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Timeless Regency Collection
Falling for a Duke
Three brand new Regency Romance novellas by Rebecca Connolly, Nichole Van, and Janelle Daniels
ON THE DUKE’S ERRAND by Rebecca Connolly. Lord David Chambers has one goal—to put his father’s Scotland estate to rights. Even if it means leaving in the middle of the London Season and avoiding the matchmakers. As the second son of a duke, David looks forward to facing the wilds of Scotland, and trying to make something of himself and prove his worth to his father. But David’s not prepared for the censure he receives from the local Scottish gentry, especially Ceana Shaw, the baronet’s daughter who not only mistakes him for the duke himself, she seems determined to think the worst of David.
VINGT-ET-UN | TWENTY-ONE by Nichole Van. Eliza Mail had found the perfect place to live out her days as a young widow, away from the pain of her past and lost love. Seemingly by chance, Eliza’s childhood neighbor, Liam Trebor, Duke of Chawton, comes to her village for a visit. Eliza hasn’t seen Liam in over five years, and his presence panics her. Will he reveal what he knows to her friends and neighbors, destroying her current life? Eliza must avoid Liam at all costs, but he seems equally determined to flush her out of hiding. What happens if Eliza’s past does not stay where it belongs . . . in her past?
I KISSED A DUKE by Janelle Daniels. Madeline Maybury will do anything to be invited into the inner circles of the ton. She takes on a challenge from a high society lady to kiss the Duke of Hargrave. When she finds Ethan alone and explains that she needs to kiss him, instead of turning her away, he’s amused. He also obliges. Madeline believes she can report back and achieve all of her ambitions. Instead, she’s given an even greater task. Once she accomplishes it, she realizes that the Duke of Hargrave is a very different man than she expected, and she’s in grave danger of falling in love.
ON THE DUKE’S ERRAND by Rebecca Connolly. Lord David Chambers has one goal—to put his father’s Scotland estate to rights. Even if it means leaving in the middle of the London Season and avoiding the matchmakers. As the second son of a duke, David looks forward to facing the wilds of Scotland, and trying to make something of himself and prove his worth to his father. But David’s not prepared for the censure he receives from the local Scottish gentry, especially Ceana Shaw, the baronet’s daughter who not only mistakes him for the duke himself, she seems determined to think the worst of David.
VINGT-ET-UN | TWENTY-ONE by Nichole Van. Eliza Mail had found the perfect place to live out her days as a young widow, away from the pain of her past and lost love. Seemingly by chance, Eliza’s childhood neighbor, Liam Trebor, Duke of Chawton, comes to her village for a visit. Eliza hasn’t seen Liam in over five years, and his presence panics her. Will he reveal what he knows to her friends and neighbors, destroying her current life? Eliza must avoid Liam at all costs, but he seems equally determined to flush her out of hiding. What happens if Eliza’s past does not stay where it belongs . . . in her past?
I KISSED A DUKE by Janelle Daniels. Madeline Maybury will do anything to be invited into the inner circles of the ton. She takes on a challenge from a high society lady to kiss the Duke of Hargrave. When she finds Ethan alone and explains that she needs to kiss him, instead of turning her away, he’s amused. He also obliges. Madeline believes she can report back and achieve all of her ambitions. Instead, she’s given an even greater task. Once she accomplishes it, she realizes that the Duke of Hargrave is a very different man than she expected, and she’s in grave danger of falling in love.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 19, 2017
214 people are currently reading
637 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Connolly
86 books1,183 followersI was born once upon a time, and I started making up stories right away. Eventually, I started writing them down, and never stopped! I have a day job, which gets in the way of my writing, but it pays the bills so I CAN write, so I guess that's okay! I am a bookworm, which I think is key to being a writer, and I am always looking for inspiration! I live in Indiana, am obsessed with hot chocolate, and I am on track to be the best aunt in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
March 23, 2018
Regencyland! where there are a plethora of young, handsome, single dukes in want of ladies of no particular fortune. 3.75 stars for this set of three novellas, one of the better brain candy romances I've picked up (this one was on a 99c Kindle sale).
Our three stories:
3* for "On the Duke's Errand" by Rebecca Connolly. David Chambers is the second son of a duke, visiting his father’s estate in Scotland as a problem-fixer. He has a series of run-ins with Ceana Shaw, the daughter of a neighboring baronet. She's determined to dislike him (he is a little sarcastic with her) and then ... she isn't? She's also under the mistaken impression that David is the actual duke himself, and for (kind of hazy) reasons David chooses to let her go on thinking that. Not bad, but forgettable.
4* for "Vingt-et-Un | Twenty-One" by Nichole Van. This was fun, different kind of romance with a bit of humor as well as drama. Eliza is living in the village of Rothsbury, far away from London. She's a young widow living in genteel, reduced circumstances, content with her life ... until she finds out that her childhood sweetheart, Liam Trebor, now the Duke of Chawton, is coming to town. Is it an accident, or is he seeking her out? He broke her heart five years ago, so Eliza really doesn't want to see him ever again. The story is interspersed with scenes from their childhood and teenage years. It gets a little cutesy (there's a name thing that was kind of witty but made me roll my eyes at the same time) but this was good fluffy times!
3.75* for "I Kissed a Duke" by Janelle Daniels. Madeline, on the fringes of the ton, gets tangled up with Lady Louisa, a young woman who is fond of issuing difficult dares as a condition of joining her inner circle. Louisa's challenge to Madeline: kiss Ethan Sommerlin, the Duke of Hargrave. Madeline is lucky enough to catch Ethan alone at the party and confesses the nature of her dare (at least she's honest about it) and Ethan is amused enough to take her up on it. Sparks fly! And it's a good thing, since Lady Louisa has much more up her sleeve. So very, very far-fetched, but it was a fun read. The ending was just a little too abrupt for me.
Recommended for fans of the squeaky clean variety of Regency romances.
Our three stories:
3* for "On the Duke's Errand" by Rebecca Connolly. David Chambers is the second son of a duke, visiting his father’s estate in Scotland as a problem-fixer. He has a series of run-ins with Ceana Shaw, the daughter of a neighboring baronet. She's determined to dislike him (he is a little sarcastic with her) and then ... she isn't? She's also under the mistaken impression that David is the actual duke himself, and for (kind of hazy) reasons David chooses to let her go on thinking that. Not bad, but forgettable.
4* for "Vingt-et-Un | Twenty-One" by Nichole Van. This was fun, different kind of romance with a bit of humor as well as drama. Eliza is living in the village of Rothsbury, far away from London. She's a young widow living in genteel, reduced circumstances, content with her life ... until she finds out that her childhood sweetheart, Liam Trebor, now the Duke of Chawton, is coming to town. Is it an accident, or is he seeking her out? He broke her heart five years ago, so Eliza really doesn't want to see him ever again. The story is interspersed with scenes from their childhood and teenage years. It gets a little cutesy (there's a name thing that was kind of witty but made me roll my eyes at the same time) but this was good fluffy times!
3.75* for "I Kissed a Duke" by Janelle Daniels. Madeline, on the fringes of the ton, gets tangled up with Lady Louisa, a young woman who is fond of issuing difficult dares as a condition of joining her inner circle. Louisa's challenge to Madeline: kiss Ethan Sommerlin, the Duke of Hargrave. Madeline is lucky enough to catch Ethan alone at the party and confesses the nature of her dare (at least she's honest about it) and Ethan is amused enough to take her up on it. Sparks fly! And it's a good thing, since Lady Louisa has much more up her sleeve. So very, very far-fetched, but it was a fun read. The ending was just a little too abrupt for me.
Recommended for fans of the squeaky clean variety of Regency romances.
September 12, 2017
All you lovers of swoony and clean romance, great wit and humor, fun plots and great characters, this is one collection that I highly recommend. Definitely one of my favorites in the Timeless Regency Collections for sure!
Oh heavens! I was giggling, smiling, sighing, swooning (ok maybe not really swooning but you get the idea). There were a couple times that I thought 'be still my heart'. *blushing* If you've read any of the Timeless Romance novellas then I highly recommend you pick up a copy of Falling for a Duke. I really enjoyed my time spent reading these three novellas all about Dukes. I was finishing up laundry yesterday so in between switching loads and putting laundry away I enjoyed some down time with these fun and engaging reads. I even gave up my walk for the day just so I could read. Yes, I was a little remiss in finishing a few chores but they did end up getting done, albeit a little later than planned. I gave myself a little more reading time yesterday because I just had to know what happened.
