An intense story of unbreakable love. The bond between Jack & Annie is put to the greatest test of all. Trigger warning, the rest is that of drug abuse. A tragic tale of a woman kidnapped and then pulled into opium addiction. Once reunited with her husband and child, she must decide which she wants more, her precious ‘medicine’ or her family. A story full of anguish and sadness, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. The ending was the perfect sweetness needed to reward their endurance.

This is the third book of the series and I am beginning to think this authors writing style and I are just not going to be friends.



📚Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, comments, and interpretations of the story are my own and bias free. I did not receive any money in exchange for this review. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to review. 🦄

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this story, and this is my freely given opinion.

This was the story about Jack Washburn, who is the close friend, and compatriot of the other two heroes of the first two books. He seemed to be a bit of a footloose rogue in the first two books and this one delves into his story... and it is full of drama and angst - just brimming over with it in such a relatively short book.

Jack has married the love of his life, Annie, and they were very much in love. However, because of his government work, she was left for stretches of time alone at their home. During one of his assignments, it sounds like he was getting letters indicating her unhappiness... then suddenly he is given notice that she had thrown herself off the cliff, with only a few garments of hers found at the edge, but her body never recovered. It was assumed she had died, and he was left a sad widower with many unanswered questions over the next couple of years.

As he was about to start on his new assignment, he receives a note from a stranger telling him that Annie was still alive, and in grave danger. Jack is understandably stunned, but acts on this notice, just in case it is true, and his Annie is still alive.

Needless to say, she is, and as Jack rescues her from her immediate peril, he finds that his latest assignment, related to clandestine opium smuggling, and her story are inextricably intertwined. Annie had been kidnapped and held hostage, for the past couple of years, with her suicide faked to prevent Jack from searching for her. Her kidnappers were trying to compel her to do something against her will, and to promote her compliance she was drugged with laudanum repeatedly, leading to her becoming terribly addicted to it. Jack is conflicted with his own feelings of love and resentment towards Annie, and coming to terms with the woman she is now, versus the sunny love of his life before her addictions and the horrors she had put up with over the past couple of years of confinement and abuse. Annie is a complete mess, because of her addiction, her trauma, and her own emotional turmoil. There is a lot of angst and drama just in them trying to find their way together again in the marriage. Then toss in the drama and mystery of his investigation and her kidnapping. Then also add on the drama of the fact that she was pregnant when she was kidnapped, and the child was wrested from her by her kidnapper.

While there is a happily ever after for the couple, this story was so full of angst, drama, and suffering that it felt like my feelings were just dragged down. Not to say that it was not a good story - but very emotionally draining. On saying that, I felt angry and frustrated with Jack a couple of times because of how he emotionally reacted to finding out Annie was alive. It seemed like he was angry and resentful at the beginning of it, when she was just saved from a horrendous hostage/captive situation, and it felt like his reaction was a bit on the selfish, narcissistic side of things. But I think there were a few plot bloopers that could have contributed to that. Such as why did he believe in the stepmother's letters so much? There was mention of some kind of lying letter from Annie before her faked suicide that I don't think was initially brought up earlier in the story that could have explained his feelings, but was brought up later in the story, I think.

But if you are looking for something light hearted and escapist... this is not it. This is a lot of drama and emotional turmoil, between the broken down relationship, addiction, lack of trust, then the lost child, etc, it was a lot.

3.25 stars out of 5

This is Book 3 in the Men of Valor series. I have been enjoying the books in this series so far and this one also did not disappoint. It is a tragic story that will pull on your heartstrings, but fear not, love and patience does claim victory over the darkness, but it takes quite a journey to get there. Jack has given his heart and soul to the Crown and was devastated when he learned of his wife's death. When he gets a new assignment to investigate a smuggling ring, he also learns that his wife is alive and in danger. She has been kidnapped and tortured and is now also deep in addiction. When he finds her, he realizes she has drastically changed and no longer the same woman he knew. You get an incredible look at Annie and the abuse she endured as well as the addiction she now has to battle. An incredibly emotional and heartwrenching story that I could not put down. Annie and Jack have a second chance at their marriage and family and love, but it's not an easy journey and they have a lot of challenges ahead before getting there.
A well-written and heartbreaking story with a hard earned happy ending, and a great addition to the series.
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Will Their Love Survive the Deception?

