Today I’m giving away a print copy of THE DUKE OF HER DESIRE, the second book in Sophie Barnes’ Diamonds in the Rough series to one lucky commenter. Entering is as easy as leaving a comment. Winner will be listed here this week. Good luck!
UPDATE (1/1): The winner is SONDRA GARCIA
Congrats, Sondra! Please email me at contact at smittenbybooks dot com with your snail mail address to collect your book. Also, don’t forget to include the title in your email. You have 3 weeks claim your prize.
** Continental US residents only
He was only supposed to keep an eye on his friend’s sister . . . now he’s about to lose his heart . . .
When Thomas Heathmore, Duke of Coventry, agrees to steer his friend’s inexperienced younger sister through society, he doesn’t expect the lady in question to be so infernally stubborn. Amelia Matthews seems to have little interest in balls or suitors at all. Instead, she intends to open a school, and against his better instincts, Thomas offers to help. Yet somewhere along the line, Amelia ceases to be a simple responsibility . . . and becomes an undeniable temptation.
Since her brother inherited a dukedom, Amelia’s prospects have transformed. But though she’s long been secretly infatuated with Thomas, she refuses to heed the arrogant aristocrat’s advice. If only it were as easy to ignore his heated touch. And as Amelia soon learns, the ton is a minefield, where one moment’s indiscretion can unleash a scandal—or entice her to surrender everything to the duke of her desire . . .
Release Date: Dec 26, 2017
Series: Diamonds in the Rough
Book: 2
Heat Level: Warm
Publisher: HarperCollins
Imprint: Avon Books
Price: $5.99
I will be the first to admit that I am a romance novel junkie. I don’t care what the heat rating is or who the writer is, if the story seems intriguing I will positively consume it with my morning cup of tea. In the case of this second novel in the Diamonds in the Rough series, I drank many a cup well into the afternoon enjoying this sweet, gentle romance. If you are a traditionalist with a taste for a tension-filled love story but a softer heat rating, this is definitely a novel for you.
Lady Amelia Matthews spent most of her life in the slums of St Giles. But a sudden stroke of fate had thrust her family into a ducal life and the responsibilities that come with it. Amelia has no intention of settling down and making some wealthy man a docile wife… she wants to use her new-found position and influence to help the children of St. Giles. Unfortunately, her brother has assigned the very proper and very attractive Duke of Coventry to watch over her.
Thomas Heathmore can’t seem to keep Lady Amelia out of trouble or out of his thoughts. The more time they spend together, the closer the bond they develop. But with no intention to ever marry he must decide if the life he thinks he wants is worth sacrificing the growing affection he has for Lady Amelia and the life they could have together.
I really enjoyed the dynamic that Ms. Barnes creates between Thomas and Amelia throughout this book. Their companionable relationship with hints of sensual tension and frustration draws the reader in and keeps them interested as the main characters traverse the rough road to a happy ending. Their love story is sweet and actually believable which is refreshing amongst a sea of romance novels where you are constantly having to forget little bits that are just completely improbable. Both characters are extremely likable and their love story is heart warming. Amelia is a strong minded, compassionate woman who you would totally want to have over for a glass of wine of a Friday night. While Thomas is the type of hero who makes your knees a little weak with his commanding personality and his desire to help Amelia achieve her dreams. You have got to love a man who appreciates a smart woman who challenges him at every turn.
Overall, the only issue I truly found with this book was the writing style of the author. Ms. Barnes is not a poor writer by any means, but I just found her style to be a bit basic and not as poetic as other authors I have enjoyed. This just very slightly took away from the ambience of the novel but that is a very minor issue. This tender love story is absolutely worth the read and I didn’t even mind the mild heat level as it seemed appropriate for the story.
~ Danielle
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Great Author 💕 Thank you for the awesome giveaway 😊
Oooooo YES! I absolutely love Sophie’s books. Funny, I was just looking at this in Amazon. 🙂 A MOST UNLIKELY DUKE (the first in this series) was soooo good. Read her SECRETS AT THORNCLIFF MANOR series too. AWESOME!! Thanks for jumpstarting my heart this morning, Beverley. 🙂
Ooh, I loved the first book and would love to continue the series. Thank you for the chance, and happy holidays!
I love her stories. Thank you for the review.. I’ll definitely be reading this.
Carol Luciano
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
this sounds like a good story – I haven’t read any of Sophie Barnes books yet.
Enjoyed book 1, looking forward to reading this one. Would ❤ to add it to my collection.
Thanks for chance.
I am a romance novel junkie as well and this novel sounds great; thanks for the opportunity 🙂
okay
Love Sophie Barnes
I’ve got book 1 and I’m excited to start this series 🙂 thanks for the great giveaway!
Thanks for the giveaway. I haven’t read this author.
love the cover, and the review sounds nice
denise
I absolutely love Sophie’s books! This one is on my to-buy list…maybe I’ll get lucky and win a copy! I can dream, right?
Sounds like a great book, thanks for the chance to win.