Headstrong Grace Bamford is determined to remain unwed and keep her independence. Which means interesting, marriageable men are best avoided. Her classical studies and philanthropy are more important to her than a husband and a lot safer.
Angus Medley's life is turned upside down when he unexpectedly inherits a dukedom. He is wrenched from the career he loves as an Edinburgh advocate to take up responsibility for the Duchy of Evesham and the people relying on it for their livelihoods.
Grace rescues Angus from a knife-wielding attacker outside the London orphanage she helps to run. He dismisses the attack as a failed robbery but Grace suspects foul play. Is someone from Angus's past trying to kill him? Grace offers to help him investigate, concerned for his safety, even though it means spending time with the most attractive man she has ever met.
Marriage is the last thing on Angus's mind as he grapples with his new responsibilities and his hidden enemy, until he falls in love with Grace. Will Grace find the courage to follow her heart?
Georgette Heyer meets Mary Balogh in this romantic adventure.
Purchase Links
UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dukes-Bluestocking-Reluctant-Brides-Book-ebook/dp/B0B5F99W37
US - https://www.amazon.com/Dukes-Bluestocking-Reluctant-Brides-Book-ebook/dp/B0B5F99W37
Review
I enjoyed a lot of this book, especially Grace, whose independence is matched only by her love of fashion and her heart for others, particularly the orphans she is trying to place in employment. Her family's matchmaking efforts are frustratingly condescending, and much like Grace, I found her attraction to Angus a tad annoying because it meant giving in. For his part, Angus is rather a good fellow and a worthy suitor for Grace, if only their entire circle of acquaintances weren't pushing them together! By the end of the book however I was certain they belonged together but Grace like myself needed easing into the idea.
Beyond the matchmaking, Angus haws recently inherited a dukedom from the family who shunned his mother but have a fatal string of bad luck in recent years. He is settling in and setting up his household when it becomes apparent someone is trying to kill him. It's going to take him, Grace, and many of his new employees (especially my favourite plucky orphan Sam) to solve this mystery and keep Angus from joining his recently departed relatives.
Now there's so many characters, particularly Angus' new servants, that's it hard to keep them all straight, but the plot is fast enough to just sit back and enjoy the ride. This is a fabulous romance with an intriguing plot and two engaging leads, I just found it a good time.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via Rachel's Random Resources; all opinions are my own
.jpg)
Author Bio
Josie lives in the English midlands, surrounded by towns full of history such as Evesham, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwick and Worcester. Which is perhaps why her favourite reads are historical. Out of all the periods to choose from the Regency Era stirs her imagination the most. The true Regency lasted from 1811 until 1820 but dates as wide as 1789 to 1837 have been included in the extended Regency period. For Josie the true flavour of this period emerges after the iniquitous hair powder tax of 1795, unsurprisingly, scuppered the fashion for hair powder almost overnight.
Josie has always dabbled in stories but it took the combined efforts of her sister and eldest niece to set her on the path to writing novels. Her Regency romances, with a dash of adventure and intrigue, are the result.
There is more information on her website at www.josiebonhamauthor.com
Social Media Links
Twitter @BonhamJosie
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/josiebonhamauthor
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/josiebonham/
No comments:
Post a Comment