Uncover The Sizzling Secrets Of "Duke Of My Heart"

Title:  Duke Of My Heart
Series:  Season For Scandal
Author:  Kelly Bowen
Review Format:  eARC
Length:  368 pages
Publisher:  Forever
Rating:  5 Stars

Excerpt from Duke of My Heart by Kelly Bowen

He tipped his chair forward on two legs, bringing himself closer to her. She held her ground. He was close enough to kiss her. He braced his elbows on his knees, the bottle dangling from his fingers, his ice-grey eyes searching her face. There was a sheen of liquor on his lower lip, the moisture visible in the flickering lantern light. She could taste it on her own tongue, imagined tasting it on his.

Her heart seemed to be crashing in her chest louder than it should, and her stomach felt as it would have on heaving seas. Her control was slipping, and taking with it her judgment and her wits. “Do you think differently of me? Now that you know who I am? The things I’ve done?” The questions
slipped out of their own volition.

“The things you’ve done?” His forehead creased.

“I sold myself, Max.” There. She’d said it. “Before I had enough power to control my own destiny.”

He stared at her. “I know who you are. You are Ivory Moore. You are the woman who redressed a corpse to save my sister. The woman who kissed me to saveme from myself. You are the only one who understands why I can never be put in a prison that was built for me by fate and circumstance.”

She swallowed, emotion clogging her throat.

“You are the woman I trust.” He pushed himself away from her abruptly, and the chair came back down on four legs with a thud. He stood and set the bottle back on the table with great care. Reaching down, he caught her hands in his and pulled her to her feet. He studied her hands before bringing them to his lips. “The woman I want more than anything.”

Desire streaked through her and settled somewhere deep in her belly. Time seemed to have slowed. His lips grazed the insides of her wrists.

“Max.” It came out like a plea, when she had meant it as a protest.

“I lied,” he said. He pressed his mouth to the flesh of her palm, and her knees nearly buckled.

“What?” It was hard to follow the thread of conversation, what with the feel of his lips on her skin.

“I said I wasn’t sure of anything anymore,” he said quietly.

“But that’s not true. I am sure of you.”

Ivory searched his eyes, seeing only a raw vulnerability in those clear grey depths.

“You’ve more courage than anyone I’ve ever met,” he whispered, pulling her closer to him, their hands still joined.

“You’re drunk.”

“Not nearly enough. But I wish I was.”

“What?”

“If I were drunk, it might excuse what I’m about to do.”

Ivory didn’t have time to even respond before he kissed her.

My Thoughts
Maximus  Harcourt, Duke of Aldridge, never expected to return home from time spent at sea to people cavorting in evening finery in his ballroom.

As assuredly vexing as he may have found the goings on downstairs.  They could in no way hold a candle to the dead Earl of Debarry  tied to his sister's bed, the mysterious absenteeism of said wayward sibling, or the unflagging professionalism of the captivating woman charged with finding the missing Miss, and evacuating the expired Earl.  All upstairs of course.

Duke of My Heart breaks new ground within the genre of Regency Romance.  Applying 21st century rules governing a woman's ability to build her own future and succeed in an unorthodox career, to a decidedly less societally evolved time period.

Making an even bigger dramatic splash, while endearing readers of the 'can do' set.  Protagonist Ivory Moore's no nonsense efficiency in her role as 'cleaner' to the ton, puts her face to face with people and situations that can and do seem to leave the manliest of men flustered and quaking in their heroic boots.

As it turns out.  Miss Moore does her job so well, that our dashing Duke turned captain is often left home to ruminate over just how he can woo his most capable lady...and woo her he does.
For while it is more than clear that Ivory may not need Maximus to save her from the scrapes and predicaments that her profession presents; her treacherous heart and lusty flesh, are clearly in need of a rescue that only his answering passion can provide.

So much more than just a way to titillate the romantic audience.  The love scenes in this read work to both cement the notion of the Maximus and Ivory paring as equally matched, and to peel away a great many of the layers that they both have around their very tender hearts.  What these fiery couplings don't do however, is provide any lull in the speedy pace of this story.

As with an good 'cleaner' story, this one is all about secrets.  The surprise, in this case, just happens to be who's secrets are packing the most punch.  (Hint:  It's not the clients.)

Supporting characters play just as much of an important role in the story as its leading man and lady.  Each one bringing a unique stroke of color to an already vibrant story palette.

A great example of such a character is that of King. The Regency equivalent of a self made underworld kingpin.
One is never sure if  King lives on the good or evil side of the coin.  What we can be sure of, is that he can and will turn any any situation to his advantage, with a flare for the dramatic that is unsurpassed.  A man of great social and economic reach.  He even manages to orchestrate a 'deal with the devil' that our resourceful leading lady finds herself unable to refuse.

Duke Of My Heart is a read that has it all!  Characters that will intrigue, a story that captivates, and a romance that allows its leading couple to share in each other by learning to share the most intimate moments of their pasts, their present, their futures, and their hearts.

About Kelly

Kelly Bowen grew up in Manitoba, Canada. She worked her way through her teenage years as a back country trail guide and ranch hand. She attended the University of Manitoba and earned a Master of Science degree in veterinary physiology and endocrinology.

But it was Kelly's infatuation with history and a weakness for a good love story that led her down the path of historical romance. When she is not writing, she seizes every opportunity to explore ruins and battlefields.

Currently, Kelly lives in Winnipeg with her husband and two boys, all of whom are wonderfully patient with the writing process. Except, that is, when they need a goalie for street hockey.

Find Her:  Web / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

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