Month: July 2019

The Reluctant Duchess by Jane Goodger

On By TracyIn Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Reluctant Duchess (The Brides of St. Ives #4)The Reluctant Duchess by Jane Goodger

Tracy’s rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Brides of St. Ives #4

Release Date: July 9, 2019

Oliver Sterling, Duke of Kendal is a recluse, a unique condition has kept him a virtual prisoner in his home, so when he sees a painting of a beautiful woman, he sends his “guardian” Philip Winters to find her and marry her by proxy.

Rebecca Caine is summoned to her father’s study and informed that in order to save her family from financial ruin, she must marry the Duke of Kendal. Having no choice, she agrees, but takes an immediate dislike to Mr. Winters. When she arrives at the castle, she is surprised that the duke is not there to meet her, but later that night, he comes to her in the dark.

This was one of the most bizarre books I have ever read and I am still not sure if the author was trying to give the story a gothic twist or if it was supposed to be a twisted version of beauty and the beast or if it was a farce. I definitely didn’t love this book, but I can’t say that I hated it either, I am not exactly sure how I feel about it, which makes assigning a rating very hard – so, I am going to go middle of the road and give it 2.5 stars. The idea of the story is original, the characters are likeable and there is a very sweet HEA But, the twists and turns get out of hand and are at times completely over the top and there are several unbelievable scenarios as well as an “insta-love” feel to the story that was a bit off-putting. This is the fourth book in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone title with no problems.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the pulisher.

Cover Reveal – A Duke A Dozen by Shana Galen

On By BarbaraIn Cover Reveal2 Comments
ShanaGalen_ADukeADozen_eCover_HR
Coming September 3, 2019!

They call him the Doomed Duke.

Phineas Duncombe, ninth Duke of Mayne, should not be the duke. After all, he had four—count them—four older brothers! Phin never wanted the dukedom, and the suspicious circumstances of the eighth duke’s death lead Phin to question the Countess of Longstowe. The beautiful widow isn’t at all what Phin expected. He’s intrigued by her and determined to seduce her. The Countess is not interested in Phin romantically, but when she comes to him with another request, he can’t deny it. A few days in the country with Lady Longstowe reveal two truths to the new duke. One, he cares for the countess much more than any other woman he’s ever known. Two, Phin either has very bad luck or someone is trying to kill him.

They call her the Wanton Widow.

Annabel was barely eighteen when she was married to the elderly Earl of Longstowe. A harsh, sadistic man, the earl’s death was not something Annabel mourned. Now in her mid-forties, Annabel enjoys her widowhood and has no desire to ever be under a man’s thumb again. Not even a handsome duke like Mayne, who is far too young for her anyway. Annabel’s one desire is to find the daughter who was taken away from her. For that, she needs a man with power and status. She needs the Duke of Mayne. When the two are thrust together, Annabel struggles to fight her attraction to the charming Phin. She’s losing the battle. But can she ever trust another man, especially with the one part of herself she’s never given away—her heart?

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Y6OiGQ
Apple: https://apple.co/2IHVXGm
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2XoolFF
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2X2PXkj