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Duchess of Love #2
Surprising Lord Jack
One naughty little masquerade can't hurt…
Unladylike Behavior
Frances Hadley has managed her family’s estate for years. So why can’t she request her own dowry? She’ll have to go to London herself and knock some sense into the men interfering in her life. With the nonsense she’s dealt with lately, though, there’s no way she’s going as a woman. A pair of breeches and a quick chop of her red curls, and she’ll have much less to worry about…
Jack Valentine, third son of the famous Duchess of Love, is through being pursued by pushy young ladies. One particularly determined miss has run him out of his own house party. Luckily the inn has one bed left—Jack just has to share with a rather entertaining red-headed youth. Perhaps the two of them should ride to London together. It will make a pleasant escape from his mother’s matchmaking melodrama!
Unladylike Behavior
Frances Hadley has managed her family’s estate for years. So why can’t she request her own dowry? She’ll have to go to London herself and knock some sense into the men interfering in her life. With the nonsense she’s dealt with lately, though, there’s no way she’s going as a woman. A pair of breeches and a quick chop of her red curls, and she’ll have much less to worry about…
Jack Valentine, third son of the famous Duchess of Love, is through being pursued by pushy young ladies. One particularly determined miss has run him out of his own house party. Luckily the inn has one bed left—Jack just has to share with a rather entertaining red-headed youth. Perhaps the two of them should ride to London together. It will make a pleasant escape from his mother’s matchmaking melodrama!
328 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
152 people are currently reading
933 people want to read
About the author
Sally MacKenzie
42 books639 followersSally MacKenzie decided to become a writer in grade school when she read one of her stories to the class. Her classmates laughed and she was hooked. She sat down immediately to pen her first novel.
Well, not exactly.
The hooked part is right--cursed might be a better description--but the sitting down and writing part came later. Much later.
Sally eventually went on to college, majoring in English, and, upon graduation, did what many English majors do--she went to law school. But she still couldn’t shake her dream of writing fiction. Midway through law school, she faced the fact that she really did not want to be a lawyer. She took a permanent leave of absence, came home to the Washington, D.C. area, and sat down to type her first novel.
Well, not exactly.
She did come home and write, but mostly she wrote regulations for the United States government’s school nutrition programs. (Ketchup as a vegetable, anyone?) When her law school sweetheart graduated, he moved to D.C. and they got married. A couple years later, the first of their four sons was born, and Sally “retired” to manage their family. She wrote a story or two and some picture book texts, all now stored away in a filing cabinet, but she spent most of her energies on baby tending which rapidly evolved into carpool driving. She became an extremely skilled scheduler, getting all four boys to soccer, basketball, baseball, track, swimming, piano, scouts, and birthday parties without ever losing one. (Okay, she did lose the youngest for a few minutes, but she found him before he’d toddled into the parking lot.) And she did more writing--school newsletters, auction programs, class plays, swim league guidance, and the acclaimed annual MacKenzie family newsletter--but no fiction.
Finally, the boys started driving (Eek!) and leaving for college. The nest was emptying and she wasn't getting any younger. The time had come to chase the dream or let it go for good, so she sat down at the computer and wrote. And rewrote. And rewrote again until she had a polished manuscript. She joined the Romance Writers of America, and when the plea went out for Regency manuscripts for the 2004 Golden Heart contest, she sent in The Naked Duke. The stars aligned. She made the final round, and one of the judging editors liked the manuscript and offered to buy it.
Yee haw!!
When not writing or obsessing over the various mysteries of book promotion, Sally can be found at the gym working hard to age gracefully, at the pool on the SLOW side of the Masters swim practice, or at one meeting or another volunteering at the helm of the summer swim league.
Here's Sally with her family--she's 5 ft. 8 in. tall, but she's short in this crowd.
Well, not exactly.
The hooked part is right--cursed might be a better description--but the sitting down and writing part came later. Much later.
Sally eventually went on to college, majoring in English, and, upon graduation, did what many English majors do--she went to law school. But she still couldn’t shake her dream of writing fiction. Midway through law school, she faced the fact that she really did not want to be a lawyer. She took a permanent leave of absence, came home to the Washington, D.C. area, and sat down to type her first novel.
Well, not exactly.
She did come home and write, but mostly she wrote regulations for the United States government’s school nutrition programs. (Ketchup as a vegetable, anyone?) When her law school sweetheart graduated, he moved to D.C. and they got married. A couple years later, the first of their four sons was born, and Sally “retired” to manage their family. She wrote a story or two and some picture book texts, all now stored away in a filing cabinet, but she spent most of her energies on baby tending which rapidly evolved into carpool driving. She became an extremely skilled scheduler, getting all four boys to soccer, basketball, baseball, track, swimming, piano, scouts, and birthday parties without ever losing one. (Okay, she did lose the youngest for a few minutes, but she found him before he’d toddled into the parking lot.) And she did more writing--school newsletters, auction programs, class plays, swim league guidance, and the acclaimed annual MacKenzie family newsletter--but no fiction.
Finally, the boys started driving (Eek!) and leaving for college. The nest was emptying and she wasn't getting any younger. The time had come to chase the dream or let it go for good, so she sat down at the computer and wrote. And rewrote. And rewrote again until she had a polished manuscript. She joined the Romance Writers of America, and when the plea went out for Regency manuscripts for the 2004 Golden Heart contest, she sent in The Naked Duke. The stars aligned. She made the final round, and one of the judging editors liked the manuscript and offered to buy it.
Yee haw!!
When not writing or obsessing over the various mysteries of book promotion, Sally can be found at the gym working hard to age gracefully, at the pool on the SLOW side of the Masters swim practice, or at one meeting or another volunteering at the helm of the summer swim league.
Here's Sally with her family--she's 5 ft. 8 in. tall, but she's short in this crowd.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
January 24, 2025
Reseña completa: https://masromance.blogspot.com/2025/...
Entretenido... pero siempre me pasa con est amujer, sus historias están bien y tienen un toque de humor, pero les falta esa chispa ....
Me han gustado ambos, pero a las relación le falta un café. Interesante la subtrama al estilo Jack el destripador...
Igual que en la novela anterior, cuenta con un animal, en este caso un perro y la aparición de los protagonistas anteriores tiene peso
Entretenido... pero siempre me pasa con est amujer, sus historias están bien y tienen un toque de humor, pero les falta esa chispa ....
Me han gustado ambos, pero a las relación le falta un café. Interesante la subtrama al estilo Jack el destripador...
Igual que en la novela anterior, cuenta con un animal, en este caso un perro y la aparición de los protagonistas anteriores tiene peso
September 17, 2019
No puede encantarme más esta familia!!!
La Duquesa del amor tiene tres hijos encantadores que no podían ser más distintos uno de otro, y a los que está deseando casar, porque quiere que ellos experimenten el amor que ella encontró en el Duque. Ash, el mayor, ya está casado, aunque su matrimonio no va bien. Ned se acaba de casar, y le toca el turno a Jack. A través de muchas y divertidas peripecias, Jack descubrirá el amor.
Los dos protagonistas me han conquistado. Frances es una joven poco común, no solo porque, en primer lugar, se viste de mozo para huir a Londres, sino por su misma personalidad. Es una mujer anti-cliché. No es la dama refinada, ni siquiera la rebelde decidida, que se nos presentan en otras historias. Es terca como una mula, cabezota, antisocial, muy franca y un poco ingenua. Y no sabe bailar!!! Es una delicia de personaje, porque su historia de fondo no tiene desperdicio. El sufrimiento vivido y el hecho de haberlo superado sola, la han hecho como es, y aprender a confiar en los demás será un reto a lo largo de la historia. Su evolución, sin dejar de ser ella misma, es preciosa. Y lo que me ha parecido más bonito, Jack se enamora de ella así, tal como es.
Jack no solo es atractivo, inteligente y con fama de mujeriego, es también un hombre que ha madurado a través del sufrimiento de los demás, que tiende a hacer propio, y un alma generosa. Su vida es una fachada, y poca gente se toma la molestia de rascar para ver qué hay bajo la superficie. En general, la gente prefiere aceptar los cotilleos a crearse su propia opinión. Es un personaje sorprendente por su capacidad de introspección, por su paciencia y dulzura, a pesar de ser muy capaz de solucionar las cosas a puñetazos.
La historia de amor que se desarrolla entre ellos es una preciosidad, porque no es una corriente tormentosa, sino una fina lluvia que va calando poco a poco y profundamente. Es, además, una historia divertida, porque los diálogos y las actitudes de los personajes lo son.
Me gusta que aparecen los personajes de la novela anterior y, como no, la relación entre la Duquesa y el Duque, que hace que te den unas ganas tremendas de conocer su historia. Además, si en la novela anterior contábamos con Sir Reginald, el gato de la Duquesa, en esta ocasión contamos con otro invitado de honor, Shakespeare, un perro de lo más salado, que tendrá también un papel importante.
El estilo de la autora es ágil, con abundantes introspecciones mentales de los personajes, lo que permite conocerlos mejor y echarse algunas risas por su fina ironía y agudeza. Desarrolla muy bien la trama, mezclando la historia de amor de los protagonistas con el drama que se vive en las calles de Londres a causa de un asesino en serie de mujeres.
Me ha encantado, y estoy deseando leer la historia de Ash, el heredero.
La Duquesa del amor tiene tres hijos encantadores que no podían ser más distintos uno de otro, y a los que está deseando casar, porque quiere que ellos experimenten el amor que ella encontró en el Duque. Ash, el mayor, ya está casado, aunque su matrimonio no va bien. Ned se acaba de casar, y le toca el turno a Jack. A través de muchas y divertidas peripecias, Jack descubrirá el amor.
Los dos protagonistas me han conquistado. Frances es una joven poco común, no solo porque, en primer lugar, se viste de mozo para huir a Londres, sino por su misma personalidad. Es una mujer anti-cliché. No es la dama refinada, ni siquiera la rebelde decidida, que se nos presentan en otras historias. Es terca como una mula, cabezota, antisocial, muy franca y un poco ingenua. Y no sabe bailar!!! Es una delicia de personaje, porque su historia de fondo no tiene desperdicio. El sufrimiento vivido y el hecho de haberlo superado sola, la han hecho como es, y aprender a confiar en los demás será un reto a lo largo de la historia. Su evolución, sin dejar de ser ella misma, es preciosa. Y lo que me ha parecido más bonito, Jack se enamora de ella así, tal como es.