On the Duke's Errand by Rebecca Connolly found me in the Scottish Highlands listening to the brogue of a sassy lass, Ceana (Kenna) and the English accent of Lord David. Their banter back and forth was fun, I kept wondering who was going to win their verbal sparing. I enjoyed the scenery, the characters and watching them discover who they are and what they wanted in their future. This was my first time reading anything by Rebecca Connolly, I can't wait to read more of her books, especially a regency series that I've had my eye on for a while.
Vingt-et-Un by Nichole Van...definitely gotta give this one more than 5 *. Oh I loved how she wrote this one. I've read several other books by this author and just cannot tell you how much I love her writing style, her humor and the romance of her stories. I was highlighting quotes like crazy (I might share a few with you). It just started off fun and continued on throughout, even with the sorrow that was very palpable, the embarrassing moments and the reconciliation, I couldn't stop reading it. Eliza and Liam...well I might have to say this is a new favorite book of mine. Read it! READ IT!!!! All you Nichole Van fans out there, you're not gonna be able to put it down, I'm giving you a heads up in advance. Carve out some time and just enjoy! I want to tell you all about it right now and share all my thoughts but it's written in such a way that if I do I'll spoil it. Oh my heart was aching and soaring. Nichole Van, you're amazing! Thanks for another delicious read!
I Kissed a Duke by Janelle Daniels. Another 5+* rating from me for this novella as well. Hee Hee! That laugh is just because I was thinking about a scene...ok, many scenes in this book. Oh my word, what a fun spin on the plot of a debutante's season and trying to make a good match. What lengths would you go to to ensure your family would be provided for? Miss Madeline Maybury is about to find out. She's going to have quite the shock by the time her season is over and it all starts with one little dare. Ok, not one little dare...one major, big ol no no, uh uh, don't you do that girl, type of dare. This was my first Janelle Daniels story and I can definitely say I am going to go search her other books to see what else she has written. Oh, here I go again...Read it!!!
I just scrolled through my highlights and can't share most of them because they would give away secrets but I did find a funny one from the Nichole Van book, so enjoy!
In lady's speak, the question was the verbal equivalent of a glove slap.
Mrs. Finchley gasped, appropriately wide-eyed and outraged.
Eliza echoed her surprise.
Mrs. Young usually had more patience for her friend's idiosyncrasies. But for some reason, today Mrs. Young had jumped all preliminaries and gone straight to challenge...
Mrs. Young raised her eyebrows, upping the stakes. Heavens. They had proceeded straight from glove slap to pistols and ten paces at dawn.
Oh Mrs. Finchley and Mrs. Young were great comedic characters. Loved them!
Content: Clean. Some sweet kisses, some swoony kisses.
I received a copy from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
Oh heavens! I was giggling, smiling, sighing, swooning (ok maybe not really swooning but you get the idea). There were a couple times that I thought 'be still my heart'. *blushing* If you've read any of the Timeless Romance novellas then I highly recommend you pick up a copy of Falling for a Duke. I really enjoyed my time spent reading these three novellas all about Dukes. I was finishing up laundry yesterday so in between switching loads and putting laundry away I enjoyed some down time with these fun and engaging reads. I even gave up my walk for the day just so I could read. Yes, I was a little remiss in finishing a few chores but they did end up getting done, albeit a little later than planned. I gave myself a little more reading time yesterday because I just had to know what happened.
On the Duke's Errand by Rebecca Connolly found me in the Scottish Highlands listening to the brogue of a sassy lass, Ceana (Kenna) and the English accent of Lord David. Their banter back and forth was fun, I kept wondering who was going to win their verbal sparing. I enjoyed the scenery, the characters and watching them discover who they are and what they wanted in their future. This was my first time reading anything by Rebecca Connolly, I can't wait to read more of her books, especially a regency series that I've had my eye on for a while.
Vingt-et-Un by Nichole Van...definitely gotta give this one more than 5 *. Oh I loved how she wrote this one. I've read several other books by this author and just cannot tell you how much I love her writing style, her humor and the romance of her stories. I was highlighting quotes like crazy (I might share a few with you). It just started off fun and continued on throughout, even with the sorrow that was very palpable, the embarrassing moments and the reconciliation, I couldn't stop reading it. Eliza and Liam...well I might have to say this is a new favorite book of mine. Read it! READ IT!!!! All you Nichole Van fans out there, you're not gonna be able to put it down, I'm giving you a heads up in advance. Carve out some time and just enjoy! I want to tell you all about it right now and share all my thoughts but it's written in such a way that if I do I'll spoil it. Oh my heart was aching and soaring. Nichole Van, you're amazing! Thanks for another delicious read!
I Kissed a Duke by Janelle Daniels. Another 5+* rating from me for this novella as well. Hee Hee! That laugh is just because I was thinking about a scene...ok, many scenes in this book. Oh my word, what a fun spin on the plot of a debutante's season and trying to make a good match. What lengths would you go to to ensure your family would be provided for? Miss Madeline Maybury is about to find out. She's going to have quite the shock by the time her season is over and it all starts with one little dare. Ok, not one little dare...one major, big ol no no, uh uh, don't you do that girl, type of dare. This was my first Janelle Daniels story and I can definitely say I am going to go search her other books to see what else she has written. Oh, here I go again...Read it!!!
I just scrolled through my highlights and can't share most of them because they would give away secrets but I did find a funny one from the Nichole Van book, so enjoy!
In lady's speak, the question was the verbal equivalent of a glove slap.
Mrs. Finchley gasped, appropriately wide-eyed and outraged.
Eliza echoed her surprise.
Mrs. Young usually had more patience for her friend's idiosyncrasies. But for some reason, today Mrs. Young had jumped all preliminaries and gone straight to challenge...
Mrs. Young raised her eyebrows, upping the stakes. Heavens. They had proceeded straight from glove slap to pistols and ten paces at dawn.
Oh Mrs. Finchley and Mrs. Young were great comedic characters. Loved them!
Content: Clean. Some sweet kisses, some swoony kisses.
I received a copy from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
November 5, 2017
I just love these collections! Such a fun way to read lots of stories and try out new authors. I really enjoyed this set and would definitely read it again!
On the Duke's Errand
I always enjoy Ms. Connolly's stories and liked that this is part of her Arrangements series. I thought this was a cute story, I always love when our H/h get off on the wrong foot! Makes for some fun scenes and great tension. I loved the Scottish setting and likable characters.
Vingt-et-un/Twenty-One
This was my first Nichole Van book! I've had her on my to-try list for a long time now and after reading this story I'm wondering why I waited so long to give her a try. I found this story to be quite charming, had a very Traditional Regency feel to it. I'm always a sucker for a lost-love story, and thought this was done really well. Lots of tension and build-up. It would make a good full-length story where things could be developed a little more, but I found it to be a great read and zipped right through it. Definitely look forward to reading her other books!
I Kissed a Duke
I really enjoyed this one! Super fun. I thought it had a great plot, likable characters and was well written. This was my first book by Ms. Daniels and I'm already a fan! I look forward to reading more of her books. This was a gem!
Content: Clean
Source: eBooks for Review
On the Duke's Errand
I always enjoy Ms. Connolly's stories and liked that this is part of her Arrangements series. I thought this was a cute story, I always love when our H/h get off on the wrong foot! Makes for some fun scenes and great tension. I loved the Scottish setting and likable characters.
Vingt-et-un/Twenty-One
This was my first Nichole Van book! I've had her on my to-try list for a long time now and after reading this story I'm wondering why I waited so long to give her a try. I found this story to be quite charming, had a very Traditional Regency feel to it. I'm always a sucker for a lost-love story, and thought this was done really well. Lots of tension and build-up. It would make a good full-length story where things could be developed a little more, but I found it to be a great read and zipped right through it. Definitely look forward to reading her other books!
I Kissed a Duke
I really enjoyed this one! Super fun. I thought it had a great plot, likable characters and was well written. This was my first book by Ms. Daniels and I'm already a fan! I look forward to reading more of her books. This was a gem!
Content: Clean
Source: eBooks for Review
October 9, 2017
Oh. I think I'm in love with this book. 😍💓 I want all romance and regency lovers to read it. I seriously loved every minute I spent with this book. It had me smiling, groaning in frustration, shaking my head in confusion and sighing contentedly.
