Heir to the Duke: Regency Wallflower Finds Her Bloom and Catches the Eye of a Brooding Duke

Jane Ashford

Jan 2016 · The Duke's Sons Book 1 · Sourcebooks, Inc.

About this ebook

A dazzling Regency romance from bestselling author Jane Ashford. Life is predictable for a Duke's first son. Or so he once thought...

He was delighted that she shared this pleasure with him. And how lovely she looked, out here on the water. The wind had whipped color into her cheeks. Her sandy hair leaped and curled around her face. And her gray eyes shimmered and sparkled. Violet's beauty—for it was undoubtedly beauty—arose from animation, he realized. When she was subdued and distant, as she'd always been when he saw her before their marriage, it was hidden. A secret, like the flower she was named for, obscured by broader leaves in the forest. But now he'd discovered a different Violet—vibrant, responsive. Watching her laugh as spray spattered her sleeve, he felt extremely fortunate. His instincts had somehow led him to a prize.

As eldest son of the Duke of Langford, Nathaniel Gresham sees his arranged marriage to Lady Violet Devere as just another obligation to fulfill?highly suitable, if unexciting. But as Violet sets out to transform herself from dowdy wallflower to dazzling young duchess-to-be, proper Nathaniel sets out to prove he's a match for his new bride's vivacity and daring.

Oppressed by her family all her life—especially her domineering and horrible grandmother—Lady Violet can't wait to enjoy the freedom of being a married woman. But then Violet learns her family's sordid secret, and she's faced with an impossible choice?does she tell Nathaniel and risk losing him, or does she hide it and live a lie?

Ratings and reviews

I have been a skeptic about Ms. Ashford's stories. For me the few stories I have read by her have come across as emotionless. Previous characters have been cold and indecisive. I received an ARC of Heir to the Duke in exchange for an honest review. This novel surprised me a great deal. Ms. Ashford did a complete 180 with her latest novel. She created characters with emotional appeal, a story that spoke to me from the very beginning and a romance that is worthy of fairy tale status. There were a few areas with inconsistency issues but not enough to take away from the overall effect of the story.

Great storey line, an I liked that it didn't have a ton of sex scenes. It has the perfect amount of romance. An the characters keep you engrossed. The only off part, is the female lead comes off so judgmental. For someone who is judged an found wanting her whole life. You would think she would be more understanding of others. An that kills the storey a little. You don't root for the female in this book. But you do root for the male. It's worth reading I think though.

Always an enjoyable read, sufficient intrique, not too sloppy,nice ending

About the author

Jane Ashford discovered Georgette Heyer in junior high school and was captivated by the glittering world and witty language of Regency England. That delight was part of what led her to study English literature and travel widely. She’s written historical and contemporary romances, and her books have been published all over Europe as well as in the United States. Jane has been nominated for a Career Achievement Award. Find her on the web at www.janeashford.com and facebook.com/janeashfordwriter. If you’d like to receive her monthly newsletter, you can sign up at either of those sites.