Jack no solo es atractivo, inteligente y con fama de mujeriego, es también un hombre que ha madurado a través del sufrimiento de los demás, que tiende a hacer propio, y un alma generosa. Su vida es una fachada, y poca gente se toma la molestia de rascar para ver qué hay bajo la superficie. En general, la gente prefiere aceptar los cotilleos a crearse su propia opinión. Es un personaje sorprendente por su capacidad de introspección, por su paciencia y dulzura, a pesar de ser muy capaz de solucionar las cosas a puñetazos.
La historia de amor que se desarrolla entre ellos es una preciosidad, porque no es una corriente tormentosa, sino una fina lluvia que va calando poco a poco y profundamente. Es, además, una historia divertida, porque los diálogos y las actitudes de los personajes lo son.
Me gusta que aparecen los personajes de la novela anterior y, como no, la relación entre la Duquesa y el Duque, que hace que te den unas ganas tremendas de conocer su historia. Además, si en la novela anterior contábamos con Sir Reginald, el gato de la Duquesa, en esta ocasión contamos con otro invitado de honor, Shakespeare, un perro de lo más salado, que tendrá también un papel importante.
El estilo de la autora es ágil, con abundantes introspecciones mentales de los personajes, lo que permite conocerlos mejor y echarse algunas risas por su fina ironía y agudeza. Desarrolla muy bien la trama, mezclando la historia de amor de los protagonistas con el drama que se vive en las calles de Londres a causa de un asesino en serie de mujeres.
Me ha encantado, y estoy deseando leer la historia de Ash, el heredero.
July 12, 2022
Me ha gustado más que el anterior libro, pero no he empatizado nada con la protagonista y me ha sacado de quicio muchas veces.
April 1, 2013
Review posted on Demon Lover's Books & More
This story begins with Frances Hadley chopping her hair, taking her brother’s clothes, and escaping her horrid aunt who'd raised her. She heads off to London intending to force her twin brother and their solicitor to give her her dowry and let her leave her aunt (her aunt had planned to drug her and let a certain suitor compromise her, thus forcing the marriage). Her aunt was a nasty piece of work.
Of course, nothing goes as planned.
Lord Jack is bailing on his brother’s engagement ball because a certain lady from the last book Bedding Lord Ned is intent on marrying him. Jack takes off in a horrible snowstorm and stays at the closest inn. This inn usually keeps a room for the Valentine family, but this one night, they’ve let it to a young lad. Jack doesn’t mind sharing and he climbs into bed with the boy.
The next morning Frances wakes up to an attractive man in her bed. What I liked is that for her part, she kept her head, even whilst freaking out. Jack has no clue she’s a girl. She’s tall with few curves, and dressed as a young boy. People see what they want, right?
He insists on taking her to London to see her brother, but this is where everything starts to fall apart for Frances. Frances’ brother has gotten married and left his home. She has no plan B.
We see that Jack has a secret life. He’s not the rake persona he’s so carefully cultivated, he’s actually quite the do-gooder. He takes in strays and gives them a home and work. Frances of course, believes her aunt’s gossip and tales about Lord Jack being a rake of the highest order. She thinks at one point all the orphans must be his illegitimate children. Jack also takes her to a brothel, because not only is Jack a good-Samaritan, he’s also apparently the only one in London who can find the Silent Slasher. I thought that part was a bit unnecessary, but it worked.
After Jack has dragged Frances around to the worst parts of London, some jerk who knows her almost fiancé has realized she’s a girl, and hints at it so obviously that when Jack finally realizes it, I had to laugh.
The thing I liked about Frances is that she’s actually not very nice. But she realizes it after a really rough confrontation with her brother. She finally sees things from his point, and it’s actually pretty heartbreaking. I liked how she tried though. She tried to be ladylike, she tried to change from her nagging bossy persona, and she tried really hard to be someone she could be proud of.
And she really wasn’t all that bad-just innocent and mis-informed. I kind of liked her spunky ways.
,b>I think that this is a fun series; I read all 3 stories in just a couple days. The author’s tone is light, and fun. They’re fast and satisfying reads, and you’ll find yourself not wanting to put the book down.
***ARC courtesy of Kensington Books and Zebra Historical
This story begins with Frances Hadley chopping her hair, taking her brother’s clothes, and escaping her horrid aunt who'd raised her. She heads off to London intending to force her twin brother and their solicitor to give her her dowry and let her leave her aunt (her aunt had planned to drug her and let a certain suitor compromise her, thus forcing the marriage). Her aunt was a nasty piece of work.
Of course, nothing goes as planned.
Lord Jack is bailing on his brother’s engagement ball because a certain lady from the last book Bedding Lord Ned is intent on marrying him. Jack takes off in a horrible snowstorm and stays at the closest inn. This inn usually keeps a room for the Valentine family, but this one night, they’ve let it to a young lad. Jack doesn’t mind sharing and he climbs into bed with the boy.
The next morning Frances wakes up to an attractive man in her bed. What I liked is that for her part, she kept her head, even whilst freaking out. Jack has no clue she’s a girl. She’s tall with few curves, and dressed as a young boy. People see what they want, right?
He insists on taking her to London to see her brother, but this is where everything starts to fall apart for Frances. Frances’ brother has gotten married and left his home. She has no plan B.
We see that Jack has a secret life. He’s not the rake persona he’s so carefully cultivated, he’s actually quite the do-gooder. He takes in strays and gives them a home and work. Frances of course, believes her aunt’s gossip and tales about Lord Jack being a rake of the highest order. She thinks at one point all the orphans must be his illegitimate children. Jack also takes her to a brothel, because not only is Jack a good-Samaritan, he’s also apparently the only one in London who can find the Silent Slasher. I thought that part was a bit unnecessary, but it worked.
After Jack has dragged Frances around to the worst parts of London, some jerk who knows her almost fiancé has realized she’s a girl, and hints at it so obviously that when Jack finally realizes it, I had to laugh.
The thing I liked about Frances is that she’s actually not very nice. But she realizes it after a really rough confrontation with her brother. She finally sees things from his point, and it’s actually pretty heartbreaking. I liked how she tried though. She tried to be ladylike, she tried to change from her nagging bossy persona, and she tried really hard to be someone she could be proud of.
And she really wasn’t all that bad-just innocent and mis-informed. I kind of liked her spunky ways.
,b>I think that this is a fun series; I read all 3 stories in just a couple days. The author’s tone is light, and fun. They’re fast and satisfying reads, and you’ll find yourself not wanting to put the book down.
***ARC courtesy of Kensington Books and Zebra Historical
January 29, 2020
2.5 stars rounded up to 3 stars. I just really can't stand overly naive heroines that have book smarts but NO common sense.
January 27, 2013
2.5 stars. This book had so much promise, but was ruined by what is possibly the worst HR heroine I have ever read. She had zero likable qualities. Often when reading HR, I wonder what the heroine sees in the hero. This time, it was the other way around. He was too good for her.
April 17, 2015
Me gusto mucho. Mi única queja en realidad es que Jack y Frances tenían una química espectacular y la autora la desaprovechó.Nos hubiera Regalado mas romance entre ellos. Tanto Jack,sus padres tan apacionados y el perrito me encantaron.
January 24, 2016
Conocía a la autora de oídas, pero nunca me había animado a leerla, no empecé de la mejor forma ya que comencé por el tercer libro de la saga, podéis leerlo de forma independiente pero creo que es mejor seguir el orden (para eso son las sagas), hacen referencias a sucesos de las novelas anteriores y aparecen los protagonistas de los mismos.
En 'La duquesa del amor' descubriremos la historia entre los padres de Jack -protagonista de este libro que estoy reseñando- y en Una novia para Lord Ned, Ned es el hermano de Jack.
Frances Hadley es una muchacha de veinticuatro años que busca ser independiente, en una época que en la que esto está mal visto para una mujer. No quiere depender de un hombre y acabar como su desdichada madre, quien fue abandonada por su marido estando esta embarazada de Frances.
Así, ni corta ni perezosa, se lanza a la búsqueda de su hermano, quien también la abandonó, para demandar su dote y así obtener el billete hacia la libertad e independencia. Pero no será tan sencillo, para ello se hará pasar por un hombre y compartirá cama con uno. Pero no alguien cualquiera, sino el gran Jack Valentine, cuya reputación de donjuán le precede. Este le ayudará en su empeño, poniéndole a Frances las cosas muy difíciles.
Ella es una mujer inteligente, que ha estudiado como un "hombre" y que no tiene ni idea de cómo coquetear y menos aún de bailar, algunos personajes quedaron sin dedos en el pie por sus pisotones.
Jack es pura fachada, su verdadero yo solo lo conoce su familia, por fuera tiene mala fama, aunque todas las mujeres ansían desposarse con él, por eso no es muy dado a frecuentar fiestas. Aunque Frances es una protagonista dura de roer y divertida, Jack es de esos personajes que roban el corazón con su dulzura y paciencia, sobra decir que él tendrá que luchar con uñas y dientes para que Frances abandone su cabezonería y les dé una oportunidad a los dos.
Frances se hará con el corazón de Jack sin pretenderlo, con su ingenio y sinceridad, acabará hechizando a todos, incluso a la Duquesa del amor quien no aportó mucho por ella.
Una novela tierna y divertida, con un trasfondo lleno de misterio que no dejará indiferente a nadie, consiguiendo poner a Jack en alerta, haciendo florecer sus sentimientos con mayor celeridad y ahínco.
En cuanto terminé esta historia, fui a la web de la editorial para adquirir el pack con la primera y segunda novela de la saga, sobra decir que MacKenzie se ha ganado una seguidora.
