How the Duke Was Won: The Disgraceful Dukes

Known commonly as "His Disgrace," James, Duke of Harland seeks a reputable, proper, well-bred Lady to wed to rehabilitate his reputation in England, smooth the way for a few Parliamentary reforms, and bear his children. Having loved and lost before, he guards his heart carefully and wants his marriage to resemble a harmonious business partnership, with a wife everyone will publicly respect and that he can privately forget, particularly as he plans to return to his cocoa plantation in Trinidad as soon as he can beget an heir, and he plans to return to England only for the purpose of siring spares and settling business affairs. To secure this paragon of virtue and respectability, the Duke issues invitations to 4 prospective brides who meet his requirements on paper to visit his estate with their mothers for an audition of sorts so he can select one to marry. Eager to land a Duke for their daughters, all 4 mothers throw their daughters into the fray. But Lady Desmond's daughter Dorothea is in Italy at the time of,the Duke's summons. Refusing to allow Dorothea to miss out on the opportunity to land a Duke, Lady Desmond recruits Dorothea's half-sister, Charlene, the illegitimate daughter born in a brothel, to impersonate Dorothea in her absence. Wanting to escape the clutches of a cruel predator who seeks to brand her and her sister and use the, as sex slaves, the still virginal Charlene agrees to,the ruse to earn the money she would need to,close the brothel and set up a legitimate bording house and set her sister up with an artist's apprenticeship. But will a girl who is basically a housekeeper in a brothel be able to capture a duke? Will he believe the ruse? What of their hearts? The basic story progresses along predictable lines, but the anecdotal incidents are amusing enough to keep the story interesting. This was a quick read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I am looking forward to more "Disgraceful Dukes" novels in the future.

Couldnt put it down. Great main characters, sexy and inventive plot progression, no tired contrived scenes... I can't wait to read her next book.

Reading and reviewing so many books makes you wonder sometimes if you’re becoming jaded, blasé, and then you come across a glittering, sparkling jewel like HOW THE DUKE WAS WON, and everything is right with the world again. James, Duke of Harland, had never given marriage a single thought until his father and brother died in an unfortunate accident. James, “His Disgrace” must choose a bride of impeccable breeding to offset everything he is not. James had been abroad for ten years, roaming the world and overseeing his cocoa plantations in Trinidad and Venezuela; he doesn’t even care about behaving like a proper duke, that is, like his late father. So he decided to send invitations to the four most promising candidates and over three days, choose one for a bride. Then he will sire an heir and go back to the West Indies. No love, no lust will be involved, it’s a business transaction like any other. One of those ladies is Lady Dorothea Beaumont, unfortunately she is in Italy, but her mother knows of her illegitimate half-sister, Charlene Beckett. Charlene’s mother owns a bawdy house and trained Charlene to be a courtesan, however Charlene refused: she’s rather do the ladies’ washing than prostitute herself. The Becketts are indebted to a Lord Grant who had loaned Charlene’s mother money to make a go of her bordello, and now he wants his money back, but there is no money. If there is no money to be had, he will take Charlene or worse her fourteen year-old sister Luisa. When Dorothea’s mother, Lady Desmond, comes to Charlene to ask her to pose as Dorothea, Charlene hesitates, but she and Dorothea could pass as twins and the money Lady Desmond will give Charlene will solve all her problems. The only thing she has to do is seduce the Duke of Harland so he asks Dorothea’s hand in marriage. I read the blurb, and I thought HOW THE DUKE WAS WON sounded entertaining and fun, but only saying this would do such a phenomenal book a disservice. The premise sounded a tad shaky, but it is not at all: the whole plot is airtight. Ms. Bell has woven an extraordinary story where I laughed myself silly at the beginning: there are hilarious episodes, very witty dialogue, and I have seldom seen a cast of equally fabulous characters. I am not even going to reveal hints of spoilers, but Charlene can take care of herself in spectacular fashion; she’s extremely clever and dedicated to helping the downtrodden and abused, as best as she can. James is nothing like your average reprobate duke; he even has a broken nose! He’s an extremely complex fellow, a true eccentric, and he is absolutely wonderful; I adored both Charlene and James. Ms. Bell’s exceptional attention to historical detail makes, what might have started as an outrageous romp, an intriguing look into every level of Regency society, and somehow I had the feeling that things that might first appear as ridiculous were most likely how it happened in real life. HOW THE DUKE WAS WON is very fast-paced, and I read it in one sitting, because no way was I going to put that book down! The writing is impeccable and eloquent, the dialogues simply scrumptious, the romance entirely believable and positively divine. I also loved reading about everything that had to do with cocoa and chocolate; Lenora Bell certainly did her homework! I had no idea how the story would end, given a few stunning plot twists, and I read with bated breath, while I wiped a tear or two. HOW THE DUKE WAS WON is enthralling, seductive, and genuinely charming; I cannot wait for the next instalments – plural I hope! Lenora Bell is a true star: Brava! I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.