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A Deviant Spinster for the Duke: A Historical Regency Romance Novel
“Obey my every word and men will worship at your feet…”
Too outspoken for her own good, Valeria is desperate for a match. Until she stops a scandal and now she’s owed a favor by the most powerful man in England…
Duke Duncan never lets a debt go unpaid. So he offers to give Valeria exactly what she a suitor. And making her irresistible is a challenge he can’t back down from.
Yet the more he tries to teach her obedience, the more he starts craving her defiance. So instead of making her a Diamond of the First Water, he’d much rather make her his…
*If you like powerful Dukes, loving Duchesses and a marvelous depiction of the majestic Regency and Victorian era, then A Deviant Spinster for the Duke is the novel for you.
An enchanting regency romance of 80,000 words (around 400 pages), written by Tiffany Baton and published by Cobalt Fairy.
No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a sweet happily ever after.
Grab "A Deviant Spinster for the Duke" today to discover Tiffany's fantastic story!
Too outspoken for her own good, Valeria is desperate for a match. Until she stops a scandal and now she’s owed a favor by the most powerful man in England…
Duke Duncan never lets a debt go unpaid. So he offers to give Valeria exactly what she a suitor. And making her irresistible is a challenge he can’t back down from.
Yet the more he tries to teach her obedience, the more he starts craving her defiance. So instead of making her a Diamond of the First Water, he’d much rather make her his…
*If you like powerful Dukes, loving Duchesses and a marvelous depiction of the majestic Regency and Victorian era, then A Deviant Spinster for the Duke is the novel for you.
An enchanting regency romance of 80,000 words (around 400 pages), written by Tiffany Baton and published by Cobalt Fairy.
No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a sweet happily ever after.
Grab "A Deviant Spinster for the Duke" today to discover Tiffany's fantastic story!
430 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 2, 2025
203 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Tiffany Baton
73 books79 followersLike all true romantics, Tiffany had always been fascinated by the great love stories of the past. The only child of two historians, she had always felt a pull towards British History and the epics that it spawned. But, instead of following in her parent’s footsteps, Tiffany chose to express her love of history in her own way: by writing about her favorite era.
After obtaining a degree in English Literature, Tiffany decided to write her first book and never looked back. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys spending time with her own Prince Charming, and their two beautiful children, enjoying Massachusetts’ natural wonders.
Hop on for a unique journey in Regency England, filled with intensity and heartwarming romance. Let Tiffany’s words bring the enchanting heroes of an era long gone back to life and charm their way into your heart!
After obtaining a degree in English Literature, Tiffany decided to write her first book and never looked back. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys spending time with her own Prince Charming, and their two beautiful children, enjoying Massachusetts’ natural wonders.
Hop on for a unique journey in Regency England, filled with intensity and heartwarming romance. Let Tiffany’s words bring the enchanting heroes of an era long gone back to life and charm their way into your heart!
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 4, 2025
This is a strange book. The plot is from Pygmalion (as is “My Fair Lady”) with the duke playing Pygmalion (or Henry Higgins) and the deviant spinster playing Galatea (or Eliza Doolittle).
Duncan Lock is the Duke of Thornhill. Valeria Maxwell is the spinster. She and her father, Aaron, have entrée into the ton, but he appears to be a man of business, not a peer. Aaron Maxwell is nearly destitute because he’s loaned money to anyone who’s asked, after which the recipients of such largesse disappear out of Aaron’s life. His daughter will have to marry a rich man to save their home and bring them out of poverty.
The duke is an equal opportunity hedonist who is both handsome and rich, a requirement for many heroes. Valeria “rescues” the duke from the clutches of a young woman attempting to trap him in the parson’s noose and for this, he now owes her a debt. He tells Valeria he was aware of the woman’s intentions, but still insists that he owes her a debt, and he always pays his debts. He thinks she’ll ask him for a kiss. Instead, she asks him to help her find a rich husband. She doesn’t tell him why, but this self-centered scoundrel could have figured it out if he’d chosen to take the time away from his pursuits.
