Review: The Way to a Duke's Heart by Caroline Linden

The Way to a Duke's Heart
Series: The Truth About the Duke #3
Author: Caroline Linden
Historical Romance

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)


Charles de Lacey, Lord Gresham, is running out of time, running from his responsibilities, and running from love.

Destined to be a duke, Charles de Lacey has led a life of decadent pleasure, free of any care for propriety or responsibility. It comes as a terrible shock to learn that he might be stripped of everything, thanks to his father's scandalous past. He has no choice but to find the blackmailer who would ruin him—and his only link to the villain is a woman who may be part of the plot…

To save his fortune and title, he vows he'll stop at nothing—in fact, he's all too eager to unravel the beautiful, tart-tongued Tessa Neville. She intrigues him and tempts him like no other lady ever has. With only his heart to guide him, and keenly aware that his entire future is at stake, Charles must decide: is she the woman of his dreams, or an enemy in disguise?

MY THOUGHTS

The Way to a Duke's Heart is the third and final book in the Truth About the Duke series by author Caroline Linden.  The main characters are Charles de Lacey and Tessa Neville.

Charles is the oldest brother and the last one to fall in love.  He is also the brother who is known for being a scoundrel and bedding women without a care.  He could really care less about the family business and has now been handed over the job of finding out the truth and the blackmailer.  If he wants to secure the title of Duke of Durham, he needs to find out who has been sending the blackmail letters and proof that their fathers secret is found to be over with.  During his investigation of all this, he stumbles upon Tessa Neville in a small town.  He overhears about a letter arriving for her in a hotel from the man he is looking for.  While he tries to figure things out -- and if Tessa is involved in the blackmail scheme -- he finds himself falling in love with the outspoken and at times blunt bewitching woman.

After being tricked by a man before, Tessa Neville has sworn off men.  She is intellectual and could care less about society and the gossip the other ladies thrive on.  She would rather be reading or combing through accounting books for her family than deciding which ball to attend and what color dress is in style.  She finds herself in a small town to look at an investment opportunity for her brother and to see if it is profitable to invest in it.  She has no idea why the His Grace Charles de Lacey is showing an interest in her and her companion, Mrs. Bates.  She considers him to be indolent and just another handsome face.  What she discovers though is a man who enjoys her company, her mind, and eventually her body.

While the previous book is still my favorite in the series, I have to say that this one gave it a run for the money.  Charles -- or Charlie -- was sweet, fun and an all around gentleman.  While he has indiscretions he is not proud of, he loves the challenge that is Tessa.  When his usual charms doesn't work to catch her eye, he decides to approach her as just a fellow friend.  This friendship evolves into something more and Tessa is the one who can help him solve the mystery of the blackmailing scheme.

Each character in this series has been a delight to read about.  I enjoyed the suspense and mystery of who it could be that was spreading the rumors.  I loved the discovery of the blackmailer and the reasons behind it.  I also loved how the author's voice sucked me into the courtship of each couple while not overpowering the reader with too much detail and narration.

If you haven't started this wonderful series, you are truly missing out on the great journey.  Even though this book could be read as a stand alone novel,  I do recommend reading the series from the first book to get all of the details into the drama and mystery of the who-done-it.  Now if I can just convince the author to give Mrs. Bates a book!

MY RATING

Very Good! I would recommend this book!

AUTHOR WEBSITE / GOODREADS / AMAZON

Review: Blame It on Bath by Caroline Linden

Blame It on Bath
Series: The Truth About the Duke #2
Author: Caroline Linden
Historical Romance

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)


A marriage of convenience . . . or of destiny?

Gerard de Lacey is determined to find the man who is blackmailing his family, but with his inheritance and status at risk, a hasty marriage to a wealthy bride also seems in order--just in case things take a turn for the worse. Charismatic and capable, Gerard knows he can win the hand of any lady he chooses. Still, he's not expecting a rich widow to find him and propose the very thing he wants: a marriage of convenience.

Katherine Howe's first marriage was one of dreary duty. Now that she's being pressured to marry her late husband's heir, she's desperate for a better option. Gerard de Lacey, with his sinful good looks, charming manner, and looming scandal, fits her needs perfectly. The fact that she's nursed a secret affection for him only makes it better--and worse. Because Gerard will likely marry her for her fortune--but can he love her for herself, as she loves him?

MY THOUGHTS

Blame It on Bath is the second novel in the Truth About the Duke series by author Caroline Linden.  The main characters featured are Gerard de Lacey and Katherine Howe.

