This was a new author for me. It's a very pleasant and entertaining historical romance read that is filled with emotion, great characters and a very strong and steamy romantic connection between the hero and heroine. Very enjoyable read. I'll be checking out more from this author.

Sandra Masters weaves a story of two wounded souls who find their way to each other. Trust is sometimes a hard emotion to believe in when the past has shown it cannot be believed. Serena, a widow, is still controlled by her brother, who is her guardian. Having lived through a horrific marriage, she desperately needs love and care. But when Lord Geoffrey visits her brother, they meet at the lake where she is sketching. A sizzling spark seems to ignite in their attraction and the inevitable happens. It seems they are meant to be. Geoffrey has to travel to London, and while gone her brother forces Serena to accept the hand of a man who would be as cruel as her dead husband.
As Geoffrey returns, he thinks Serena had just led him on..
This fast paced story is full of all the elements that make a historical romance great. Intrigue, danger to Serena when she is held captive and all the emotions to make me turn the pages quickly. See if these two can come together and find their happy ever after.

Once Upon a Duke is a story full of action, intrigue, and danger. There is a great cast of characters with Serena and Geoffrey. As their story unfolds, it shows how much they fit together. This story is a page-turner and holds your attention start to finish. I highly recommend it.

I received a preview of this book via NetGalley, then purchased a full copy. My review is voluntary.

When Geoffrey and Serena meet, the attraction is immediate and strong. Serena has endured and survived an abusive marriage. She wants and needs to be loved and cherished. Geoffrey treats her with gentle care. While Geoffrey is in London, Henry Worthington, Serena’s brother and guardian, forces her to accept a betrothal to a man who is likely to be as cruel as her first husband (Henry arranged that one as well). Lied to by Henry and believing Serena has chosen to marry and played him false, Geoffrey returns to London hurt and angry. Serena is captive in her betrothed’s home. Serena knows what he has been told. How can she contact him to tell the truth and that she needs him? Will Geoffrey be willing and able to storm the castle and rescue her?

Once Upon a Duke is a story full of action, intrigue, and danger. There is a great cast of characters. Serena is talented, kind, and caring. Geoffrey is strong and protective, and maybe a little emotional. Emma and John are capable and supportive. Henry and his cohort are nasty pieces of work due a comeuppance. This story is a page-turner and holds your attention start to finish. A good story. I recommend it.

I received a preview of this book via NetGalley, then purchased a full copy. My review is voluntary.

I loved this book and the way everything came together. Serena is a widow and must do what her brother wants her to do as he is her guardian. Serena has a house and money that was gifted to her by her grandmother. She meets Lord Geoffrey who is visiting her brother, while she is at the lake sketching. There is instant attraction between them but he is a fake and her first husband beat her, leaving mental and physical scars. She agrees to paint Lord Geoffrey, and an affair and love lies between them. Lord Geoffrey, has to go away for a short time and when, he comes back, he finds that she is betrothed to someone else without her consent. He believes that she was playing him and never wanted him until he gets a note that explains that she is being held prisoner in Lord Leland LeBran's castle and will have to marry him against her will and he will treat her as bad or worse than her first husband. With the help of Emma, her maid and Lord LeBran's abused sister, they attempt to break out of the castle. Lord Geoffrey and some of his friends come to rescue them. Will Serena get caught before she gets rescured? Will they all survive? What of Serena's dastardly brother? I found that I liked all the characters enough that I cared what happened to them. Will read more by this author. I received this book from Net Galley and Wild Rose Press for a honest review and no compensation otherwise.