MUY BUENO
En 'La duquesa del amor' descubriremos la historia entre los padres de Jack -protagonista de este libro que estoy reseñando- y en Una novia para Lord Ned, Ned es el hermano de Jack.
Frances Hadley es una muchacha de veinticuatro años que busca ser independiente, en una época que en la que esto está mal visto para una mujer. No quiere depender de un hombre y acabar como su desdichada madre, quien fue abandonada por su marido estando esta embarazada de Frances.
Así, ni corta ni perezosa, se lanza a la búsqueda de su hermano, quien también la abandonó, para demandar su dote y así obtener el billete hacia la libertad e independencia. Pero no será tan sencillo, para ello se hará pasar por un hombre y compartirá cama con uno. Pero no alguien cualquiera, sino el gran Jack Valentine, cuya reputación de donjuán le precede. Este le ayudará en su empeño, poniéndole a Frances las cosas muy difíciles.
Ella es una mujer inteligente, que ha estudiado como un "hombre" y que no tiene ni idea de cómo coquetear y menos aún de bailar, algunos personajes quedaron sin dedos en el pie por sus pisotones.
Jack es pura fachada, su verdadero yo solo lo conoce su familia, por fuera tiene mala fama, aunque todas las mujeres ansían desposarse con él, por eso no es muy dado a frecuentar fiestas. Aunque Frances es una protagonista dura de roer y divertida, Jack es de esos personajes que roban el corazón con su dulzura y paciencia, sobra decir que él tendrá que luchar con uñas y dientes para que Frances abandone su cabezonería y les dé una oportunidad a los dos.
Frances se hará con el corazón de Jack sin pretenderlo, con su ingenio y sinceridad, acabará hechizando a todos, incluso a la Duquesa del amor quien no aportó mucho por ella.
Una novela tierna y divertida, con un trasfondo lleno de misterio que no dejará indiferente a nadie, consiguiendo poner a Jack en alerta, haciendo florecer sus sentimientos con mayor celeridad y ahínco.
En cuanto terminé esta historia, fui a la web de la editorial para adquirir el pack con la primera y segunda novela de la saga, sobra decir que MacKenzie se ha ganado una seguidora.
MUY BUENO
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March 8, 2013 I seem to follow the law of diminishing returns when reading Sally Mackenzie’s books; I start out loving her stories and her character but as I continue to read the books she releases I find less charm in them. I read the Naked series a few years ago and they started well. I liked books one and two, but as I got deeper into books three and beyond they seems less and less entertaining to the point I stopped reading them at all. I hate to make general assumptions, but I think her newest Duchess of Love series is taking the same path.
Surprising Lord Jack actually started off fairly well for me. We are introduced to our heroine Frances Hadley as she is escaping from her home and her overbearing aunt on a mission to find her twin brother in London and to secure her dowry from their father’s solicitor so she can make an independent life for herself. To save herself from ruin while on the run, Frances cuts her hair and wears her brother’s hand-me-downs to pass herself off as a young man rather than a woman. Her situation becomes further complicated when she stops at an inn and is accidentally paired up with Lord Jack Valentine as an overnight roommate as well as traveling companion to London. Jack doesn’t see the woman hiding under the shabby men’s clothing and he exposes her to things the sheltered Miss. had never even thought of experiencing, including his naked self! All of this set-up seemed so promising and I was enjoying the initial getting to know you phase of Frances and Jack’s relationship, however it all started falling apart very soon after they arrive in London.
For the full review, please go to http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2013/0...
Surprising Lord Jack actually started off fairly well for me. We are introduced to our heroine Frances Hadley as she is escaping from her home and her overbearing aunt on a mission to find her twin brother in London and to secure her dowry from their father’s solicitor so she can make an independent life for herself. To save herself from ruin while on the run, Frances cuts her hair and wears her brother’s hand-me-downs to pass herself off as a young man rather than a woman. Her situation becomes further complicated when she stops at an inn and is accidentally paired up with Lord Jack Valentine as an overnight roommate as well as traveling companion to London. Jack doesn’t see the woman hiding under the shabby men’s clothing and he exposes her to things the sheltered Miss. had never even thought of experiencing, including his naked self! All of this set-up seemed so promising and I was enjoying the initial getting to know you phase of Frances and Jack’s relationship, however it all started falling apart very soon after they arrive in London.
For the full review, please go to http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2013/0...
December 29, 2022
Un encuentro inesperado, un secreto, un villano y una dama que se puede rescatar a sí misma, es parte de los ingredientes que tenemos para disfrutar La pareja es que me ha parecido encantadora. Ella que es ese erizo con unas férreas creencia, ve como todo su mundo se colapsa al ir descubriendo que había vivido con medias verdades, lo que puede significar para muchos tranquilidad, es para ella una traición profunda que si bien la liberan de muchas cosas la dejan aún con el corazón dolorido. Confianza, amistad, comadrería son cosas que poco a poco van situando a un romance que va naciendo del mero conocimiento del igual del otro. Descubrir la verdad que los ojos ocultan y el corazón sabe es algo que simplemente va cautivando al lector. Da igual esa sombra que se cierne y que sabemos que asechará en algún momento. Esos giros que poco a poco nos van preparando, y esa sublime rendición, me parecieron ideales para UNA SORPRESA PARA LORD JACK, que se queda en mi corazón.
Sally MacKenzie ya se ha plantado en mi podio de divas de la literatura. Es que me tiene encantada, no lo puedo negar. Su pluma es encantadora y yo quiero más ¡Feliz lectura!
Sally MacKenzie ya se ha plantado en mi podio de divas de la literatura. Es que me tiene encantada, no lo puedo negar. Su pluma es encantadora y yo quiero más ¡Feliz lectura!
February 13, 2016
Another fun book in the Duchess of Love series. Now that his brother Ned (Bedding Lord Ned) is engaged to be married, Jack's mother has set her sights on finding a wife for him. Desperate to escape the young ladies at his mother's Valentine's ball, Jack sets off for London. Caught in a storm, he stops at an inn where he ends up sharing the bed with a youth who has his own reasons to run.
Frances and her twin brother have been raised mostly by their aunt. Their father is a known rake who abandoned their mother. Frances's brother Frederick left the estate several years earlier and hasn't been back, preferring to live his life in London. Frances has had enough of people telling her what to do. The latest is finding out that her aunt has been scheming with a man to force Frances into marriage with him. So she is going to go to London to see her brother, get the money from her dowry and find a place of her own where she can live as she wants. She knows she can't travel alone as she is, so she cuts her hair and dresses as a boy to make the journey. Trouble comes when her horse goes lame and she ends up having to stay at an inn overnight. She wakes up the next morning with a strange man in bed with her.
This is when the fun begins. Frances actually keeps her head and doesn't panic when she wakes to find Jack there with her. An overzealous innkeeper's wife talks Jack into taking Frances with him on his way to London, despite her objections, meaning that Frances has to find a way to keep up the masquerade. Even worse, she runs into a man who knows her brother, and appears to see through her disguise. Arriving in London, there is more bad news. Her brother is no longer at his last known address, Jack finds an abandoned baby, and there is an encounter with another unpleasant man in a whorehouse. Taking the baby to a place of refuge shows Frances an unexpected side to Jack. Another encounter with the obnoxious Pettigrew opens Jack's eyes to the fact that his traveling companion is not what he thought.
Though Jack has carefully cultivated the reputation of a rake, he is actually a very honorable man. Being caught in a compromising situation with a young woman is not something he wants, as that could force a marriage he doesn't want. At twenty-six, he feels he's still too young and has too much else going on. Besides, the argumentative young woman next to him is nothing like the type of woman he has in mind. As soon as he gets to his house, he'll write to his mother, who he's sure will find a way to fix the dilemma.
Frances is equally horrified at the idea of being forced into marriage. She has no intention of ever getting married. Thanks to the influence of her aunt, and the knowledge of her father's failings, she has a very poor opinion of all men, and she has no problem saying so. Knowing Jack's reputation gives her even more of a reason to resist the idea of marrying him.
Once his mother, the Duchess of Love, arrives, she takes over management of the scandal. There aren't too many people who will go against a Duchess when it comes to social conventions. She also investigates Frances's background and finds that she has more family who would be thrilled to get to know her. Their combined efforts mitigate the scandal somewhat, and suddenly Frances is thrust into an entirely different life.
I loved seeing the way that Jack and Frances's opinions of each other began to change. Jack became more sensitive to the reasons why Frances has the opinions she does. It was rather sweet to see the way that he tried to comfort her when she was upset. It was also funny to see how he went from looking at her as the girl who tried to look like a boy to a desirable woman. He wasn't quite sure how to deal with his changing feelings. Frances was a bit obnoxious at the beginning with her all men are evil attitude. Discovering who Jack was and being aware of his reputation set her against him at once, but almost immediately she saw things that contradicted that reputation. I loved seeing her slowly begin to realize that she wants more from life and that Jack is a big part of that.
Throughout the book is the mystery of who is behind the killings of prostitutes and noblewomen of tarnished reputation. Jack is determined to find out who it is and stop him. When he gets involved with Frances he fears that the scandal will make her a target of this killer. There are several possible suspects and each one is shown to have the capability. When the final confrontation comes, Frances is in the middle of it, thanks to a stupid move on her part. I really liked the way it was resolved by something a little different than the man riding to the rescue. It also served as the final push needed to get Jack and Frances together.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the Duchess and the emphasis she placed on the importance of family. I loved seeing her bring Frances and her mother's family together and the change it made in Frances's life. I also liked the Duchess's protectiveness toward Jack and her realistic withholding of approval of Frances until she was sure that Jack wouldn't be hurt. I loved seeing her loving relationship with her husband, and the final scene with them had me laughing out loud.
Frances and her twin brother have been raised mostly by their aunt. Their father is a known rake who abandoned their mother. Frances's brother Frederick left the estate several years earlier and hasn't been back, preferring to live his life in London. Frances has had enough of people telling her what to do. The latest is finding out that her aunt has been scheming with a man to force Frances into marriage with him. So she is going to go to London to see her brother, get the money from her dowry and find a place of her own where she can live as she wants. She knows she can't travel alone as she is, so she cuts her hair and dresses as a boy to make the journey. Trouble comes when her horse goes lame and she ends up having to stay at an inn overnight. She wakes up the next morning with a strange man in bed with her.
