Book Lists: Duke Books

Yesterday, I reviewed the Duke Heist and I thought about all the duke books I enjoyed.

So I created a list.

Here are a few - many of these are part of a series, but not necessarily the first in a series. And maybe of these are by my favorite historical romance authors. 

Duke and I by Julia Quinn

Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart by Sarah MacLean

Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare

It's Hard Out Here for a Duke by Maya Rodale 

When You Give a Duke a Diamond by Shana Galen 

I Married the Duke by Katherine Ashe 

Not Pictured: 

How the Duke was Won by Lenora Bell

What a Difference a Duke Makes by Lenora Bell

Duchess by Design by Maya Rodale

No Good Duke Goes Unpunished by Sarah MacLean

How the Dukes Stole Christmas by Tessa Dare, Sarah MacLean, Sophie Jordan, and Joanna Shupe 

Duke in Shining Armor by Loretta Chase 

My American Duchess by Eloisa James

Two contemporary reads:

Duke by Default by Alyssa Cole

Duke, Actually by Jenny Holiday 

Have you read any of these?

Review: The Duke Heist

 

* First in a series *

The Wynchester family isn't welcome in most society functions - until Chloe makes a splash. She steals the carriage of her enemy the Duke of Faircliffe. It doesn't help that he's inside. When they understand each other, Faircliffe offers Chloe a favor. Which she accepts after she and her siblings have come up with a plan.

They're after a painting the duke's now deceased father stole from them. Faircliffe never responded to their letters or attempts to purchase the painting. So, they make a plan to steal it back. Chloe will distract the duke while they uncover the whereabouts of the painting.

But Chloe never imagines falling for the duke. Or that the duke would notice her out of all the respectable ladies. Everyone knows that Faircliffe's father ruined the estate and he needs to marry someone with a dowery. But can he help it if he wants Chloe?

My Thoughts: First off - I straight up love this chosen family of siblings. I can't wait to read more of their stories. I love their love for each other. I love their quirks and their strengths and their abilities. I loved Tommy's ability. Her characters reminded me of Julia Quinn's Lady Danbury. I did love how Chloe wormed her way into a reading circle - but stayed because she became friends with the ladies. And I adore their possible name: Ladies of Lusty Literature Book Coven. I enjoyed Phillippa and her mother. 

Up next:

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended for your romance collection

Top Ten Tuesday: Summer Vibes

This week's topic is all about the summer vibe. So I'm picking books that I would love to sit by the pool/beach and read this summer. Especially with a big glass of lemonade.

Here we go:

And I would have included this one:

But I've already read it. Read why I loved it!

Reivew: My Fake Rake

* First Book in a New Series *

Lady Grace hasn't desired to part of social scene after her debut season didn't go well years ago. Now she's happy studying herpetology and being known as a bluestocking. After her father urges her to marry for security, she can't help but wish fellow scientist would notice her. He seems happy talking to her as a collogue, but not as a woman.

When she shares her concern with a friend, he has a suggestion. Lady Grace needs to have another man interested in her. Sebastian allows her to transform him into a rake, helps him change his demeanor, and flirts with him in public. As they pretend to be interested in each other, Grace can't help but see her friend in a new light.

My Thoughts: I loved this book and can't wait to more in this series. I loved the Rake lessons, I think they are the new Princess lessons. I loved Sebastian. I loved Lady Grace and how she refused to hide her intelligence and her interest of reptiles in the ballroom. I loved the easy way they conversed about all things. I loved Sebastian's friends. This is my first book by Eva Leigh, but it won't be my last.

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your public libraries!

Christmas Book Review: How the Dukes Stole Christmas

Four novellas featuring four dukes from some of my favorite historical romance authors.

My Thoughts: I loved these stories. They were funny, sweet, charming, and entertaining. Meet Me in Mayfair mostly took place in one night during a ball. Louisa must find a titled wealthy man to fall in love with her in one night to save their family. The Duke of Christmas Present is all about second chances and chocolate. I loved the secret tunnel in that story. Heiress Alone reminded me of Home Alone - but set in Scotland. Her family won a house there and the daughters, except for one, are looking to be married well. The mother reminded me of Mrs. Bennett. Christmas in Central Park takes place in New York City, during the Gilded Age. There's a twist on the Duke in this one. I love how one bad idea snowballed until it became out of control. A fantastic collection of stories that I didn't want to end!

Source: Gifted

Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your romance section, your readers will thank you!

Romance Review: Four Weddings and a Sixpence

Four best friends from Madame Rochambeaux’s Gentle School for Girls find a sixpence in their mattress. They determined that it will be their lucky sixpence and help them find a special suitor.
Anna needs to marry in a hurry in order to save her inheritance. She's running out of time and love doesn't seem to be in the cards for her.

Cordelia invented a fiance to keep her aunt from throwing her into the path of men. Now that she's invited to a wedding, she must show up with the man, but first she'll have to convince him of the scheme.

When it's Elinor's turn for the sixpence, it's stolen from her. The man who took it isn't going to give it up - unless it's for a price.

Beatrice doesn't believe in the luck of the sixpence, but she's promised her friends to give it a try. Could the rude man in the shop be someone of interest? 

My Thoughts: I picked this one up because I adore Julia Quinn and I was so happy I did. I really enjoyed these girls and their stories. I would have liked more interaction between the friends. I loved seeing them meet their romantic interests. I liked that they were spirited. I loved Beatrice for her love of astronomy. An entertaining read!

Cover Thoughts: Not my favorite, but I can see it's appeal
Source: My Library

Adult Review: How the Duke Was Won

* Book 1 in a series *

Charlene Beckett wishes life for her had been different. She wants to make sure her sister's life is different. She'd do anything for her sister. So when her father's wife asks for a favor in return for payment, Charlene doesn't hesitate. She's supposed to pretend to her her titled half sister and win the hand of a Duke.

This Duke has no interest in marriage,but now that he has the title, he needs a wife and an heir. Then he can go about his business in outside of England. He invites 4 proper ladies into his home and from there he will choose his bride.

Charlene doesn't have the training of a Lady, but she catches the Duke's eye with her strange behavior. She can't hide her passion for the less fortune during their conversations. As Charlene begins to understand the Duke, the more she likes him. She needs to win for her sake, but she hopes she can find happiness without him.

My Thoughts: I adored Charlene. I loved her fierceness, her determination, her loyalty, and her outspokenness. I love how she befriended the competition. I love hoe she protected her sister and cared for Flor (the Duke's illegitimate daughter). Flor added some comic relief to the book with her antics. She's adorable. I love how Charlene cared about social justice and how she worked for it. James was kind in his dealings with the ladies (mostly) but in the rest of the his life, he had no patience for most things. His conversations with Charlene made him pause and examine his life - and made him a better person as a result. Looking forward to reading about his friends and the trouble they get into. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Recommended for public libraries

Adult Review: Lady Claire is All That

 * Book 3 in the Keeping up with the Cavendishes * 

Lady Claire's reasons for agreeing to travel to England because of her brother's dukedom have nothing to do with wanting to help him and everything to do with meeting the Duke of Ashbrooke. She wanted to discuss his mathematical papers, especially those concerning the difference engine. She has some ideas on improving it. But her intelligence has caught the eye of another.

Two friends decide to make a wager on Lady Claire's future. But the more time Lord Fox spends with her, the more he can't stop thinking about her. Could her brains compliment his beauty perfectly?

My Thoughts: I adored Lady Claire. I loved watching her navigate through ballrooms, refusing the dance, and understanding that she was more intelligent that the majority of the people there. I loved  watching her play cards and counting them. I love how she didn't hide her intelligence. I love how she went to mathematical meetings and asked a boatload of questions. But I also like how her dealing with Lord Fox made her understand people just a little bit more. I thought Fox was an idiot for the wager, especially the prize. I felt terrible for him for his childhood. I love how he came to admire Lady Claire's intelligence, realizing all the blunders he made along the way. I can't wait to  read the next book in the series.

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A perfect series for all public libraries!