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Also by Jenna Petersen:

The Secrets of a Lady, September 2011
e-Book
A Scoundrel's Surrender, August 2011
Paperback
Undeniable, May 2011
e-Book
Almost A Spinster, May 2011
e-Book
Rogue for a Night, May 2011
e-Book
The Unclaimed Duchess, September 2010
Mass Market Paperback
What The Duke Desires, November 2009
Mass Market Paperback
Her Notorious Viscount, April 2009
Mass Market Paperback
Lessons From A Courtesan, July 2008
Paperback
Seduction is Forever, October 2007
Paperback
Desire Never Dies, January 2007
Paperback
From London With Love, August 2006
Paperback
Scandalous, October 2005
Paperback

What The Duke Desires
Jenna Petersen

The Billingham Bastards #1
Avon
November 2009
On Sale: October 27, 2009
Featuring: Lillian Mayhew; Simon Crathorne
384 pages
ISBN: 0061470821
EAN: 9780061470820
Mass Market Paperback
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Romance Historical

Simon Crathorne has never felt quite “right” in his own life. Even with his friends, he never fit. But now his father is dead and he has inherited the Dukedom, and all the responsibility that goes with it. And since his father was always known as a highly moral, upstanding man, Simon has big shoes to fill. Lillian Mayhew doesn’t buy the late Duke’s exalted reputation one bit. A lifetime of hearing her father talk about the man’s sins and seeing the torment her family endured at his hands has made her bitter and a final secret she discovered as her father lay dying has turned her bitterness to a drive to destroy the good name of the man she feels wronged her. No matter the price.

But when Simon and Lillian meet, sparks fly and passion erupts, leaving Lillian with an ugly choice. Can she abandon her quest for revenge, just as she is on the cusp of fulfilling her duty? Or will she betray a man whose past turns out to be a murky sea of lies and betrayals neither one could have ever anticipated? A man whose kiss could change her life forever.

Read An Excerpt

Comments

23 comments posted.

Re: What The Duke Desires

Jenna Petersen: Right now, my Facebook friends and other blogging buddies are becoming more and more like family to me. But if we were to become a real family, we'd be the most dysfunctional one ever!
(Mary Anne Landers 2:21am October 29, 2009)

Hi Jenna,
I love reading Romance's that have a strong family influence about them. It tends to show the true emotions of the hero and/or heroine. To me at least. Looking forward to reading the "Billingham Bastards"
series.
Carol L.
[email protected]
(Carol Luciano 6:34am October 29, 2009)

Hi everyone! Thanks for stopping by today! I'll be in and out all day (with a big break this afternoon, I volunteer at the zoo on Thursdays), but I'd love to answer questions and respond to comments!
(Jenna Petersen 10:13am October 29, 2009)

Hi Jenna,
Congrats on the new release. I love series that involve families. Stephanie Laurens' Cynster series is one of my favorites and also Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series.
(Jane Cheung 10:27am October 29, 2009)

I love series that involve
families also. Two of my
favorites are Mary Balogh's
Bedwyns and Julia Quinn's
Bridgertons.
(Amanda Jenkins 10:53am October 29, 2009)

Congratulations on the new release. I love to read series books with strong family ties or close friendships.
(Armenia Fox 11:30am October 29, 2009)

Thank everyone! I'd probably add the Hathaways (Lisa Kleypas) to the family stories, and also her season quartet since those heroines were close as sisters.
(Jenna Petersen 12:13pm October 29, 2009)

I'm off to volunteer, but I'll be back later so keep commenting! :)
(Jenna Petersen 1:38pm October 29, 2009)

Don't forget Lynn Kurland's series (sorry, I can't remember any of the titles right now) that combines families from different time periods on both sides of the pond. Or rather, the modern family is from America, and all of the other inter-related families are in England/Scotland/France, in time periods ranging from the end of the Crusades to the Regency period (I believe). And Stephanie Laurens Bastion Club series is a kind of family, in that all the men consider themselves brothers because of their war experiences. Her new series, The Black Cobra quartet, brings both groups together (even more than they already were), and might, unfortunately, be the end of the Cynsters series, too.