I really hate to call out favorites but Nichole Van's story knocked it out of the park for me. It was so good!! I actually wish I had time to go back and read it again. All the books were great though- I loved all the smiles I Kissed a Duke gave me. It was instant attraction and chemistry between the couple and I LOVE that. On the Duke's Errand transported me to the Scotland countryside with two very determined people, butting heads and falling in love.
This was a perfectly perfect way to spend a day reading. (and I'm STILL thinking about Eliza and Liam!)
Content: some kissing
- I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.
I really hate to call out favorites but Nichole Van's story knocked it out of the park for me. It was so good!! I actually wish I had time to go back and read it again. All the books were great though- I loved all the smiles I Kissed a Duke gave me. It was instant attraction and chemistry between the couple and I LOVE that. On the Duke's Errand transported me to the Scotland countryside with two very determined people, butting heads and falling in love.
This was a perfectly perfect way to spend a day reading. (and I'm STILL thinking about Eliza and Liam!)
Content: some kissing
- I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.
October 20, 2017
Wouldn't it have been so romantic to live in Regency England (or Scotland) and to fall in love with a duke? These three swoony stories fulfilled my dreams. I can always count on this line to be sweet and satisfying and this one is a new favorite for sure.
The collection starts off with ON THE DUKE'S ERRAND, and transports the reader to Scotland. I love that the author tells Ceana's name pronunciation in a subtle way right off the bat because I totally would've said it wrong. A case of mistaken identity is always a good way to really get to know a person, as Ceana discovers, especially when that first meeting is a bit shocking. I love the characters and the charming setting that wrapped itself around a fun and entertaining plot.
VINGT-ET-UN | TWENTY-ONE is a heartbreaking story of second chance love. I adored the creativity that went into developing a solid friendship, as the story waffles between the present and the past. I had my prejudices set from the start, but found my thoughts and feelings shifting as the story progressed and captured my heart.
The characters and chemistry in I KISSED A DUKE are purely delightful and I was smiling and swooning throughout. In fact, I almost blushed a time or two, but my adoration of Ethan and Madeline pulled me through. I loved the tasks and reactions that resulted because of these charming characters.
This is a fantastic collection that an Regency romance lover will adore.
Content: mild romance.
*I received a copy, which has no influence on my opinion in any way.*
The collection starts off with ON THE DUKE'S ERRAND, and transports the reader to Scotland. I love that the author tells Ceana's name pronunciation in a subtle way right off the bat because I totally would've said it wrong. A case of mistaken identity is always a good way to really get to know a person, as Ceana discovers, especially when that first meeting is a bit shocking. I love the characters and the charming setting that wrapped itself around a fun and entertaining plot.
VINGT-ET-UN | TWENTY-ONE is a heartbreaking story of second chance love. I adored the creativity that went into developing a solid friendship, as the story waffles between the present and the past. I had my prejudices set from the start, but found my thoughts and feelings shifting as the story progressed and captured my heart.
The characters and chemistry in I KISSED A DUKE are purely delightful and I was smiling and swooning throughout. In fact, I almost blushed a time or two, but my adoration of Ethan and Madeline pulled me through. I loved the tasks and reactions that resulted because of these charming characters.
This is a fantastic collection that an Regency romance lover will adore.
Content: mild romance.
*I received a copy, which has no influence on my opinion in any way.*
March 15, 2018
I always have enjoyed anything published from Mirror Press including their Timeless Regency Collections. This particular collection Falling for a Duke seemed to put a lot of normally cynical by long experience reviewers and Goodreads friends into fainting swooning hyperventilation of joy though! These normally are good, but was this particular collection that much better than usual I kept thinking??? I decided to put my cash in and buy it out of curiosity and trepidation of hyperinflation of opinion. In the end, yes, this particular collection was just magnifique! Particularly Vingt-et-un | Twenty-One by Nichole Van! I am still thinking of Eliza and Liam’s epic tragic (for years) love story days later after reading that particular one.
On the Duke’s Errand by Rebecca Connolly:
This one was a nice surprise bonus gift story to me as a reader and fan of Rebecca Connolly. I have read all 8 books in her ARRANGEMENT SERIES. This standalone novella takes place in that same world and happens in time one year before the first book of the series An Arrangement of Sorts, and the hero Lord David Chambers of On the Duke’s Errand is the brother of the hero of the second book in the series Married to the Marquess whom was Derek Chambers, Marquess of Whitlock.
In this one the fiery strong Scottish heroine Ceana Shaw has strong indignant pride and preconceived prejudices against the hero Lord David Chambers, second son of a duke, whom she thinks through a misunderstanding is David Chambers, Duke of Whitlock. David instead makes Ceana's jaw proverbially hit the ground over and over again in shock as he doesn’t match her image of a cruel heartless neglectful uppity British lord and landowner, but *gulp* taps in to her fantasy of the perfect man for her. The romantic tension just crackles between them far and wide in clean but steamy sparks. David leads Ceana into eventual understanding and captures her heart through his wit, humor, ability to roll up his sleeves and get himself dirty in compassionate service with the lowest members of Scottish society, ability to treat Ceana as an equal in knowledgeable authority of the problems of her people, and not least of all allows Ceana be her true self. The eventual love between these two was believable
Vingt-Et-Un | Twenty-One by Nichole Van:
Like I said prior, this was my favorite and I am still thinking about Eliza and Liam days later which shows how powerful the writing was on this one. Like Rebecca Connolly, Nichole Van is an author whom I have read a lot. Nichole Van the literary tricky trickster that she is has the ability to make you think you really know whom certain characters at the beginning and what is going on and then through either seamless to the current present time gradual past flashbacks or M. Knight Shyamalan worthy plot twists you discover you were so very wrong. In one of her contemporary paranormal romances for example I thought one character must be the psychopathic megalomaniac villain they were searching for but really *gasp* actually was . I really love how she did this in Vingt-Et-Un | Twenty-One using the seamless to the current time gradual past flashbacks to layer by layer let us know the who’s, the what’s, and the how’s. Then when you find out at the same time as them what really separated the heroine and hero for five years after them being best friends for 11 years prior to that, you feel the utter shock and devastating painful disbelief with them. After watching their close sweet pure edifying supportive relationship from 8 years and 10 years old of age respectively through to adulthood, you can think of nothing, but how can someone had been that cruel and evil? I love how Eliza and Liam chose light to push the darkness away in the end.
I Kissed A Duke by Janelle Daniels:
This was a new author to me, but definitely not the last time I will read this author’s work. I was very rapt with how things would work out for the heroine Madeline Maybury. This story was a case of the Regency Era mean girl queen bee Lady Louisa (daughter of a duke) with real social power to destroy or raise up other girls her age. Madeline wants to strongly be part of this mean girl’s entourage to help her beloved family (who are the both the lowest hereditary titled class and low personally in income) by being invited to places thanks to Lady Louisa where she could be around suitors of a higher title and marry up. Lady Louisa gathers the most vulnerable girls of the season and gives them tasks which basically are hazing initiations to enter her group.
I just loved Madeline in this one and her strength and determination. I just loved no matter how imposingly impossible the next task for initiation she did it with courage, but kept her good morals. I loved how ALL the things Lady Louisa did to destroy Madeline actually just brought Madeline closer to the Duke of Hargrave’s heart and made him further dislike Lady Louisa. I loved how the Duke of Hargrave looked just not on the outside of a woman, but looked on her heart instead.
Yup I was wholly absorbed in this fun one with a heroine to cheer for.
Language: No profanity in any.
Sensuality content: All clean. Kisses only.
Source: My purchased library.
On the Duke’s Errand by Rebecca Connolly:
This one was a nice surprise bonus gift story to me as a reader and fan of Rebecca Connolly. I have read all 8 books in her ARRANGEMENT SERIES. This standalone novella takes place in that same world and happens in time one year before the first book of the series An Arrangement of Sorts, and the hero Lord David Chambers of On the Duke’s Errand is the brother of the hero of the second book in the series Married to the Marquess whom was Derek Chambers, Marquess of Whitlock.