This is when the fun begins. Frances actually keeps her head and doesn't panic when she wakes to find Jack there with her. An overzealous innkeeper's wife talks Jack into taking Frances with him on his way to London, despite her objections, meaning that Frances has to find a way to keep up the masquerade. Even worse, she runs into a man who knows her brother, and appears to see through her disguise. Arriving in London, there is more bad news. Her brother is no longer at his last known address, Jack finds an abandoned baby, and there is an encounter with another unpleasant man in a whorehouse. Taking the baby to a place of refuge shows Frances an unexpected side to Jack. Another encounter with the obnoxious Pettigrew opens Jack's eyes to the fact that his traveling companion is not what he thought.
Though Jack has carefully cultivated the reputation of a rake, he is actually a very honorable man. Being caught in a compromising situation with a young woman is not something he wants, as that could force a marriage he doesn't want. At twenty-six, he feels he's still too young and has too much else going on. Besides, the argumentative young woman next to him is nothing like the type of woman he has in mind. As soon as he gets to his house, he'll write to his mother, who he's sure will find a way to fix the dilemma.
Frances is equally horrified at the idea of being forced into marriage. She has no intention of ever getting married. Thanks to the influence of her aunt, and the knowledge of her father's failings, she has a very poor opinion of all men, and she has no problem saying so. Knowing Jack's reputation gives her even more of a reason to resist the idea of marrying him.
Once his mother, the Duchess of Love, arrives, she takes over management of the scandal. There aren't too many people who will go against a Duchess when it comes to social conventions. She also investigates Frances's background and finds that she has more family who would be thrilled to get to know her. Their combined efforts mitigate the scandal somewhat, and suddenly Frances is thrust into an entirely different life.
I loved seeing the way that Jack and Frances's opinions of each other began to change. Jack became more sensitive to the reasons why Frances has the opinions she does. It was rather sweet to see the way that he tried to comfort her when she was upset. It was also funny to see how he went from looking at her as the girl who tried to look like a boy to a desirable woman. He wasn't quite sure how to deal with his changing feelings. Frances was a bit obnoxious at the beginning with her all men are evil attitude. Discovering who Jack was and being aware of his reputation set her against him at once, but almost immediately she saw things that contradicted that reputation. I loved seeing her slowly begin to realize that she wants more from life and that Jack is a big part of that.
Throughout the book is the mystery of who is behind the killings of prostitutes and noblewomen of tarnished reputation. Jack is determined to find out who it is and stop him. When he gets involved with Frances he fears that the scandal will make her a target of this killer. There are several possible suspects and each one is shown to have the capability. When the final confrontation comes, Frances is in the middle of it, thanks to a stupid move on her part. I really liked the way it was resolved by something a little different than the man riding to the rescue. It also served as the final push needed to get Jack and Frances together.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the Duchess and the emphasis she placed on the importance of family. I loved seeing her bring Frances and her mother's family together and the change it made in Frances's life. I also liked the Duchess's protectiveness toward Jack and her realistic withholding of approval of Frances until she was sure that Jack wouldn't be hurt. I loved seeing her loving relationship with her husband, and the final scene with them had me laughing out loud.
December 19, 2016
2,5 Estrellas
Bastante más flojo que el anterior de la serie, que por cierto hay que leer en orden debido a la importancia de los personajes y sus historias.
Los protagonistas en esta ocasión me han parecido muy flojos, tanto por separado como juntos, así como la historia. Y eso que tenía todos los ingredientes para sacarle partido. El hecho de que ella se disfrazara de chico podía haber dado mucho juego y se quedó en nada y aunque la subtrama a lo Jack el Destripador también era un buen ingrediente queda completamente desaprovechado y no genera intriga ninguna porque está clarísimo quién es desde el principio. ¿Y toda la historia de la familia de ella? Desaprovechada también.
En resumen, una historia completamente desaprovechada con la que aún podrás pasar un rato entretenido.
Además, visto en conjunto la serie no está nada mal porque las historias de los personajes continúan de una historia a la otra. Lo que se agradece porque después del primero me quedé con ganas de un epílogo. En este ya no lo he echado de menos porque me imagino que la autora mantendrá la prerrogativa de los anteriores y sabremos más de ellos en el tercero que además cierra la serie.
Bastante más flojo que el anterior de la serie, que por cierto hay que leer en orden debido a la importancia de los personajes y sus historias.
Los protagonistas en esta ocasión me han parecido muy flojos, tanto por separado como juntos, así como la historia. Y eso que tenía todos los ingredientes para sacarle partido. El hecho de que ella se disfrazara de chico podía haber dado mucho juego y se quedó en nada y aunque la subtrama a lo Jack el Destripador también era un buen ingrediente queda completamente desaprovechado y no genera intriga ninguna porque está clarísimo quién es desde el principio. ¿Y toda la historia de la familia de ella? Desaprovechada también.
En resumen, una historia completamente desaprovechada con la que aún podrás pasar un rato entretenido.
Además, visto en conjunto la serie no está nada mal porque las historias de los personajes continúan de una historia a la otra. Lo que se agradece porque después del primero me quedé con ganas de un epílogo. En este ya no lo he echado de menos porque me imagino que la autora mantendrá la prerrogativa de los anteriores y sabremos más de ellos en el tercero que además cierra la serie.
May 1, 2015
Una novela deliciosa de principio a fin en lo que respecta al estilo narrativo, a la historia que nos cuenta y a todos los personajes. Solo he echado de menos un poco más de química entre los protagonistas. Aunque su amor surja despacio, quizá algo de pasión habría redondeado la novela. Es habitual en Sally MacKenzie no extenderse en escenas tórridas, pero sí suele insinuarlas de un modo dulce y con toques de humor que transmiten al lector esa pasión sin necesidad de describirla. Entre Lord Jack y Frances faltan esas insinuaciones, esos momentos embarazosos a la vez que divertidos que nos llevan a conectar con el lento despertar del amor de los protagonistas, a vivirlo con ellos en lugar de ser meros testigos en la distancia. De todos modos, recomiendo esta tercera novela de la serie "La duquesa del amor" y las dos anteriores. Y espero con ganas la última.
April 18, 2015
Lo que más me ha fastidiado ha sido enterarme de lo que ocurrirá finalmente en los primeros libros (eso me pasa por idiota y no leer los dos primeros antes xDD).
Pero muy chulo el libro, me ha gustado más de lo que creía :DD
Pero muy chulo el libro, me ha gustado más de lo que creía :DD
March 18, 2013
Tis better to have loved and lost then never to have loved at all - like in this book.
Luv! Luv! Oh, where art thou, luv? One of the reasons I read Sally MacKenzie is because usually her stories have a strong sense of humor mixed with romance. When Sally MacKenzie is at the top of her game, she makes me laugh. Sorry to say, Surprising Lord Jack had little humor and hardly any romance.
Here's my take on the plot: our heroine, Frances, overhears her evil aunt plotting to marry her off to a local nincompoop. Now, Frances has a brother, but he's a creep and her father is absent. Actually it wouldn't matter if her father was around because for whatever reason he doesn't' particularly care for Frances. Of course our heroine has an inheritance that is being cared for by a solicitor in London. Well, as all self-respecting heroines know, the only way to run away to London is to disguise oneself as a boy. For some reason, women in romance novels never look their age when they put on a pair of pants; I never quite understand that. I know I look my age when I have a pair of pants on. The only thing that would make me look like a 14-year-old boy would be a face lift. Back to the plot.
As luck would have it, our disguised-as-a-boy heroine soon has a lame horse and the roads are bad and she's got a blister on her foot because she's wearing her snarly brother's boots. But look, what's that? Why it's an inn! An inn crowded with boisterous men, but an inn nonetheless. The landlady takes pity on the poor unfortunate boy and lets him have a room that is normally reserved for the absent Lord Jack. Our disguised heroine is much tuckered out so her and her blisters fall into a deep sleep. Miles away at the annual matchmaking ball given by his mother is our hero, Lord Jack. Lord jack does not want to be there, so he escapes into the night. Guess where he ends up? Well it is his reserved room at the inn, after all. Eventually, he ends up in the room with the 12/13/14 year-old boy. Of course like most heroes he only sees what he is told - a rather coltish boy sleeping. He doesn't suspect the boy is a woman. And why should he? Frances isn't well-endowed in the chest area. She's one of those heroines with long legs. You know I've noticed that if heroines have long legs they don't have big chests and if they have big chests they are usually short and the top of their heads only come up to the hero's chin. I guess a heroine can't have both long legs and a big chest. Speaking of long legs, when her disguise is eventually revealed, we do have the standard male fantasy of leg wrapping. On with the plot.
So anyway, we have Lord Jack and Frances the woman-disguised-as-a-boy stuck together because Jack must protect this young fellow. Frances, on the other hand, doesn't want anything to do with her savior. You see she hatesssss men - all men - her father treats her badly, her brother treats her badly - all men are evil. And, besides all men being bad, Jack is a rake, lothario, man-about-town. Little does she know that all those horrible rumors about him are not true. Nope, Jack is a good-deed-doer. Why, that house in London which appears to be a brothel is actually a house where he puts the or-ph-ans he has rescued. He also runs around rescuing prostitutes and makes sure they are protected. But he doesn't want anyone to know he is a good-deed-doer; he wants to maintain the facade of lascivious lord. I have to ask why? Why does he want to be perceived as bad? Why can't he let his family know? It's not as if they are some dysfunctional family. They all have novels of their own. Why I bet if his family knew what he was doing they'd want to help - but nooo, it's a big secret. I found this annoying. And, why aren't any of these or-ph-an and save-the-prostitute homes in a better part of the city or out in the country where the air is clean? Why are they still forced to live down some dark street? On with the plot.
