Heiress for Hire
Minerva Hepplewhite has learned the hard way how to take care of herself. When an intruder breaks into her home, she doesn't swoon or simper. Instead, she wallops the rogue over the head and ties him up—only to realize he is Chase Radnor, the man who nearly got her convicted of her late husband's murder. Now, he's insisting that Minerva has inherited a fortune from his uncle, a wealthy Duke. Only one thing could surprise her more: her sudden attraction to this exasperating man...
Chase can't decide whether Minerva is a wronged woman or a femme fatale. Either way, he's intrigued. Since the scandal surrounding her husband's death, she has set up a discreet detective business to rival Chase's own. She may be the perfect person to help him uncover the truth about his uncle's demise. But as proximity gives way to mutual seduction, Chase realizes he craves a much deeper alliance...
MY REVIEW: Acclaimed historical romance author Madeline Hunter begins her "A Duke's Heiress Series" with "Heiress for Hire", which features a smart, resourceful heroine who is as brave as she is beautiful. Minerva Hepplewhite left behind an unhappy past and created a new life and a new identify. Starting her own investigative agency with the help of two friends, she has an aptitude for discovering the secrets of others while hiding secrets of her own. An intruder into her home turns out not to be a thief, but another private investigator on a mission of personal importance. Chase Radnor, nephew of the eccentric and recently deceased Duke of Hollinburgh, has been tasked with finding three unexpected, previously unknown heirs to the Duke's estate. His attempt to uncover information about Minerva while snooping about her home is thwarted by a blow to his head and an inquiry by Minerva herself. Chase and Minerva have their suspicions about each other--she doesn't know why the Duke named her in his will, and Chase is not sure of her real identity. However, as the two of them continue to cross paths. their initial spark of mutual awareness flames into something deeper and hotter. There is more than one mystery to be solved, and Chase and Minerva are equally matched at deduction--can these two inquiring minds solve the puzzles which just might keep them apart? When truths are revealed, will there be hope for a bright and happy future for all? "Heiress for Hire" is an intelligent, intriguing sparks-fly historical romance, and I look forward to the upcoming books in the series.
Book Copy Gratis Kensington Books via BookishFirst
Praise for Heiress for Hire:
“At the heart of this smart, satisfying Regency romance—the first in a new trilogy from Hunter (Never Deny a Duke)—is the mystery of why a duke would bequeath a fortune to a woman he’d never met. Chase Radnor, gentleman investigator and nephew to the late duke, is instantly suspicious upon meeting newly minted heiress Minerva Hepplewhite. His eccentric uncle’s fall from a parapet looks like murder, and Minerva gained a great deal from his death. The self-reliant young widow also has a dark, secretive past that makes her a perfect suspect. To clear her name, Minerva begins her own investigation into the duke’s death, launching Hepplewhite’s Office of Discreet Inquiries, and she and Chase form an uneasy alliance as they first compete for, then begin to share, clues. Hunter gives the well-matched pair plenty of ground to cover with a wide cast of memorable suspects, and their clever detective work is a consistent pleasure. The plot moves apace, but Chase and Minerva’s relationship is treated patiently, with their attraction simmering alongside mutual respect, and their eventual love scenes are sensitively rendered. Romance readers craving substantive mystery and intelligent leads will savor this pitch-perfect love story.”—Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW
“An unexpected heiress finds love with the nephew of her benefactor as they both investigate the death that brought them together… Their banter is sharp and exciting.”—Kirkus Reviews
Praise for the previous works of Madeline Hunter
“Fueled by an abundance of subtle wit and potent sensuality . . . an exquisitely crafted love story by one of the romance genre’s masters.”—Booklist
“A rash, adventure seeking heroine and an honorable, take charge hero clash splendidly as passions blaze . . . to the delight of all concerned.”—Library Journal
“Intelligent and memorable. . . . With its tangy dialogue, Pride and Prejudice themes, bits of mystery and nefarious characters, readers may be reminded of Jane Austen.”—RT Book Reviews (Top Pick)
“Hunter . . . spins the intrigues of an enterprising bastard son and a resourceful artist to delightful effect in this excellent launch.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Stellar . . . hits all the literary marks. Hunter’s effortlessly elegant writing exudes a wicked sense of wit; her characterization is superbly subtle, and the sexual chemistry she cooks up between her deliciously independent heroine and delightfully sexy hero is pure passion.”—Booklist (starred review)
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