An Inconvenient Duke
Author: Anna Harrington
Reviewer: Jen
Rating: B+
What I’m Talking About:
Retired general Marcus Braddock helped defeat Napoleon, and when he returned to London was named a Duke. While he was away, his sister died, leaving her young child an orphan, so her best friend, Danielle, helped the family until Marcus returned. Upon his arrival, he discovered some documents among Elise’s things that leads him to believe she was murdered. Determined to discover the truth, he turns to Dani, who is avoiding him with every attempt.
When they were younger, Danielle was infatuated with Elise’s older brother, Marcus. Now he’s home and determined to bring up the death of her best friend, something she’d rather move past. But when Marcus comes to Dani with evidence that Elise was participating in something covert and dangerous, she decides to help him discover the truth.
An Inconvenient Duke is a delightful historical romance set within a murder mystery. Ms. Harrington’s world centers on a close-knit group of soldiers who haven’t quite figured out how to fit within society now that the war is over. Their leader, Marcus, creates a safe place for himself where he goes to think and work out aggressions, etc., which develops and morphs over the course of this first book, becoming the foundation for the series. Each Lord has his own talents and connections, which helps Marcus and Dani discover the truth of his sister’s death. It also uncovers a seedy organization that will certainly rear its head in the coming books.
Dani is a strong, against-era heroine. She’s created an organization that helps women escape their abusive situations. She is determined and refuses to let Marcus run her life. I loved how confident Dani is and how she won’t settle for anything short of what she deserves. Marcus and Dani share an attraction, and Dani’s spirited nature lights a flame in Marcus. Their romance is a fun journey, both sweet and hot and steamy at times. I appreciate that the pair is on equal footing and works to compromise as they investigate the murder. Theirs is a match-well-made, with equal time for banter and passionate love making.
An Inconvenient Duke is a great start to the Lords of the Armory series. The story is a wonderful blend of mystery and intrigue with an unflappable duke falling in love. The stage is set for what promises to be an entertaining series.
My Rating: B+ Liked It A Lot
Jen
About the Book:
Marcus Braddock, Duke of Hampton and former general, is back from war and faced with mourning the death of his beloved sister, Elise. Marcus believes his sister’s death wasn’t an accident and he’s determined to learn the truth, starting with Danielle, the beautiful daughter of a baron and his sister’s best friend.
Danielle is keeping deadly secrets of her own. She has dedicated her life to a charity that helps abused women―the same charity Elise was working for the night she died. When Danielle’s work puts her life in danger, Marcus comes to her rescue. But Danielle may not need rescuing…
Release Date: February 25, 2020
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Series: Lords of the Armory #1
Genre: Historical Romance
Format(s): paperback (384 pages), e-book, audiobook
Book Source: NetGalley
Purchase Info:
Amazon (affiliate link)