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The Heart of a Duke
From the author of For the Love of a Solder comes a rapturous new novel of unspoken secrets, and true love…
Lady Julia Chandler fears she will be walking down the aisle with a silver-tipped cane if she waits for the Duke of Bedford to seal their engagement. Seeking to quicken his pace, she decides to find her duke, kiss him senseless, and post the wedding banns. It is a good plan, until she mistakes her fiancé’s long-absent twin for her duke.
Ten years ago, Lord Daniel Bryant sailed to America to find his fortune and flee his cruel brother who inherited the family title. A cryptic note draws him back to Come home and claim your destiny. Before seeking anything, Daniel must first determine who set the fire that nearly took his life and precipitated his flight abroad. Now with the taste of Lady Julia warm on his lips, the stakes are raised higher than before as he seeks to claim both his destiny and the lady of his heart.
Lady Julia Chandler fears she will be walking down the aisle with a silver-tipped cane if she waits for the Duke of Bedford to seal their engagement. Seeking to quicken his pace, she decides to find her duke, kiss him senseless, and post the wedding banns. It is a good plan, until she mistakes her fiancé’s long-absent twin for her duke.
Ten years ago, Lord Daniel Bryant sailed to America to find his fortune and flee his cruel brother who inherited the family title. A cryptic note draws him back to Come home and claim your destiny. Before seeking anything, Daniel must first determine who set the fire that nearly took his life and precipitated his flight abroad. Now with the taste of Lady Julia warm on his lips, the stakes are raised higher than before as he seeks to claim both his destiny and the lady of his heart.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2013
11 people are currently reading
629 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Morgan
3 books28 followersA lifelong New England resident, Victoria Morgan lives in a suburb of Boston. There she juggles (with differing degrees of priority) a part-time job, writing, watercolor classes, her husband, two teen-agers, and a mini-golden doodle with a Napoleon complex. A 2011 RWA® Golden Heart® Finalist and an insatiable reader, she loves to see the magic of a world taking shape through the words of a book or the beauty of a painted picture.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
October 12, 2023
Read: 2015
Can't find my old review 😪 what I remember was this book started out great but fizzled out near the end
Can't find my old review 😪 what I remember was this book started out great but fizzled out near the end
February 9, 2014
Setting: Regency England
Steam Factor: Medium
3 1/2 stars
Lady Julia Chandler is tired of waiting for her fiance Edmund Duke of Bedford, to post the banns so she decides to find him, kiss him, and wed him..oh..oh..too bad the man she kisses isn't him! Lord Daniel Bryant is his identical twin brother. Lord Daniel has been in America making a new life for himself, but comes home because of a cryptic note from his father's former solicitor and to uncover who is trying to kill him. Julia's kiss though sets him on another path.. winning her heart.
For Julia she is stunned by the power of their kiss herself. What to do?
Rekindling their friendship forces her to reevaluate her feelings now for Edmund since Daniel has now stolen her heart. Together they expose a dark secret, fight evil and claim their destiny. A feisty heroine,an honorable hero,and a despicable villain and what you have here is a smartly written plot, with realistic characters to round it out. Tender passion,romantic suspense and adventure propelled this story along at a fine pace for me.
If you liked her debut book For The Love Of A Soldier
You will enjoy this new one by her as well.
Steam Factor: Medium
3 1/2 stars
Lady Julia Chandler is tired of waiting for her fiance Edmund Duke of Bedford, to post the banns so she decides to find him, kiss him, and wed him..oh..oh..too bad the man she kisses isn't him! Lord Daniel Bryant is his identical twin brother. Lord Daniel has been in America making a new life for himself, but comes home because of a cryptic note from his father's former solicitor and to uncover who is trying to kill him. Julia's kiss though sets him on another path.. winning her heart.
For Julia she is stunned by the power of their kiss herself. What to do?
Rekindling their friendship forces her to reevaluate her feelings now for Edmund since Daniel has now stolen her heart. Together they expose a dark secret, fight evil and claim their destiny. A feisty heroine,an honorable hero,and a despicable villain and what you have here is a smartly written plot, with realistic characters to round it out. Tender passion,romantic suspense and adventure propelled this story along at a fine pace for me.
If you liked her debut book For The Love Of A Soldier
You will enjoy this new one by her as well.
May 19, 2018
What do you do when you're a 23 old decrepit spinster and your timeless, cold-fish of a lame excuse of a fiancé won't come up to scratch? Why, take matters into your delicate gloved hands and passionately kiss him ... or his twin brother! That's the opening scene of "The Heart of a Duke". Our intrepid heroine, Lady Julia Chandler, mistakes Lord Daniel Bryant (the soon-to-be hero and the long-lost twin), for her uppity fiancé Edmund, the Duke of Bedford. Daniel has finally come back from America, where he has been hiding for the last decade after he was almost killed in a fire set to his property. Somebody had wanted to scare him off then and now a mysterious note Come home and claim your destiny , has lured him back to England. Given the canonic slap on the face for her affronted dignity (oooh, the cad hasn't made his identity known in time to prevent the fevered kiss!), these two begin to forge a bond of regained friendship (they knew each other since childhood) and respect and Daniel starts to feel compelled to save Julia from Edmund's clutches, who is indeed a nasty bit of breeches. Daniel's agenda, as he keeps calling it, also includes finding out who sent that cryptic note and why.
With his growing attraction to the fair Julia and the help of his American friend and shipping company partner Brett (H of the next book?) in solving the mystery, the plot is set. And here is where some of my complaints start.
I gave this book two stars as GR intends them: "It was ok" or, I say, the book was readable in a strict literary sense. The language flowed well and I didn't notice any glaring Americanism or modernism, apart from a request to "slow down" from the heroine during a love scene which sounded a bit jarring to my nagging old ears. The problems I had concerned more the plot development and the growth of the main characters.
Daniel is technically a beta, but instead of showing that constant and reliable gentle strength which I associate with this type of man, he seemed just "passive" to me. He keeps lengthening the check-list of his agenda, but he never looks for a direct confrontation with his twin until something really bad happens or his friends spur him to go searching for clues about that infamous note. And also regarding Julia he doesn't "act", he just "reacts". He wants to save her, but he never talks to her about what a scumbag Edmund really is, having bullied and beaten him to a pulp since childhood. He's attracted to her, but he doesn't court or woo her in any significant way until he has to face his responsibilities and at that point it felt forced to silly romantic me.
Julia was the character I could connect less with. She often fastidiously trespassed Mary Sue territory in my eyes: she manages a vast estate better than any man-of-affairs, she's been taking the weight of the mental sanity of her family on her dainty shoulders since she was a young girl, she's wonderful and never loses patience with her little brother and her gloves are always white. Well you know the type, the one you would like to strangle at work or at family gatherings. And she also sounded a little "mercenary" to me. She keeps comparing Daniel to Edmund (or "Beautiful Bedford" as she has nicknamed him), complaining that her traitorous heart beats faster at the sight of both of them (doh! they look the same, so it's kind of physiological that you're sexually attracted by the pair!), but it's the soul that makes the difference and she seems to regret a little too much that the good twin doesn't come with the money and the title. There's a scene at a ball, by almost half way of the book, where she clearly states that Edmund frightens her, but she keeps reminding herself the kind of lifestyle he can give her. And the idea of ending the betrothal to a man who scares the hell out of her and is freezing cold with her never crosses her mind (a step she could have afforded given the understanding and loving family she had). And what this paragon of feminine virtue does when confronted with the first tangled-mess she has created? Why, she flees to London to gain some time . Me-no-like!
Edmund was a cardboard villain, but he provided some badly needed action (most of which clumsily crammed in the last pages) at some hinge-points of the plot and his evilness ghostly hovered throughout the book: he has been ruining Daniel's life since their age of reason, with a hatred so deeply ingrained that it will finally consume his sanity and the motives of this resentment are at the heart of the mystery of the note.
The romance and the love scenes were standard-fare (on the blander side of the scale, not in "temperature", but in terms of originality) and all in all I found this book uninspiring and absolutely not a reread.
To conclude (Are you seriously still reading?! What a bunch of kind souls you are!), a couple of matters that I think of as "naivety" of the author.
There's no way a six-years old boy would have been allowed to sit at an earl's table, even if that earl is his father and even in the relaxation of a country house. Back in 1800-something kids used to eat in the nursery/kitchen with servants/tutors/governesses and never at a formal table, especially at the presence of guests, so the scene in the book seems to be there just to regale us with some puerile cutie-cuteness.
At some point, Daniel and Julia are quarrelling and he's flabbergasted by something she responds and the author uses an expression such as: "He regarded her like she were speaking French!". The education of upper classes and even more so nobility (to which the H and h belong) in those days included learning French as a second mother language. British aristocracy sometimes used to have entire conversations in French as they were all kind of bilingual. So presenting French as an exotic idiom ("He regarded her like she were speaking Turkish!") is totally out of place in this contest.
