Scheming with My Duke

Linked Across Time #9

by Dawn Brower

Serenity Drake went back in time for altruistic reasons. Her sister Peyton was dying and she needed her other sister to go back to save her life. Along the way she didn’t expect to find the one man she couldn’t resist.

Brandon Bennet, the Duke of Branterberry has a young son to care for. He has no room for Serenity in his life, but needs her help after she convinces his son’s governess to leave his employ. She takes on the duties with a flourish all her own. Brandon finds her difficult to resist, but has no wish to marry again. His first marriage left little to be desired.

As a spymaster Brandon has more than Serenity and his family to contend with. With the fate of his country at stake he must make a difficult decision: Does he give in to his attraction or abandon Serenity for the good of England.

Genres: Time Travel, Historical Romance, Audiobook, Novella, Historical

Unknown Binding

Published February 1, 2018

About the author

USA TODAY Bestselling author, DAWN BROWER writes both historical and contemporary romance. There are always stories inside her head; she just never thought she could make them come to life. That creativity has finally found an outlet.

Growing up she was the only girl out of six children. She raised two boys into productive young men. There is never a dull moment in her life. Reading books is her favorite hobby and she loves all genres.

She is active on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. To follow her or can find more about her check out her website for the pertinent information: www.authordawnbrower.com

Reviews

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This takes up where the last book in this series left off with Serenity staying behind to take care of Brandon son. Serenity is scared for Brandon who she has fallen for as history plays out things can’t be changed or it might change things as they are today. There is a fine line as to what Serenity can and can’t do as well as say. Brandon wants all the information since he doesn’t know the outcome he feels he might be able to help things go his way. Serenity will not give that information, but she will do everything in her power to keep him safe.

This was really a great read with wonderful characters, you can fell the passion these two are fighting against as well as the tension to history and how that plays out. Serenity is a great lady knowing when to stop and when to push. Brandon spends most of his time fighting the feeling he has for her. Never would he have thought he would love until the day he saw his son and now with this wild wonderful woman he has found life will never be the same.

I really liked this narrator he has a voice you never get tired of listening to. He brings a lot to this audio making you see the pictures of each scene in your mind giving you a truly delightful audio experience. His character voices both male and female are a delight, you always know who is talking and what they are feeling. There are no repeating of words, no background, no volume changes and if any breaks were taken I could not tell. He gives the correct amount of pause before going on to let you feel the emotions that the characters are feeling. I just love his normal voice it is a voice I never get tired of. His performance is outstanding and really being this audio to life.

This is a wonderful addition to this series letting you see how history could be affected if something is changed. Brandon’s son is a delightful ball of energy that I just adored. This was such a fun listen that I got lost in and had to find out the outcome, it was one I couldn’t put down and listened until the end. The plot is great I just love time travel and how it all works out. I enjoyed the twists and turns, the teasing and picking as well as the passion. I am so looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Space Cowgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

In It For The Long Game💘🎲

Not having read any of the previous 📚books, I was a little bit confused when I first started reading. The 📚books revolve around three sisters from the 21st century who have time traveled back to jolly old England in the 19th century.
The sisters are Serenity💃💋, Genevieve, and Peyton. Apparently, the three also have some paranormal abilities.

Serenity💃💋 is the governess for Sebastian, the son of the widowed Brandon Bennett, Duke of Branterberry🐺🍆🌋. She knows the Duke🐺🍆🌋 is a spy. She is in 💘love with him and will never return to her own time.
The Duke🐺🍆🌋 is infatuated with her, too, but Serenity💃💋 keeps him at arms length, because she is in it for the long game.🎲

Traveling through time⏳ is tricky, because Serenity💃💋 has to be careful she doesn't change history's events.

ARC Received from Booksprout🌱
The book is $2.99 on Amazon at the time of this review.

This is an Adult XXX Regency Period Romance

[Lori D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Travel back in time with the the heroine Serenity from the 21st to the 19th century. One of three sisters, she goes back to save her sister from death. She lands a job as a governess for the Duke of Branterberry's son. this is the first of three stories and I had not read the others so it was a little bit difficult to catch up but that is my fault! There is a definite attraction between her and Brandon. But there are a lot of pushing back and forth between the two as Brandon fights his attraction. A fast read that was really good with great characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Isha Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serenity has a beautiful heart, but a mischievous spirit. What began as an act of love between two sisters, opens her eyes to a world of trouble. To save a life, Serenity will risk her own well being and end up finding a love that could last a lifetime. Part fantasy, part romance, part intrigue, Scheming with My Duke is all heart. Dawn Brower provides the perfect adventure for a wandering heart and a shrewd mind.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read every book in this series and while this one is good it isn't as good as the previous stories. It is a bit short and doesn't really take any time to develop the characters. I considered giving it only 3 stars but since I did like the story I stuck with 4 stars.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Modern Miss and Dashing Duke Collide

