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Illegitimate Bachelor #1
Bedding the Baron
Only the most damnable curiosity could compel Fredrick Smith to seek the truth about the father who abandoned him. And only a torrential storm could force him to stop at an inn en route. But what a treasure he finds there-a raven-haired beauty whose drab attire can't disguise her latent sensuality. And soon Fredrick's most pressing need is to melt Mrs. Portia Walker's icy reserve, and make her smile, sigh, and cry out with pleasure.
AND A KISS THAT WOULD TEMPT THE DEVIL.
From the moment Fredrick enters Portia's inn-wet clothes clinging to sleek muscles, angelic features, shimmering gray eyes-she is vibrantly aware of the danger he presents. Portia was almost ruined once, and swore that no man would control her destiny again. But vows are no match for a desire that could be pure folly-or the most exquisite bliss.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 2008
34 people are currently reading
269 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Raleigh
12 books57 followersAKA Debbie Raleigh and Alexandra Ivy.
Deborah Raleigh is the author of thirty three books and novellas for Kensington Publishing. Her first regency LORD CARLTON’S COURTSHIP was nominated as Best First Regency by Romantic Times and was an Award of Excellence finalist. She has also been nominated for Career Achievement in Regency romance by Romantic Times.
She has been an avid reader since she could hold a book in her hands and always dreamed of putting her own dreams down on paper. She is married with two teenage boys who manage to keep life interesting. She loves to travel, although she is careful to call vacations research sabbaticals and considers housework optional at best.
Deborah Raleigh is the author of thirty three books and novellas for Kensington Publishing. Her first regency LORD CARLTON’S COURTSHIP was nominated as Best First Regency by Romantic Times and was an Award of Excellence finalist. She has also been nominated for Career Achievement in Regency romance by Romantic Times.
She has been an avid reader since she could hold a book in her hands and always dreamed of putting her own dreams down on paper. She is married with two teenage boys who manage to keep life interesting. She loves to travel, although she is careful to call vacations research sabbaticals and considers housework optional at best.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 23, 2008
What a great historical romance. I picked up Deborah Raleigh's first historical "Some Like It Sinful" and found it to be quite a merry read. I read the rest of that series and enjoyed every one, so I was pleased to see her newest "Bedding the Baron" on the bookshelf at my local bookstore.
Frederick, Ian, & Raoul are the acknowledged bastards of 3 different peers of London society. They were also the first three students of Mr Dunnington, a teacher who ran a school for boys of quality who were not quite legitimate; and the 'boys' are now men. Mr Dunnington has died and left these three an astonishing inheritance of L20,000 pounds each! If that wasn't enough, his will reveals that he amassed the money for each by blackmailing their respective and respected fathers. Now, each must decide if he wants, and is willing to risk the consequences, of finding out just what information was worth paying that much blackmail.
The first story belongs to Frederick. A beautiful and brillant inventor who has made of himself a brillant success in business. He has plenty of money and is always looking for new ventures. He decides to take a break and investigate his real father's dark secret. Taking cover from a rainstorm at the nearest inn, he encounters a beautiful, young, but atrociously dressed female. Apparently, she is the innkeeper! It doesn't take Frederick long to realize she is 'the one' he's been waiting for.
Portia, on the other hand, has no love for London 'gentlemen'. Badly betrayed by both her father and her fiance, she spent several months terrified and alone. Then the local innkeeper saved her. He's long dead and she now relishes the freedom of ordering her own life and running the inn as she sees fit. It will take some serious effort's on Frederick's behalf to convince her that not all 'gentlemen' are rakes and rogues!
The story is by turns, sweet, silly, and sexy. The passion between the hero and heroine is fairly hot for the time depicted and quite satisfying. The amazing coincidences necessary to advance the plot don't take away from the sheer reading pleasure. If you like your historical romances with a bit of heat, not a hint of danger, and a truly happily-ever-after, then definitely pick up a copy of "Bedding the Baron" by Deborah Raleigh. She'll probably end up on your must-buy list too!
Frederick, Ian, & Raoul are the acknowledged bastards of 3 different peers of London society. They were also the first three students of Mr Dunnington, a teacher who ran a school for boys of quality who were not quite legitimate; and the 'boys' are now men. Mr Dunnington has died and left these three an astonishing inheritance of L20,000 pounds each! If that wasn't enough, his will reveals that he amassed the money for each by blackmailing their respective and respected fathers. Now, each must decide if he wants, and is willing to risk the consequences, of finding out just what information was worth paying that much blackmail.
The first story belongs to Frederick. A beautiful and brillant inventor who has made of himself a brillant success in business. He has plenty of money and is always looking for new ventures. He decides to take a break and investigate his real father's dark secret. Taking cover from a rainstorm at the nearest inn, he encounters a beautiful, young, but atrociously dressed female. Apparently, she is the innkeeper! It doesn't take Frederick long to realize she is 'the one' he's been waiting for.
Portia, on the other hand, has no love for London 'gentlemen'. Badly betrayed by both her father and her fiance, she spent several months terrified and alone. Then the local innkeeper saved her. He's long dead and she now relishes the freedom of ordering her own life and running the inn as she sees fit. It will take some serious effort's on Frederick's behalf to convince her that not all 'gentlemen' are rakes and rogues!
The story is by turns, sweet, silly, and sexy. The passion between the hero and heroine is fairly hot for the time depicted and quite satisfying. The amazing coincidences necessary to advance the plot don't take away from the sheer reading pleasure. If you like your historical romances with a bit of heat, not a hint of danger, and a truly happily-ever-after, then definitely pick up a copy of "Bedding the Baron" by Deborah Raleigh. She'll probably end up on your must-buy list too!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2019
I thought there were far too many references to "poppet" (which Frederick called Portia). Apart from that, I thought it was a good story. 4☆
February 11, 2017
Well done!
You get what you pay for, right? I think I got 'Bedding the Baron' free or very lost cost on BookBub. I'm glad to say that it was worth the investment in whatever money I may have spent as well as the time I spent in reading it. In BB's description of the book, Alexandra Ivy indicated that she wrote romances before she turned her talents to writing paranormal novels. Too bad, she's not writing more in the romance genre because I think she does a fine job of it.
I like my characters to be believable and their problems realistic. Such was the case with Frederick and Portia. In addition to well developed and believable characters, Ms. Ivy gives us a period romance that is mercifully missing the ridiculous 'misunderstandings' and resultant bitter feelings that so often litter period romance novels. Both characters had fairly straightforward problems requiring thoughtful resolution. The best news is that they sought comfort in each other even as they struggled with issues of their pasts as well as their respective present. They have each experienced terrible heartbreak but are not so irrevocably broken that their relationship is more about triage than love. I really liked these two and, while the HEA was a foregone conclusion, the journey to get there was a really good read.
So, why 4 stars rather than 5? Mostly because Amazon doesn't allow half stars. I have deducted a half star because I felt that the incessant descriptions of Frederick's masculine beauty were excessive. I didn't need to be reminded of it on nearly every page whenever Frederick and Portia were together.
Bedding the Baron is book one in the Illegitimate Bachelor series. Will I continue to book two? Most definitely.
You get what you pay for, right? I think I got 'Bedding the Baron' free or very lost cost on BookBub. I'm glad to say that it was worth the investment in whatever money I may have spent as well as the time I spent in reading it. In BB's description of the book, Alexandra Ivy indicated that she wrote romances before she turned her talents to writing paranormal novels. Too bad, she's not writing more in the romance genre because I think she does a fine job of it.
I like my characters to be believable and their problems realistic. Such was the case with Frederick and Portia. In addition to well developed and believable characters, Ms. Ivy gives us a period romance that is mercifully missing the ridiculous 'misunderstandings' and resultant bitter feelings that so often litter period romance novels. Both characters had fairly straightforward problems requiring thoughtful resolution. The best news is that they sought comfort in each other even as they struggled with issues of their pasts as well as their respective present. They have each experienced terrible heartbreak but are not so irrevocably broken that their relationship is more about triage than love. I really liked these two and, while the HEA was a foregone conclusion, the journey to get there was a really good read.
So, why 4 stars rather than 5? Mostly because Amazon doesn't allow half stars. I have deducted a half star because I felt that the incessant descriptions of Frederick's masculine beauty were excessive. I didn't need to be reminded of it on nearly every page whenever Frederick and Portia were together.
Bedding the Baron is book one in the Illegitimate Bachelor series. Will I continue to book two? Most definitely.
April 29, 2011
I'm picky about my heroines. I know this. When Portia takes an instant dislike to poor Fredrick just by looking at him, that should have been my clue. I just don't like prickly, bitchy heroines, unless they have a darn good reason. Maybe Portia does, but I'm not really interested in finishing the book to find out. Bummer, because I really enjoyed the other two books in this series. 2 stars because I'm guessing it does get better when Portia finally thaws out a bit.
July 23, 2020
4 stars (enjoy Maureen Driscoll, Elisa Braden, Sophie Jordon, Samantha Holt)
The development and interest in main characters and secondary characters was enjoyable. I really did like the H/H for this book; very well paired as a couple.
I loved the writing around the women empowerment (it wasn’t over the top for me).
writing style is easy to follow, humorous moments, the give and take dialogue enjoyable.
Romantic/sexual content (kissing, oral, love making scenes) was throughout the book. Nothing over the top; again nicely intertwined in the story. There are a few detailed written scenes and several just mentioning the act. 2.5/5 hotness and steam.
I love series around family members or a group of friends. I love the series even more when the author intertwines those characters throughout the book series (it’s a pet peeve when authors don’t do that because what’s the point of the series and introducing the characters if they are not going to interact throughout the series). This series you have little interaction of the 3 main male characters of this series...disappointing.
would recommend this book and series (you don’t have to read them in order however it wouldn’t hurt to read them in order to get the full story throughout the series).
January 24, 2020
Secrets revealed
Frederick has secrets and has carried the title of bastard his entire life! After the death of his mentor he decided to visit his father and find out why his Tutor and beloved friend was paid $20,000! His travels take him to a small inn run by Portia a beautiful widow who is unimpressed by him! Secrets unravel and Frederick realizes that Portia has own secrets and her heart is guarded for a reason! Will the secrets revealed ensure these two never share a future!? Portia is a little brittle and battle weary at first and Frederick just two handsome! But these two have more in common than it first seems and it is not just another mystery with a HEA!
Frederick has secrets and has carried the title of bastard his entire life! After the death of his mentor he decided to visit his father and find out why his Tutor and beloved friend was paid $20,000! His travels take him to a small inn run by Portia a beautiful widow who is unimpressed by him! Secrets unravel and Frederick realizes that Portia has own secrets and her heart is guarded for a reason! Will the secrets revealed ensure these two never share a future!? Portia is a little brittle and battle weary at first and Frederick just two handsome! But these two have more in common than it first seems and it is not just another mystery with a HEA!
November 4, 2025
Very well done!
I do love a good period romance! "Bedding The Baron" gives us Frederick and Portia, who are ridiculously perfect for one another. They're both strong-willed, possessed of good hearts, and capable of turning negative circumstances into good fortune. The romance between them is sublime, and I look forward to reading the next brother's story.
I do love a good period romance! "Bedding The Baron" gives us Frederick and Portia, who are ridiculously perfect for one another. They're both strong-willed, possessed of good hearts, and capable of turning negative circumstances into good fortune. The romance between them is sublime, and I look forward to reading the next brother's story.
August 10, 2019
I like the plot and the strong heroine. However there are too many sex scenes for me.
March 4, 2020
Fun romance; first one in a fine 3 book series!
July 30, 2012
"Deep within, he had always known that she was out there. That one special woman who would alter his life forever." ~Fredrick Smith
The story begins with the death of Mr. Dunnington, a man who opened a school for the bastard sons of the nobility to give them a purpose in life and a family- of sorts. Three of these students, now grown men, Raoul Charlebois, London's most celebrated actor, Ian Breckford, a very successful rake and Fredrick Smith, an engineer have each just leaned that Mr. Dunnington had extorted a very large sum of money for each of them from each of their respective fathers, and has left the money to each of them. Being curious men and wanting to know what Dunnington could have on each of their fathers they each set out to find the secrets that led to the extortion.
On his way to Oak Hill, his fathers baronial seat, Fredrick is forced to take shelter, because of a storm, and finds his way to the Queen's Arms owned by Mrs. Portia Walker, Along with finding out all his father's secrets Fredrik is determined to find out why such a beauty, whom he describes as "tiny enough to fit in his pocket, and yet, manages to fill the room with her feminine power", is hidden away in the country. Portia, on the other hand, is determined to resist her attraction to the angelically beautiful Fredrick. I like the way Ms Raleigh handled the tension between the two. Neither was to overpowering or dominant, which I found refreshing. I actually found myself liking the characters! I also like that what they each had to overcome wasn't so devastating that the weren't each able to function...or maybe they weren't but it was just so well written that it seemed that way.
After reuniting with his father, which did go quite as he expected, Fredrick begins the hunt to find the answers to his past and possibly, with Portia, his future.
Despite having put this on my "maybe" shelf, which means that at the time I bought it I wasn't too fond of the story, I found that I really liked it. The story is well written and has a certain flow that makes it hard to put down. I'm going to have to find out if Ms. Raleigh has written adventures for Raoul and Ian now and read about them. Needless to say I would pick up another book by this author and know that I would, most likely, enjoy it immensely.
The story begins with the death of Mr. Dunnington, a man who opened a school for the bastard sons of the nobility to give them a purpose in life and a family- of sorts. Three of these students, now grown men, Raoul Charlebois, London's most celebrated actor, Ian Breckford, a very successful rake and Fredrick Smith, an engineer have each just leaned that Mr. Dunnington had extorted a very large sum of money for each of them from each of their respective fathers, and has left the money to each of them. Being curious men and wanting to know what Dunnington could have on each of their fathers they each set out to find the secrets that led to the extortion.
On his way to Oak Hill, his fathers baronial seat, Fredrick is forced to take shelter, because of a storm, and finds his way to the Queen's Arms owned by Mrs. Portia Walker, Along with finding out all his father's secrets Fredrik is determined to find out why such a beauty, whom he describes as "tiny enough to fit in his pocket, and yet, manages to fill the room with her feminine power", is hidden away in the country. Portia, on the other hand, is determined to resist her attraction to the angelically beautiful Fredrick. I like the way Ms Raleigh handled the tension between the two. Neither was to overpowering or dominant, which I found refreshing. I actually found myself liking the characters! I also like that what they each had to overcome wasn't so devastating that the weren't each able to function...or maybe they weren't but it was just so well written that it seemed that way.
After reuniting with his father, which did go quite as he expected, Fredrick begins the hunt to find the answers to his past and possibly, with Portia, his future.
Despite having put this on my "maybe" shelf, which means that at the time I bought it I wasn't too fond of the story, I found that I really liked it. The story is well written and has a certain flow that makes it hard to put down. I'm going to have to find out if Ms. Raleigh has written adventures for Raoul and Ian now and read about them. Needless to say I would pick up another book by this author and know that I would, most likely, enjoy it immensely.
February 6, 2017
Double deceit by the Baron
An innkeeper who knows how to run her own inn, but never imagines that a bad boy bastard is all that she could wish for.
An innkeeper who knows how to run her own inn, but never imagines that a bad boy bastard is all that she could wish for.
February 2, 2017
Sweet Romance
This sweet historical is the first in a trilogy. It sets the stage as three brothers by choice search for answers from their birth fathers. This one tells a sweet romance as two lovers who have been betrayed by family find a way to open up to each other and to their future. Nice way to spend an afternoon.
This sweet historical is the first in a trilogy. It sets the stage as three brothers by choice search for answers from their birth fathers. This one tells a sweet romance as two lovers who have been betrayed by family find a way to open up to each other and to their future. Nice way to spend an afternoon.
September 28, 2014
The first book in the Illegitimate Bachelor series by Deborah Raleigh. Frederick Smith stops at an inn to get out of a rainstorm. There he encounters Portia Walker.
I was pleasantly surprised over this one. A fun and entertaining delight. I will most definitely have to continue the series.
I was pleasantly surprised over this one. A fun and entertaining delight. I will most definitely have to continue the series.
June 30, 2008
Fredrick Smith's character is very HOT! He is the perfect Regency hero. He has the right amount of angst mixed with the perfect amount of sex appeal.
August 5, 2008
Good start to Raleigh's next trio series. This one didn't move quite as fast as I would have liked but both h/h were likable. I will keep my eye out for #2.
March 4, 2013
Enjoyed the book, just enough to continue with the series.
December 26, 2013
Really enjoyed this book, now on to the second one in the series.!
March 20, 2016
Frederick and Portia. He's searching for the truth of his birth. He's staying at an inn owned by Portia. I skipped through an awful lot of this book because I didn't find it too interesting.
on-kindle-to-read
December 25, 201612/25/16 on sale for .99.
March 31, 2017
Title kinda gives the major plot away but this is a great beginning to this Illegitimate Bachelor series!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews