Tag: Erica Ridley

Kiss of a Duke by Erica Ridley

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Kiss of a Duke (12 Dukes of Christmas #2)Kiss of a Duke by Erica Ridley
Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: 12 Dukes of Christmas, #2

Release Date: November 6, 2018

Penelope Mitchell is Christmas’ resident chemist and newly minted celebrity – she created a cologne for men called “Duke” and it is wildly successful – based on science, Penelope formulated the scent to attract women and by all accounts it works. So well, that she has decided to create a scent for women and will call it “Duchess” – she has a base formula, she just needs to test it.

Mr. Nicholas Pringle, known by all as Saint Nick, is an unrepentant rake. He never spends more than one night with a woman and has no desire to settle down, he doesn’t believe in love and has only agreed to come to Christmas to keep his brother Christopher company. While attending a party at the castle, Chris mentions that the creator of “Duke” is there and immediately Nick wants to confront her. He wants her to stop production of “Duke”, it is unfair to real rakes.

He meets Penelope and offers to buy the formula, she has no intention of selling it to him, but tells him she will think on it and tells him to return the next day. Penelope decides that Nick is the perfect test subject for “Duchess”, she will wear it and see if it works on men as well as “Duke” works on women. A kiss from him should be all the proof she needs, but to make things fair, she will make herself as dowdy as possible.

When he returns, she learns that Nick loves cookies, she feeds him and she is sure the perfume is working, just a kiss is all she needs. When she finally gets that proof, she decides that it is not enough and will need further research to be sure. They spend time together and Nick begins to question himself, he likes Penelope and his relationship with her has taken him to uncharted waters, he wonders if she might be the woman who finally breaks through the wall and meets the real Nick – not sure he is ready for that step, he tries to keep her at arm’s length and fails.

Is it love or is it “Duchess”, Penelope knows she has fallen for him, and he seems to care for her, but is it real or will it end when he learns the truth?

This was a very cute story with two very likable people, lots of cookies, secrets, chemical reactions, warmish love scenes and some corny Christmas references. The book is well written, flows nicely and is extremely entertaining. It is the second book in the series, but can easily be read as a stand alone and while there are references to Christmas, this is definitely a year-round read.

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

Never Say Duke by Erica Ridley

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Never Say Duke (12 Dukes of Christmas, #4)Never Say Duke by Erica Ridley
Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: 12 Dukes of Christmas, #4

Release Date: January 5, 2019

When Theodore O’Hanlon, Major Viscount Ormondton arrives at the Duke of Azureford’s cottage in Christmas, he expects to recover from his war injuries in peace and remain completely anonymous – but what he got was a cat named Duke who changed his entire life.

Virginia Underwood is a resident of Christmas and a nurturer by nature, she cannot resist rescuing strays or tending the wounded. So when her cat Duke invites himself into the Duke’s cottage and she finds Theodore, she insists on helping him – despite his refusal. Virginia has secrets and suffers from what appears to be Asperger’s Syndrome. She cannot abide crowds, bright light or loud noises.

Theodore is intrigued by Virginia and begins to look forward to her visits. They talk and she learns that he is expected to marry the daughter of his father’s friend – he will do it, because Theodore always keeps his promises and does his duty. But why is he beginning to question that decision?

The more time they spend together, the more she pushes him and under her care, he begins to heal, both physically and mentally. He learns more about her past, which is as shocking as is it heartbreaking. She loves Theodore, but when she learns who he really is, isn’t sure she could stand being part of his world, plus there is the little problem of the soon to be betrothed.

When it seems like they will finally have a HEA, a surprise visitor reminds Virginia why they can never be and a twist of fate gives her choices in her life – will she choose Theodore or will she let her past experiences ruin any chance for love?

This is a sweet story, that is well written and paced nicely. Theodore and Virginia are wonderful leads and Duke the cat is definitely a scene stealer, the love scenes are sweet (no heat) but there is a sizzling chemistry between them, there are lots of twists and turns, a hero that you will want for your own, a wonderful ending and an epilogue that will make you smile.

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