Entangled

The Duel #1

by Mary Lancaster

A deadly quarrel, an impossible love

On his way to rejoin Wellington’s gathering army near Brussels, Major Giles Butler fights a duel with the opinionated Duke of Cuttyngham. It was never meant to be a killing affair, and yet the duke lies dead at his feet. Determined to contribute to the final victory over Napoleon before standing trial, Butler bolts for the coast. En route, he unwittingly aids the lovely young Duchess of Cuttyngham to escape her gilded cage.

Desperate to live a useful life, Rosamund has left her husband’s cold and stifling house with the intention of becoming a village herbalist. She no longer believes in love or romance, especially not for herself, and yet by the time she learns of her husband’s death – and the identity of his killer – she is already falling in love.

Hopelessly entangled with each other, family machinations, officers of the law, and an unusual pair of eloping young lovers – to say nothing of Bonaparte’s threat to the peace of Europe – Giles and Rosamund finally arrive in Brussels. But can they defy scandal and the law to be together?

After all, how can a widow love the duellist who shot her husband?

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Regency, Historical Fiction, Historical

258 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 9, 2023

About the author

Mary Lancaster is a USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction and historical romance. She lives in Scotland with her husband, one of three grown-up kids, and a small dog with a big personality.

Her first literary love was historical fiction, a genre which she relishes mixing up with romance and adventure in her own writing. Several of her novels feature actual historical characters as diverse as Hungarian revolutionaries, medieval English outlaws, and a family of eternally rebellious royal Scots. To say nothing of Vlad the Impaler.
Her most recent books are light fun Regency romances, with occasional forays into Victorian mystery.

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Reviews

[Pooja Peravali · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Rosamund and Giles encounter each other on the road, she doesn’t know that he has just killed the Duke of Cuttyngham in a duel, and he doesn’t know that she is the Duchess. But by the time they find out, it’s too late – they’re already in love.

I really enjoy Mary Lancaster’s books because in a weird way they remind me of those old eighties bodice ripper romances – the same adventurous plots, the same rich historical setting that you usually don’t find in many current day romance novels – except no rampant misogyny or actual bodice ripping, which them easier to recommend them to your friends!

This is the first book in The Duel series, which deals with the fallout surrounding the death of the Duke of Cuttyngham apparently in a duel with a soldier; of course it’s not as simple as that, of course. It’s a bold move to romantically pair a man with the wife of the man he killed, but I really enjoyed how Lancaster let the story unfold, and believed in how they would end up together.

Giles and Rosamund make an excellent couple, and though the sex scenes fade to black I would be remiss if I did not mention the sizzling tension between the characters that we get to see on screen. The historical aspect is vivid, immersing me thoroughly in chaos of the point in time – just on the cusp of the Battle of Waterloo. I was intrigued by the supporting characters and excited to see how the dastardly villain’s schemes unfold throughout the rest of the series.

I thought the pacing towards the end stumbled a little, especially in the incident with Lord Nimmot, but that didn’t really detract from my enjoyment of the story. I’m really excited to read the next books in the series!

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[🦉Maggie Whitworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋

Full of action, romance, passion and historical beauty.
Mary consistently writes wonderful books about the lives of ladies and gentlemen who lived and loved, and the chemistry that they have together .

This one is lovely, a very engaging read and a great way to spend a few hours curled in front of the fire.
A little action, some passion and a lot of love.
What more could you want from a book.

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

[Anne-Mammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

i had never read books by Mary Lancaster before and thought I would try this series given the good reliable reviews I had read. My immediate reaction is that is is rather underwhelming. It is an easy read and the author's style flows well, but the events are all very predictable and the main characters rather too good to be true with perhaps too many last minute "to the rescue" episodes.
As it is the first of a series of 4 books, there are plenty of secondary characters who will get their story told in due course. I thought the most promising one might well be the new Duke, Victor so I'll read his story (Beloved). It is all happening just before or during the battle of Waterloo. Let's see what happens!

