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Scandals of the Heart #1
Trapping a Duchess
Sophie Sinclair is no stranger to scandal. She's spent the better part of a decade restoring her reputation after jilting a young marquess. But with acceptance comes expectation, and Sophie's return has society and her family pressuring her to choose a husband. Just when she thought matters couldn't get any worse, the marquess returns to London, only now he's a powerful duke with a mind for marriage and a taste for torment.
The Duke of Tolland wants nothing more than an amiable and unassuming bride. He believes he's found his future duchess in pretty newcomer Lady Abigail. There's only one problem: Sophie has returned to London and caught the eye of Lady Abigail's brother. His future threatened by his past, Andrew doles out an ultimatum. When Sophie rises to the challenge, the stakes soar to shocking heights.
With neither willing to concede, there's only one way to tip the scales: Seduction.
The Duke of Tolland wants nothing more than an amiable and unassuming bride. He believes he's found his future duchess in pretty newcomer Lady Abigail. There's only one problem: Sophie has returned to London and caught the eye of Lady Abigail's brother. His future threatened by his past, Andrew doles out an ultimatum. When Sophie rises to the challenge, the stakes soar to shocking heights.
With neither willing to concede, there's only one way to tip the scales: Seduction.
351 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
13 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Michele Bekemeyer
2 books10 followersMuch to her characters' dismay, Michele can most often be found walking barefoot through Hyde Park, hems mingling with mud as she crouches down to pluck a flower from the ground. Despite being born into a middle class family an ocean away, she is no stranger to England or its peerage. By day, she crunches numbers; by night, she attends balls and soirees, slipping in and out of the shadows as she searches for moments to include in her next novel.
You can find more of Michele's work at www.burningbookpress.com.
You can find more of Michele's work at www.burningbookpress.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
October 22, 2012
If you are looking for something new, this is not it. Just another story, like thousand others, about an incredibly rich, very good looking guy (slightly arrogant but in a attractive way, you see?)that could have any woman he wants. But he wants the one who doesn't want him. Or she does, but she doesn't know it.The main female character is of course beautiful,cute, charming, perfect, child-like, strong headed, so independent and above all so annoying I wish I could give her a slap to make her to come to her senses.
I understand that it is only a work of fiction, but this book takes the word "fiction" to whole new level. There is every cliché going in this book: A guy desperate for commitment,woman who finds him so attractive and exciting that she can't help herself to seek him at every opportunity yet still adamant not to marry him. He goes as far as to refuse to have sex with her unless they get married. Isn't it normally the other way around? Woman chasing a guy? Man afraid of commitment and woman withdrawing sex in hope to trap a husband..? I was especially disappointed with the author after reading the more raunchy scenes: Andrew can make Sophie orgasm 2 times on average every time they have sex... Michelle Beckemeyer, you are a woman, how could you write something so ridiculous? This is when I gave up on you. Why couldn't this book be a bit different than all the other chick-lit books out there, interesting but more like real life, more believable, more likely to happen?
I understand that it is only a work of fiction, but this book takes the word "fiction" to whole new level. There is every cliché going in this book: A guy desperate for commitment,woman who finds him so attractive and exciting that she can't help herself to seek him at every opportunity yet still adamant not to marry him. He goes as far as to refuse to have sex with her unless they get married. Isn't it normally the other way around? Woman chasing a guy? Man afraid of commitment and woman withdrawing sex in hope to trap a husband..? I was especially disappointed with the author after reading the more raunchy scenes: Andrew can make Sophie orgasm 2 times on average every time they have sex... Michelle Beckemeyer, you are a woman, how could you write something so ridiculous? This is when I gave up on you. Why couldn't this book be a bit different than all the other chick-lit books out there, interesting but more like real life, more believable, more likely to happen?
February 13, 2013
The heroine in this story is so unbelievably determined never to marry - for reasons that really didn't stand up to close scrutiny (when you learned them late in the story), that I ended up scorning the hero who was stupid enough to pursue her - several years after she had jilted him at the altar.
The story concept was promising, but the heroine's refusal to change her mind re marriage, and her willingness to use the hero as a lover, went on far far too long.
She was one precocious little piece of work, and while I am an independent woman - this one was not. She did not appear to have an income or wealth of her own; she lived in her brother's house, but appeared to do very little in terms of managing his household for him or contributing to that effort in any way.
A promising premise that fell flat in the execution.
