The Art of Duke Hunting

Author: Sophia Nash
Publisher: HarperCollins/Avon
Pub. Date: March 27, 2012
ISBN-13: 978-0062022332
Pages: 384
Digital Price: $4.99
Print Retail Price: $7.99
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Six Regency heroes — One royal hangover

Last night was a blur.

This morning is a shock.

Tonight will be a secret. . .

The Duke of Norwich has two rules: never marry and never go to sea. So on the morning after the most extravagant royal bachelor party of the century, he is stunned to find himself aboard a storm-tossed ship and locked in the arms of a proper lady.

The Countess of Derby has two rules as well: never give away your heart and never let anyone get in the way of your life’s deepest passions. But Esme cannot resist Roman when all seems lost at sea. Yet when their ship returns to London, everything will be forgotten . . . as long as they can keep their secret from the Prince Regent. For if the future king commands them to marry, all their fondest dreams will be ruined. But where love is concerned, some rules are made to be broken . . .

~*~*~

REVIEW

The Duke of Duck… eh, otherwise known as the Duke of Norwich, Roman Montagu, is not a fan of the boats or the sea. Ending up on a boat, in the middle of a squall, is probably the least likely place he expected to be following a ridiculous, absinthe powered bachelor party. Roman always knew the sea would be his final resting place, and he’s ready to give in until a lady comes to his rescue.

Esme Mannon Morgan March, Countess of Derby is on a mission to pursue her passion in art when she spies the gorgeous Montagu flailing about on the deck of The Drake. Instinct and fate drive her to leave the safety of her cabin to rescue him, although the rescue becomes more than just safety from the storm. Their return to London, on the heels of a paper report that Roman is dead, is supposed to be the last time they will see each other; who knew fate had other plans. When Prinny summons the lovely Countess she certainly doesn’t expect to be tied to the man she’s dreamed about for years nor does she expect that he’ll want anything more from her then what he’s already experienced.

Nash’s second book in the Royal Entourage series is bundle of hilarity and emotions that inspire, and reminded me that love is for everyone. Esme and Roman are enchanting as two extremely independent people, who find themselves suddenly happy with each other’s company in public and private. Each character harbors a myriad of fears. For Esme its fear of spirits, after seeing what non-stop imbibing did to her first husband, and fear of rejection by those she loves. For Roman it’s a fear of the never-ending Norwich curse surrounding ducks, and fear of letting others down emotionally. Both have rules in place to ensure they don’t suffer from their fears, but Roman is determined to not seek happiness whereas Esme is determined to never feel unhappiness again. Alas, the origin of conflict.

I loved Esme! She’s the ultimate nurturer and giver. Constantly seeking to appease others, Esme naturally acts like a chameleon and seeks to mold to the people or surroundings she’s placed in. Throughout the story Esme provides an example of someone who doesn’t have to be demanding or commanding, and I couldn’t help but long for Esme to get everything her heart desired. Similarly her personality affects Roman the same way, sending his usual locked emotions rattling behind his internal walls. Roman doesn’t know what to say or think, in fact he typically doesn’t like women or feelings at all. Those strong emotions he begins to experience, the desire for Esme’s company, are anything but welcome. Roman’s prickly nature and stubborn tendencies just make him fetching. I enjoyed his internal conflict and attempt to convince himself that he doesn’t need anyone, let alone a woman to influence his life.

The story is primarily Esme and Roman, with a few hints about the other Dukes facing Prinny’s wrath. Additionally Esme’s mother and the artist William Topher offer some comedic relief and drive Roman insane. My one caveat is the constant teasing Nash provides through hints of the other Duke’s actions on the night of the bachelor party. It’s insufferable that one must wait months upon months for the next story.

Overall if you like dukes, and yes I mean the arrogant kind—is there any other? Then this book is a good one to read. Caution to those who are looking for a rakehell duke, that one won’t get his story until the next book!

Rating: 4 (Very Good – Highly Recommend)

Heat-Level: 4 (Hot)

Reviewed by Landra

Comment and enter to win your own copy of THE ART OF DUKE HUNTING and BETWEEN THE DUKE AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA.