So, after swinging by Jack's rescue spa, our couple head toward Jack's home, and it is at this time that the light bulb finally goes off in Jack's brain. Francis is really a Frances! He's a she! Now, he must marry her! He's been in her company for days! He's been in her bed! It doesn't matter that he didn't know she wasn't a boy. They must wed! But faithful readers, he forgot that our heroine hatesss men - all men - she refuses. It's time for Jack to call in reinforcements in the guise of his family. Allll those people from previous novels come barreling in. And the first priority is ... a dress-fitting. Yes, what romance novel could be without the requisite dress maker and all her minions changing our 14 year old boy into a glorious long-legged beauty. This of course leads to the awakening of our hero's Mr. Toad. I have to say that Jack's Mr. Toad was the only sign that there was romance in this story. If it hadn't been for Mr. Toad puffing up behind palm trees I would never have known there was any kind of attraction between these two. Jack and Frances had about as much chemistry as a wet rag.
On with the plot. Well Jack just cannot talk Frances into marrying him. She hatesss men and she wants to live in her cottage by the sea. What we need are more reinforcements! I bet I forgot to mention Frances' family on her maternal side - the loving grandparents who have always wanted to see her but have been refused admittance by the cru-el aunt. So, all is well - ruination is avoided. Frances is accepted back into the bosom of her family - there's no need for Jack.
Did I happen to mention the "silent slasher?" Yep, thrown into the mix is a maniac who's going around slashing women's throats. I guess he's the "silent slasher" because he's not noisy. Well, Jack has made it his responsibility to stop him and that is because he is a good-deed-doer. Almost by himself he is trying to find the villain. Jack, Jack, he's our man! All he needs is a red cape. He must find the killer before the killer finds Frances. Why Frances you may ask? Well, it seems that our villain is killing women who have sinned and Frances has sinned by sleeping in Jack's bed back at the inn when she was a boy. So, she has to be a target and Jack must be her protector. If Jack had only read a romance novel he would know to look for the man with the garlic breath.
In the end, I was disappointed in Surprising Lord Jack. The story meandered all over the place, never making up its mind whether it was a lighthearted romance or a dark moody love story with a murder or two thrown in. There were too many directions and a weak romance. Jack and Frances didn't work as a romantic couple. There wasn't any spark between the two of them and definitely nothing that would last a lifetime. So far, this is the weakest book in the Duchess of Love series by Sally MacKenzie.
KaysBlog
Luv! Luv! Oh, where art thou, luv? One of the reasons I read Sally MacKenzie is because usually her stories have a strong sense of humor mixed with romance. When Sally MacKenzie is at the top of her game, she makes me laugh. Sorry to say, Surprising Lord Jack had little humor and hardly any romance.
Here's my take on the plot: our heroine, Frances, overhears her evil aunt plotting to marry her off to a local nincompoop. Now, Frances has a brother, but he's a creep and her father is absent. Actually it wouldn't matter if her father was around because for whatever reason he doesn't' particularly care for Frances. Of course our heroine has an inheritance that is being cared for by a solicitor in London. Well, as all self-respecting heroines know, the only way to run away to London is to disguise oneself as a boy. For some reason, women in romance novels never look their age when they put on a pair of pants; I never quite understand that. I know I look my age when I have a pair of pants on. The only thing that would make me look like a 14-year-old boy would be a face lift. Back to the plot.
As luck would have it, our disguised-as-a-boy heroine soon has a lame horse and the roads are bad and she's got a blister on her foot because she's wearing her snarly brother's boots. But look, what's that? Why it's an inn! An inn crowded with boisterous men, but an inn nonetheless. The landlady takes pity on the poor unfortunate boy and lets him have a room that is normally reserved for the absent Lord Jack. Our disguised heroine is much tuckered out so her and her blisters fall into a deep sleep. Miles away at the annual matchmaking ball given by his mother is our hero, Lord Jack. Lord jack does not want to be there, so he escapes into the night. Guess where he ends up? Well it is his reserved room at the inn, after all. Eventually, he ends up in the room with the 12/13/14 year-old boy. Of course like most heroes he only sees what he is told - a rather coltish boy sleeping. He doesn't suspect the boy is a woman. And why should he? Frances isn't well-endowed in the chest area. She's one of those heroines with long legs. You know I've noticed that if heroines have long legs they don't have big chests and if they have big chests they are usually short and the top of their heads only come up to the hero's chin. I guess a heroine can't have both long legs and a big chest. Speaking of long legs, when her disguise is eventually revealed, we do have the standard male fantasy of leg wrapping. On with the plot.
So anyway, we have Lord Jack and Frances the woman-disguised-as-a-boy stuck together because Jack must protect this young fellow. Frances, on the other hand, doesn't want anything to do with her savior. You see she hatesssss men - all men - her father treats her badly, her brother treats her badly - all men are evil. And, besides all men being bad, Jack is a rake, lothario, man-about-town. Little does she know that all those horrible rumors about him are not true. Nope, Jack is a good-deed-doer. Why, that house in London which appears to be a brothel is actually a house where he puts the or-ph-ans he has rescued. He also runs around rescuing prostitutes and makes sure they are protected. But he doesn't want anyone to know he is a good-deed-doer; he wants to maintain the facade of lascivious lord. I have to ask why? Why does he want to be perceived as bad? Why can't he let his family know? It's not as if they are some dysfunctional family. They all have novels of their own. Why I bet if his family knew what he was doing they'd want to help - but nooo, it's a big secret. I found this annoying. And, why aren't any of these or-ph-an and save-the-prostitute homes in a better part of the city or out in the country where the air is clean? Why are they still forced to live down some dark street? On with the plot.
So, after swinging by Jack's rescue spa, our couple head toward Jack's home, and it is at this time that the light bulb finally goes off in Jack's brain. Francis is really a Frances! He's a she! Now, he must marry her! He's been in her company for days! He's been in her bed! It doesn't matter that he didn't know she wasn't a boy. They must wed! But faithful readers, he forgot that our heroine hatesss men - all men - she refuses. It's time for Jack to call in reinforcements in the guise of his family. Allll those people from previous novels come barreling in. And the first priority is ... a dress-fitting. Yes, what romance novel could be without the requisite dress maker and all her minions changing our 14 year old boy into a glorious long-legged beauty. This of course leads to the awakening of our hero's Mr. Toad. I have to say that Jack's Mr. Toad was the only sign that there was romance in this story. If it hadn't been for Mr. Toad puffing up behind palm trees I would never have known there was any kind of attraction between these two. Jack and Frances had about as much chemistry as a wet rag.
On with the plot. Well Jack just cannot talk Frances into marrying him. She hatesss men and she wants to live in her cottage by the sea. What we need are more reinforcements! I bet I forgot to mention Frances' family on her maternal side - the loving grandparents who have always wanted to see her but have been refused admittance by the cru-el aunt. So, all is well - ruination is avoided. Frances is accepted back into the bosom of her family - there's no need for Jack.
Did I happen to mention the "silent slasher?" Yep, thrown into the mix is a maniac who's going around slashing women's throats. I guess he's the "silent slasher" because he's not noisy. Well, Jack has made it his responsibility to stop him and that is because he is a good-deed-doer. Almost by himself he is trying to find the villain. Jack, Jack, he's our man! All he needs is a red cape. He must find the killer before the killer finds Frances. Why Frances you may ask? Well, it seems that our villain is killing women who have sinned and Frances has sinned by sleeping in Jack's bed back at the inn when she was a boy. So, she has to be a target and Jack must be her protector. If Jack had only read a romance novel he would know to look for the man with the garlic breath.
In the end, I was disappointed in Surprising Lord Jack. The story meandered all over the place, never making up its mind whether it was a lighthearted romance or a dark moody love story with a murder or two thrown in. There were too many directions and a weak romance. Jack and Frances didn't work as a romantic couple. There wasn't any spark between the two of them and definitely nothing that would last a lifetime. So far, this is the weakest book in the Duchess of Love series by Sally MacKenzie.
KaysBlog
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2013
I have a love/hate relationship with some of MacKenzie's stories. On the one side, the heroines are always strong willed, strong, and just lively to read. On the other, sometimes, it is a little too far. The heroine, Frances, is used to running an estate with her bitter aunt. Once the story starts and she meets up with the hero, Jack, the usual romance doesn't ensue. First, I thought MacKenzie did an excellent job with each character. They were both smart, compassionate, and genuinely good people. I just don't believe that their HEA's were with one another. Frances was never cast in such a light that would let her shine in her own right. It really felt like she would be giving up a part of herself to marry Jack. Jack, on the other hand, was perfect. I'd date him. His gentle treatment of Frances should be admired. But, he never really got to know her. The "business woman who kept an estate profitable" part of her personality was never given an outlet. The mystery of the murderer was all right. It wasn't complicated, and the clues were dropped in such a way that the reader knew who-done-it at the right time. That is fine with me in a romance novel.
I need to say more about Jack. He almost lives a double life. Frances is knowledgeable and accepting about this life. At no point is she introduced to be a partner or life mate with Jack and his endeavors. I'm being vague here because this is a serious spoiler. But it also becomes a loose ends that doesn't wrap up neatly. I would have like to seen France take over the books, or otherwise help. In real life, and in fiction, couples tend to be stronger with common goals.
I will recommend this title to those who have started the series and have read "Bedding Lord Ned." This keeps us up-to-date on the family, and Ned and Ellie appear in this story. The Duchess of Love is here in fine form, and it was great checking in with her again and reading about her wisdom. I would not recommend this for anyone new to the series. Not knowing the backstory of some of the secondary characters might be a detriment to your reading.
I received a free electronic copy via netgalley.com from the publisher.
I need to say more about Jack. He almost lives a double life. Frances is knowledgeable and accepting about this life. At no point is she introduced to be a partner or life mate with Jack and his endeavors. I'm being vague here because this is a serious spoiler. But it also becomes a loose ends that doesn't wrap up neatly. I would have like to seen France take over the books, or otherwise help. In real life, and in fiction, couples tend to be stronger with common goals.
I will recommend this title to those who have started the series and have read "Bedding Lord Ned." This keeps us up-to-date on the family, and Ned and Ellie appear in this story. The Duchess of Love is here in fine form, and it was great checking in with her again and reading about her wisdom. I would not recommend this for anyone new to the series. Not knowing the backstory of some of the secondary characters might be a detriment to your reading.
I received a free electronic copy via netgalley.com from the publisher.
February 4, 2013
Frances Hadley has lived safely at her family’s estates for years but now she must take desperate measures. Her aunt has made a deal with a man to ruin her so that a marriage is required. Getting her dowry and moving to a cottage by herself is the only path she can see out of this mess. So Frances cuts her hair, dons her brother’s clothes and starts her trek to London. She didn’t expect the snow storm, her horse going lame or her needing to spend a night in a tavern inn. Nor did she expect that this would set in motion a chain of events that will put her in the same position she just ran from.
Jack Valentine is the third son to a Duke. His mother is known as the Duchess of Love for all her match making attempts. Trying to escape his mother’s Valentines Day ball, Jack heads toward London only to be thwarted by a snow storm. When Jack arrives at a road side Inn, he finds his normal room is occupied by a young boy taking a dangerous trip to London alone. Being philanthropic, Jack takes this young boy with him to see him safely to his brother. What Jack doesn’t realize is he just shared his bed with Lady Hadley and now she is his young traveling companion.
Old emotional wounds and difficult situations will either bring Jack and Frances together or tear them apart. Out of the frying pan and into the fire is the best way to explain both Jack’s and Frances’s volatile situation.
I found the story contained a very amusing predicament, a mind boggling murder mystery and wonderful sexual chemistry. The characters were fantastic making Surprising Lord Jack a marvelously entertaining historical romance. I did wish we had more insight into Jack’s philanthropy, but look forward to seeing more in the coming Duchess of Love Series. Shakespeare stole the show :D.
This ARC copy of Surprising Lord Jack was given to me by Kensington Publishing Corp. - Zebra in exchange for a honest review. Publish Date March 5, 2013.
Jack Valentine is the third son to a Duke. His mother is known as the Duchess of Love for all her match making attempts. Trying to escape his mother’s Valentines Day ball, Jack heads toward London only to be thwarted by a snow storm. When Jack arrives at a road side Inn, he finds his normal room is occupied by a young boy taking a dangerous trip to London alone. Being philanthropic, Jack takes this young boy with him to see him safely to his brother. What Jack doesn’t realize is he just shared his bed with Lady Hadley and now she is his young traveling companion.
Old emotional wounds and difficult situations will either bring Jack and Frances together or tear them apart. Out of the frying pan and into the fire is the best way to explain both Jack’s and Frances’s volatile situation.
I found the story contained a very amusing predicament, a mind boggling murder mystery and wonderful sexual chemistry. The characters were fantastic making Surprising Lord Jack a marvelously entertaining historical romance. I did wish we had more insight into Jack’s philanthropy, but look forward to seeing more in the coming Duchess of Love Series. Shakespeare stole the show :D.
This ARC copy of Surprising Lord Jack was given to me by Kensington Publishing Corp. - Zebra in exchange for a honest review. Publish Date March 5, 2013.
March 7, 2013
Suprising Lord Jack begins with Frances Hadley disguised as a young boy and running to London and away from her aunt who is intent on selling her into marriage; icey roads and a lame horse however force her to stop at an inn for the night.
Lord Jack Valentine escapes his mother's valentines ball and an aggressive lady with her sights set on him and sets out for London but also finds himself at the inn due to the iced roads. Jack's usual room however is occupied-by a young boy who Jack can not see being tossed out,so , Jack agrees to share. This is just another rung in Frances ladder to ruin.
Frances Hadley is a strong heroine with a great sense of self, she has spent ten years managing the family estate in the absence of her father and Twin brother and is determined to secure her dowry so she can live by herself away from her traitor of an Aunt. Lord Jack is a wonderfully compassionate , caring and patient hero.
Lord Jack and Frances relationship grows while they are trying to escape the scandal of being discovered o have shared a bed and the marriage of necessity the Scandel brings with it;along the same time line the author alo gives out a murder mystery that Jack is involved in trying
I enjoyed this book the hero and heroine are strong characters and the few twist to the story the author throws in to the story line keeps the book from being a cookie cutter romance, the one caveat for me was that the ending left me wanting more ; which in hindsight is the very thing that willbring me back for the next book! I was looking for more info on their relationship and how Frances fit into Jack's life and Charities also more info of. Frances relationship with her brother and recently reunited grandparents.
Arc courtesy of NetGalley and Kensington publishing for an honest review.
Lord Jack Valentine escapes his mother's valentines ball and an aggressive lady with her sights set on him and sets out for London but also finds himself at the inn due to the iced roads. Jack's usual room however is occupied-by a young boy who Jack can not see being tossed out,so , Jack agrees to share. This is just another rung in Frances ladder to ruin.
Frances Hadley is a strong heroine with a great sense of self, she has spent ten years managing the family estate in the absence of her father and Twin brother and is determined to secure her dowry so she can live by herself away from her traitor of an Aunt. Lord Jack is a wonderfully compassionate , caring and patient hero.
Lord Jack and Frances relationship grows while they are trying to escape the scandal of being discovered o have shared a bed and the marriage of necessity the Scandel brings with it;along the same time line the author alo gives out a murder mystery that Jack is involved in trying
I enjoyed this book the hero and heroine are strong characters and the few twist to the story the author throws in to the story line keeps the book from being a cookie cutter romance, the one caveat for me was that the ending left me wanting more ; which in hindsight is the very thing that willbring me back for the next book! I was looking for more info on their relationship and how Frances fit into Jack's life and Charities also more info of. Frances relationship with her brother and recently reunited grandparents.
Arc courtesy of NetGalley and Kensington publishing for an honest review.
October 5, 2015
Picks up right where Bedding Lord Ned left off. I really liked Frances. I liked that she wasn't perfect, maybe not the nicest person. She realizes it and becomes better. I liked Lord Jack and not everyone is as they seem. I thought his extra-curricular activities were admirable.
Missed Ash, he isn't in this at all, but I think his story and Jack's take place concurrently.
Great story that I finished overnight.
Missed Ash, he isn't in this at all, but I think his story and Jack's take place concurrently.
Great story that I finished overnight.
March 14, 2019
Bisa kebetulan banget baca novel berturut-turut dgn heroine yg sifatnya mirip, menyamar, mandiri dan su'udzon. Kali ini adalah Frances Hadley, si kembar yg menyamar menjadi anak laki-laki supaya bisa pergi ke London utk menemukan saudara kembarnya. Dlm perjalanannya, dia bertemu Jack Valentine, anak bungsu duke, yg terkenal sbg hidung belang.
Jake ini walaupun tersohor dgn julukan tsb, tetapi sebenarnya bukan itu yg dilakukannya. Jake punya proyek amal yg pd gilirannya menggiring dirinya utk menemukan si pembunuh yg terkenal dgn nama Si Penyayat.
Mari kita bahas karakter Frances. Sbg tomboy yg temperamental dan sudah terbiasa mandiri mengurus lahan milik saudara kembarnya, membuatnya sulit utk bersikap spt wanita pada lazimnya. Diperparah dgn ketidakacuhan ayahnya pd dirinya, Frances tidak percaya pada makhluk yg berjenis kelamin laki-laki ini. Ya bisa dibilang Frances ini anti-male figure. Jadi boleh dibilang Jack lumayan kesulitan utk mendapatkan kepercayaan dari Frances.
Pada awalnya Jack marah saat mengetahui penyamaran Frances dan wajib bertanggungjawab hrs menikahinya. Tetapi Jack ragu krn tidak merasakan setitikpun gairah pada gadis tomboy ini. Jack baru merasakannya setelah Frances "dimake-over" oleh ibunya. Yah...Jack memang seorang pria biasa, hanya tertarik dgn apa yg dilihat oleh matanya. Tetapi seiring waktu, setelah mengetahui perlakuan bibi Frances dan ayah Frances terhadap gadis ini, Jack luluh dan protektif terhadap gadis ini.
Saya suka cara author mengawinkan karakter pasangan ini yg bertolak belakang tetapi lambat laun mereka bisa bersinergi, saling mengisi kekurangan dan kelebihan satu sama lain. Frances yg lebih mirip satwa liar berhasil dijinakkan oleh keluarga Valentine ini. Jack dgn sabar menanti Frances mencintai dirinya. Mungkin Jack ini tipe hero yg too good to be true, tapi saya suka cara mereka berinteraksi, kocak dan dinamis. Ibarat pepatah: "batu sekeras apapun, jika ditetesi air secara terus menerus, maka batu tersebut akan berlubang dan bisa menjadi pecah." Begitulah perjuangan Jack utk mendapatkan cinta dari Frances ini.
Jake ini walaupun tersohor dgn julukan tsb, tetapi sebenarnya bukan itu yg dilakukannya. Jake punya proyek amal yg pd gilirannya menggiring dirinya utk menemukan si pembunuh yg terkenal dgn nama Si Penyayat.
Mari kita bahas karakter Frances. Sbg tomboy yg temperamental dan sudah terbiasa mandiri mengurus lahan milik saudara kembarnya, membuatnya sulit utk bersikap spt wanita pada lazimnya. Diperparah dgn ketidakacuhan ayahnya pd dirinya, Frances tidak percaya pada makhluk yg berjenis kelamin laki-laki ini. Ya bisa dibilang Frances ini anti-male figure. Jadi boleh dibilang Jack lumayan kesulitan utk mendapatkan kepercayaan dari Frances.
Pada awalnya Jack marah saat mengetahui penyamaran Frances dan wajib bertanggungjawab hrs menikahinya. Tetapi Jack ragu krn tidak merasakan setitikpun gairah pada gadis tomboy ini. Jack baru merasakannya setelah Frances "dimake-over" oleh ibunya. Yah...Jack memang seorang pria biasa, hanya tertarik dgn apa yg dilihat oleh matanya. Tetapi seiring waktu, setelah mengetahui perlakuan bibi Frances dan ayah Frances terhadap gadis ini, Jack luluh dan protektif terhadap gadis ini.
Saya suka cara author mengawinkan karakter pasangan ini yg bertolak belakang tetapi lambat laun mereka bisa bersinergi, saling mengisi kekurangan dan kelebihan satu sama lain. Frances yg lebih mirip satwa liar berhasil dijinakkan oleh keluarga Valentine ini. Jack dgn sabar menanti Frances mencintai dirinya. Mungkin Jack ini tipe hero yg too good to be true, tapi saya suka cara mereka berinteraksi, kocak dan dinamis. Ibarat pepatah: "batu sekeras apapun, jika ditetesi air secara terus menerus, maka batu tersebut akan berlubang dan bisa menjadi pecah." Begitulah perjuangan Jack utk mendapatkan cinta dari Frances ini.
June 23, 2025
Esta es la historia de Jack quien por presión social y familiar y para demostrarle el amor a Frances resuelve el misterio del Degollador y Frances se siente traicionada por su tia y le duele que su hermano se haya distanciado de su vida.
La mayoria del libro se basa en la investigacion de descubrir la identidad de Jack, el degollador pero le facilitan todo porque le llega un paquete con un reloj y de ahi salen las demas pistas. sin embargo Jack sospecha desde el principio de Pettigrew.
la relacion de Jack y Frances se intensifica porque el le enseña a defenderse de los malos y mientras las clases hay calentura y chispas entonces Jack aprovecha para proponerle matrimonio y ella acepta.
Para terminar la historia Pettigrew ataca a Frances en un parque y gracias a las técnicas que Jack le enseñó y con la ayuda de Shakespeare, el perro. Jack llega a tiempo para salvarla y Pettigrew es arrestado y asi el caso del asesino en serie de mujeres de la alta sociedad y prostitutas es resuelto.
Se casan logrando una licencia de matrimonio especial para casarse lo antes posible.
La mayoria del libro se basa en la investigacion de descubrir la identidad de Jack, el degollador pero le facilitan todo porque le llega un paquete con un reloj y de ahi salen las demas pistas. sin embargo Jack sospecha desde el principio de Pettigrew.
la relacion de Jack y Frances se intensifica porque el le enseña a defenderse de los malos y mientras las clases hay calentura y chispas entonces Jack aprovecha para proponerle matrimonio y ella acepta.
Para terminar la historia Pettigrew ataca a Frances en un parque y gracias a las técnicas que Jack le enseñó y con la ayuda de Shakespeare, el perro. Jack llega a tiempo para salvarla y Pettigrew es arrestado y asi el caso del asesino en serie de mujeres de la alta sociedad y prostitutas es resuelto.
Se casan logrando una licencia de matrimonio especial para casarse lo antes posible.
May 24, 2018
Me ha gustado, Sally Mackenzie siempre consigue entretenerme, divertirme y sacarme una sonrisa. En este libro no creo que encontremos una historia espectacular y tengo que decir que la prota se hace de rogar para cogerle cariño y que me ha faltado un poquito más de romance entre ellos, pero a pesar de ello he pasado un buen rato leyéndolo. Ha sido bonito, tierno y hay una trama secundaria de misterio que aunque un pelín predecible, te pica la curiosidad. Creo que es de esos libros perfectos para una tarde tranquila de sofá y manta sin muchas pretensiones.
September 27, 2017
I love a good story about a woman disguised as a man, and this one sure didn't disappoint! All too often it seems like the woman is uncovered way too quickly, but Frances manages to hang in there for long enough to keep the tension interesting. I felt a little frustrated with Frances and her stubbornness, but when more of her backstory is revealed her personality and issues make sense. I fell hard in love with poor Jack too, and his attempts to get "Francis" to man up a bit.
This is the second book in a trilogy, but I didn't feel too lost or like I was missing anything by reading it first. I went back and read the first book ("Bedding Lord Ned") after reading "Surprising Lord Jack," and Book #2 hadn't given too much away so Book #1 was still really enjoyable. There are little hints in this book (and the first book) about plot points for Ash (brother to Jack and Ned, and Hero of the third book) and I felt like maybe I was missing something the first book would have revealed, but instead the first book as well just gives little tastes and teases of the other brothers, and nothing concrete. Can be read as a stand-alone, in series order, or as a series out of order.
This is the second book in a trilogy, but I didn't feel too lost or like I was missing anything by reading it first. I went back and read the first book ("Bedding Lord Ned") after reading "Surprising Lord Jack," and Book #2 hadn't given too much away so Book #1 was still really enjoyable. There are little hints in this book (and the first book) about plot points for Ash (brother to Jack and Ned, and Hero of the third book) and I felt like maybe I was missing something the first book would have revealed, but instead the first book as well just gives little tastes and teases of the other brothers, and nothing concrete. Can be read as a stand-alone, in series order, or as a series out of order.
March 7, 2021
Berasa kurang chemistry antara jack&frances.Padahal Jack tu gentlement sejati.Selalu siap utk nolongi frances&pastinya jiwa sosial tinggi.
Banyak dialog ga penting.duches of love jg g terlalu menarik utk diulak alik.justru smakin datar saat jack ngirim surat ke emaknya utk nolongi.
Banyak dialog ga penting.duches of love jg g terlalu menarik utk diulak alik.justru smakin datar saat jack ngirim surat ke emaknya utk nolongi.
May 30, 2013
When I requested Surprising Lord Jack I was intrigued by the synopsis. A girl disguised as a man who ends up sharing a bed with a Duke? I am all in! I didn’t realize at the time that this was book two in the Duchess of Love series but I am delighted to report that this works as a standalone. From the very first page MacKenzie had me swept up in Frances Hadley's story and I enjoyed every minute of this delightfully captivating and suspenseful tale. Three word review: Funny, romantic, suspenseful.
Frances escapes her childhood home disguised as a lad and heads off to London to request her dowry and escape her Aunt’s dastardly plans to marry her off. When her horse becomes lame she is forced to stop at an inn. The inn is full except for the room reserved for Valentine family. Since the family is hosting a ball, the landlady takes pity on the poor lad and offers him (her) the room. Exhausted and fearful of being discovered she climbs under the covers fully dressed and promptly drifts off to sleep. When Lord Jack shows up requesting his room, he discovers it is occupied. When the landlady informs him of the young lad, Lord Jack agrees to share the bed and see that the lad safely arrives in London. The tale that unfolds while predictable was fast paced, romantic, and completely enjoyable!
Frances is twenty-four and has lived with her Aunt since her mother’s passing at the tender age of twelve. Her twin brother went off to London and her father traipses the world studying flora. Both have shown no interest in her well being. I instantly liked Frances and the more I discovered about her the more I liked her. She is smart, quick witted, naïve, and slightly damaged. Her past has left her with a lot of misconceptions and watching her sort things out was a pleasure. Lord Jack rumored to be a rogue is handsome, caring and a humanitarian. He is honorable and you cannot help but fall in love with him. The interaction between the two of them was quite enjoyable, and as their relationship developed it felt sweet, passionate and genuine. I adored Jack’s parents especially the Duchess. (The Duchess of Love).
I will admit to loving this type of plot where a girl trying to escape ends up being ruined unless the man who accidentally became involved steps in and does the honorable thing. MacKenzie added a few twists to make the tale fresh and I loved it. There is also a murder mystery threaded into the tale. Lord Jack and his friends are working to solve the case and guard the woman as well. It added a nice suspense level to the tale and I loved guessing whodunit. Shakespeare a clever dog won my heart and I enjoyed all of the secondary characters as well. The tale flowed wonderfully and the romance developed slowly. I plan to go back and read book one Bedding Lord Ned, which deals with Lord Jack’s older brother and will continue the series.
ARC received in exchange for unbiased review and originally published Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Frances escapes her childhood home disguised as a lad and heads off to London to request her dowry and escape her Aunt’s dastardly plans to marry her off. When her horse becomes lame she is forced to stop at an inn. The inn is full except for the room reserved for Valentine family. Since the family is hosting a ball, the landlady takes pity on the poor lad and offers him (her) the room. Exhausted and fearful of being discovered she climbs under the covers fully dressed and promptly drifts off to sleep. When Lord Jack shows up requesting his room, he discovers it is occupied. When the landlady informs him of the young lad, Lord Jack agrees to share the bed and see that the lad safely arrives in London. The tale that unfolds while predictable was fast paced, romantic, and completely enjoyable!
Frances is twenty-four and has lived with her Aunt since her mother’s passing at the tender age of twelve. Her twin brother went off to London and her father traipses the world studying flora. Both have shown no interest in her well being. I instantly liked Frances and the more I discovered about her the more I liked her. She is smart, quick witted, naïve, and slightly damaged. Her past has left her with a lot of misconceptions and watching her sort things out was a pleasure. Lord Jack rumored to be a rogue is handsome, caring and a humanitarian. He is honorable and you cannot help but fall in love with him. The interaction between the two of them was quite enjoyable, and as their relationship developed it felt sweet, passionate and genuine. I adored Jack’s parents especially the Duchess. (The Duchess of Love).
I will admit to loving this type of plot where a girl trying to escape ends up being ruined unless the man who accidentally became involved steps in and does the honorable thing. MacKenzie added a few twists to make the tale fresh and I loved it. There is also a murder mystery threaded into the tale. Lord Jack and his friends are working to solve the case and guard the woman as well. It added a nice suspense level to the tale and I loved guessing whodunit. Shakespeare a clever dog won my heart and I enjoyed all of the secondary characters as well. The tale flowed wonderfully and the romance developed slowly. I plan to go back and read book one Bedding Lord Ned, which deals with Lord Jack’s older brother and will continue the series.
ARC received in exchange for unbiased review and originally published Caffeinated Book Reviewer
February 24, 2013
Mon avis en Français
My English review
After reading the last volume of her first series, I was curious to discover another book by Sally MacKenzie, then why not trying the second volume of her new Duchess of Love series? Yes, yes, I know once again I read a series in disorder but I had no trouble to understand it, or to immerse myself in the story.
