I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Lady Ruby McAllister needs to get the ageing Duke of Auchen to right the wrong he has done against her family. Because of Auchen's actions, Ruby's family have lost their ancestral home, and she is out for revenge. However, arriving at his home in London, she sees a duke on the verge of death, and works her way into becoming his night nurse. Thinking she can convince him to right his wrongs before his death, perhaps even using the memory of his late wife against him, Ruby sees no way for her plan to fail. That is, until the duke's estranged son, Seth, arrives and catches her eye.

I found this to be an okay book, but not a favourite of mine. Ruby was an alright main character, but she made some questionable choices at times. I did like how much she cared about her family, and wanted to help them and reclaim her ancestral home. Seth was very much similar to Ruby. Though an Earl, and heir to the dukedom, his father had thrown him out, and Seth spent most of his time with his workers at the textile mill. He only returned home to speak with his father before his death, but meeting Nurse Campbell (Ruby, in disguise), he finds himself softening to his father's actions, and wanting to reconcile before it's too late. I wish there wasn't as much secret keeping in the book as there was, but it was somewhat understandable. I think I'll likely continue with the series, but it's not going to be high on my TBR.

After the death of her father, Ruby makes plans to confront the Duke responsible for her current poverty and the loss of her home. She pretends to be a nurse so that she can convince him to make right on the contract that she holds for a third interest in a lucrative investment. Standing in her way is his son Seth. Seth and Ruby begin to fall for each other but what will happen when her ruse comes to light? I suggest reading to find out.
Thank you Elizabeth Ellen Carter, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

The Heroine
Ruby McAllister, Lady Straithaird, discovered, upon her fathers death, a contract that he owned one third of a thriving loom business! Unfortunately, the owner of said business is none other than the Duke of Auchen who is known as a cruel man. Ruby is determined to get what is hers, but when she shows up at this doorstep, she ends up pretending to be the dying Dukes nurse! She is desperate to get the money from the contract as she has nothing left and has had to sell her beloved family estate.

The Hero
Seth Musgrave, son of the Duke of Auchen, has long despised his father. Poor eye sight as a child caused his father to determine he was a waste of an heir and sent him to work in his factory’s instead of to school like most heirs. Now a grown man, he was opening his own textile mill to compete with his fathers…and he just happens to purchase Ruby’s family’s estate!

The Plot
Over the course of caring for the dying Duke of Auchen, Seth and Ruby come to love each other. But, in the end, neither knows who they are meant to be going forward...Seth is thrown into the deep end of being the Duke and Ruby isn't sure what do now that her dreams of her father's invention have crumbled. Seth persisted, but Ruby sent him away so he could discover who he was now that he was the Duke and had everything he wanted.

**SPOILER**
I found it infuriating that Seth was not faithful while he was in London; I understand Ruby’s point that they were not together, but it was still so frustrating! And that he kept pretending with the other woman while Ruby was right there!

Overall, I was totally enthralled with this book and the love these two had before and after their separation was just...everything! I can't wait to read more in this series and from Ms. Carter!

Tropes
Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Beta Hero, Damaged Hero, Self-Made Hero, Titled Hero, Nurse/Doctor Heroine, Virgin Heroine, Angst Romance, Friends to Lovers, Forced Proximity, Revenge Trope, Secrets & Lies, Secret Identity

So it took me a little while to finish Deceiving the Duke because I got it not too long after losing my mother to cancer after having nursed her for two years. So I was a little too fragile to read it when I first got it and I missed the deadline to review it before it was published was published. But, luckily, I was able to go back and read it this weekend. And I’m so glad I did. It really is a lovely story and unlike any I’ve read to date.

The story is about Ruby and a stolen inheritance that she attempts to get back by going undercover as the nurse of the man she believes took it from her family. The Duke is dying and he’s an irascible and pretty mean all around old guy, so none of the previous nurses have stuck around. The person who he seems to hate the most is his son, Seth, for a variety of reasons. Seth actually seems like a pretty amazing person, which becomes a problem when he and Ruby collide.

Ruby is not a professional nurse, she’s the daughter of a Scottish laird, but she did nurse her father when he was dying so she knows what to do. She’s actually pretty good about keeping the Duke in line and not letting his treatment overly affect her. She is a tough cookie.

I ended up loving this book and became really excited about the rest of the series. I liked Seth from the very beginning, and I grew to respect the fact that Ruby was very intelligent, and also super independent, which was a nearly impossible fest at the time. They are our twists and turns that keep the hero and heroine from getting right to their happily ever after. And it worked. This is a delightful beginning to what I am sure is going to be an amazing series.

By the way, the cover is perfection. The fact that it gives a shout out to the weaving and textile industry is a definite plus. Well done.

When Love and Deception Collide

Ruby played the part of a nurse for a man whom she felt wronged her father. There was just one problem. She fell in love with the son, and in the end, she began to empathize with a man, ravaged by disease. It was sad how Seth was treated by his father because of his poor vision. There was much bitterness. Could there be forgiveness and redemption? Ruby and Seth fell in love, but there was that big deception in the way. Was it too big an obstacle, or was their love stronger than the anger and bitterness?

One thing is certain; without love and forgiveness, there can be no redemption. When there is love and forgiveness, hate is sure to lose. Ruby has a gentle way about her. She starts out with deception, but what is the path she takes in the end? Perhaps, she has a thing or two to teach Seth.

Deceiving the Duke by Elizabeth Ellen Carter is the first book in the new series “Gems of London” and the first book I have read by this author. This story is a blend of tropes including deception to love, forced proximity, and damaged hero saved by love. It also strongly focuses on learning from mistakes, acceptance, forgiveness, letting go of hate, and embracing the future. This is a story full of impeccable world building, multifaceted characters, and a plot that moves forward in a realistic manner with a plausible pace. The story is told from alternating POV which allows the reader to better understand what each character is experiencing.

The MCs are Lady Ruby McAllister aka nurse Campbell and Seth Musgrave, heir to the current Duke of Auchen, William Musgrave. These three are brought together by terminal illness, deception, regret, and hate. The question is can Seth & Ruby have a chance at happiness when their beginning was so filled with sadness?

I enjoyed this story and felt like the author allowed the characters to guide the pacing versus trying to make the story wrap up quickly. There are some topics that can’t be rushed and I am glad the author didn’t try.

I did wish we were given a chapter from the POV of William Musgrave but some of his actions were revealed that shows there was more to the man than he allowed others to experience. I also didn’t much care for a certain countess that is featured in the last 30% of the story but I was happy with the eventual ending for Seth & Ruby.

There is not a lot of heat in this story and the sexual encounters are limited—so be warned if those aspects are a must have in your romance novels.

***Trigger Warnings: Mental abuse, terminal illness, death of prominent character, and death of a supporting character.

Overall 4 Stars ⭐️ | Level 3 Heat 🔥

I have not had the opportunity to read anything by this author before and I was excited to try this book out. I was not disappointed! This is the first installment of Gems of London series and what a delightful start! Ruby has lost her home after her father died and is left with a mountain of debt. She finds a contract within her father's documents that just may give her the boost she needs and it lies with the ailing Duke of Auchen. She sets out to retrieve what she is due and arrives at the Duke's home only to be mistaken for a nurse. Seth despises his father and has been estranged from him but now that he is dying, Seth returns home. Ruby and Seth have an immediate attraction, but they are challenged with secrets and old grudges they must face before they have a chance at happiness. I found this to be a very entertaining and enjoyable read and the story captured my attention from the start. The characters were nicely developed and there was no question as to how strong their chemistry was. A very well-written story and great start to what looks to be a very entertaining series!

I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Deceiving the Duke by Elizabeth Ellen Carter is the opening book in a new series: Gems of London. Ruby McAllister was listening as he father's solicitor told her she was almost destitute. Her father had been a dreamer, not a manager, and now she was to pay the price. She had to sell her home, Strathaird, and now was looking at spending the rest of her days in a cottage . . . until she found the contract between her father and Skye-Heath Linens, giving him 30% of the business in exchange for his design of a loom that would revolutionize the making of fabric. This was her salvation! The solicitor told her it was worthless but Ruby determined to go to London and confront the man. When she got there, she was mistaken for the nurse. It was there her adventure began. He was a horrible old man, but as she got to know him she could see he hadn't always been this horrible. And his son, Seth, was far from horrible.
This was an interesting plot with plenty of twists and turns, some realistic, some not. Seth was a good guy. He had been demeaned and despised by his father his whole life but it had not turned him sour, it had made him strong.

Plenty happened here before Seth and Ruby got together. Ruby was able to see her father's loom put into action, and built the business he should have lived to see built. Seth got to experience being a duke before he returned to Scotland to live his life, and the old Duke of Auchen got to be with his beloved wife in the end. It was a romantic and lovely story of tow people coming of age and finding one another, after they thought they had lost each other. I loved it. It was different. It was real. It was romantic.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Deceiving the Duke by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #dragonblade #deceivingtheduke #elizabethellencarter

What a lovely historic romance novel! Other authors in this genre should watch out and learn from it.

Many historic romance writers seem to run out of things to write about, focus on physical attraction too much and fill up pages with sex scenes, forget the heroine's and hero's development or showing of their growing love. Many writers tend to throw random events or subplots just to keep the book going. This book was nothing like that. It was naturally transitioning, the events were very believable, the clear growth and development of characters, the self-less love especially the part of when you love someone, you set them free. I have enjoyed reading dialogues with the Scottish slang and poems in between. I liked the part where the "evil" character gets developed and redeemed or at least makes a reader see that nothing is black and white. People do selfish and terrible things out of pain, people can grow old and bitter for a reason.

I highly recommend it and one of the best parts is that thanks to Netgalley and the free copy in exchange of the honest review, I get to discover great authors that I didn't know to exist.

p.s. I would only change the book cover. The girl and the red / black colors are too dark, too sensual, they are more fit on a book that has a character of a window or a more sexually experienced woman.

Lady Ruby McAllister has lost her father her money and her home. She finds in her dad's papers an agreement between her father and the Duke of Auchen for one-third share in a successful Scottish textile mill. She goes to confront the duke and finds a duke dying his son Seth mistake's her for a nurse so she's start's taking care of the duke. Seth has grown up be called a simpleton by his father but as his father lays dying he comes to try to bring closer with his father. Seth and Ruby are attracted to each other Seth has keep the mill running all the while his father has been in england. He's the reason that the textile mill is successful not his father.

Ruby McAllister has had to leave her home, Strathaird, when her father dies leaving her with little funds. When she decides to force William Musgrave, the Duke of Auchen into recognising the contract he had with her father, she is unprepared to find him sick and dying. When circumstances find her lying to his son, Seth Musgrave, when she pretends to be a nurse, she is instantly thrust into the household. Seth soon finds himself befriending Ruby, who manages to put up with his father’s bullying. As they spend more time together, caring for the duke, Seth feels that his relationship with his father is changing. Could the man who once derided him as an imbecile now see him for the successful man, who has grown the family empire.
A good start to what will be an interesting series. I found Seth to be such a noble man, who loved his mother but tolerated his father, who treated him with little feeling. Ruby is a strong character, who despite the situation she has found herself in, maintained such admirable qualities. When she had an opportunity to benefit herself, she did the opposite and helped Seth to regain his relationship with his father before his death. Whilst their relationship had many obstacles, it was the journey that they had to traverse, that made them a better couple.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋

Very enjoyable and entertaining read from Elizabeth, so nice to see her books again I’ve really missed them.

Love the premise for this story, a lady left with no home after the death of her father, broke and having to sell off the estate.
Moving in to care for the old Duke who she’s convinced swindled her father, and falls for the young Earl/ Dukes Heir, it really grabbed my attention.

Great attention to detail and writing, and a wonderful chemistry between the pair.
More soon please .

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

London

Her home and father were now gone, and she was determined to persuade the duke to honor the contract that gave her one third share of his textile mill. Armed with the contract, she is able to
ingrate herself into the household by posing as his nurse.

He had come back home, due to his father dying. Having grown up being browbeaten and put down, he really wanted nothing to due with him. After all he was the one who had made their business
successful.

When they meet, he has no idea of why she is truly there.. But secrets and old grudges will come to light and they will have to see if they can have a future. Great start to a new series I look forward to!!

Ruby, Lady Strathaird is heartbroken. She has lost her father and also lost her home, due to an unscrupulous agreement. Vowing to right this wrong, she plans to confront the Duke of Auchen and ask for payments owed to her late father. What she didn’t plan upon was the misunderstanding on her arrival to his home. Seth, the heir on his father’s death, is at wits end. His father is again without a nurse. Assuming Ruby is the replacement, she is given then position in their home. But something about the new nurse is familiar to him. As the two grow closer, the deception is revealed and the Duke is laid to rest. Seth must now make his way and Ruby lets him go.
This love story is not without a few misunderstandings and Seth’s need to find himself. An intriguing story with a nice happy ending!

For me, Deceiving the Duke began as a precious tale of growth for our hero and heroine. They seemed to have an instant connection. What started as tale of hate and revenge changed to one of love and compassion. I loved Ruby as she tried to make the best of a bad situation; tried to solve her own problem.

Seth became a self-made man, becoming successful in spite of his dad’s mistreatment of him during his childhood. His dad, the duke, thought him an imbecile even though all Seth needed was glasses. The duke made Seth’s life miserable.

I loved the first portion of this book and the instant connection between Ruby and Seth; Ruby’s care for the duke and her desire for Seth to find his place in the world once the duke passed. What did not make sense was the rest of the book.

With Seth having been so successful with his father’s business, he should have continued to be his own man and be able to find his way in London without needing to grab hold of the Countess’s skirt to be successful. Wimp.

I will add that Seth’s relationship with Beatrice makes me question his true feelings for Ruby. Early in the book was mention of how he had not been with a woman for some time. Now he decides his relationship/sleeping with Beatrice is necessary to getting accepted by London society? In addition, he takes Ruby to task when she comes to London to see him! “it was never a serious attachment between us,” does not ‘fix’ it for me. And, I was even more disgusted by Ruby thanking the countess – puke!

I think it best if I not include all of this in my review.

Romantic and intriguing, this novel is a little different from many others from the same period. I found the Duke of Auchen's actions inconceivable and unexpected, making him a very complicated man. Nevertheless, they resulted in Ruby being hired on as his nurse and drew on Seth's inner reserves to hold onto his patience under the barrage of abuse, thus bringing the main characters together with a common goal. Sidelined and denigrated, Seth has earned the respect of all those who have come to know him, earning their loyalty and their love. Roddy McClane, his closest friend, and man of business brings light and humor into the plot, as well as perspective when Seth most needs it. Nursing his disgruntled father, Ruby has more patience and understanding than most women put in her situation, but that does not help her fulfill her own quest. The novel traverses the road between Glasgow and London as Ruby searches for clues regarding the contract between her father and the Duke, bringing a number of unexpected surprises. This romance is generally well written and comes to a sweet and successful conclusion. I received a copy of this book as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

This book has the best of both worlds, Scotland and a London season! Of course a bunch of fashion too, from making fabric to dress designs.

I liked how both Ruby and Seth found their romance in a somewhat unconventional way. Seth spent time trying to understand his unkind dying father while Ruby posed as his father's nurse to right a wrong against her late father and family. Both of their humble beginnings made navigating society quite entertaining.

The fabric making/engineering, ribbon, and dresses was what gave this book that little bit extra! A wonderful historical romance!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy of this ARC for an honest review.

Delightfully enchanting! This author has a way of weaving a very believable tale of misunderstandings, painful parenting skills and HEA. The characters are well developed, each one growing through the story of revenge, lack of trust and growth in their new positions. Some parts are sad, but the end is beautiful and sweet. This is a very original story and one that will not disappoint

Lady Ruby McAllister is disappointed with the remains of her inheritance after the death of her father. There may be a way to save her home if the papers she holds are what they seem.

Seth Musgrave has been belittled and insulted by his father the Duke of Auchen nearly all his life, because of his weakness. He has struggled to prove himself as a man of worth. Now there's not much time left.

This is a very unusual historical romance. It starts with lies, hate and a bitter lonely old man. It turns into an emotional journey where all our characters learn what is really important and who they really are.

Our heroine definitely has a lot of common sense.

A very good read.

Ruby McAllister has been left in debt, after her father died, she’s lost her family home Strathaird. Whilst sorting her father’s papers she found an agreement between her father & the Duke of Auchen for one-third share in a successful Scottish textile mill. So Ruby travels from Glasgow to London & when arriving at the Duke’s home is mistaken for a nurse. William Musgrave, Duke of Auchen, is dying. Then Seth Musgrave, the duke's estranged son arrives, he despises his father for deriding him as an imbecile. In truth, Seth is the driving force behind his father's successful weaving enterprise.
Seth & Ruby are immediately attracted to each other but can love grow out of hatred.
The start of a new series & I found myself routing for Seth & Ruby all the way through. A well written book with strong characters & a story that flowed well. I loved both Seth & Ruby, he was sent to work in the family’s mill as a boy because his horrid father thought him an imbecile, where in fact Seth was anything but. Ruby was feisty, caring & believed her father’s invention had been used for years. Their road to a HEA wasn’t easy but it did make for an interesting, engrossing read. I look forward to the rest of the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read