A Duchess on the Run

Ellis was running away from a villain with deadly intent when she stumbled upon Owen’s house. He would provide her shelter, and she would steal his heart. However, Ellis had secrets that could get in the way of their happiness.

Owen is an artist, and he thinks that Ellis would make an excellent model for his paintings. Ellis agrees to be painted. Owen finds himself falling in love with her, but experience with past models has taught him not to trust. Ellis has secrets, and she is not sharing. When will Ellis trust Owen with her secrets? Without that trust, it will be difficult for them to find happiness. What about the villain that was chasing her? Can she find a way to squash the cad?

I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to those who like historical romance. I look forward to reading the next book.

Tempting the Duchess by Sara Bennett is a new author for me. We meet Ellis Mallory who is running away from the new Duke of Breamore, who is the cousin of her recently deceased husband, Elijah. He left her one of the properties upon his death as a promise to take care of her when he passes on. Unfortunately, his cousin is of the opinion that Ellis does not deserve this either and wants to cease the property by proposing marriage to her. When she rejects him, he proceeds to try to kill her!

Ellis runs away, right into the "arms of Owen who happens to be an artist who draws the semi clothed and naked bodies of women and there is a demand for this. Unfortunately, as his last muse decided to leave for greener pastures, Ellis' appearance is timely. Also, Owen was sweet enough to protect her and give Ellis refuge from her husband's cousin.

A nice story that I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend. I received an ARC from the publishers and NetGalley and submit my review voluntarily.

Ellis Mallory, Dowager Duchess of Breamore, is running for her life. Now a widow, her husband's cousin wants the unentailed property and money she inherited from her husband. Finding refuge at Hawthorne Lodge, she consents to be the model of Viscount Hawthorne's nephew, the artist Owen, Lord Lyndhurst. He needs a new model for his new book, but these drawings are very intimate. Ellis readily agrees and an unexpected love story begins. The plot falls in place much smoother than I expected. Very hot with descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Widowed duchess Ellis is running away from her late husband’s cruel cousin and takes refuge in a cottage in the woods. There, she finds artist and lord Owen, who is willing to take in and protect the stranger. Ellis does not disclose who she truly is for fear of being turned over to the cousin, but she’s happy to serve as a model for Owen’s work while she’s there. Owen specializes in erotic drawings for a salacious publication and tries his very best to be professional with his model, though he’s very tempted by Ellis’ beauty and charm. It’s a fairly quick and steamy novella here that’s an easy read.

My first time reading this author. I would have appreciated in the general description the disclosure of the LGBQ content, which was light and part of the sub characters in the story. It did not interfere with my enjoyment of the story.
An exciting yet terrifying beginning brings Ellis and Owen together and from there a flicker of a flame begins and this
romance story takes off into a deeply emotionally charged love story. Some of the artist scenes are heartfelt and sensual which made this a very enjoyable read.
This is a charming story with charismatic characters that captured my heart as they discover love and try to hold on to it

Tempting the Duchess by Sara Bennett is a different kind of story. It is about a duchess with a marriage in name only. She was good friends with her husband, and with his lover, Elijah. Then, he suddenly died, believing that his loyal wife was taken care of. His monstrous cousin paid the man of business more than the duke had and was making every effort to take more than his due. She was frightened, so she ran. He chased her and her carriage overturned. Her loyal driver instructed her to run, so she did. She ran all through the forest, losing a shoe and ripping her clothing. Her hair was a mess. Then she came upon a small manor house and knocked. No answer. She tried again. Finally a man answered. He didn’t really know what to do so he encouraged her to sleep until his housekeeper returned to take her in hand. He hid her when searchers came knocking. It got complicated.

Owen was an artist. He had published books full of pictures of beautiful women in provocative poses. He was taken immediately by Ellis’ beauty. Eventually she posed for him. It was his best work, ever. He was heir to his uncle, who was a viscount. His uncle didn’t really understand him, but allowed him to live privately. His uncle recognized Ellis immediately as the Dowager Duchess. Then she had to tell her story, most of it. This was a very unlikely tome. The characters were rich and well written. The story was provocative. The lives of others were as off the grid as Ellis’ had been. It was entertaining to the max. Thanks, Sara Bennett, for a thought-provoking story, despite it reflecting modern thought rather than period thought.

I was invited to read Tempting the Duchess by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #SaraBennett #TemptingTheDuchess

Sara Bennett’s *Tempting the Duchess* is a captivating historical romance that weaves together passion, intrigue, and redemption. This novel, set in the Regency era, delivers a delightful blend of complex characters and a story that keeps you turning the pages.

**What I Loved:**

- **Engaging Protagonists:** The heart of *Tempting the Duchess* lies in its compelling leads—Madeline, the fallen Duchess with a past shrouded in scandal, and the enigmatic Lord Gabriel who re-enters her life under mysterious circumstances. Bennett does a fantastic job of developing these characters, making their emotional journey believable and relatable. Madeline is strong yet vulnerable, while Gabriel’s protective and determined nature complements her perfectly. Their chemistry is palpable from the start, creating a romantic tension that draws the reader in.

- **A Story of Redemption:** One of the novel's strongest elements is its theme of redemption. Both protagonists are dealing with the consequences of their past decisions, and their journey towards forgiveness—both of themselves and each other—is deeply satisfying. Bennett explores these themes with sensitivity, adding depth to what could have been a standard historical romance.

- **Atmospheric Setting:** Bennett’s depiction of the Regency period is vivid and immersive. From the opulent ballrooms to the secluded countryside estates, the setting feels authentic and enhances the overall mood of the story. The attention to detail in the descriptions of the period’s social customs and fashion adds an extra layer of enjoyment for fans of historical fiction.

**What Could Have Been Better:**

- **Pacing:** While the story is engaging, the pacing is uneven in places. The beginning and the climax are well-paced, but there are moments in the middle where the story seems to slow down. This dip in momentum might cause some readers to lose focus, although the well-crafted characters and overarching plot do pull you back in.

- **Predictability:** Although the novel offers a satisfying romantic arc, some of the plot twists are somewhat predictable, especially for seasoned readers of the genre. However, Bennett’s skillful writing and the depth of her characters more than make up for any predictability.

**Favorite Quote:**

One line that stood out was when Gabriel reflects on his feelings for Madeline: *“I thought I could live without her, bury the memories of her, but every day without Madeline felt like a slow death. She is the one light in my dark world.”* This quote perfectly captures the intensity of their relationship and the depth of Gabriel's emotions.

**Conclusion:**

*Tempting the Duchess* is a richly woven tale of love, loss, and the power of second chances. Sara Bennett has crafted a story that resonates with emotion and romance, making it a must-read for fans of the genre. While it’s not without its minor flaws, the novel’s strengths far outweigh them, delivering a reading experience that is both satisfying and memorable.

Whether you're a long-time fan of historical romance or new to the genre, *Tempting the Duchess* is sure to tempt you with its engaging characters and touching love story.

---
4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📚Disclosure: I received a review copy of this #book from Dragonblade Publishing via #Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, comments, and interpretations of the story are my own and bias free. I did not receive any money in exchange for this review. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to review. 🦄 @dragonbladepub
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Widow Ellis is afraid for her life so she runs far and fast. Owen is a Lord in need of a model for his paintings. The two must overcome parts of their pasts if they ever want to move forward. A fast paced story with secrets, suspense and more. There is a part that deals with LGBT which while it doesn't take away from the story, I would have preferred not to have read or at least been aware of prior to obtaining the book. Overall a good story.

Great quick read. I liked the use of the artist and his muse trope. In typical historical romance fashion we fist meet our heroine as she’s running for her life. While the whole idea of just offing someone that’s standing in the way of what someone wants but doesn’t deserve is very common in this genre I personally find it requires a but or a suspension of disbelief. I liked Owen as a male lead. I thought the authors portrayal of same sex couples at the time was pretty realistic.