[Tina Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in Lancaster’s series The Duel. I admit to having read book 3 before reading this one and while it was ok, things make a lot more sense if you read this one first.
I really enjoyed this series, the characters were so well matched and genuine in their reactions to each other and the situations they encounter. For a book with a deadly duel at the heart of it, there was a fair amount of joy and lightheartedness in the story. There were tense situations and dastardly deeds too, just to keep things interesting.
I just wanted to devour each single page, one after another, so I could find out what happened next! (I read this in one sitting.) I loved the many twists and turns, the obstacles Rosamund and Giles faced, the villains, the unexpected friends and help they received.
Lancaster does an excellent job of being historically accurate, which I appreciate and something that many HR books lack I find. There wasn’t any contemporary action or wording to pull me out of the story.
There were several love scenes, which were fade to black as opposed to extremely detailed but the sexual tension and love between the H and h was so well conveyed, that the scenes really add depth to the story.
I am picky about the HR authors I read but I definitely recommend Mary Lancaster…and this series in particular.

[Rainelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories synopsis and the plot itself has convinced me that this was an exciting read. The duel and then escaping by the skin of your teeth was amazing. The book is a great book to read at knight. I loved the romance that blooms by the couple. The writing is alright. I would say is like structured or very controlled verses relaxed and free feeling.

[Karen Darling · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good.

[Gloria · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

My first book by this author. Her writing style flows smoothly and effortlessly, and she puts effort into fashioning a creditable tale with interesting characters. There’s imagination here, and sincerity. The most successful aspect of this book is a romance that progresses from initial attraction through trust through feelings so deep that the two main characters are willing to weather repercussions to be together. That’s the good news.

The bad news is that too much didn’t make sense, and other things were glossed over. The author lost control of her storyline at least once. On page 66 the hero thinks:

“Even if the duel was forgiven him somehow, there was no possible future for him with the widow of the man he had killed.”

The hero didn’t find out until page 86 that the lady he traveled with was the widow of the man he had killed. Oopsie. Historical details weren’t so much inaccurate as ignored altogether. The bad guy might as well have been wearing a tee shirt emblazoned “I am a villain,” and yet no one paid him any mind. In fact he actually proclaimed “I want to be the duke” toward the end of the book, and no eyebrows went up, no lightbulbs went on over any characters’ heads. A mystery that depends upon utter stupidity to continue is not fun for the reader.

This book ends in a happily-ever-after for the main characters, but no questions surrounding the dueling death of the duke are resolved. I hate that.

Lastly, this book is littered with printing errors.

[Me Meshelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humor and suspence

This was an enjoyable romantic read. There was humor, suspense, and twists and turners that kept me turning the page. The characters were well written and there were a lot of them, so I am hoping that we will see many of these characters find their HEA. It was an easy read with just a little mild. The storyline was very different from your usual TON story which
made it even more enjoyable. This author never disappointed and I have co.e to love her work.

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This enjoyable romance does not follow the usual Regency romance format, which makes it all the more entertaining. I loved the interaction between Major Giles Butler and Rosamund, the Duchess of Cuttyngham, and Giles' immediate protectiveness towards her. However, he quickly comes to realize that he has underestimated her. Most of my questions were answered in this novel, but there were a few that I puzzled over. Nevertheless, the plot comes to a good conclusion, bringing a promise of a happy life for Giles and Rosamund. I received a copy of this entertaining novel as a gift through DragonbladPublishing and NetGalley, and this is my honest and voluntary view.

[Layne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scandal

She's in love with the man who.killed her husband, the Duke. Except no ones sure he really killed him. Giles was an officer in the Army, under Wellington, and could not allow the Duke to malign his Captain. So he corrected the Duke and was challenged to a duel. Mary Lancaster takes her reader on a journey full of enough twists and turns to.keep you turning the pages

[Debra Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Major Giles Butler is never one to let an insult slide, especially when an obnoxious duke insults the memory of his late commanding officer. What should have been a simple duel with Giles aiming wide somehow turned into a tragedy when the duke fell dead from a bullet to the shoulder. How could this have happened? Now Giles is being hunted for the murder of a peer. On his way out of town, he meets Rosamond, who unbeknownst to Giles, is the late duke's widow. Rosamond is desperate to leave her controlling husband and has no idea that the man who offers to escort her to the next town is the man who killed her husband. Thus starts a wild ride of cat and mouse as they try to evade the authorities; all the while, their feelings for each other blossom. Can these two find a way to overcome their circumstances, or will Rosamond be forced to say goodbye to the man who ignites such passion within her?

This was a thoroughly enjoyable regency romance and pulled the reader in with the first chapter. The plot moves along well, and there are some unexpected twists and surprises throughout the story. Rosamond was a strong lady who finally found her voice to control her own destiny, and I was glad to see her finally exert her influence. Giles is the consummate gentleman whose growing feelings for the ducal beauty make him want to protect her at all costs, even if it means facing the authorities about the duel. The growing feelings of Rosamond and Giles are sweet, and after a few more twists and turns, they finally get their HEA. The one criticism I have is that after casting so much doubt on how the duke died, nothing was ever resolved and the charges against Giles were never explained. The epilogue seemed very rushed. Did he get a pardon from Wellington? Was the case ruled inconclusive? Was he cleared of all charges? I was disappointed that the issue was not resolved, especially since it was talked about so much throughout the book. I like Ms. Lancaster's books and look forward to reading the next one.

I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy, and all opinions are my own.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*

This is a really interesting start to a series. It sets up (I'm assuming) many of the primary characters for the future books while also drawing you in with a mystery that will most likely carry on throughout the series. Also, having so many lives changed as the result of this one event (the duel) is a great premise for a series. As much as I enjoyed this first story I find I'm also really excited to see what else Mary Lancaster has in store for us in the rest of the series. I would not be disappointed with a romance between Victor and Sophia. Of course, I want to know exactly what Severne is and has been up to. Izzy brought some humor and lightness to the story with some of her antics - I'm really curious if she will make an appearance in any future stories because I'm as interested in her story as I am with everyone else's.

Now, back to Entangled. Rosamund and Giles are a great couple and it was so interesting to see how their relationship developed as new obstacles and problems popped up. They barely knew one another so it would have been so easy for them to just go their separate ways and never meet again. That would have made for a very short book, so I'm glad fate found other ways to keep them together. I liked that Rosamund's reaction to finding out that Giles had killed her husband in a duel was more disappointment that she needed to give up on her plan for independence and return to the ducal estate rather than anger or grief that her husband was dead - it was just such a real reaction for her character. I was glad for Rosamund that her stepchildren were able to be more kind and honest toward her and that their behavior in the past had very little to do with her and was more about their parents. There is a lot going on in this book, but it never feels like too much.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entangled is a convoluted story by Mary Lancaster about the wife of a man killed in a duel. Rosamund Daryll, the Duchess of Cuttyngham, was running away. She had been miserable in her marriage. She doubted her husband would even notice she was gone. She had been saving as money came her way and was ready. At the end of the drive she ran into a soldier, Giles Butler. He seemed a good man and insisted upon accompanying her to Harwich, which was her destination. Little did either of them know that he had just killed her husband in a duel. He had not meant to; he had aimed to the left but at the last minute the duke jumped into the bullet. He knew it was murder. He knew he would be arrested. He just wanted to get to France and help finish Bonaparte off, then he would come home and meet the law.

Both good characters, it took a while before Rosamund and Giles had to face the truth about the duke. Giles didn’t get where he was to meet his ship but through a friend, got on another one. He was an honest man, a soldier. Never before had he felt this way about a woman. He fully intended to take his punishment when he returned, even if it was hanging. Rosamund had been so unhappy, she didn’t realized what she was attempting to do. They met a friend of Giles’ along the way whose circumstances were not as she had relayed, but was happy to help them and herself. Another terrific character. It was an interesting story, different than most, and well worth the read. Lancaster can be depended upon to deliver an entertaining read.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Entangled by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #MaryLancaster #Entangled #booktalk