The story concept was promising, but the heroine's refusal to change her mind re marriage, and her willingness to use the hero as a lover, went on far far too long.
She was one precocious little piece of work, and while I am an independent woman - this one was not. She did not appear to have an income or wealth of her own; she lived in her brother's house, but appeared to do very little in terms of managing his household for him or contributing to that effort in any way.
A promising premise that fell flat in the execution.
September 25, 2016
Couldn't even finished even if I push myself. Should've put a warning; "Contain immature heroine" at the first page so that I can be well prepared before reading it.
March 6, 2017
I liked the story and I liked that both Sophie and Andrew were adults only a few years apart (which made it believable.) and they just had to work out the kinks of being silly youngsters. I got this as an audio podcast that Michele read to us. I didn't really buy this as a Regency (because of some things that I felt were very modern) but it was a very good story about the aristocracy and could have been later 19th century or even a current love story of the upper classes. I couldn't wait to get to the next episode to see what antics awaited them and was glad when Sophie realized that maddening Andrew was the man for her. Can't wait to read the second volume and hope that Michele will write more about this group.
January 14, 2023
This is the reason men think women like douchebags. Both her brother and her love interest are arrogant and selfish and think women are nothing but to be possessed or dominated or browbeaten into submission and while she keeps saying she hates this her actions speak otherwise. DNF chapter 8
July 12, 2018
Unfortunately, I have read much better historical romance books with more likeable characters. Also, the book dragged in the second half, maybe I would have liked it more if it was a novella.
October 19, 2020
MR
I enjoyed it but I would have enjoyed it much more if it had been a few chapters shorter the will she won't she went on a bit to long in my opinion
I enjoyed it but I would have enjoyed it much more if it had been a few chapters shorter the will she won't she went on a bit to long in my opinion
August 22, 2016
Continuing with my whole historical romance run is Trapping a Duchess. This is the first book by this author that I’ve read, and I also only bothered reading the blurb because the dress on the cover is gorgeous!
Anyway enter Sophie, spoilt, dependent on her brother and who jilted her betrothed when she was 18. Now 24 she has managed to woo the ton into forgiving her scandal when the Duke of Tolland(you remember him, the jilted one) returns to stay. He’s older, hotter, more arrogant and as pompous as ever, at least according to Sophie. So what happens when they both decide they must marry, not each other of course, that would be ridiculous, but then, this is a romance novel.
My feelings about this book are a bit confused at the moment. On one hand I did enjoy the writing, on the other Sophie is a moron and so is a Duke. Oh, they aren’t stupid in a way I detest or anything, but honestly what man goes after the same woman who left him at the altar 7 years ago? Ok fine, I concede that stranger things have happened in real life, but Sophie didn’t really have a legitimate reason for running away, (I mean is it beyond you to have a conversation with him before taking such drastic measures?). Further I thought she was being ridiculously stubborn and hard headed, and not in a particularly endearing way either. Honestly, if she wasn’t so judgmental, things would have sorted themselves a lot sooner. As it was I thought the story dragged on just a tad too long.
Side characters were definitely interesting. I would love to read about Alexandra and Charles, Simon and Eliza, but mostly I want to know whatever happens to Courtland.
Overall I did enjoy it, especially the initial tension between Sophie and Andrew (that’s the Duke of Tolland to you), but could it have been done better? Yes, I think so. I don’t think there were enough drool worthy moments for me. Perhaps more of those delicious jealous scenes between him and Courtland would have helped.
3.5 star read for me, which I’m rounding up to 4.
Anyway enter Sophie, spoilt, dependent on her brother and who jilted her betrothed when she was 18. Now 24 she has managed to woo the ton into forgiving her scandal when the Duke of Tolland(you remember him, the jilted one) returns to stay. He’s older, hotter, more arrogant and as pompous as ever, at least according to Sophie. So what happens when they both decide they must marry, not each other of course, that would be ridiculous, but then, this is a romance novel.
My feelings about this book are a bit confused at the moment. On one hand I did enjoy the writing, on the other Sophie is a moron and so is a Duke. Oh, they aren’t stupid in a way I detest or anything, but honestly what man goes after the same woman who left him at the altar 7 years ago? Ok fine, I concede that stranger things have happened in real life, but Sophie didn’t really have a legitimate reason for running away, (I mean is it beyond you to have a conversation with him before taking such drastic measures?). Further I thought she was being ridiculously stubborn and hard headed, and not in a particularly endearing way either. Honestly, if she wasn’t so judgmental, things would have sorted themselves a lot sooner. As it was I thought the story dragged on just a tad too long.
