My Once and Future Duke by Caroline Linden

This book has a fantastic beginning. It starts off with a bang and continues on from there, taking the reader on a marvelously romantic adventure of high-stakes card play where the ultimate prize is love.

Ever since being orphaned and then abandoned at a boarding school for girls by her awful uncle, Sophie Campbell has known she would have to rely on herself to get by in the world. But becoming a teacher or a governess doesn't appeal and neither does being a mistress. Instead, Sophie chooses to rely on the gambling skills her father once taught her and after finishing school, she heads off to London to make her fortune. Her goal is four thousand pounds - enough to attract a gentleman suitor, she hopes, and gain the security and comfort of a respectable marriage. But when the Duke of Ware goads her one evening, she forgets her principles for a moment and makes the biggest mistake of her life - a mistake that promises to become the best decision ever.

When Jack Lindeville, Duke of Ware, arrives at the Vega club to pay his brother's debt, he is incensed at discovering said brother is gambling away additional funds. But when he sees the woman against whom his brother is playing, Jack finds himself not only transfixed but inexplicably jealous, and in a moment of utter madness, he wagers with her himself: five thousand pounds against one week of her company. The scandal promises to be ruinous, especially for her, and with Jack's abysmal luck so far, he's sure he stands no chance. But then he wins and his world is turned upside down, because the more time he spends with Sophie Campbell, the more desperate he becomes for her company and for the prospect of  uncovering the truth about this woman whose secrets run deeper than the English Channel.

Splendidly written with wonderful character development, dialogue and wit, this story will keep readers turning the pages late into the night. A story I highly recommend and know fans of historical romance are bound to enjoy.

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She was looking for inspiration…

When historical romance author Jane Edwards goes to England on a research trip, she doesn’t expect to travel two hundred years into the past. She also doesn’t expect to be accused of murdering the Earl of Camden’s sister. Presented with few choices, Jane decides the best course of action is to help Camden find the real killer. But the more time she spends in his company, the more she falls for the dashing earl, and the more she hopes for a life with him by her side.

And found love in the most impossible place.

James Sullivan, Earl of Camden, is convinced Jane had something to do with his sister’s murder. Until he learns she lacked the ability to accomplish the feat. Still, her explanation about stopping by his home in the middle of a rainstorm to seek employment, doesn’t add up. And yet, when he offers her the position she supposedly seeks, he discovers the smart resourceful woman she is. Which makes him wonder if marrying his new maid, might be worth the risk of scandal.

He was only supposed to keep an eye on his friend’s sister . . . now he’s about to lose his heart . . .

When Thomas Heathmore, Duke of Coventry, agrees to steer his friend’s inexperienced younger sister through society, he doesn’t expect the lady in question to be so infernally stubborn. Amelia Matthews seems to have little interest in balls or suitors at all. Instead, she intends to open a school, and against his better instincts, Thomas offers to help. Yet somewhere along the line, Amelia ceases to be a simple responsibility . . . and becomes an undeniable temptation.

Since her brother inherited a dukedom, Amelia’s prospects have transformed. But though she’s long been secretly infatuated with Thomas, she refuses to heed the arrogant aristocrat’s advice. If only it were as easy to ignore his heated touch. And as Amelia soon learns, the ton is a minefield, where one moment’s indiscretion can unleash a scandal—or entice her to surrender everything to the duke of her desire . . .

What happens at the infamous Vega Club . . .

Sophie Campbell is determined to be mistress of her own fate. Surviving on her skill at cards, she never risks what she can’t afford to lose. Yet when the Duke of Ware proposes a scandalous wager that’s too extravagant to refuse, she can’t resist. If she wins, she’ll get five thousand pounds, enough to secure her independence forever.

Stays at the Vega Club . . .

Jack Lindeville, Duke of Ware, tells himself he’s at the Vega Club merely to save his reckless brother from losing everything, but he knows it’s a lie. He can’t keep his eyes off Sophie, and to get her he breaks his ironclad rule against gambling. If he wins, he wants her—for a week.

Until now.

A week with Jack could ruin what’s left of Sophie’s reputation. It might even cost her her heart. But when it comes to love, all bets are off . . .