After finishing the last book in the series, I was a little curious about Gerard. At first, I wasn't sure if I was going to like reading about his journey.  He is the youngest of the bunch and he seemed a little hot headed.  I hoped the author would make him a little more interesting with some softer emotions shown to the reader in his book.

Holy. Freaking. HOTNESS.

Gerard de Lacey was one fine specimen who could be so dirty in the bed. Not only was the sexy scenes so much better in this book, but Gerard was swoon worthy.  He is faithful, dependable, sweet, and very sexy.  While he went into this marriage with Kate on the basis of an arrangement, he was completely changed by the end of the book.

While this book heavily focuses on Gerard and Kate exploring their marriage of convenience, the mystery of the blackmailer is still in question.  I wish there would have been a bit more focus on the mystery, I can't say I am completely disappointed in getting some lovely romance between the two.

So far this is my favorite of the series.  While it is only book two, the author did a much better job in focusing on the romance in this book for the swoon factor.  I am looking forward to seeing how Charles will handle being the one left holding the bag in unearthing the blackmailer.

MY RATING

Very Good! I would recommend this book!

AUTHOR WEBSITE / GOODREADS / AMAZON

Review: One Night in London by Caroline Linden

One Night in London
Series: The Truth About the Duke
Author: Caroline Linden
Historical Romance

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)


A bargain that was all business . . . and pure passion.

Neither wealth nor beauty will help Lady Francesca Gordon win custody of her young niece Georgina, saving the girl from a cruel stepmother; she needs London’s top solicitor for that. But when Edward de Lacey, son of the powerful Duke of Durham, hires away the one man who can do the job, Francesca decides Edward himself must champion her case . . . if only she can melt the dashing lord’s stony heart.

Edward has reason to be guarded, though. London’s tabloids have just exposed a secret that could ruin his entire family. When Francesca offers a unique chance to undo the damage, Edward is forced to agree to a partnership . . . and now, each moment together feeds the flames of his scandalous longing for the passionate widow. But when Georgina disappears, fate will test them both . . . and leave their love hanging in the balance.

MY THOUGHTS

One Night In London is the first full novel in The Truth About the Duke series by author Caroline Linden.  There is a short novella that is considered book #0.5 as well titled I Love the Earl, but I decided to read the full novels first.  The main characters in this book are Edward de Lacey and Francesca Gordon.

Let me first state that I really enjoyed this book.  While there were a few things at the end that bothered me, overall this was a great start to a new to me series.

While Edward's father the Duke is on his death bed,  he asks for forgiveness from his sons.  Apparently, before he wed Edwards mother, he had married another young woman.  He has kept this a secret for years and now he is revealing it with his last dying breath.  Edward, along with his brothers Charles and Gerard, must form a search for this woman to clear their name and fight for the title to remain with them.  As Charles is the oldest, he has the most to lose including the title of Duke.  Unfortunately, Charles is a bit of player and really doesn't want to deal with the work involved of finding this possibly deceased woman.  Gerard is furious and worries about the scandal along with being considered a possible bastard.  He is intent on finding this woman, along with someone who might possibly blackmail them, and is seeing red.  Edward is the middle ground man.  He wants to resolve this, but he also knows that he must do it the smart and legal way. After he hires a lawyer to help get everything straightened out, he is confronted by Francesca Gordon.  Edward has just stolen her last chance at claiming her niece through the works of that said lawyer.  They strike up a bargain to help each other.

At first I got the same feeling about Edward that Francesca did.  I felt he was cold, emotionless and stiff.  But after he meets Francesca and begins the bargain, he really came out of his shell.  He was passionate, cared for his family, and had a soft spot that I wanted to explore.  Francesca was a ball of fire who could give as good as she got.  I loved whenever she would stick up to Edward.  I also enjoyed her way to bring out the laughter in Edward. The scene at the art gallery where they renamed famous artwork was funny and the key turning point to their relationship.

The ending was the only problem I really had with this book.  It seemed to wrap up too easily and kind of seemed like a cop out for the author.  The way the problem with her niece is resolved seemed too easy and something that could have been fixed from the beginning if the two would have just talked.  I was also surprised with the way Edward was so determined to figure out the truth of the Duke's previous marriage and save the reputation of his family then seemed to give up and hand the problem over to his brother.  I can understand it, but it seemed out of character for Edward.

If you are looking for a complete finished story line, it isn't wrapped up by the end of this book.  It is part of a series, so future books will explore it more.  The conflict and resolution of the romance though is satisfying enough though that I will continue in the journey of The Truth About the Duke.

MY RATING

Okay book, but it left me wanting more!

AUTHOR WEBSITE / GOODREADS / AMAZON