Lastly, when Edmund and Julia are discussing their honeymoon in Italy they sound like a 21th century travel agency brochure: wine tasting tours, strolling around sunny vineyards, sitting at lovely outdoor cafes in lively piazzas. Really? In early 19th century Europe, travelling was still a relatively dangerous activity: the Alps represented an almost impenetrable obstacle and it was usually easier to reach Italy by boat. Roads, where there were roads, were unsafe and highwaymen infested. Few areas of big cities were safe. The only form of instituted travelling was the Grand Tour and for very few rich ones (and "men only") and with the purpose of culture and aristocratic education refinement. The way of mass-tourism was not an established business yet, please. Don't fall into the trap of giving the characters a modern sensibility to make easier for the reader to empathize. And then this gem from Julia:"We were discussing our honeymoon. Edmund insists on Italy, and I quite agree with him. After all, they have long, lovely siestas with nothing to do but relax all afternoon.". Italy? Siestas? Yeah, and where's my pizza?! No...just...no.
With his growing attraction to the fair Julia and the help of his American friend and shipping company partner Brett (H of the next book?) in solving the mystery, the plot is set. And here is where some of my complaints start.
I gave this book two stars as GR intends them: "It was ok" or, I say, the book was readable in a strict literary sense. The language flowed well and I didn't notice any glaring Americanism or modernism, apart from a request to "slow down" from the heroine during a love scene which sounded a bit jarring to my nagging old ears. The problems I had concerned more the plot development and the growth of the main characters.
Daniel is technically a beta, but instead of showing that constant and reliable gentle strength which I associate with this type of man, he seemed just "passive" to me. He keeps lengthening the check-list of his agenda, but he never looks for a direct confrontation with his twin until something really bad happens or his friends spur him to go searching for clues about that infamous note. And also regarding Julia he doesn't "act", he just "reacts". He wants to save her, but he never talks to her about what a scumbag Edmund really is, having bullied and beaten him to a pulp since childhood. He's attracted to her, but he doesn't court or woo her in any significant way until he has to face his responsibilities and at that point it felt forced to silly romantic me.
Julia was the character I could connect less with. She often fastidiously trespassed Mary Sue territory in my eyes: she manages a vast estate better than any man-of-affairs, she's been taking the weight of the mental sanity of her family on her dainty shoulders since she was a young girl, she's wonderful and never loses patience with her little brother and her gloves are always white. Well you know the type, the one you would like to strangle at work or at family gatherings. And she also sounded a little "mercenary" to me. She keeps comparing Daniel to Edmund (or "Beautiful Bedford" as she has nicknamed him), complaining that her traitorous heart beats faster at the sight of both of them (doh! they look the same, so it's kind of physiological that you're sexually attracted by the pair!), but it's the soul that makes the difference and she seems to regret a little too much that the good twin doesn't come with the money and the title. There's a scene at a ball, by almost half way of the book, where she clearly states that Edmund frightens her, but she keeps reminding herself the kind of lifestyle he can give her. And the idea of ending the betrothal to a man who scares the hell out of her and is freezing cold with her never crosses her mind (a step she could have afforded given the understanding and loving family she had). And what this paragon of feminine virtue does when confronted with the first tangled-mess she has created? Why, she flees to London to gain some time . Me-no-like!
Edmund was a cardboard villain, but he provided some badly needed action (most of which clumsily crammed in the last pages) at some hinge-points of the plot and his evilness ghostly hovered throughout the book: he has been ruining Daniel's life since their age of reason, with a hatred so deeply ingrained that it will finally consume his sanity and the motives of this resentment are at the heart of the mystery of the note.
The romance and the love scenes were standard-fare (on the blander side of the scale, not in "temperature", but in terms of originality) and all in all I found this book uninspiring and absolutely not a reread.
To conclude (Are you seriously still reading?! What a bunch of kind souls you are!), a couple of matters that I think of as "naivety" of the author.
There's no way a six-years old boy would have been allowed to sit at an earl's table, even if that earl is his father and even in the relaxation of a country house. Back in 1800-something kids used to eat in the nursery/kitchen with servants/tutors/governesses and never at a formal table, especially at the presence of guests, so the scene in the book seems to be there just to regale us with some puerile cutie-cuteness.
At some point, Daniel and Julia are quarrelling and he's flabbergasted by something she responds and the author uses an expression such as: "He regarded her like she were speaking French!". The education of upper classes and even more so nobility (to which the H and h belong) in those days included learning French as a second mother language. British aristocracy sometimes used to have entire conversations in French as they were all kind of bilingual. So presenting French as an exotic idiom ("He regarded her like she were speaking Turkish!") is totally out of place in this contest.
Lastly, when Edmund and Julia are discussing their honeymoon in Italy they sound like a 21th century travel agency brochure: wine tasting tours, strolling around sunny vineyards, sitting at lovely outdoor cafes in lively piazzas. Really? In early 19th century Europe, travelling was still a relatively dangerous activity: the Alps represented an almost impenetrable obstacle and it was usually easier to reach Italy by boat. Roads, where there were roads, were unsafe and highwaymen infested. Few areas of big cities were safe. The only form of instituted travelling was the Grand Tour and for very few rich ones (and "men only") and with the purpose of culture and aristocratic education refinement. The way of mass-tourism was not an established business yet, please. Don't fall into the trap of giving the characters a modern sensibility to make easier for the reader to empathize. And then this gem from Julia:"We were discussing our honeymoon. Edmund insists on Italy, and I quite agree with him. After all, they have long, lovely siestas with nothing to do but relax all afternoon.". Italy? Siestas? Yeah, and where's my pizza?! No...just...no.
November 1, 2013
The heart of a Duke is a historical romance with plenty of suspense and intrigue. The characters in this book were very well written. Daniel and Edmund areidentical twins with only their looks in common. Daniel is the good twin, and Edmund is the "bad seed". Julia is the traditional good girl. She looks after her family and maintains high ethical and moral standards. The background characters such as Emily (Julia's sister), Taunton (Julia's father), Brett (Daniel's business partner/friend), Robbie (Daniel's childhood friend), and Jonathan (Emily's adorable much younger brother) kept the story lively and moving along with no lulls. I am even hoping to see that this book is a series so I can read much more about their stories.
Daniel has been away in America for several years and returns after receiving a mysterious letter from England. He finds that Julia is engaged to Edmund and determined to marry him as soon as possible. He is determined to protect Julia from Edmund just as he did when they were younger. He is equal parts charming and literally charms the pants (or should I say dress) off Julia. Their first kiss and subsequent ones stoked a fire that would not die even though Julia was engaged to his brother. I just love the "against all odds and even though it's not right" love stories. Daniel was very patient and allowed Julia to come to her own conclusions regarding Edmund. I loved that he was simply determined to be close enough to catch her if she fell and protect her from all harm. Throughout the story Julia analyzed the many ways that Edmund and Daniel differed including how they related to her family. Not only was Daniel patient and loving, but he was also tough. As he sought to thwart Edmund he received a few bumps and bruises but he stayed true to his mission, accomplished his objective, and got the girl in the end.
It was a great fast-paced read and a wonderful love story.
Reviewed by Michelle for Cocktails and Books
Daniel has been away in America for several years and returns after receiving a mysterious letter from England. He finds that Julia is engaged to Edmund and determined to marry him as soon as possible. He is determined to protect Julia from Edmund just as he did when they were younger. He is equal parts charming and literally charms the pants (or should I say dress) off Julia. Their first kiss and subsequent ones stoked a fire that would not die even though Julia was engaged to his brother. I just love the "against all odds and even though it's not right" love stories. Daniel was very patient and allowed Julia to come to her own conclusions regarding Edmund. I loved that he was simply determined to be close enough to catch her if she fell and protect her from all harm. Throughout the story Julia analyzed the many ways that Edmund and Daniel differed including how they related to her family. Not only was Daniel patient and loving, but he was also tough. As he sought to thwart Edmund he received a few bumps and bruises but he stayed true to his mission, accomplished his objective, and got the girl in the end.
It was a great fast-paced read and a wonderful love story.
Reviewed by Michelle for Cocktails and Books
November 19, 2013
What can I say? I saw a historical romance that included a mystery to it and I was hooked. I've not read this author's work before and I love trying new authors so I cracked open this book with anticipation and found more to enjoy when I encountered the hero and his storyline. With a few reservations, I had a good time with this story.
Lady Julia Chandler has resolved that enough is enough. She's tired of all the speculation her extended betrothal to the Duke of Bedford has brought on and now that he's returned home she plans to accost him and bring him up to scratch. She encounters him earlier than expected near the ruins of a nearby estate that belonged to his brother. He's acting a bit different and welcomes her attempted seduction even as he warns her that she's making a mistake. Julia soon learns that she has unwittingly attempted to seduce Bedford's twin prodigal brother, Daniel, which will prove problematic if for no other reason than she enjoyed their shared kiss.
Daniel Bryant fled his home ten years earlier as a result of someone trying to kill him by setting fire to his home with him in it. His brother Edmund had made it clear just after their father's death that he was unwelcome and with no reason to stay, he set off to America with a school friend and made his fortune. As a result of receiving a brief mysterious note, he is back to discover the answers to questions he's had for years about why someone wanted him dead. He is sidetracked when he shares a kiss with Julia. It bothers him that she is engaged to his horrid brother and seems unwitting as to the true nature of her affianced. Daniel adds rescuing Julia to his list of things to do.
