Rose tinted love at first sight romance with a dash of mystery!

I've been really enjoying this series, the first with its reminiscence of The lady Vanishes still far surpassing the rest for me for drama, developing romantic tension, thrilling clue finding mystery and awe inspiring backdrop. In comparison, DEFENDED BY A DUKE falls more into the cute, sunshine and roses category with a fun dash of threat laced mystery to heat up the pot and add an element of risk fueled suspense.
Bound by admiration and a deep mutual desire for political reform, with views that so perfectly mirror each others, Richard and Emily quickly jump into marriage only to be wrong footed on their wedding night as her beloved cousin (Devere) is critically wounded in a home invasion. The effervescent glow of blissful connection and love is quickly tarnished by secrets as Richard is forced to jeopardise his happiness for the greater good in order to uphold a promise made to Devere. To clandestinely investigate a dodgey money making scheme.
Despite really liking Richard and Emily as individuals, I found the speedy love at first sight romance ironically rather too stretched out at the beginning for me...a little too much lovely-dovey to bear. So, thank goodness for the intrigue introduced surrounding the attempted murder of her cousin which really shifted the tale up a gear and provided the greatest degree of draw and entertainment for me. Plunging a spot of uncertainty into the perfection of their match as Richard shines with this overriding need to protect, the frustrations of wanting so desperately to be with his wife - to explore the desire and passion bubbling between them - while having to contend with seeing his beloved dejected from having to keep her in the dark as danger emerges ever closer. Adding a fun, I-refuse-to-sit-back, go-get-them layer to Emily that glows with the innocence of her youth and a need to protect what's most important to her...her husband.
Acculminating to make this a sweet addition to the series and an entertaining quick read!

Politics and the duke...

Richard, the Duke of Bentley is happy to be a bachelor since no debutante has captured his interest with her intelligence. Until Emily Beresford. She's very young (he's thirty) and is passionate about the same plights as he, fair wages, child labor and such. Its low angst when they met, but for Richard being asked to serve and Emily doing her own bit for family. So, there's plenty of politics and action in the back half of this novella.
Recommend.

4.4 Stars
On the day he marries Emily Beresford, the woman of his dreams, Richard Harwood, the 6th Duke of Bentley, is summoned by Lord Devere, his wife’s cousin, who has been gravely injured & who believes the attempt on his life is tied to his fledgling investigation into a potential stock fraud endorsed by men at the highest levels of government. If the stock scheme is as corrupt as the cousin suspects, it could bankrupt the kingdom. The Duke of Bentley is taxed with determining the legitimacy of the stock offering. But he must tell no one of his suspicions, not even his bride. From the moment they met, the two have been hopelessly in love. So why does this man she adores abandon her on their wedding night?
The sixth book in the series & it could be read on its own. I really liked both Richard & Emily who both fell hard & fast for each other & things go swimmingly until their wedding day when Richard agrees to help Devere. The chemistry between the couple sizzles but when Richard has to spend time investigating the scheme & trying to find who attempted to murder Devere Emily starts to be plagued by doubts. A well written romance with more than a dash of mystery & intrigue. I was drawn in from the beginning & devoured it in a sitting
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Defended by a Duke is the sixth book in The Beresford Adventures.

Richard Bentley is a reformed bachelor since not having met anything but emptyheaded misses. That is until he overhears Emily speaking about helping others. He is immediately smitten and worms his way for an introduction. Emily is also taken by his reputation and good looks; she is easily tempted to by his invitation to peruse his library. Their speedy romance and wedding come to an abrupt stop when her cousin is injured in a home robbery.

Richard is sworn to secrecy to solve the mystery of who attempted to kill Devere. As he does so Emily's curiosity gets the better of herself and she is abducted while trying the help also. Richard will have to use all of his resources to find Emily.

This is a very fast enjoyable afternoon read. It mostly focuses on their very quick romance and then turns to a shady scheme for the wealthy to invest in.

