"The Making of a Duchess" is the first in a trilogy about three brothers struggling to reconnect and restore their noble heritage in the aftermath ...
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Jan 10, 2012
Jennifer
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From My Blog...[return][return][return]A seemingly simple request leads to a delightfully fun, quirky, and fast-paced game of charades in The Making of a Duchess by Shana Galen, the first in her trilogy I am thrilled to announce. How does one describe a novel such as this without giving away the points that make the novel so delightful?[return][return]In 1789, Julien and his mother escape the peasant uprising, making 13-year-old Julien the duc de Valere. He and his mother escape France and head
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Jan 11, 2012
Book Review Diva
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"The Making of a Duchess" By Shana Galen
Julian Harcourt's family is aristocratic and one faithful night, when he was younger, the local villagers targeted his family and lit their house on fire. Julian almost did not make it out of his family's burning house, and for that matter out of France during the French Revolution. He lost his father, and his brothers to the fire that faithful night. Now, Julian is all grown up. Many years have passed, but one day out of no where he receives a l More...
Julian Harcourt's family is aristocratic and one faithful night, when he was younger, the local villagers targeted his family and lit their house on fire. Julian almost did not make it out of his family's burning house, and for that matter out of France during the French Revolution. He lost his father, and his brothers to the fire that faithful night. Now, Julian is all grown up. Many years have passed, but one day out of no where he receives a l More...
Oct 31, 2011
Niki
rated it: 
I am officially a romance novel snob. After talking books with my mom and her friends, I have come to the conclusion that ravishment novels only have joy for me if they have an awesome plot as well. Hence my love for Kathleen E Woodiwiss and Charlaine Harris.
That being said, this book was lacking in a lot of ways. I loved the concept of the plot, however I hated the length and the lack of detail to plot development that the book had. While the book itself wasn't written too poorl More...
That being said, this book was lacking in a lot of ways. I loved the concept of the plot, however I hated the length and the lack of detail to plot development that the book had. While the book itself wasn't written too poorl More...
Jul 21, 2011
Sandy
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This is my first book by Ms. Galen. I have plenty of her books in the TBR pile, but I just haven’t gotten to them yet. But I’m certainly glad I was able to read this first book in her new series. I enjoyed it from beginning to end, love the characters, and definitely look forward to other books in the series.
Sarah is happily doing her job as a governess when her employer requests to see her. Suddenly her life is thrown into chaos. She’s asked to become a spy with only a few days to mem More...
Sarah is happily doing her job as a governess when her employer requests to see her. Suddenly her life is thrown into chaos. She’s asked to become a spy with only a few days to mem More...
Aug 12, 2010
Jennifer
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Sara Smith is put into an impossible situation: she must spy on Julien Harcourt or else. This task is for King and country, but she is not accustomed to lying and spying. It's not her thing. Sara goes about her task the best she can, but the Duc is an imposing, irresistibly cute gentleman. It is hard for the both of them to ignore the sparks that fly between them, whenever they spend any amount of time together.
Julien has fought hard to take care of his mother and rebuild the fam More...
Julien has fought hard to take care of his mother and rebuild the fam More...
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Jul 20, 2010
Gaby
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The Making of a Duchess grabbed me from the start. It opens in France during the time of the French Revolution. Julien is the eldest of the Duke's three sons and he wakes up to the sound of peasants attacking their home. He runs to help his brothers and his mother but is surrounded by angry peasants -- some of which he's known all his life. Although Julien is able to escape, the violence and hatred of that night marks him forever.
He and his mother are able to rebuild their lives More...
He and his mother are able to rebuild their lives More...
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Jul 04, 2010
Booklover1335
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Feb 17, 2012
Erin
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A sweet romance that was a fast read. This book didn't blow me away but I was charmed by the main characters. Sarah was sweet, unassuming and incapable of lying. When she is essentially blackmailed into spying on Julian, it was an obvious disaster. Julian, obsessed with finding the rest of his family in war torn France, was instantly attracted to Sarah. The obvious does occur.
In order to enjoy this story, I had to suspend a great deal of disbelief about this time period (well, knowled More...
In order to enjoy this story, I had to suspend a great deal of disbelief about this time period (well, knowled More...
Jun 19, 2010
Laura
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The Making of a Duchess is set during a fascinating period of history, the French Revolution, and the period shortly thereafter. I was captured by the start of this novel with thirteen-year old Julien Harcourt, duc de Valere, trying to escape with his life from a mob of peasants. The novel then flash forwards towards the future when an older Julien Harcourt is trying desperately to find his missing brothers in Napoleon ruled France.
Julien’s life is complicated when the lovely Ser More...
Julien’s life is complicated when the lovely Ser More...
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Mar 19, 2011
Elsie
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I received this book free from a reading blog giveaway (although I'm not sure which one!). I felt kind of silly, but was more than a little excited to get a signed copy of the book by the author with my name in it. haha!
The book is set in Londan in 1801. Julian is a French duc that has been driven from his homeland with his mother during the revolution. Peasants burned their home, killed his father and drove them out of the country with hundreds of other aristocrats. Sarah is an orphan More...
The book is set in Londan in 1801. Julian is a French duc that has been driven from his homeland with his mother during the revolution. Peasants burned their home, killed his father and drove them out of the country with hundreds of other aristocrats. Sarah is an orphan More...
Oct 22, 2011
Danielle
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Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick
After coming off of a high with the completion Lord and Lady Spy, I was eager to jump into another Shana Galen book. I've had this book sitting around and figured it would be a great time to dig into it. I wish I could sit here and say that I loved it and it was just as good if not better than Lord and Lady Spy, but I can't. For some reason I just could not get into this book. I felt a disconnect from the characters and I just never More...
After coming off of a high with the completion Lord and Lady Spy, I was eager to jump into another Shana Galen book. I've had this book sitting around and figured it would be a great time to dig into it. I wish I could sit here and say that I loved it and it was just as good if not better than Lord and Lady Spy, but I can't. For some reason I just could not get into this book. I felt a disconnect from the characters and I just never More...
Jul 02, 2010
Haley
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Sarah Smith is just a governess… but then her employer sends her off to spy on the French Duc de Valère, Julien. Sarah takes on an identity of someone who died years ago. Insecure and out of her comfort zone, she does her best to figure out if Julien is a traitor… but gets nearly swept away by him. Being discovered as a spy doesn't help her situation any, either. But Julien isn't going to turn her out on the streets. He's going to use her to keep himself safe from the men trying to catch him… an
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Apr 16, 2011
Wendy
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Wonderfully written, witty, book. Starting off with the French Revolution where our hero, one of three brothers (can we say series!) struggles to escape while the mob tries to kill him and his family. Fast forward to 1801 where orphan turned governess Sarah Smith is recruited to spy on Julien's activites to see whether he is a traitor to England. Using the alias Madamoiselle Sarafina Artois, Sarah is thrown into the life of luxury (and having to learn to act like an aristocrat and not a commoner
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Dec 12, 2011
Allison (The Allure of Books)
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The Making of a Duchess by Shana Galen is the first of the Sons of the Revolution trilogy, featuring three brothers who all suffered to varying degrees from the French Revolution (the book is set in England years later). This book had a lot of things going for it – interesting character descriptions and an intriguing premise. Unfortunately, the book’s execution left a lot to be desired.
One of the biggest disappointments was the plot twist at the very end – it was way too easy to figure More...
One of the biggest disappointments was the plot twist at the very end – it was way too easy to figure More...
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Sep 01, 2010
Stephanie
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"The Making of a Duchess" is full of adventure, suspense, romance, and love. Set in London, 1801, the novel's hero is Julien Harcourt, the exiled French due de Valère. Julien is intent on going to France to look for his brother, Armand. Enter the comtesse Serafina Artois. Will the attractive comtesse prove a distraction for Julien and his plans?
Julien and his mother barely made it out of France with their lives when the revolution occurred. Julien has been looking for his b More...
Julien and his mother barely made it out of France with their lives when the revolution occurred. Julien has been looking for his b More...
Dec 14, 2011
Historical Romance Books
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"The Making of a Duchess" By Shana Galen
Julian Harcourt's family is aristocratic and one faithful night, when he was younger, the local villagers targeted his family and lit their house on fire. Julian almost did not make it out of his family's burning house, and for that matter out of France during the French Revolution. He lost his father, and his brothers to the fire that faithful night. Now, Julian is all grown up. Many years have passed, but one day out of no where he re More...
Julian Harcourt's family is aristocratic and one faithful night, when he was younger, the local villagers targeted his family and lit their house on fire. Julian almost did not make it out of his family's burning house, and for that matter out of France during the French Revolution. He lost his father, and his brothers to the fire that faithful night. Now, Julian is all grown up. Many years have passed, but one day out of no where he re More...
Oct 20, 2011
Kati
rated it:
***review originally posted at Romancing Rakes***
The first book in The Sons of the Revolution series and it's definitely a keeper. Ms. Galen has a way with throwing the reader into the midst of the action from the very first page. As Julien and his mother tried to get away from the burning barn, I could almost smell the smoke, hear the angry voices of the peasants and feel Julien's adrenaline and fear spike. Oh, the smoke might've just been from my candle but hey, it set the mood. Whil More...
The first book in The Sons of the Revolution series and it's definitely a keeper. Ms. Galen has a way with throwing the reader into the midst of the action from the very first page. As Julien and his mother tried to get away from the burning barn, I could almost smell the smoke, hear the angry voices of the peasants and feel Julien's adrenaline and fear spike. Oh, the smoke might've just been from my candle but hey, it set the mood. Whil More...
Mar 30, 2011
Kelly
rated it:
There's something about this book that made it very enjoyable and I can't quite put my finger on it. I figured out the reveal about a dozen pages into it (or whatever the equivalent is on a Kindle) so that wasn't it. I think it was mostly watching Sarah bumble around as a completely inept spy. The poor girl was so out of her element it was painful. Painful and funny. In a OMG! What was she thinking? sort of way.
Even though I figured out the reveal, the book was engaging from beg More...
Even though I figured out the reveal, the book was engaging from beg More...
Jun 08, 2011
Samantha
rated it:
Summary from Goodreads:
"Twelve years after fleeing their burning chateau, Julien Harcourt, Duc de Valère, searches for his lost twin brothers. His frequent travels between England and France at a time when the exiled Napoleon is reported to be marshalling his troops raises the suspicions of English authorities who set secret operative Sarah Smith on his trail. A risky game of cat and mouse leads the two from the ballrooms of London to the prisons of Paris and into a fragile love t More...
"Twelve years after fleeing their burning chateau, Julien Harcourt, Duc de Valère, searches for his lost twin brothers. His frequent travels between England and France at a time when the exiled Napoleon is reported to be marshalling his troops raises the suspicions of English authorities who set secret operative Sarah Smith on his trail. A risky game of cat and mouse leads the two from the ballrooms of London to the prisons of Paris and into a fragile love t More...
Apr 30, 2011
Leslie
rated it:
The story opens with a young boy running for his life and leaving nearly everything and everyone he loves behind. It's a brutal look at what happens when the mob mentality strikes and both the guilty and the innocent are caught up in the violence. I was quickly swept up in the story of what happened after that young boy becomes a man. What happens when the same young boy who ran for his life is now a wealthy and powerful man.
Julien Harcourt is a man with a life mission. He desperate More...
Julien Harcourt is a man with a life mission. He desperate More...
Jul 15, 2010
Alaine
rated it:
This is the first historical romance that I recall reading set in the early 1800's but I really enjoyed it. Julien was a dashing and hunky hero and Sara/Serafina was an elegant and complex heroin. I really enjoyed the whole British upstairs/downstairs aspect of the story as I used to watch the television show years ago when I was a teenager. Yes I'm a sucker for the poor girl being rescued by the dashing knight in shining armour.
This is a beautifully told romantic story that will hav More...
This is a beautifully told romantic story that will hav More...
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Jun 19, 2010
Cheryl
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When Julien Harcourt, duc de Valere was just a little boy, he and his mother barely escaped a mob. Of course this could have something to do with what Julien is being accused of today.
Julien is grown up. It is time for him to get married. His mother has the perfect woman for him in mind. Julien can’t wait to meet his new bride.
Sarah Smith works for a secret agency. The agency wants Sarah to spy on Julien and find out if he is really a traitor to his country. She poses as More...
Julien is grown up. It is time for him to get married. His mother has the perfect woman for him in mind. Julien can’t wait to meet his new bride.
Sarah Smith works for a secret agency. The agency wants Sarah to spy on Julien and find out if he is really a traitor to his country. She poses as More...
Jun 08, 2010
Christy
rated it:
The first book in a new series from Shana Galen and it was marvelous!
I was enraptured from the first page: 1789, French aristocrats fleeing from their home that has been set on fire.
Julien Harcourt, Duc de Valère was 13 years old when he escaped with his mother to England. His father was sent to the guillotine and his twin brothers thought dead. In the year 1801, Julien is 25 and has received word from a former servant that his brother Armand is still alive and plans imme More...
I was enraptured from the first page: 1789, French aristocrats fleeing from their home that has been set on fire.
Julien Harcourt, Duc de Valère was 13 years old when he escaped with his mother to England. His father was sent to the guillotine and his twin brothers thought dead. In the year 1801, Julien is 25 and has received word from a former servant that his brother Armand is still alive and plans imme More...
Feb 21, 2011
Mrs. Hanson
rated it:
The plot for this book was pretty straightforward: the hero and heroine are going to fall in love. What Sarah and Julien do not have, however, is an instant chemistry, at least not one that I readily believed and wanted to see come to fruition. But as the narrative progressed, their coupling slowly wormed its way into my mind. Adding the is-he-or-isn't-he-a-traitor? only helped to further the cause, since Sarah wrestled with this same question over and over. She comes to believe he is not an
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Jan 17, 2011
JoAnn
rated it:
Interesting story, well-told. I would like to have seen Sarah begin to suspect the truth of her past or to at least incorporate her assumed role into her phantom memories, since it seemed pretty obvious who she was early on.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the stories of Armand and Bastien.
(For my own personal reasons I was happy to see what sort of man Sir Northrop turned out to be.)
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the stories of Armand and Bastien.
(For my own personal reasons I was happy to see what sort of man Sir Northrop turned out to be.)
Jan 22, 2012
Sarah
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This book is a lively, enjoyable read. The two main characters, Sarah and Julien, are likeable and the story is full of twists and turns. I do love a regency romance and this has a different slant from most with the spy storyline. There are some slightly unbelievable parts to the story but overall this is a fun read and I look forward to reading more by Shana Galen.
Oct 24, 2011
Jean
rated it:
A heavier, more carefully woven tale from the average by-the-numbers historical romance, it's unfortunately held back from perfect by a handful of cliche plot twists and the usual rushed villain, though far better foreshadowed then many books.
The intense beginning is really what drew me in, and the set up is great. I enjoyed the characters, and the unique story. It's really a gem of a book.
The intense beginning is really what drew me in, and the set up is great. I enjoyed the characters, and the unique story. It's really a gem of a book.
Oct 08, 2010
Robin (RBBR)
rated it:
This is the first book in a new series and its suppose to be a Trilogy. There are three brothers and in the first book the hero (in more ways then one) is the oldest brother Julien and he's looking for one of his younger brothers (Armand). Course since the title of the trilogy is Sons of the Revolution you know that he's going to find both brothers at some point. The third brother is Bastien and he and Armand are twins. The brothers were separated one night during the French Revolution and in th
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Jun 18, 2010
Maggi
rated it:
A good read. Galen takes us out of the London ballrooms on a journey to Paris filled with action and suspense. There were a few niggles about the plot, but the writing was strong and the characters likeable, although at first I thought the heroine a bit hopeless. She grew stronger during the story which is as it should be. Nice twist at the end.
Jan 03, 2011
Kendra
rated it:
I couldn't stop reading this one and stayed up way too late to finish. I liked how the hero didn't want to compromise the heroine and chose to marry her before getting intimate. I'm curious about the brother and will now have to read his story. I'm guessing it'll be a bit more emotional for the reader than this one.