We are shown no good or kind aspects of the duke. He plays the role of a cad, and he has his role down pat. His behaviors are outlandish. He gives only to get something in return. Part of his matchmaking debt involves changing Valeria’s demeanor, so she’ll stop frightening men away. He gifts her with two dresses that are finer than any the ton ladies might wear. His self-serving thoughts and behavior make a reader wary of his motives because he lusts after Valeria scene after scene after scene.
I found nothing to like in the rogue-duke, nor could I sympathize with Valeria. He commands and she obeys, even when it puts her in danger. The duke has Valeria walking the streets at all hours of the night coming to his home in Mayfair, and she is silly enough to go to him every time he tells her “Come to me.” She’s always in a temper, consciously aware that he is playing with her, but she doesn’t stay away. Never, in all her nocturnal visits, did the duke have a care for her safety.
During one visit, Valeria maintains that he “made [her] traipse across half of Mayfair alone” (in the dead of night, I might add). His response? “Made you? … You did not have to accept it.”
Another time, the duke tells Valeria, “Sending you away from my residence was the honorable thing to do.” No, it wasn’t. Sending her away in a carriage—even a hackney—would have been the honorable thing. Instead, he sent her out a side door and into the streets…alone.
He is no hero. He is a cad.
At one point I had hopes that she was growing a backbone when she “nearly turned on her heel and slammed out of the front doors.” She didn’t leave…how I wish she would have!
There are some oddities that cause a reader to stop and ponder. For instance:
There is an interesting turn of phrase the writer uses: “…was not necessarily on the cards for Valeria.” This is the British idiom for the North American expression, “in the cards.” It isn’t wrong, but I’m dubious of the phrase used in this context. The writer says, “not necessarily,” but the meaning behind both phrases is that something is destined to happen – this goes beyond the realm of possibility and implies a preordained event. This meaning is at odds with the “not necessarily” phrase (IMHO). At any rate, it made me stop and think about it, taking me out of the story.
There’s another word that I believe is used incorrectly: “…a glass or two of punch that has been liberally doused with brandy…” Doused? That means to plunge into water, or to make something/someone wet by pouring liquid over it/them…or to put out a fire. I think the word should be “dosed,” perhaps? “…punch that has been liberally dosed with brandy…”
The use of another questionable word halted reading: “…not until Lord Sandford carks it, anyway.” What does that even mean? In context, the writer is telling us that Lord Sandford is old, feeble, and about to kick the bucket. But that’s not what “cark” means. It’s an old word, from Middle English (carken), an intransitive verb meaning to be anxious or worried. It’s the wrong word used in the wrong way. I’m not sure what the writer wants to convey with the word, but it gets in the way of the story.
Another incorrect word is employed: “…she could steel feel the steading grip of his hands…” Steel feel? Funny, but no. I think that should be, “…she could still feel the steadying grip…”
An anachronism interrupts the story: “An older lady with lacquered gray hair…” Hmmm. Lacquer, aka hairspray, was developed in Europe in the 1920s, about 100 years after the Regency era.
The duke, a grown man of (sic) refinement and taste, calls himself “Lockie?” He signs his notes to Valeria with that nickname, and others call him by the name. It doesn’t fit. It’s too cute. This man is many things, but “cute” isn’t one of them.
One of Valeria’s dearest friends, Amelia, is married to a man who loves her as much as she loves him. They are attentive to each other and the impression of the two is that they are very much in love and aware of one another. It comes as a shock, then, when we’re told that Amelia was “oblivious to her husband’s odd behavior.” It doesn’t resonate with their marriage. She wouldn’t be oblivious to him or to his behaviors.
There are superfluous question marks: “No one says, “Goodness… The first quotation marks need to be removed.