Side characters were definitely interesting. I would love to read about Alexandra and Charles, Simon and Eliza, but mostly I want to know whatever happens to Courtland.
Overall I did enjoy it, especially the initial tension between Sophie and Andrew (that’s the Duke of Tolland to you), but could it have been done better? Yes, I think so. I don’t think there were enough drool worthy moments for me. Perhaps more of those delicious jealous scenes between him and Courtland would have helped.
3.5 star read for me, which I’m rounding up to 4.
May 6, 2011
Why I read this book:
This week I was in the mood for a straight up romance. So I headed over to Podiobook, and downloaded Trapping a Duchess by Michele Bekemeyer. I'm a fan of the Regency era. I've never read a book set in it before, but I loved Amanda Foreman's biography of the Duchess of Devonshire.
My one sentence summary:
The very man Lady Sophia standing at the alter seven years ago might be the only man she can love.
Kudos:
Bekemeyer expertly conveys the language and norms of the Regency era. Lady Sophia is a strong willed woman, who actively seeks the freedom she believes spinsterhood will offer her. Unwilling to be ruled by a man, Lady Sophia will sacrifice everything except her place in the Ton to gain her freedom. Andrew is an imposing and passionate duke torn between the scars of his past with Sophia and his desire for the woman she has become. The romance is tortuous and bodice-ripping. But it doesn't stop there. Bekemeyer is skilled in erotica, and her bedroom (or carriage or library) scenes are graphic and stimulating.
Quibbles:
I had to wonder how desperate Sophia was for freedom from marriage. In that era, she would have been beholden to her family for support with the only expectation of marrying well. The biggest threat she faces is in being exiled from the Ton to the country side. I also felt that Andrew and his sister were far too quick to forgive Sophia for leaving Andrew at the alter. This is an idealized romance story with little more plot than the relationships of the characters. The few addition plot points often feels like filler and are largely left unresolved.
Final verdict:
Although Podiobooks offers its audiobooks for free, I enjoyed Trapping a Duchess enough to pay full price for it. If you are into Regency romantic erotica, this is the book for you. I was glad to see that a subsequent book in this series picks up a side plot introduced in the first book that is left unresolved.
This week I was in the mood for a straight up romance. So I headed over to Podiobook, and downloaded Trapping a Duchess by Michele Bekemeyer. I'm a fan of the Regency era. I've never read a book set in it before, but I loved Amanda Foreman's biography of the Duchess of Devonshire.
My one sentence summary:
The very man Lady Sophia standing at the alter seven years ago might be the only man she can love.
Kudos:
Bekemeyer expertly conveys the language and norms of the Regency era. Lady Sophia is a strong willed woman, who actively seeks the freedom she believes spinsterhood will offer her. Unwilling to be ruled by a man, Lady Sophia will sacrifice everything except her place in the Ton to gain her freedom. Andrew is an imposing and passionate duke torn between the scars of his past with Sophia and his desire for the woman she has become. The romance is tortuous and bodice-ripping. But it doesn't stop there. Bekemeyer is skilled in erotica, and her bedroom (or carriage or library) scenes are graphic and stimulating.
Quibbles:
I had to wonder how desperate Sophia was for freedom from marriage. In that era, she would have been beholden to her family for support with the only expectation of marrying well. The biggest threat she faces is in being exiled from the Ton to the country side. I also felt that Andrew and his sister were far too quick to forgive Sophia for leaving Andrew at the alter. This is an idealized romance story with little more plot than the relationships of the characters. The few addition plot points often feels like filler and are largely left unresolved.
Final verdict:
Although Podiobooks offers its audiobooks for free, I enjoyed Trapping a Duchess enough to pay full price for it. If you are into Regency romantic erotica, this is the book for you. I was glad to see that a subsequent book in this series picks up a side plot introduced in the first book that is left unresolved.
February 9, 2012
Trapping a Duchess begins with the future Duke of Toland, Andrew, being left at the isle by his seventeen year-old fiancee, Sophie. Seven years later, Andrew returns from America and meets a newly redeemed Sophie who hopes they can effect some civility in spite of the scandal. Instead of feeling anger at her previous rejection, he quickly finds himself attracted to her and vice versa. So begins a rather amusing game of seduction by the somewhat experienced gentleman.
Trapping a Duchess is a wonderful introduction to both the Regency Romance genre and Michelle Bekemeyer's writing. The relationship is played out with comedic dialogue and circumstances, progressing at a worthy pace while the clock for the end of the season when she will be forced by her brother to marry someone clicks by. The sex scenes are both spicy and charming, with an emotional component that added to the story as a whole. The rest of the cast offered plenty of guidance for the pair, with the odd few added some elements of drama such as a certain bitchy gossip. *cough-cough*
Trapping a Duchess is a wonderful introduction to both the Regency Romance genre and Michelle Bekemeyer's writing. The relationship is played out with comedic dialogue and circumstances, progressing at a worthy pace while the clock for the end of the season when she will be forced by her brother to marry someone clicks by. The sex scenes are both spicy and charming, with an emotional component that added to the story as a whole. The rest of the cast offered plenty of guidance for the pair, with the odd few added some elements of drama such as a certain bitchy gossip. *cough-cough*
November 7, 2013
3.5 stars
A fun read. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline and it was a few hours of getting away from reality, which is what I look for in a book.
What I didn't really like, but can live with :~ The modern speech and phrases that were not suited to an English regency time period. eg The use of the word 'okay', sure, and others. I did feel like I was reading something modern, but in a regency setting, written by an American. There were also a few spelling/grammar errors in the e-book I received which could easily be fixed. Mind you, this is nothing different from many other Historical novels I have read recently.
What I loved ~ The interaction between the h/h and the romance in general. I loved the whole book in fact ! It did what it had to do - entertained me. I look forward to reading the sequel.
A fun read. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline and it was a few hours of getting away from reality, which is what I look for in a book.
What I didn't really like, but can live with :~ The modern speech and phrases that were not suited to an English regency time period. eg The use of the word 'okay', sure, and others. I did feel like I was reading something modern, but in a regency setting, written by an American. There were also a few spelling/grammar errors in the e-book I received which could easily be fixed. Mind you, this is nothing different from many other Historical novels I have read recently.
What I loved ~ The interaction between the h/h and the romance in general. I loved the whole book in fact ! It did what it had to do - entertained me. I look forward to reading the sequel.
February 28, 2011
A cute and witty romp around Regency era London where the Ton dragons are all a twitter when the lovely Sophie and her ex-finance (who she left standing at the altar 7 years ago) begin to make the circuit of parties.
Simon, Sophie's brother, has given her an ultimatum: Marry by the end of the season or he would see her put out to the country with no more town fun. Sophie will have none of that. But she also won't be forced into a marriage where she will be dominated like her mother was (by her father).
Will Sophie run again? Possibly!
Nice read. Nothing too deep or too superficial!
Simon, Sophie's brother, has given her an ultimatum: Marry by the end of the season or he would see her put out to the country with no more town fun. Sophie will have none of that. But she also won't be forced into a marriage where she will be dominated like her mother was (by her father).
Will Sophie run again? Possibly!
Nice read. Nothing too deep or too superficial!
November 18, 2014
I didnt expect to like the book so much. Apparently, I was proved wrong.
I would like to thank the author for ignoring the need to be like all the others and strive for a complicated plot.
This one is straight up honest romance. Every single moment mattered. It didn't drag and it didn't rush. It was perfect.
Maybe I'm easy to please but I swear when I say this one is a gem and deserves a good rating.
I love how they banter and how they argue but still it didn't feel suffocating or heavy, it just made their coming together all the more sweeter.
Looking forward to reading the next book...secondary characters were full of personality.
I think I just found my new fave book and author
I would like to thank the author for ignoring the need to be like all the others and strive for a complicated plot.
This one is straight up honest romance. Every single moment mattered. It didn't drag and it didn't rush. It was perfect.
Maybe I'm easy to please but I swear when I say this one is a gem and deserves a good rating.
I love how they banter and how they argue but still it didn't feel suffocating or heavy, it just made their coming together all the more sweeter.
Looking forward to reading the next book...secondary characters were full of personality.
I think I just found my new fave book and author
November 18, 2014
I didnt expect to like the book so much. Apparently, I was proved wrong.
I would like to thank the author for ignoring the need to be like all the others and strive for a complicated plot.
This one is straight up honest romance. Every single moment mattered. It didn't drag and it didn't rush. It was perfect.
Maybe I'm easy to please but I swear when I say this one is a gem and deserves a good rating.
I love how they banter and how they argue but still it didn't feel suffocating or heavy, it just made their coming together all the more sweeter.
