Once Upon A Duke
The Duke Series
by Sandra Masters
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Pub Date Jul 24 2015 | Archive Date Sep 02 2018
The Wild Rose Press, Inc. | Tea Rose
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Description
Serena, an artist and widow, has no desire for another
husband. When she meets Geoffrey Austen, attraction sizzles to a scorch. Stolen
days and nights ignite forbidden passion. Geoffrey asks Serena to be his mistress,
but she wants commitment, love, and marriage, not an affair with a notorious
rake.
Geoffrey realizes Serena might be the one woman who can care for his tortured
soul, and maybe release his demons. The magic they shared is shattered when he
learns she has been forced into an engagement with another. He vows to save her
even at the cost of his own life.
Will Geoffrey’s gallantry prove he truly loves Serena?
If he survives, will Serena surrender all to him?
Advance Praise
“I so enjoyed ONCE UPON A DUKE. The author’s clever, witty repartee pulled me into the story and made me root for these two dynamic characters. A delightful debut novel!”
Debra Salonen, author of Montana Cowboy
“(Sandra,) your characters are worthy and the plot is creative and interesting. You have the story teller’s gift of hinting at disasters ahead which made me keep turning the pages.” ONCE UPON A DUKE
Sarah Richmond, author of Mexican Sage
Cold Coffee
5.0 out of 5 stars Regency Romance at its best!
October 7, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
Bring regency romance into your life with Once Upon a Duke.
Each book in the Duke Series stands alone for your reading pleasure.
Warm, realistic characters in book one bring the reader back to London 1817.
Lady Serena Worthington Durand is a strong independent woman ahead of her time,
but she faces demons from the past. I quote: “If Lady Serena could be granted
one wish, she would ride off into the morning mist and vanish. That, of course
wasn’t possible, but here in her favorite lakeside retreat, she could relax in
safety.”
Legendary Duke of Sutton, Geoffrey Austen has a chance encounter with Lady
Serena and I quote: “Allow me to introduce myself, Lord Geoffrey Austen, at
your service.” He swept off his hat and bowed. “I am Henry Worthington’s
hunting guest for the week.”
More than a romance story, it is an adventure that will make your heart pound,
your emotions run wild and your spirit soar.
The combination of remarkable storytelling, easy going to face paced reading,
true to time period dialog and settings along with extensive research by Author
Sandra Masters engages the reader in the life and times of Lady Serena
Worthington Durand.
I invite you to light a fire, pour a glass of red wine (Sandra Masters would
join you in the wine, but hers would be a white fruity glass) and relax with
romance as it should be. Author Sandra Masters states it best: “Every woman
should have a divinely decadent Duke in her life.”
Cold Coffee Press endorses Once Upon a Duke by Sandra Masters as a true Regency
Romance that will leave you wanting more. We reviewed this book from Kindle/PDF
format. The review was completed on October 7, 2015.
By Swedenmom on February 8, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition
A definite buy buy buy
buy buy book! I am so thrilled to have read this novel. It is such a great
read! I was impressed by the story. It was not all about sex. BUT it has love,
life, laughter, joy, sorrow. It has crime and most of all heart! The author
does a great job with all the characters and shows truly gifted talent in the
tale. I so enjoyed it that I had a very difficult time taking a break to do my
own work. Each time I returned to my reading, I was engrossed immediately in
the story as well as being totally unaware of anything around me! So if you
want a great read look no further!
I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna Swedenmom
Reviewed By Kathryn Bennett for Readers' Favorite 07/11/2016
5 STARS
Once Upon a Duke by Sandra Masters introduces us to a widow, Serena, who has no
desire to remarry. When she meets the dashing Geoffrey Austen, there is no
denying the hot attraction between them. This attraction soon ignites into a
forbidden passion, and Geoffrey wants to make Serena his mistress. However, she
wants more substantial things like love and marriage, not being the mistress of
a known rake. Things come to ahead for them when the lovers are faced with Serena
being forced into an engagement. Will Geoffrey put aside the label of rake and
be gallant for his lady? Will it even end happily ever after?
This is a classic historical romance and really an enjoyable one. While the
formula is familiar, the characters are unique and interesting and seem to jump
off the page. I love a good Regency romance and Sandra Masters has ticked all
of my boxes with Once Upon a Duke. You get a little bit of everything from
passion to scandal and, of course, love. I will not spoil the story and tell
you what becomes of our lovers, Serena and her Duke, but it is truly a riveting
and enjoyable journey. If you want a fast read that is going to entertain you
from page one to the end, this is the book for you. This story may be a historical
romance, but it has intrigue and adventure woven right into the plot as well,
making it just the best kind of guilty pleasure.
Once Upon a Duke is sure to make your heart flutter, your belly get butterflies, and your palms itch to clutch the shirt of a Duke of your very own. Sandra Masters has managed to create a read that titillates, but doesn't put all the goods on display right away. You've got to EARN your romance here and boy is it worth it!
ONCE UPON A DUKE by Sandra Masters. Serena is clear-minded in a way that many Regency beauties aren't. She's been around the block a bit (not in that way!), but her experiences being widowed and working as an artist have only tempered this steely woman into a strong and spicy heroine instead of beating her down into submission. Geoffrey is the quintessential rake and heart-throb. He's a breaker of hearts, but might have just found the one woman who could put his own heart at risk. I enjoyed the couple's interplay and banter, as well as their struggle to be together. This book isn't going to revolutionize Regency, but it will entertain and dazzle.
Katelyn Hensel for Readers Favorite Five Star Review
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9781509202331 |
| PRICE | $2.99 (USD) |
Links
Featured Reviews
Marie A, Reviewer
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.
Peggy C, Reviewer
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.
Reviewer 448609
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.
Lori D, Reviewer
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.
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