Once Daniel starts looking into the past, someone grows uneasy about what he will discover and his involvement with Julia does not go unnoticed by his brother who takes the opportunity to make Daniel and Julia pay by ruining Julia. Julia's eyes are opened, but now she determines that she can't accept Daniel being the answer to saving her from her ruination unless he confesses his love and she is determined to help him and his friends figure out what happened before and what information he possesses that is worth killing him over.
This one was lighter historical, but heavy on the romance and mystery. The plot was a fairly good one with the dual threads it was following. I was into Daniel's quest to get Julia away from his evil brother and the romance between them and I really liked puzzling out what it was that was causing his brother to race around hunting papers and cause people to want him dead. I actually figured it out not far into the story, but that was okay and I was willing to stick around and see how the characters would work it out. I really enjoyed exploring how great a fit Daniel and Julia were for each other. She was a strong woman who cared for her family and the family estate when others couldn't. She wasn't afraid to get a litle dirty to give relief to a poor family. And she planned to be strong and help the duke as a partner and not just a trophy wife. I totally admired all that about her.
But about half way through, I got irritated with Julia which seems to be my lot lately with heroines. She was so set on getting Bedford to marry her that she was willing to go way over the line of propriety to achieve this- so far, no big deal to me. Then she gets a bit flustered over Daniel and confused because she knows she can't take the betrothal with the duke lightly even if she is attracted to his younger brother- still not a problem and I enjoyed this dilemma. But then when she discovers the truth about her fiance's character and he acts against her, things change. Daniel makes a perfectly acceptable proposal to save her. She even likes him better than his brother and wants him, but...yes there is a but. She admits she never loved Bedford and was willing to take him and do her duty, but now suddenly she won't countenance accepting a proposal unless Daniel spouts his love for her and apparently all those loving actions of caring for her and her family, respect for her as a person and desire to keep her safe cry out something different to her. So based on her actions I must conclude that only cold-hearted scheming dukes get a free pass and a claim on her duty and affections (kidding sort of), but I get it. There wouldn't have been much tension in the romantic plot without this new barrier being thrown up. In and of itself, the sudden mulishness wouldn't have bothered me so much, but it was accompanied with other forms of mulishness. Suddenly, she had to be included in Daniel's dangerous hunts for answers and she used emotional blackmail to have her way. It was either 'let me be a human shield (against bruiser thugs with knives and guns who travel in packs) or you don't trust me and I can't marry you'.
Okay, that is out of my system now. I don't want it to seem that I can't accept characters who display flaws and must grow, but I guess it just felt contrived after what I saw in her before that. I loved Julia with no reservations until then and I really liked this couple together. Their romance and Daniel's seduction of Julia once he was trying to persuade her to marry him was fun and spicy. The plot kept my attention even with the mystery solved early on so I can definitely see myself reading more from this author. I can recommend this one for those who enjoy their historical romances light on the history and their romances with a pinch of spice.
My thanks to Net Galley and Penguin group for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Lady Julia Chandler has resolved that enough is enough. She's tired of all the speculation her extended betrothal to the Duke of Bedford has brought on and now that he's returned home she plans to accost him and bring him up to scratch. She encounters him earlier than expected near the ruins of a nearby estate that belonged to his brother. He's acting a bit different and welcomes her attempted seduction even as he warns her that she's making a mistake. Julia soon learns that she has unwittingly attempted to seduce Bedford's twin prodigal brother, Daniel, which will prove problematic if for no other reason than she enjoyed their shared kiss.
Daniel Bryant fled his home ten years earlier as a result of someone trying to kill him by setting fire to his home with him in it. His brother Edmund had made it clear just after their father's death that he was unwelcome and with no reason to stay, he set off to America with a school friend and made his fortune. As a result of receiving a brief mysterious note, he is back to discover the answers to questions he's had for years about why someone wanted him dead. He is sidetracked when he shares a kiss with Julia. It bothers him that she is engaged to his horrid brother and seems unwitting as to the true nature of her affianced. Daniel adds rescuing Julia to his list of things to do.
Once Daniel starts looking into the past, someone grows uneasy about what he will discover and his involvement with Julia does not go unnoticed by his brother who takes the opportunity to make Daniel and Julia pay by ruining Julia. Julia's eyes are opened, but now she determines that she can't accept Daniel being the answer to saving her from her ruination unless he confesses his love and she is determined to help him and his friends figure out what happened before and what information he possesses that is worth killing him over.
This one was lighter historical, but heavy on the romance and mystery. The plot was a fairly good one with the dual threads it was following. I was into Daniel's quest to get Julia away from his evil brother and the romance between them and I really liked puzzling out what it was that was causing his brother to race around hunting papers and cause people to want him dead. I actually figured it out not far into the story, but that was okay and I was willing to stick around and see how the characters would work it out. I really enjoyed exploring how great a fit Daniel and Julia were for each other. She was a strong woman who cared for her family and the family estate when others couldn't. She wasn't afraid to get a litle dirty to give relief to a poor family. And she planned to be strong and help the duke as a partner and not just a trophy wife. I totally admired all that about her.
But about half way through, I got irritated with Julia which seems to be my lot lately with heroines. She was so set on getting Bedford to marry her that she was willing to go way over the line of propriety to achieve this- so far, no big deal to me. Then she gets a bit flustered over Daniel and confused because she knows she can't take the betrothal with the duke lightly even if she is attracted to his younger brother- still not a problem and I enjoyed this dilemma. But then when she discovers the truth about her fiance's character and he acts against her, things change. Daniel makes a perfectly acceptable proposal to save her. She even likes him better than his brother and wants him, but...yes there is a but. She admits she never loved Bedford and was willing to take him and do her duty, but now suddenly she won't countenance accepting a proposal unless Daniel spouts his love for her and apparently all those loving actions of caring for her and her family, respect for her as a person and desire to keep her safe cry out something different to her. So based on her actions I must conclude that only cold-hearted scheming dukes get a free pass and a claim on her duty and affections (kidding sort of), but I get it. There wouldn't have been much tension in the romantic plot without this new barrier being thrown up. In and of itself, the sudden mulishness wouldn't have bothered me so much, but it was accompanied with other forms of mulishness. Suddenly, she had to be included in Daniel's dangerous hunts for answers and she used emotional blackmail to have her way. It was either 'let me be a human shield (against bruiser thugs with knives and guns who travel in packs) or you don't trust me and I can't marry you'.
Okay, that is out of my system now. I don't want it to seem that I can't accept characters who display flaws and must grow, but I guess it just felt contrived after what I saw in her before that. I loved Julia with no reservations until then and I really liked this couple together. Their romance and Daniel's seduction of Julia once he was trying to persuade her to marry him was fun and spicy. The plot kept my attention even with the mystery solved early on so I can definitely see myself reading more from this author. I can recommend this one for those who enjoy their historical romances light on the history and their romances with a pinch of spice.
My thanks to Net Galley and Penguin group for the opportunity to read and review this book.
June 14, 2015
A good historical romance, though some of the "mystery" surrounding Daniel and his brother was obvious to me as a reader, and was kind of surprising no one it put together in the book, either. Would consider picking up more of Victoria Morgan's books, though.
July 24, 2016
I gave this a B+ at AAR, so 4.5 stars
This is Ms Morgan’s second novel, following her superb début in 2012 with For the Love of a Soldier, which I enjoyed very much and raved about to anyone who would listen!
The Heart of a Duke is not related to the previous book and has a different feel overall, being much lighter on the history and concentrating more on the romance and the mystery. But it is equally as well-written, the central characters are just as engaging and well-rounded, and the romance is delightful.
Lady Julia Chandler has been engaged to Edmund Bryant, Duke of Bedford, for five years and is beginning to despair of ever making it to the altar – and I can’t say as I blame her! Bedford is rarely in residence at his nearby estate, preferring instead to spend the bulk of his time in London, so Julia hardly sees him. He’s very handsome, dashing and charming and she’s convinced she’s in love, but he’s never given her any clue as to his feelings. He’s never even kissed her in fact – and, on hearing that he’s returned to the vicinity, she determines to grab the bull by the horns, confront him and plant one on him to try to galvanize him into action as regards their marriage.
Throwing herself at him certainly does provoke a reaction, which would have been all to the purpose had the gentleman on the receiving end been the duke and not his twin brother, Lord Daniel Bryant. Daniel has spent the past ten years in America, having left England after his home had burned to the ground, almost killing him in the process. There were other reasons behind his decision to leave, too, reasons of which we are gradually made aware and which certainly bode ill for Daniel’s safety. He has long suspected that the fire at Lakewood Manor was no accident and that, combined with a number of smaller incidents dating back to his childhood, led him to believe the only way to escape these threats to his life was to leave the country.
The two brothers and Julia used to play together as children. Daniel was always the smaller of the twins and thus often the butt of his brother’s crueller jokes and his ire. Edmund always disliked his brother, never missing an opportunity to make life difficult or cause him injury, but as the heir to one of the most influential dukedoms in the country, most people seemed content to turn a blind eye. Only one person – Julia’s mother – voiced any concern as to the number of times Daniel appeared bruised or bloodied, but there was a prevailing opinion on the part of the men that the smaller boy needed to be toughened up.
