9
Jun142010
BOOK REVIEW: ‘Confessions of a Duchess’ by Nicola Cornick
by Carolyn • Posted in 3 Star Reviews, Authors A-D, Book Reviews, Historical Romance, Mira UK, Nicola Cornick, Reviews by Carolyn, Romance
Title: Confessions of a Duchess
Author: Nicola Cornick
Publisher: Mira (UK) | Harlequin (US)
Publication Date: June 2010 | June 2009
Paperback: 369 pages
Genre: Historical Romance
Source: Review Copy
Reviewed by: Carolyn
RATING: 6/10 – Good
SUMMARY:
When an ancient tax law is invoked requiring all unmarried ladies to either wed or surrender half their wealth, the quiet village of Fortune’s Folly is overrun by a swarm of fortune-hunting bachelors. Marry again? Never! Not after what Laura, the dowager duchess, was forced to endure the first time. Even if her onetime paramour, Dexter Anstruther, is oh-so-tempting, she knows her secrets would destroy any chance at a future together. Young, handsome and scandalously tempting, Dexter suspects Laura has a hidden motive for resisting his charms…and he intends to discover it, by any means necessary.
REVIEW:
‘Confessions of a Duchess‘ is the first book in Nicola Cornick’s ‘The Brides of Fortune‘ trilogy and it is quite different from other historical romance novels I have read. It’s not particularly light reading as I felt there was a slight sombre tone to the book, however, there are a few fun elements and a certain amount of humour injected throughout.
Laura is a widow, a dowager Duchess, who has decided to live on her own with her young daughter in a small rundown cottage in the village of Fortune’s Folly. Her husband didn’t leave her much money so she is not a wealthy widow, but she’s fairly happy and takes pleasure in watching her daughter grow.
Dexter works for the government as a spy and has been following and trying to capture Glory, a highwaywoman who is taking from the rich to give to the poor, Robin Hood style. The identity of the highway woman is revealed to him later in the book, and although it surprised him, I could see it coming a mile away. But the revelation was fun all the same and I really enjoyed this aspect to the novel. Dexter is also penniless and is burdened with providing for his family, so he sets off to Fortune’s Folly to try his luck and land a wealthy wife.
There are a few little sub-plots that lighten the tone, such as the introduction of an ancient tax law ordering all unwed ladies to pass on half their fortunes to the owner of the village, which leads to some funny scenarios, but overall I felt as though both Laura and Dexter were full of melancholy. There is quite a lot of sexual tension between Laura and Dexter, having already been lovers years before, and I wanted them to be together, as I knew together they would be much happier.
Unfortunately, Laura has two, very big, life changing secrets that she can’t reveal to anybody, especially Dexter and this is what is keeping them apart. Dexter can feel this obstacle between them, but, as a typical clueless male, decides it’s because she’s a heartless, cold woman, rather than just looking a little deeper. Of course, as the novel progresses these secrets are revealed…
The one major criticism I have with this book is the constant expression of lust. I get that this book is a romance but it is in the thoughts of Dexter incessantly. Every time he saw Laura his thoughts revealed how much he wanted to ravish her and how much he needed her. I get it, Dexter is in lust/love with Laura, I don’t need it rammed down my throat, it became tiresome and unfortunately spoilt, what is essentially a very good read, just a little bit.
VERDICT:
Overall I enjoyed ‘Confessions of a Duchess‘. The characters are vivid and, for the most part, believable, the descriptions of the village and lifestyle is described well and I liked the plot and other storylines that ran alongside it. I will certainly be reading the next instalment in ‘The Brides of Fortune‘ trilogy, ‘Scandals of an Innocent’, I just hope the hero’s thoughts are not constantly in the gutter! I would recommend this book to other historical romance readers.
You can find out more about the author here:
9 Comments
This one sounds like an interesting read but I know what you mean, constant lusting does grate on me too!x
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Good review. I think that is sometimes a huge problem in romance but then again sometimes it is hard not to balance it out. Thanks for bringing this book to us
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Good review! This seems to be a good read, pretty intriguing. Haha, constant lusting, I know, can get a bit annoying. But that's a historical romance novel for you, I guess.;)
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I feel that way to about some romance books. It's like a repition of a character's intimate feelings about another character. It becomes quite annoying to sit and read it over and over again.
The plot of the book, from your point of view, seems like a good read. Awesome review!
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This is a great review – sounds like a book to add to the wishlist. Thanks!
Kate
http://bookreviews.me.uk
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OOO I like the first covers…Sounds interesting.
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Sounds like a book I would like to read, I don't necessarily go for light reading, and I do enjoy historical fiction. Thanks for the review!
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CarlyB – It is a good read, but yes it was constant lusting
Felicia – I think you're right, getting the balance is the key
Irena – Not really – I've read some fantastic historical romance that doesn't have constant lusting – there list lust and romance etc but it's not in their thought the WHOLE time
Yellowluva – Yes, exactly. I don't mind a bit of lusting but when it's all the time it becomes repetitive and does get annoying, other than that though this book was a good read
Kate – Thanks!
Cleverley Inked – I like the UK cover best too, it is good so definitely try it out!
Lily – You're welcome – I hope you enjoy it when you get round to it
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