A sparkling new love story from a historical romance legend,
perfect for Bridgerton fans and readers of Sabrina Jeffries, Eloisa
James, and Grace Burrowes.
In one life-changing windfall, Rosamund Jameson goes from
struggling shopkeeper to heiress—and co-owner of a new business. Not
only will her sudden fortune allow her to move her millinery shop to
fashionable London, but Rosamund will be able to provide her younger
sister with a proper entry into society. The only hitch for resourceful
Rosamund is her arrogant, infuriatingly handsome business partner...
Kevin
Radnor is shocked that his late uncle, the Duke of Hollinburgh,
bequeathed half his company to a total stranger—worse, a beguiling
beauty who can only hinder his enterprise. But Rosamund insists on an
active, equal partnership, so Kevin embarks on a plan: a seduction that
will lead to a marriage of convenience, giving Rosamund the social
status she needs, and guaranteeing him the silent partner he desires.
Yet as this charismatic gentleman sets his flirtation in motion, he
begins to wonder who is seducing whom—and if he can learn to share
himself body and mind, without losing his heart . . .
“Another smart pairing and a genuinely romantic ending.”— Publishers Weekly
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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