Because I accidentally listened to this book before book 7 of the series (which was marked as Book 23, not 7, at the review site I got it from), I was a trifle confused by it. I felt like the book was starting somewhere in the middle of the hero and heroine’s story. So, if this book interests you, I definitely recommend listening to or reading Book 7 before this one. It is good on its own, but it certainly helps set up Serenity's and Brandon's story. Serenity is from modern times, living in the Regency Era, caring for a duke's son as his governess. A relative had been in that role after having accidentally falling into the past, but she went back to the future to help save her sister. Serenity and the little boy took to each other immediately, and even the somewhat growly duke could not fault her actions and interactions with his son.

But the problem he has with her is a strong but very unwelcome attraction to her. He does not want this as he does not wish to marry again. While he would never let his son know, his prior marriage was cold and distant. So he does not quite want our heroine to rev his engine, so to speak, but he can't help himself. He even tries to send her away early on, but she will have none of it. She feels the same strong push-pull as he does, and she's a bold contemporary woman who's not afraid to own it. He can certainly be a bit of a stick in the mud, but she never lets him get the last word, giving tit for tat and unsettling his world in more ways than one. Like others in her family, the heroine has a gift. She knows the duke is heading into a dangerous situation and wants to keep him from it without revealing everything. The situation will change England's history, and she doesn’t want to affect it (thereby changing history), but neither does she want the duke to be one of the many casualties of the day. So she sets out to thwart him in her own devil-may-care way.

I feel like I have already given away too much of the story, but it has a delicious complexity that’s fun to watch unfold. Watching the duke battle himself over his feelings and attraction to this very unusual young lady was fun. We only briefly saw the duke's young son, but he's a darling little boy. The duke and the lady do get intimate in the story, and elements of it border on power play, of which I'm not a fan in romance. The duke made a few side comments, too, along that line, making me concerned that perhaps those boundaries would be pushed a bit further in future intimate scenes, but happily for me, they were not. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and appreciated it even more after I had listened to the first part of their romance in book 7 of the series. Recommended.

I received a promo code for this audiobook, but that did not affect my review.

[Melissa Levine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Big fan of Dawn Brower here! I received a free copy of this audiobook for an honest review.

Story:

I don’t like leaving poor reviews for author’s I like, but, unfortunately, while I’ve enjoyed the other stories in this series, this one didn’t really call to me (similar to book 7). I felt there wasn’t much going on in the story, as in a problem for the main characters to fix/sort out, like in previous stories.

I wasn’t a fan of Serenity and felt she’s was a b*tch, the majority of the time. Why? Because she wouldn’t leave the duke alone and would constantly pester him to basically tell her everything. When he obviously wanted to keep some things to himself, she would get mad; yet, he had to prod her to find out simple things about her. Unlike the previous females in this series, I felt, although they were from the future/hundreds of years ahead of their men, they all sort of fell into place in their given time periods. Serenity, yes, she’s a strong a woman of the 21st century (as is stated several times), she was too much. For example, she wants to surprise the duke when he has to travel. When the carriage randomly stops, she appears in men’s garb. He tells her she needs to put on women’s clothing for when they get to their destination, yet, almost throws a fit because pants are more comfortable, and she’s forced to wear a dress that she keeps tripping over. I’d be interested in reading more about their situation though because I’d be wondering how Serenity would be after the marriage and how she’d act in front of the ton.

Narrator:
Overall, I liked the narrator's voice/accent, but I was left wondering why pronounced “assumed” as “asHumed?”

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 9th story of the "Linked across Time" series. By now it is mostly too late to start with the series, so the story has to be seen in connection with the books before. Too much information is missing otherwise.
Serenity is one of 4 sisters who time travel and when she is bringing back one sisterinto her own time to save another, she finds the man she is meant to be with in the Regency period. She stays behind to be with him, but for a long time he is resistant to her rather modern 21.century-ish advances.
Brandon Bennet, the Duke of Branterberry, has worked as a spy master against Napoleon and his allies and is used to keep control of his feelings. Nonetheless he finds that to become more and more difficult with Serenity. She fascinates and irritates him to equal amounts and often shocks him with her forward behaviour. He knows Serenity is from the future and does not believe that they would have a chance together.
Making him change his mind is hard, but worthwhile.
Like most of the other books of "Linked Across Time" this book is a book of a sassy woman in a time period that is not hers, trying to fit in and still do what needs to be done for the happiness of others.
A lovely story with humorous scenes, heart-felt feelings and a little bit of excitement. A good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serenity Drake is a time-traveler who went back in time so that her sister, Genevieve, could return to her own time to save their other sister, Peyton. But Serenity fell in love and decided to stay in the Duke’s time period. She had to be cautious, coming from the future, not to make any type of changes that could alter history, so she was always guarding her words and actions, while still reflecting the stronger personality of today’s woman rather than docile personality of the Regency era.

