Ms. Bowman has written another entertaining book about second chance love. Mark and Nicole have been estranged for 10 years. Very much in love they married young, however due to misunderstanding they seperated. After Mark served his country he is wanting a promotion that has come open. But they are wanting a married man. Mark located Nicole and bargains with her to be his wife until he get the promotion. Even after 10 years of being separated they continue to be
faithful to one another. Both soon discover that they do not want to be separated again. Will the love of 10 years be enough to keep Mark and Nicole together.

I enjoyed this book and recommend it.

I have received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. This book is about General Mark Grimaldi, who has sacrificed a lot for his military career, working hard without a nobleman's title up in the ranks. Now he has an offer to be promotion to Home Secretary. There's only one condition and its that Mark must be married. But he faces one another problem he has a wife already. Nicole Huntington Grimaldi has been for the past ten years in France without her husband. But Mark asks her to return to London and play his beloved wife. I really enjoyed the twist and turns in this book.

A Duke Like No Other
by Valerie Bowman

This was a wonderful book full of emotions and some twists, I loved Mark and Nicole both are alpha players and both very stubborn. Even though the chemistry is there both jumped to conclusions and drove a wedge in their marriage, fast forward ten years later circumstances have Mark searching for his wife. He needs to have himself settled as a family man to get his promotion. Now older by ten years their attraction is still sizzling but with a murder to solve can they have the happy ending they both deserve?
I enjoyed reading this second chance at romance it was full of chemistry between the main characters lots of sexual tension between them, witty banter plenty of twists and emotional turmoil.
Valerie Bowman has another fantastic story. Don’t miss out on this exceptional story!

I recieved a complimentary copy from the publisher. This is my honest unbiased opinion.

Valerie Bowman has a very unique style to create stories! I enjoyed this book a lot! The story is interesting and characters well developed.

The storyline was well written and the characters were so well defined that I was totally enthralled until I finished reading the very last page!

This was a very good read by one of my favorite authors. Ms Bowman writes historical romance like nobody's business. I just love second chance love affair even if the couple are married to each other.
The characters were developed with thoughts and feelings of their own. Even though the book is in a series, it can be read as a stand alone. Lots of steam going on in this book. Oh, lots!!
General Mark Grimaldi is wanting a promotion, but his boss wants the job going to a married man.
Being the Home Secretary is what Mark wants to fulfill his dreams politically. But there is one thing his boss doesn't know. He is already married for ten years and is estranged from his wife who lives in France. Since he really needs to get his wife to accompany him back to London living as a happy family. But Nicole Huntington Grimaldi won't be bossed around by her overbearing husband. She has some plans of her own!
Mark and Nicole have a lot of misunderstanding to overcome to get the happy every after. They are strongly attracted still to each other but it will take the love they share to make dreams come true.
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC title in which I gave an honest review.

A Duke Like No Other is the first book I've read by Valerie Bowman and I have to say I have mixed feelings. I enjoyed the first half, it was well paced and I felt like I got to know the hero and the heroine. However, that all changed when they got to London and the mystery element was introduced. There was very little development of Mark and Nicole's relationship once the investigation started (apart from them sleeping together). I feel like this was mainly due to the fact that despite the fact that Mark didn't want Nicole's help with the investigation despite the fact that she was a seasoned investigator. If he had allowed her to help there would likely have been much more relationship development. Because of the lack of relationship development in the latter half of the novel by the end of the book it didn't feel like it was time for them to have their HEA, in fact it felt rushed. Both hero and heroine came to the realisation that they loved each other and wanted to be together but I think there needed to be a conversation where they acknowledged, discussed and resolved the issues that had kept them apart for 10 years.

On a side note, I was confused exactly how Aunt Harriet was related to Mark. It's stated that she's the duke's only sister but 'the duke' is used throughout the novel to refer to both the previous and the current Duke. Moreover, the current it is implied that the current Duke only had one sibling - a sister who isn't Aunt Harriet. Furthermore, Harriet has a granddaughter, Lady Regina, a friend of Nicole's who refers to Mark's mother as Aunt Mary - it's confusing and doesn't add up.

Despite my issues with the second half, overall I enjoyed A Duke Like No Other and would happily read Valerie Bowman's other novels.

I really liked this book. It had a little bit of everything, with the mystery and the romance, the angst and unresolved issues between both main characters. It is certainly a read that deserves your time if you're after something entertaining and interesting, with a side of conflict. It's also a comforting read for historical romance fans.

*I received a copy of this book via netgalley, all opinions are my own*

A Second chance romance that started out 10 years ago and comes forward through time. The hero, General Mark Grimaldi spends all his time focused on his service with the Crown and almost nothing else. Being within reach of a new position he really wants, it is pointed out that it would be more likely if her were married and a family man. Well, that problem is solved because he has been married for 10 year to Nicole. Unfortunately he has not seen her in that time and she is in another country! The two had married years ago but due to many things had parted with her going to France. Now all he had to do was convince her to come back to England and act the happy married couple so he could secure his new position! Can they now be happy and pull together? It seems that they both have been in love with each other but neither took the time to work everything out. This is a delightful story that includes a mystery and intrigue with a romance thrown in that will bring a smile to your face. Although part of a series this can be read as a stand alone.

I had never read a book by Valerie Bowman before so I jumped at the opportunity to receive an ARC copy of her latest ‘A Duke like No Other’. And what a pleasant surprise that was. It was a wonderful classical regency with a good plot and wonderful characters.
A Duke Like No Other is about General Mark Grimaldi and his wife Nicole Huntington Grimaldi… because yes the book start with the two already married but estranged for the past ten years. Mark Grimaldi is half Italian and half British and has dedicated his life in the service of her majesty. He takes great pride in not using his mother’s family connections with the aristocracy. When being considered for a promotion as Secretary of the Home Office, he needs to reconnect with Nicole in order to present the image of a family man.
For the past ten years, Nicole has built herself a life in France. She is quite happy but not fulfilled and decides to take advantage of her husband’s need for a loving wife to ask something of her own. Her condition leads to a condition of his own… and the match is on.
I don’t want to give any spoiler here because the story beautifully weaves flashbacks and current situation. We get to revisit how the love story started and crashed and how it is slowly rekindled. It is very satisfying to see how those two people get a second chance at love while solving the murder of Mark’s cousin, heir to a Dukedom.
Valerie Bowman is definitely an author who knows her craft well and I will make sure to get her next book. I personally hope to see Regina on the pages very soon… so A Duke Like No Other is a solid 5* to me and a book I know I will probably reread.

General Mark Grimaldi, master spy, wants to become the Home Secretary. The British government requires a married man. He admits he’s already married but his estranged wife, Nicole, lives in France. So off to France he goes. She defines him as “decidedly English and a complete ass”. She agrees to return to England as she wants his baby. He thought she wanted a divorce.

In London, his cousin John was found poisoned and he’s determined to find the killer. Mark does not care for his English relatives as his Italian father was not welcomed into his mother’s aristocratic family. His elderly uncle, John’s father, is a Duke, and Mark is now the Marquess of Coleford, the heir. He is shocked to find out that their line is rare as the duchy can be passed down via a female.

Daffin Oakleaf, a Bow Street Runner, has been ordered to get Mark’s help to solve his cousin’s murder. Daffin believes he was poisoned and Mark agrees. The plan is to get all the guests who were at John’s house to come to the Duke’s estate for a memorial. They can question them there. Mark’s Aunt Harriet and her grand-daughter Regina are at the estate also.

Hopefully this entices you to read this wonderful book. I will not spoil who is the murderer or the ending. I will say I hope Regina and Daffin get a story and a HEA! This is my favorite Valerie Bowman book! I loved it.

Couples who are married but distant and then must find a way to make a marriage work -- that is one of my very favorite romance tropes. Here we have Gen. Mark Grimaldi, up for promotion, but only if he marries. Trouble is, he is married, to a wife he hasn't seen (or wanted to see) in 10 years. The dreaded misunderstanding (a trope I dislike) has kept the two fervent lovers apart. Now Mark must go, hat in hand, to Nicole, and find a way to fake a happy marriage so he can be promoted. She agrees, but only because she wants something, too (and it's not what Mark expects). Add to that basic plot a murder mystery, a wife who assists the Bow Street Runners (suspend disbelief all who enter) and two very stubborn people who simply do not work out their differences without a lot of trouble along the way -- and it adds up to a satisfying novel. Other reviewers have pointed out a few historical anachronisms and a bit of modern feel in the book. I think they are correct, but what Valerie Bowman gets right -- very right -- is the ache of love from two people who have lost their way and have to seek each other out before it's too late. That's why, for me, this is a most satisfying read. (I received an advance copy on NetGalley. Opinions mine.)

I have been a huge fan of this series but this book was just all wrong for me. Now you might be okay with the background of the couple being told in flashbacks but those just annoy me and take me away from the interesting part of the story. I liked the way the book started off with Mark seeking his estranged wife so he could get the promotion of his dreams and Nicole agreeing to help him if he will give her the child she craves. We can deduce that these two really are fond of each other but because of a misunderstanding they remain estranged. That was a good start and then we are thrown into a murder mystery that affects Mark and the coincidence is rather in your face. It is like the first part of the book didn’t set well with the author so she started an entirely different story keeping Nicole in because she was hanging around waiting to be made enceinte.
Now the book is not a complete bust because the mystery is rather fun. So if You don’t mind flashbacks and abrupt changes in storyline then you are in for a good read.

General Mark Grimaldi is a determined man. At 34 he is already a general and a spymaster for the army. In A Duke Like No Other Mark is about to get his dream promotion and become the Home Secretary.

He has spent years in the army and growing his spy network. The position of Home Secretary will mean that he can finally make some real change and create the police force he believes that the country really needs.

The only thing standing in his way is a wife. Lord Tottenham, who runs the Home Office, doesn’t want a single man in the position. Which is not a problem in as far as Mark is already married. The problem stems from the fact that she doesn’t live with him, she doesn’t even live in the same country. And Mark isn’t sure he can get his wife to come home.

Nicole has been living in France these last 10 years. Ever since they became estranged she has been keeping her distance as best she can.

When Mark comes to France asking for her help, Nicole thinks this might be her opportunity. Marc wants something, and if he wants to get it he’s going to have to give up something in return.

Misunderstanding Leads To A Second Chance

Normally I hate stories where the problems all arise from a stupid misunderstanding. It is irritating when the simple truth could have made all the problems go away.

In this story, however, the author managed to make it much more believable. Not something as easily corrected as simply telling the honest truth.

The separation may have been misunderstanding, but there is no misunderstanding the fact that they still want each other. Despite their differences, the passion between the two characters was undeniable and exciting.

The twist in the story was equally exciting and unexpected. I particularly enjoyed how the author solves the mystery, the truth is quite astonishing.

This is ninth in the Playful Brides series by Valerie Bowman. It stands well as its own separate story but makes you want to read the rest of the series at the same time.

Reviewed for LnkToMi iRead in response to a complimentary copy of the book provided by the publisher in hopes of an honest review.

General Mark Grimaldi has had the goal of becoming the Home Secretary. He has survived fighting and imprisonment in France, but now that his goal is in his grasp, he is told that he needs to be married. Very few know, that he is already married and has been estranged from his wife for 10 years.
While working for the Home Office during the war in France, his wife, Nicole, continued to live there afterwards. So, he finds that he must go to her and request she come back with him to London and pretend to be his loving wife.
While she would not admit it to anyone, Nicole still is in love with Mark. She is lonely and she agrees on one condition- she wants a child. They are no sooner back in London, when they become involved in solving a murder- the murder of Mark's cousin.
Through flashbacks, it becomes clear that they both still love the other, but are also both too proud and stubborn to admit it. While they work together on discovering the murderer and securing Mark's new position, will they also work on their relationship? Can they set aside their foolish pride to find the love they once shared?
I was captivated by the characters and intrigued by the plot. The author wove an very exciting, yet romantic story.
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley.com. This was my unbiased and voluntary review.

This is the first book I have read by Valerie Bowman, and I enjoyed it immensely. I want to thank the publisher for giving me a chance to read prior to release. I was gifted an advance reader copy, via Net-Galley, and this review is my unbiased opinion of this novel.

A Duke Like No Other is an emotional love story that captured my attention from the first page and held my interest until the end, no sagging middle, yay! The pacing is varied from fast to steady but never slow. The plot is intriguing with a mystery for the hero and heroine to solve.

Nicole Huntington Grimaldi’s character gained my empathy early on. Her reason for agreeing to Mark’s request tugged at my heartstrings. She’s a nurturing character, and I truly loved her. I wanted her to find her happy ending.

Mark Grimaldi is an interesting hero. He is not a womanizer–which is refreshing for a change–he is a driven man. He is determined to get the promotion and is willing to do what he must to achieve it while remaining an honorable man. He has strong reasons for disavowing his mother’s family, but most of it is based on misconceptions and bitterness from his father.

I thoroughly enjoyed the reawakening of the romance between Nicole and Mark. The chemistry is apparent from the first mutual scene and only grows stronger as the story develops. Ms. Bowman masterfully builds the sexual tension between the hero and heroine, as I expect in a Regency historical romance.

If you enjoy a novel with an emotionally-charged romance, engaging character and a plot with plenty of mystery, then you will love A Duke Like No Other. There are quite a few books in this series, so I plan to read the other ones in this series. Happy reading!

It's been a while since I've read historical romance but I was feeling a need for a change and I'm glad I read this one to get me back into this genre. The characters were fun and likable. Mark was a stickler for the rules and Nicole was free spirited and head strong but together they sparked right off the pages. I really liked them even when they were trying to keep to their agreement and emotionally keeping a distance and even when they were trying to one up each other, there was no denying their chemistry. The murder mystery was engaging and kept the story moving, the side characters were funny and the romance was so sweet. These two never stopped loving each other and I loved the fact that the author kept both MCs faithful even when they were convinced their marriage was over before it really even had a chance to start. They still held hope that things would work out between them deep down inside and I found that adorable. It was easy to root for them and I loved their HEA.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

I have read all the books in this series and enjoyed all of them. They can all be read as a stand alone but it is fun to see previous characters in the next books.

There is usually intrigue along with the romance which makes the book filled with drama. This book had more of a mystery as Mark and Nicole tried to figure who murdered his cousin.

As the book progresses, there are flashbacks to Nicole and Mark's past as we see how they met and what caused the break in their marriage. Nicole was such a fun character as she wanted to be a Bow Street Runner which is unlike any other woman of the ton.

The back story about Mark's family was a large part of who he was and he really had a hard time moving past a hurtful scene from his childhood. I guess I find it kind of ridiculous that he would have nothing to do with other family members when it was only his grandfather that caused the hurt.

Hope there is another book in this series, as I want more and am not ready for it to end!

A DUKE LIKE NO OTHER by Valerie Bowman is book Nine in the Playful Brides series. This is the story of General Mark Grimald and Nicole Huntington Grimaldi.
Mark might be the grandson of a Duke but he made himself what he is today. Working toward further goals he needs to reclaim his wife. Nicole left her husband shortly after the marriage due to misunderstanding and miscommunication on both parts. But now Mark is back looking to make everyone see their marriage as real. Nicole wants something from him...a baby.
Can these two get a second chance at finding love? Will their be another upset to this second chance?
Love Ms. Bowman writing and I enjoyed this book.

London - 1818

Lord Allen, the Minister of the Home Office, has just informed General Mark Grimaldi, age 34, that before he can be promoted to Home Secretary of the Home Office, he must marry.
In this position, he will be head of all the spies in England and also have the ear of the King. It turns out no one had known that Mark was already married.

Nicole, Mark’s wife, lives in France and loves racing her horse, Atalanta. When told she has a visitor, she is unhappy to find it is her husband, Mark, whom she has not seen for 10 years. Although there is no love lost between them, Marks tells Nicole that he needs her to return to England and act like a loving wife.

Nicole had been a very successful Bow Street Runner when she first met Mark. She is also from a very wealthy family. She agrees to go to England with Mark but only if he will give her a child. She will then return to France to raise the child. He is welcome to visit if he wishes. He agrees and they return to England.

Shortly afterward, Mark learns his cousin, John, has died and he himself is now the heir to the Duke of Colchester. This is a surprise to many because Mark has always kept his family background a secret. When it is suspected that John had been poisoned, Mark and his team of spies step in to investigate. With her background, Nicole is enlisted to help with the investigation. Who could have poisoned John and why?

I found this to be a delightful story of romance and mystery. Mark and Nicole are both hurt because they had each kept secrets from one another when they married. Watching them learn to forgive and accept one another is very well-written. All of us can learn something from this. Very well done, Valerie Bowman. I have long been a fan of hers and look forward to reading more of her books.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.