In this one the fiery strong Scottish heroine Ceana Shaw has strong indignant pride and preconceived prejudices against the hero Lord David Chambers, second son of a duke, whom she thinks through a misunderstanding is David Chambers, Duke of Whitlock. David instead makes Ceana's jaw proverbially hit the ground over and over again in shock as he doesn’t match her image of a cruel heartless neglectful uppity British lord and landowner, but *gulp* taps in to her fantasy of the perfect man for her. The romantic tension just crackles between them far and wide in clean but steamy sparks. David leads Ceana into eventual understanding and captures her heart through his wit, humor, ability to roll up his sleeves and get himself dirty in compassionate service with the lowest members of Scottish society, ability to treat Ceana as an equal in knowledgeable authority of the problems of her people, and not least of all allows Ceana be her true self. The eventual love between these two was believable
Vingt-Et-Un | Twenty-One by Nichole Van:
Like I said prior, this was my favorite and I am still thinking about Eliza and Liam days later which shows how powerful the writing was on this one. Like Rebecca Connolly, Nichole Van is an author whom I have read a lot. Nichole Van the literary tricky trickster that she is has the ability to make you think you really know whom certain characters at the beginning and what is going on and then through either seamless to the current present time gradual past flashbacks or M. Knight Shyamalan worthy plot twists you discover you were so very wrong. In one of her contemporary paranormal romances for example I thought one character must be the psychopathic megalomaniac villain they were searching for but really *gasp* actually was . I really love how she did this in Vingt-Et-Un | Twenty-One using the seamless to the current time gradual past flashbacks to layer by layer let us know the who’s, the what’s, and the how’s. Then when you find out at the same time as them what really separated the heroine and hero for five years after them being best friends for 11 years prior to that, you feel the utter shock and devastating painful disbelief with them. After watching their close sweet pure edifying supportive relationship from 8 years and 10 years old of age respectively through to adulthood, you can think of nothing, but how can someone had been that cruel and evil? I love how Eliza and Liam chose light to push the darkness away in the end.
I Kissed A Duke by Janelle Daniels:
This was a new author to me, but definitely not the last time I will read this author’s work. I was very rapt with how things would work out for the heroine Madeline Maybury. This story was a case of the Regency Era mean girl queen bee Lady Louisa (daughter of a duke) with real social power to destroy or raise up other girls her age. Madeline wants to strongly be part of this mean girl’s entourage to help her beloved family (who are the both the lowest hereditary titled class and low personally in income) by being invited to places thanks to Lady Louisa where she could be around suitors of a higher title and marry up. Lady Louisa gathers the most vulnerable girls of the season and gives them tasks which basically are hazing initiations to enter her group.
I just loved Madeline in this one and her strength and determination. I just loved no matter how imposingly impossible the next task for initiation she did it with courage, but kept her good morals. I loved how ALL the things Lady Louisa did to destroy Madeline actually just brought Madeline closer to the Duke of Hargrave’s heart and made him further dislike Lady Louisa. I loved how the Duke of Hargrave looked just not on the outside of a woman, but looked on her heart instead.
Yup I was wholly absorbed in this fun one with a heroine to cheer for.
Language: No profanity in any.
Sensuality content: All clean. Kisses only.
Source: My purchased library.
August 22, 2024
It ended too soon…
Noooo, I wasn’t ready for the end. I wanted more of them and their love and kissing. My heart is beating like a drum, as I am pleased with another beautiful story, but unhappy that the wonderful ending wasn’t dragged out. Madeline and Ethan. ❤️❤️❤️
Each story was better than the previous one and the last one was a crowning glory. Sigh. It was cute, sizzling and oh so sweet. I wished for the third story to be much longer and never to end. And those nasty bratty women got what they deserved too. 😬
Noooo, I wasn’t ready for the end. I wanted more of them and their love and kissing. My heart is beating like a drum, as I am pleased with another beautiful story, but unhappy that the wonderful ending wasn’t dragged out. Madeline and Ethan. ❤️❤️❤️
Each story was better than the previous one and the last one was a crowning glory. Sigh. It was cute, sizzling and oh so sweet. I wished for the third story to be much longer and never to end. And those nasty bratty women got what they deserved too. 😬
September 9, 2017
I loved this collection! The only way I got to bed before midnight last night was by forcing myself not to read the next story in the collection. Had I started, I wouldn't have been able to put it down at all!
On The Duke's Errand by Rebecca Connolly
David Chamber is the son of the Duke of Ashcombe. When he goes to Scotland to oversee his father's estate there, he meets fiery Ceana Shaw. I loved the interactions between Cessna and David. She has a sharp tongue and sharp wit, and David is also witty and a bit devil may care.
Besides the entertaining dialogue, I also enjoyed seeing David find a purpose in land management. As a second son, he was never allowed to have employment, but he wasn't the heir either. He's been without direction for most of his life and feeling like a disappointment. Now he finally has a place to shine.
I loved the romance and the setting.
Vingt-et-Un/Twenty-One by Nichole Van
I discovered Nichole Van because of a previous Timeless Regency Collection. She has since become one of my favorite authors. This story followed the childhood friendship and romance of Liam Trebor, Duke of Chawton and Eliza Carter (Elizabeth Mail). After years of separation Liam and Eliza get a second chance.
This story was told backwards with flashbacks. I fell in love with Eliza and Liam as children and teenagers, and couldn't imagine what kept them apart. Thank goodness for second chances!
I Kissed a Duke by Janelle Daniels
If I had to pick, and that is hard, I Kissed a Duke would be my favorite story in this collection. Madeline Maybury feels great pressure to marry well in order to help her family. Lady Louisa Tinsdale gives her that opportunity. She offers to take girls into her circle, and provide them with her connections, if they can accomplish a task she assigns.
Madeline's task seems nearly impossible. In one night she needs to kiss the Duke of Hargrave. I loved this story because of the Duke, Ethan, and his treatment of Madeline. He is patient and indulgent. The kiss was fantastic! I loved how he didn't care about her connections or riches, but her personality. I loved watching them both fight for what they wanted, despite mean girls, disapproving mamas, or anyone else.
Content: clean (some kissing)
On The Duke's Errand by Rebecca Connolly
David Chamber is the son of the Duke of Ashcombe. When he goes to Scotland to oversee his father's estate there, he meets fiery Ceana Shaw. I loved the interactions between Cessna and David. She has a sharp tongue and sharp wit, and David is also witty and a bit devil may care.
Besides the entertaining dialogue, I also enjoyed seeing David find a purpose in land management. As a second son, he was never allowed to have employment, but he wasn't the heir either. He's been without direction for most of his life and feeling like a disappointment. Now he finally has a place to shine.
I loved the romance and the setting.
Vingt-et-Un/Twenty-One by Nichole Van
I discovered Nichole Van because of a previous Timeless Regency Collection. She has since become one of my favorite authors. This story followed the childhood friendship and romance of Liam Trebor, Duke of Chawton and Eliza Carter (Elizabeth Mail). After years of separation Liam and Eliza get a second chance.
This story was told backwards with flashbacks. I fell in love with Eliza and Liam as children and teenagers, and couldn't imagine what kept them apart. Thank goodness for second chances!
I Kissed a Duke by Janelle Daniels
If I had to pick, and that is hard, I Kissed a Duke would be my favorite story in this collection. Madeline Maybury feels great pressure to marry well in order to help her family. Lady Louisa Tinsdale gives her that opportunity. She offers to take girls into her circle, and provide them with her connections, if they can accomplish a task she assigns.
Madeline's task seems nearly impossible. In one night she needs to kiss the Duke of Hargrave. I loved this story because of the Duke, Ethan, and his treatment of Madeline. He is patient and indulgent. The kiss was fantastic! I loved how he didn't care about her connections or riches, but her personality. I loved watching them both fight for what they wanted, despite mean girls, disapproving mamas, or anyone else.
Content: clean (some kissing)
September 26, 2021
Anthology. 3.5 stars total.
1) On the Duke's Errand by Rebecca Connelly. 3.5 stars.
Featured, David a 2nd son of an English duke + Ceana
daughter of a Scottish baronet. She mistook him for his
sire, the duke. David joked & flirted but was serious RE:
should landowners retain tenant farmers? or use the
land for sheep only? or another plan? He was an atypical
London man : he didn't require drinking, gambling &
wenching.
2) Vingt-Et-Un by Nichole Van. 4 stars.
This had Liam (a soldier then duke) & Eliza (a widow)
separated by war & a misunderstanding. Once again I
liked this author's work. However going backward and
forward in time got old.
3) I Kissed a Duke by Janelle Daniels. 2 stars.
I doubt a titled Regency man would tolerate a stranger
wanting to kiss him. This had insta-love & 2 female
harpies. This story felt unreal. And then the heroine
would awaken? BTW, have you encountered 'thread-
bare stairs?' Perhaps the stairs needed new wood? Or
the rug over the stairs needed replaced?
