Tuesday 29 June 2021

Book Publication Day Spotlight & Review: A Duke in Time by Janna MacGregor


 A DUKE IN TIME, The Widow Rules series 
By Janna MacGREGOR
(St. Martin’s Trade Paperbacks, June 29, 2021, $8.99).

Katherine Vareck is in for the shock of her life when she learns upon her husband Meri's accidental death that he had married two other women. Her entire business, along with a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be a royal supplier, is everything she's been working for and now could be destroyed if word leaks about the three wives.

Meri's far more upstanding brother, Christian, Duke of Randford has no earthly clue how to be of assistance. He spent the better part of his adult years avoiding Meri and the rest of his good-for-nothing family, so to be dragged back into the fold is…problematic. Even more so is the intrepid and beautiful Katherine, whom he cannot be falling for because she's Meri's widow. Or can he?

With a textile business to run and a strong friendship forming with Meri's two other wives, Katherine doesn't have time for much else. But there's something about the warm, but compellingly taciturn Christian that draws her to him. When an opportunity to partner in a business venture brings them even closer, they'll have to face their pasts if they want to share each other's hearts and futures.

A feisty heroine and a dashing hero!

At the reading of her late husband's will, Katherine discovers she isn't the only wife of the late, Lord Meriwether Vareck – two other wives are using the same title too! As the presumed first wife, she takes the other women under her wing, to protect them and avoid the scandal becoming common knowledge. Only her motive is personal because if her true identity is revealed, she stands to lose everything she's worked for.

Christian, Duke of Randford is a war hero and the half brother of Meri. When he learns of the mess his wastrel brother left behind, he's determined to help these women, as Mr Hanes, the family solicitor begins researching the whereabouts of the women's missing dowries. Within a short space of time, Christian realises he's developing feelings for Katherine as shared interests and common goals are realised, however, is it wrong to pursue is late brother's wife?

This entertaining narrative held my attention right from the start. Set during the Regency period, the unique plot is a lot of fun, as the protagonists try to make sense of the situation they find themselves in. Their relationship gathered steam quite quickly but didn't feel rushed.

As a pair, Katherine and Christian are a good match. She is a strong, independent woman, who has worked hard all her life to achieve the success she has. As for Christian, he fights for what he believes and doesn't bow to public opinion. He's a loyal and trusted friend and companion to those he knows and in Katherine, he's met someone as passionate as he is about causes he cares for.

The unexpected twist towards the end helps to set the scene for the following books. As for Katherine and Christian, they found their happy ending.

This is my first Janna MacGregor novel and I'm eagerly waiting to read more books in The Widow Rules series.

***arc copy generously received courtesy of St. Martin's Paperbacks via NetGalley***




AMAZON US                AMAZON UK 

JANNA MACGREGOR was born and raised in the bootheel of Missouri. She is the author of the Cavensham Heiresses series, which begins with The Bad Luck Bride.

Janna credits her darling mom for introducing her to the happily-ever-after world of romance novels. Janna writes stories where compelling and powerful heroines meet and fall in love with their equally matched heroes. She is the mother of triplets and lives in Kansas City with her very own dashing rogue, and two smug, but not surprisingly, perfect pugs. She loves to hear from readers.  

No comments:

Post a Comment