IF THE DUKE DEMANDS is the first book in Anna Harrington's Capturing the Carlisles series. IF THE DUKE DEMANDS opens with mystery, magic, seduction, and a case of mistaken identity at a masquerade ball. After the opening passionate vignette between Miranda and Sebastian, Anna Harrington quickly establishes the relationships that all the characters have with each other, as well as mapping out all the obstacles to Miranda and Sebastian's possible romance. The close relationship that Miranda has had with Sebastian's family for so many years, lends texture to their developing relationship and adds an extra pop to the romance.
Anna Harrington takes a cue from the classic Audrey Hepburn film SABRINA. For as long as she could remember, Miranda Hodgkins has believed herself to be in love with Robert Carlisle. A long-ago kiss when she was a teenager has fueled her dreams of a happily ever after. The reality is that although she may enjoy a certain familiarity with his family, a romance with Robert is problematic. Enter Robert's dashing older brother Sebastian, who has a rake's knowledge of sin and a proper duke's sensibilities. Sebastian and Miranda's unexpected amorous encounter is serendipitous or disastrous -- depending on how you look at it. I like how the attraction between Miranda and Sebastian overwhelms them at times, and how things take a turn toward the sensual whenever they meet.
Miranda and Sebastian both carry around some guilt over the death of a parent. Despite any nagging misplaced feelings of guilt Miranda may feel, she remains true to herself even when she's in disguise as the beguiling temptress named Rose. Sebastian's guilt is a much serious issue because it is emotionally crippling him, directing his life choices, and almost succeeding in keeping him from happiness and true love. I like the way Anna Harrington shows how conflicted Sebastian is over his feelings for Miranda, without having him fall into the "pushing her away for her own good" trap that so many heroes in similar situations do. Sebastian is perplexed, enchanted, and attracted by Miranda's bold and forthright nature. Miranda's honesty and romanticism draws Sebastian like a moth to a flame.
IF THE DUKES DEMANDS has a daring heroine who delights in bedeviling the hero. Miranda and Sebastian have oodles of chemistry, which lead to some very steamy scenes between the two of them. The hero's family helps the reader understand him more, and ends up supporting him more than he would have ever believed. This is the first book I've read by Anna Harrington, but after enjoying IF THE DUKE DEMANDS, I know that it will definitely not be my last.
A LESSON IN SEDUCTION . . . Miranda Hodgkins has only ever wanted one thing: to marry Robert Carlisle. And she simply can't wait a moment longer. During the Carlisle family masquerade ball, Miranda boldly sneaks into his bedchamber with seduction on her mind. Soon she's swept into rock-hard arms for the most breathtaking kiss of her life. But when the masks come off, she's horrified to find herself face-to-face with Sebastian, the Duke of Trent-Robert's formidable older brother. Shocked to find Miranda in his bed, Sebastian quickly offers her a deal to avoid scandal: He'll help her win his brother's heart if she'll find him the perfect wife. But what begins as a simple negotiation soon spirals out of control. For the longer this reformed rake tries to make a match for Miranda, the more he wants to keep her all to himself.
“What is it about my brother that draws you so?” Before Miranda could answer, the tip of Sebastian’s tongue traced the outer curl of her ear, swirled down, and plunged inside. She shuddered at the delicious sensation. She knew she should step away—this was Sebastian, for heaven’s sake!—but she simply couldn’t make herself leave the circle of his strong arms. “Robert is masculine,” she breathed. “Most men are,” he answered, dancing heated kisses down the side of her neck. “He’s handsome,” she forced out, hoping he couldn’t hear the trembling in her voice. “Hmm.” His hand on her hip drifted upward along the side of her body, lightly tracing across her ribs. “We’re brothers. We look alike.” “He’s exciting…a risk-taker…” Her voice was a throaty, breathless purr. “He’s thrilling.” “Lots of men are thrilling.” He smiled wickedly against her neck at the reaction his clever fingers elicited from her. “I’m thrilling.” “You?” She gave a throaty laugh of surprise. “Sebastian, you’re the most reserved, restrained man I—” In one fluid motion, he whirled her in his arms and pushed her back against the wall, his mouth swooping down to capture hers and swallow her words as he kissed her into silence…
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