Smitten by Books

To Deceive a Duke
Author: Amanda McCabe
Publisher: Harlequin Historicals
Pub. Date: May 1, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0373295937
Retail: $5.99
288 pages

Clio Chase is hoping for a quiet season in Sicily with her family. There, she can forget all about the enigmatic Duke of Averton and the strange effect he has on her. That is until he unexpectedly arrives, shattering her peace and warning her of trouble….

The unsettling attraction is still strong between them, despite the secrets they hide. But, as the unknown threat grows, they are thrown together in the most intimate of ways. Clio knows there is only so long she can resist her mysterious duke!

~*~*~

Amanda McCabe delivers another solid, entertaining read that follows the adventuring-loving Chase sisters in the sun-soaked Italian countryside in their pursuit of ancient ruins.

To Deceive a Duke seamlessly picks up where To Catch a Rogue left off. Rogue was the story of the oldest Chase – Calliope (Cali) that also introduced her younger sisters Clio, Thalia and Cory – a.k.a. the Chase Muses – a family of educated, aristocratic young women dedicated to the antiquities and addicted to adventure.

Readers join the fiercely independent Chase women; Clio and younger sister Thalia accompanied by their widower father, Sir Walter Chase, now temporarily ensconced (from their native England) in Santa Lucia, Italy to excavate and preserve a site of ancient ruins as part of their lifelong quest to unearth and protect Greek and Roman antiquities. Cali, now wed to Lord Westwood, is on her honeymoon. As Clio works to put her past behind her in favor of more acceptable pastimes, Thalia emerges as a talented writer and actress.

Both sisters are charmingly brought to the forefront with their own distinctive voices, and personalities and of course, secrets, woven into the plot. While hard-working, determined Clio enjoys the darker side of adventure and mystery, Thalia, an irreverent, creative spirit sparks the interest of Count di Fabrizzi whose mysterious appearance at the side of the Lily Thief in the previous novel, left readers to wonder and wait.

As the Chase family settles in, the enigmatic Edward Radcliffe, Duke of Averton, arrives in Santa Lucia in pursuit of antiquities, a nobler principle and Clio. His unexpected appearance creates tension for both Clio and the reader as we try to unravel his purpose and reconcile his eccentric public persona with his private, more refined side.

Drawn together by a common passion for ancient artifacts and each other, Edward has traveled from England to protect Clio and his mission, both of which become unavoidably intertwined. Readers can definitely feel Clio’s struggles and her passion for her vocation even as she wars with herself over her former life, and growing attraction to Edward. The tension between the two builds nicely but Edward’s dialogue for me fell a bit short at times until some of his back story and pain was revealed.

While the love scenes were tender and passionate, they bordered on sweet rather than intense but this fit well with the Edward we come to know and the confidence that blossoms within Clio.

Mystery mixed with Italian superstition and impending peril are heightened as fellow Britons descend upon Sicily for a brief season, partaking of the theatre and all that is Italian. Presented to readers are the flamboyant Lady Riverton and her companion, Ronald Frobisher while the dashing Count di Fabrizzi is re-introduced to readers.

McCabe has skillfully blended the first ‘Chase’ book with the second incorporating romance and intrigue with danger while allowing the full development and exploration of the characters of Edward and Clio. Thalia is a delightful contrast to her sister with a seemingly irrepressible soul, leaving us wanting to see more of her. (Good news – there’s a third book!).

Another well-paced, story with fresh descriptions set amidst a romantic setting on the Sicilian coast, To Deceive a Duke gives us a strong sense of place, history and people as well as smooth characters arcs and clever plot twists to supply a fun and satisfying page-turner.

Rating: 7.5 (Good+)

Heat-Level: 3 (Sensual)