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Major Giles Butler sees red when the opinionated Duke of Cuttyngham insults his late commanding officer & Giles makes his opinion of the Duke known in no uncertain terms. The outcome is a meeting at dawn, It was never meant to be a killing affair, and yet the duke lies dead at his feet. Determined to contribute to the final victory over Napoleon before standing trial, Butler bolts for the coast. En route, he unwittingly aids the lovely young Duchess of Cuttyngham to escape her gilded cage. Desperate to live a useful life, Rosamund has left her husband’s cold and stifling house with the intention of becoming a village herbalist. Hopelessly entangled with each other, family machinations, officers of the law, and an unusual pair of eloping young lovers – to say nothing of Bonaparte’s threat to the peace of Europe – Giles and Rosamund flee & finally arrive in Brussels.
The first in a new series & I found it to be a well written page turner. I loved Giles who was honourable, trustworthy & straightforward. I liked Rosamund & the more I read the more I liked her as she grew in confidence away from the stifling dukedom. I was intrigued by Victor & Hera, liked Tom, Izzy & Sophia but disliked Anthony & his machinations. I was routing for Giles & Rosamund to have their HEA, especially as their journey threw up quite a few surprises. My only quibble was questions were left unanswered but as the series is entitled The Duel I presume the thread of the duel will feature throughout the series & alll will be revealed in the final book but I wanted closure for Giles which I didn't get
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entangled in the wonder, joy & unpredictability of happenstance!

A refreshingly different, captivating new series starter that really captures your imagination and entangles you in the impulsive, serendipity of a chance meeting with such engaging, well defined, characters.
Jumping straight into the drama and becoming drawn in by witnessing the true hearts of our leads, Giles and Rosamund instantly spark with likability and only grew in my affections the more I read. As each word pulled me further into the intrigue, mystery and 'on the road' romance that unfurled and bloomed so deliciously between them.
I particularly loved the arc of humour and lighthearted fun that radiated from the page and plunged me into a stimulating, race again time, misadventure. Packed with camaraderie and chemistry as a series of compelling mishaps and vibrant subcharacters,  from teenage elopers to fellow charismatic officers, are so cleverly.... and with much entertaining results... threaded into the colourful tapestry, weaving around our two leads, as peril and devious machination shadows their ever step.
Lancaster has crafted this beguilling style of making you smile and laugh along while still being able to cut through the humour to the heart of the individuals and their dire circumstances. Making you cheer them on and even shed a tear or two as you wholeheartedly will them to succeed in defying the odds to be together.
I am eagerly anticipating the next book - there is so many wonderfully tantalising subcharacters here that I can't help but want to unravel and explore them all. I'm hoping this series will be a long one!!

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

What a wonderful start to a new series. This book was completely enchanting. It drew me in right from the beginning. The ups and downs, ebb and flow of the plot was such that it was hard to put down. I adored the main characters as well as the secondary characters. I look forward to the second book in this series and I'm hoping for more!

This is written in a multiple POV format. Not only the main characters but the several of the "villainous" ones as well!

How can you not adore the English major on his way to inform the Duke's family of his death in a duel with himself! In the end, Major Giles Butler comes across a young lady sneaking out of the estate of the duke's. In trying to redeem himself, Giles escort the beautiful lady to her new residence as an atonement to the Cuttyngham family. The young lady is not a cousin but the actual Duchess of Cuttyngham trying to escape the oppress environment of her life.

During the next few days, the two come to terms as to who they really are as the attraction between grows.

There is some kissing and anything else was behind closed doors. If you love historical romances with English soldiers, British nobility along with murder and intrigue, you should give this one a read. There is a question not answered here that I hope is answered in subsequent books. What and/or who actually killed the duke?

[SH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Major Giles Butler finds himself embroiled in a duel with the Duke of Cuttyngham which inadvertently leads to his death. Whilst Giles was meant to rejoin Wellington and his army near Brussels in a battle against Napoleon, instead he finds himself faced with incarceration. Yet en route, he stops to assist Rosalind, a woman who he doesn’t realise is the widow of the duke.
In an attempt to escape her husband, she finds herself falling in love with Giles, only to learn that he has killed her husband. Soon they must together decide on a way to avoid the scandal of their romance and prevent those from stopping them from being together.
This was a great read with just enough twists and turns to keep me entertained. I enjoyed both characters, who were clear in their feelings with only others keeping them apart. They are a mature couple, who have experienced enough of life t avoid the silliness of misinterpreted feelings. It would have been good to have seen the result was for Victor, but I will have to leave this to another book. I also wasn’t sure what had happened between Giles and Wellington, even though their future was played out in the epilogue.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first installment of a brand new and captivating series! The story captured my attention from the first page and kept me engaged till the end. While on his way to rejoining battle, Major Giles Butler finds himself fighting a duel with the Duke of Cuttyngham. Unintentionally, the duke ends up dead, and Giles rushes off to the coast to fight the final battle against Napoleon before having to stand trial. Rosamund is said Duke's wife, now his widow, and she is desperate to leave her controlling husband. Giles meets her on his way out of town and offers to escort her to the next town, without Rosamund knowing his true identity. As they travel together, avoiding the authorities, their feelings begin to grow and Rosamund begins to fall in love with the man that killed her husband.
The storyline was well-written and is nicely paced, with twists and turns that kept me turning the pages. The story has a nice combination of romance, drama, danger, and intrigue and it was a very entertaining and enjoyable story. A wonderful start to what looks to be an exciting series. I can't wait for the next installment! I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Linda J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great start to this series. Interesting characters introduced and I'm wondering by the title, are they all going to be involved in a duel?

I did like the main characters but didn't feel a big connection to them. The H is honorable and got in trouble defending his dead officer. He was the voice of reason and wanted to do right by everyone. The h finally finds her voice in being strong and takes her future into her own hands. Some funny moments especially with a couple of secondary characters.

Not everything is tidy nicely for other secondary characters. You just know the cousin is up to know good especially requesting his daughter makes an appearance.

Lovemaking outside of marriage, heat level 3 out of 5 and described a few times. Little on romance, no cheating, no cliffhanger for out couple, HEA, nice epilogue a few years in the future and some steam. Story ended at 96% on my e-reader-rest is for the next story in the series. I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you some tidbits not mentioned. Some minor typo's and Lord's name used in vain I think once. (ljb)

[Mary Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

An excellent start to a new series. The Duke was being obnoxious and slated Giles's deceased commanding office. Not surprisingly Giles retorts and the Duke demands a duel. Giles intends to delope by shooting wide but the Duke is shot and killed. Giles in a moment of impetuousity heads to the dukes estate ready to apologise to the heir and widow. He doesnt get that far because he finds Rosanna sneaking out to make a new life. Giles volunteers to escort Rosa to her new cottage but on the way they rescue ecloping teenagers and eventually the full truth comes out.

One of the things I love about these series is spotting the overlap in the stories. Mary is very clever at doing this. Who is the woman in the woods when the duel takes place? Why does the Duke stagger into the shot? Why didn't he have his breakfast or at least coffee before the duel? What other machinations is Anthony up to? Who are the near leads in the next book? Heartily recommend.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Elizabeth S · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the Duke of Cuttyngham makes an insulting remark about recently deceased Colonel Landon in the presence of Major Giles Butler, it provokes a return insult from Giles. The duke calls for a duel. Giles had no intention of killing Cuttyngham and shot wide, but the duke lurched to the side and caught the bullet, dying instantly. The duke's death disappointed no one.

Entangled is the perfect title for this Regency tale. Adventure after adventure is woven into the story, with secrets and hidden identities creating unforeseen consequences in Major Butler's flight to Brussels, accompanied by the duke's widow. They are pursued not only by the law, but by members of the duke's family.

The issue of Major Butler's trial for murder was the entire reason for his flight from the law. He hoped that fighting against Napoleon alongside Wellington might at least deter prosecution. He did fight with Wellington, but the issue of his guilt was never resolved. This is the first book in a series, so maybe it will come later.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first page I was sucked into the book.
Major Giles Butler takes exception to the Duke of Cuttyngham's slanderous remarks about his dead friend, Colonel Michael Landon. The challenge to a duel and it's tragic results, leave Major Butler on the run. In his mistaken attempt to meet the Duke's family and apologize, he instead encounters a beautiful widow in need of assistance. She too is on the run. Neither knowing who they really are, they embark on a hair raising journey from one part of the country to another heading for a port. In one day, the major and the widow fall in love. Revealing their true identities, there is little hope for a happy ending. The first book in the series is a must read on your TBR.
Kissing and implied sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

[Petula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Major Giles Butler sometimes let's his temper get away from him. An argument after somebody insults a dead man that the Major greatly admired ends in tragedy.  Our hero ends up completely entangled in more trouble than anyone would want. 

Rosamund is running away from an unhappy, stifling marriage to live simply on her own. Unfortunately,  or maybe fortunately for our heroine the actions of others will change her life for ever. 

This historical romance rushes along at a rollercoaster rate. Our wonderful characters hardly get time to draw a breath between calamities. There are some nasty people working their own agendas, and a War to get on with. 

I'm hoping two of the secondary characters will get a story in another book in this series. The new Duke deserves it. 


Very exciting fun. 

[Jeanie Gaslin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heated quarrel in a crowded taproom leads to a duel. A lifelong soldier ends the live of a Duke. He meant to shoot to the left, but somehow the shot hit its mark and the Duke died instantly.
The widow Rosamund was fleeing from a loveless marriage that was cold and controlled. Upon her escape, she encounters a soldier who denies to help her reach her destination. Unknown to him she is the widow of the man he killed. Unknown to her, this is the man who killed her husband that she doesn’t even know is dead yet.
Major Giles Butler should be on his way to Brussels to report to Wellington and help defeat Napoleon. Instead he is helping a duchess escape her oppressive life and both are falling in love.

[Pat Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an insanely crazy , wild ride! From page one you are thrust into a very dysfunctional family led by a very egotistical despot of a husband and father. I loved how Rosamund stepped out of her very boring comfort zone and decided to make her own life. Giles was the perfect hero, courteous, kind, a gentleman and willing to take his punishment for what he thought he committed after he stopped Napoleon. This was a great story, full of twists and turns. Not sure if there is a “cliff hanger”, but the decision of how the Duke died was never resolved, at least not in this book..maybe in the next book? This book will NOT bore you!

I received this ARC for free and these are my own opinions.

[Michelle Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun! This one kind of reminded me of a soap opera - a super diverting to watch nighttime soap opera like I used to watch back in the 90’s and early 00’s … there’s violence, there’s falling in love with someone ‘scandalous’, there’s developing news about existing family relationships, etc, etc.; in short - drama. While I don’t like it in my own life, I do, on occasion, enjoy reading it - especially this kind.

This was my first time reading Ms. Lancaster, I enjoyed my time reading Entangled so much - I’ll definitely check out more of this series and her work 🙂




Thank you to Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC!

[Katja · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this Regency instalove story, Rosamund is a duchess whose husband never spent any kindness on her. She's decided to run away from him when she encounters Giles, a military man who just happens to have killed her husband the duke in a duel. There is a Heyeresque eloping couple they assist, as well as sinister relatives who are plotting something for Rosamund. Can they save Giles from being arrested and could Rosamund marry her late husband's killer? I enjoyed this story a good deal. . There are some plotlines left hanging, in order to be resolved in another book (I am assuming). I received a netgalley copy and this is a voluntary review.

[June Calvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting tale

I give this Regency romance high marks for originality of plot, and the main characters are both likeable and believable. I enjoyed reading it very much. I usually go for sweet (low heat) romances but found that this one's 1 1/2 sex scenes fit the plot and advanced it too. I could not quite give it 5 stars because I feel that the Duke of Wellington and I Duchess of Richmond, encorporated in very important ways into the plot, were highly unlikely to have behaved that way at the time of the Regency. Nevertheless I will eagerly read the next book when it comes out.

[Cindy C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book of The Duel series that follows Rosamund, Duchess of Cuttyngham and Major Giles Butler in this rollercoaster ride that brims with tension building twists and turns, trials and tribulations, danger and suspense that will keep you sitting on the edge of your seat. Mary Lancaster has outdone herself with this novel, she has given readers a book that is well-written, filled it with superb cast of characters and a strong plot that bring this read together perfectly! Her characters come to life as you find yourself drawn into their story, the scenes are so strikingly detailed it paints an incredible backdrop that you feel like you are one with the story.

[Susan Czaja · Rating 5 out of 5]

What or who killed the Duke?

Several puzzles are not answered in this first novel, and I have every reason to find out those answers. Mary Lancaster has a very good command of written English, both in her storyline and proper grammar and spelling. She brings her characters to life in ways that make one care about them. Settings are well described. Conversations are believable, even ones that are thoughts in their heads. "The Duel" is obviously the catalyst for this series.