball . Actually Ruffas was made an Earl by Prinny .
Madeline saw Richard sneak away with a married lady . The lady was Richards love of his life ( that's what he thought ) Maddy saw the ladies husband looking for her . Maddy knew she had to go to the library and save Richard . She enough she walks in on them their bodies are enjoying each other .
Madeline and Ruffas gets caught and they have no choice but to marry .
While on their honeymoon the ladies husband (a marquess ) dies . Madeline and Richard go back to London . That is where everything starts . They find out that the Marquess was actually murdered . Who did it ??? They find out that Richard might be a dad ( even though Madeline and Richard promise to always tell the truth ) Richard doesn't tell Madeline .
Also there is an invincible foe after Madeline that is trying to get back to Ruffas .

You will be twisting and turning from the first page . And lots of Suprises at every turn

Swoon worthy hero with compassionate heart.

Any additional comments?

I listened to the audio version of Invitation to Passion by Bronwen Evans, which has a decent plot and two strong main characters. After professing his love to Sarah and believing they would soon elope to be married, Richard is besieged with melancholy after Sarah refuses to elope with him and instead marries another man. After she is married, Sarah wants to continue the affair and she soon seduces Richard at a ball. Thankfully, Maddy is there to protect Richard after she observes Sarah's husband on a rampage to find them. She orchestrates Sarah's escape, but not her own before she and Richard are found in a compromised position. Richard is then forced to marry Maddy, whom he views as a little sister, having been friends with her older brother for more than 10 years.

The rest of the story is Richard taking time figuring out he truly loves Maddy, and never really loved Sarah at all. There are numerous passionate encounters between Richard and Maddy, so much so that I eventually started fast forwarding through the audio to avoid all the salacious details of how they make each other lose control sexually. Simply put, too much sex and not enough substance, especially for an audiobook lasting almost 11 hours.

Marian Hussey narrated and she did a wonderful job. She brought the characters to life, giving each character their own distinct voice. I especially appreciated her swoon-worthy portrayal of Richard. I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an unbiased review.

Friends to Lovers

This is a great story for people who enjoy the friends to lovers trope. Richard and Maddie have been friends since she was 13 and he saved her from local bullies. Now it's Maddie's turn to save Richard and things don't go as plan. Finding themselves married, Richard has to learn to trust in love. A former lover and a man with a mystery agenda put Richard and Maddie's love to the test. Marian Hussey's narration was excellent and added to my enjoyment of the story.

UGH..

Any additional comments?

I’ve read 3 other books by Ms. Evans and I loved them all. This one, not so much. I wasn’t crazy about the letters at the beginning of each chapter, they didn’t seem to fit there. And some reviewers said Maddy was a “doormat.” I wouldn’t go that far but she didn’t seem very strong to me. Her constant thoughts about Richard’s happiness was just ridiculous. I mean, thinking for a minute of asking him for a divorce so he could be with Sarah. And speaking of Sarah, I was pretty sick of that name by about 70%, AND Richard’s “helping the woman in distress” attitude, leaving Maddy to her own devices so he could see to Sarah’s comfort. I have no idea why he was so PO’d when Maddy was attacked since it was his fault for not being where he was supposed to be- with Maddy.

There was sooo much time spent on Richard’s and Maddy’s desire for each other. The first 60% or so was filled with that. I like sex in my books but you can have too much, or too many thoughts of it until it becomes rather boring.

AND the friendship thing became really boring. That seemed to be all-important to them. Not the sex or their marriage but their friendship. The word friend or friendship was used 182 times in this 234 page book, just to give you an idea how important that friendship was. That’s a little crazy.

And Maddy was beautiful, as was Richard. We were told that 58 times. I like my hero and heroine to be beautiful but you only need to tell me a time or two and that’s enough.

OK.. At 63% I’m done. I can’t read any more about his “fickle” heart and her making excuses for his stupidity. I’m happy for all those who loved this book but it’s just too silly for me.

As to the narrator: Ms. Hussey did a wonderful job with what she had to work with. I've listened to her before and it's always a pleasure.