Outwardly, Daniel is very like his brother – tall, dark and extremely handsome – but on the inside he is the complete opposite. Edmund disdains the land and sees his estates and workers as things to be exploited in order to enable him to live in the style to which he has been accustomed, whereas Daniel has a true feeling for his heritage and is appalled to discover that Edmund has been systematically running the estate into the ground. Daniel is innately considerate, where Edmund only shows kindness when he thinks it will get him what he wants – and Daniel wants Julia for herself while Edmund just wants a brood-mare with a large dowry that he can leave to rusticate while he continues to maintain his mistresses and to live the high life in London.
Julia at first refuses to admit an attraction to her fiancé’s brother. She loves Edmund – or so she believes – and when he finally arrives in Kent to host a large party, she is overjoyed and relieved to see him, believing she has found Daniel and his kisses so intoxicating because of his similarity to his brother.
When Daniel discovers that his rooms at the local inn have been searched, he realizes that Edmund is looking for something – but he doesn’t know what. Following a further search and another attempt on his life, Daniel knows he has to discover exactly why Edmund hates him so much, or he will be forever looking over his shoulder wondering when the next assassin will find him.
It wasn’t until about three-quarters of the way through that I finally hit upon the reasons behind Edmund’s hatred – but I freely admit to being someone who is not especially good at working out “whodunit”! That said, however, once I’d worked it out, I was able to remember all the little clues the author had planted throughout the rest of the book, nod my head wisely and say “oh, of course!” to myself – so I found the mystery element to be well thought-out and well-executed.
This strand of the story, although present throughout, comes to the fore in the second half, while the first concentrates more on the development of the relationship between Daniel and Julia. The fact that they knew each other as children means that things initially proceed quite quickly between them. There is no need for introductions, or to find ways for Daniel to be accepted into Julia’s home, and no eyebrows are raised at the idea of their riding around Bedford’s estate together to make an assessment of its problems and needs.
Both are engaging characters who share a sense of humor and a deep love for their land and homes. Julia has suffered her share of tragedy, having lost her mother fairly recently, and because of her father’s immersion in his own grief, she shouldered much of the burden of running the Taunton estate. Following hard on the heels of her mother’s death, her younger sister Emily discovered that her fiancé had been killed in India, a loss which drove her almost to the brink of insanity. Julia is therefore the family ‘fixer’, the one everyone else has depended upon – but who had nobody to look out for her. Fortunately, by the time the book begins, her father and sister are much restored, and I really enjoyed the author’s portrayal of a close and loving family unit, something which can be quite rare in the genre.
I thought the star of this particular show was Daniel because he absolutely carried the book. He’s gorgeous: constant, flirtatious, funny and just a little bit naughty – a winning combination as far as I’m concerned! – even though I felt I was being hit over the head rather too frequently with descriptions of his manly beauty and his lovely green eyes.
He’s taken with Julia from the outset and she with him, and because of their history and shared interests, it was easy to believe that they could fall for each other so quickly. I liked that Daniel had the good sense to let Julia reach her own conclusions as to Edmund’s true nature and that he was able to see straight away that she needed someone she could depend on. I was also pleased by the fact that the author didn’t use misunderstandings and secrets between the hero and heroine to create tension in the story. When Julia wants to know exactly what’s going on, Daniel tells her and makes it clear that any reluctance on his part to do so has nothing to do with a lack of trust and everything to do with keeping her safe.
That said, however, I did have a problem when, after Edmund has broken their engagement and ruined her socially as a result, Julia refuses to accept Daniel’s proposal of marriage as a way to mitigate the disaster. That did feel like an overly contrived way of introducing some conflict, and it only served to make me want to smack Julia around a bit. It’s not as if saving her from ruin is Daniel’s only reason for offering for her and she knows it. But having realized that she never loved Edmund, she’s decided that attraction isn’t enough and that she doesn’t want to marry without love. I can accept that – but not that she has no idea of Daniel’s true feelings towards her, even though he hasn’t said those three little words. She’d been prepared to marry a man who obviously didn’t think all that much of her because she saw it as her duty, yet she won’t accept one who is clearly besotted with her, whose overriding concern is to keep her safe, who clearly respects her as a person and never dismisses her opinion; and who is not above romping around the grounds playing with her five-year-old brother.
Color me stupid, but how many more ways could the man have shown her he loved her?
I also thought she was rather unreasonable in her insistence that Daniel allow her to become involved in his increasingly dangerous search for answers by insisting that not doing so would show he didn’t trust her and saying she could never marry a man who didn’t trust her.
She does redeem herself, however, and for the most part, I found her to be refreshingly uncomplicated and pragmatic.
The Heart of a Duke features some engaging secondary characters, most notably Daniel’s friend and sometime minder, Robbie, and his business partner, Brett Curtis. As with Ms Morgan’s previous book, the male friendships were well written and peppered with witty dialogue and affectionate – though manly (!) – teasing. It’s clear that Brett is interested in Julia’s sister, and I hope that will be further explored in a future book, as their story was left rather open-ended.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book although I have to say that I wasn’t as blown away by it as I was by For the Love of a Soldier. But don’t be put off by that, because The Heart of a Duke is an entertaining and well-written romance and I’m looking forward to reading more by this talented author.
This is Ms Morgan’s second novel, following her superb début in 2012 with For the Love of a Soldier, which I enjoyed very much and raved about to anyone who would listen!
The Heart of a Duke is not related to the previous book and has a different feel overall, being much lighter on the history and concentrating more on the romance and the mystery. But it is equally as well-written, the central characters are just as engaging and well-rounded, and the romance is delightful.
Lady Julia Chandler has been engaged to Edmund Bryant, Duke of Bedford, for five years and is beginning to despair of ever making it to the altar – and I can’t say as I blame her! Bedford is rarely in residence at his nearby estate, preferring instead to spend the bulk of his time in London, so Julia hardly sees him. He’s very handsome, dashing and charming and she’s convinced she’s in love, but he’s never given her any clue as to his feelings. He’s never even kissed her in fact – and, on hearing that he’s returned to the vicinity, she determines to grab the bull by the horns, confront him and plant one on him to try to galvanize him into action as regards their marriage.
Throwing herself at him certainly does provoke a reaction, which would have been all to the purpose had the gentleman on the receiving end been the duke and not his twin brother, Lord Daniel Bryant. Daniel has spent the past ten years in America, having left England after his home had burned to the ground, almost killing him in the process. There were other reasons behind his decision to leave, too, reasons of which we are gradually made aware and which certainly bode ill for Daniel’s safety. He has long suspected that the fire at Lakewood Manor was no accident and that, combined with a number of smaller incidents dating back to his childhood, led him to believe the only way to escape these threats to his life was to leave the country.
The two brothers and Julia used to play together as children. Daniel was always the smaller of the twins and thus often the butt of his brother’s crueller jokes and his ire. Edmund always disliked his brother, never missing an opportunity to make life difficult or cause him injury, but as the heir to one of the most influential dukedoms in the country, most people seemed content to turn a blind eye. Only one person – Julia’s mother – voiced any concern as to the number of times Daniel appeared bruised or bloodied, but there was a prevailing opinion on the part of the men that the smaller boy needed to be toughened up.
Outwardly, Daniel is very like his brother – tall, dark and extremely handsome – but on the inside he is the complete opposite. Edmund disdains the land and sees his estates and workers as things to be exploited in order to enable him to live in the style to which he has been accustomed, whereas Daniel has a true feeling for his heritage and is appalled to discover that Edmund has been systematically running the estate into the ground. Daniel is innately considerate, where Edmund only shows kindness when he thinks it will get him what he wants – and Daniel wants Julia for herself while Edmund just wants a brood-mare with a large dowry that he can leave to rusticate while he continues to maintain his mistresses and to live the high life in London.
Julia at first refuses to admit an attraction to her fiancé’s brother. She loves Edmund – or so she believes – and when he finally arrives in Kent to host a large party, she is overjoyed and relieved to see him, believing she has found Daniel and his kisses so intoxicating because of his similarity to his brother.
When Daniel discovers that his rooms at the local inn have been searched, he realizes that Edmund is looking for something – but he doesn’t know what. Following a further search and another attempt on his life, Daniel knows he has to discover exactly why Edmund hates him so much, or he will be forever looking over his shoulder wondering when the next assassin will find him.
It wasn’t until about three-quarters of the way through that I finally hit upon the reasons behind Edmund’s hatred – but I freely admit to being someone who is not especially good at working out “whodunit”! That said, however, once I’d worked it out, I was able to remember all the little clues the author had planted throughout the rest of the book, nod my head wisely and say “oh, of course!” to myself – so I found the mystery element to be well thought-out and well-executed.
This strand of the story, although present throughout, comes to the fore in the second half, while the first concentrates more on the development of the relationship between Daniel and Julia. The fact that they knew each other as children means that things initially proceed quite quickly between them. There is no need for introductions, or to find ways for Daniel to be accepted into Julia’s home, and no eyebrows are raised at the idea of their riding around Bedford’s estate together to make an assessment of its problems and needs.
Both are engaging characters who share a sense of humor and a deep love for their land and homes. Julia has suffered her share of tragedy, having lost her mother fairly recently, and because of her father’s immersion in his own grief, she shouldered much of the burden of running the Taunton estate. Following hard on the heels of her mother’s death, her younger sister Emily discovered that her fiancé had been killed in India, a loss which drove her almost to the brink of insanity. Julia is therefore the family ‘fixer’, the one everyone else has depended upon – but who had nobody to look out for her. Fortunately, by the time the book begins, her father and sister are much restored, and I really enjoyed the author’s portrayal of a close and loving family unit, something which can be quite rare in the genre.
I thought the star of this particular show was Daniel because he absolutely carried the book. He’s gorgeous: constant, flirtatious, funny and just a little bit naughty – a winning combination as far as I’m concerned! – even though I felt I was being hit over the head rather too frequently with descriptions of his manly beauty and his lovely green eyes.
He’s taken with Julia from the outset and she with him, and because of their history and shared interests, it was easy to believe that they could fall for each other so quickly. I liked that Daniel had the good sense to let Julia reach her own conclusions as to Edmund’s true nature and that he was able to see straight away that she needed someone she could depend on. I was also pleased by the fact that the author didn’t use misunderstandings and secrets between the hero and heroine to create tension in the story. When Julia wants to know exactly what’s going on, Daniel tells her and makes it clear that any reluctance on his part to do so has nothing to do with a lack of trust and everything to do with keeping her safe.
That said, however, I did have a problem when, after Edmund has broken their engagement and ruined her socially as a result, Julia refuses to accept Daniel’s proposal of marriage as a way to mitigate the disaster. That did feel like an overly contrived way of introducing some conflict, and it only served to make me want to smack Julia around a bit. It’s not as if saving her from ruin is Daniel’s only reason for offering for her and she knows it. But having realized that she never loved Edmund, she’s decided that attraction isn’t enough and that she doesn’t want to marry without love. I can accept that – but not that she has no idea of Daniel’s true feelings towards her, even though he hasn’t said those three little words. She’d been prepared to marry a man who obviously didn’t think all that much of her because she saw it as her duty, yet she won’t accept one who is clearly besotted with her, whose overriding concern is to keep her safe, who clearly respects her as a person and never dismisses her opinion; and who is not above romping around the grounds playing with her five-year-old brother.
Color me stupid, but how many more ways could the man have shown her he loved her?
I also thought she was rather unreasonable in her insistence that Daniel allow her to become involved in his increasingly dangerous search for answers by insisting that not doing so would show he didn’t trust her and saying she could never marry a man who didn’t trust her.
She does redeem herself, however, and for the most part, I found her to be refreshingly uncomplicated and pragmatic.
The Heart of a Duke features some engaging secondary characters, most notably Daniel’s friend and sometime minder, Robbie, and his business partner, Brett Curtis. As with Ms Morgan’s previous book, the male friendships were well written and peppered with witty dialogue and affectionate – though manly (!) – teasing. It’s clear that Brett is interested in Julia’s sister, and I hope that will be further explored in a future book, as their story was left rather open-ended.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book although I have to say that I wasn’t as blown away by it as I was by For the Love of a Soldier. But don’t be put off by that, because The Heart of a Duke is an entertaining and well-written romance and I’m looking forward to reading more by this talented author.
February 3, 2018
Avis mitigé sur ce livre. C'est une romance dite "historique" sympathique, agréable et facile à lire mais sans plus. Il m'a manqué ce petit grain de folie qu'on à la chance de rencontré parfois ...
L'histoire va tourner essentiellement autour de Daniel Bryant et de son frère jumeau Edmund qui ne se supportent pas. Alors qu'Edmund devien duc de Bedford, Daniel part aux Amériques dans l'espoir de faire fortune et d'échapper à de lourds secrets cachés.
Quelques années plus tard Daniel est de retour chez lui à Lakeview Manor, il est bien décidé à reconstruire la propriété ... et il tombe sur lady Julia, son amie d'enfance, dont le charme et l'audace pourraient bien le subjuguer... si elle n'était pas la fiancée de son frère.
En bref, ce livre est sans surprise mais agréable à lire et qui fait passer le temps !
L'histoire va tourner essentiellement autour de Daniel Bryant et de son frère jumeau Edmund qui ne se supportent pas. Alors qu'Edmund devien duc de Bedford, Daniel part aux Amériques dans l'espoir de faire fortune et d'échapper à de lourds secrets cachés.
Quelques années plus tard Daniel est de retour chez lui à Lakeview Manor, il est bien décidé à reconstruire la propriété ... et il tombe sur lady Julia, son amie d'enfance, dont le charme et l'audace pourraient bien le subjuguer... si elle n'était pas la fiancée de son frère.
En bref, ce livre est sans surprise mais agréable à lire et qui fait passer le temps !
December 20, 2013
Victoria Morgan's second historical romance, The Heart of a Duke is a typical regency novel, with a hint of mystery and a lot of passion. Morgan's ability to incorporate mystery into her history is exceptional. The Regency period comes to life under her pen. With plenty of witty banter and some amazing secondary characters, Morgan has created a timeless romance that will endear fans and entertain even the most staid readers. The Heart of a Duke may be Morgan's sophomore offering but it shows all the qualities of a seasoned novelist. A very good read for Regency fans!
What I liked:
The main couple in The Heart of the Duke, Daniel and Julia were so much fun to read about. She was determined to marry another man and he is seeking answers to ten year old mystery that might have resulted in his death had he not escaped.
I liked Julia a lot. She was strong willed and had a deep love for her family. She knew what she wanted and she certainly went for it. She just didn't know what she was getting herself into. Daniel wants to protect her and save her from his wicked brother, while also trying to figure out just what really happened before he left for America. They make a lovely couple who appears to really care about each other and respect each other.
I thought Morgan did an excellent job with the romantic aspects of this book. It was realistic and engaging. She lets the romance build between Daniel and Julia at a perfect pace. They have known each other for years and are starting out as friends, who eventually discover that there is more than friendship in their hearts. Julia has a period where she won't let Daniel come to her rescue that seems a bit out of character for her, but she eventually comes around.
Edmund was a very good villain type character. He was abusive to Daniel even when they were children. For whatever reason he has decided to put Julia off again and again on a wedding date and he certainly knows more than what he is willing to tell about what happened the night of the fire. He is a schemer for sure and readers will take a instant dislike to his attitude and demeanor. When he takes out his vengeance and ruins Julia, it was time for him to get his just rewards. I liked him a lot, in spite of the fact that he was a bad guy. He was very well written.
I loved the secondary characters from Daniels friends Robbie and Brett to Julia's sister and little brother, Emily and Jonathon. These characters add a lot to the plot and help move the story forward. I liked the fact that Morgan leaves the opportunity open for a second book about these characters by making Brett very intrigued with Emily. When an author can make the secondary characters almost as important as the main couple, I think that shows the mark of a good writer.
What I didn't like:
I had a bit of a problem with the mystery of this one. It was far too predictable. It was obvious to the reader early on what had happened ten years ago and why, though Daniel was a bit oblivious. I thought that Morgan could have thought more out of the box and made mystery aspects of the book more believable and hard to figure out. I felt a little cheated because it was too easy to figure out. But to be fair this novel is a romance not a mainstream mystery.
Bottom Line:
I loved the romantic parts of this book. They were well written and came across as heartfelt and believable, while the mystery was a little flat and one dimensional. The secondary characters shined almost as well as the main couple and there is potential for more books about these characters. I thought the author excelled in some areas, while lacking in others. I still really enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more from this author. It was good, but could have been better.
What I liked:
The main couple in The Heart of the Duke, Daniel and Julia were so much fun to read about. She was determined to marry another man and he is seeking answers to ten year old mystery that might have resulted in his death had he not escaped.
I liked Julia a lot. She was strong willed and had a deep love for her family. She knew what she wanted and she certainly went for it. She just didn't know what she was getting herself into. Daniel wants to protect her and save her from his wicked brother, while also trying to figure out just what really happened before he left for America. They make a lovely couple who appears to really care about each other and respect each other.
I thought Morgan did an excellent job with the romantic aspects of this book. It was realistic and engaging. She lets the romance build between Daniel and Julia at a perfect pace. They have known each other for years and are starting out as friends, who eventually discover that there is more than friendship in their hearts. Julia has a period where she won't let Daniel come to her rescue that seems a bit out of character for her, but she eventually comes around.
Edmund was a very good villain type character. He was abusive to Daniel even when they were children. For whatever reason he has decided to put Julia off again and again on a wedding date and he certainly knows more than what he is willing to tell about what happened the night of the fire. He is a schemer for sure and readers will take a instant dislike to his attitude and demeanor. When he takes out his vengeance and ruins Julia, it was time for him to get his just rewards. I liked him a lot, in spite of the fact that he was a bad guy. He was very well written.
I loved the secondary characters from Daniels friends Robbie and Brett to Julia's sister and little brother, Emily and Jonathon. These characters add a lot to the plot and help move the story forward. I liked the fact that Morgan leaves the opportunity open for a second book about these characters by making Brett very intrigued with Emily. When an author can make the secondary characters almost as important as the main couple, I think that shows the mark of a good writer.
What I didn't like:
I had a bit of a problem with the mystery of this one. It was far too predictable. It was obvious to the reader early on what had happened ten years ago and why, though Daniel was a bit oblivious. I thought that Morgan could have thought more out of the box and made mystery aspects of the book more believable and hard to figure out. I felt a little cheated because it was too easy to figure out. But to be fair this novel is a romance not a mainstream mystery.
Bottom Line:
I loved the romantic parts of this book. They were well written and came across as heartfelt and believable, while the mystery was a little flat and one dimensional. The secondary characters shined almost as well as the main couple and there is potential for more books about these characters. I thought the author excelled in some areas, while lacking in others. I still really enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more from this author. It was good, but could have been better.
December 9, 2013
This Regency begins with Lady Julia, the daughter of an earl, riding her horse to her fiancé’s estate to tell him that she is ready for marriage. They’ve been engaged for years, after growing up alongside each other. Julia put off the wedding after her mother died, and then after her sister’s fiancé died, because she spent her time taking care of sad people and semi-managing her grieving father’s estate. But now she’s ready.
Along the way, she runs into her fiancé, the Duke, and tells him that it’s time they kissed. And then get married. He’s reluctant to kiss her, but Julia won’t take no for an answer, so they share a fiery kiss. Afterwards, he confesses that he is not the Duke, but the Duke’s twin brother, Daniel, who has been in America for the past ten years. D’oh!
This is a promising beginning and set-up, but then things slow down. Daniel, of course, is hot for Julia, but he returned to England for other reasons. He spends a lot of time with his friend Robbie, catching up and making plans. Julia, of course, is hot for Daniel, but as a proper girl engaged to his twin, she can’t do anything about it, so she continually puts him out of her mind.
Daniel starts out as kind of a rakish character — kissing his brother’s girl, oh my! — but soon he seems larger-than-life good. And perfect. I don’t know, my head probably wasn’t in the right space when I read this, but I didn’t feel attracted to him so much as I felt that I should be attracted to him, you know?
And Julia is a very fine and noble woman, too. Even when circumstances change, allowing her to be with Daniel, she still tries to take the high road and look out for his best interests, thinking he should return to America. Later, when he convinces her that he’s not running away until he gets all of his questions answered, she agrees to think about being with him. But deep down she wrings her hands because he hasn’t spoken of love! What about love?!
Maybe that was my problem with this story, that I wasn’t emotionally connected with the characters. They were both very good and brave, everything they did was helpful and noble, the barriers to their relationship were easily overcome, and they chased after a bad guy who was very bad. Daniel really liked sweets and there was a long scene about “breaking the fast” with lemon treacle, and the lemon treacle was mentioned a lot, because the cook makes good lemon treacle, and this is just me being petty but I started to wonder when Daniel would get fat, given his lemon treacle fetish.
I think I would have enjoyed it better if the scenes of Daniel chasing bad guys were much shorter, and if there’d been a little more wickedness in his interactions with Julia. Maybe I have a thing for bad boys that wasn’t satisfied by this book. So, I don’t know, is it me? Is it the book?
Rating: C+
This review originally posted on Red Hot Books at: http://redhotbooks.com/2013/12/review...
Along the way, she runs into her fiancé, the Duke, and tells him that it’s time they kissed. And then get married. He’s reluctant to kiss her, but Julia won’t take no for an answer, so they share a fiery kiss. Afterwards, he confesses that he is not the Duke, but the Duke’s twin brother, Daniel, who has been in America for the past ten years. D’oh!
This is a promising beginning and set-up, but then things slow down. Daniel, of course, is hot for Julia, but he returned to England for other reasons. He spends a lot of time with his friend Robbie, catching up and making plans. Julia, of course, is hot for Daniel, but as a proper girl engaged to his twin, she can’t do anything about it, so she continually puts him out of her mind.
Daniel starts out as kind of a rakish character — kissing his brother’s girl, oh my! — but soon he seems larger-than-life good. And perfect. I don’t know, my head probably wasn’t in the right space when I read this, but I didn’t feel attracted to him so much as I felt that I should be attracted to him, you know?
And Julia is a very fine and noble woman, too. Even when circumstances change, allowing her to be with Daniel, she still tries to take the high road and look out for his best interests, thinking he should return to America. Later, when he convinces her that he’s not running away until he gets all of his questions answered, she agrees to think about being with him. But deep down she wrings her hands because he hasn’t spoken of love! What about love?!
Maybe that was my problem with this story, that I wasn’t emotionally connected with the characters. They were both very good and brave, everything they did was helpful and noble, the barriers to their relationship were easily overcome, and they chased after a bad guy who was very bad. Daniel really liked sweets and there was a long scene about “breaking the fast” with lemon treacle, and the lemon treacle was mentioned a lot, because the cook makes good lemon treacle, and this is just me being petty but I started to wonder when Daniel would get fat, given his lemon treacle fetish.
I think I would have enjoyed it better if the scenes of Daniel chasing bad guys were much shorter, and if there’d been a little more wickedness in his interactions with Julia. Maybe I have a thing for bad boys that wasn’t satisfied by this book. So, I don’t know, is it me? Is it the book?
Rating: C+
This review originally posted on Red Hot Books at: http://redhotbooks.com/2013/12/review...
November 16, 2013
My review cross-posted from Wit and Sin: http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2013/11...
Lady Julia Chandler is tired of waiting for her fiancé to remember to marry her. She’s known Edmund, Duke of Bedford, all her life and thus has no compunction about tracking down the man in his own home and kissing him until he’s ready to post the banns. Fate seems to be smiling on Julia, for on her way to find the “Damned Duke,” she crosses paths with him. There’s just one thing she doesn’t know…
After years abroad, Lord Daniel Bryant has come home to face his evil twin, find out who tried to kill him ten years ago, and uncover the meaning of a cryptic note from his late father’s solicitor. Of all the surprises that await him, none are more shocking than his brother’s fiancée throwing herself at him. When they were younger, Daniel cared for Julia. His affection for her quickly turns into more upon meeting her again. Daniel knows he cannot let Julia marry Edmund, but if he claims her for her own, she might be caught in the crosshairs when Daniel’s unknown enemy attacks.
A dashing hero, a spirited heroine, and a crazed assailant make The Heart of a Duke a lively tale. Victoria Morgan charms readers with her delightful characters even as the story suffers somewhat from extreme predictability. It’s impossible not to like Daniel and Julia, and their romance is both sweet and quietly sensual. Where The Heart of a Duke falls short for me is in the mystery plotline. The answers Daniel returns to England to seek seemed glaringly obvious to me and every twist the story took was so blatantly choreographed that I was left feeling disappointed. As for the story’s villain, sadly Edmund was a maniacal black-hatted type, and I truly wished there had been some shades of grey to his character.
Julia’s family and Daniel’s friends add sparkle to The Heart of a Duke, particularly handsome American Brett and Julia’s sister, Emily. The chemistry between Brett and Emily left me hungry for more, and I dearly hope that Ms. Morgan plans to write a story for these two. If I hadn’t been able to foresee the book’s climax from the beginning, I think I would have adored The Heart of a Duke. As it stands, I did like romance and the tale’s good guys had me smiling more often than not. If Ms. Morgan writes a book for Emily and Brett, I’ll definitely be first in line to buy it.
Lady Julia Chandler is tired of waiting for her fiancé to remember to marry her. She’s known Edmund, Duke of Bedford, all her life and thus has no compunction about tracking down the man in his own home and kissing him until he’s ready to post the banns. Fate seems to be smiling on Julia, for on her way to find the “Damned Duke,” she crosses paths with him. There’s just one thing she doesn’t know…
After years abroad, Lord Daniel Bryant has come home to face his evil twin, find out who tried to kill him ten years ago, and uncover the meaning of a cryptic note from his late father’s solicitor. Of all the surprises that await him, none are more shocking than his brother’s fiancée throwing herself at him. When they were younger, Daniel cared for Julia. His affection for her quickly turns into more upon meeting her again. Daniel knows he cannot let Julia marry Edmund, but if he claims her for her own, she might be caught in the crosshairs when Daniel’s unknown enemy attacks.
A dashing hero, a spirited heroine, and a crazed assailant make The Heart of a Duke a lively tale. Victoria Morgan charms readers with her delightful characters even as the story suffers somewhat from extreme predictability. It’s impossible not to like Daniel and Julia, and their romance is both sweet and quietly sensual. Where The Heart of a Duke falls short for me is in the mystery plotline. The answers Daniel returns to England to seek seemed glaringly obvious to me and every twist the story took was so blatantly choreographed that I was left feeling disappointed. As for the story’s villain, sadly Edmund was a maniacal black-hatted type, and I truly wished there had been some shades of grey to his character.
Julia’s family and Daniel’s friends add sparkle to The Heart of a Duke, particularly handsome American Brett and Julia’s sister, Emily. The chemistry between Brett and Emily left me hungry for more, and I dearly hope that Ms. Morgan plans to write a story for these two. If I hadn’t been able to foresee the book’s climax from the beginning, I think I would have adored The Heart of a Duke. As it stands, I did like romance and the tale’s good guys had me smiling more often than not. If Ms. Morgan writes a book for Emily and Brett, I’ll definitely be first in line to buy it.
January 14, 2014
A thrilling novel of mystery, betrayal, and claiming a destiny. When Lady Julia decides to take matters into her on hand regarding her engagement to the Duke of Bedford, she accidentally kisses his long-lost twin broth Daniel. And what a kiss it was! When feelings emerge, Julia must fight to deny them or shame her family and ruin her name by breaking her engagement. Daniel isn’t about to let his cruel hearted brother become the husband of the innocent Lady Julia, especially now that he’s had a taste of her warmth. As Daniel fights to save Lady Julia from a loveless marriage and a villainous husband, he must also work to uncover the truth about the fire that sent him away ten years ago. Using what resources he has, he and Julia begin to uncover the truth about Edmund, the Duke of Bedford, but there are secrets that are determined to remain hidden. Secrets that someone is willing to kill over. Can Daniel and Julia find out the true meaning of the cryptic note? And can they find a way to be together, despite her betrothal to his brother?
If you’re looking for a novel that’s full of adventure, twists, turns and deceit then look no further! I simply adored Julia and Daniel’s characters and the plot of this novel was very well developed as well. I particularly love a novel with an evil twin, especially when the twin gets what’s coming to him! This book is incredibly entertaining, and I especially enjoyed the way both twins pretended to be each other in order to gather information. While the plot of this novel was somewhat predictable, Julia and Daniel’s subterfuge was brilliant and I just kept turning page after page! Definitely a fun, entertaining read by Victoria Morgan.
Rating: 4
Heat Rating: Mild
Reviewed by AprilP
Courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
If you’re looking for a novel that’s full of adventure, twists, turns and deceit then look no further! I simply adored Julia and Daniel’s characters and the plot of this novel was very well developed as well. I particularly love a novel with an evil twin, especially when the twin gets what’s coming to him! This book is incredibly entertaining, and I especially enjoyed the way both twins pretended to be each other in order to gather information. While the plot of this novel was somewhat predictable, Julia and Daniel’s subterfuge was brilliant and I just kept turning page after page! Definitely a fun, entertaining read by Victoria Morgan.
Rating: 4
Heat Rating: Mild
Reviewed by AprilP
Courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
January 10, 2014
What a boring boring stretched out story....the author really needs to work on her story building and character sketching. For a romantic story there wasn't any chemistry whatsoever in the lead pair...I actually skipped over the part when they finally do get together.
This regency story starts with the heroine Lady Julia getting desperate to fulfill her long engagement with the Duke of Bedford, Edmund. She has been waiting for him to fulfil the engagement and at the age of 23 feels she is overdue for her marriage. She plans on getting his attention by kissing him and making him commit to marriage when she runs in to him. He is reluctant to kiss her but she persists and after a fiery ( didn't really seem so while reading) he tells her that he is not her duke but his twin. From there you can make out most of the story line. She is angry with him and slaps him and for some reason that makes the guy fall for her and he makes a promise to himself to get her in his life. The twin whose name is Daniel has been away from the country for last ten years ( has a shipping business in America) and has come back following a letter from his father's solicitor. He has escaped a murder attempt 10 years back when he was in England ( hence moved to America) and also wants to figure out the person behind that attempt.
Considering this is just the second book of the author I hope she will work on her story writing a bit more so as to at least make the reader retain interest during the steamy scenes ( I actually skimmed the pages of those scenes in a romantic novel...can you believe that), at the end of it I was skipping more pages than actually reading them.
For the entire review you can also visit my blogspot http://emilybookreview.blogspot.com.au/
This regency story starts with the heroine Lady Julia getting desperate to fulfill her long engagement with the Duke of Bedford, Edmund. She has been waiting for him to fulfil the engagement and at the age of 23 feels she is overdue for her marriage. She plans on getting his attention by kissing him and making him commit to marriage when she runs in to him. He is reluctant to kiss her but she persists and after a fiery ( didn't really seem so while reading) he tells her that he is not her duke but his twin. From there you can make out most of the story line. She is angry with him and slaps him and for some reason that makes the guy fall for her and he makes a promise to himself to get her in his life. The twin whose name is Daniel has been away from the country for last ten years ( has a shipping business in America) and has come back following a letter from his father's solicitor. He has escaped a murder attempt 10 years back when he was in England ( hence moved to America) and also wants to figure out the person behind that attempt.
Considering this is just the second book of the author I hope she will work on her story writing a bit more so as to at least make the reader retain interest during the steamy scenes ( I actually skimmed the pages of those scenes in a romantic novel...can you believe that), at the end of it I was skipping more pages than actually reading them.
For the entire review you can also visit my blogspot http://emilybookreview.blogspot.com.au/
December 13, 2013
4.5 Stars!
Lady Julia Chandler is the daughter of an Earl, betrothed to a duke, Edmund Bedford. To most she is living a wonderful life and she would believe it, if only her groom would come back to her and decide on a date for their marriage. To be fair, Julia postponed the wedding twice because of her family but that was a while ago and she is more than ready to be married. When she hears he is finally home she goes to see him, is it fortunate or unfortunate that she meets his twin Daniel, newly returned from Boston instead of Edmund?
Daniel was a sickly baby and not expected to live and Edmund was the more robust future duke. While the two were growing up Edmund had a mean streak and was abusive to Daniel and when their father died and Daniel’s home, Lakeview Manor burned to the ground with him in it, he left for America and a new life, always wondering if the fire had been deliberately set. Ten years later he receives a letter from his father's solicitor that states "come home and claim your destiny”.
Daniel always liked Julia and knows she deserves better than Edmund he just needs to convince her. While Edmund is away, Daniel tries to solve the mystery of what happened years ago with the help of his friends Robbie and Brett and when Julia is caught in a compromising position and Edmund is furious things get dangerous for them all.
I love historical romances and when you add a bit of mystery, intrigue and danger it just makes it that much more enjoyable.
Complete review at:Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind
Copy from publisher for an honest review
Lady Julia Chandler is the daughter of an Earl, betrothed to a duke, Edmund Bedford. To most she is living a wonderful life and she would believe it, if only her groom would come back to her and decide on a date for their marriage. To be fair, Julia postponed the wedding twice because of her family but that was a while ago and she is more than ready to be married. When she hears he is finally home she goes to see him, is it fortunate or unfortunate that she meets his twin Daniel, newly returned from Boston instead of Edmund?
Daniel was a sickly baby and not expected to live and Edmund was the more robust future duke. While the two were growing up Edmund had a mean streak and was abusive to Daniel and when their father died and Daniel’s home, Lakeview Manor burned to the ground with him in it, he left for America and a new life, always wondering if the fire had been deliberately set. Ten years later he receives a letter from his father's solicitor that states "come home and claim your destiny”.
Daniel always liked Julia and knows she deserves better than Edmund he just needs to convince her. While Edmund is away, Daniel tries to solve the mystery of what happened years ago with the help of his friends Robbie and Brett and when Julia is caught in a compromising position and Edmund is furious things get dangerous for them all.
I love historical romances and when you add a bit of mystery, intrigue and danger it just makes it that much more enjoyable.
Complete review at:Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind
Copy from publisher for an honest review
May 5, 2016
L'intégralité de ma chronique ici: http://lune-et-plume.fr/de-cendres-et...
[...]Si la première partie est un peu trop lente et longue pour moi, j’ai beaucoup apprécié la seconde partie qui m’a entraînée jusqu’à la fin (comme dans Pour l’amour d’un soldat finalement). Le héros est drôle, survolté, intelligent, décidé (et amoureux). L’héroïne est fougueuse, tendre, têtue, indépendante. Le méchant lui est un vrai fou, totalement déjanté, un maniaque des plus sombres. La famille de Julia et les amis de Daniel apportent au roman un vrai plus, une touche de gaité, de tendresse, d’humour, de bienveillance. Des personnages charmants (ou pas du tout) mais qui malheureusement ne sont pas servis par une intrigue surprenante. Dès le départ, j’ai deviné qui était le coupable et surtout pourquoi. Il me manquait juste quelques détails de l’enquête et de comment cela a été découvert par nos protagonistes.
C’est vraiment dommage parce que l’écriture de Victoria Morgan est vraiment agréable et une fois lancée j’ai passé un très bon moment. L’auteure prend le temps de construire ses personnages, de leur offrir une vraie personnalité, bien à eux et de nous la faire découvrir. L’histoire d’amour entre Daniel et Julia est pleine de tendresse, de douceur mais aussi extrêmement drôle par moment. Pour le coup, elle, elle est vraiment réussie. Pour vraiment savourer ma lecture j’aurais peut-être apprécié un peu plus de mystères et de surprises (je deviens très pointilleuse, je m’en rends bien compte). [...]
[...]Si la première partie est un peu trop lente et longue pour moi, j’ai beaucoup apprécié la seconde partie qui m’a entraînée jusqu’à la fin (comme dans Pour l’amour d’un soldat finalement). Le héros est drôle, survolté, intelligent, décidé (et amoureux). L’héroïne est fougueuse, tendre, têtue, indépendante. Le méchant lui est un vrai fou, totalement déjanté, un maniaque des plus sombres. La famille de Julia et les amis de Daniel apportent au roman un vrai plus, une touche de gaité, de tendresse, d’humour, de bienveillance. Des personnages charmants (ou pas du tout) mais qui malheureusement ne sont pas servis par une intrigue surprenante. Dès le départ, j’ai deviné qui était le coupable et surtout pourquoi. Il me manquait juste quelques détails de l’enquête et de comment cela a été découvert par nos protagonistes.
C’est vraiment dommage parce que l’écriture de Victoria Morgan est vraiment agréable et une fois lancée j’ai passé un très bon moment. L’auteure prend le temps de construire ses personnages, de leur offrir une vraie personnalité, bien à eux et de nous la faire découvrir. L’histoire d’amour entre Daniel et Julia est pleine de tendresse, de douceur mais aussi extrêmement drôle par moment. Pour le coup, elle, elle est vraiment réussie. Pour vraiment savourer ma lecture j’aurais peut-être apprécié un peu plus de mystères et de surprises (je deviens très pointilleuse, je m’en rends bien compte). [...]
December 16, 2013
There is a new romance author on the shelves to enjoy and her name is Victoria Morgan!!!
Lady Julia Chandler is tired of waiting, there are bets at Whites about her engagement. When she hears that the Duke is back in town, she races over to meet and confront him. Lord Daniel Bryant is back from America and accosted by his twin brother's fiancee with a kiss that will not escape his memory. A case of mistaken identity, but not a mistake.
Daniel spent ten years away after an attempt on his life. A cryptic letter brought him back and a young girl he once knew has grown up to bring life back into his beating heart, it seems like his to do list has gotten very long :
1. Stop Julia from marrying his brother, Edmund
2. Find out who tried to kill him
3. Rebuild Lakeview Manor
4. Find out who is currently trying to kill him
5. Find out what the cryptic letter "claiming destiny" is about
6. Get Julia to marry him
Shouldn't be too hard.
Love. Love. Love. You will not just fall for Daniel and Julia, the quick wit, the way they are matched for each other, or the storyline filled with action, adventure, and romance (and great back stories for the characters), but you also fall for the secondary characters like Robbie, Brett, Emily, and more.
This is an author to look and keep and eye out for - fresh and talented, you'll be sure to enjoy!
****** This is a First Reads *** Thank You Goodreads ******
September 7, 2016
Que c'était long ! Je n'en voyais plus le bout... Daniel, en anti-héros censé faire frémir le cœur de l'héroïne, m'a laissée totalement froide. Le genre de gars un rien enfantin, qui rougit et gigote comme une donzelle... Et ce n'est pas la faute de l'auteur, pourtant, qui s'évertue à nous le montrer dans sa chemise lâche flottant sur des cuisses divinement musclées, tout auréolé d'une mâle puissance (ah bon?) et d'un regard vert étincelant. Oui, humpff...
Quant à l'héroïne, comment s'appelle-t-elle déjà??, elle m'a vite insupportée. Péremptoire, sans nuance, soi-disant parée de toutes les qualités de la terre (elle sait administrer un domaine mieux qu'un intendant, tire au pistolet, sue sang et eau pour ses proches,...)... Bref, une vraie tête-à-claque.
Des relations à l'emporte-pièces, je te veux, ben non, finalement, ah si, quand même, les galipettes, ça m'intéresse, oui, mais il / elle ne m'aime pas... Arglll... Du manque de communication... Du vrai, du pur... Mais parlez-vous, bon sang, et qu'on en finisse !
Et des longueurs... des longueurs... Et une intrigue dont on devine le pourquoi très très vite... Bref, un petit roman acceptable si on n'a que ça à lire... Mais on peut s'en passer, je pense.
Je crois que je l'ai bien noté?!?
Quant à l'héroïne, comment s'appelle-t-elle déjà??, elle m'a vite insupportée. Péremptoire, sans nuance, soi-disant parée de toutes les qualités de la terre (elle sait administrer un domaine mieux qu'un intendant, tire au pistolet, sue sang et eau pour ses proches,...)... Bref, une vraie tête-à-claque.
Des relations à l'emporte-pièces, je te veux, ben non, finalement, ah si, quand même, les galipettes, ça m'intéresse, oui, mais il / elle ne m'aime pas... Arglll... Du manque de communication... Du vrai, du pur... Mais parlez-vous, bon sang, et qu'on en finisse !
Et des longueurs... des longueurs... Et une intrigue dont on devine le pourquoi très très vite... Bref, un petit roman acceptable si on n'a que ça à lire... Mais on peut s'en passer, je pense.
Je crois que je l'ai bien noté?!?
December 18, 2013
3.5 stars
I was very pleasantly surprised by The Heart of a Duke. This is the first book by Victoria Morgan that I've read, but I will definitely add the first book in this series and her future books to my TBR pile. The Heart of a Duke has a somewhat slow start, but once it gets going, it's an excellent blend of mystery, suspense and romance. The plot develops in an intelligent and interesting way and, even though I figured out the ultimate mystery fairly early on, I was surprised more than once by the twists and turns in Daniel and Julia's journey toward discovering the truth and getting their much-deserved HEA. The secondary characters, especially Daniel's friends, Brett and Robbie, and Julia's sister, Emily, are also enjoyable additions to the story. Hopefully the author will revisit Brett and Emily in a future book or novella.
Thank you to the GoodReads First Reads program and Penguin Books for providing an advanced copy of the book!
I was very pleasantly surprised by The Heart of a Duke. This is the first book by Victoria Morgan that I've read, but I will definitely add the first book in this series and her future books to my TBR pile. The Heart of a Duke has a somewhat slow start, but once it gets going, it's an excellent blend of mystery, suspense and romance. The plot develops in an intelligent and interesting way and, even though I figured out the ultimate mystery fairly early on, I was surprised more than once by the twists and turns in Daniel and Julia's journey toward discovering the truth and getting their much-deserved HEA. The secondary characters, especially Daniel's friends, Brett and Robbie, and Julia's sister, Emily, are also enjoyable additions to the story. Hopefully the author will revisit Brett and Emily in a future book or novella.
Thank you to the GoodReads First Reads program and Penguin Books for providing an advanced copy of the book!
December 12, 2013
This book had a lot of potential, but it didn't live up to it.
It took too much for something really important or exciting to happen and then it all felt very mild.
Also, for some reason, I didn't feel like I was reading a historical romance. I'm ot sure what to think about that~.
It is an entertaining book for those who want something light to read, though.
January 7, 2014
Daniel and Julia were childhood friends; she is now engaged to his twin brother, the Duke. Daniel had been living in America for quite a few years but received a cryptic message to come back. They meet, he is mistaken for his brother by Julia, they are seen, she is ruined and yes there is a villain. Pretty easy to figure out. Nice afternoon read.
February 4, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. I fell in love with the two main characters pretty quickly and just loved the ending. I must admit I stayed up late again finishing this.It read pretty fast and was hard to put down. The characters were believable and made me chuckle a time or two. Overall it was a great read.
Want to read
December 3, 2013Full review at Penelope's Romance Reviews (review by Stephanie Kay)...
"Mistaken identities and kissing. How can you go wrong with that?"
Full review and book give-away at PRR... http://www.pennyromance.com/2013/12/r...
"Mistaken identities and kissing. How can you go wrong with that?"
Full review and book give-away at PRR... http://www.pennyromance.com/2013/12/r...
Read
December 17, 2013the plot was okay. characters were okay. they were cool. everything was good. the problem is . . . me. i wasn't in the mood so i skipped a lot of pages (that's why i didn't give this a rating- it wouldn't be fair).
July 2, 2016
Nous avons tous les ingrédients pour passer un bon moment. Une héroïne intrépide, forte tête et très attachante. Un personnage masculin plein de charme, d’humour et trait d’esprit. Une histoire de jumeaux diabolique avec une enquête en trame de fond.
July 24, 2016
Well-paced and a very enjoyable read
A very well-paced and enjoyable read. For lovers of historical romances, all should enjoy this. The heroine was strong, confident and capable but not obnoxious. The hero showed enough vulnerability without crossing the line to whiny.
A very well-paced and enjoyable read. For lovers of historical romances, all should enjoy this. The heroine was strong, confident and capable but not obnoxious. The hero showed enough vulnerability without crossing the line to whiny.
March 25, 2017
Good writing, nice story. Nothing new or ground-breaking, but a pleasant read.
May 12, 2014
I tried and tried, but I could not get into this. I ended up skimming pieces and parts, but ...
December 24, 2013
Free of the forced drama through misunderstanding that can pop up in romances, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Ruination never sounded so good!
December 12, 2013
I loved this book. Not only does it have romance but it also has mystery and suspense. It will keep you guessing. I hope there will be another like this one.
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