1) On the Duke's Errand by Rebecca Connelly. 3.5 stars.
Featured, David a 2nd son of an English duke + Ceana
daughter of a Scottish baronet. She mistook him for his
sire, the duke. David joked & flirted but was serious RE:
should landowners retain tenant farmers? or use the
land for sheep only? or another plan? He was an atypical
London man : he didn't require drinking, gambling &
wenching.
2) Vingt-Et-Un by Nichole Van. 4 stars.
This had Liam (a soldier then duke) & Eliza (a widow)
separated by war & a misunderstanding. Once again I
liked this author's work. However going backward and
forward in time got old.
3) I Kissed a Duke by Janelle Daniels. 2 stars.
I doubt a titled Regency man would tolerate a stranger
wanting to kiss him. This had insta-love & 2 female
harpies. This story felt unreal. And then the heroine
would awaken? BTW, have you encountered 'thread-
bare stairs?' Perhaps the stairs needed new wood? Or
the rug over the stairs needed replaced?
April 17, 2018
Such a great collection! Each story captured my interest and held it with interesting characters, unique plots, and great settings. I especially loved the creative way the author incorporated the past with the present in VINGT-ET-UN | TWENTY-ONE. The story starts with Eliza and Liam resenting each other, but as we learn of their former friendship layer by layer and see them come together again in spite of the obstacles, the emotions heighten and I could not stop reading! I KISSED A DUKE was pretty fun and I liked seeing Madeline learn to stand on her own in a demanding and unforgiving society. ON THE DUKE’S ERRAND had an amazing setting in Scotland and it was interesting to learn about the conflicts there and how David did his best to get to know the people and their circumstances. He and Ceana had great chemistry and worked together well with his charm and her fiery personality.
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
November 5, 2017
Pure goodness. That is what you will find in this collection of novella's. There is charm, mistaken identity, fun, whit, humor, dares, and long lost love found again.
This is another wonderful addition to the Timeless Regency Collection. "Falling for a Duke" is not your typical book of romancing the gentry. There is a diversity in characters and station. I loved reading how love could be kindled in unique situations.
You can never go wrong with any of the Timeless Romance Collections. The stories are always diverse, developed, and full of humor. I highly recommend.
Source: I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This is another wonderful addition to the Timeless Regency Collection. "Falling for a Duke" is not your typical book of romancing the gentry. There is a diversity in characters and station. I loved reading how love could be kindled in unique situations.
You can never go wrong with any of the Timeless Romance Collections. The stories are always diverse, developed, and full of humor. I highly recommend.
Source: I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
October 4, 2018
I so Loved this set of stories. The first is by one of my favorite authors. It was such a fun story and could have been full length. Good, well developed characters and good setting and plot. I love the way she writes a romance! I enjoyed it so much!
The second story was also so well done. Of course! Van is an awesome authoress:} This was a great little story, such a twist. I am glad this was short I don't think I could have handled the tension and suspense very long.
The third story had a really good romance, some great sexual tension and just a really different idea. I enjoyed it and will look into other books by this author.
All the books were so different and a perfect length.
The second story was also so well done. Of course! Van is an awesome authoress:} This was a great little story, such a twist. I am glad this was short I don't think I could have handled the tension and suspense very long.
The third story had a really good romance, some great sexual tension and just a really different idea. I enjoyed it and will look into other books by this author.
All the books were so different and a perfect length.
May 31, 2022
2022 review is for the audiobook: The narrator, Kim Bretton, is fantastic. There were so many female and male voices and she managed to make them all sound different. I loved the Scottish accents in Rebecca Connolly's novella. You can't go wrong with this collection!!
I loved all 3 of these novellas, and find that they're quite different from each other.
ON THE DUKE'S ERRAND by Rebecca Connolly is set in Scotland. David sets out to prove to his overbearing father, the Duke of Ashcombe, that he can take care of the problems with the farmers & shepherds on his father's estate. I liked how he finally dealt with the "gentlemen" who weren't forthright in telling him what the problems were, and he wasn't afraid to go out and work with the men taking down the fence, and doing whatever needed to be done. He realizes he has a talent for land management. Ceana Shaw is a quick-witted, sharp-tongued Scottish lass who tends to speak her mind. She and David realize that when they're around each other they don't have to pretend to be what others want them to be, they can be themselves. I loved their banter as she helped him inspect the properties, and in my head I could hear Ceana's Scottish brogue and David's English accent.
VINGT-ET-UN/TWENTY-ONE by Nichole Van is told in the present and through flashbacks which is really different than most Regency stories. The story opens with young widow Elizabeth Mail finding out that the William, the Duke of Chawton, is coming to the small town she's made her home, and she's not very happy about it. We find out in flashbacks that Elizabeth (Eliza) and William (Liam) became friends as children and fell in love. A conspiracy kept them apart the past 5 years and now the truth finally comes out so they can both heal. Will they get a second chance? I enjoyed reading how Eliza and Liam became friends and how their relationship changed over the years as they grew into teenagers and then young adults.
I KISSED A DUKE by Janelle Daniels is my favorite of the 3 novellas in this collection. I LOVED this story. Madeline Maybury doesn't come from the kind of family to get her noticed by a man of means (her father is only a baronet), so when Lady Louisa Tinsdale gives her the opportunity to get into her "circle of friends" she takes it, thinking of it as a chance to marry someone to help her family. Madeline accepts the challenge she's given to complete at that night's ball--"to kiss the Duke of Hargrave"!! Fate is on Madeline's side and she's able to complete her challenge, but Lady Tinsdale doesn't believe her so she gives Madeline another impossible challenge to complete. The Duke of Hargrave (Ethan) is tired of being paraded in front of all the eligible young ladies, so he only dances with unavailable women at the balls, much to the chagrin of his mother. That night he dances with Madeline (this takes place after the kiss) and this sets up the rest of the story. I liked Madeline's family--turns out her parents wanted her to have a "love match" and not marry some rich man to help take care of them. Ethan is a sweetheart but I wanted to smack his mother and Lady Tinsdale. I wish there had been an epilogue to the story because I wanted to find out what Ethan's overbearing mother and the awful Lady Tinsdale had to say about the Duke and Madeline getting together.
I loved all 3 of these novellas, and find that they're quite different from each other.
ON THE DUKE'S ERRAND by Rebecca Connolly is set in Scotland. David sets out to prove to his overbearing father, the Duke of Ashcombe, that he can take care of the problems with the farmers & shepherds on his father's estate. I liked how he finally dealt with the "gentlemen" who weren't forthright in telling him what the problems were, and he wasn't afraid to go out and work with the men taking down the fence, and doing whatever needed to be done. He realizes he has a talent for land management. Ceana Shaw is a quick-witted, sharp-tongued Scottish lass who tends to speak her mind. She and David realize that when they're around each other they don't have to pretend to be what others want them to be, they can be themselves. I loved their banter as she helped him inspect the properties, and in my head I could hear Ceana's Scottish brogue and David's English accent.
VINGT-ET-UN/TWENTY-ONE by Nichole Van is told in the present and through flashbacks which is really different than most Regency stories. The story opens with young widow Elizabeth Mail finding out that the William, the Duke of Chawton, is coming to the small town she's made her home, and she's not very happy about it. We find out in flashbacks that Elizabeth (Eliza) and William (Liam) became friends as children and fell in love. A conspiracy kept them apart the past 5 years and now the truth finally comes out so they can both heal. Will they get a second chance? I enjoyed reading how Eliza and Liam became friends and how their relationship changed over the years as they grew into teenagers and then young adults.
I KISSED A DUKE by Janelle Daniels is my favorite of the 3 novellas in this collection. I LOVED this story. Madeline Maybury doesn't come from the kind of family to get her noticed by a man of means (her father is only a baronet), so when Lady Louisa Tinsdale gives her the opportunity to get into her "circle of friends" she takes it, thinking of it as a chance to marry someone to help her family. Madeline accepts the challenge she's given to complete at that night's ball--"to kiss the Duke of Hargrave"!! Fate is on Madeline's side and she's able to complete her challenge, but Lady Tinsdale doesn't believe her so she gives Madeline another impossible challenge to complete. The Duke of Hargrave (Ethan) is tired of being paraded in front of all the eligible young ladies, so he only dances with unavailable women at the balls, much to the chagrin of his mother. That night he dances with Madeline (this takes place after the kiss) and this sets up the rest of the story. I liked Madeline's family--turns out her parents wanted her to have a "love match" and not marry some rich man to help take care of them. Ethan is a sweetheart but I wanted to smack his mother and Lady Tinsdale. I wish there had been an epilogue to the story because I wanted to find out what Ethan's overbearing mother and the awful Lady Tinsdale had to say about the Duke and Madeline getting together.
