Renowned for his bedchamber prowess, Ransom Seymour, The Duke of Ainsley, owes a debt to a friend. But the payment expected is most shocking, even to an unrepentant rake – for he’s being asked to provide his friend’s exquisite wife with what she most dearly covets: a child.
Lady Jayne Seymour, Marchioness of Walfort, is furious that such a scandalous agreement would be made. If she acquiesces, there must be rules: no kissing… and, certainly, no pleasure.
But unexpected things occur with the surprisingly tender duke – especially once Lady Jayne discovers the rogue can make her dream again… and Ransom realizes he’s found the one woman he truly cannot live without.
My Sister and I were quite excited to read this Waking Up With The Duke by Lorraine Heath. I was most delighted with the plot as it’s not often an author presents a historical romance I haven’t read a hundred times before. Ms. Heath had me enthralled, waiting to find out how our hero and heroine would manage to get together by the end. Ultimately, the resolution was one I saw coming, as will any reader of romance since we all know there must be the happy ending, but the story was told with aplomb.
The third in the London’s Greatest Lovers trilogy, Waking Up With The Duke is a excellent read. Ms. Heath establishes an emotional story with characters a reader roots for to find that happily ever after even when it seems darn near impossible. Unfortunately, even after Ms. Heath tries to forgive Walfort, our heroine’s husband, he is still a seriously flawed man, an entirely unredeemable character. It bothered me that Jayne and Ainsley still considered his wishes and desires when he never once considered either of theirs.
Consequently, the last third of the story dragged a bit for this reader. I would have like to have Jayne come to the inevitable conclusion faster rather than beleaguer the point of her shattered trust. It wasn’t really the trust in our hero that was in jeopardy anyway, but that of her cad of a husband.
I would easily recommend the book to someone looking for a sexy, emotional read. The sex scenes are hot and the love story is a sweet ride. The flirty banter is fun to read and her characters are endearing.
Waking Up With The Duke
Lorraine Heath
Avon July 2011
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