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The Courtesan Chronicles #5
Daring a Duke
New Yorker Jane Elliot is in London for an adventure. But her two brothers are quite determined that Jane have no such thing. Fortunately, the delightfully clever Sophia Dalby believes that every proper woman should have at least one very improper adventure.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 23, 2010
3 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Claudia Dain
37 books100 followersIt was while writing a descriptive essay in seventh grade English (that was the assignment, to write a 'descriptive essay') that Claudia first fell in love. With descriptive essays. Boys being what they are in seventh grade, there was hardly much choice.
By her ninth grade year, Claudia was spending hours each week in her bedroom writing descriptive essays that heavily featured older boys (eleventh grade). She also practiced her kissing technique on a pole lamp next to her bed. It was less than satisfactory, but the writing was fun.
She attended the University of Southern California as an English major. She'd mastered kissing by this time and writing, strangely enough, was still fun. 'Strangely' because while it had become obvious to her that almost everyone enjoyed kissing, it was equally obvious that very few people enjoyed writing. This was as peculiar to her as, well, not enjoying kissing.
Clearly, something had to be done. The idea of combining kissing and writing seemed the obvious course of action. While Claudia does not claim to have invented the romance novel, she certainly has a lot of fun describing kisses and inventing men to bestow them upon. And not a one of her heroes looks remotely like a pole lamp. (And don't act like one either.)
Claudia was first published in 2000, is a two-time Rita finalist, and a USA Today Bestselling author. Which just goes to prove that you can make a career out of kissing and writing about it.
By her ninth grade year, Claudia was spending hours each week in her bedroom writing descriptive essays that heavily featured older boys (eleventh grade). She also practiced her kissing technique on a pole lamp next to her bed. It was less than satisfactory, but the writing was fun.
She attended the University of Southern California as an English major. She'd mastered kissing by this time and writing, strangely enough, was still fun. 'Strangely' because while it had become obvious to her that almost everyone enjoyed kissing, it was equally obvious that very few people enjoyed writing. This was as peculiar to her as, well, not enjoying kissing.
Clearly, something had to be done. The idea of combining kissing and writing seemed the obvious course of action. While Claudia does not claim to have invented the romance novel, she certainly has a lot of fun describing kisses and inventing men to bestow them upon. And not a one of her heroes looks remotely like a pole lamp. (And don't act like one either.)
Claudia was first published in 2000, is a two-time Rita finalist, and a USA Today Bestselling author. Which just goes to prove that you can make a career out of kissing and writing about it.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 28, 2012
Don't waste your money in buying this book, their are all of these sub plots and scenarios going on that never I mean never come to completion; were you know wants happening. The H/H never no even once make love there's no chemistry between them. No character development, no romance or love making and no resolution to the many plots and sub plot. It just didn't make sense how did this book get published!!!!
July 12, 2013
I love historical romance but it seems to be very difficult for me to find new authors I might add to those I already love reading as you all know, no author produces books at the pace we, the readers, would like.
Therefore I am very happy that I can say I found a new one to add to those whose books I read as soon as they come out. In this case, I have a stash of already published books to go back to.
Basically, I loved this one from the start. Instantly, it brought back ideas of Austen’s romance novels, I am not sure why, I think it might be the easiness of story telling. I’m not sure but that was after reading the first page (later I learned that our hero’s name is Hugh Austen).
After that, it only got better. The women are true to their mischievous, not always nice to each other selves. But friendly at the heart. I wonder if this only makes sense to women. They also fight and get annoyed for real with their husbands (the real anger, even though it’s short-lived here, never actually appears in other historical romances I read).
We also get to hear a lot of inner female not voiced thoughts which I found chuckle-worthy. Actually, I found many things chuckle-worthy, I don’t remember the last time I had this much fun reading a book.
The best part for me, and you probably won’t believe it, was the fact that there are no steamy sex scenes in here. And I didn’t mind it one little bit. I believe in seduction happening through our minds and here it is a verbal (well and physical at some points, as in men fighting, not the other kind of physical) seduction going on through out the novel. Sparring on several fronts with wonderful dialogues.
Another interesting book is that the whole story is happening during a wedding breakfast.
Lately, I’ve been lamenting all the young female characters for their, well, stupidity. Jane on the other hand, although obviously young and naive to some ways, is still very much intelligent, smart and nice.
Edenham on the other hand, is what I consider a man should be – certain of what he wants and not scared to go after it (or give-up at first hurdle).
Both are easily likeable and fun to be around with.
If you enjoy historical romance, I urge you to give Claudia Dain Courtesan Chronicles a shot (ignore the blurbs).