Have fun at the zoo!

Later,

Lynn
(Lynn Rettig 1:43pm October 29, 2009)

Being abandoned at birth my biggest chance of a family was in books and I loved to read about families and what they did together. I guess I missed having a family more than I realized and I still seek out such books even tho I have raised a family of my own and now have grandchildren and great grands..it still reflects back to when I was growing up and NOT having a true family. I also enjoyed shows like the Brady Bunch and Little House as there I found a family setting to enjoy. susan L.
(Susan Leech 2:33pm October 29, 2009)

I love being surrounded by my family, we laugh, we boost each other up in hard times, and we celebrate the good times. Anytime, anywhere, I could call a family member for help, they would be there. I love romances with strong family ties. Looking forward to reading your book, "What the Duke Desires."
(Theresa Buckholtz 2:38pm October 29, 2009)

I have three sisters and they are my best friends. It has been that way all our lives.Any time one of us has a problem, without hesitation, we are there for them.It's a true joy when we can all be together with each others families, which doesn't happen as often as we would like. I suppose that is the reason I like books that deal with families. They remind me of my own.
(Patsy Hagen 3:17pm October 29, 2009)

My whole family is on Facebook, even my Mom and Mother-In Law! One of my favorite novels with family involved is "The Thornbirds!" Good Luck on your new book!
(Lisa Glidewell 3:40pm October 29, 2009)

I love books & indeed series about families. It's often more involving. The dynamics are always interesting.
(Mary Preston 5:32pm October 29, 2009)

Hi again! Just got home! You guys have made some very interesting points about families in romance. Actually, I'm excited becuase the third book in this series actually involves Caleb and Marah, secondary characters from LESSONS FROM A COURTESAN and so I get to unite families! Which is really fun! :)
(Jenna Petersen 6:08pm October 29, 2009)

I love reading Julie Garwood when she links her books with family members and you re visit the previous characters
(Diane Sadler 8:51pm October 29, 2009)

I would love to read her book!
Please enter me!

dancealert at aol dot com
(Brenda Rupp 9:12pm October 29, 2009)

Most of the books I read start and end with one relationship....But I've been reading the Outlander Series and those book are spanning most of their lives and involve lots of different family members. I love the carry-over from one book to the next...but I hate the wait in between and sometimes wish I hadn't started reading the (series) until they were all written.

I'm NOT getting any younger and I don't want to die before I read the end...Yet, I can NOT NOT read them!!! I love them!

I say, if you can connect the books with family members...Great...As long as there are not years between novels!!!

Can't wait to read this newest novel...I loved Lessons From A Courtesan!!!
(Mitzi Hinkey 12:37pm October 30, 2009)

I enjoy family series. Family can be
loosely defined. One of my favorite
family series is Julie Garwood's Rose
Trilogy (For the Roses, The Clayborne
Brides, and Come the Spring). The are
family in the strongest sense of the
word, but none share the same
parents We recently returned from an
Air Force unit reunion. It is a relatively
small group of people, and some of
the best people We've ever known. We
only see them every 2 years, but it
always seems like just yesterday we
were together. Family is what you
make it, and a strong bond is one of
the most important things.
(Patricia Barraclough 2:29am October 30, 2009)

I loved Stephanie Laurens Bastion Club series though not a real family they act as family or all I have read so far. I do like family in reading as you can follow several members and learn so much from each. I love romance novels..But read all types of novels.
(Brenda Hill 9:38pm November 8, 2009)

Love the cover of this book!!!
(JoAnn White 10:23am November 9, 2009)

Hi Jenna
Your new book sounds so good I'm looking forward to reading it.
Thanks for being here today. Great blog.
Penney
(Penney Wilfort 10:45am November 9, 2009)

Can't wait to get this book.
(Lisa McNeill 7:26pm November 26, 2009)