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Reviews:
A
Duke Deceived
Painted Rock Reviews
Romantic Times
Happily Ever After
Painted
Rock Reviews
It is a deception of grand
proportions. Bonny Barbara Allen has capture for herself
the catch of the season,. Richard Montcrief, the Duke of
Radcliffe, and it's obvious to all that they adore each
other. But do they? Richard has reason to doubt Bonny's
love, and Bonny cannot overlook her husband's frequent
absences.
In the meantime Bonny has made
a promise, and she will keep it. Outside forces work to
destroy her marriage as Bonny eases her broken heart by
playing matchmaker for her pregnant friend.
Bonny's meetings with the man
she intends to match with her friend spark rumors among
the gossip mongers and cause Richard to wonder if his
Bonny Barbara Allen has another love.
Cheryl Bolen, in her first
novel, A DUKE DECEIVED, demonstrates a depth of
understanding of romance that may well destine her for
stardom in the genre. A beautifully written romance.
Romantic
Times
The instant that Richard
Montcrief, Duke of Radcliffe, sees Bonny Barbara Allen,
he is smitten. Although a confirmed bachelor, Richard
decides he will have Barbara as his wife.
Though a great beauty and of
noble lineage, Bonny has no money; with a terminally ill
mother, her thoughts are also not on marriage. It is only
for her heartbroken cousin Emily's sake that Bonny is in
London, for Emily has lost her love during the campaign
in the Peninsula.
Bonny quickly falls in love
with Richard, accepting his proposal before her mother
dies. Now, she must grow from country miss into a duchess
overnight.
Though Richard adores his
sensual and beautiful bride, he cannot get over the waves
of jealousy that engulf him or his fears of deception.
When he sees her in close conversation with Lord Dunsford,
Emily's betrothed's brother, he is at once suspicious.
Wary of being hurt by a woman, he reverts to his wild
bachelor ways, wounding Bonny's pride and nearly killing
their love.
But Bonny won't give up easily
and does her best to bring her errant husband back into
her arms (at the same as playing matchmaker for her
cousin and a few of Richard's friends).
The charm and grace of the
Regency period is present is this sweetly told debut
novel. It is the characters and not the action that
propels the story and Regency fans will find the conflict
traditional but enjoyable. SENSUAL.
Happily
Ever After
Bonny Barbara Allen comes to
London on a sad mission. Her widowed mother is dying in
Northumbria and it would ease her going to know that her
daughter has found a husband. Bonny Barbara is staying
with her cousin Emily's family for the season, she has no
dowry, but is endowed with an almost unbelievable beauty.
Richard Moncrief, the Duke of
Radcliff, falls in love with Barbara at first glance. It
matters not that she is penniless; he finds much
substance behind her beautiful face and body. When news
comes that Barbara's mother is dying, he offers himself,
his fine carriage, and all the glittering comfort that
wealth and privilege can afford, to rush her to her
mother's side. Barbara finds herself attracted to the
duke and agrees to marry him, thinking he loves only her
looks. The mother dies, and Radcliff takes Bonny Barbara
home to Devon to be his duchess. And the conflict starts.
Cheryl Bolen has written an
excellent historical romance, set in the Regency time-frame.
She thoroughly understands Regency England and the
cultural mores of that complicated society.
Her lovers are superbly
realized; her secondary characters ring true and would do
justice to a Georgette Heyer novel. The subplot, a secret
child story involving Cousin Emily, is the main conflict
and causes a critical misunderstanding between Radcliff
and his lovely Barbara. I love such stories, and Cheryl
has given us one that is well-plotted and uniquely suited
to its time and place.
All the ingredients are here; a
duke who can't say the three precious words his duchess
yearns to hear, a secret that Bonny Barbara has given her
promise not to reveal. Will such a deception lose Barbara
the husband she loves?
Cheryl Bolen has paid her dues.
She has written many books; this is the first published.
Her talent, skill, and persistence have paid off in a
novel she can be proud of.
A DUKE DECEIVED is a gem. If
you're a Georgette Heyer fan, if you enjoy the Regency
period, if you like a genuinely sensuous love story, pick
up this first novel by Cheryl Bolen. I can guarantee you
a good read.
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