Frances is a young woman on the run. Indeed, her aunt tried to compromise her with a man she didn’t not love in order to marry her and get rid of her. But understanding the subterfuge, she manages to escape and decides to go to London to see her brother and to claim the family estate she took care of for ten years. But she knows she can not do it as a woman while traveling alone this way. So she decides to disguise herself as a boy and takes her horse to go to the great city of London. Frances meets Jack Valentine on her way, a man who has a heart of gold and loves helping others. So when he discovers a lost boy, thinking he is only twelve years old, he is determined to help him. But then he does not know her true identity, others, less scrupulous, know the secret of our young heroine. And of course it does come to light and causes a big scandal when learned. Jack must now marry Frances to protect their reputation. But in addition to this, their return to London coincides with numerous murders and Jack is determined to find out who is behind it!
I enjoyed this novel! I do not read a lot of romance and it is true that I am a little more open to this genre now. Sally Mackenzie is really good in this style and I took a great pleasure to follow the adventures of Jack and Frances. These two characters have two completely different natures but they are perfect together. Frances is strong, brave and determined. She doesn’t realize that in this world of men, she can not have everything she wants. She is idealistic and impulsive, which leads her to act without realizing the consequences of her actions. It's been quite heartbreaking to see that the world is far different from the one she believed. And the people thought she loved have lied to her all her life. Now, a whole new world opens up to her. But luckily Jack will be there to guide and help her through this new event. Conversely, he is gentle, patient and attentive. He loves wandering alone souls and, he needs to help people around him to feel good and Frances is the perfect person to help. He did not expect to like her this way.
It was a very good new novel and I wonder who will be featured in the next novel. I had not really thought about culprit of the murders, being focused by all the things that happen to Frances but I think it was still well found.
My English review
After reading the last volume of her first series, I was curious to discover another book by Sally MacKenzie, then why not trying the second volume of her new Duchess of Love series? Yes, yes, I know once again I read a series in disorder but I had no trouble to understand it, or to immerse myself in the story.
Frances is a young woman on the run. Indeed, her aunt tried to compromise her with a man she didn’t not love in order to marry her and get rid of her. But understanding the subterfuge, she manages to escape and decides to go to London to see her brother and to claim the family estate she took care of for ten years. But she knows she can not do it as a woman while traveling alone this way. So she decides to disguise herself as a boy and takes her horse to go to the great city of London. Frances meets Jack Valentine on her way, a man who has a heart of gold and loves helping others. So when he discovers a lost boy, thinking he is only twelve years old, he is determined to help him. But then he does not know her true identity, others, less scrupulous, know the secret of our young heroine. And of course it does come to light and causes a big scandal when learned. Jack must now marry Frances to protect their reputation. But in addition to this, their return to London coincides with numerous murders and Jack is determined to find out who is behind it!
I enjoyed this novel! I do not read a lot of romance and it is true that I am a little more open to this genre now. Sally Mackenzie is really good in this style and I took a great pleasure to follow the adventures of Jack and Frances. These two characters have two completely different natures but they are perfect together. Frances is strong, brave and determined. She doesn’t realize that in this world of men, she can not have everything she wants. She is idealistic and impulsive, which leads her to act without realizing the consequences of her actions. It's been quite heartbreaking to see that the world is far different from the one she believed. And the people thought she loved have lied to her all her life. Now, a whole new world opens up to her. But luckily Jack will be there to guide and help her through this new event. Conversely, he is gentle, patient and attentive. He loves wandering alone souls and, he needs to help people around him to feel good and Frances is the perfect person to help. He did not expect to like her this way.
It was a very good new novel and I wonder who will be featured in the next novel. I had not really thought about culprit of the murders, being focused by all the things that happen to Frances but I think it was still well found.
October 30, 2013
Reviewed by Jen
Review copy provided by the publisher
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
I’ve been a Sally MacKenzie fan for years… ever since I picked up the first book in her Naked series. So when this title crossed my desk, I knew I had to read it… and I wasn’t disappointed.
I think what draws me most to Ms MacKenzie’s writing is the humor. She finds ways to put her characters in insane situations and then just inject enough laughs while making it seem plausible. In this tale, we have Frances heading to London to talk to the family solicitor to get her hands on her dowry. But as an unwed female, she makes the trip dressed as a boy. She stops at an inn during her trip and ends up sharing a room with Jack. Jack ends up taking this “boy” under his wing to get him to London safely. Of course, things aren’t going to go smoothly.
Jack is a hero that is actually pretty common in today’s romance books. He appears to be a rogue to society at large, but is hiding who he really is. I did like that in Jack’s case, he’s not the typical spy. Saying more would spoil the book as it’s a pretty big part of the plot. Jack is probably a little too good to be true, but he has to be to deal with Frances.
Frances is headstrong and independent in a time when that is looked down upon. I love the fact that she traveled to London as a boy and tried to take control of her life. But she was the character in this book that I just wanted to shake and tell her to open her eyes at to what was in front of her. But Frances and Jack did work as a couple in the end.
Is this my favorite Sally MacKenzie title? No. But I did enjoy it and am looking forward to the next book in the Duchess of Love series.
Review copy provided by the publisher
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
I’ve been a Sally MacKenzie fan for years… ever since I picked up the first book in her Naked series. So when this title crossed my desk, I knew I had to read it… and I wasn’t disappointed.
I think what draws me most to Ms MacKenzie’s writing is the humor. She finds ways to put her characters in insane situations and then just inject enough laughs while making it seem plausible. In this tale, we have Frances heading to London to talk to the family solicitor to get her hands on her dowry. But as an unwed female, she makes the trip dressed as a boy. She stops at an inn during her trip and ends up sharing a room with Jack. Jack ends up taking this “boy” under his wing to get him to London safely. Of course, things aren’t going to go smoothly.
Jack is a hero that is actually pretty common in today’s romance books. He appears to be a rogue to society at large, but is hiding who he really is. I did like that in Jack’s case, he’s not the typical spy. Saying more would spoil the book as it’s a pretty big part of the plot. Jack is probably a little too good to be true, but he has to be to deal with Frances.
Frances is headstrong and independent in a time when that is looked down upon. I love the fact that she traveled to London as a boy and tried to take control of her life. But she was the character in this book that I just wanted to shake and tell her to open her eyes at to what was in front of her. But Frances and Jack did work as a couple in the end.
Is this my favorite Sally MacKenzie title? No. But I did enjoy it and am looking forward to the next book in the Duchess of Love series.
April 12, 2013
SURPRISING LORD JACK by Sally MacKenzie is an exciting Regency Historical Romance. #2 in the "Duchess of Love",but can be read as a stand alone. See,"Bedding Lord Ned". Fast paced with danger and love. Someone is killing prostitutes and societal Ladies of the ton,who are having affairs. But love just may be in the air for Jack Valentine,the third son of the Duchess of Love, when feisty Frances Hadley enters his life dressed as a none other than a boy. Gossip can be just that, gossip with none or little truth in it. So Lord Jack must keep Frances safe from danger of not only losing her heart but her life also,when gossip runs a muck,a killer is forced into action. Now Frances' life is at stake. With romance in the air,sensual tension running a muck,and a killer on the loose to rid London of ladies of ill repute Lord Jack must work fast to save Francis and find a killer. Enter his beloved family to save the day. "Surprising Lord Jack" is filled with action,a bit of humor,lots of romance,a meddling matchmaker Mother and love. A action filled love story that will have your turning pages as Lord Jack is brought to his knees by the one thing he never expected...love. I would highly recommend "Surprising Lord Jack". Received for an honest review from the publisher and Net Galley.
RATING: 4.5
HEAT RATING: MILD
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction Reviews
RATING: 4.5
HEAT RATING: MILD
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction Reviews
March 4, 2013
Frances Hadley's aunt is trying to sell her into marriage. But... the guy is a scumbag. So she does the only rational thing - dress like a boy and run away. Only, she doesn't get very far. Her horse comes up lame and with the rain... she ends up in a room at an inn. It's a very full inn and the room is generally reserved for the Valentine family. But there's a big party at their house so they probably won't need it.
Except... that Jack Valentine, the youngest son, is trying to escape his mother's machinations. So, he ends up sleeping with someone he thinks is a young boy. No problem. It happens during this time period.
Except... someone recognizes that Frances is not a Francis and, when Jack realizes that, he realizes that she is compromised. Apparently, not so much for sleeping with him but for sure being dressed in boy's clothes. But, she's not really traveling in their circles so Frances doesn't see this as an issue.
Except... there's a slasher in town and he's killing "unchaste" women, a category into which Frances seemingly now falls.
A fun romp and a cute love story. I'm really enjoying this series and can't wait for the next book.
Except... that Jack Valentine, the youngest son, is trying to escape his mother's machinations. So, he ends up sleeping with someone he thinks is a young boy. No problem. It happens during this time period.
Except... someone recognizes that Frances is not a Francis and, when Jack realizes that, he realizes that she is compromised. Apparently, not so much for sleeping with him but for sure being dressed in boy's clothes. But, she's not really traveling in their circles so Frances doesn't see this as an issue.
Except... there's a slasher in town and he's killing "unchaste" women, a category into which Frances seemingly now falls.
A fun romp and a cute love story. I'm really enjoying this series and can't wait for the next book.
May 21, 2020
Di luar ekspektasi ternyata ceritanya bagus. Dibandingkan cerita di seri pertama yang cukup membosankan, buku yang kedua ini menawarkan sedikit petualangan dan juga misteri pembunuhan, tidak ketinggalan chemistry yang bagus antara tokohnya. Saya menyukai karakter Jack, bahkan dari buku pertama karakter Jack cukup menonjol. Jack adalah penyeimbang di antara saudara-saudaranya, suka berkata terus terang dan cukup cerdas. Jadi sebenarnya bagaimana karakter Jack dan Francess yang mandiri tetapi memiliki sisi kekanakan dan pemarah ini bisa "nyambung" cukup menarik diikuti. Walaupun masih menyajikan karakter Ducheess of Love dan suaminya dalam porsi cukup banyak, namun di buku kedua ini mereka tidak terlalu menyita banyak fokus. Suasana kekeluargaan yang sangat hidup juga persaudaraan yang kompak menurut saya daya tarik utama di buku ini bagi saya.
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