How to Capture a Duke by Bianca Blythe Series: Matchmaking for Wallflowers #1
on January 28th, 2016
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
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…
I received How to Capture a Duke for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Also in this series: A Rogue to AvoidIs it possible for one person to completely upturn her life in just three days? It is if you are Fiona Amberly. A woman bent on making a profession for herself in Archeology, Fiona has no desire for the ton or all the trappings. Yet, seeing her beloved grandmother so frail, all she wants it to make the older woman happy. Fiona invents a fiancé. Things go sideways when she agrees to produce him for her cousin’s Christmas Ball.
Percival Carmichael, new Duke of Alfriston, happens to be in the wrong place at the right time. When Fiona tries to warn Percival’s coachman of a tree lying in the road, she is mistaken for a highwaywoman. Fiona attempts to explain, but ends up using the idea to borrow Percival.
The tale gets even more interesting from there! Escape attempts, letters of pleas to relatives, and the happiness of an old woman come to play. With a start such as this, one wonders how in the world a love match could be made.
Bianca Blythe weaves her masterful love story out of the most unusual circumstance. I found myself laughing and crying at times in the story, well bonded with both of the characters. The novel does not lack a level of heat. The passion Percival feels within hours of their meeting was fascinating to read. Though he thought she was a criminal at the time, he was still able to connect with her physically and intellectually. For all of Fiona’s innocence, her passions seemed true from the first spark. I never imagined it would crescendo the way that it did, but it was simply marvelous.
I am eager to read the rest of the series. I have a feeling there is more in store for some beautiful wallflowers in the English countryside. If you are a fan of the novels of Julia Quinn or Tessa Dare, How to Capture a Duke will be the perfect read for you.
About Bianca Blythe
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!
Leave a Reply