The wrong verb tense is used: “She need to see his sincerity…” That should read, “She needs to see his sincerity…”
The ending is implausible, but only because it is on us all of a sudden. The duke has been portrayed as a wastrel, a rake/rogue/scoundrel and his behavior has demonstrated these labels. He has some issues from the past that affect his behavior, but it is only in the final chapter that he deals with them, does an about face, and suddenly becomes a good man. Nope. Not buying it.
The irony is that this is a tediously slow-moving book that repeats scenes and actions, so there is no mystery about the duke and the spinster. At chapter 23, the 53% completion mark, I was ready for the book to end. The back and forth between the duke and the spinster had gotten old and predictable. Each visit, each interaction, each conversation was obvious, and its outcome expected. There was no thrill, no wonderment about these two. Their behavior towards each other had become banal.
I rated this book 2-stars. The writing style is good and easy to read – Ms. Baton is a good storyteller who splits viewpoints (POVs) without head-hopping. It was the characters who ruined the plot which should have been attention-grabbing. I also have a difficult time swallowing the need for a “prequel chapter” that a reader must go to another website to download and read. We’re told in a blurb from the writer that it “will help you understand and visualize the story inside my book better.” Yeah? If it’s that important for understanding/visualizing the story, then it needs to be included in the book. This seems to be a gimmick pushed by the publisher, Cobalt Fairy. Another trait of this publisher is the lack of a copyright. That makes me skeptical. Why no copyright? It’s odd. Ms. Baton’s style will no doubt lead me to her next book, and I hope—most sincerely—that the characters and plot live up to her exceptional style.
Duncan Lock is the Duke of Thornhill. Valeria Maxwell is the spinster. She and her father, Aaron, have entrée into the ton, but he appears to be a man of business, not a peer. Aaron Maxwell is nearly destitute because he’s loaned money to anyone who’s asked, after which the recipients of such largesse disappear out of Aaron’s life. His daughter will have to marry a rich man to save their home and bring them out of poverty.
The duke is an equal opportunity hedonist who is both handsome and rich, a requirement for many heroes. Valeria “rescues” the duke from the clutches of a young woman attempting to trap him in the parson’s noose and for this, he now owes her a debt. He tells Valeria he was aware of the woman’s intentions, but still insists that he owes her a debt, and he always pays his debts. He thinks she’ll ask him for a kiss. Instead, she asks him to help her find a rich husband. She doesn’t tell him why, but this self-centered scoundrel could have figured it out if he’d chosen to take the time away from his pursuits.
We are shown no good or kind aspects of the duke. He plays the role of a cad, and he has his role down pat. His behaviors are outlandish. He gives only to get something in return. Part of his matchmaking debt involves changing Valeria’s demeanor, so she’ll stop frightening men away. He gifts her with two dresses that are finer than any the ton ladies might wear. His self-serving thoughts and behavior make a reader wary of his motives because he lusts after Valeria scene after scene after scene.
I found nothing to like in the rogue-duke, nor could I sympathize with Valeria. He commands and she obeys, even when it puts her in danger. The duke has Valeria walking the streets at all hours of the night coming to his home in Mayfair, and she is silly enough to go to him every time he tells her “Come to me.” She’s always in a temper, consciously aware that he is playing with her, but she doesn’t stay away. Never, in all her nocturnal visits, did the duke have a care for her safety.
During one visit, Valeria maintains that he “made [her] traipse across half of Mayfair alone” (in the dead of night, I might add). His response? “Made you? … You did not have to accept it.”
Another time, the duke tells Valeria, “Sending you away from my residence was the honorable thing to do.” No, it wasn’t. Sending her away in a carriage—even a hackney—would have been the honorable thing. Instead, he sent her out a side door and into the streets…alone.
He is no hero. He is a cad.
At one point I had hopes that she was growing a backbone when she “nearly turned on her heel and slammed out of the front doors.” She didn’t leave…how I wish she would have!
