Hi everyone! I have a stop on the Two Dukes and a Scandal blog tour today. There is a review of two of the books, excerpts and a giveaway for you all.
Two Dukes and a Scandal Tour
It Takes a Scandal by Caroline Linden
How to Lose a Duke in Ten Days by Laura Lee Guhrke
Redemption of the Duke by Gayle Callen
It Takes a Scandal by Caroline Linden
Blurb
The second book in a deliciously sexy new series from USA Today bestselling and RITA award winning author Caroline Linden, in which an utterly shocking book--Fifty Shades of Grey for the Regency era-- has all of London talking and gives more than one young miss a mind for scandal.
Sometimes it takes a scandal . . .
Abigail Weston has everything: beauty, wit, and one of the largest dowries in England. Her parents hope she’ll wed an earl. Abigail hopes for a man who wants her desperately and passionately. But the money seems to blind every man she meets-except one.
Sebastian Vane has nothing. He came home from war with a shattered leg to find his father mad and his inheritance gone. He’s not a fit suitor for anyone, let alone an heiress. But Abigail lights up his world like a comet, bright and beautiful and able to see him instead of his ruined reputation. And it might end happily ever after . . .
To reveal your heart’s desire
Until Benedict Lennox begins courting Abigail. Ben is everything Sebastian isn’t-wealthy, charming, heir to an earl. Sebastian won’t give up the only girl he’s ever loved without a fight, but Abigail must choose between the penniless gentleman who moves her heart, and the suitor who is everything her parents want.
My Review
Sebastian is a recluse. He was injured in the war and came home to find his father had went mad. He had run through all their money and sold off most of their property. Then one night his father disappeared and everyone blames him. No one will hardly deal with him. He has gotten used to being alone but when he saves a dog one night that all changes. Abigail is rich, beautiful and has a vast appetite for reading. She is attracted to Sebastian despite what everyone says. They begin to explore the woods together and it awakens a love between them. Another suitor has his eye on Abigail as well. Abigail will have to decide if she wants to marry for love or a good name.
Abigail alone makes this a great read. She is not spoiled at all, she tries her best to not look down on people and she is very curious about things of a sexual nature. While she must hide the last part it still comes out at certain times. Sebastian is also a great character. Everyone looks down on him and talks about it and he just doesn't seem to care. He would like things to be like they were before but knows it probably won't happen. I love both these characters and even the secondary characters.
Not just a good love story this book also has an element of mystery as well. Sebastian's dad was never seen again and you wonder what happened to him. I guessed a few ideas but I was wrong on that. I love Abigail and how she isn't afraid to stand up for love. She knows what she wants and goes after it. The town people can be jerks but Sebastian still keeps his head up. There is a lot of heat between these two and it was a delight to read about it. The author does a great job on this and it is an excellent historical romance.
4 out of 5 Stars
Abigail alone makes this a great read. She is not spoiled at all, she tries her best to not look down on people and she is very curious about things of a sexual nature. While she must hide the last part it still comes out at certain times. Sebastian is also a great character. Everyone looks down on him and talks about it and he just doesn't seem to care. He would like things to be like they were before but knows it probably won't happen. I love both these characters and even the secondary characters.
Not just a good love story this book also has an element of mystery as well. Sebastian's dad was never seen again and you wonder what happened to him. I guessed a few ideas but I was wrong on that. I love Abigail and how she isn't afraid to stand up for love. She knows what she wants and goes after it. The town people can be jerks but Sebastian still keeps his head up. There is a lot of heat between these two and it was a delight to read about it. The author does a great job on this and it is an excellent historical romance.
4 out of 5 Stars
Excerpt
“Don’t mind him,” said a voice. “He won’t hurt you.”The sound of someone so near almost sent her leaping out of her skin. It took her a moment to locate the speaker. He wore a brown coat that blended with the trees, but took off his hat as he approached.
“He startled me,” she managed to say.
The stranger’s mouth quirked. “He does that sometimes. Sit,” he said to his dog, who obediently sat. “Is that your dog in the bracken?”
“Yes. I mean, it’s my mother’s dog,” she replied. “Milo. He’s only a puppy, but he ran off and I think he might have a rabbit in his mouth.”
He looked toward the whimpering sounds. “A terrier?”
“Yes, a small golden brown one.”
He nodded. “I’ll fetch him out.” He glanced at her dress. “You don’t seem well-dressed for walking in the woods.”
She blushed, and realized she was still holding her gown in a death grip, pulling the fabric tightly around her hips and exposing her legs almost to the knee. “I didn’t plan to walk in the woods. The cursed dog ran away, and I was chasing him.” She released her skirts, fluffing them a bit.