Looking forward to reading the next book...secondary characters were full of personality.
I think I just found my new fave book and author
I would like to thank the author for ignoring the need to be like all the others and strive for a complicated plot.
This one is straight up honest romance. Every single moment mattered. It didn't drag and it didn't rush. It was perfect.
Maybe I'm easy to please but I swear when I say this one is a gem and deserves a good rating.
I love how they banter and how they argue but still it didn't feel suffocating or heavy, it just made their coming together all the more sweeter.
Looking forward to reading the next book...secondary characters were full of personality.
I think I just found my new fave book and author
January 25, 2012
I originally heard Michelle read this on her podcast series, and I enjoyed it very much. I always like to support these authors, and so purchsed the Nook edition. It was every bit as good as I remembered. Well done period romance, but with a bit of a modern voice (no Georgette Heyer here!). The characters were very believable and well-thought-out. Each of the main characters seemed clearly defined, although some the background characters were definitely "stock". I will enjoy revisiting this one!
January 26, 2016
Trapping a duchess
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I'm going to add Michele Bekemeyer to my list of favorite authors. I could relate to the character of Sophia not wanting a controlling husband and Andrew was so believable as a man struggling with his feelings. I've already downloaded the next book in the series "At Journeys End" with the story of Alexandra and I'm hoping to see more books with the story of Gabriel and one for Simon.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I'm going to add Michele Bekemeyer to my list of favorite authors. I could relate to the character of Sophia not wanting a controlling husband and Andrew was so believable as a man struggling with his feelings. I've already downloaded the next book in the series "At Journeys End" with the story of Alexandra and I'm hoping to see more books with the story of Gabriel and one for Simon.
October 29, 2016
Nice light read, interesting characters. Sophie and the duke Andrew were engaged to be wed in an arranged marriage. They were friends etc etc, she left him at the altar and 7 years later she is back and being pressured to marry someone. Andrew wants her more than ever and she doesn't want to marry because of her relationship with her father. It was a quick read, not terrible, not great, probably won't read it again.
January 4, 2013
Trapping a Duchess has the entire 19th century England check list: house parties in the country, balls in London with the ton, and ices at Gunter's.
This book is just like candy. Definitely a guilty pleasure but well written, although the phrases the characters use are a little anachronistic at times. That's my only complaint though.
This book is just like candy. Definitely a guilty pleasure but well written, although the phrases the characters use are a little anachronistic at times. That's my only complaint though.
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November 23, 2015GOOD READ
What a great story...So many stories are based on ogres for perspective brides; fathers who don ' t understands and Mothers who can 't seem to figure out what seems to be the problem!!i must give credit to the story that did not involve a hundred aunts, bunch of bratty kids,,,It was a good ole' love story thanks
What a great story...So many stories are based on ogres for perspective brides; fathers who don ' t understands and Mothers who can 't seem to figure out what seems to be the problem!!i must give credit to the story that did not involve a hundred aunts, bunch of bratty kids,,,It was a good ole' love story thanks
July 31, 2016
Really he wants the SAME chick who ditched him at his arranged wedding? I did give it a 3 because I still love the stories REGARDLESS if it's the same plot as most others. I mean really how much can you change historical romance plot lines? You either have a poor girl who gets a rich hubby or a rich girl who finds herself a poor man with a title etc.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2014
Good afternoon read
light reading...not too deep or serious. liked that it did not follow the usual formula of a romance novel: meet, fall in love, tragedy, rescue...this one was a love story only..very well written... enjoyed it!
light reading...not too deep or serious. liked that it did not follow the usual formula of a romance novel: meet, fall in love, tragedy, rescue...this one was a love story only..very well written... enjoyed it!
September 11, 2016
Sassy, steamy, sex(y).
February 7, 2011
Fantastic! I love this book and can't wait for the next one!!!
July 2, 2012
I loved this. Georgette Heyer with sex. Ideal.
January 19, 2013
From the first page to the last I was captivated! Absolutely loved it!!
July 29, 2013
Loved this debut novel and looking forward to more!
November 11, 2013
2.5 stars
50 shades meets pride and prejudice.. Quick read but predictable. Wasn't impressed..
50 shades meets pride and prejudice.. Quick read but predictable. Wasn't impressed..
August 12, 2016
I enjoyed it far more than expected. A sweet and funny read for when you need to get your head off thinking too much.
May 29, 2015
Loved it! Typical historical romance. Charming actually.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews