How to Love a Duke in Ten Days by Kerrigan Byrne
Synopsis:
These men are dark, bold, and brave. And there is only one woman who can bring them to their knees…
Famed and brilliant, Lady Alexandra Lane has always known how to look out for to herself. But nobody would ever expect that she has darkness in her past—one that she pays a blackmailer to keep buried. Now, with her family nearing bankruptcy, Alexandra strikes upon a solution: Get married to one of the empire’s most wealthy eligible bachelors. Even if he does have the reputation of a devil.
LOVE TAKES NO PRISONERS
Piers Gedrick Atherton, the Duke of Redmayne, is seeking revenge and the first step is securing a bride. Winning a lady’s hand is not so easy, however, for a man known as the Terror of Torcliff. Then, Alexandra enters his life like a bolt of lightning. When she proposes marriage, Piers knows that, like him, trouble haunts her footsteps. But her gentleness, sharp wit, independent nature, and incredible beauty awakens every fierce desire within him. He will do whatever it takes to keep her safe in his arms.
Buy-book link:
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250243270
My Review:
This book deserves ALL of the accolades! The author’s writing captured me from the very first page. If you are wondering where to begin with historical romance, Kerrigan Byrne is a fantastic place to start! Sensual, lush and exciting, ‘How to Love a Duke in Ten Days’ completely captivated me.
This book touches on some dark subjects. Alexandra is a rape survivor and vows never to be a victim again. The author handles the topic with sensitivity and honesty. I loved how Alexandra was able to find true love even though she feared intimacy. Piers was also damaged emotionally but something in his tortured soul touched Alexandra. I highlighted SO many parts of this book because the writing is just stunning!
“Despite his cultured accent, he didn’t appear at all civilized. Indeed, he could have belonged to the scores of rowdy and robust men her professors had hired to protect them in unknown countries. Men she’d spent a decade doing her best to avoid.”
Lady Alexandra Lane is being blackmailed due to a violent secret from her past. Her two best friends have been helping her, but her only way out now is to agree to a marriage with Piers, also known as the Terror of Torcliff. She is frightened but determined to go through with the arrangement in order to protect her loved ones. Piers Atherton, the Duke of Redmayne, is strangely attracted to this intelligent, witty young woman, and finds her irresistible.
“Best he never saw Alexandra Lane again. The strange longings she evoked were both unsettling and bloody dispiriting. He’d a long and terrible retribution to attend to, and then there were the beasts to consider. Both within and without the castle. Though maybe he’d keep her in that cottage on the cliff, locked in his mind. And when he had a moment to himself, he’d visit her there.”
I loved Alexandra and Piers! He was powerful yet insecure and she was beautiful yet fearful. They really were a perfect match! I loved how Piers always let Alexandra’s intelligence shine though and loved her bravery. Alexandra saw past his awful scars, to the loyal man beneath. This is the kind of book that I will also listen to on audiobook because the dialogue and the descriptions are just so lush. I could go on and on about this book but I can’t do just to the author’s gorgeous writing. It’s sexy, emotional, smart and very funny.
Piers is positively swoony and and worthy alpha hero. He is perfect for Alexandra! Action, romance, and a wonderful ending, ‘How to Love a Duke in Ten Days’ has it all. I am looking forward to reading more about Alexandra’s friends, who I hope will get their own books next in this new series!
“He may be a duke, but she was the prize. A doctor, a linguist, and a lady. Someone with purpose and meaning.”
(ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.)
Excerpt:
Chapter One
Maynemouth, Devonshire, 1890 Ten years later
Alexander,
Accept the invitation to Castle Redmayne. I’m in danger. I need you.—Frank
Alexandra Lane had spent the entire train ride from Lon- don to Devonshire meticulously pondering those fourteen words for two separate reasons.
The first, she had been unable to stop fretting for Fran- cesca, who tended to give more than the appropriate amount of context. The terse, vague note Alexandra now held was more of a warning than the message contained therein.
The second, she could no longer afford a first-class, pri- vate railcar, and had, for the last several tense hours, been forced to share her vestibule face-to-face with a rough- featured, stocky man with shoulders made for labor.
Alone.He’d attempted polite conversation at first, which she’d rebuffed with equal civility by feigning interest in her cor- respondence. By now, however, they were both painfully aware she needn’t take four stops to read two letters.
It was terribly rude, she knew. Her carpetbag remained clutched in her fist the entire time, except when her hand would wander into its depths to palm the tiny pistol she always carried. The sounds of the other passengers in ad- joining vestibules didn’t make her feel safer, per se.
But she knew they would hear her scream, and that pro- vided some relief.
For a woman who’d spent a great deal of the last ten years in the company of men, she’d thought these painful moments would have relented by now.
Alas, she’d become a mistress of manipulating a situa- tion so, even if she had to endure the company of men without a female companion, there would be more than one man. In the circles she tended to frequent, people be- haved when in company.
It had worked thus far.
Alexandra braced herself against the slowing of the train, breathing a silent prayer of relief that they’d finally arrived. She’d been terrified that if she’d glanced up once, she’d be forced into conversation with her unwanted com- panion.
Rain wept against the coach window, and the shadows of the tears painted macabre little serpents on the conflict- ing documents in her hands. One, a wedding invitation. The other, Francesca’s alarming note.
A month past, she’d have wagered her entire inheritance against Francesca Cavendish’s being the first of the Red Rogues to capitulate to the bonds of matrimony.
A month past, she’d assumed she’d had an inheritance to wager.Their little society had seemed destined to live up to the promise they’d once made as young, disenchanted girls to never marry.
Until the invitation to an engagement masquerade— given by the Duke of Redmayne—had arrived the same day of her friend’s cryptic and startling note.
The invitation had been equally as ambiguous, stating that the future duchess of Redmayne would be unveiled, as it were, at the ball. Included in Alexandra’s particular envelope was a request for her to attend as a bridesmaid.
The subsequent plea for help from Francesca—Frank— had arrived in a tiny envelope with the Red Rogue seal they’d commissioned some years prior.
Alexandra hadn’t even known Francesca had returned from her romps about the Continent. Last she’d heard, the countess had been in Morocco, doing reconnaissance of some sort. Nothing in her letters had mentioned a suitor. Not a serious one, in any case. Certainly not a duke.
Francesca had a talent for mischief and a tendency to interpret danger as mere adventure.
So, what could possibly frighten her fearless friend?
Marriage, obviously, Alexandra thought with a smirk.
A risky venture, to be sure.
From How to Love a Duke in Ten Days. Copyright © 2019 by Kerrigan Byrne and reprinted with permission from St. Martin’s Paperbacks.
Author Bio:
Whether she’s writing about Celtic Druids, Victorian bad boys, or brash Irish FBI Agents, USA Today bestseller Kerrigan Byrne uses her borderline-obsessive passion for history, her extensive Celtic ancestry, and her love of Shakespeare in every book. She lives at the base of the Rocky Mountains with her handsome husband and three lovely teenage girls, but dreams of settling on the Pacific Coast. Her Victorian Rebels novels include The Highwayman and The Highlander.
Giveaway:
Just leave a comment below on what you’re currently reading to enter the giveaway! Paperback copy, U.S. only. Giveaway closes Tuesday September 3rd. Good luck!
Rita Wray says
I’m reading Always by Cheryl Holt.
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Ths heir by Johanna lindsey
Kim Perry says
Dangerous Desires by J.T. Geissinger
Ellen says
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Linda Romer says
Currently reading Here to stay by Mark Edwards. Thank you