What a Difference a Duke Makes

Title:

Author:

Bell, Lenora

Subject:

Literature

Historical Fiction

Romance

Fiction

Description:

USA Today bestselling author Lenora Bell introduces her sparkling School for Dukes series with her sparkling Regency interpretation of Mary Poppins.Wanted: Governess for duke's unruly childrenEdgar Rochester, Duke of Banksford, is one of the wealthiest, most powerful men in England, but when it comes to raising twins alone, he knows he needs help. The only problem is the children have terrorized half the governesses in London. Until the clever, bold, and far-too-enticing Miss Mari Perkins arrives.Lost: One heart to an arrogant dukeMari knows how to wrap even the most rebellious children around her finger. But their demanding, wickedly handsome father? He won't be quite so easy to control. And there's something else she can't seem to command. Her heart. The foolish thing beats so wildly every time Edgar is near.Found: A forbidden passion neither can denyAs his employee, Mari is strictly off-limits. But what if she's the one breaking all his rules? In the game of governess versus duke, how can Edgar maintain his defenses when the only thing he wants to do is let the tempting beauty win . . .?

Publisher:

HarperCollins

Avon

Date:

2018/03/27

Digital Format:

READ IN BROWSER

ADOBE EPUB

KINDLE

Language:

English

ISBN:

9780062692429

Summary

USA Today bestselling author Lenora Bell introduces her sparkling School for Dukes series with her sparkling Regency interpretation of Mary Poppins.

Wanted: Governess for duke's unruly children

Edgar Rochester, Duke of Banksford, is one of the wealthiest, most powerful men in England, but when it comes to raising twins alone, he knows he needs help. The only problem is the children have terrorized half the governesses in London. Until the clever, bold, and far-too-enticing Miss Mari Perkins arrives.

Lost: One heart to an arrogant duke

Mari knows how to wrap even the most rebellious children around her finger. But their demanding, wickedly handsome father? He won't be quite so easy to control. And there's something else she can't seem to command. Her heart. The foolish thing beats so wildly every time Edgar is near.

Found: A forbidden passion neither can deny

As his employee, Mari is strictly off-limits. But what if she's the one breaking all his rules? In the game of governess versus duke, how can Edgar maintain his defenses when the only thing he wants to do is let the tempting beauty win . . .?

Reviews (3)

Publisher's Weekly Review

When Mari Perkins, the heroine of this excellent introduction to Bell's Victorian-era School of Dukes series, arrives in London, she has two goals: find out about her parentage and secure a job. Edgar Rochester, Duke of Banksford, knows he shouldn't hire the unorthodox spitfire as a nanny. Her beauty alone is too much of a temptation, and he refuses to mimic his father's behavior of assaulting the help. But when she charms his staff, his sister, and more importantly, his twins-Michel and Adele, who have scared away every other governess-he agrees to give her a trial period. A working man himself (in the burgeoning steam engine field) despite his rank, he appreciates her determination to make it on her own, and her intelligence and wit amplify the beauty he tries so hard to resist. Mari is just as drawn to Edgar, and his softer side and interactions with the children blur the lines between their statuses. The chemistry between the two is spectacular. The many references to Jane Eyre are more entertaining Easter eggs than homage; Bell (the Disgraceful Dukes series) makes this her own story, piling on plenty of witty dialogue, unconventional characters, and hints of mystery to leave readers both satisfied and eager for the next in the series. Agent: Alexandra Machinist, ICM. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Booklist Review

What Edgar Rochester, Duke of Banksford, doesn't know won't hurt him. This is the rationale Mari Perkins uses to justify accepting the position as the latest governess number five in two months to Edgar's two young children. Even if Mrs. Trilby's Agency for Superior Governesses didn't actually send Mari, it turns out that she is exactly what Michel and Adele need. However, what really surprises Edgar is that the tart-tongued and truly original Mari may be just what he needs in his own life as well. Bell, winner of RWA's Golden Heart Award, launches her new School for Dukes series on a high note with a beguiling historical romance that brilliantly showcases her remarkable gift for marrying sexy passion with dry wit, confirming her standing as a rising star in the romance genre. As the icing on the cake of this scrumptious confection, fans of Mary Poppins will also appreciate the clever manner in which Bell gracefully tips her cap to that children's classic.--Charles, John Copyright 2018 Booklist

Library Journal Review

Orphaned and raised in a charity school, Mari Perkins is desperate to find work as a governess. When she overhears that Edgar Rochester, Duke of Banksford, is looking for someone to tend to his nine-year-old twins-never mind that he's lost four governesses in the last two months-Mari heads for his townhouse in Grosvenor Square. Despite reservations-Mari is too small, too cheerful, and far too pretty-Edgar agrees to give her a try and is amazed when she succeeds, simply enchanting the children. The problem is that she's beginning to enchant him, too, and that just won't do. An energetic and outspoken heroine, a gruff, physically imposing hero, and inventive twins who quickly steal one's heart drive the plot of this hard-to-put-down romp. Steam engine and railway details are a fascinating bonus. VERDICT Sassy dialog, breathtaking chemistry, and a healthy dollop of hilarity result in a Mary Poppins-like success that takes the classic governess tale to a new level. Great fun! Bell (Blame It on the Duke) lives in Portland, OR. © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.