His gaze flicked downward for a moment, following the descent of her skirt. “It looks like a very elegant party you’re attending. I don’t want to keep you from it.” He hung his hat on a branch just over his head and headed into the thicket of bracken and fallen trees, whistling between his teeth as he went. Only when he had to step over a tree branch did she notice he used a cane, pressed tight to his left side.
“Thank you, sir,” Abigail called after him self-consciously.
Buy Links
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/it-takes-a-scandal-caroline-linden/1116864936?ean=9780062244901
How to Lose a Duke in Ten Days
by Laura Lee Cuhrke
Blurb
From USA Today bestselling author Laura Lee Guhrke comes the story of a bargain, a marriage of convenience…and the chance for love to last a lifetime
They had a deal…
From the moment she met the devil-may-care Duke of Margrave, Edie knew he could change her life. And when he agreed to her outrageous proposal of a marriage of convenience, she was transformed from ruined American heiress to English duchess. Five years later, she’s delighted with their arrangement, especially since her husband is living on another continent.
But deals are made to be broken…
By marrying an heiress, Stuart was able to pay his family’s enormous debts, and Edie’s terms that he leave England forever seemed a small price to pay. But when a brush with death impels him home, he decides it’s time for a real marriage with his luscious American bride, and he proposes a bold new bargain: ten days to win her willing kiss. But is ten days enough to win her heart?
My Review
Edie made a deal with the Duke of Margrave years ago. She would pay off all his debts if he agreed to leave and never come back. She gets a title and he gets money. It has worked out perfect so far. She has lived with the title and helped rebuild everything the duke has. After five years Staurt has returned from Africa. He doesn't get a welcome like he thought he would. He has had a hard time in Africa and now is home to stay. This throws Edie off as she never expected to live with her husband. She liked things as they were. Now Stuart a new bargain. He has ten days to get her to want to kiss him. If she doesn't he will give her what she wants.
Edie seems like the type who has it all together. She has did things the way she wants and everything is on her schedule. She has her sister to look after and she is trying to do the best for her as well. She has a secret in her past and she keeps it buried deep down. She really has one fear and she doesn't want anyone to know about it. Stuart almost lost his life in Africa and he did lose a friend. He found out what is important in life and he is ready to join his wife even if she doesn't want him she thinks. He can be hard at times but it is at good times so no worries.He does have a fun side that Edie seems to bring out at times.
These two clearly belong together and while they may not have had time to have a good start they do now if Edie can get over her fear. I was surprised a little by her secret and what she had been through and it made me see she wasn't just a title hunter but just scared. She has to learn to trust Stuart and see the man he really is. Stuart has his work cut out for him as she doesn't want a husband. I like how these two really heal each other and help each other move on. Stuart really won my heart when he does something to get payback for Edie. It shows how much he does care for her. For a fantastic read about two wonderful characters try this one.
4 out of 5 Stars
Edie seems like the type who has it all together. She has did things the way she wants and everything is on her schedule. She has her sister to look after and she is trying to do the best for her as well. She has a secret in her past and she keeps it buried deep down. She really has one fear and she doesn't want anyone to know about it. Stuart almost lost his life in Africa and he did lose a friend. He found out what is important in life and he is ready to join his wife even if she doesn't want him she thinks. He can be hard at times but it is at good times so no worries.He does have a fun side that Edie seems to bring out at times.
These two clearly belong together and while they may not have had time to have a good start they do now if Edie can get over her fear. I was surprised a little by her secret and what she had been through and it made me see she wasn't just a title hunter but just scared. She has to learn to trust Stuart and see the man he really is. Stuart has his work cut out for him as she doesn't want a husband. I like how these two really heal each other and help each other move on. Stuart really won my heart when he does something to get payback for Edie. It shows how much he does care for her. For a fantastic read about two wonderful characters try this one.
4 out of 5 Stars
Excerpt
The image of her moonlit face, as luminous and smooth as alabaster, flashed across his mind, as vivid now as it had been that fateful night at Hanford House—so vivid, in fact, that despite his many efforts over the years not to think of her, he’d failed more often than he’d succeeded. It had been her image that invaded his dreams during his delirium-filled fever, not the dangerous events that had nearly killed him. Even now, he could hear her voice clearly, so resolute and uncompromising. That you never, ever come back. Well, as he’d told her then, never was a long time. Circumstances changed, and plans went awry. His certainly had. He turned on the carriage seat, grimacing as he shifted his weight onto one hip and stretched out his leg. The sea voyage from Mombasa to Constantinople hadn’t been too bad, even without Jones. He felt another grimace of pain that had nothing to do with his leg, and he put his valet out of his mind. Jones was gone, and there was nothing he could do about that. He focused on the pain in his leg instead. That was easier to bear. On the ship, he’d been able to move about freely, but trains and carriages were a different matter. The muscles of his thigh had knotted up before he’d even reached Rome, and by now they were so constricted that he felt his right leg must surely be at least an inch shorter than his left.“What happened to your leg?”
Stuart glanced at the girl seated opposite him. “Do you always ask impertinent questions?”
That made her grin. “All the time. It drives Mrs. Simmons mad.”
“I don’t doubt it. But to answer your question, I was mauled by a lioness.”
Her brown eyes went wide. “Really? How exciting.”
Stuart settled back in the corner of his seat, giving her a wry look. He unknotted his tie and removed his collar stud, something he’d been longing to do ever since he’d put them on. Nothing like a stiff, tight collar to remind a man of all that was wrong with civilization.
“It wasn’t the least bit exciting, my dear girl,” he assured Joanna as he dropped his stud into his pocket and pulled apart his collar. “I almost died.”
Buy Links
Redemption of the Duke by Gayle Callen
Blurb
USA Today bestselling author Gayle Callen concludes her new series with a tale of generosity, passion, and the true kindness of the heart.
A duke who needs to be tamed…a lady who refuses to be rescued.
Adam Chamberlin was the third son of a duke, known for gambling binges and drunken nights. No one expected anything of him …until tragedy strikes. Now Adam is the new Duke of Rothford, determined to right the wrongs he’s done. Except a secret in his past means helping the one woman who doesn’t want his help at all…
It’s not every day that a duke introduces himself to a woman sitting by herself in Hyde Park. Faith Cooper is even more surprised when Adam offers her a position as a lady’s companion to his elderly aunt. Faith refuses to be beholden to a man again-certainly not this man, who both infuriates and attracts her. But with the simmering passion between them, will Faith surrender to forbidden desire?
Excerpt
Faith Cooper meets Adam Chamberlin (Duke of Rothford):Faith had once known all about real dilemmas: dwindling money without dowry or the handsome features that might make up for it. All of this she’d overcome on her own, by means both scandalous and necessary. And though it was hard work helping a self-centered young woman during her first London Season, Faith relished the challenge of guiding the girl to maturity and happiness. Sometimes she felt like she was guiding the baron and his wife, too. They had been social leaders in their quiet village, and were now at sixes and sevens in Town.
All of these thoughts were on her mind when a boldly handsome man stepped into her path and forced her to come up short in surprise. Though he was tall, it was not his height that was overwhelming; it was his very presence, as if he knew he commanded attention and used that to his advantage. He wore snug trousers, polished boots, and an expensively tailored greatcoat that she suspected did not need padding in the shoulders. To her surprise, he doffed his top hat and gave her a brief bow, which so shocked her that she almost turned around to see if someone stood just behind. He had light brown hair that could almost be called sandy, tousled artfully by the wind. His chiseled face had harsh lines where a woman’s would have soft curves, a nose that commanded attention, and lines about his eyes as if he smiled much of the time. Those eyes were blue and alive with interest and amusement as they took all of her in.
Buy Links
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/redemption-of-the-duke-gayle-callen/1116864944?ean=9780062267962
Author Bio’s
Caroline Linden was born a reader, not a writer. She earned a math degree from Harvard University and wrote computer software before turning to writing fiction. Ten years, twelve books, two Red Sox championships, and one dog later, she has never been happier with her decision. Her books have won the NEC Reader’s Choice Beanpot Award, the Daphne du Maurier Award, and RWA’s RITA Award. Since she never won any prizes in math, she takes this as a sign that her decision was also a smart one. Visit her online at www.carolinelinden.com
Laura Lee Guhrke spent seven years in advertising, had a successful catering business, and managed a construction company before she decided writing novels was more fun. A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Laura has penned over twenty historical romances. Her books have received many award nominations, and she is the recipient of romance fiction’s highest honor: the Romance Writers of America RITA Award. She lives in the Northwest with her husband (or, as she calls him, her very own romance hero), along with two diva cats and a Golden Retriever happy to be their slave. Laura loves hearing from readers, and you can contact her via her website: www.lauraleeguhrke.com.
After a detour through fitness instructing and computer programming, Gayle Callen found the life she’d always dreamed of as a romance writer. This USA Today bestselling author has written more than eighteen historical romances for Avon Books, and her novels have won the Holt Medallion and the Laurel Wreath Award.
Gayle lives in Central New York with her three children, her dog, Apollo, and her husband, Jim the Romance Hero.
Visit her website at www.gaylecallen.com.
Giveaway
Be sure to stop by the rest of the tour!
Thanks so much for spotlighting our books!
ReplyDeleteI love that all three of you wonderful authors are also dog lovers...like me. :-) I've loved your tour and finding out a little bit more about you at all the stops. What fun! Thanks so much for sharing...and for your writing. Continued success to all three of you! jdh2690@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteOoh, dogs. Love them! Just walked mine today. They're so happy that it's really finally spring!
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