Book Title: How to Capture a Duke
Author: Bianca Blythe
Series: Matchmaking for Wallflowers (Book #1)
Genre: Regency Historical Romance
Length: 75,000 words
Release Date: Jan 28, 2016
One reclusive bluestocking…
Fiona Amberly is more intrigued by the Roman ruins near her manor house than she is by balls. When her dying Grandmother worries about Fiona’s future, Fiona stammers that she’s secretly engaged. Soon she finds herself promising that she will introduce her husband-to-be by Christmas.
One dutiful duke…
Percival Carmichael, new Duke of Alfriston, is in a hurry. He’s off to propose to London’s most eligible debutante. After nearly dying at Waterloo, he’s vowed to spend the rest of his life living up to the ton’s expectations.
One fallen tree…
When Fiona tries to warn a passing coach about a tree in the road, the driver mistakes her for a highwaywoman. Evidently he’s not used to seeing women attired in clothes only suitable for archaeology waving knives. After the driver flees, Fiona decides she may as well borrow the handsome passenger…
Review:
Holiday in Handcuffs Regency-style!
One of my favorite holiday movies is Holiday in Handcuffs and I thought of it constantly as this story unfolded. Don’t cringe tho. I know some people frown on “remakes”, but this one will make you smile- baring teeth.
Fiona is a red-headed mess. Not the shake-your-head-she’s-on-your-nerves kind, but the funny-you-can’t-help-but-to-adore-her kind. She’s the cleverest little thing. Her dedication to her grandmother makes her that much more likeable. Her love of archaeologist was an untouched characteristic – as far as my reading goes-, and her commitment to leading her own life despite the wagging tongues of the ton is always a favorable trait in my eyes.
Percival, Percival, Percival. What can I say about Percival? Oh, I know. He’s a handsome some sort- so I read, and his cool calmness gave him a unique alpha-maleness. It’s nice that despite her shenanigans, he was able to see Fiona’s goodness, and did so gradually while trying to plot his escape.
I did like Arthur- Percival’s brother. Such witty banter the two of them exchanged. He lost a brownie crumb when he at first shunned Fiona, but I had to go ahead and give it back to him once I remembered she had, indeed, kidnapped his brother. I couldn’t blame the man for being a little testy. But, his rescue was the most entertaining. You must read about it.
I totally laughed at Fiona and Percival’s first encounter with the wassailers. They were a Happy Christmas wreck. And the men at the inn? Funny. I have to say, there were several laugh-out-loud moments.
I didn’t care for Fiona’s uncle, at all. I so totally wanted to take a glove- or better yet a fist – and slap him across his face. Lucking for him I don’t believe in violence- oh, and the fact that he’s not real plays in his favor as well. But nonetheless, he bothered me- greatly.
The relationship between Fiona and Percival started out complicated, yet smooth. They began to open up to each other – not much else to do when stuck in the same room. Well there is, but hey, it’s a Regency. Gotta have some sort of propriety…at least for a little while. I was all for them, but suddenly there was a strong shift. The northern wind quickly changed courses, and before I knew it, they were madly in love. If I hadn’t been on my kindle, I would’ve thought some pages were stuck together. Oh, how I wish something else had been included prior to the declaration, but after a moment, I was back on track. All is fair in love…and all that.
I could’ve done with a lot less Zeus (you’ll have to read it to understand), but overall, I was pleased, and I do recommend it to other romance lovers!
Rating system: Cups of coffee – the less the better
0: You won’t need any coffee to stay up for this one. It’s intriguing enough all on its own.
1: You’ll stay up late, but not all night. Brew one cup.
2: You’ll read as long as you’re not tired. If you are, two cups should do the trick.
3: I hope you got plenty of rest; you’ll need it, or at least 3 cups.
4: If the cable goes out, read the book. It’s better than nothing, I guess. Oh, don’t forget your brew!
5: Find anything else to do- it doesn’t matter what it is. Don’t waste your coffee. Too much caffeine is bad for you.
My rating: 1 1/2 cups of coffee
About the Author:
Born in Texas, Wellesley graduate Bianca Blythe spent four years in England. She worked in a fifteenth century castle, though sadly that didn’t actually involve spotting dukes and earls strutting about in Hessians.
She credits British weather for forcing her into a library, where she discovered her first Julia Quinn novel. Thank goodness for blustery downpours.
Bianca now lives in Massachusetts with her boyfriend, though she will admit to craving warm scones and clotted cream. She’s not certain she can admit to reading about handsome, roguish dukes, at least in a location where her boyfriend might stumble upon the fact.
But if any readers are stumbling upon this, rest assured that she does write about rather swoon worthy heroes 🙂