September 15, 2017
oh. my. goodness! I NEEDED this today!! barely got anything done because I just HAD to keep reading!!! AMAZING anthology of three novellas by new to me authors that I am so excited to look into and read more of their books. The best thing about all three of these novellas was how much wit and spunk was in each of their characters! I laughed and giggled throughout the whole book!! 5* definitely recommended!!! Maybe even 6 stars for the last two novellas!! hehe they were my favorites!
clean romance
I received a copy from the publisher, all thoughts and reviews are my own.
clean romance
I received a copy from the publisher, all thoughts and reviews are my own.
September 13, 2017
What a lovely collection of short Regency stories! I loved them all!
The first two stories, On The Duke's Errand and Vingt-et-Un, were 5 stars for me; I Kissed a Duke was between 4 and 4.5.
For the length, each story was well developed and I enjoyed the main characters, especially Eliza and Liam from Nichole Van's story. What a beautiful story and couple. So glad they got their happy ending.
Highly recommend this one. Go get it already.
The first two stories, On The Duke's Errand and Vingt-et-Un, were 5 stars for me; I Kissed a Duke was between 4 and 4.5.
For the length, each story was well developed and I enjoyed the main characters, especially Eliza and Liam from Nichole Van's story. What a beautiful story and couple. So glad they got their happy ending.
Highly recommend this one. Go get it already.
September 26, 2017
Regency is my favorite historical period to read. These Timeless Regency Collections are truly enjoyable for me. In addition to great stories, I am also introduced to new authors.
In this collection, all 3 stories were captivating, I couldn't put them down. My favorite, yet most heart wrenching, was Vingt-et-Un. Wow, wonderful. Each story had its own feel, some with wit and fun, some with underhandedness (is that a word?), and all with lovely romance.
In this collection, all 3 stories were captivating, I couldn't put them down. My favorite, yet most heart wrenching, was Vingt-et-Un. Wow, wonderful. Each story had its own feel, some with wit and fun, some with underhandedness (is that a word?), and all with lovely romance.
October 3, 2017
Collection of 3 novellas. I'd probably rate it closer to 4.5, but the 2nd and 3rd stories were good enough that I'll give it a five. The 1st was good as well, but it took me a while to get into it for some reason.
September 23, 2017
I was given a free copy for my honest opinion.
On the Duke's Errand by Rebecca Connelly is a fun case of mistaken identity. She is determined to hate this pompous Duke that nearly ran her over and showed more concern for his horse than her! He neglects to correct her assumption that he is the duke and spends his time teasing and provoking her as he becomes more drawn to her. He wants to handle his fathers business dealings with excellence and prove his worth but has never done it before and is worried he will fail. Falling in love was never the plan. This is a charming and witty tale. 4.5 stars.
Vingt-et-Un/Twenty-One by Nichole Van. Ah! Heart stopping amazing! There is not much I can say about this story without giving it away. Slow/confusing start but quickly picks up and sucks you in! Six stars!
I Kissed a Duke by Janelle Daniels. She is desperate to be accepted into society for her families sake so she accepts an impossible dare. All heck breaks loose and she realizes acceptance will not bring true happiness. My only regret with this story was it ended before sweet revenge could be had... I'll just have to imagine it. Five stars.
In conclusion, this trilogy is worth every penny and one I will want to read again and again. I am already looking for more from these authors and planning to purchase this one to add to my collection of favorites.
On the Duke's Errand by Rebecca Connelly is a fun case of mistaken identity. She is determined to hate this pompous Duke that nearly ran her over and showed more concern for his horse than her! He neglects to correct her assumption that he is the duke and spends his time teasing and provoking her as he becomes more drawn to her. He wants to handle his fathers business dealings with excellence and prove his worth but has never done it before and is worried he will fail. Falling in love was never the plan. This is a charming and witty tale. 4.5 stars.
Vingt-et-Un/Twenty-One by Nichole Van. Ah! Heart stopping amazing! There is not much I can say about this story without giving it away. Slow/confusing start but quickly picks up and sucks you in! Six stars!
I Kissed a Duke by Janelle Daniels. She is desperate to be accepted into society for her families sake so she accepts an impossible dare. All heck breaks loose and she realizes acceptance will not bring true happiness. My only regret with this story was it ended before sweet revenge could be had... I'll just have to imagine it. Five stars.
In conclusion, this trilogy is worth every penny and one I will want to read again and again. I am already looking for more from these authors and planning to purchase this one to add to my collection of favorites.
September 21, 2017
The first two stories were good, but I didn't get the warm fuzzies while reading them. The third story was worthy of four stars and worth the cost of the book.
"I Kissed a Duke" by Janelle Daniels was so sweet. It really drew me into the world of the hero and heroine. The duke was unbelievably kind to the heroine. I loved him! He wasn't all Alpha and rakish.
I found myself wishing this novella was a full-length novel. I wanted to know more about the heroine and her family. I wanted to delve deeper into the duke's character. The ending seemed abrupt. Where was the scene in which Ethan put his mother and Lady Louisa in their places by announcing his engagement to Madeline? I wanted to see the horror on Lady Louisa's face when she realized she had messed with the wrong "desperate" debutante. I would have also enjoyed seeing Lady Louisa forced to address Madeline as "Your Grace."
"I Kissed a Duke" by Janelle Daniels was so sweet. It really drew me into the world of the hero and heroine. The duke was unbelievably kind to the heroine. I loved him! He wasn't all Alpha and rakish.
I found myself wishing this novella was a full-length novel. I wanted to know more about the heroine and her family. I wanted to delve deeper into the duke's character. The ending seemed abrupt. Where was the scene in which Ethan put his mother and Lady Louisa in their places by announcing his engagement to Madeline? I wanted to see the horror on Lady Louisa's face when she realized she had messed with the wrong "desperate" debutante. I would have also enjoyed seeing Lady Louisa forced to address Madeline as "Your Grace."
September 28, 2017
Romance, clean, period
This is another nice collection of novellas. The first novella, "On the Duke's Errand", the premise of mistaken identity leads to some hardship later in the novel. As Lord David is visiting his father's holdings in Scotland, and seeking to manage it and get it operating better and hopefully become more profitable, he gets to know the neighbors. Some are helpful and some are awful, in the process, he meets independent and beautiful Ceana Shaw, who doesn't think the best of him. As his mistaken identity snow balls a bit, and Ceana's heart melts a bit, a lovely story unfolds. Lush setting, and good characterization made for a great read for me!
In "Vingt-et-Un/Twenty-one", Eliza has hidden herself away from her past love, Liam Trebor, and created a fictitious husband who had been killed in the war. Eliza's cousin, who has betrayed her for a second time, reveals Eliza's whereabouts to the Duke of Chawton (Liam). As Eliza's secrets unfold, and Liam's misunderstanding is cleared up, a beautiful reconciliation is inevitable. Lovely read, and well done! The twist on the name was clever, and another great read.
In "I Kissed a Duke", this was the weakest of the novellas for me as a reader, a bit silly, and it seemed a little far fetched that a man in the circumstances would be attracted to this somewhat silly girl who was so desperate for societal acceptance that she accepted all these dares. However, that being said, the Duke was an honest and sincere character, and Madeline, a lovely catch who didn't have the machinations and guile of some of the other women. Madeline and Ethan (the Duke) had some lovely chemistry, still a good read in the end. This was the 3 of the novellas, the others, a definite 4 read for me. Rounded up for the 4.
I received a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This is another nice collection of novellas. The first novella, "On the Duke's Errand", the premise of mistaken identity leads to some hardship later in the novel. As Lord David is visiting his father's holdings in Scotland, and seeking to manage it and get it operating better and hopefully become more profitable, he gets to know the neighbors. Some are helpful and some are awful, in the process, he meets independent and beautiful Ceana Shaw, who doesn't think the best of him. As his mistaken identity snow balls a bit, and Ceana's heart melts a bit, a lovely story unfolds. Lush setting, and good characterization made for a great read for me!