Therefore I am very happy that I can say I found a new one to add to those whose books I read as soon as they come out. In this case, I have a stash of already published books to go back to.
Basically, I loved this one from the start. Instantly, it brought back ideas of Austen’s romance novels, I am not sure why, I think it might be the easiness of story telling. I’m not sure but that was after reading the first page (later I learned that our hero’s name is Hugh Austen).
After that, it only got better. The women are true to their mischievous, not always nice to each other selves. But friendly at the heart. I wonder if this only makes sense to women. They also fight and get annoyed for real with their husbands (the real anger, even though it’s short-lived here, never actually appears in other historical romances I read).
We also get to hear a lot of inner female not voiced thoughts which I found chuckle-worthy. Actually, I found many things chuckle-worthy, I don’t remember the last time I had this much fun reading a book.
The best part for me, and you probably won’t believe it, was the fact that there are no steamy sex scenes in here. And I didn’t mind it one little bit. I believe in seduction happening through our minds and here it is a verbal (well and physical at some points, as in men fighting, not the other kind of physical) seduction going on through out the novel. Sparring on several fronts with wonderful dialogues.
Another interesting book is that the whole story is happening during a wedding breakfast.
Lately, I’ve been lamenting all the young female characters for their, well, stupidity. Jane on the other hand, although obviously young and naive to some ways, is still very much intelligent, smart and nice.
Edenham on the other hand, is what I consider a man should be – certain of what he wants and not scared to go after it (or give-up at first hurdle).
Both are easily likeable and fun to be around with.
If you enjoy historical romance, I urge you to give Claudia Dain Courtesan Chronicles a shot (ignore the blurbs).
July 2, 2010
Daring A Duke by Claudia Dain
Historical Romance – July 6, 2010
3 Stars
Daring A Duke is the most recent installment of Claudia Dain’s well known Courtesan Chronicles series. This series features a former Courtesan turned Countess Sophia Dalby who amuses herself by playing matchmaker and getting couples together.
This current installment tells the story of Miss Jane Elliot of New York City. Jane has come to London to visit some distant relative. She is excited and desperate to have an adventure in London. However, Jane’s plans are often foiled because of her older brothers are keeping a watchful eye on her and have plans to stop her from getting into any mischief! Things become even more complicated when Jane meet the Duke of Edenham. He is immediately drawn to Jane. And his interest in Jane and makes it very difficult for Jane to have any fun. But soon Jane is saved by the dashing Sophia Dalby. Sophia attempts to help Jane and the Duke and that is when the real escapades begin!
Claudia Dain does a wonderful job creating characters that are always real and ones you are able to relate to. Her story is both fascinating and exciting to read as the story progresses. The only problem that I found with this novel is that the author had too many characters and too much going on at once. This complexity made it difficult to get too invested in the main characters because you have to wait to get back to their part of the story.
This was a fun, light book. If you are looking for a romance with lots of characters in out of the ordinary situations this will be an appealing book to try.
Reviewed by Mary from the Bookaholics Book Group
Historical Romance – July 6, 2010
3 Stars
Daring A Duke is the most recent installment of Claudia Dain’s well known Courtesan Chronicles series. This series features a former Courtesan turned Countess Sophia Dalby who amuses herself by playing matchmaker and getting couples together.
This current installment tells the story of Miss Jane Elliot of New York City. Jane has come to London to visit some distant relative. She is excited and desperate to have an adventure in London. However, Jane’s plans are often foiled because of her older brothers are keeping a watchful eye on her and have plans to stop her from getting into any mischief! Things become even more complicated when Jane meet the Duke of Edenham. He is immediately drawn to Jane. And his interest in Jane and makes it very difficult for Jane to have any fun. But soon Jane is saved by the dashing Sophia Dalby. Sophia attempts to help Jane and the Duke and that is when the real escapades begin!
Claudia Dain does a wonderful job creating characters that are always real and ones you are able to relate to. Her story is both fascinating and exciting to read as the story progresses. The only problem that I found with this novel is that the author had too many characters and too much going on at once. This complexity made it difficult to get too invested in the main characters because you have to wait to get back to their part of the story.
This was a fun, light book. If you are looking for a romance with lots of characters in out of the ordinary situations this will be an appealing book to try.
Reviewed by Mary from the Bookaholics Book Group
January 3, 2015
A fun story, but the lightest and weakest of the Courtesan series. It reads like one of those vintage drawing-room comedies, with nearly everything of significance taking place during a single evening at a society ball. Dain manages to pack quite a lot of plot and even character growth into this eventful gathering, but I found myself wishing for an intermission and a change of scenery, to someplace more intimate (and romantic) than one night on the Ton. FYI, a two-star Claudia Dane is still better than three stars for an average author.