There are some oddities that cause a reader to stop and ponder. For instance:
There is an interesting turn of phrase the writer uses: “…was not necessarily on the cards for Valeria.” This is the British idiom for the North American expression, “in the cards.” It isn’t wrong, but I’m dubious of the phrase used in this context. The writer says, “not necessarily,” but the meaning behind both phrases is that something is destined to happen – this goes beyond the realm of possibility and implies a preordained event. This meaning is at odds with the “not necessarily” phrase (IMHO). At any rate, it made me stop and think about it, taking me out of the story.
There’s another word that I believe is used incorrectly: “…a glass or two of punch that has been liberally doused with brandy…” Doused? That means to plunge into water, or to make something/someone wet by pouring liquid over it/them…or to put out a fire. I think the word should be “dosed,” perhaps? “…punch that has been liberally dosed with brandy…”
The use of another questionable word halted reading: “…not until Lord Sandford carks it, anyway.” What does that even mean? In context, the writer is telling us that Lord Sandford is old, feeble, and about to kick the bucket. But that’s not what “cark” means. It’s an old word, from Middle English (carken), an intransitive verb meaning to be anxious or worried. It’s the wrong word used in the wrong way. I’m not sure what the writer wants to convey with the word, but it gets in the way of the story.
Another incorrect word is employed: “…she could steel feel the steading grip of his hands…” Steel feel? Funny, but no. I think that should be, “…she could still feel the steadying grip…”
An anachronism interrupts the story: “An older lady with lacquered gray hair…” Hmmm. Lacquer, aka hairspray, was developed in Europe in the 1920s, about 100 years after the Regency era.
The duke, a grown man of (sic) refinement and taste, calls himself “Lockie?” He signs his notes to Valeria with that nickname, and others call him by the name. It doesn’t fit. It’s too cute. This man is many things, but “cute” isn’t one of them.
One of Valeria’s dearest friends, Amelia, is married to a man who loves her as much as she loves him. They are attentive to each other and the impression of the two is that they are very much in love and aware of one another. It comes as a shock, then, when we’re told that Amelia was “oblivious to her husband’s odd behavior.” It doesn’t resonate with their marriage. She wouldn’t be oblivious to him or to his behaviors.
There are superfluous question marks: “No one says, “Goodness… The first quotation marks need to be removed.
The wrong verb tense is used: “She need to see his sincerity…” That should read, “She needs to see his sincerity…”
The ending is implausible, but only because it is on us all of a sudden. The duke has been portrayed as a wastrel, a rake/rogue/scoundrel and his behavior has demonstrated these labels. He has some issues from the past that affect his behavior, but it is only in the final chapter that he deals with them, does an about face, and suddenly becomes a good man. Nope. Not buying it.
The irony is that this is a tediously slow-moving book that repeats scenes and actions, so there is no mystery about the duke and the spinster. At chapter 23, the 53% completion mark, I was ready for the book to end. The back and forth between the duke and the spinster had gotten old and predictable. Each visit, each interaction, each conversation was obvious, and its outcome expected. There was no thrill, no wonderment about these two. Their behavior towards each other had become banal.
I rated this book 2-stars. The writing style is good and easy to read – Ms. Baton is a good storyteller who splits viewpoints (POVs) without head-hopping. It was the characters who ruined the plot which should have been attention-grabbing. I also have a difficult time swallowing the need for a “prequel chapter” that a reader must go to another website to download and read. We’re told in a blurb from the writer that it “will help you understand and visualize the story inside my book better.” Yeah? If it’s that important for understanding/visualizing the story, then it needs to be included in the book. This seems to be a gimmick pushed by the publisher, Cobalt Fairy. Another trait of this publisher is the lack of a copyright. That makes me skeptical. Why no copyright? It’s odd. Ms. Baton’s style will no doubt lead me to her next book, and I hope—most sincerely—that the characters and plot live up to her exceptional style.