He thought she had died, so when he received a letter saying she was alive, he would move heaven and earth to find her. What he discovered was a woman transformed by addiction. What happened to Annie, and why did Jack think she was dead these last two years? What would follow was an exercise in patience and determination. There was a wife to save, smugglers to catch, treachery to uncover, and deadly danger to survive. Would love prevail? I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to those who like historical romance with mystery, suspense, and intrigue. The story kept me turning the pages.

~2.5 stars~

Laura Landon is a fantastic author, and some of her books are true masterpieces. This novel was not one of my favorites though. Her books were better before she started taking a more military-focused approach to historical romance. Her newer books have a slower pace and less chemistry between the main characters. While I liked the action/intrigue of this novel’s smuggling subplot, the romance storyline was definitely lacking.

In fact, I’m not sure if I would describe this story as a romance at all. There were some romantic elements, but really the book was just overwhelmingly sad. The book’s resolution, or at least hope for the resolution, should’ve occurred sooner. Furthermore, I was not convinced that Jack loved his wife. He seemed more in love with who she used to be and that he was just forcing himself to care for the new version of her because he had no other choice.

Overall, there were some interesting parts to this novel, but it lacked a compelling romance plot. I recommend skipping this book and reading one of Landon’s better stories, like “A Matter of Choice” or “Shattered Dreams.”

*I received an ARC of this book. This is my complete and honest review.*

Jack and Annie will have to make hard choices if they are to have a second chance at love, marriage, family, and a happy future. At the same time he starts an assignment to investigate a smuggling ring, Jack learns that his wife, who he thought was dead, is alive and in danger. By the time Jack finds her, Annie has been kidnapped, abused, and force to a hellacious addiction to laudanum (opium). He rescues her, but will he be able to help her beat the addiction? Molly, Dr. Reynolds, Quin, and Theo are on hand to help with the investigation and Annie. Will the smugglers be brought to justice? Just who is the head of this ring? This is a tragic and emotional story. There is fear, addiction, betrayal, but there is also patience, courage, forgiveness, and love. Annie must decide which is more important, her ‘medicine’ or her family. Jack may have to leave his life as an agent of the crown to take closer care of his family. This is a well-written realistic and heartbreaking account of the effects of drug addiction on the one addicted to the drug and those around them. Annie’s story does have a hard-won happy ending. Wonderful, thought-provoking read!
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing it.

This is a book about reconciliation. The main character fights to save the marriage and when the spouse has no hope. In part of the book I felt the husband was a little harsh but sometimes ya gotta show tough love to get change. This is in a series but you dont need to read the series in order to enjoy the book.
I recieved a free copy so that I might tell you what I honestly think. Hope you enjoyed my review. Now go enjoy the book.

Major Jack Washburn receives a note that gives him hope, but he finds hard to believe. Especially because it's leading him to the exact place of his new assignment. Coincidence or trap? He's duty bound to find out.

Annalise Washburn is in Hell, and can't face the only way out.

There is a lot of emotional turmoil in this historical romance. Dangerous smugglers and addiction to battle. Our protagonists need the strong pull of deep love to even want to take the risks.

Although this book is part of a series it's easily read on it's own. Only a few meetings with the characters in the other stories.

A very different sort of story for a historical romance.

An enjoyable read.

An incredible look into a woman who was forced to become an addict and her struggles to get over it with the love and support of her husband and friends and a good doctor. Her love for her baby pulled her from the edge because the ‘medicine’ wasn’t more important. Good HEA story!

I received an ARC from Netgalley and leaving my review voluntarily.

