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The Reluctant Duchess
A Regency Tale of Romance and Derring-do on the Wilds of Exmoor. Devon Howard, the Duke of Malchester, acquires a bride by dubious means. Well aware Liliana is a reluctant duchess, and although his new wife submits to his ardent advances on the wedding night, he cannot be sure that even given time she will ever surrender her heart to him. Likewise Liliana has a dilemma, for although she despises her circumstances and feigns disinterest in Devon, she cannot deny his desirability. Twice married, rumours abound. Devon has bedded and broken two wives. Liliana believes otherwise. Nonetheless, evil does exist within the walls of Calder Hall, and she fears for her life when brutally abducted from her carriage whilst en route from Dorset to Exmoor. But it is Devon’s blood that is sought, and while revenge for one person proves bittersweet, for another it proves fatal.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 12, 2014
32 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Francine Howarth
61 books13 followersA portrait, a landscape, wind whispering through trees, a droplet of rain or snowflake on eyelashes: all can stir Francine's imagination and result in either a modern contemporary romance, or that of a steamy historical. Francine is not only an ex-mainstream published author and ex publisher, she's now a self published author. Years back she was a professional reviewer for a well-known magazine supplement, and still writes reviews for several romance review web sites.
See her reviews @ https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/pdp/profi...
facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/francine.how...
But please feel free to visit her blog:
http://francinehowarth.blogspot.com
See her reviews @ https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/pdp/profi...
facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/francine.how...
But please feel free to visit her blog:
http://francinehowarth.blogspot.com
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 13, 2018
This was free and, although there were very few reviews, they were mostly favorable ones. So, not familiar with Francine Howarth, I downloaded it. After all, it's a Regency tale of romance, murder and mystery, with the H/h relationship inspired by the real Duke and Duchess of Devonshire of Georgian England. Sounded okay.
But I beg to disagree about that inspiration. Yes, both marriages were arranged ones of convenience, with the h younger and more innocent than the H and the H a bit of a libertine wanker. The difference is this fictional wanker in Howarth's book really loves his wife but is a clueless idiot about how to woo her.
Instead of staying in her company, building a solid relationship in and out of bed, he chooses to spend most of his time apart from her and in the company of his mistress. He justifies that mistress relationship because his precious "Cock of Calder" (yes, he has a pet name for his proud male appendage) is serviced only through fellatio, never penetration. And he really, really, you know, loves the little wife, but he doesn't think she loves him. Hence the absences and the mistress to make her jealous.
Yeah, yeah. I get it that Howarth wanted the realism of a marriage of the times. One in which fidelity, especially on the part of the husband, was completely optional. And it could have worked except for the supposed love this guy feels for his new wife, whom he neglects for the first three years of their marriage, precisely, according to him, because of that love.
Oh, that "whom" I used in the previous paragraph brings up my main objection to this awkwardly-written story. The punctuation and grammar is atrocious. In her "Dear Reader" letter to us at the beginning, Howarth explains that this "novel is written with English spelling and grammar usage. There are also elements of regional dialect, which appear as grammatically incorrect." I guess that's her disclaimer, but it doesn't justify the egregious and ridiculous misuse of commas, colons and semicolons here nor the awful grammar mistakes frequently found.
Just to give you a small idea of the punctuation:
"I am most gratified for any attention, your grace, has shown toward me..."
"Oh come now, Devon, the spring in your step is that of a happy rutting swain: if ever I did see one."
"Devon thrust a booted foot to the seat opposite; nudging Marcus elbow."
"Not a friend as, yet."
And some strange grammar examples:
"Furthermore, Serenity Hamilton of whom you so despise has begged to do more than..."
"Ha, a fine thing to say, when it is I whom saved your precious wife..."
Oh, there's much more but you get the idea. This book tried to be a bawdy romp with a murder mystery subplot. The bawdiness was silly because of the stilted language. And I couldn't help snickering every time the hero discussed his "Cock of Calder" in the third person. The sex scenes, instead of titillating, gave me even more laughs. And the hero's version of "I did not have sex with that woman" because there was only fellatio involved was another chuckle maker.
I read this book all the way to the end, not because it was a well-written book but because it was an unbelievably badly-written book and I guess I was rubbernecking. It seemed to be trying for the style of perhaps a Tom Jones or a Fanny Hill and just fell on its face in the attempt.
And, BTW, how about some proofreading here? I cannot believe all that horrendous punctuation was found in books actually written in the 1700s and 1800s.
But I beg to disagree about that inspiration. Yes, both marriages were arranged ones of convenience, with the h younger and more innocent than the H and the H a bit of a libertine wanker. The difference is this fictional wanker in Howarth's book really loves his wife but is a clueless idiot about how to woo her.
Instead of staying in her company, building a solid relationship in and out of bed, he chooses to spend most of his time apart from her and in the company of his mistress. He justifies that mistress relationship because his precious "Cock of Calder" (yes, he has a pet name for his proud male appendage) is serviced only through fellatio, never penetration. And he really, really, you know, loves the little wife, but he doesn't think she loves him. Hence the absences and the mistress to make her jealous.
Yeah, yeah. I get it that Howarth wanted the realism of a marriage of the times. One in which fidelity, especially on the part of the husband, was completely optional. And it could have worked except for the supposed love this guy feels for his new wife, whom he neglects for the first three years of their marriage, precisely, according to him, because of that love.
Oh, that "whom" I used in the previous paragraph brings up my main objection to this awkwardly-written story. The punctuation and grammar is atrocious. In her "Dear Reader" letter to us at the beginning, Howarth explains that this "novel is written with English spelling and grammar usage. There are also elements of regional dialect, which appear as grammatically incorrect." I guess that's her disclaimer, but it doesn't justify the egregious and ridiculous misuse of commas, colons and semicolons here nor the awful grammar mistakes frequently found.
Just to give you a small idea of the punctuation:
"I am most gratified for any attention, your grace, has shown toward me..."
"Oh come now, Devon, the spring in your step is that of a happy rutting swain: if ever I did see one."
"Devon thrust a booted foot to the seat opposite; nudging Marcus elbow."
"Not a friend as, yet."
And some strange grammar examples:
"Furthermore, Serenity Hamilton of whom you so despise has begged to do more than..."
"Ha, a fine thing to say, when it is I whom saved your precious wife..."
Oh, there's much more but you get the idea. This book tried to be a bawdy romp with a murder mystery subplot. The bawdiness was silly because of the stilted language. And I couldn't help snickering every time the hero discussed his "Cock of Calder" in the third person. The sex scenes, instead of titillating, gave me even more laughs. And the hero's version of "I did not have sex with that woman" because there was only fellatio involved was another chuckle maker.
I read this book all the way to the end, not because it was a well-written book but because it was an unbelievably badly-written book and I guess I was rubbernecking. It seemed to be trying for the style of perhaps a Tom Jones or a Fanny Hill and just fell on its face in the attempt.
And, BTW, how about some proofreading here? I cannot believe all that horrendous punctuation was found in books actually written in the 1700s and 1800s.
April 2, 2014
Groovy Gothic-Style Regency Murder Mystery
The Duke of Malchester, Devon Howard, was thirty-two, twice a widower, shrouded in gossip and suspicion regarding the deaths of his previous wives, his treatment of servants and his libertine ways. At seventeen, Liliana was literally auctioned off and married to the highest bidder. It was no wonder she was afraid to entrust her body, mind or heart to a man she met a month prior to the wedding. The nuptial night, while exciting, wasn’t enough to convince her to lower her guard and so, Liliana clung to her dignity, residing at Calder Hall, a duchess in name only. For three years, Devon roamed who knows where with an entourage that included his mistress. His absences were long, his visits short and pleasant enough, so long as she kept her distance.
When her beloved grandfather dies, things come to the point between them. Devon presses for her admission that they could be more than married in name only. She agrees but only if he removes his mistress from their home and his life, permanently. Surprisingly (not), his mistress objects to this and sets in motion a plan to ruin Devon and Liliana’s newborn happiness. Secrets are thrust into the light of day; tragedy is dressed in silks and lies, while sorrow hides behind parties and titles, altogether creating a compelling tale that makes you shudder and gasp right along with the characters.
This was not a comfortable story but it was a most excellent read! With the feel of a traditional gothic, written in a style well aware of the modern reader, the author never forgets the values and mores of the times. Neither can you. Her atmospheric tone is perfect; lush and a bit bawdy, which suits the Duke very well indeed. The dismal facts of family life that saw children living entirely separate from their parents until they could be of use, and the reality of arranged marriages seldom being more than tolerable, are facts historical readers and writers know yet are seldom willing to accept beyond the plot device or back story.
Ms. Howarth doesn’t back up to these realities, she wields them with empathetic skill. I swear I could hear her sighs in the dark corridors and possibly felt her restraining hand when I wanted to smack her hero for being a - well, an ass. She doesn’t apologize for a hero that genuinely believes a woman wasn’t really his mistress so long as he didn’t penetrate her vagina. Neither is she ashamed of a heroine that allows the past to be put aside because she wants a future that means something more than disdainful distance and loneliness. That Devon and Liliana go from physical passion to emotional friendship while proclaiming love rang with realistic emphasis on the way things were, and sometimes still are. As they spent time together without the entourage and distrust between them, you could see the happily ever after to be, and yes, the squabbles as well.
Foibles and imperfections are brutally exposed and though we cringe the characters do not even flinch. They’re bold and gritty, hopeful and yes, aware they’re not always at their best when all is said and done; however no one gives up or bemoans cruel fate (yippee!). They resolve to make amends where possible and carry on, regardless. The use of jealousy to arouse interest is seldom a maneuver I can tolerate. But … in this case, it suited both the characters and the situation. When they began talking, sharing their thoughts without the affectations of pride, confessing loneliness and hurts, I let go of my long standing prejudice against the machination. Whether another author could’ve managed that I am not sure, certainly none before has done so.
The secondary characters, both the living and dead, were as intriguing and reflective of the times, as coarse in their own way as the awakening couple. The historical details were devastatingly accurate. There is no glossy coating here, this is a mature man, thrice married, that lives as men of wealth and position did. Liliana is no fool, only young, and without familiar support or anyone to lean on but her maid, she does what women did; find a way to make things work. Not only did the writing hold my interest but also my admiration for a convincing honesty weaving a wonderful historically gothic tale. I am already squeezing my budget for more of Ms. Howarth’s books!
Reviewed for Romance Reviews Magazine - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
The Duke of Malchester, Devon Howard, was thirty-two, twice a widower, shrouded in gossip and suspicion regarding the deaths of his previous wives, his treatment of servants and his libertine ways. At seventeen, Liliana was literally auctioned off and married to the highest bidder. It was no wonder she was afraid to entrust her body, mind or heart to a man she met a month prior to the wedding. The nuptial night, while exciting, wasn’t enough to convince her to lower her guard and so, Liliana clung to her dignity, residing at Calder Hall, a duchess in name only. For three years, Devon roamed who knows where with an entourage that included his mistress. His absences were long, his visits short and pleasant enough, so long as she kept her distance.
When her beloved grandfather dies, things come to the point between them. Devon presses for her admission that they could be more than married in name only. She agrees but only if he removes his mistress from their home and his life, permanently. Surprisingly (not), his mistress objects to this and sets in motion a plan to ruin Devon and Liliana’s newborn happiness. Secrets are thrust into the light of day; tragedy is dressed in silks and lies, while sorrow hides behind parties and titles, altogether creating a compelling tale that makes you shudder and gasp right along with the characters.
This was not a comfortable story but it was a most excellent read! With the feel of a traditional gothic, written in a style well aware of the modern reader, the author never forgets the values and mores of the times. Neither can you. Her atmospheric tone is perfect; lush and a bit bawdy, which suits the Duke very well indeed. The dismal facts of family life that saw children living entirely separate from their parents until they could be of use, and the reality of arranged marriages seldom being more than tolerable, are facts historical readers and writers know yet are seldom willing to accept beyond the plot device or back story.
Ms. Howarth doesn’t back up to these realities, she wields them with empathetic skill. I swear I could hear her sighs in the dark corridors and possibly felt her restraining hand when I wanted to smack her hero for being a - well, an ass. She doesn’t apologize for a hero that genuinely believes a woman wasn’t really his mistress so long as he didn’t penetrate her vagina. Neither is she ashamed of a heroine that allows the past to be put aside because she wants a future that means something more than disdainful distance and loneliness. That Devon and Liliana go from physical passion to emotional friendship while proclaiming love rang with realistic emphasis on the way things were, and sometimes still are. As they spent time together without the entourage and distrust between them, you could see the happily ever after to be, and yes, the squabbles as well.
Foibles and imperfections are brutally exposed and though we cringe the characters do not even flinch. They’re bold and gritty, hopeful and yes, aware they’re not always at their best when all is said and done; however no one gives up or bemoans cruel fate (yippee!). They resolve to make amends where possible and carry on, regardless. The use of jealousy to arouse interest is seldom a maneuver I can tolerate. But … in this case, it suited both the characters and the situation. When they began talking, sharing their thoughts without the affectations of pride, confessing loneliness and hurts, I let go of my long standing prejudice against the machination. Whether another author could’ve managed that I am not sure, certainly none before has done so.
The secondary characters, both the living and dead, were as intriguing and reflective of the times, as coarse in their own way as the awakening couple. The historical details were devastatingly accurate. There is no glossy coating here, this is a mature man, thrice married, that lives as men of wealth and position did. Liliana is no fool, only young, and without familiar support or anyone to lean on but her maid, she does what women did; find a way to make things work. Not only did the writing hold my interest but also my admiration for a convincing honesty weaving a wonderful historically gothic tale. I am already squeezing my budget for more of Ms. Howarth’s books!
Reviewed for Romance Reviews Magazine - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
August 26, 2016
A marriage of convenience
Liliana was literally sold to Devon in payment of her father's debts. After consummating the union, the Duke takes himself to London and his mistress. Liliana has rarely seen him in three years. Devon's previous two wives died, childless, under suspicious circumstances.
If I had proofread this book, I would have made 62 corrections, such as
internment should be interment
intents purposes should be intents and purposes
get you to back Calder should be get you back to Calder
ascent should be assent and
to play are parts should be to play our parts
The punctuation is maddening, with commas dropped into the middle of sentences and missing quotation marks.
These are good stories, but it is a struggle for me to read them.
Liliana was literally sold to Devon in payment of her father's debts. After consummating the union, the Duke takes himself to London and his mistress. Liliana has rarely seen him in three years. Devon's previous two wives died, childless, under suspicious circumstances.
If I had proofread this book, I would have made 62 corrections, such as
internment should be interment
intents purposes should be intents and purposes
get you to back Calder should be get you back to Calder
ascent should be assent and
to play are parts should be to play our parts
The punctuation is maddening, with commas dropped into the middle of sentences and missing quotation marks.
These are good stories, but it is a struggle for me to read them.
August 7, 2018
I enjoyed the author’s portrayal of this Regency hero who is just a little bit different from what we expect of the typical Regency male. Liliana seems a bit slow off the mark at first, but she’s young with plenty of time for her feelings and, indeed, her intentions to mature. An entertaining read.
July 2, 2020
Very classic romance with good chemistry between hero and heroine and hot love scenes. Unlike so many recent romances I've read, the style was appropriate to the historical period the book depicted...
February 12, 2017
No depth to characters and very crude in places
February 10, 2017
The cock of Caldor.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews