DUKE WITH BENEFITS is book two in the Studies in
Scandal series
by Manda Collins. Because this is the second book in this
series, and the main characters are somewhat established, this
is a slightly faster-paced story than the first book. Four
young ladies are staying at a grand estate, solving puzzles
left by their benefactress in order to claim a prize. Lady
Daphne Forsythe is brilliant when it comes to numbers, but a
flop when it comes to some basic social skills. She and Dalton
Beauchamp, the Duke of Maitland experience a heady attraction
at first sight. What I love so much about this romance is the
way that Daphne and Dalton complement each other. The duke has
the social skills that Daphne needs to investigate a murder
mystery.
Dalton is my favorite type of hero -- laid back, charming, and
supportive of the heroine. Daphne's blunt way of speaking
turns
a lot of people off, but Dalton finds it refreshing. As the
danger to Daphne and everyone increases, Dalton is protective
without being smothering. Manda Collins does a great job of
digging into the backstories of the two main characters, and
giving the reader a better idea of who they are. Although
Daphne has good reasons to be wary of romantic entanglements,
her fake engagement to Dalton turns out to be one of the best
things to happen to her. Dalton is a considerate, and sexy, Dr.
Watson to her Sherlock Holmes. As usual, Manda Collins does a
superb job of balancing romance and mystery.
Greed is the motivating factor for some of the more unsavory
characters in DUKE WITH BENEFITS. With so many bad guys lurking
around, the friendship and loyalty between the four heiresses
and their gentlemen counterpoints the evil shenanigans. For me,
figuring out the identity of the unknown murderer or murderers
is slightly more intriguing than trying to find the much sought
after Cameron Cipher. It was great seeing a familiar Lisle
face, and gaining another helper to solve the mystery.
DUKE WITH BENEFITS is a delicious romance with an enthralling
mystery thrown in to spice things up. Daphne is an intelligent
heroine who experiences personal growth, true love, and
exercises her demons in DUKE WITH BENEFITS. This book has a
well-matched couple and an adoring hero. I eagerly await the
next installment in this riveting Studies in
Scandal series
by Manda Collins.
A hidden cipher leads to great riches—and unexpected
romance—in the second book of Manda Collins' new Studies in
Scandal series.
Duke with Benefits continues the Studies in Scandal series
where four women are left with a mysterious inheritance.
This time a hidden cipher, a lost treasure, and an
unexpected love take residence in Beauchamp House.
All Lady Daphne Forsythe wants to do is search the library
for clues to the Jacobite Cipher: a mathematical problem
that holds the secret to great riches. Unfortunately, her
plans to search alone are continually thwarted by the
handsome Mr. Dalton Beauchamp, nephew to her benefactress
and a distraction she hadn't counted on.
Despite Daphne’s vows to keep Dalton at arm’s length, his
knowledge of numbers has Daphne doing something she never
calculated: falling in love. But Daphne and Dalton learn
that there’s more to the puzzle than meets the eye… and
someone is willing to kill to keep that secret hidden forever.
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