Romance begins at the first meeting of the minds between Emily and the Duke. He overhears her philosophy on politics which matches his own but then meets this beautiful young woman whose heart matches her mind.
The relationship quickly escalates to marriage but the Duke becomes involved in secretive endeavors that threatens their marriage. Emily is determined their love will find a way and she will support his efforts.
They go through trials that test their resolve threatening their marriage and lives.
Another addition to the Beresford adventures with characters from previous books make this a “don’t miss it” read.
Enjoyed their journey.

With some Three dozen Regency romances under her belt, Cheryl Bolen has made the short, breezy read a specialty. Defended by a Duke is Book 6 in her Beresford Adventures and follows the same entertaining formula as the rest of the series, blending a fast-moving romance with an element of intrigue/crime that raises the stakes for the MCs.

Hero, Richard Harwood is a reform-minded Whig who sees himself as “too entrenched in his bachelorhood to ever wed.” As the Duke of Bentley, he is a matrimonial trophy beset by unwanted ball invitations and bored with the social scene. His friend Lord Devere snared the only bride worth having, Bentley decides with chagrin, just moments before he encounters Devere’s spirited cousin, Emily Beresford.

Dual viewpoint reveals them instantly smitten. For Emily, the duke is “The One.” Wealth and rank aside, his heartthrob looks, powerful muscularity, and reputation for treating his servants like human beings are a winning combo. While she is used to hearing her looks described as “wholesome,” to Bentley, she is “The Stunner.” Smart, beautiful, and on the same page as him about social issues. A day later, they are driving in Hyde Park and the romance is heating up with a physicality that foreshadows the more explicit love-making readers expect of Ms. Bolen's books.

Along with their sexual chemistry, they discover a shared interest in utilitarianism and progressive causes. What’s not to love?

Just when it seems their future together is secure, a murder attempt on Lord Devere ruins what should have been a blissful honeymoon. There unfolds an intrigue plot centered on a stock swindle, which Bentley starts investigating. Uncertain of herself and worried about her new marriage, Emily turns from a smart, strong woman into a weeping, whiny, mistrustful wife who then becomes embroiled and endangered as she tries to keep tabs on her husband.

Character development is not a strength of this short novel, but as entertainment, Bentley and Emily make for an attractive couple. MCs from the other stories in the series play support roles in this one, which is a plus for readers who enjoyed their stories. The politics of the time are a theme, more so than in other titles in the series. And because the romance had developed so fast and the intrigue plot spanned two thirds of the book, I felt that Emily and Bentley's story was short-changed. However, that's a matter of personal taste. Readers who enjoy intrigue and adventure may be appreciate the mix. 

The unrealistic abundance of dukes in Regency romances is a cringe-factor for me, but it’s a popular trope and I can’t fault any author for pleasing her readers.  While the Regency setting is a backdrop, not a major element, it is well handled. Ms. Bolen is a seasoned professional who has done her research.

Comparing apples with apples, in the sensual historical romance sub-genre, Defended by a Duke earns 3.25 stars from us.

We thank the author, Dragonblade Publishing, and NetGalley for an advance copy of Defended by a Duke. Cover image courtesy of © Dragonblade Publishing, 2023. Review by Pam Baker © 2023 The Regency Chronicle.

I remember really enjoying the first Beresford Adventure and I was happy to get this opportunity to revisit the series. I was expecting to read about some fun husband and wife sleuthing. For the most part, that's what the book is like. Unfortunately, the first third of the book felt very political. Apparently, Richard and Emily were initially attracted to one another due to their similar progressive beliefs. Richard was a Whig and he was very active in Parliament. While I did find some of what was written to be educational, I didn't want it in a HR novel. I think that these novels should be an escape, so the evils of the aristocracy and the plight of the lower classes isn't really my thing. Thankfully, once the lackluster courtship ended, the actual story began.
The action takes off on Richard and Emily's wedding day. The plot was fairly simple and entertaining. The couples from the previous books act as the supporting characters. I was thinking that this book was going to be the last of the series because, due to the political filler, it felt a bit light on the plot. However, the fact that Emily's brother had not yet married was mentioned. While I did enjoy reading this book, I feel that it would have been better presented in a novella format with a condensed beginning.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest review.

Brilliant read. Great storyline by this author. The characters captivate you and draw you in to understand their complex personalities.