November 28, 2017
Just awful. It's like the author couldn't decide who her main character was. And the characters she HAD created were ridiculous and stupid.
July 1, 2010
Jane Elliot has come from New York to London with her two older brothers, Joel and Jed. Jane hopes for an adventure of a lifetime, but unfortunately, her brothers won't let her out of their sight. When she attends her cousin, the Marquis of Iveston's wedding, she may just have her chance for some excitement when she meets the dazzling Lady Sophia Dalby. What Jane doesn't expect is to catch the eye of the older, dashing, three times a widower, the Duke of Edenham.
The moment Edenham spots Jane, he's smitten. He decides in minutes that he will marry Jane. Edenham has quite the reputation as a cold and stoic man who has buried three wives. He's been thinking of marrying a forth time and believes Jane will suit him perfectly. But Jane is unlike any woman he has met before. She is not star struck because of his title.
Among the wedding guests, there are many other assignations being planned, as well as bets being placed among the lords and ladies counting on Edenham to bring Jane to heel and carry her off as his Duchess. But Jane has another plan up her sleeve, and that is to put Edenham in his place and bring him down a notch. She longs to show the stuffy British lord that an American woman is as much an equal as a Duke.
There is never a dull moment in a Claudia Dain's novel, and Daring a Duke is proof positive of this. This fifth book in the Courtesan Chronicles is full of wit, charm and good cheer. The dialogue and action keeps you turning each page. The setting of Daring a Duke occurs over the course of one afternoon where many of the ton's elite play games with one another through words and subtle actions.
Edenham and Jane come across as adversaries, but soon have a mutual respect for one another. It may seem a bit implausible that Edenham could fall so fast for a woman he has just met, but the fun in reading is watching him play to Jane's tune. These two are delightful and you can't help but smile knowing they will have a wonderful marriage between them. That is if Jane allows Edenham to romance her the way he wants to.
There are some other secret intrigues that have been shown in the past Courtesan books. The reader is also given even more insight on Lady Darby and her own romance with Lord Ruan, who wants to know the true woman behind the smile. If you're looking for a few hot love scenes, you may be disappointed, although there is a great deal of tension.
Daring a Duke allows the reader into the minds of so many characters without being confused and lost. This is one lovely historical romance that will leave you wishing for more.
The moment Edenham spots Jane, he's smitten. He decides in minutes that he will marry Jane. Edenham has quite the reputation as a cold and stoic man who has buried three wives. He's been thinking of marrying a forth time and believes Jane will suit him perfectly. But Jane is unlike any woman he has met before. She is not star struck because of his title.
Among the wedding guests, there are many other assignations being planned, as well as bets being placed among the lords and ladies counting on Edenham to bring Jane to heel and carry her off as his Duchess. But Jane has another plan up her sleeve, and that is to put Edenham in his place and bring him down a notch. She longs to show the stuffy British lord that an American woman is as much an equal as a Duke.
There is never a dull moment in a Claudia Dain's novel, and Daring a Duke is proof positive of this. This fifth book in the Courtesan Chronicles is full of wit, charm and good cheer. The dialogue and action keeps you turning each page. The setting of Daring a Duke occurs over the course of one afternoon where many of the ton's elite play games with one another through words and subtle actions.
Edenham and Jane come across as adversaries, but soon have a mutual respect for one another. It may seem a bit implausible that Edenham could fall so fast for a woman he has just met, but the fun in reading is watching him play to Jane's tune. These two are delightful and you can't help but smile knowing they will have a wonderful marriage between them. That is if Jane allows Edenham to romance her the way he wants to.
There are some other secret intrigues that have been shown in the past Courtesan books. The reader is also given even more insight on Lady Darby and her own romance with Lord Ruan, who wants to know the true woman behind the smile. If you're looking for a few hot love scenes, you may be disappointed, although there is a great deal of tension.
Daring a Duke allows the reader into the minds of so many characters without being confused and lost. This is one lovely historical romance that will leave you wishing for more.
September 24, 2010
I didn't really like it but it was ok.
The entire book takes place within a few hours from start to finish and the entire setting is a few house rooms. A music room, a ballroom, a couple of short scenes in the house back garden and a small bedroom.
It could have been a play since there was almost no settings.
