Title: Seducing the Duchess
Author: Ashley March
Rating: 5 Stars
Publisher: Signet Eclipse
Release Date: October 2010
Book Genre: Historical Romance
Ever wonder about that couple in historical romance books where they seem to have married for convenience, the man off to see his mistress all the time, and the woman acting the harlot? This book gives you a look at one of those non-main character couples. And wow, was it awesome!
Philip Burgess, Duke of Rutherford, wed his wife, Charlotte, simply for revenge against his once best friend—her brother—for stealing his fiancée. Though he tried to act the part of not falling for Charlotte, it is clear that he did and a few years into their marriage, he decides that he is ready to love her the way she should be loved, the way he can love her. Only problem is, she is hurt from his betrayal, the fact that he acted as though he loved her, then told her it was all for revenge, so she acts the harlot, out late nights at clubs adorned in very revealing dresses, sitting on the laps of other higher class men. So, with this problem, Philip does the only thing that he thinks will make a difference; he kidnaps her, in front of a whole room full of men and takes her to his estate out in the country.
At the estate, it becomes a battle as very soon, both characters realize that they still do love each other, but there were just major obstacles to overcome in the way. The entrance of a key character, Philip's ex-fiancée, adds some spice to the story with some acting shows with Philip in front of Charlotte. Finally, Philip gives up on the games and decides that Charlotte means too much to him. All the while, he had made a proposition to Charlotte to grant her a divorce if she lets him try to woo her for the duration of three months. In the end, Philip has to make a choice to set his love free if she is to love him back.
The descriptions of the countryside, a harvest festival, and the manor that are in the story were my favorite. They were so vivid and I could picture them exactly as they were written. The romance in this story is awesome. Most wouldn't be interested in a story that involves forgiveness, but the romance in this story was very interesting to me in the fact that the hero and heroine were already together at the start of the book. It was such a different take on a romance and I felt like I was there with the characters trying to whisper in their ears to just get over themselves and be together! The author did a wonderful job of conveying each character's emotions, because I felt them as I read them as well.
The situations in this book were extremely believable given the time period that this book is written in. It was very interesting to read the story of ‘that' couple from other historical romance books. I would always wonder how those other characters would fare and how their lives were led. Fortunately, this story seemed to turn out way better than any of those than I would imagine. It ended up being a wonderful and beautiful love story of falling in love again, forgiveness, and what love can repair in any relationship.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a great historical romance read full of wit and funny situations, but also those that like a good romantic read. I will definitely be anxiously awaiting anything that Ashley March turns out in the future.
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