I selected this from the catalog because scandalous artistic sessions are one of my favorite tropes to read. Owen was a darling Welsh member of the gentry who sketched scantily clad women. He was an absolute sweetheart of a hero who was kind, patient, and courteous to the heroine. He also had his blood divided into both quadrants of his body during the entire book, but nothing wrong with that in a romance. He wanted to draw Ellis like one of his French girls and she was more than happy to oblige.

My only beef was the heavy emphasis of the side characters. They received way more page time than our main couple. It didn't bother me that much that they were queer couples, but I'm reading about the artist's muse, not the cook philandering with the housekeeper. Plus, it made me sad that the heroine was willing to be in a sham marriage for 5 years for the sake of her closeted older husband. Perhaps there are readers who enjoy these plotlines or relate to them more, but I am not part of that target audience. Despite my discomfort and minor frustration, Owen more than made up for it with his abundant charm.

This was my first book by Sara Bennett and unfortunately also my last. I can somewhat appreciate her attempt to add some modernism and diversity to a historical setting, but it didn't work for me. Owen was a wonderful hero, but he alone couldn't turn this mediocre book into a marvelous one. This was the second entry in the Disgraceful Duchesses series but I don't believe I can withstand anymore impropriety!

Suspenseful and romantic, this fast-paced novel keeps one glued to the pages as Ellis flees for her life after the death of her husband. Evading capture she finds herself on the doorstep of Lord Lyndhurst who keeps her safe, even when her pursuers are pounding on the door of his home. As fond as Ellis is of her late husband, she nevertheless longs to be seen as an attractive woman and would love to know the secrets of pleasure before it is too late. Owen is immediately taken with Ellis and feels a resurgence of his artistic inspiration which has been dwindling. He is surprised at her immediate acceptance to pose for him but is even more surprised when he discovers how innocent she is. Owen knows that Ellis is keeping secrets, but a surprise visitor reveals the truth and they know it is time to take action against the perpetrator. The novel is a standalone and comes to a lovely conclusion. I received a copy of this romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Ellis has been living the quiet life of a Duchess for five years when the death of the Duke, her protector, causes her to go on the run for her safety.
She ends up in the home of Owen who is an artist living in the country.
Secrets are kept and their lives change as she becomes his model and muse.
Love grows but it is not easy and her life is still in danger.
An entertaining read with a couple of light steamy scenes.

Secrets, Inheritance, Discovering Love:
My first time reading this author. I would have appreciated in the general description the disclosure of the LGBQ content, which was light and part of the sub characters in the story. It did not interfere with my enjoyment of the story.
An exciting yet terrifying beginning brings Ellis and Owen together and from there a flicker of a flame begins and this
romance story takes off into a deeply emotionally charged love story. Some of the artist scenes are heartfelt and sensual which made this a very enjoyable read.
This is a charming story with charismatic characters that captured my heart as they discover love and try to hold on to it
 💋Adult Advisory🔥+

When Owen sees a bedraggled Ellis at his door seeking shelter he knows that he must draw this beautiful woman. Widowed Ellis, feeling she is safe from her deceased husband’s nefarious cousin, begins to acknowledge her attraction to Owen. Can they survive all of her secrets? I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

Tropes: false identity; MMC is an artist; fake engagement
Steam level:3

2.25 stars due the decent editing. I read a book by this author about a year ago that I thought was good, but this one was disappointing. The characters were one-dimensional and emotionally shallow, there was a lot of telling instead of showing (in the first half especially), and there were so many scenes throughout where the reader had to suspend disbelief. I really had a hard time believing the MFC was a virginal duchess, and the whole idea of naughty pictures of her ever being marketed to the public is probably the most unbelievable idea of all. I will say that the premise was unique, and I liked how the MMC was portrayed at the beginning, when he seemed slightly quirky, but it all ended up being cookie cutter HR stuff by the end.