March 22, 2018

The Duke’s Defiant Debutante by Gemma Blackwood

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Pearls

Publication Date: March 22, 2018

The reclusive Duke of Redhaven is not somebody to be trifled with.

Fortunately, neither is Miss Angelica Stirling.

Lively, clever, and rather too outspoken, Angelica does not have high hopes for her first London Season… not that she particularly cares. Who needs a husband when you have a good book?

When she receives a surprise proposal from Edward Thorne, Duke of Redhaven, it seems too good to be true. And it is.

The Duke is handsome, mysterious, and brooding – and everything Angelica doesn’t want in a husband. Is one of the biggest fortunes in England really worth the trouble?

Edward returns to London after a decade’s self-imposed exile in need of one thing: a bride. But his strategy of proposing to the first agreeable-looking girl he meets backfires spectacularly. Angelica is anything but the docile debutante he took her for.

Before long, Edward is facing a predicament he never imagined. Angelica has run away from London – and she’s taken his heart with her.

This is a great, clean, historical romance, with villainy of course! Edward Thorne, Duke of Redhaven, has been living as a recluse for ten years. Some people believe it is because he injured a man in a duel, simply for wanting to marry his sister. They also believe that he murdered his sister. How the ton loves to gossip! He has realized he must take a bride, in order to have an heir. Of course, the next in line, with the most to gain, is our villain, his first cousin. Now, residing in his ducal home in London, his only friend from Eton, is there to fulfill his curiosity, The Earl Of Lathkill, cannot imagine what would bring his very reclusive friend to town.

Isabel Stirling, the youngest of two daughters, of a very wealthy merchant, is prepaing for her come-out ball. She would be much more excited, except, she is reading a book? The real cause is that her lovely, sweet sister Lily, is too ill to come down to be with her. However, Lily talks their very sweet Mother in allowing her to sit during the ball. Who do we think shows up to the ball? Yes indeed, the reclusive, non talkative, murderous duke! He ask to dance with Isabel, believing her to be quiet, and biddable, to his regret, after the damage is done, he finds out, she is an extreme expressive. It is a good light read, after a stressful day. I think Miss Blackwood is getting better with each book!

I recommend! Thanks! Enjoy!