A December with a Duke by Collette Cameron

A December with a Duke: A Regency Romance (Seductive Scoundrels Book 3)A December with a Duke: A Regency Romance by Collette Cameron
Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Seductive Scoundrels, #3

Release Date: December 14, 2018

Given the subject matter in this book, I was expecting a completely dark and depressing read. I was pleasantly surprised to find that while there are some very sad, very dark moments, overall the novella was sweet and uplifting.

Everleigh Chatterton is a widow with no desire to remarry. Two years with Arnold was more than enough to show her that men are not to be trusted. Everleigh is stunningly gorgeous and has had to fend off unwanted attentions for years. She was raped by her husband’s son and only married because she found herself with child. She gives birth to Meredith and loses her a short time later. She is completely devastated by the loss and as a result, she hates marriage, men and December.

She is attending Thea’s house party and notices the Duke of Sheffield looking at her, she made her position clear to him when they attended Thea’s wedding – not interested! But when a child wanders into the room and is looking for her Papa, Everleigh’s heart goes out to her. The child is taken with her immediately and she soon learns Sheffield is her “Papa”.

Griffin, the Duke of Sheffield hears Sarah and is shocked to see her in Everleigh’s arms – Sarah doesn’t like strangers and is prone to tantrums. He is further shocked when Everleigh offers to help settle her for the night. Griffin agrees and wonders if Everleigh is really the ice queen that she resembles – she mentions her daughter and that tomorrow is the anniversary of her passing. After settling Sarah, they return to the party. Everleigh is amazed that she told him about her daughter and that he doesn’t terrify or make her feel repulsed, as she usually does around men. He tells her about Sarah, she is the child of his friends from India – they passed away and Sarah was left alone, he took her in and plans to raise her as his own.

Over the next few days, they spend a lot of time together, she likes him, but she worries that she could never be what he needs, she is not even sure she could bear the touch of man and with her former sister in law causing problems, she wonders if she would be more trouble than she is worth. Griffin has no such reservations, Everleigh is everything he has ever dreamed of in a woman and he wants to marry her.

It will take some coaxing, kisses and a very cute little orphan, but Griffin is ready to do whatever is necessary to win her – even let her go.

I loved this story, it is inspiring and very emotional, I loved Griffin and never ever doubted that he was in love with Everleigh. Everleigh had a lot to overcome and I loved that she was willing to trust Griffin with her heart. This novella is part of a series, but it can easily be read as a stand alone title.

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

A Kiss for Miss Kingsley by Collette Cameron

A Kiss for Miss Kingsley (A Waltz With a Rogue Novellas, #1)A Kiss for Miss Kingsley by Collette Cameron

Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: A Waltz With A Rogue #1
Publication Date: 1/27/17
Number of Pages: Audiobook

Stevie Zimmerman narrates the short novella. It is only about 2-hours long. The narrator’s voice is nice, but the characterizations of some of the characters seem a bit weak and thin. The writing is excellent and the story is well developed and well written. Though it is short, you don’t feel short-changed at all. You come to know the characters and to like them. I especially liked Olivia’s brother, Bradford and look forward to reading his book.

Olivia Kingsley and Allen Wimpleton have a history. Three years earlier, during Olivia’s first season, they met and fell madly in love. That it happened over a two-week period didn’t matter to them. Then, out of the blue, Olivia’s eccentric father announced that he was taking his family to the Caribbean for a year and that they would be leaving in two days time. He also shared that he was ill and the doctor had recommended the change.

When Olivia told Oliver that her father was taking her away for a year, he got very angry and didn’t give her a real chance to explain or for them to discuss the issue. He just gave her an ultimatum that she had to choose either her father or him. Since she’d never seen that side of Allen, it frightened her. Olivia was so upset with Allen’s reaction that she never got around to telling him about her father’s illness, etc. So she was frightened for her father and now she was frightened of Oliver – so naturally, she chose to go with her father.

Three years later, Olivia and her brother Bradford are back in London and her father has died. She knows she has to actually see and speak with Allen before she can ever actually get over him – or maybe they can reconcile.

This is a lovely second changes story that takes place over the course of one evening. Can these two get past their feelings of hurt and betrayal? Will they be able to reclaim the love they once shared? Is forgiveness an option? You’ll just have to read/listen to this excellent novella to find your answers.

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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”