4 StarsAvonhistoricals
By Avon Books, Giveaways, Reviews54 Comments on Review & Giveaway: The Art of Duke Hunting by Sophia Nash

54 Replies to “Review & Giveaway: The Art of Duke Hunting by Sophia Nash”

  2. Dukes, Earls, viscounts…love them all!!Would love to read about Sophia’s Dukes!!!

  3. I love reading any book that has a Duke or Dukes’ in it. Please enter me into the drawing. Many thanks. 🙂

  5. Great review. Sophia is a new author for me and would love to win and read this book. I love to read and always looking for new books to check out. Thanks for the chance to win.

  6. What a flattering and intriguing review! I used to adore historical romances, and have moved away from them for several months. I have to say, you’ve peaked my interest in them again, and I’m drooling at the thought of reading this one 😀
    Thank you for taking the time to write up the review, and for the giveaway chance!

  7. Great review. I would love to read these!! I like to read “new to me”
    authors. I have found some wonderful books that way. Thank you
    for the opportunity.

  8. OMG! I love Sophie Nash. Again I’m having surgery tomorrow and would love to read these books. That’s all I’ll be able to do. YAY! Sit and read. My favorite thing to do. With my kitties on the couch with me of course!

  9. Good review. 4 stars is good enough for me. Would love to win this. Thanks for the giveaway.

  11. Sounds great, read a whole bunch of other books by Sophia Nash, just can’t get enough.

  12. I too enjoy stories about Dukes and after reading your review, this sounds like a good one!

  14. Oh… haven’t read either of these but they sound great. I love the names Roman and Esme 🙂 I’m going to have to give this series a try.
    Happy Monday!!

  17. What a great review! I would love to read this book it sound awesome. Her books are good.

  20. I really enjoy it when authors put humor in their romance stories. Thanks for the review and for hosting the giveaway.

  25. Thanks for the review. The book sounds really good and I have added it to my TBR list. I like reading Sophia’s books-the stories are always a fun read.

  26. Haven’t read these 2 new books from Sophia Nash but I enjoyed her previous series, The Widow’s Club.

    Based on the blurbs, this new series seems to have an element of humor in it — an interesting development. ^_^

    Thanks for the great giveaway!

  28. Looks as if Sophia has another great book series! For those of you who haven’t read Sophia’s Widow’s Club – its a great series!

  30. I do love Dukes, all kinds of Dukes. I’ve been looking forward to reading Between the Duke and the Deep Blue Sea, now I have to add The Art of Duke Hunting. 😀

  31. I enjoyed Sophia’s last series but haven’t had a chance to start this one yet. would love to win a copy 😉 thanks for the review, good to know to keep this high up on the tbb list

  34. Thank you for the great review! Sophia Nash is a new author for me, and after reading your review I can’t wait to read this series.

  35. This sounds like just my kind of series. Esme and Roman sound like a delightful couple to spend time with. This is a series I will most definitely be reading.
    Thank you for the review.

  40. I read a book by Sophia Nash when I was first discovering the historical genre. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to her other books.

  41. So many authors I haven’t read yet. I do like arrogant dukes who end up tripping up when they meet a determined, intelligent woman! Esme and Roman sound like they will challenge each other as they work out all of these night at sea issues!!

    I can’t believe I’m already two stories behind. I do love to read about dukes and the women that turn their lives up side down!

  42. The book that I like is the one that’s been into a movie. I like the way of the story runs and I do adore Historical Romance. One thing that makes you different from others is the way you build the tension, romance and hope. It makes me cry when I read your book, such a heartwarming and emotional one.

  45. I so LOVE Duke stories, I almost always pick up a book off a shelf when it has Duke on it! *grin*

  46. Thanks for this giveaway. I have read all Sophia´s Widow´s Club books and I already own a copy of “Between The Duke and The Deep Blue Sea”.
    So count me in to “The Art of Duke Hunting”-giveaway.
    Note: I am from Europe, if this is from US/Canada readers only.

  47. I’m so far behind on my reading of Sophie Nash and both these titles are on my BTB list. Would love the chance to win copies here. Thanks for the giveaway.

  48. I don’t have any of Sophie’s books, but they sound like others that I frequently read. Thanks for the review!

  51. Thanks for then great review. This book sounds fantastic. Can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway.

    Joanne B
    e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

  52. Thanks for the review, Landra. I would love to have either one of these books. Thanks for the giveaway!

  53. Thanks for another wonderful review Landra! This book looks like alot of fun! I’ve never read a Sophia Nash book before. Both of these books look great.

    Thanks for another giveaway.

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