Historical Romance published by Avon 28 Sept 21
How does a duke find a wife? if you’re the so-very-regal Duke of Kingsland, you put out an ad in the newspaper and ask the ladies of the ton to apply extolling their beauty and characteristics that make them suitable Duchess material. As readers who’ve read the first book in this series know, this could go so wrong and the perfect duchess rides off into the sunset with her perfect man who is not the Duke of Kingsland. If once you don’t succeed and you’re a duke, you just execute the same plan again with a slight twist. You have your secretary review the applications and announce the winner at an annual ball hosted for this very reason. Will this second go-round be more successful than the first?
Penelope, already head over heels for her handsome employer, is determined to discharge her current assignment to the best of her ability. Soon the Duke is escorting her to ton affairs so they can check out the short-listed women on her list and assess if they’ll make a suitable duchess. All these extracurricular activities emphasize to the Duke how attracted he is to Penelope and how suitable she is to become his duchess. However, the Duke takes a convoluted path to resolving his dilemma, which builds a nice spot of suspense to the story, particularly since both protagonists have secrets in their past that they’re hiding from.
I love how the author engages her readers into the lives and doings of her characters, tying all the threads together into a very neat bow. Ms. Heath is one of the authors responsible for bringing me back into the fold of historical romance, which had become a bit jaded for me.
Grade: B
Summary:
Hugh Brinsley-Norton, the Duke of Kingsland, is in need of a duchess. However, restoring the dukedom—left in ruins by his father—to its former glory demands all his time, with little room for sentiment. He places an advert encouraging the single ladies of the ton to write why they should be the one chosen, and leaves it to his efficient secretary to select his future wife.
If there exists a more unpleasant task in the world than deciding who is to marry the man you love, Penelope Pettypeace certainly can’t imagine what it might be. Still, she is determined to find the perfect bride for her clueless, yet ruthlessly charming employer.
But when an anonymous note threatens to reveal truths best hidden, Kingsland has no choice but to confront the danger with Penelope at his side. Beguiled by the strong-willed, courageous beauty, he realizes he’s willing to risk everything, including his heart, to keep her safe within his arms. Could it be the duchess he’s hunting for has been in front of him all along?
No excerpt available.
Other books in this series:
