One Night with a Duke by Erica Ridley

On By TracyIn Christmas, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment
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One Night with a Duke by Erica Ridley

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The 12 Dukes of Christmas, #10

Release Date: October 9, 2020

Jonathan MacLean is on his way to Cressmouth to meet with the Duke of Nottingvale about investing in a business venture. Jonathan is a bit of a nomad, traveling around the country, but never staying anywhere long enough to lay down roots and he has a steadfast rule – he never visits the same place twice. He arrives to learn that the snow will certainly keep him in town longer than expected and will delay the arrival of the Duke and his business partner Calvin. Unable to just wait around for the snow to stop, he decides to venture out and meet the people of Cressmouth. He enters the jeweler’s shop and feels like he has been struck by lightning – the jeweler is the most stunning woman he has ever seen!

Angelica Parker is the jeweler in town, she came to Cressmouth seven years ago to make a name for herself. She was invited to set up shop by Mr. Marlowe and he made her an outrageous offer – he would provide her with rooms in the castle and a shop at no charge, but she must stay in Cressmouth for seven years – no exceptions – if she leaves, even for a day, the contract is void and she will owe an obscene amount of money, however, if she fulfills the contract, everything is hers, free and clear – this Christmas will be her seventh year and she is looking forward to travel – but she plans to stay in Cressmouth. Her family comes each year to visit her, but they don’t understand why Angelica agreed to the contract – they have a successful shop in London and think she should have married and stayed with them. Angelica longs to be acknowledged for her talent and knows that if she stayed in London – that would never happen. She is happy in Cressmouth, but still hasn’t achieved the recognition she dreams of. She has no idea how much her live will change when a handsome young man comes into her shop!

What a sweet novella this was! It is well written and chocked full of interesting historical facts regarding slavery in Regency-era Britain. Jonathan and Angelica are very complex characters and I am impressed by how well Ms. Ridley was able to flesh them out considering this is a novella. The story has a lot of emotion, some laughs, warmish love scenes, delightful secondary characters, compromise and a sweet HEA, complete with an epilogue. This book is the tenth book in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone title with no problems.


I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me.



Taming Lily by J.R. Salisbury

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Georgian Era (1714-1837)Leave a comment

Taming Lily (MacLeods of Skye, #4)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: MacLeods of Skye #4
Publication Date: 5/8/2020
Number of Pages: 177

This was my first read by JR Salisbury (the alter-ego of contemporary author Jamie Salisbury), and it was a delightful story. I will definitely look for more of her historical romances. I loved the characters; the story was well-plotted and excellently paced. If you are looking for an action-filled, exciting, heart-breaking, and heart-warming story, this is the one for you.

Lady Lily MacLeod is desperate. Her brother, Rory, Duke of Skye, is forcing her to marry the Earl of Dover who is twice her age. Not long prior to the wedding, Lily manages to escape with only the clothes on her back. She ran through London for most of the night. She’s totally exhausted, hungry, and just can’t go any further when she finds herself at the train station. Lo! There is a train with a private car getting ready to pull out – and it is headed to Edinburgh. She manages to gain entry to the car and quickly hides in a storage room. After exhaustion and hunger lull her into sleep, she is rudely awakened by two footmen dragging her up by the arms. Uh-Oh!

Tobias Campbell, Duke of Aberdeen, is heading home to Scotland in the comfort of his private railcar. Tobias is a very honorable, caring man, but he is also a bit uptight, stiff-necked, and set in his ways. His life is all planned out. He wants an obedient wife who will allow him to continue on with his life as he always has. His only requirement is that she produce an heir. There won’t be any love between them – just a business proposition. His betrothed, Lady Maria MacMillan, daughter of the Marquess of Tweeddale, meets all of his requirements perfectly. What he doesn’t need is a damsel in distress to be found hiding in his private railroad car. He doesn’t completely buy the tale she is telling him, but he agrees to help her anyway.

Their journey to their HEA was one fraught with murder attempts, betrayals, lies, abandonment, and a deep, abiding love. I enjoyed the story, and I’m glad I read it and gave this new-to-historical-romance author a try. I could have easily given the read 5-stars, but it just didn’t ring true. First, I’m not sure how much research the author has done, but some things were just a bit off – as in the way the constables were treating the Duke and Lily. Also, there was Rory – I have not read his book, but looking at the synopsis of the book and the various reviews, the actions he took in this book just didn’t seem to be those of a loving brother – even an exasperated one. I had a hard time getting a ‘feel’ for the time period of the book. Since passenger trains were in service, it could have only been after 1831, but I still don’t know if it was late Georgian or early Victorian. I also had a hard time with a heroine whose first option to solving a problem seems to be running away and that seemed to be Lily’s preferred problem-solving method.

I did enjoy the read and hope you will as well.