I just couldn't get into the premise of the story. After only meeting him for the very first time that morning, she doesn't want to marry him, she wants to marry him, she wants to have her brothers beat him, she wants to be kiss by him, she doesn't want to marry him and then she does want to marry him. Now with all this "action" and the fact the book all takes place in a few hours makes you think that it must be a fast pace page turner. Not so. There is so much talking and conversation and so many groups of different people's story/conversations going on that it just gets all confusing and not very enjoyable at all.
Anyhow, I am glad this wasn't my first HR cause I would be very turned off.
The entire book takes place within a few hours from start to finish and the entire setting is a few house rooms. A music room, a ballroom, a couple of short scenes in the house back garden and a small bedroom.
It could have been a play since there was almost no settings.
I just couldn't get into the premise of the story. After only meeting him for the very first time that morning, she doesn't want to marry him, she wants to marry him, she wants to have her brothers beat him, she wants to be kiss by him, she doesn't want to marry him and then she does want to marry him. Now with all this "action" and the fact the book all takes place in a few hours makes you think that it must be a fast pace page turner. Not so. There is so much talking and conversation and so many groups of different people's story/conversations going on that it just gets all confusing and not very enjoyable at all.
Anyhow, I am glad this wasn't my first HR cause I would be very turned off.
November 8, 2014
In the fifth installment of the Courtesan series by Claudia Dain, you'll be intrigued to read Daring a Duke. When New Yorker Jane Elliott and her two brothers arrive in England for their cousin's wedding, she had an aire about her. When her cousin-in-laws placed a wager on her, this was more than bets were off. With two protective brothers, she became tempted not to marry the Duke of Edenham, Hugh Austen. Thrice married and widowed with two young children, he became hooked on Jane and wants to marry her. But Jane had other plans for him, which would leave him begging for more. There's Sophia Dalby, a half-English, half-Iroquois woman who dared not to fall in love with another and seeking revenge on her mother's death. Her brothers were also become entangled with their own romances as well. Daring, swift and passionate, this historical romance would make you swoon.
September 6, 2010
This series is going downhill fast. I don't know what is going on with Claudia Dain. Her first couple of books were so awesome and now I could barely force myself to finish this book. The whole plot takes place over less than a day, barely over a half day for the Duke of Edenham to fall in love with Jane Elliot's beauty, decides he wants her, and gets her to agree to marry him. Okay, I know that none of these are historically accurate but they could at least be believable. This drove me nuts.
April 30, 2012
Darker undertones than the others. She almost ties up all the loose ends, but there are a few still dangling in case she wants to revisit. Not quite the happily-ever-after I had been blithely expecting. For some people her style just seems to rub them the wrong way (something about that tongue-in-cheek ironic interplay between her narration and dialogue - as if romance novels need to take themselves more seriously?), but I think she's brilliant!
October 15, 2015
This book was absolutely horrible. I should have researched it more before I read it because I usually like to start a series from the 1st book. This is the fifth book of the series. The entire book takes place in the span of a morning. I never felt like the couple was in love with each other. The guy is completely infatuated with her, but is so conceited with himself that he can't understand why she wouldn't want to be with a duke. It was just one of the worst books I've ever read.
November 19, 2010
It was a great story, but there were too many points of view and it got confusing. Jane and Hugh's characters never seemed to get fully developed because we spent so much time on Sophia and her history along with all the characters in previous novels in the series. Lots of inane conversation that says nothing that might be how people conversed but it got old.
January 26, 2011
I just love, love, love Claudia Dain's Courtesan series. She writes fascinating, intricately detailed historicals that involve people standing around in rooms talking in the most delightful ways. This one takes place over the course of a single day, and I just want to wrap myself in the language. It feels entirely appropriate for the time period without being stuffy, and it's just wonderful.
December 21, 2011
I love romance novels. I always have. Usually I like to give any book a fair chance. This book was awful. I loved the concept of the book, but to have the whole story take place within a matter of hours was tedious. On top of that, I felt as though none of the characters were likeable. Especially the main characters.
April 14, 2011
The only reason that I kept reading this book was to see if really truly the entire thing was going to happen in the course of a single day. I give the author credit for doing something so totally silly.
November 19, 2010
As always, Sophia never fails to entertain, and the American heroine, Jane Elliot was fabulous! I thoroughly enjoy this series.
August 21, 2011
Boring. Didn't finish.
July 11, 2012
Good final book of the series.
July 10, 2012
Quite clever, amazing how everything is done in one day...before breckfast even.
Loved this line, "She only knew Edenham well enough to dislike him thoroughly".
Loved this line, "She only knew Edenham well enough to dislike him thoroughly".
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews