I"VE GOT MY DUKE TO KEEP ME WARM is the first book in author Kelly Bowen's Lords of Worth series. The book is a fast -paced historical filled with suspense and intrigue. The 400- page novel held my interest and kept me on the edge of my chair as the story unfolded.
Ms. Bowen has created many memorable characters in this novel. The characters of Gisele and Jamie are multi- faceted and their stories touched my heart. The secondary charcters are well-developed and play important roles in the story. Gisele's friend Sebastian, who was her husband's servant, plays a pivotal role in the story. He is Gisele's confidante, Jamie's valet and is instrumental in the storyline's resolution. Eleanor, the Duchess of Worth, is a wonderful character. She adds lots of humor with her love of poultry (yes, chickens!) and her conversations with her son. She may appear to be an aging Duchess but in truth she plays an important role in Gisele's life. The author has also created a truly evil villain, Adam Levire, the Marquess of Valence. His menacing presence is felt throughout the entire novel.
The storyline touches upon both main characters demons, domestic abuse and the after effects of wartime battle, in a credible manner.
Four years ago, Gisele had faked her death in a boat explosion which was witnessed by hundreds of people to escape her husband's physical abuse. Gisele has learned that her husband is going to re-marry and does not want his new wife to suffer as she did. Gisele and her friend Sebastian hire former soldier, Jamie Montcrief to assist them in their plan to interrupt the Marquess' marriage. The tension increases as the three characters travel towards London. Will someone recognize them at a local tavern? On the road? On the streets on London?
There were several interesting subplots which added to the storyline. Jamie is befriended by both the Duchess of Worth's son and the future Marchioness of Valence's brother. Both of these characters were well written and added depth and credibility to the story. I enjoyed the level of suspense in the novel. Throughout the story, I kept wondering if Gisele and Jamie would be caught.... would they be discovered? Could they pull off such a dangerous plan and expose Valence before he harms anyone else?
I enjoyed this engaging, suspenseful novel and found the ending very rewarding.
Congratulations to Kelly Bowen for an outstanding debut novel.
WHERE SECRETS SMOLDER . . .
Calm. Cool. Collected. Gisele Whitby has perfected the
art
of illusion-her survival, after all, has depended upon
it.
Years ago, to escape an abusive husband, Gisele
"disappeared." Now she must risk revealing her new
identity
to save another innocent girl from the same fate. But she
needs a daring man for her scheme, and the rogue in
question
shows a remarkable talent . . . for shattering Gisele's
carefully constructed facade and igniting her deepest
desires.
. . . PASSION IGNITES
This isn't the first time Jamie Montcrief has awakened
naked
and confused from a night of drinking. It is, however,
the
first time a stunningly beautiful woman offers him
payment
afterward. Gisele has a business proposition for him, a
mission involving cunning thievery and a brazen rescue.
How
can he say no to a plot this dangerous . . . and a woman
this delectable?
Well, shit. He deserved that. βWho are you?β
She smiled at him, the first genuine smile he had seen,
and it did strange things to his chest.
βI amβ¦ just Gisele.β
That was helpful. He knew nothing more about her than he
knew last night. Annoyance bubbled up again. βVery well
then Just-Gisele, since you wonβt tell me anything useful
about yourself, would you be so kind as to enlighten me
as to what it is youβd like me to do should I accept your
generous offer of employment?β
Her smile turned brittle. βNot yet.β
βNot yet?β Jamieβs eyebrows shot up to his hairline.
βHow the hell am I supposed to make a decision based on
not yet?β
The ice queen shrugged. βYouβll have to trust me.β
Jamie closed his eyes, fighting for patience. βWill I
need to steal something?β
βUnlikely.β
βKill someone?β
βHopefully not.β
βBlow something up?β
βYouβre familiar with explosives?β
His eyes popped open at the undisguised interest in her
last question. What the hell kind of woman used the
word explosives the way most used the word marmalade? Or
teapot?
βYes?β He was afraid of his answer. Truth be told, he
was a little afraid of her at the moment.
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