Tag: #SeductiveScoundrels

A December with a Duke by Collette Cameron

On By TracyIn Christmas, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

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*

Only a Duke Would Dare by Collette Cameron

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

Only a Duke Would Dare: A Regency Romance (Seductive Scoundrels Book 2)Only a Duke Would Dare: A Regency Romance by Collette Cameron
Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Seductive Scoundrels, # 2

Release Date: October 17, 2018

Theadosia Brentwood is cutting through the cemetery when she comes upon the very drunk and distraught Duke of Sutcliffe. She hasn’t seen Victor in 3 1/2 year, not since he left after his father’s suicide. When she hears his tortured voice asking his father, why? Her compassionate nature compels her to answer him. She approaches and tells him the reason his father killed himself – cancer. Victor is startled by the beauty standing before him, he thanks her for telling him and steals a kiss when she helps him up. Thea has always had a tender for Victor, but he father would never approve (he is the rector of the parish church) and Victor is far above her station. They quickly break apart when they hear voices approaching. Her father and his new curate, Mr. Leadford. To distract her father, she tells him that Victor has offered to donate the funds for the new organ and for choir robes. She looks at Victor, hoping he will not give her away – he doesn’t and asks her father if he will officiate his wedding in August. Thea is crushed, he is betrothed! But when her father asks about his bride, Victor tells him, he hasn’t found her yet! He invites the Brentwoods and Mr. Leadford to dinner and takes his leave.

He sees Thea again the next day and asks her to meet him the next morning. He speaks to his mother and asks her to plan a ball to find a bride. When his father died, his will states that Victor must marry by his 27th birthday or he will lose all the unentailed properties, including Ridgewood Court where his mother resides. He plans to marry and leave his bride with his mother and return to his rakish life in London, he briefly considers Thea as a bride, but is sure she would not agree to that type of marriage.

They meet each day and the longer he spends in her company, the more he wants her, even if that means giving up his wild ways. When her father announces at the dinner party that Thea will be marrying Mr. Leadford, Victor knows that he will never let that happen.

But when the truth comes out, Thea may have no choice and will be forced to choose between her family and her love.

This was a delightful novella, that is well written and perfectly paced. The characters are likable, there are twists and turns, secrets, friendship, passion and a seemingly impossible HEA. The steam level is low, but the love scenes are perfect for the story.

*I am voluntarily reviewing an uncorrected eARC that was provided to me*