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…

Click on title below for direct Amazon buy link:                                                An Inconvenient Duke

My Review:

Marcus Braddock, a career soldier who worked his way up to general, has finally returned home.  Due to his exemplary service to the crown, he has been awarded a title and property, and is now the newly minted Duke Hampton.  Marcus has no use or desire for the title for himself, but he feels that it will be an advantage for his sister and his orphaned niece.  While away at war, Marcus was informed that his sister, Elise, died in an accident.  As Marcus looks through Elise’s possessions, a task no one else was able to handle, he discovers a letter which indicates that her death may have actually been a murder.  And he’s sure her dearest friend, Danielle, is hiding more information than she’s telling.

Danielle Williams was devastated when her dearest friend died.  There is no way she can face Marcus, the man she’s had a crush on since she was a young girl, as she’s sure her guilt will show.  Danielle and Elise were involved with a secret and dangerous organization known as Nightingale.  This organization arranges for battered and endangered women, who have no other alternative, to vanish.  They’re provided the transportation and means to establish a new identity and life, somewhere distant from their current one.  Elise became overly exuberant in her desire to help, and went outside Nightingale’s protocol.  Danielle believes that she crossed the wrong person and it cost Elise her life.

Marcus did not become a general as a fluke.  He’s a skilled planner and counter maneuvers Dani’s every attempt to avoid him.  Eventually, Dani reveals what she’s involved with, and her fears about what really happened to Elise.  Dani and Marcus agree to investigate together.  Dani still feels that pull of attraction for Marcus, now more than ever, and he can’t believe how beautiful and poised she’s become.  Even though they are fully involved in seeking justice for Elise, they can’t ignore their growing feelings for each other.  There is plenty of steam in their relationship, but also a blossoming emotion that just might be love.

Dani is totally dedicated to her cause, and I admire her passion and zeal for it.  At the same time, I have to shake my head at the constant risks she took, never believing that she could be in any danger – even after what happened to Elise.  Marcus is determined to find Elise’s killer and bring him to justice.  He wants to handle this, without putting Dani at any risk.  Instead of feeling protected, she feels useless.  It seems that their love has come to a screeching halt, as Marcus wants a future with Dani, but not if she insists on continuing with her Nightingale activities.  He can’t bear the thought of losing her, and she can’t bear the thought of no longer helping desperate women in need.

The romance in AN INCONVENIENT DUKE is steamy and strong, with a satisfying resolution in this story.  Marcus is the kind of hero I love – strong, honorable, and protective, yet not afraid to declare his feelings.  The mystery, however, still remains unsolved, and will carry over through the next two books in the series, with stories about Marcus’s two friends.  I enjoyed this read, and think it will appeal to readers who enjoy danger and suspense in their historical romance.    ~Rose