DARING A DUKE by Claudia Dane

The Courtesan Series
Publisher: Berkley
Date published: July 2010
ISBN: 978-0425235461
Historical romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by publisher


Jane Elliot has arrived in London from New York along with her two brothers. Jane is hoping for an adventure. Her two brothers are determined that Jane has nothing to do with anything like that. In fact, they are going to be leaving in the morning and are determined to take Jane back home with them.

When the Duke of Edenham lays eyes on her, he cannot look away. He is completely enamored. He is certainly the most handsomest man she’s ever seen. But with two brothers watching over her like hawks, there really isn’t going to be an adventure. The Duke feels he has found his bride, well, at least his fourth bride, but when he tries to persuade her, she refuses him.

Sophia Dalby has other ideas and is going to show Jane and her brothers that every lady, especially proper ladies should have an adventure, an improper one at that.

This is a very cleverly crafted book. I felt like I was a fly on the wall at a very special party with lots of very interesting people attending. The whole story is told within the time span of this party and you will hop from one group of guests to another and overhear some very witty conversations. I enjoyed how Jane bungles and bumbles her way through the English nobility and how lots of misunderstandings pop up between her and other members of the party, especially the Duke of Edenham. I found I was smiling a lot through this delightful story. Fans of regency romance will definitely get a good fix when they pick up this story. It is witty, sassy, sensual and filled with a myriad of wonderful characters. Claudia Dane is an author I will be keeping my eye on and will be looking out for more historical romance from her talented pen.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

Daring A Duke by Claudia Dain

Publisher: Berkley
Date published: July 2010
ISBN: 978-0425235461
Historical Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Susan
Obtained via Publisher


Jane Elliot is in search of adventure but she isn’t going to find it with her two over-protective brothers around. Traveling to England to spend time with her mother’s family, she finds herself surrounded by her male cousins but there might be a chance for something extra when she meets the Duke of Edenham and Lady Sophia Dalby.

Jane is a fun character. She is a girl who wants to break out and experience life. The reader can empathize with what she is feeling as she comes across as a normal girl. Edenham is very much a duke and is not as likable as Jane. He fixates on Jane and wants her for his wife. I believe in love at first sight but I don’t get that from their first meeting. I can believe that he falls for her as he gets to know her but he is not a riveting hero and just didn’t capture my imagination. As a couple, they were just ok – nothing to set the world on fire – it was just a decent coupling.

DARING A DUKE is the fourth book in the Courtesan’s series. Trying to convince Jane that having a Duke who wants you is a good thing takes up a good chunk of the story but there is a secondary storyline that piqued my interest: Sophia and Ruan. I wanted to see and learn more about them. The common element of this series is Lady Sophia Dalby as she is known to be a matchmaker extraordinaire. She is a vibrant and likable character who deserves a happily ever after!

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

THE COURTESAN’S WAGER Book 3 in Courtesan’s series by Claudia Dain

Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Date published: February 2009
ISBN: 978-0425225806
Historical/Regency Romance
Trade Paperback
Obtained via: Publisher
Reviewed by Dawn


Lady Amelia Caversham needs help. She needs to marry before her season passes and she goes to the foremost matchmaker- former courtesan, Sophia Dalby. But even she is shocked when Sophia hatches a brilliant plan to gain Amelia a husband and a Duke at that. Soon every titled man wants to meet Amelia and only one is determined to not be on the infamous list of Amelia’s: Lord Cranleigh. Can Lady Amelia find a husband before the season passes? Find out in THE COURTESAN’S WAGER.

I haven’t read the first two books in this series (THE COURTESAN'S DAUGHTER & THE COURTESAN'S SECRET) and plan to soon. Lady Sophia Dalby is a charming, witty secondary character that gives the latest book, THE COURTESAN’S WAGER, some much needed humor and adventure. Ms. Dain is a masterful storyteller that had me laughing at the antics of Amelia’s proposed suitors and eager to know more. The dynamics between Sophia, Amelia and the ton were fun and kept me giggling even as I turned the page to find out what happens next. Lord Creighton is a man who refuses to be on the list and is determined to save his younger brother from it by seducing Amelia except after spending time with her; he starts to fall for her charms. Can a man who refused to be in the chase end up with the prize, namely Amelia’s heart? Sensuality, adventure and humor make up THE COURTESAN’S WAGER as the reader is captivated from the first page to the last. Ms. Dain does a wonderful job in creating characters readers can love and root for.

The COURTESAN’S WAGER is a fast paced story that leaves you breathless till the very end. With a wonderful cast of characters, edge of the seat twists and turns and some simmering sexual tension, Ms. Dain delivers a highly enjoyable story. If you enjoy a regency romance that will leave you chuckling, then grab THE COURTESAN’S WAGER. It will definitely be a keeper on my bookcase and I look forward to more adventures with Lady Sophia Darby at the helm.

THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW.

THE COURTESAN’S WAGER Book 3 in Courtesan’s series by Claudia Dain

Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Date published: February 2009
ISBN: 978-0425225806
Historical/Regency Romance
Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn





Lady Amelia Caversham needs help. She needs to marry before her season passes and she goes to the foremost matchmaker- former courtesan, Sophia Dalby. But even she is shocked when Sophia hatches a brilliant plan to gain Amelia a husband and a Duke at that. Soon every titled man wants to meet Amelia and only one is determined to not be on the infamous list of Amelia’s: Lord Cranleigh. Can Lady Amelia find a husband before the season passes? Find out in THE COURTESAN’S WAGER.

I haven’t read the first two books in this series (The Courtesan’s Daughter & The Courtesan’s Secret) and plan to soon. Lady Sophia Dalby is a charming, witty secondary character that gives the latest book, THE COURTESAN’S WAGER, some much needed humor and adventure. Ms. Dain is a masterful storyteller that had me laughing at the antics of Amelia’s proposed suitors and eager to know more. The dynamics between Sophia, Amelia and the ton were fun and kept me giggling even as I turned the page to find out what happens next. Lord Creighton is a man who refuses to be on the list and is determined to save his younger brother from it by seducing Amelia except after spending time with her; he starts to fall for her charms. Can a man who refused to be in the chase end up with the prize, namely Amelia’s heart? Sensuality, adventure and humor make up THE COURTESAN’S WAGER as the reader is captivated from the first page to the last. Ms. Dain does a wonderful job in creating characters readers can love and root for.

The COURTESAN’S WAGER is a fast paced story that leaves you breathless till the very end. With a wonderful cast of characters, edge of the seat twists and turns and some simmering sexual tension, Ms. Dain delivers a highly enjoyable story. If you enjoy a regency romance that will leave you chuckling, then grab THE COURTESAN’S WAGER. It will definitely be a keeper on my bookcase and I look forward to more adventures with Lady Sophia Darby at the helm.


THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW