How the Duke Was Won

I just finished my second read of Lenora’s debut novel and I am in awe.There are so many things I loved:1. The innate sensuality of the story that hovers just beneath the surface, like a crackling fire ready to implode at any moment.2. The seamless character development- James is an unconventional duke and Charlene is the daughter of a courtesan who agrees to masquerade as her half sister in order to buy freedom for those she loves. But the depth of these two—- they are compelled by the harsh realities they have seen to make meaningful changes iv the world. Those compulsions are rarely so avidly expressed by the landed gentry, and their shared passion for social justice draws them together as much as their mutual attraction.3. The portrayal of James’ daughter Flor and the burgeoning relationship between she and the heroine. She’s drawn as a fully fledged independent character with a distinct personality and an irresistible blend of naïveté and the stark ability to see through social masks.4. The intimacy! It was both poignant and scorching. The massage, the wall, the spanking5. The research that went into the author’s depiction of the cocoa trade. Every detail was fully rendered and as a reader you can taste the variations in flavor described on the pages.6. The Disgraceful Duke is Delicious. Even more delicious than his cocoa.