Blurb
A writer fighting for his muse. A captain returned from war, searching for his wife. Two delightful novellas about the power of true love.
A wealthy merchants daughter and a struggling writer. A missing bride and her estranged husband. Can these gentlemen woo the ladies they desire? Two captivating prequel novellas full of unrequited feelings and steamy romance.
Interview With the Duke
London, 1818. Dinah Honeyfield cant wait any longer. In love with her familys long-term houseguest, shes determined to get him to reveal his affections before her rich industrialist father marries her off.
Lord John Pettigrew gave up his birthright to follow his dreams. And with nothing to offer a potential wife, the aspiring author despairs hell never be able to win the hand of the one whos been his muse.
Can they rewrite their future and plot a path to forever?
The Captain’s Wife
Mrs. Lydia Lewis has given up on broken promises. Marrying her soulmate only to be attacked during his heartbreaking absence, she finds refuge as an incognito ducal housekeeper.
Captain Jacob Lewis is angry and hurt. Returning from military service to discover his spouse has vanished into thin air, he begins an almost hopeless search to bring her home.
Can this star-crossed pair reclaim newlywed bliss?
Friends of the Duke is the delightful prequel box set of the Inconvenient Brides Regency romance series. If you like worthy heroes, fast-paced plots, and enduring connections, then youll adore Nina Jarretts charming collection.
Review
This collection contains two novellas in the Inconvenient Brides series: Interview with the Duke and The Captains Wife. There werent any typos in either story, which is always refreshing.
“Interview with the Duke”
John Pettigrew is the disinherited second son of a marquess who now resides with a wealthy merchant family. Hes fallen in love with the merchants daughter but doesnt have the means to provide for her. Dinah Honeywell is tired of waiting for John to court her, so she takes matters into her own hands. Their love accumulates in a night of passion, but how will they find a lifetime of happiness together?
I enjoyed this story. John and Dinah are likable characters stuck in a predicament common to their time, but the only thing that irked me was their insistence that, if they could not marry, she could never marry anyone else because she had to hide the fact that she wasnt a virgin.
The pacing was a little slow at times, but the story grabbed my interest from the start. Ms. Jarrett has a flowing writing style that pulls you in and doesnt let you go.
This short historical romance unites two people who obviously belong together and sets the stage for future books, and I cant wait to read them.
3.5 Stars
“The Captains Wife”
Captain Jacob Lewis has returned home from war to find his wife missing, and so begins his three-year search. Lydia Lewis has fashioned herself a widow and created a new life for herself as the director of a childrens orphanage. The last thing she expects is for her estranged husband to find her and for her to have to explain why she ran away so long ago.
Lydia was more likable than Jacob. Shes selfless, humble, and completely in love with Jacob. Even though he loves her, it took him a long time to realize it, and his actions caused them both, especially her, a lot of pain and grief.
I normally dont like to mention big spoilers, but there is a scene in which Lydia is attacked. She wasnt raped, but the abuse was very real. Readers should be aware of that possible trigger before they begin reading.
Anyway, Lydia and Jacobs reunion was a long time coming. I enjoyed it very much.
4 Stars
Overall Book – 4 Stars
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