Month: June 2020

a Good Duke is Hard to Find by Christina Britton

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's Reviews1 Comment

A Good Duke is Hard to Find (Isle of Synne, #1)A Good Duke is Hard to Find by Christina Britton

Tracy’s rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Isle of Synne, #1

Release Date: June 30, 2020

To say that Miss Lenora Hartley has been unlucky in love would be an understatement, she has been engaged three times and is still unwed! After being jilted at the altar by groom number three, she decides to escape London and her father’s attempts to find her another suitor. She goes with her dearest friend Margery Kitteridge to the Isle of Synne to visit Margery’s grandmother, Viscountess Tesh. But Synne may not offer the respite she is seeking, as it stirs up memories of her first betrothed, who tragically died and with those memories comes guilt for her part in his death.

Finally back in England after making his fortune in America, Peter Ashford has waited thirteen years for this day, the day when he repays a debt and begins to enact his plan for vengeance against those he believes wronged him and caused the death of his mother. But Lady Tesh refuses his money and insists that he honor a promise he made to his dying mother – a promise to stay with Lady Tesh for a month. He refuses and while rushing out, almost plows over Lenora. He returns to the inn and relays what transpired to his good friend and business partner Quincy Nesbitt. Quincy convinces him to stay and honor the promise.

Peter and Quincy return to Lady Tesh’s and Peter bargains with her – he will stay and will attend dinners, balls and escort her – much to his annoyance. But on the bright side, he learns the lovely woman he ran into earlier – the one he hasn’t stopped thinking of, is also staying with Lady Tesh, along with his cousin, Margery. There is no denying the attraction between Peter and Lenora, but Peter won’t let anything in the way of his vengeance. Peter is the heir to the Duke of Dane, the man he holds responsible for his mother’s death. He has sworn that he will never marry and that title will die him and that he will destroy everything the Duke held dear. Lenora has her own issues to deal with including the new fiancé that her father has sent, with the clear message: accept her father’s choice or be disowned!

I thought the story was well written, but it did drag a bit and I found Peter’s single-mindedness to be a little annoying – but honestly, the vengeance trope is not my favorite as it never seems to make sense to me. I did like that this story took place outside of London and that there was a local legend woven in to the story. The book has a lot of emotion, vengeance, wonderful secondary characters, slightly warm love scenes, a bit of twist at the end and finally HEA. This was the first book in a new series and it looks like Quincy is next up, I really loved Quincy in this book so I am looking forward to his story!

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

About A Rogue by Caroline Linden

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

AboutARogueBarbara’s Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: Desperately Seeking Duke #1
Publication Date: 6/30/20
Number of Pages: 384

Yikes! The Carlyle dukedom is in danger and the duchess is desperately seeking out possible heirs. Her older son, the duke, is sickly and has a very limited mental capacity – he certainly cannot marry and father children. That wasn’t such a problem until both of her younger sons died – one in the Army and the has just died of an unfortunate accident before he could marry and have children. The dukedom’s solicitor, Mr. Edwards, has been diligently searching for the heirs – because the duchess wants them to learn the ways of the dukedom before they have to take over. Three possible heirs have been identified and none of them make the duchess happy. One of them is a Frenchman, one is in the army, and the last is a cardsharp. Our current story features the cardsharp, Maximilian St. James.

Max had no desire to be under the duchesses thumb, but he was grateful for the money she handed him and for the promise of the yearly payout he would receive from the dukedom. Well, except that yearly payout came with strings – he had to become respectable and be on his good behavior. The judgment about whether he was respectable, of course, was the duchesses. Max didn’t care for that at all. Max has always wanted to be independent, but life circumstances just never allowed that. He had to make his life the best way he could. Now, he has a bold plan and he is so excited about the possibility of making his own future.

Max was introduced to Mr. Samuel Tate, owner of Perusia, a fine pottery factory when he was in London. Mr.Tate was impressed with Max and his relationship to the ton and subsequently invited him to visit Perusia. Mr. Tate had no sons and when Max presented him with a partnership proposal – as well as a proposal of marriage for Mr. Tate’s oldest daughter, Cathy, Mr. Tate was thrilled. Cathy, the sweet, docile daughter wasn’t thrilled though and promptly eloped with the man she did love. OOPS!

There was nothing sweet nor docile about Bianca Tate – Cathy’s only sister. Bianca, who was every bit as stubborn and pig-headed as her father, was furious that he’d just sell out his daughter like that. So, when Bianca discovered Cathy packing to run away with the man she loved, Bianca decided to help her. What Bianca didn’t expect was to end up having to marry Max in Cathy’s place!

I absolutely adored both Max and Bianca. Max was determined to win his wife’s affections and Bianca was determined to despise Max no matter what he did. It was so much fun watching Max slowly, but steadily, destroying all of Bianca’s defenses.

One of the most refreshing things about this story was that it wasn’t set in London among the ton. Yes, there were several titles involved, but they weren’t the focus. The focus of the story was Max and Bianca and I felt as if I really got to know them. The romance felt real and I could genuinely feel that they were in love. Also included in my ebook was a short novella featuring Lawrence, who is Max’s valet. It was a really sweet story as well.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am already looking forward to the second book in the series – A Scot To The Heart – which features the army officer – Captain Andrew St. James of his majesty’s Scotts Guards.

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