When Major Jack Washburn receives a letter telling him that the wife he thought was dead two years ago, is still alive, he moves heaven and earth to find her. But the woman he finds has drastically changed from the woman he loved and lost. Annalise Washburn has gone through the mill since she was kidnapped.
The third book in the series, which was a well written often tragic story, it took me through a gamut of emotions & my heart bled for Anna. As well as the story of Jack & Anna coming to terms with events there’s a gang of smugglers to uncover. There are some twists, turns & lots of turmoil. If you want a light fluffy read then this isn't the book for you. A book that tackles a social issue in Victorian times. It can easily be read on its own
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

A very different sort of story for a historical romance with kidnapping and smuggler's and an addiction to opium all involved in the story causing a lot of emotional turmoil and quite a dark story that might not be to everyone's taste. If you stick with it though an HEA is there although the overcoming the addition side did seem a little rushed and easy. Although this book is part 3 of a series it's easily read on it's own. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Major Jack Washburn works for the government. His next assignment is to breakup a smuggling ring. At the same time he gets a note telling him where to find his missing wife thought dead. Annalise is not the same woman she was two years ago. Kidnapped, her world turned into pain and loss. Jack wants his wife back, but his wish may never come true. With a reason to change, Annalise must make the decision to do it herself. An unusual plot that takes an added twist in the story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book..

This is a tragic story, one that could have ended in disaster, but instead, patience, love, and courage brought about victory over the darkness in their lives. Jack Washburn has given his life to Crown and country but is devastated by the news of his wife's death. With the result, he is shocked when he receives a letter pleading for him to go to his wife's rescue. What he finds defies belief and so starts a journey back to recovery and healing from past wounds. Just when Jack thinks he has seen and heard everything, he discovers that there is still more that needs to be addressed, and together with his friends he tracks down a vital part of their lives. Nothing prepares Jack for what he must endure together with Annie to deal with what she has been through, but fortunately, he has met a doctor who has an understanding of what they need to break through the barriers that are holding them captive. The novel comes to a good conclusion but left me feeling rather sad. I received a copy of this book as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

This book was not the same as most romance novels, and that made it a phenominal read. Contains some spoilers but not all. .
This book was a romance about how a love lost will hopefully be found and returned.
The hero in this book is a war hero who was told his dead wife was not dead and he had to come save her now. Two years prior, the hero left for the war, only to be told his wife committed suicide by jumping off a cliff. The body was never found, but a note with some of her belongings, including her wedding ring was found at the edge of the cliff. They had only been married about six months.
The hero receives a horribly written note by someone who doesn't know how to spell that his wife's life is in danger, that he was told she had died, but it is wrong and to come save her. The hero tracks the note to a village and goes to an asylum type building, but she isn't there. But the writer of the note is and takes him out of town to a hut where she was stashed with a couple of caretakers. He is able to disable the caretakers and escapes with his wife. She is so frail and unable to walk. The hero almost doesn't recognize her. The hero brings in a doctor whose diagnosis is malnutrition and an opiate addiction.
The heroine was kidnapped in order to try to claim her inheritance. And then barely kept alive. She doesn't remember much, but as she is brought back to reality, she is able to recall some of the horrible things that happened to her and what caused her to depend on the opiates even more. As the heroine struggles to live without her "medicine", she is able to see her husband in a new way.
I did not give many spoilers, because this was a very surprising story. The people I figured were responsible, weren't. The things I thought were going to happened, didn't. This was a new experience for me.
I enjoyed this book very much. I would definitely read it again, because despite the dark parts of the story, it was still a HEA and would be a good example to people who deal with their own demons on a daily basis. This book was more real then any other romance I have read. I give it 5 stars and a recommendation to read

This book was not exactly what I expected. I expected more of a romance, when it was really more of a story of loving someone through addiction. It was well written. The author did a good job with writing Annie and Jack's story. I did enjoy reading Annie's journey.

The characters are fun, sassy, lovable and and so much more. If I could give it 10 stars believe me I would.