Brandon Bennet, the Duke of Branterberry, has a young son to care for and accepts Serenity in the governess role for his son. Brandon is attracted to her, but his former marriage was not a good one and he elected to stay single. Because he was a spy for England, he knows he should not take on a wife. But his attraction to her makes that a difficult choice. Will he have to one day choose? Could he give up his love for this woman for the sake of his country?

The story is a good one, with emotions easily felt from the characters. Interspersing human in the story definitely makes it even better for the reader, to keep things light and to show how the characters respond to each other. Grab your copy and enjoy a wonderful story with a bit of the paranormal to make it just different enough to be special!

[Trish R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, this was a cute story added to the Linked Across Time series. It was about Serenity, who could read auras, at her Duke, Brandon. There wasn’t much story to this one except for the amount of sexual attraction that almost ate them alive. Brandon fought it with all his might because he was the King’s SpyMaster and he thought if he let himself love Serenity he’d become terrible at his job because he’d always be thinking of her. And she fought it because she knew it wasn’t the right time for him yet. But, oh boy, how they wanted each other.

They were also headed to a place in Manchester where Serenity knew there was going to be a massacre, at St. Peter’s field. Serenity knew about it, but she couldn’t tell Brandon for fear of changing history.

Anyway, there was some good explicit sex in this story and the F-bomb was used 3 times.

As to the narration: J K Mannion was wonderful. His women’s voices need a little help but I absolutely do prefer good male narrators to crappy female ones. As I continue to say, there’s nothing worse than trying to listen to a book where the hero, and every other man, sound just like women. At least the male narrators try to sound feminine. 95% of the female narrators don’t even try to sound masculine.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read all the books in the series and it was clear that I was missing a fair bit because of this. I still enjoyed it, but I'd recommend listening in order.

Serenity is a fun character, it's clear that she's out of her time but she's also doing a pretty good job of fitting in, well mostly. She needed to learn when to be stubborn and when that was detrimental.

There was chemistry between Serenity and Brandon but I have a hard time seeing them work long term. It might have helped if the book covered a longer time period, it all seemed to happen very fast, and not having the history of the other books, everything seemed very abrupt.

The narration was well done, good character voices but some interesting pronunciations.

I received a free copy of this book from the author and/or narrator and/or publisher and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.

[Reena · Rating 4 out of 5]

When past and future collide...

Serenity is from the 21st century, who has travelled back to the 19th in a last effort to save her sister from certain death. Employed as a governess for the Duke of Branterberry's son. The chemistry between the two is palpable and Serenity is not a simpering miss not to pursue what she wants. Brandon, having bad memories of his first marriage keeps resisting her, but little he knows that resistence is futile... He can't hide from Serenity's psychic abilities.

"Scheming with My Duke" is a wonderful addition to the "Linked across time" series. Although short, the story will captivate you and keep you wanting for more, especially since the underlying story arc is not yet complete. I highly recommend it for a perfect afternoon quick read!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Hazards of Time Travel

Many times book series are only loosely linked. This one is clearly following a larger arc of interrelated characters, although everything pertinent to the existing tale is explained as it comes up. For a modern, 21st century woman, the restrictions of the 19th century would be onerous. Not just the manners and mores but the clothing! Narrator JK Mannion does a marvelous job vocalizing the various characters and moving the action along and a number of philosophical points were raised which are central to the concept of time travel and its potential consequences.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters are strong, dialogue flows. The interaction between the Brandon and Serenity is great. The historical message was clear - don't mess with history! However, it didn't feel like a complete story? I felt like I'd was missing chapters. I've read some of the previous series but struggled a bit with this as I'd obviously missed a couple and was quite lost. Perhaps include a family tree? That aside, I still enjoyed the story and will look out for the next. I also will have to look back and fill in the gaps. Not sure this works as a standalone.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the start of the story, you can almost feel the tension between Serenity and Brandon great job of writing. It was kind of cute watching Brandon try and denies his feeling. Serenity is not only from the 21st century but she is also psychic you know she just knows. I loved it when they were talking about an offer she could not refuse Brandon was a bit underwater. This quick read was super good, character, dialogue, and plot all worked together. This is a great book for any collection. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it

[Kitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this time travel romance, but I really felt like I needed the preceding stories first. This was my first Linked Across Time story, and I felt dropped into the middle of a story with no background for the characters, the ladies' special gifts, or how they got to this point. It's a fun love story, but I think you need to start at the beginning of the series to enjoy this one fully. I loved the hero, but I found the heroine a little annoying. Still, enjoyable overall.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serenity is originally from the 21st century and she came back to Brandon's time and whenever she wants something she wants she harasses him. Brandon likes Serenity but he is s spy and whenever he thinks about Serenity he tells her to go back to her century. They end up going on a trip together and she sees her stepsister and they fight and then Serenity and Brandon finally get together and him asking her to marry him. I love this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is amusing, interesting and romantic. Brandon is amusing, stubborn and hard. Serenity is bold, determined, caring and sassy. Brandon is very intensely attracted to Serenity, but he refuses to do anything about it. Serenity is quite determined to change his mind. They constantly go at each other, him trying to drive her away, her trying to get him to give in. It all comes to a head on a trip to a rally, when they both have to decide what it is that they really want.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anita Fuhrmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy the books from the Linked Across Time series. Time travel romances are one of my favorite genres to read and Ms. Brower has such a wonderful way of portraying the problems a person would face when traveling back in time to make sure not to change history in any way! Plus the subtle humor and snappy dialogue keep a reader completely engrossed in the story.
I have read a number of the books in this series and hope to eventually read all of them! They are worth your time!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A relative with her!

Going through a mirror to find her stepsister was what bought her to a different time line in the past. Once that was solved she decided to stay as a Governess to a little boy so her friend and her stepsister could go back to their time. Realising she found her one true love because she could read his aura she had to stay for sure. This time travel story is lovely. I look forward to the next story.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining read, Serenity and Brandon were so well matched. Their interaction was amusing. Serenity was a time traveller, although it wasn’t stated how she got to Brandon’s estate. The dilemma she faced knowing what was going to happen but being unable to change events was explained well. I received a copy via Booksprout and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Linda Maidani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this short Regency time travel romance with great characters, romance and intrigue. She time traveled from the 21st century to the 19th century. She was the governess for a duke and fell for him, but he kept resisting her. He cared for her, but wouldn't give in. She tried to keep him from going to a dangerous situation, but he went anyway. She surprised him by going, too. The ending was great.

[Ann Holden · Rating 3 out of 5]

What can I say about this book? It is a stand alone in the sense you can follow the story but we keep hearing names that aren’t in the story and don’t really seem necessary. What are all these special powers that Serenity has. References to the twenty first century drop in and out randomly. The story itself is fun with Serenity and Brandon seemingly at odds most of the time. This one is a just okay for me.

I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Kety · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Serentiy and Drake...
Serenity is a 21th century woman that travell to the 19th century to save a sister...
Here she become the governess of the Drake's son... and all start...
He is a spy and does not want to marry again... She want all or nothing...but her love is so strong she doesn't want to come back her time...
Will love win all?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather W · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great time travel romance in the Linked Across Time series. Serenity, one of three sisters, goes back to the nineteenth century to save her sister's life. The characters in this story are likable and have great chemistry. The storyline is interesting as the author explores the effects of going back in time and how it can affect the future.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scheming With My Duke is book number nine in the Linked Across Time series. Although I've only read a few of the books in the series I have enjoyed them all. In this book Serenity travels from the 21 century to the 19th century to save the life of her sister and along the way she met and fell in love with Brandon. This is a quick, entertaining read filled with great characters, romance, twists, intrigue and a great ending. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Lisa H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serenity can see auras and she sees all of Brandon Bennett, the Duke of Branterberry.
Brandon is a spymaster with a young son. Serenity is his governess.

They have an abundance of attraction and strike a deal. The push and pull is excellent and I liked that Serenity was the bold one.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Phylis Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scheming with My Duke by Dawn Brower. If you’re looking for a quick read that’s sure to make you smile this one is it. I like the characters and flow of the plot. It's part of a series but it stands alone. Read it.
My free opinion. Thanks.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

To save her sister she goes back in time but what she did not expect was to fall in love. He has a young son and the last thing he needs is to fall in love with anyone especially after his first wife. What will happen to them? Will they fall in love? What will he choose his country or her? See what he willndo

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Catrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a decent romance novel with a time travel aspect. I do enjoy hearing stories of strong willed 21st century women finding themselves in a very different 18th century. Serenity’s story did not disappoint.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.