Hi there, fellow readers!
Looking for your next must read?
You've come to the right place, AND today is a great day too because we're cueing up a new WHAT'S THE BUZZ post featuring a NEW Historical Romance title COMING JULY 20th from author Mariah Stone! So, if you're looking to start a new series from the official START, gear up for this release date and catch a little tease with my time spent between the epages in today's review...
All Duke and Bothered
Dukes and Secrets, Book 1
by
Mariah Stone
RELEASE DATE: 07/20/23
About the book...
Brooding Duke. Notorious rake. Driven by grief. Forcing his enemy’s daughter into marriage for revenge. About to lose his heart.
Vengeance. Preston Seaton, the Duke of Grandhampton will bring down the man who killed his brother through any means necessary. So when Lord Neville Beckett auctions off his daughter’s hand in marriage to pay his debts, Preston makes a bid Beckett can’t refuse—evidence of murder.
Dreaming of a career as an artist, Penelope welcomes her future as a spinster. So when her father accepts the proposal of a man who despises her, she longs to flee. But she cannot abandon her poor, old father to his destruction. Moving into the powerful duke’s huge mansion, she wonders if she will ever escape this cold, dark prison.
Convinced Penelope played his brother for a fool and got him killed, Preston has no intention of losing his heart. But the sunny artist is soon filling his home with light and joy. Could a forced marriage forged from hatred ever lead to true happiness? And can Preston forgive himself for desiring the only woman his brother ever loved?
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Dukes and Secrets...indeed!
This story was filled to the BRIM with drama, BURSTING with memorable characters, and practically on FIRE with sparkage!
First, that cover...absolute LOVE! The colors are gorgeous, the title is catchy, and the scene sets the right tone for the story within. Now, let's talk characters. I admit, Preston had me with a severe case of whiplash with his should I, shouldn't I, I can, I cannot moments, but that all reinforced his personality traits. He came off as, well...an overbearing a**hat, but in reality, underneath the contempt, revenge plots, and self-blame, he had a well hidden heart of gold. Seriously, just hang on to that promise as you get to know him because when those moments come, they are SO worth it. As for our girl Penelope, she was so much stronger than she was taken for...as was common for the times...but seeing her take on the challenges she's unfortunately faced with, discovering her own path, and seeing her way forward despite the obstacles she encounters, endears this tender hearted yet vibrant woman to us all. She's someone you'd want to call friend, who'd be there for you through thick and thin (as seen with her father), as easily found hosting a party, or practicing her craft as the artist she is at heart, and unintentionally making her way into the hearts of those she reveals her true self to.
A great add to your MUST READ list for Historical Romance fans that love a good story, enjoy the enemies to lovers trope (even when it involves a married couple!), and simply want to fall into what promises to be a great series! Bonus info...BOOK 2 and BOOK 3 are already planned with release dates THIS YEAR, so get in on the ground floor with this FABULOUS series, and you'll be ready for what's to come! I know I am... 😉
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About the author...
When time travel romance writer Mariah Stone isn’t busy writing strong modern women falling back through time into the arms of hot Vikings, Highlanders, and pirates, she chases after her toddler and her pre-schooler and spends romantic nights on the North Sea with her husband. Mariah holds a PhD in Management, speaks six languages, loves Outlander, sushi and Thai food, and runs a local writer’s group.
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Special thanks to the author for the eARC for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, or her other works, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is set to release JULY 20TH, 2023, so mark you calendar, or pre order your copy today!
Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!
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