In "Vingt-et-Un/Twenty-one", Eliza has hidden herself away from her past love, Liam Trebor, and created a fictitious husband who had been killed in the war. Eliza's cousin, who has betrayed her for a second time, reveals Eliza's whereabouts to the Duke of Chawton (Liam). As Eliza's secrets unfold, and Liam's misunderstanding is cleared up, a beautiful reconciliation is inevitable. Lovely read, and well done! The twist on the name was clever, and another great read.
In "I Kissed a Duke", this was the weakest of the novellas for me as a reader, a bit silly, and it seemed a little far fetched that a man in the circumstances would be attracted to this somewhat silly girl who was so desperate for societal acceptance that she accepted all these dares. However, that being said, the Duke was an honest and sincere character, and Madeline, a lovely catch who didn't have the machinations and guile of some of the other women. Madeline and Ethan (the Duke) had some lovely chemistry, still a good read in the end. This was the 3 of the novellas, the others, a definite 4 read for me. Rounded up for the 4.
I received a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
January 2, 2019
The first story was fun.
The second story was the most original and enjoyable. I almost died laughing when I realized who the widow’s husband was!
The third story was entertaining.
The second story was the most original and enjoyable. I almost died laughing when I realized who the widow’s husband was!
The third story was entertaining.
September 19, 2017
1. On the Duke’s Errand (Rebecca Connolly)
David is the younger son of a Duke & at his father’s behest goes to his father’s Scotland estate to oversee it and discover why it is not turning a profit. David is only too happy to escape the yoke of a tyrannical father & finds purpose in working to resolve the problems faced by the highlanders and help them prosper.
Ceana is the only child of his neighbor & they start off on the wrong foot when he knocks her over during his rather abandoned ride on his way to his estate. Ceana takes offence at his rather cavalier apology and thinks him a stuffed arrogant Englishman & mistakes him for the Duke.
This was an enjoyable read. The story of how David finds a purpose in working the farms and land side by side with his fellow neighbours and tenants, a purpose he never had or was given the chance to have as a younger son when in London. How Ceana finds her initial impression of a snotty Duke rapidly changing as she comes to know David better (with some matchmaking from her father *grin*). The story is light with a lot of banter and teasing on David’s part and a lot of eye rolls from Ceana.
2. Vingt-et-Un/Twenty One (Nichole Van) 5 stars (& more!)
Eliza and Liam have been fast friends since meeting as children. A shy, quiet boy who prefers reading to any other pursuit, Liam is constantly criticized and treated harshly by his father. When he comes upon a young pixie of a girl one day at his place of refuge from his father, an instant friendship springs up between the lively, sprite of a girl and the quieter, contemplative boy.
I loved this story. Told in a series of flashbacks thru the course of their childhood, the connection between the young Eliza and Liam was incredibly poignant to read. A young boy hurting from his father’s abuse and lack of love and Eliza who was his best friend who not only helps him bear that burden but understands him, feels for him and heals his soul. Their failing in love was a given really,
His mother’s funeral:
"Liam had stood rigid and unblinking next to his father while the vicar prayed over a dark coffin. He had not cried, though he had bit his lip over and over. But then, she knew he could not cry. His father would whip him for showing such an-aristocratic emotion in public.
And so Eliza cried for him, soundlessly wiping her tears from her hiding place in the shrubbery."
But his father refuses to countenance their match & thinks to separate them by sending Liam off to war. 2 years short of his majority, Liam has no choice but obey & the 2 young lovers pledge their troth to one another & promise to wait out the 2 years.
The writing is amazing. There are touches of humour (2 gossipy but very well meaning ladies) interspersed with brimming emotion. I cried buckets thru out the story. Immediately re-read it because it was so good and such a delicious twist to the story (did I miss any nuances?) and cried just as much the 2nd time around.
3. I Kissed a Duke (Janelle Daniels)
Madeline Maybury is a mere miss, a lowly baronet’s daughter, and her chances of securing a favourable match are almost negligible with a scrawny dowry and unimpressive lineage. In her desperation to help her family from ruin, she resorts to putting herself under the power of the nasty, self-serving Lady Louisa Tisdale who takes desperate debutants into her social circle only if they succeed in secret “tasks” she assigns them. All of which are distasteful, scandalous or ruinous at the least.
Madeline’s task? To kiss a Duke. The Duke of Hargrave to be precise. The duke who happened to be the host of the ball she was attending, wealthy, titled and powerful, and every matchmaking mama’s target and the catch of the season but a private, reserved man who doesn’t care for the games and posturing of the ton.
An instant rapport develops between Madeline and Ethan who finds himself quite happy to assist in her next assigned task. Lady Louisa makes a thoroughly nasty villain who wants Ethan for herself & is quite vindictive when she finds the tasks she assigned Madeline has quite backfired, never thinking that she had the slightest chance of success.
An OK read overall but admittedly after reading the second story, nothing could compare.
Copy gifted in exchange for an honest review.
David is the younger son of a Duke & at his father’s behest goes to his father’s Scotland estate to oversee it and discover why it is not turning a profit. David is only too happy to escape the yoke of a tyrannical father & finds purpose in working to resolve the problems faced by the highlanders and help them prosper.
Ceana is the only child of his neighbor & they start off on the wrong foot when he knocks her over during his rather abandoned ride on his way to his estate. Ceana takes offence at his rather cavalier apology and thinks him a stuffed arrogant Englishman & mistakes him for the Duke.
This was an enjoyable read. The story of how David finds a purpose in working the farms and land side by side with his fellow neighbours and tenants, a purpose he never had or was given the chance to have as a younger son when in London. How Ceana finds her initial impression of a snotty Duke rapidly changing as she comes to know David better (with some matchmaking from her father *grin*). The story is light with a lot of banter and teasing on David’s part and a lot of eye rolls from Ceana.
2. Vingt-et-Un/Twenty One (Nichole Van) 5 stars (& more!)
Eliza and Liam have been fast friends since meeting as children. A shy, quiet boy who prefers reading to any other pursuit, Liam is constantly criticized and treated harshly by his father. When he comes upon a young pixie of a girl one day at his place of refuge from his father, an instant friendship springs up between the lively, sprite of a girl and the quieter, contemplative boy.
I loved this story. Told in a series of flashbacks thru the course of their childhood, the connection between the young Eliza and Liam was incredibly poignant to read. A young boy hurting from his father’s abuse and lack of love and Eliza who was his best friend who not only helps him bear that burden but understands him, feels for him and heals his soul. Their failing in love was a given really,
His mother’s funeral:
"Liam had stood rigid and unblinking next to his father while the vicar prayed over a dark coffin. He had not cried, though he had bit his lip over and over. But then, she knew he could not cry. His father would whip him for showing such an-aristocratic emotion in public.
And so Eliza cried for him, soundlessly wiping her tears from her hiding place in the shrubbery."
But his father refuses to countenance their match & thinks to separate them by sending Liam off to war. 2 years short of his majority, Liam has no choice but obey & the 2 young lovers pledge their troth to one another & promise to wait out the 2 years.
The writing is amazing. There are touches of humour (2 gossipy but very well meaning ladies) interspersed with brimming emotion. I cried buckets thru out the story. Immediately re-read it because it was so good and such a delicious twist to the story (did I miss any nuances?) and cried just as much the 2nd time around.
3. I Kissed a Duke (Janelle Daniels)
Madeline Maybury is a mere miss, a lowly baronet’s daughter, and her chances of securing a favourable match are almost negligible with a scrawny dowry and unimpressive lineage. In her desperation to help her family from ruin, she resorts to putting herself under the power of the nasty, self-serving Lady Louisa Tisdale who takes desperate debutants into her social circle only if they succeed in secret “tasks” she assigns them. All of which are distasteful, scandalous or ruinous at the least.
Madeline’s task? To kiss a Duke. The Duke of Hargrave to be precise. The duke who happened to be the host of the ball she was attending, wealthy, titled and powerful, and every matchmaking mama’s target and the catch of the season but a private, reserved man who doesn’t care for the games and posturing of the ton.
An instant rapport develops between Madeline and Ethan who finds himself quite happy to assist in her next assigned task. Lady Louisa makes a thoroughly nasty villain who wants Ethan for herself & is quite vindictive when she finds the tasks she assigned Madeline has quite backfired, never thinking that she had the slightest chance of success.
An OK read overall but admittedly after reading the second story, nothing could compare.
Copy gifted in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2022
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
ON THE DUKE’S ERRAND by Rebecca Connolly. Lord David Chambers has one goal—to put his father’s Scotland estate to rights. Even if it means leaving in the middle of the London Season and avoiding the matchmakers. As the second son of a duke, David looks forward to facing the wilds of Scotland, and trying to make something of himself and prove his worth to his father. But David’s not prepared for the censure he receives from the local Scottish gentry, especially Ceana Shaw, the baronet’s daughter who not only mistakes him for the duke himself, she seems determined to think the worst of David.
VINGT-ET-UN | TWENTY-ONE by Nichole Van. Eliza Mail had found the perfect place to live out her days as a young widow, away from the pain of her past and lost love. Seemingly by chance, Eliza’s childhood neighbor, Liam Trebor, Duke of Chawton, comes to her village for a visit. Eliza hasn’t seen Liam in over five years, and his presence panics her. Will he reveal what he knows to her friends and neighbors, destroying her current life? Eliza must avoid Liam at all costs, but he seems equally determined to flush her out of hiding. What happens if Eliza’s past does not stay where it belongs . . . in her past?
I KISSED A DUKE by Janelle Daniels. Madeline Maybury will do anything to be invited into the inner circles of the ton. She takes on a challenge from a high society lady to kiss the Duke of Hargrave. When she finds Ethan alone and explains that she needs to kiss him, instead of turning her away, he’s amused. He also obliges. Madeline believes she can report back and achieve all of her ambitions. Instead, she’s given an even greater task. Once she accomplishes it, she realizes that the Duke of Hargrave is a very different man than she expected, and she’s in grave danger of falling in love.
MY TAKE
Three fun stories. I especially like the first two. I only struggled with the third because I loathed the "mean girl" so much. lol
ON THE DUKE’S ERRAND by Rebecca Connolly. Lord David Chambers has one goal—to put his father’s Scotland estate to rights. Even if it means leaving in the middle of the London Season and avoiding the matchmakers. As the second son of a duke, David looks forward to facing the wilds of Scotland, and trying to make something of himself and prove his worth to his father. But David’s not prepared for the censure he receives from the local Scottish gentry, especially Ceana Shaw, the baronet’s daughter who not only mistakes him for the duke himself, she seems determined to think the worst of David.
VINGT-ET-UN | TWENTY-ONE by Nichole Van. Eliza Mail had found the perfect place to live out her days as a young widow, away from the pain of her past and lost love. Seemingly by chance, Eliza’s childhood neighbor, Liam Trebor, Duke of Chawton, comes to her village for a visit. Eliza hasn’t seen Liam in over five years, and his presence panics her. Will he reveal what he knows to her friends and neighbors, destroying her current life? Eliza must avoid Liam at all costs, but he seems equally determined to flush her out of hiding. What happens if Eliza’s past does not stay where it belongs . . . in her past?
I KISSED A DUKE by Janelle Daniels. Madeline Maybury will do anything to be invited into the inner circles of the ton. She takes on a challenge from a high society lady to kiss the Duke of Hargrave. When she finds Ethan alone and explains that she needs to kiss him, instead of turning her away, he’s amused. He also obliges. Madeline believes she can report back and achieve all of her ambitions. Instead, she’s given an even greater task. Once she accomplishes it, she realizes that the Duke of Hargrave is a very different man than she expected, and she’s in grave danger of falling in love.
MY TAKE
Three fun stories. I especially like the first two. I only struggled with the third because I loathed the "mean girl" so much. lol
September 12, 2017
The Duke's Errand by Rebecca Connolly. This was a great novella. David on a errand from his father the Duke of Ashcombe has a case of mistaken identity. He learns to live and love and be himself, he learns what really matters in life. I loved that Rebecca took this from a family she had already created in her Arrangement series.
Vingt-et-Un / Twenty One by Nichole Van. A great read. This tells a story of best friends turned to more. They had been split up and hurt. This is their story about
them trying to find happiness and forgiveness. I loved this novella, can't wait to read more by this author.
I Kissed a Duke by Janelle Daniels. This novella was the reason I gave this book four stars. It was a good story, with great characters. The author did a good job. But at the end It didn't feel complete . I was wanting another chapter or an epilogue seeing them go back into the ballroom to announce their engagement. And to know lady Louisa's reaction to that occurrence. It just felt a little unfinished to me.
But all in all this was a fantastic collection of stories!
I was given a free copy of this book for an honest review.
Vingt-et-Un / Twenty One by Nichole Van. A great read. This tells a story of best friends turned to more. They had been split up and hurt. This is their story about
them trying to find happiness and forgiveness. I loved this novella, can't wait to read more by this author.
I Kissed a Duke by Janelle Daniels. This novella was the reason I gave this book four stars. It was a good story, with great characters. The author did a good job. But at the end It didn't feel complete . I was wanting another chapter or an epilogue seeing them go back into the ballroom to announce their engagement. And to know lady Louisa's reaction to that occurrence. It just felt a little unfinished to me.
But all in all this was a fantastic collection of stories!
I was given a free copy of this book for an honest review.
October 3, 2017
Falling for a Duke is another charming addition to the Timeless Regency Collection. It is a collection of three stories, which include:
On the Duke’s Errand by Rebecca Connolly
Vingt-et-Un/Twenty-One by Nichole Van
I Kissed a Duke by Janelle Daniels
I enjoyed every one of the stories and the authors are new to new. So fun to find new authors to look for in the future. My favorite of the three is On the Duke’s Errand by Rebecca Connolly.
I would highly recommend this book for those who love good, sweet and clean regencies and /or historicals.
Great read!
100 stars.
I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
On the Duke’s Errand by Rebecca Connolly
Vingt-et-Un/Twenty-One by Nichole Van
I Kissed a Duke by Janelle Daniels
I enjoyed every one of the stories and the authors are new to new. So fun to find new authors to look for in the future. My favorite of the three is On the Duke’s Errand by Rebecca Connolly.
I would highly recommend this book for those who love good, sweet and clean regencies and /or historicals.
Great read!
100 stars.
I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
September 22, 2017
I've never really cared about Prince Charming, but for some reason I've always had a soft spot for Dukes - so a collection of three well-written stories all about Dukes was a treat for me! All of these characters were really likable and I only wish it had been a collection of 5 or 6 stories instead of 3 - it ended way too soon!
From Scotland to an English village to the heart of London - from a spitfire heroine to a hiding widow to a courageous wallflower who would do anything to help her family - from a Duke's second son, to a Duke looking for answers, to a bored Duke caught off-guard - these characters are engaging and these stories are fun to read!
Content: Clean
Source: Review Copy (opinion is 100% my own)
From Scotland to an English village to the heart of London - from a spitfire heroine to a hiding widow to a courageous wallflower who would do anything to help her family - from a Duke's second son, to a Duke looking for answers, to a bored Duke caught off-guard - these characters are engaging and these stories are fun to read!
Content: Clean
Source: Review Copy (opinion is 100% my own)
November 19, 2017
I think this might be one of my favorite anthologies. The length didn't seem rushed and I absolutely enjoyed the main characters. The first story takes place in Scotland and I adored the father. Love gets a another chance in the second story and we get fed a little bit of the couple's history throughout. The third one just made me laugh and might be my favorite of the set. It was also my first book by this author. It reminded me of truth or dare games as a kid, but with a mean girl and higher stakes. All three have swoony men and happy endings that make for an easy enjoyable read.
September 25, 2017
This collection of three short stories was really cute. I flew throught it and there was a lot of humour in it as well. I do not really have a favorite one, because they were very diverse and I liked all of them. Sometimes I wished they had been a bit longer, as sometimes the ending felt rushed. But overall nice and quick read with some nice twists!
*I got a free ebook in exchange for an honest review*
*I got a free ebook in exchange for an honest review*
September 11, 2017
I love clean regency romance. I am fascinated by the time period and all the social rules that existed. This was such a good collection. Rebecca Connolly and Nichole Van are super talented and I was excited to read more of their stories. I had never read Janelle Daniels before but after this I am a fan!
all 3 stories were engaging and entertaining.
all 3 stories were engaging and entertaining.
November 15, 2017
I jumped when I got the opportunity to review Falling For A Duke. Two of my favorite authors had written three of the stories and wow! Where has Janelle Daniels been all of my life? WHAT THE WHAT? Her story was so fun, I had a hard time putting it down. I love reading novellas and finding new authors to enjoy. This book was great.
5 Stars. Clean.
5 Stars. Clean.
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