April 15, 2025
Valeria was the intelligent, outspoken twenty-five year old daughter of the Viscount Skeffington. For seven years she had been attending ton events and each year she had become more and more disillusioned by the superficial conversations and actions required to fit in. Unfortunately, dire financial constraints required that she find a husband by the end of the season. One evening after escaping the ballroom to get some fresh air, she encountered a young lady sitting alone with a well known rake. Seeing infamous gossips heading their way, she feared for the lady’s reputation and spirited her away. Unbeknownst to Valeria, she had saved Duncan Lock, the Duke of Thornhill, from a marriage trap that the young lady had been set for him. He insisted that he owed her something for saving him and after much discussion, Valeria asked him to help her find a husband. Duncan set up late night tutoring sessions, provided dress suggestions and monitored her social performances. What he did not expect was to experience jealousy when others paid her attention. Fast forward and a Baron and Viscount both showed marital interest, and although neither of them inspired any sparks, she was willing to settle for one of them in order to save her beloved home. Things got dicey at a house party thrown by the Duke, resulting in a betrothal. After some soul searching and a conversation with his deceased relatives, Duncan realized that he was about to lose the best thing that ever happened to him and took action. I spent a great deal of this story being infuriated. First it was with Valeria for being so condescending. Next it was with Duncan for thinking he was unworthy of her, and then it was with both of them for not being honest with each other. The jury is still out on Beatrice. She liked to stir the pot, but she was also in the position to set Duncan straight and save her cousin a lot of heartache, and she didn’t. This story is filled with strong emotions, and the attraction between Valeria and Duncan simply vibrates off the page. They banter, they bicker and they fall in love, but oh, what they put the reader and each other through before they get there. This story is engaging, entertaining, has wonderful characters and is well worth your time!
April 25, 2025
To Love Passionately
When fire and ice meet, there is melting water, but there is also steam! Miss Valeria Maxwell knows what she wants. She's known for years... but she can't have it, and now her only choice is to marry someone she barely considers a friend. His Grace, or Lockie to society, is bound to help Valeria thrift a debt. Though the two fight each other continuously, the chemistry is undeniable. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did! It is my favorite in this series so far!
When fire and ice meet, there is melting water, but there is also steam! Miss Valeria Maxwell knows what she wants. She's known for years... but she can't have it, and now her only choice is to marry someone she barely considers a friend. His Grace, or Lockie to society, is bound to help Valeria thrift a debt. Though the two fight each other continuously, the chemistry is undeniable. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did! It is my favorite in this series so far!
May 25, 2025
A lady saves a duke from a scandal, so to thank her he offers to help her find a gentleman to marry. The duke realizes she is an outspoken, independent spinster and is attracted to her spirit. This is a sweet, clean story when an unexpected romance develops. The author does a great job in weaving in levity and humor among the couple, which I enjoyed. The story flows easily and is a quick read. I received a complimentary ARC, but I am voluntarily offering my personal opinion.
January 31, 2026
Torturous!
Argh! The ending was obvious from the start and the endless roadblocks, denied feelings, and flirtations were excruciating... but all the more satisfying when everything sorted itself out.
Kudos to the jilted groom for being a good sport and monstrous boos to the feckless father who would let Valeria marry for money because he was too weak to manage his life--and robbing her of hers to save them.
Argh! The ending was obvious from the start and the endless roadblocks, denied feelings, and flirtations were excruciating... but all the more satisfying when everything sorted itself out.
Kudos to the jilted groom for being a good sport and monstrous boos to the feckless father who would let Valeria marry for money because he was too weak to manage his life--and robbing her of hers to save them.
April 7, 2025
To save her father and home Valeria was to find a husband soon. Duke Duncan offers to help her find a husband, but As they spend time together there is the matter of attraction between them. When Valeria finally has a marriage proposal she has to accept. Luckily Duncan comes to his senses at the eleventh hour and confesses his love for her.
