When You Give a Duke a Diamond
Shana Galen
Book #1 of the Jewels of the Ton series
Publication: September 4th 2012 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Historical Romance
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He had a perfectly orderly life...
William, the sixth Duke of Pelham, enjoys his punctual, securely structured life. Orderly and predictable—that's the way he likes it. But he's in the public eye, and the scandal sheets will make up anything to sell papers. When the gossip papers link him to Juliette, one of the most beautiful and celebrated courtesans in London, chaos doesn't begin to describe what happens next...
Until she came along...
Juliette is nicknamed the Duchess of Dalliance and has the cream of the nobility at her beck and call. It's disruptive to have the duke who is the biggest catch on the Marriage Mart scaring her other suitors away. Then she discovers William's darkest secret and decides what he needs in his life is the kind of excitement only she can provide...
William, the sixth Duke of Pelham, enjoys his punctual, securely structured life. Orderly and predictable—that's the way he likes it. But he's in the public eye, and the scandal sheets will make up anything to sell papers. When the gossip papers link him to Juliette, one of the most beautiful and celebrated courtesans in London, chaos doesn't begin to describe what happens next...
Until she came along...
Juliette is nicknamed the Duchess of Dalliance and has the cream of the nobility at her beck and call. It's disruptive to have the duke who is the biggest catch on the Marriage Mart scaring her other suitors away. Then she discovers William's darkest secret and decides what he needs in his life is the kind of excitement only she can provide...
I've read Shana Galen's previous works and loved them. I highly recommend her books to Historical Romance fans who are looking for plot and romance. Galen didn't disappoint with When You Give a Duke a Diamond. It was well paced, with the perfect amount of mystery, love scenes, steam, and humor throughout. The dialog was wonderfully smart, the characters were lovable and had depth, and their banter was both natural and so much fun to read. Oh, and their character growth still makes me smile and warmth bloom in my chest when I think about it.
I especially appreciated how the everything wasn't predictable. Although I guessed the ending, it wasn't until a chapter before the reveal that the revelation dawn on me. While the characters were consistent, neither changing too suddenly nor dramatically, their actions and reactions weren't typical, cheesy, or what I've come to expect in Romance novels. Their pasts, though not entirely original, were still heartbreaking to read and complemented each other's well while leaving me guessing.
I've become an even bigger fan of Shana Galen and look forward to the rest of this new series. Recommended for lovers of light political plots, tasteful romance, and fun heroines and uptight heroes with sad pasts.
I love when there is mystery and suspense wrapped up in the romance, and have not read anything by this author, based on your review I must remedy that soon..delightful!
ReplyDeleteShana Galen is a definite must-try! Thanks for stopping by, Kimba!
DeleteI can vouch for Shana Galen. Anything she writes is worth a read. This book is actually sitting on my nightstand ready to be perused through and the second book in Galen's series is due to be released on March 5th. It's called, 'If You Give A Rake A Ruby.'
ReplyDeleteHey, mama. Thanks for adding your vouch! I read an ARC of book two, If You Give a Rake a Ruby., and the review posts on February 27th. :) I'm so excited for book three already! Thanks again for visiting and leaving some LUV.
DeleteP.S. You should check out our Verve posts. It shows what books and ARCs we've received and what we'll be reviewing. Maybe you'll find something else to look forward to. :)
Oh, and I hope you enjoy book one, When You Give a Duke a Diamond. After you do read it, I'd love to know what your think. *hugs*
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