April 10, 2025
Another great addition to this series! Possibly the best one so far. From beginning to end it kept my interest and I didn't want to put it down. I was rather disappointed that the kissing didn't happen till the end though. Valerie and Duncan's love story was intriguing with a happy ending. Looking forward to the next one!
April 16, 2025
I enjoyed this story as you were not exactly sure what was going to happen. There are lots of wonderful characters, especially Valeria's father. Just don't judge him until the end. This story tells how sometimes the thing you think you don't want, is exactly what you do want. Enjoy this story as you turn page after pager to see what is going to happen next. There are a few surprises too!!
Read
June 3, 2025What happens when a Duke believes he owes a spinster for saving him from a conniving young lady? He offers to teach her how to catch a husband, and ends up being the one who gets caught. He knew he needed a wife eventually, but wanted an emotionless marriage of convenience. It took him a while to realize that what he was feeling was love.
April 7, 2025
A Saving Grace/Lessons/Marriage
Lady Valerie has men many men of the ton but none are for her, how
ever she needs to marry so Duncan has agreed to help her mend her ways, except she is set to marry the wrong person…until he marches in!
Lady Valerie has men many men of the ton but none are for her, how
ever she needs to marry so Duncan has agreed to help her mend her ways, except she is set to marry the wrong person…until he marches in!
April 9, 2025
Delightful!
Loved the plot, characters, and the romance. The author kept me turning pages to see what unexpected actions would happen next. Being a lady in search of love and the perfect man was special.
Loved the plot, characters, and the romance. The author kept me turning pages to see what unexpected actions would happen next. Being a lady in search of love and the perfect man was special.
May 26, 2025
Exceptional, must read!
Gripping story of love, loss, and hiding from the past. Desperation, hope, and betrayal by accident. Coming to grips with the truth, forgiving oneself, and finally living. A great love story. Highly recommended for all readers.
Gripping story of love, loss, and hiding from the past. Desperation, hope, and betrayal by accident. Coming to grips with the truth, forgiving oneself, and finally living. A great love story. Highly recommended for all readers.
April 9, 2025
A sweet read with a happy ending despite the fact the duke did not feel worthy enough fellow to marry for love.
April 9, 2025
This was a great story and easy to read. The refusal of both to own up to feelings was overwhelmingly irritating but made for great reading. This was a clean read with no graphic content.
April 15, 2025
Fun Romance
A spinster must suddenly find a husband to save her father and his estate. She meets a duke with a reputation as a rake who promises to help her husband hunt.
A spinster must suddenly find a husband to save her father and his estate. She meets a duke with a reputation as a rake who promises to help her husband hunt.
April 21, 2025
Silly boy
This is likely a spoiler
He waited way too long and dwelt too much on his issues for my taste.
This is likely a spoiler
He waited way too long and dwelt too much on his issues for my taste.
April 28, 2025
Major miss-- Chapter 16 "Lore Sanford carks it." "cark" orginated in 1990's
Reader knows how it will end, but the roadblocks keep occuring.
Reader knows how it will end, but the roadblocks keep occuring.
April 30, 2025
It's a beautiful love story.
It was a slow start, as neither of the two ever wanted marriage. Love though does not give in. It was a teasing story but in the end love won the day.
It was a slow start, as neither of the two ever wanted marriage. Love though does not give in. It was a teasing story but in the end love won the day.
January 4, 2026
Finding Love
Duncan thought himself unworthy of love until Valeria came into his life and changed him for the better. The story of how this came to be was delightful to read.
Duncan thought himself unworthy of love until Valeria came into his life and changed him for the better. The story of how this came to be was delightful to read.
February 9, 2026
Sweet story
Really enjoyed reading this story. It was humorous, sweet and engaging. I enjoyed it was a clean version without adult content.
Really enjoyed reading this story. It was humorous, sweet and engaging. I enjoyed it was a clean version without adult content.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews