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Spinster House #1
What to Do with a Duke Lib/E
Miss Isabelle Catherine Hutting would rather be lounging in the library than circling the ballroom in search of a husband any day. So when Cat hears that the town's infamous Spinster House is open for a new resident, she jumps at the chance to put all this marriage business behind her. But first she must make arrangements with her prospective landlord, Marcus, the Duke of Hart--the most handsome man she's ever seen, and the only man who's ever impressed her in the least. With her wit, independent spirit, and great beauty, Marcus can't help but be stirred by Cat. It's terribly unfortunate that he's not looking to marry, given the centuries-old curse that left his family with the Spinster House to begin with. No duke shall live to see his heir's birth. But is there a chance the curse could be broken--in true fairy-tale fashion--by an act of true love?
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First published August 25, 2015
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About the author
Sally MacKenzie
42 books635 followersSally MacKenzie decided to become a writer in grade school when she read one of her stories to the class. Her classmates laughed and she was hooked. She sat down immediately to pen her first novel.
Well, not exactly.
The hooked part is right--cursed might be a better description--but the sitting down and writing part came later. Much later.
Sally eventually went on to college, majoring in English, and, upon graduation, did what many English majors do--she went to law school. But she still couldn’t shake her dream of writing fiction. Midway through law school, she faced the fact that she really did not want to be a lawyer. She took a permanent leave of absence, came home to the Washington, D.C. area, and sat down to type her first novel.
Well, not exactly.
She did come home and write, but mostly she wrote regulations for the United States government’s school nutrition programs. (Ketchup as a vegetable, anyone?) When her law school sweetheart graduated, he moved to D.C. and they got married. A couple years later, the first of their four sons was born, and Sally “retired” to manage their family. She wrote a story or two and some picture book texts, all now stored away in a filing cabinet, but she spent most of her energies on baby tending which rapidly evolved into carpool driving. She became an extremely skilled scheduler, getting all four boys to soccer, basketball, baseball, track, swimming, piano, scouts, and birthday parties without ever losing one. (Okay, she did lose the youngest for a few minutes, but she found him before he’d toddled into the parking lot.) And she did more writing--school newsletters, auction programs, class plays, swim league guidance, and the acclaimed annual MacKenzie family newsletter--but no fiction.
Finally, the boys started driving (Eek!) and leaving for college. The nest was emptying and she wasn't getting any younger. The time had come to chase the dream or let it go for good, so she sat down at the computer and wrote. And rewrote. And rewrote again until she had a polished manuscript. She joined the Romance Writers of America, and when the plea went out for Regency manuscripts for the 2004 Golden Heart contest, she sent in The Naked Duke. The stars aligned. She made the final round, and one of the judging editors liked the manuscript and offered to buy it.
Yee haw!!
When not writing or obsessing over the various mysteries of book promotion, Sally can be found at the gym working hard to age gracefully, at the pool on the SLOW side of the Masters swim practice, or at one meeting or another volunteering at the helm of the summer swim league.
Here's Sally with her family--she's 5 ft. 8 in. tall, but she's short in this crowd.
Well, not exactly.
The hooked part is right--cursed might be a better description--but the sitting down and writing part came later. Much later.
Sally eventually went on to college, majoring in English, and, upon graduation, did what many English majors do--she went to law school. But she still couldn’t shake her dream of writing fiction. Midway through law school, she faced the fact that she really did not want to be a lawyer. She took a permanent leave of absence, came home to the Washington, D.C. area, and sat down to type her first novel.
Well, not exactly.
She did come home and write, but mostly she wrote regulations for the United States government’s school nutrition programs. (Ketchup as a vegetable, anyone?) When her law school sweetheart graduated, he moved to D.C. and they got married. A couple years later, the first of their four sons was born, and Sally “retired” to manage their family. She wrote a story or two and some picture book texts, all now stored away in a filing cabinet, but she spent most of her energies on baby tending which rapidly evolved into carpool driving. She became an extremely skilled scheduler, getting all four boys to soccer, basketball, baseball, track, swimming, piano, scouts, and birthday parties without ever losing one. (Okay, she did lose the youngest for a few minutes, but she found him before he’d toddled into the parking lot.) And she did more writing--school newsletters, auction programs, class plays, swim league guidance, and the acclaimed annual MacKenzie family newsletter--but no fiction.
Finally, the boys started driving (Eek!) and leaving for college. The nest was emptying and she wasn't getting any younger. The time had come to chase the dream or let it go for good, so she sat down at the computer and wrote. And rewrote. And rewrote again until she had a polished manuscript. She joined the Romance Writers of America, and when the plea went out for Regency manuscripts for the 2004 Golden Heart contest, she sent in The Naked Duke. The stars aligned. She made the final round, and one of the judging editors liked the manuscript and offered to buy it.
Yee haw!!
When not writing or obsessing over the various mysteries of book promotion, Sally can be found at the gym working hard to age gracefully, at the pool on the SLOW side of the Masters swim practice, or at one meeting or another volunteering at the helm of the summer swim league.
Here's Sally with her family--she's 5 ft. 8 in. tall, but she's short in this crowd.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 243 reviews
July 9, 2016
"Your name and title will continue after you're gone," she said, looking up at him. "But can you understand at all how fleeting a woman's existence is? We give up our lives and possessions---even our name---to our husbands. Our bodies become little more than vessels for children, to continue our husbands' lines." Her voice hardened. "I want something else. Something more. Something that's mine, with my name on it."
First off, that cover is delightful, the light colors and the kitty cat (who plays a bit of a role in the story) make for a very eye catching and pleasing image. Moving on to the actual story, I was a bit disappointed in the insta-lust and later love. From the moment our hero and heroine meet, their bodies are just drawn to one another; the personality of their attraction and relationship was missing. I can't say I felt any chemistry between the two and with both characters not realizing they actually love one another, which felt insta also because they never really communicate and don't spend a lot of time together communicating and building a relationship, until the very, very end of the story. It feels like I'm running into that problem a lot lately in stories.
The bit about the curse felt very uneven, on one hand we have the hero believing it but on the other we have all the other characters making fun of how anyone could be so superstitious and believe such a dumb thing. I also had some slightly uncomfortable moments were the heroine and other woman characters say some off putting things about women. When the heroine is discussing the curse, she says something along the lines about if the Duke did rape the merchants daughter, it doesn't really matter because it happened over 200 yrs ago. There are other lines that aren't blatantly sexist but I was uncomfortable with their line of thinking.
The hero and heroine didn't interact enough for me and their chemistry just wasn't there. The ending was a bit abrupt, especially concerning the curse storyline, and I think it might continue on in the next in the series (but I wouldn't call it a cliffhanger). It's a lighter feeling story, a bit anachronistic, has a slight touch of paranormal, and if you're looking to escape the ballrooms, it never ventures there. I've never read a book by this author before, it seems she might tend more toward the silly and light side, so maybe the writing style is just not for me.
First off, that cover is delightful, the light colors and the kitty cat (who plays a bit of a role in the story) make for a very eye catching and pleasing image. Moving on to the actual story, I was a bit disappointed in the insta-lust and later love. From the moment our hero and heroine meet, their bodies are just drawn to one another; the personality of their attraction and relationship was missing. I can't say I felt any chemistry between the two and with both characters not realizing they actually love one another, which felt insta also because they never really communicate and don't spend a lot of time together communicating and building a relationship, until the very, very end of the story. It feels like I'm running into that problem a lot lately in stories.
The bit about the curse felt very uneven, on one hand we have the hero believing it but on the other we have all the other characters making fun of how anyone could be so superstitious and believe such a dumb thing. I also had some slightly uncomfortable moments were the heroine and other woman characters say some off putting things about women. When the heroine is discussing the curse, she says something along the lines about if the Duke did rape the merchants daughter, it doesn't really matter because it happened over 200 yrs ago. There are other lines that aren't blatantly sexist but I was uncomfortable with their line of thinking.
The hero and heroine didn't interact enough for me and their chemistry just wasn't there. The ending was a bit abrupt, especially concerning the curse storyline, and I think it might continue on in the next in the series (but I wouldn't call it a cliffhanger). It's a lighter feeling story, a bit anachronistic, has a slight touch of paranormal, and if you're looking to escape the ballrooms, it never ventures there. I've never read a book by this author before, it seems she might tend more toward the silly and light side, so maybe the writing style is just not for me.
October 7, 2016
Reseña completa: http://masromance.blogspot.com.es/201...
Tiene sus peros, y quizás debería quitarle una estrella... Sí, hay cosas que no cuadran, conversaciones que no encajan, comportamientos que no cumplen con lo acorde en la época. Pero son detalles muy presentes en las novelas de esta autora.
A mejorar son: ese final, de .. ¿pero qué me estás contando? No soy de epílogos, pero aquí creo que era casi obligado, la aparición de la señora Cullen, a la que todavía estoy dando vueltas....
Pero me he divertido leyéndolo y eso, en realidad, es lo que más cuenta, sobre todo con los pensamientos particulares de cada uno de los protagonistas
A ver qué tal el resto de la serie, que a los protagonistas, aunque en tan solo un par de escenas, ya los conocemos.
Tiene sus peros, y quizás debería quitarle una estrella... Sí, hay cosas que no cuadran, conversaciones que no encajan, comportamientos que no cumplen con lo acorde en la época. Pero son detalles muy presentes en las novelas de esta autora.
A mejorar son: ese final, de .. ¿pero qué me estás contando? No soy de epílogos, pero aquí creo que era casi obligado, la aparición de la señora Cullen, a la que todavía estoy dando vueltas....
Pero me he divertido leyéndolo y eso, en realidad, es lo que más cuenta, sobre todo con los pensamientos particulares de cada uno de los protagonistas
A ver qué tal el resto de la serie, que a los protagonistas, aunque en tan solo un par de escenas, ya los conocemos.
August 17, 2015
3.5 stars. It was entertaining and a pleasant read, but I did find both characters' stubborn insistence on not listening to their hearts irritating after a while. I loved the humor, and the cat Poppy steals the show.
Looking forward to continuing the series.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.
Looking forward to continuing the series.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.
February 9, 2020
Not a fan of naive heroines that are selfish and have zero common sense.
Otherwise cute story.
Otherwise cute story.
July 18, 2015
The was an average read.
Marcus is 30, the Duke is cursed, or should I say the men in his family are cursed. A curse is that every Duke (from his family line) is going to die before his heir is born. Marcus has come to a point in his life were he is lonely and would like a wife and family. The only way to break the curse is to marry for love.
Our heroine Catherine is 24 and considered a spinster pretty much. She is one of a family of 10 children. She want to write and just have time to herself. She is tired of taking care of all her siblings and never having quiet time. She hears of an opening in the Spinster House (Which Marcus over sees and owns) and sees her chance to finally live a life for herself. Cat has no interest in marriage or children either so this is a perfect fit for her.
When Marcus is called to the Spinster House to pick a replacement he meets Cat and the sparks fly. We then have the progression of the story of how Cat and Marcus both come to realize that they each are meant for the other.
I found the story fine but at times very slow. I also felt their was way too much dialogue going on between the two with no real connection between them. Also didn't feel they had much chemistry. The writing was fine but I did feel the story dragged at time.
Netgalley for an honest review.
Marcus is 30, the Duke is cursed, or should I say the men in his family are cursed. A curse is that every Duke (from his family line) is going to die before his heir is born. Marcus has come to a point in his life were he is lonely and would like a wife and family. The only way to break the curse is to marry for love.
Our heroine Catherine is 24 and considered a spinster pretty much. She is one of a family of 10 children. She want to write and just have time to herself. She is tired of taking care of all her siblings and never having quiet time. She hears of an opening in the Spinster House (Which Marcus over sees and owns) and sees her chance to finally live a life for herself. Cat has no interest in marriage or children either so this is a perfect fit for her.
When Marcus is called to the Spinster House to pick a replacement he meets Cat and the sparks fly. We then have the progression of the story of how Cat and Marcus both come to realize that they each are meant for the other.
I found the story fine but at times very slow. I also felt their was way too much dialogue going on between the two with no real connection between them. Also didn't feel they had much chemistry. The writing was fine but I did feel the story dragged at time.
Netgalley for an honest review.
April 29, 2016
Me gusto demasiado el libro!!!!
Pero al final sentí que me falto saber más de los protagonistas, me falto saber qué pasaba después, como lidiaban con la maldicion y aparte ella NUNCA LE DIJO QUE LO AMABA. Así textual nunca lo dijo, no al menos como el, que me encanto absolutamente.
En algunas escenas donde tienen relaciones sentí que fueron muy forzadas y aunque no fueron muchas, (de dos no pasa) las sentí como demasiado forzadas. Sin duda me esperaba un epílogo al menos, mi sensación final fue: ¿cómo, y ahí termina? Necesito saber qué pasa después pero como el libro que sigue está en la misma línea temporal puede ser por eso. De cualquier forma me reí a carcajadas y me gusto mucho el libro.
Pero al final sentí que me falto saber más de los protagonistas, me falto saber qué pasaba después, como lidiaban con la maldicion y aparte ella NUNCA LE DIJO QUE LO AMABA. Así textual nunca lo dijo, no al menos como el, que me encanto absolutamente.
En algunas escenas donde tienen relaciones sentí que fueron muy forzadas y aunque no fueron muchas, (de dos no pasa) las sentí como demasiado forzadas. Sin duda me esperaba un epílogo al menos, mi sensación final fue: ¿cómo, y ahí termina? Necesito saber qué pasa después pero como el libro que sigue está en la misma línea temporal puede ser por eso. De cualquier forma me reí a carcajadas y me gusto mucho el libro.
February 26, 2022
When it comes to historical romance, I look for one of two things: a steamy and compelling love story or a light and fluffy clean romance. What I demand from all historical romances is for both the romance and the setting to be believable. When I went into this book, with the cute cover and hints at a curse, I figured this one might fall on the fluffy side of the spectrum – the cat on the cover may have influenced this assumption. I was sadly mistaken, and I wonder sometimes if my standards are too high.
The characters in this book seemed so non-committal, not just with each other, but with upholding any of the values they claim to have. Catherine was constantly complaining about how she needed peace and solitude to write, but in the first half of the novel whenever she had it she didn’t do it. She blames family for her difficulties with not being able to be the next great novelist, but the problem was really with the fact that she was not all that committed to writing. I found her frustrating at every turn and had a hard time rooting for her.
The other half of this love story was hardly any better. Marcus is dreamy for all of a few minutes until he started talking about his manhood… Which he proceeded to do all the time. Every time the narration would switch to him, inevitably a thought would end with some note about what his cock wants. I suppose Marcus’ raw desire was supposed to be tantalizing, but I just found it vulgar. When questions of the origins of the curse arose, he didn’t care, which contradicted his entire character arc. With the curse plotline, I could suspend my belief and go with it for a while, but even that felt like it was poorly thought out. Marcus has to control his desires and avoid marriage because he’s fearful of accidentally impregnating a woman, thus ending his life. Though somehow, he has no problem with brothel women and the risk of impregnating any of them? I came to hate him as a love interest.
There is a touch of magic that I felt was unnecessary. It just seemed too convenient, too hastily put together. I almost put this book down after the first couple of chapters, but I pushed through hoping that the story would redeem itself but it never did. Catherine spends the entire novel preaching about never wanting to get trapped in a marriage and to never have children, then finds herself trapped. It wasn’t romantic, it was just frustrating.
Everything about Marcus and Catherine was lust at first sight. I didn’t feel any real chemistry between them, even by the end when they are apparently in love with each other I still wasn’t feeling it. Literally, everything always boiled back down to sex. The rest of the story and dialogue was not even all that funny, clever, or witty, it was just two stubborn people wanting to get in each other’s pants. It wasn’t charming or romantic.
Disclaimer: Received a copy for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
The characters in this book seemed so non-committal, not just with each other, but with upholding any of the values they claim to have. Catherine was constantly complaining about how she needed peace and solitude to write, but in the first half of the novel whenever she had it she didn’t do it. She blames family for her difficulties with not being able to be the next great novelist, but the problem was really with the fact that she was not all that committed to writing. I found her frustrating at every turn and had a hard time rooting for her.
The other half of this love story was hardly any better. Marcus is dreamy for all of a few minutes until he started talking about his manhood… Which he proceeded to do all the time. Every time the narration would switch to him, inevitably a thought would end with some note about what his cock wants. I suppose Marcus’ raw desire was supposed to be tantalizing, but I just found it vulgar. When questions of the origins of the curse arose, he didn’t care, which contradicted his entire character arc. With the curse plotline, I could suspend my belief and go with it for a while, but even that felt like it was poorly thought out. Marcus has to control his desires and avoid marriage because he’s fearful of accidentally impregnating a woman, thus ending his life. Though somehow, he has no problem with brothel women and the risk of impregnating any of them? I came to hate him as a love interest.
There is a touch of magic that I felt was unnecessary. It just seemed too convenient, too hastily put together. I almost put this book down after the first couple of chapters, but I pushed through hoping that the story would redeem itself but it never did. Catherine spends the entire novel preaching about never wanting to get trapped in a marriage and to never have children, then finds herself trapped. It wasn’t romantic, it was just frustrating.
Everything about Marcus and Catherine was lust at first sight. I didn’t feel any real chemistry between them, even by the end when they are apparently in love with each other I still wasn’t feeling it. Literally, everything always boiled back down to sex. The rest of the story and dialogue was not even all that funny, clever, or witty, it was just two stubborn people wanting to get in each other’s pants. It wasn’t charming or romantic.
Disclaimer: Received a copy for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
June 14, 2020
An enjoyable read from this new author to this reader.
September 5, 2015
Cat wants one thing in life; peace and quiet so she can write her novel. However, being the eldest of nine siblings solitude and calm is not something that she experiences very often. So when the chance to be the Spinster house spinster comes along, she is determined to seize it. Marcus, the Duke of Hart, otherwise known as the Cursed Duke, cursed to never life past his firstborn son’s birth, due to the rakeish ways of one of his ancestors, has come to the village of Loves Bridge to pick the next Spinster House spinster. As is his duty according to the curse. However, he can’t keep his mind (and hands) off the most eager applicant for Spinster House, Cat. True love is said to break the curse, but are Marcus and Cat destined to be the ones to break it, or is the past just about to repeat itself?
I love it when a spinster catches her man, the poor fellas never see the spinster (or wallflower) coming; they are swiftly knocked off their feet with their heart ripped from their chest by the one person no one suspects. They are the ninjas of historical romance. So, I was very much looking forward to What To Do With A Duke so I could once again see a ninja in action. Unfortunately, I didn’t find quite as enthralling as I hoped.
But, lets start with the good bits, I did like the characters and the idea behind this series and despite not being fond of this book, I would read the next one. Cat was funny and feisty, the traits I like in a heroine and I liked that Marcus although troubled, wasn’t afraid to admit that he was lonely, and for once we have a hero who wanted a wife, if only he wouldn’t die soon after the conception of his first son.
However, there were two reasons why I couldn’t rate this book any higher. The first one being how quickly and easily Cat fell in love. I’m aware that insta-love is a massive plot device in romance, but after just a couple of conversations I just found it unbelievable that such a confirmed spinster believed herself to be in love. It just didn’t feel right.
The second reason I was frustrated with this book was the ending. Maybe it is wrong, but I fully expected this book to be wrapped up in a neat little bow and I would know once and for all if the curse is broken by the last page, so we can then move on to one of Marcus and Cat’s friends. That didn’t happen, and it left the book feeling half-finished and me feeling unsatisfied, it was almost like they had forgotten to add the last chapter or an epilogue.
Although this book didn’t live up to my expectations, I will read the next book, I now need to know what happens! But, I am not sure it is something I would recommend.
September 22, 2015
3.5/5
Mon avis en Français
My English review
Since I’ve discovered Sally MacKenzie, I always have a great time with her novels. The last two series she wrote were a delight to read and I was curious about this new one. I had the opportunity to read the novella last month and although in the end I was a bit mixed about it, I wanted to see how a complete story could be. Yes because it must be said that novellas are always a bit risky.
The novel continues after the end of the previous story and although it is not mandatory to have read it before launching into the story, it still places the environment and some characters that can be found here. We discover Cat, a young woman pressured by her mother to marry while she wants to live a quiet life, writing books. No, Cat doesn’t want a man and she will do anything to make her dream happen. It may well be that luck turns in her favor when a place becomes available in the Spinster House, where it is possible for a young woman to keep her reputation while living as she wants to. But for this, she will first have to convince the Duke of Hart, Marcus, who has some very different problems. Indeed, it appears that his family is the victim of a curse and every married man dies before being able to see his child. Marcus is determined to remember what can happen and not to marry. Yet it seems that the curse can be broken if the Duke marries for love and not for convenience or power. Is it true?
That’s where the two meet, a compelling link attracting the one and the other and it was interesting to see the dynamics of the two, between a woman who does not wish to marry, and a man who ultimately wants the same thing. Yet it may well be that both change their minds. But first they have to understand the curse.
I loved to follow this story and to discover at the beginning of each chapter the story of Isabelle, the young woman from which all started and to understand what had been happening. A sad story indeed that we do not expect the outcome at the end of the novel.
To conclude, although the plot itself sometimes seems a little long, I spent a good time with this first volume and I am curious to see what will result.
Mon avis en Français
My English review
Since I’ve discovered Sally MacKenzie, I always have a great time with her novels. The last two series she wrote were a delight to read and I was curious about this new one. I had the opportunity to read the novella last month and although in the end I was a bit mixed about it, I wanted to see how a complete story could be. Yes because it must be said that novellas are always a bit risky.
The novel continues after the end of the previous story and although it is not mandatory to have read it before launching into the story, it still places the environment and some characters that can be found here. We discover Cat, a young woman pressured by her mother to marry while she wants to live a quiet life, writing books. No, Cat doesn’t want a man and she will do anything to make her dream happen. It may well be that luck turns in her favor when a place becomes available in the Spinster House, where it is possible for a young woman to keep her reputation while living as she wants to. But for this, she will first have to convince the Duke of Hart, Marcus, who has some very different problems. Indeed, it appears that his family is the victim of a curse and every married man dies before being able to see his child. Marcus is determined to remember what can happen and not to marry. Yet it seems that the curse can be broken if the Duke marries for love and not for convenience or power. Is it true?
That’s where the two meet, a compelling link attracting the one and the other and it was interesting to see the dynamics of the two, between a woman who does not wish to marry, and a man who ultimately wants the same thing. Yet it may well be that both change their minds. But first they have to understand the curse.
I loved to follow this story and to discover at the beginning of each chapter the story of Isabelle, the young woman from which all started and to understand what had been happening. A sad story indeed that we do not expect the outcome at the end of the novel.
To conclude, although the plot itself sometimes seems a little long, I spent a good time with this first volume and I am curious to see what will result.
April 14, 2020
3’5 ⭐️ Sally MacKenzie es una autora de romántica histórica que me gusta bastante. Sus libros suelen ser sencillos y divertidos, pero en este caso me he encontrado con una historia que quizás me ha parecido demasiado simple por decirlo de alguna manera.
La trama gira en torno a la maldición que hay sobre Marcus, el duque de Hart, y que le impide llevar una vida normal y los deseos de soledad e independencia de Cat, la hija del vicario del pueblo donde Marcus tiene que ir a ocuparse de unos asuntos relacionados con la maldición. No es que esto no sea una buena base para la historia pero yo me he quedado con la sensación de que se exageraba todo muchísimo cuando la solución a casi todo estaba al alcance de la mano. La propia historia de la maldición ni siquiera se explica bien, se acaba sabiendo que ocurrió pero que hizo exactamente Isabel y cuales fueron sus planes nada de nada. Yo quiero creer que en los siguientes libros irán saliendo las cosas poco a poco pero eso no evita que el primer libro haya quedado un poco a medias. Y tengo que añadir algo sobre el final, de la misma forma que antes, asumo que veremos a estos protagonistas y sus vivencias en las siguientes historias pero ese final sigue siendo un horror. Básicamente termina de golpe en mitad de una escena y se acabó el libro, no hay más. Te quedas un poco cortada la verdad.
En resumen, el libro no me disgusta y lo he leído bastante rápido, pero las razones de que me guste tienen más que ver con que me va mucho el estilo de Sally y por que se que en los próximos libros de la serie tendré toda la información que echo de menos ahora.
La trama gira en torno a la maldición que hay sobre Marcus, el duque de Hart, y que le impide llevar una vida normal y los deseos de soledad e independencia de Cat, la hija del vicario del pueblo donde Marcus tiene que ir a ocuparse de unos asuntos relacionados con la maldición. No es que esto no sea una buena base para la historia pero yo me he quedado con la sensación de que se exageraba todo muchísimo cuando la solución a casi todo estaba al alcance de la mano. La propia historia de la maldición ni siquiera se explica bien, se acaba sabiendo que ocurrió pero que hizo exactamente Isabel y cuales fueron sus planes nada de nada. Yo quiero creer que en los siguientes libros irán saliendo las cosas poco a poco pero eso no evita que el primer libro haya quedado un poco a medias. Y tengo que añadir algo sobre el final, de la misma forma que antes, asumo que veremos a estos protagonistas y sus vivencias en las siguientes historias pero ese final sigue siendo un horror. Básicamente termina de golpe en mitad de una escena y se acabó el libro, no hay más. Te quedas un poco cortada la verdad.
En resumen, el libro no me disgusta y lo he leído bastante rápido, pero las razones de que me guste tienen más que ver con que me va mucho el estilo de Sally y por que se que en los próximos libros de la serie tendré toda la información que echo de menos ahora.
October 4, 2016
En realidad sería 3,5. Terminada y con un buen sabor de boca. Los personajes tienen mucha fuerza y mucha química entre ambos, la historia se lee en un suspiro y la ambientación es bastante buena.
Marcus es un hombre que ha vivido sus 30 años intentando no dejarse "cazar" por ninguna mujer debido a la maldición que pesa sobre su familia. Y lo consigue hasta que, debido al matrimonio de la Soltera de la casa de Spinter House, hace que tenga que ir hasta Love Bridge, un pequeño pueblo para poner todo en orden. Es allí donde conoce a Catherine, una chica que lo único que quiere es vivir en Spinter House para tener la tranquilidad que, como hija del vicario y hermana de 9 hermanos pequeños no puede conseguir en su hogar.
Como he dicho, los personajes principales tienen química desde el primer momento y no se enamoran a la primera de cambio, sino que la relación toma un poco más de tiempo (no así el deseo XD). Pero debido a la maldición de Marcus y a las ideas de "no matrimonio ever" de Cat, la historia es un continuo tira y afloja que ha hecho que pierda puntuación por el camino debido a que me llegó a cansar un poquito tanto "sí, pero no"
Lo amigos de Marcus me han dejado con muchas ganas de leer el siguiente.
Marcus es un hombre que ha vivido sus 30 años intentando no dejarse "cazar" por ninguna mujer debido a la maldición que pesa sobre su familia. Y lo consigue hasta que, debido al matrimonio de la Soltera de la casa de Spinter House, hace que tenga que ir hasta Love Bridge, un pequeño pueblo para poner todo en orden. Es allí donde conoce a Catherine, una chica que lo único que quiere es vivir en Spinter House para tener la tranquilidad que, como hija del vicario y hermana de 9 hermanos pequeños no puede conseguir en su hogar.
Como he dicho, los personajes principales tienen química desde el primer momento y no se enamoran a la primera de cambio, sino que la relación toma un poco más de tiempo (no así el deseo XD). Pero debido a la maldición de Marcus y a las ideas de "no matrimonio ever" de Cat, la historia es un continuo tira y afloja que ha hecho que pierda puntuación por el camino debido a que me llegó a cansar un poquito tanto "sí, pero no"
Lo amigos de Marcus me han dejado con muchas ganas de leer el siguiente.
August 28, 2015
Welcome to the charming, fatefully named village of Loves Bridge, where a woman destined for spinsterhood can live a life of her own choosing—or fall unexpectedly, madly in love…
Who doesn't love a good historical fiction novel?! The gowns, the gossip, the rogues, the romance - What to Do with a Duke has it all. Including a feisty female protagonist and a duke who has no idea what he's gotten himself into...
The humour was one of the highlights for me. It was very Oscar Wilde-esque in nature. Here a few of my favourite quotes:
Also, can I just say how gorgeous the book cover is? I'm suffering from a serious case of dress envy!
See the original review + extras over on my blog
Who doesn't love a good historical fiction novel?! The gowns, the gossip, the rogues, the romance - What to Do with a Duke has it all. Including a feisty female protagonist and a duke who has no idea what he's gotten himself into...
The humour was one of the highlights for me. It was very Oscar Wilde-esque in nature. Here a few of my favourite quotes:
#1: "For God's sake, no one really believe in curses these days. The notion is laughable." He looked at Nate and Marcus and frowned. "Except neither of you is laughing."
#2: "Perhaps the man you'll fall in love with is standing on the vicarage steps right now."
"I thought you said he was just riding into the village. He must move very quickly. Loves Bridge is small, but it's not that small."
Also, can I just say how gorgeous the book cover is? I'm suffering from a serious case of dress envy!
See the original review + extras over on my blog
July 5, 2016
What a cute story and very good narration by Beverly Crick (audible review)
This was a really cute story. The characters were all very likable. I really liked Isabelle. She was funny, spunky, witty and just a great heroine. I liked Hart too. He was strong, rich and handsome.
The story line and plot were good. Different than your typical HR book. The spinster house spinster at the age of 24 LOL. So funny when the women were firmly on the shelf at the age of 24. The curse of the spinster house was interesting and different.
There was a lot of really great dialogue in this book and it really was a fun listen\read.
This is my second Sally McKenzie book ( I didn't like the fist book of hers I tried) and I might have to give her another chance and try another.
As for the narration, Beverly Crick is becoming a favorite of mine in the HR genre. The men sound like men and everyone gets their own distinct voice, whether they are old, young, uppity, a servant, kid etc. She should not do Scottish accents though, ever. She has a nice reading voice and continues to get better.
This was a really cute story. The characters were all very likable. I really liked Isabelle. She was funny, spunky, witty and just a great heroine. I liked Hart too. He was strong, rich and handsome.
The story line and plot were good. Different than your typical HR book. The spinster house spinster at the age of 24 LOL. So funny when the women were firmly on the shelf at the age of 24. The curse of the spinster house was interesting and different.
There was a lot of really great dialogue in this book and it really was a fun listen\read.
This is my second Sally McKenzie book ( I didn't like the fist book of hers I tried) and I might have to give her another chance and try another.
As for the narration, Beverly Crick is becoming a favorite of mine in the HR genre. The men sound like men and everyone gets their own distinct voice, whether they are old, young, uppity, a servant, kid etc. She should not do Scottish accents though, ever. She has a nice reading voice and continues to get better.
May 10, 2016
Cat wants one thing in life; peace and quiet so she can write her novel. However, being the eldest of nine siblings solitude and calm is not something that she experiences very often. So when the chance to be the Spinster house spinster comes along, she is determined to seize it. Marcus, the Duke of Hart, otherwise known as the Cursed Duke, cursed to never life past his firstborn son’s birth, due to the rakeish ways of one of his ancestors, has come to the village of Loves Bridge to pick the next Spinster House spinster. As is his duty according to the curse. However, he can’t keep his mind (and hands) off the most eager applicant for Spinster House, Cat. True love is said to break the curse, but are Marcus and Cat destined to be the ones to break it, or is the past just about to repeat itself?
I love it when a spinster catches her man, the poor fellas never see the spinster (or wallflower) coming; they are swiftly knocked off their feet with their heart ripped from their chest by the one person no one suspects. They are the ninjas of historical romance. So, I was very much looking forward to What To Do With A Duke so I could once again see a ninja in action. Unfortunately, I didn’t find quite as enthralling as I hoped.
But, lets start with the good bits, I did like the characters and the idea behind this series and despite not being fond of this book, I would read the next one. Cat was funny and feisty, the traits I like in a heroine and I liked that Marcus although troubled, wasn’t afraid to admit that he was lonely, and for once we have a hero who wanted a wife, if only he wouldn’t die soon after the conception of his first son.
However, there were two reasons why I couldn’t rate this book any higher. The first one being how quickly and easily Cat fell in love. I’m aware that insta-love is a massive plot device in romance, but after just a couple of conversations I just found it unbelievable that such a confirmed spinster believed herself to be in love. It just didn’t feel right.
The second reason I was frustrated with this book was the ending. Maybe it is wrong, but I fully expected this book to be wrapped up in a neat little bow and I would know once and for all if the curse is broken by the last page, so we can then move on to one of Marcus and Cat’s friends. That didn’t happen, and it left the book feeling half-finished and me feeling unsatisfied, it was almost like they had forgotten to add the last chapter or an epilogue.
Although this book didn’t live up to my expectations, I will read the next book, I now need to know what happens! But, I am not sure it is something I would recommend.
*ARC provided by publisher
Reviewed by Suzanne
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July 3, 2015
Received from NetGalley.
The description of the book intrigued me. The Duke of Hart is going to his family estates to find the next spinster to be installed in Spinster House. It seems that 200 years ago, the wealthy orphaned daughter of a merchant set up the house for a spinster from the village who needed a place to live independently. When the current spinster marries or dies, the Duke must choose the new resident from the candidates who present themselves. In the meantime, the same woman who founded the house, apparently has also put a curse on the Dukedom. Every duke will be doomed to die before his heir is born. So he marries and gets his wife pregnant, and before she can deliver, he dies. So far, five dukes have suffered that exact fate.
Enter Cat (short for Catherine) who is desperate to get away from her loud, boisterous family. At 24 years old, she never has room or time for herself, constantly helping take care of her many siblings. She has no interest in marriage and desperately longs to be installed at the Spinster House. Marcus, the current Duke, at thirty years old, is feeling lonely and wants a companion, though he believes in the curse and is certain that when he marries and gets his wife pregnant, he’ll die. All his friends and servants buy into the curse as well. Of course, when he and Cat meet, sparks fly and soon they find themselves drawn to each other, and uncertain anymore what they want or believe.
I loved the dialog in the book. It felt realistic and was witty and funny. The supporting cast were wonderful, from Cat’s family, to the village locals, to the duke’s servants, and his estranged mother. Their attraction to each other was startling to both and fun to watch grow. On the whole, I really enjoyed the book. I also loved the idea of the Spinster House, and the history of the curse and Isabella (the merchant’s daughter).
I did have a few issues, though. First, I had a hard time believing that Cat’s good friends, even jealous and angry with her, would do what they did (avoiding spoilers here, so apologies for the vagueness). Second, Marcus spends an awful lot of time thinking about his cock. After awhile, the word gets really repetitive. The thing I didn’t like the most was the curse. I had a hard time that Marcus believed it so strongly. The author reinforced it so much that it felt a little bit like “the lady doth protest too much.” I love the conceit, but I wanted to see more showing of how it affected his life and his choices, rather than having that summed up by his mother and by introspection.
I’d give this book a solid 3.5 /5 stars.
The description of the book intrigued me. The Duke of Hart is going to his family estates to find the next spinster to be installed in Spinster House. It seems that 200 years ago, the wealthy orphaned daughter of a merchant set up the house for a spinster from the village who needed a place to live independently. When the current spinster marries or dies, the Duke must choose the new resident from the candidates who present themselves. In the meantime, the same woman who founded the house, apparently has also put a curse on the Dukedom. Every duke will be doomed to die before his heir is born. So he marries and gets his wife pregnant, and before she can deliver, he dies. So far, five dukes have suffered that exact fate.
Enter Cat (short for Catherine) who is desperate to get away from her loud, boisterous family. At 24 years old, she never has room or time for herself, constantly helping take care of her many siblings. She has no interest in marriage and desperately longs to be installed at the Spinster House. Marcus, the current Duke, at thirty years old, is feeling lonely and wants a companion, though he believes in the curse and is certain that when he marries and gets his wife pregnant, he’ll die. All his friends and servants buy into the curse as well. Of course, when he and Cat meet, sparks fly and soon they find themselves drawn to each other, and uncertain anymore what they want or believe.
I loved the dialog in the book. It felt realistic and was witty and funny. The supporting cast were wonderful, from Cat’s family, to the village locals, to the duke’s servants, and his estranged mother. Their attraction to each other was startling to both and fun to watch grow. On the whole, I really enjoyed the book. I also loved the idea of the Spinster House, and the history of the curse and Isabella (the merchant’s daughter).
I did have a few issues, though. First, I had a hard time believing that Cat’s good friends, even jealous and angry with her, would do what they did (avoiding spoilers here, so apologies for the vagueness). Second, Marcus spends an awful lot of time thinking about his cock. After awhile, the word gets really repetitive. The thing I didn’t like the most was the curse. I had a hard time that Marcus believed it so strongly. The author reinforced it so much that it felt a little bit like “the lady doth protest too much.” I love the conceit, but I wanted to see more showing of how it affected his life and his choices, rather than having that summed up by his mother and by introspection.
I’d give this book a solid 3.5 /5 stars.
October 26, 2016
Good book. It begins with Marcus, the "Cursed Duke", nearly getting trapped by another fortune-hunting woman. He has been contemplating his life, admitting his loneliness, but also hampered by the family curse. One of his ancestors had gotten himself cursed, and as a result, every Duke of Hart since then had died before his heir was born. He had decided to put off marriage for as long as possible, but now that he's turned thirty it is getting worse. When business calls him to Love's Bridge, he's glad for the distraction, but not so much about having to return to the birthplace of the curse.
Cat is twenty-four years old and the oldest of the local vicar's ten children. She has absolutely no desire to be married, seeing it as a trap that would be the death of her dreams. Cat wants to be a writer, but finding somewhere at home with the peace and quiet necessary is impossible. When she hears that the Spinster House is available, she is determined to gain it for herself.
From the moment they meet, the sparks fly between Marcus and Cat. Both try really hard to resist them, as marriage isn't what either has in mind, but they can't stay away from each other. Cat's family and friends do their best to push them together, not believing that life as a spinster is truly what Cat wants. Her youngest brothers, twins Michael and Thomas, are absolutely adorable with the way they took to "Dook". Cat's two friends, Anne and Jane, are also pushing her toward Marcus, though they also have ulterior motives. Each of them also wants to be the next resident of Spinster House. Cat's inner arguments with herself as she tries to convince herself that she does not want Marcus are pretty amusing. Marcus is really attracted to Cat and finds himself thinking about her constantly. He begins to yearn more and more for a family of his own, but the curse prevents him from believing it is possible. Supposedly the curse can be broken if the duke were to marry for love, but Marcus doesn't believe that love really exists. He's seen far too many matches made for profit, and even the ones that are supposedly for love fall apart. There was one surprising twist that softened that outlook just a little bit, enough to make a crack in his determination not to marry.
In the end, certain circumstances brought them back together, and they had to decide if they were willing to take the risk. I loved seeing how a certain kitty had a hand (paw?) in resolving some of the questions about the curse. I was looking forward to seeing the wedding and if the curse was broken or not, but that was left hanging. It will be interesting to see how the next two books are handled.
Cat is twenty-four years old and the oldest of the local vicar's ten children. She has absolutely no desire to be married, seeing it as a trap that would be the death of her dreams. Cat wants to be a writer, but finding somewhere at home with the peace and quiet necessary is impossible. When she hears that the Spinster House is available, she is determined to gain it for herself.
From the moment they meet, the sparks fly between Marcus and Cat. Both try really hard to resist them, as marriage isn't what either has in mind, but they can't stay away from each other. Cat's family and friends do their best to push them together, not believing that life as a spinster is truly what Cat wants. Her youngest brothers, twins Michael and Thomas, are absolutely adorable with the way they took to "Dook". Cat's two friends, Anne and Jane, are also pushing her toward Marcus, though they also have ulterior motives. Each of them also wants to be the next resident of Spinster House. Cat's inner arguments with herself as she tries to convince herself that she does not want Marcus are pretty amusing. Marcus is really attracted to Cat and finds himself thinking about her constantly. He begins to yearn more and more for a family of his own, but the curse prevents him from believing it is possible. Supposedly the curse can be broken if the duke were to marry for love, but Marcus doesn't believe that love really exists. He's seen far too many matches made for profit, and even the ones that are supposedly for love fall apart. There was one surprising twist that softened that outlook just a little bit, enough to make a crack in his determination not to marry.
In the end, certain circumstances brought them back together, and they had to decide if they were willing to take the risk. I loved seeing how a certain kitty had a hand (paw?) in resolving some of the questions about the curse. I was looking forward to seeing the wedding and if the curse was broken or not, but that was left hanging. It will be interesting to see how the next two books are handled.
July 28, 2015
My main problem with this story is the ending. To be perfectly honest, if not for the way things suddenly came to an abrupt halt with the closing sentence to read the next book for the continuation, I probably would have given this book a 5 star rating.
Don't get me wrong, there is a small sense of closure to this story, but I would much prefer to read about their true ending. Will there be a happily ever after? Or is the curse real? Especially considering the fact that book two is about a different set of characters (even though we did meet them in this story), it was completely off-putting for me as a reader.
Despite that and one mention of something way too modern to have taken place during this time period, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The twist of a "curse" added a sense of originality that gave this novel its own flavor and appeal and made it vastly different from novels of the same era that I have read as of late.
The characters were well developed, and completely different from one another. I especially enjoyed meeting Cat's family and the stark difference they were not only to each other, but to Marcus as well. From the main characters, to the supporting characters, all the way down to those who were only "in the background" so to speak, it was clear that the author had spent careful time on each of them making them unique to the story. In fact, this author even went so far as to give a unique and (dare I say witty) personality to the Spinster House's resident feline. In fact, I'm fairly certain Polly was my favorite character in this story!
The witty banter and inner dialogue of the two main characters not only kept the story moving, but was also wonderfully entertaining as well. I would definitely read more from this author!
DISCLAIMER #1: This novel does include scenes of a sexual nature that occur before marriage (although behind close doors). I mention this only because I know it is a complete turn off for some readers, and feel that they should be informed,
DISCLAIMER #2: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
Don't get me wrong, there is a small sense of closure to this story, but I would much prefer to read about their true ending. Will there be a happily ever after? Or is the curse real? Especially considering the fact that book two is about a different set of characters (even though we did meet them in this story), it was completely off-putting for me as a reader.
Despite that and one mention of something way too modern to have taken place during this time period, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The twist of a "curse" added a sense of originality that gave this novel its own flavor and appeal and made it vastly different from novels of the same era that I have read as of late.
The characters were well developed, and completely different from one another. I especially enjoyed meeting Cat's family and the stark difference they were not only to each other, but to Marcus as well. From the main characters, to the supporting characters, all the way down to those who were only "in the background" so to speak, it was clear that the author had spent careful time on each of them making them unique to the story. In fact, this author even went so far as to give a unique and (dare I say witty) personality to the Spinster House's resident feline. In fact, I'm fairly certain Polly was my favorite character in this story!
The witty banter and inner dialogue of the two main characters not only kept the story moving, but was also wonderfully entertaining as well. I would definitely read more from this author!
DISCLAIMER #1: This novel does include scenes of a sexual nature that occur before marriage (although behind close doors). I mention this only because I know it is a complete turn off for some readers, and feel that they should be informed,
DISCLAIMER #2: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
May 24, 2017
1) This book seemed to be having a philosophical debate with itself over how evil men and women are, romantically. It was all "My ancestor evilly seduced this young innocent country girl, what a scoundrel!" and "Oh, she was 24, she KNEW what she was doing, stop blaming it all on the man" and "It takes two to tango!" and "How DARE a city duke seduce a country girl, she was clearly taken advantage of". And it didn't stop! It kept going throughout almost every chapter.
2) This duke stated TWICE that "women are the weaker sex", and this little brain fart of his was not resolved :/
3) Literally EVERYONE in the village accused the heroine of being a lesbian (some even outright ASKED her) because she was 24, didn't want to get married, and wanted to be a spinster. The heck? No way in 1817 would anyone even entertain such a notion - at least not on such a large scale, as at least a dozen people enquired or implied they thought she preferred women.
4) The ending was quite abrupt and I'm still confused as to what happened to the woman who cursed the duke.
2) This duke stated TWICE that "women are the weaker sex", and this little brain fart of his was not resolved :/
3) Literally EVERYONE in the village accused the heroine of being a lesbian (some even outright ASKED her) because she was 24, didn't want to get married, and wanted to be a spinster. The heck? No way in 1817 would anyone even entertain such a notion - at least not on such a large scale, as at least a dozen people enquired or implied they thought she preferred women.
4) The ending was quite abrupt and I'm still confused as to what happened to the woman who cursed the duke.
May 11, 2016
Updated: 05.11.16 - Re-read from September 2015. This book was still amazing. There wasn't a sense of being left hanging since the new book is out but............... I'm still not over it.
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I absolutely adored this book. I've been on a romance hiatus for months now so it was nice to find a book in the historical romance genre that I enjoyed. Of course there were some of the same cliches as there are in all romance books. The characters were fantastic. I enjoyed their courtship. Secondary characters all brought life to the book, I love the twins and Poppy (the cat). This should have been a 5 star read but I'm taking .5 OFF because of the cliffhanger ending!!! I can't believe it. Mrs. MacKenzie left us hanging as if we were nerds trying to give a prom king a hi-five!
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I absolutely adored this book. I've been on a romance hiatus for months now so it was nice to find a book in the historical romance genre that I enjoyed. Of course there were some of the same cliches as there are in all romance books. The characters were fantastic. I enjoyed their courtship. Secondary characters all brought life to the book, I love the twins and Poppy (the cat). This should have been a 5 star read but I'm taking .5 OFF because of the cliffhanger ending!!! I can't believe it. Mrs. MacKenzie left us hanging as if we were nerds trying to give a prom king a hi-five!
October 2, 2015
This is a DNF for me. I was so bored!
July 26, 2019
Alkisah, ada seorang duke pesolek yg merayu dan meninggalkan seorang gadis dalam keadaan hamil. Isabelle, nama gadis tsb mengutuk semua keturunan duke itu bhw mereka tidak akan pernah menyaksikan pewaris mereka, sebelum bunuh diri.
Marcus, Duke of Hart sangat mempercayai kemanjuran kutukan tsb, yg sudah membuktikan lima leluhurnya mati sebelum melihat pewaris mereka lahir. Jadilah Marcus selalu menunda-nunda pernikahan (utk memperpanjang umur hidupnya) hingga dirinya harus ke Loves Bridge utk "melantik" penghuni baru Spinster House.
Miss Isabelle Catherine Hutting yg biasa dipanggil Cat, dgn cepat menargetkan diri utk menjadi kandidat rumah tsb. Cat yg bercita-cita menjadi penulis merasa takkan bisa meraih aspirasinya tsb jika masih tinggal di rumahnya yg gaduh. Lagipula dirinya sudah berusia 24 thn, perawan tua yg butuh kesunyian rumah utk menuangkan ide-idenya dlm bentuk tulisan.
Tapi tidak semudah itu Cat bisa memperoleh rumah tsb. Ada 2 kompetitor rivalnya, Anne dan Jane yg juga ngotot utk tinggal di rumah tsb. Walaupun akhirnya Cat memenangkannya, dia menghadapi badai rumor yg disebarkan kompetitornya tsb, bhw Cat ada affair di sesemakan dgn Duke of Hart. Cat memang tidak berkeinginan utk menikah spt yg dikehendaki semua anggota keluarganya. Tetapi sejak bertemu Marcus, mengapa chemistry mereka semakin menyala-nyala padahal keduanya enggan menikah?
Alur cerita sebenarnya bagus dan menarik, dialog-dialog banter juga banyak yg lucu-lucu. Tapi sayangnya author sering merepetisi ketidakinginan Marcus dan Cat utk menikah krn kutukan keparat tsb. Membuatnya menjadi angst dan kedua tokoh utama ini menjadi terkesan bebal. Kedua belah pihak sangat membutuhkan dorongan dari pihak ketiga - membuat saya kurang suka dgn jalinan romansa mereka. Keinginan kuat saya utk jedotin kepala mereka satu sama lain hampir tidak tertahankan, karena hingga ending mereka masih sama-sama "nyaris melakukan ketololan". Kalau bukan karena cerita yg mengalir dgn sangat baik, mungkin ratingnya bisa lebih jeblok lagi saya berikan. Tapi lumayanlah ceritanya dibandingkan cerita-cerita HR terjemahan belakangan ini.
Marcus, Duke of Hart sangat mempercayai kemanjuran kutukan tsb, yg sudah membuktikan lima leluhurnya mati sebelum melihat pewaris mereka lahir. Jadilah Marcus selalu menunda-nunda pernikahan (utk memperpanjang umur hidupnya) hingga dirinya harus ke Loves Bridge utk "melantik" penghuni baru Spinster House.
Miss Isabelle Catherine Hutting yg biasa dipanggil Cat, dgn cepat menargetkan diri utk menjadi kandidat rumah tsb. Cat yg bercita-cita menjadi penulis merasa takkan bisa meraih aspirasinya tsb jika masih tinggal di rumahnya yg gaduh. Lagipula dirinya sudah berusia 24 thn, perawan tua yg butuh kesunyian rumah utk menuangkan ide-idenya dlm bentuk tulisan.
Tapi tidak semudah itu Cat bisa memperoleh rumah tsb. Ada 2 kompetitor rivalnya, Anne dan Jane yg juga ngotot utk tinggal di rumah tsb. Walaupun akhirnya Cat memenangkannya, dia menghadapi badai rumor yg disebarkan kompetitornya tsb, bhw Cat ada affair di sesemakan dgn Duke of Hart. Cat memang tidak berkeinginan utk menikah spt yg dikehendaki semua anggota keluarganya. Tetapi sejak bertemu Marcus, mengapa chemistry mereka semakin menyala-nyala padahal keduanya enggan menikah?
Alur cerita sebenarnya bagus dan menarik, dialog-dialog banter juga banyak yg lucu-lucu. Tapi sayangnya author sering merepetisi ketidakinginan Marcus dan Cat utk menikah krn kutukan keparat tsb. Membuatnya menjadi angst dan kedua tokoh utama ini menjadi terkesan bebal. Kedua belah pihak sangat membutuhkan dorongan dari pihak ketiga - membuat saya kurang suka dgn jalinan romansa mereka. Keinginan kuat saya utk jedotin kepala mereka satu sama lain hampir tidak tertahankan, karena hingga ending mereka masih sama-sama "nyaris melakukan ketololan". Kalau bukan karena cerita yg mengalir dgn sangat baik, mungkin ratingnya bisa lebih jeblok lagi saya berikan. Tapi lumayanlah ceritanya dibandingkan cerita-cerita HR terjemahan belakangan ini.
July 28, 2019
3.5 ⭐ to What to Do with a Duke by Sally MacKenzie (Spinster House #1)
Marcus, the Duke of Hart, bearing a curse within him. It began when Marcus's ancestor left a girl named Isabelle Dorring to marry another girl when she was pregnant with his child. Isabelle vowed No duke shall live to see his heir’s birth. Following the curse, for 200 years, all Dukes of Hart have died before seeing their heirs, and Marcus had no intention of experiencing the same fate. He swore he would never get married and ended just as his predecessor.
But then Marcus met Miss Isabelle Catherine Hutting or Cat, the vicar's daughter who insisted against marriage and decided she wants to be the next spinster house's spinster. And as the Duke of Hart, as well as said in Isabelle's will, Marcus is obliged to attend the election and participate in deciding the winner. But more and more Marcus knows Cat, he started to believe that Cat's not belong to the spinster house but to him. And even Cat insisted that she didn't want to get married but she can't deny her feelings toward Marcus.
But the curse still lingered around them.
Is Marcus still willing to marry Cat despite the risk of his life? And will Cat accept the offer?
This is my first Sally MacKenzie's book and to my surprise I like this book a lot. The dialogue is very witty and I love Marcus and Cat's bantering. And even there's nothing so special about the story but I like the flow. Well, in some part a little bit dragging but it's ok because there is no dull conversation. And how could you not fall in love with the cute twins, especially Mikey with his "dook" ^_____^
I shall continue with the 2nd book very soon, can't wait to know how the curse is going to end. End well, I hope.
Marcus, the Duke of Hart, bearing a curse within him. It began when Marcus's ancestor left a girl named Isabelle Dorring to marry another girl when she was pregnant with his child. Isabelle vowed No duke shall live to see his heir’s birth. Following the curse, for 200 years, all Dukes of Hart have died before seeing their heirs, and Marcus had no intention of experiencing the same fate. He swore he would never get married and ended just as his predecessor.
But then Marcus met Miss Isabelle Catherine Hutting or Cat, the vicar's daughter who insisted against marriage and decided she wants to be the next spinster house's spinster. And as the Duke of Hart, as well as said in Isabelle's will, Marcus is obliged to attend the election and participate in deciding the winner. But more and more Marcus knows Cat, he started to believe that Cat's not belong to the spinster house but to him. And even Cat insisted that she didn't want to get married but she can't deny her feelings toward Marcus.
But the curse still lingered around them.
Is Marcus still willing to marry Cat despite the risk of his life? And will Cat accept the offer?
This is my first Sally MacKenzie's book and to my surprise I like this book a lot. The dialogue is very witty and I love Marcus and Cat's bantering. And even there's nothing so special about the story but I like the flow. Well, in some part a little bit dragging but it's ok because there is no dull conversation. And how could you not fall in love with the cute twins, especially Mikey with his "dook" ^_____^
I shall continue with the 2nd book very soon, can't wait to know how the curse is going to end. End well, I hope.
March 30, 2021
The heroine's character was a trigger - madcap I love Lucy type who wants to write books. Once the H showed interest, her writing was more important. I disliked her friends gossiping about her, so cruel. Even though she thought she was pregnant she decided her writing was more important. She couldn't put pen to paper in the story, so the plot didn't make sense. If you like silly, cartoon characters it might be OK. I disliked them all.
March 23, 2016
It's quite unusual for me to like too good a character like Duke of Hart. Then again, Sally MacKenzie certainly wrote different kind of dukes from what I usually read. Added to that a strong-willed no ninny heroine made an enjoyable reading for me.
However, the ending of the story was unexpectedly disappointing. To be honest, the last 30% of the story was rather frustrating for me. It felt both prolonged and rushed at the same time, and then it just... stopped.
How To Do With A Duke was the first book of Spinster House series, following its novella prequel In the Spinster's Bed. The story set in Victorian era England in Loves Bridge, a town just out of London, the principal seat of the Duke of Hart.
It was believed that two hundred years ago the third Duke was cursed by his jilted pregnant lover, and ever since no Duke of Hart had ever lived to see their heir born. To the Duke of Hart marriage meant death sentence.
Until Marcus, the eighth Duke.
At the beginning, the story pictured Marcus as a cold person - he even nicknamed Heartless Duke, but moving further I couldn't find him that way. It was more like hearsay. On the contrary, I saw Marcus as a decent man who took his role seriously, one who longed for family and children. He's neither goody sanctimonious nor rake sort of noble.
I liked how Cat, the heroine, didn't act awestruck with Marcus's title (her boisterous family certainly treated him no differently too). Their exchanges were quite amusing; I especially loved Cat's twin baby brothers interactions with Marcus - those were funny and touching at the same time.
We also met again with Poppy, the Spinster House's cat, but not as much as we had on the prequel novella. For a while I expect the author forgot about the cat with how little she appeared on the scenes.
And as other characters for next books were introduced, I guessed I should've expected that the story on the curse not end here. It's a letdown though, the way this book ended. I meant, considering the way Cat and Marcus felt strongly earlier in the story, their change of hearts were rather sudden and took only little effort in convincing.
So. It started with a march but ended up more like a slump.
Note:
ARC was kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review.
However, the ending of the story was unexpectedly disappointing. To be honest, the last 30% of the story was rather frustrating for me. It felt both prolonged and rushed at the same time, and then it just... stopped.
How To Do With A Duke was the first book of Spinster House series, following its novella prequel In the Spinster's Bed. The story set in Victorian era England in Loves Bridge, a town just out of London, the principal seat of the Duke of Hart.
It was believed that two hundred years ago the third Duke was cursed by his jilted pregnant lover, and ever since no Duke of Hart had ever lived to see their heir born. To the Duke of Hart marriage meant death sentence.
Until Marcus, the eighth Duke.
At the beginning, the story pictured Marcus as a cold person - he even nicknamed Heartless Duke, but moving further I couldn't find him that way. It was more like hearsay. On the contrary, I saw Marcus as a decent man who took his role seriously, one who longed for family and children. He's neither goody sanctimonious nor rake sort of noble.
I liked how Cat, the heroine, didn't act awestruck with Marcus's title (her boisterous family certainly treated him no differently too). Their exchanges were quite amusing; I especially loved Cat's twin baby brothers interactions with Marcus - those were funny and touching at the same time.
We also met again with Poppy, the Spinster House's cat, but not as much as we had on the prequel novella. For a while I expect the author forgot about the cat with how little she appeared on the scenes.
And as other characters for next books were introduced, I guessed I should've expected that the story on the curse not end here. It's a letdown though, the way this book ended. I meant, considering the way Cat and Marcus felt strongly earlier in the story, their change of hearts were rather sudden and took only little effort in convincing.
So. It started with a march but ended up more like a slump.
Note:
ARC was kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review.
September 17, 2015
Original Post 9/17/15 at
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...
WHAT TO DO WITH A DUKE [& a Spinster] by Sally MacKenzie
Audiobook provided by publisher for review. No remuneration was exchanged and all opinion presented herein is my own except as noted.
I really enjoyed this story where a Duke's line has been cursed to die before his heir can be born, all because of a love affair gone wrong and a meddling mother.
There was a twist in this story; one that softens the Duke of Hart's kind but morose heart that I did not see coming until just before it arrived. It doesn't have much of an impact on the man except to make him more human and less driven on his path to a lonely, short life.
After living in a family with 10 children (TEN!), Cat is ready for some peace and quiet to write novels like Jane Austen, even though her parents believe fiction to be foolish. She thinks she'll find her peace in winning space in the house left by the lover of the third Duke of Hart, Isabelle Dorring. The house is to be the residence (with stipend) for a local spinster for life or until the spinster marries She discovers the quiet and solitude she desires, at least for a while but loses the approbation of the townspeople who believe she got a little something something with the Duke to swing the lottery her way.
This plot is well-constructed and, if not complex, then still cleverly constructed with a tiny paranormal element. After all, we're talking about curses. If you believe in the curse, you open the door for a multitude of other paranormal features. But that element is minor and there are no swirling mists or big time special effects. It's more like the fates have a hand in the story.
I loved Cat's younger siblings, one of whome just calls the Duke, "Duke." It's so cute. Some of the others I could take or leave; they had the kinds of relationships with Cat typical of siblings in a small house.
The story has parts more bawdy than we like to think of the Engilsh aristocracy as being, but, before the Victorians, the kind of were. A historian friend of mine says, "We look at the pact through Victorian lenses." MacKenzie seems to have taken them off, or at least made them half glasses. I'm not saying the story is all that steamy — it is not, just that not all the characters are priggish.
I found the story amusing and it had some nice pathos as Cat tries to fight the desire she feels for the Duke even as she declares herself a spinster. Irony, anyone? I even enjoyed Crick's voicing and narration.
I recommend this fun Regency with a hint of the paranormal.
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...
WHAT TO DO WITH A DUKE [& a Spinster] by Sally MacKenzie
Audiobook provided by publisher for review. No remuneration was exchanged and all opinion presented herein is my own except as noted.
I really enjoyed this story where a Duke's line has been cursed to die before his heir can be born, all because of a love affair gone wrong and a meddling mother.
There was a twist in this story; one that softens the Duke of Hart's kind but morose heart that I did not see coming until just before it arrived. It doesn't have much of an impact on the man except to make him more human and less driven on his path to a lonely, short life.
After living in a family with 10 children (TEN!), Cat is ready for some peace and quiet to write novels like Jane Austen, even though her parents believe fiction to be foolish. She thinks she'll find her peace in winning space in the house left by the lover of the third Duke of Hart, Isabelle Dorring. The house is to be the residence (with stipend) for a local spinster for life or until the spinster marries She discovers the quiet and solitude she desires, at least for a while but loses the approbation of the townspeople who believe she got a little something something with the Duke to swing the lottery her way.
This plot is well-constructed and, if not complex, then still cleverly constructed with a tiny paranormal element. After all, we're talking about curses. If you believe in the curse, you open the door for a multitude of other paranormal features. But that element is minor and there are no swirling mists or big time special effects. It's more like the fates have a hand in the story.
I loved Cat's younger siblings, one of whome just calls the Duke, "Duke." It's so cute. Some of the others I could take or leave; they had the kinds of relationships with Cat typical of siblings in a small house.
The story has parts more bawdy than we like to think of the Engilsh aristocracy as being, but, before the Victorians, the kind of were. A historian friend of mine says, "We look at the pact through Victorian lenses." MacKenzie seems to have taken them off, or at least made them half glasses. I'm not saying the story is all that steamy — it is not, just that not all the characters are priggish.
I found the story amusing and it had some nice pathos as Cat tries to fight the desire she feels for the Duke even as she declares herself a spinster. Irony, anyone? I even enjoyed Crick's voicing and narration.
I recommend this fun Regency with a hint of the paranormal.
August 26, 2015
Posted on What I'm Reading
I have mix feelings about What To Do With a Duke by Sally MacKenzie. I liked the story. It's actually a pretty creative idea, I mean you have Marcus, the Duke of Hart who is living with his family curse that once they marry they never get to see the birth of their heir unless they marry with for love instead of money. So, he's trying to his death sentence as long as possible, but he starts the feel the call of settling down. Sucks to be him. Then he finds out he needs to go Love Bridges to find a new spinster for the Spinster House, which becomes a big mess of an ordeal. Instead of one candidate there are three. One being the delectable Miss Isabelle Catherine Hutting (Cat), which happens to be related to Isabelle Dorring.
Anyway, in What To Do With a Duke we see Marcus drawn to Cat and vice versa. Yet, Cat doesn't want to tie herself down to the Duke, because he truly believes in the curse. Marcus believes he should be happy that Cat turned him down, but he feels empty and kind of lost. After all, so many young ladies have tried to capture Marcus knowing about the curse.
Like I said the story is pretty creative. Now you wonder about my mixed feelings about the story. There is a lot that actually goes on What To Do With a Duke, we have three friends that want the Spinster House and they pretty much would go to any lengths to get the home. I don't care what anyone else says, but girls can be mean vicious even with friends. If some tells you otherwise they are LYING. They are a bit contentions between Cat, Jane, and Anne. We also find Marcus trying to convince Cat to marry him, but she's a bit stubborn at times through the story. I understand why she saying no when she wants to say yes, but it gets drawn out a bit. By the end of the story, I wasn't sure if I quite believe that their is a curse, but more like a series of unfortunate events that happen to the Duke of Hart. I'm hoping that we get the true answer to what happen to these dukes by the end of the series. What To Do With a Duke is a good story with an interesting premise, and leaves me curious to find out what happens in the next book. I truly hope that Marcus and Cat can break past the curse and live happy-ever-after.
Copy provided by Zebra via NetGalley
I have mix feelings about What To Do With a Duke by Sally MacKenzie. I liked the story. It's actually a pretty creative idea, I mean you have Marcus, the Duke of Hart who is living with his family curse that once they marry they never get to see the birth of their heir unless they marry with for love instead of money. So, he's trying to his death sentence as long as possible, but he starts the feel the call of settling down. Sucks to be him. Then he finds out he needs to go Love Bridges to find a new spinster for the Spinster House, which becomes a big mess of an ordeal. Instead of one candidate there are three. One being the delectable Miss Isabelle Catherine Hutting (Cat), which happens to be related to Isabelle Dorring.
Anyway, in What To Do With a Duke we see Marcus drawn to Cat and vice versa. Yet, Cat doesn't want to tie herself down to the Duke, because he truly believes in the curse. Marcus believes he should be happy that Cat turned him down, but he feels empty and kind of lost. After all, so many young ladies have tried to capture Marcus knowing about the curse.
Like I said the story is pretty creative. Now you wonder about my mixed feelings about the story. There is a lot that actually goes on What To Do With a Duke, we have three friends that want the Spinster House and they pretty much would go to any lengths to get the home. I don't care what anyone else says, but girls can be mean vicious even with friends. If some tells you otherwise they are LYING. They are a bit contentions between Cat, Jane, and Anne. We also find Marcus trying to convince Cat to marry him, but she's a bit stubborn at times through the story. I understand why she saying no when she wants to say yes, but it gets drawn out a bit. By the end of the story, I wasn't sure if I quite believe that their is a curse, but more like a series of unfortunate events that happen to the Duke of Hart. I'm hoping that we get the true answer to what happen to these dukes by the end of the series. What To Do With a Duke is a good story with an interesting premise, and leaves me curious to find out what happens in the next book. I truly hope that Marcus and Cat can break past the curse and live happy-ever-after.
Copy provided by Zebra via NetGalley
August 9, 2015
Cat Hutting is surrounded by family. Between her parents and her ten siblings, she has no place to write her book. For as much as she loves her family, she craves solitude and the only way that will happen is if she leaves her family home.
When Marcus, the handsome Duke of Hart appears in the charming village of Loves Bridge, Cat knows that something is up, for the duke hasn't been in Loves Bridge in almost a lifetime. After Marcus receives a letter that there is a vacancy at Spinster House, it is his job to find a new spinster to occupy the house and once Cat discovers this, she knows she has her way out.
With the solution to his troubles in front of him, Marcus sees the end in sight until the rules set up by the first spinster are discovered and thwart Cat's search for quiet. She is not the only spinster vying for a place in Spinster House, two of her friends also covet the spot and they will do what they must to achieve that end, even if it upends the Duke of Hart's carefully cool existence. Did I mention the curse? Ah well you see, the first spinster cursed the Hart dukedom when her love for Marcus' ancestor lead her to her end. The curse cites that no duke shall live to see his heir's birth and Marcus has seen this curse work so convincingly over the generations. Only true love can break the curse, but Marcus believes that true love is a fallacy.
Cat doesn't believe in the curse and finds that Marcus' belief is a detriment. Marcus is attracted to the feisty Cat, but knows that any relationship between them is doomed, but he simply can't get her out of his mind! Cat protests her interest in the duke, but their attraction simmers making this story too good to pass up.
WHAT TO DO WITH A DUKE by the incomparable Sally MacKenzie is a delightful tale teeming with excitement, mystery and humor. Not only are the hero and heroine delightful, but the colorful cast of characters in the Hutting family and their surrounding neighbors add to the enchanting story.
Ms. MacKenzie knows well how to play on the reader's emotions right down to the final word. This first book in the SPINSTER HOUSE series WHAT TO DO WITH A DUKE is a must read for fans of historical romance.
When Marcus, the handsome Duke of Hart appears in the charming village of Loves Bridge, Cat knows that something is up, for the duke hasn't been in Loves Bridge in almost a lifetime. After Marcus receives a letter that there is a vacancy at Spinster House, it is his job to find a new spinster to occupy the house and once Cat discovers this, she knows she has her way out.
With the solution to his troubles in front of him, Marcus sees the end in sight until the rules set up by the first spinster are discovered and thwart Cat's search for quiet. She is not the only spinster vying for a place in Spinster House, two of her friends also covet the spot and they will do what they must to achieve that end, even if it upends the Duke of Hart's carefully cool existence. Did I mention the curse? Ah well you see, the first spinster cursed the Hart dukedom when her love for Marcus' ancestor lead her to her end. The curse cites that no duke shall live to see his heir's birth and Marcus has seen this curse work so convincingly over the generations. Only true love can break the curse, but Marcus believes that true love is a fallacy.
Cat doesn't believe in the curse and finds that Marcus' belief is a detriment. Marcus is attracted to the feisty Cat, but knows that any relationship between them is doomed, but he simply can't get her out of his mind! Cat protests her interest in the duke, but their attraction simmers making this story too good to pass up.
WHAT TO DO WITH A DUKE by the incomparable Sally MacKenzie is a delightful tale teeming with excitement, mystery and humor. Not only are the hero and heroine delightful, but the colorful cast of characters in the Hutting family and their surrounding neighbors add to the enchanting story.
Ms. MacKenzie knows well how to play on the reader's emotions right down to the final word. This first book in the SPINSTER HOUSE series WHAT TO DO WITH A DUKE is a must read for fans of historical romance.
August 20, 2015
This was a fun light-hearted read. It wasn't too deep and didn't deal with horribly serious issues - it was just kinda fluffy and fun.
Our hero in this story is the Duke of Hart, also known as the Cursed Duke. In nearly 200 years past, it is believed the 3rd Duke of Hart was cursed by his pregnant lover (Isabel Dorring) when he married another. Since that time, all of the dukes have perished shortly after their wives have become enceinte with their heir. As Marcus has been told of the curse since he was a small boy, and both his father and grandfather succumbed to an early death, the curse is firmly rooted in his psyche.
Part of the curse is that the house where Isabel Dorring lived is now known as the Spinster House, and serves as home to a confirmed spinster. Whenever a vacancy occurs at Spinster House (whether by death or marriage), the duke must personally go to the country and pick a new spinster. And after a marriage-minded hussy has (again) tried to trap the duke into marriage, the notice of the spinster vacancy comes at just the right time when he needs to get out of London for a bit.
Catherine is the oldest daughter of a vicar, who has a very full house and whopping 10 children. Even though Cat is the eldest, her younger sisters are already marrying and Cat is suffering snide comments from relatives and neighbors alike. Cat only aspires to be an author, but she can't get a moment of peace and quiet to write her stories. She jumps at the chance to become the new spinster, and so begins her interaction with the duke.
Will Cat and Marcus be able to break the curse? I liked both of these characters and all of their interactions with one another. I felt so sorry for Marcus growing up in the shadow of the curse, feeling lonely and yearning for love and a family. And I could imagine the exasperation Cat felt at never getting time to herself in her crowded house. Though I have to say that I absolutely loved her youngest brothers - they stole the show several times in the book. This was a sweet country love story and I look forward to reading more about future spinsters finding love.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 4 stars / 3 flames.
Our hero in this story is the Duke of Hart, also known as the Cursed Duke. In nearly 200 years past, it is believed the 3rd Duke of Hart was cursed by his pregnant lover (Isabel Dorring) when he married another. Since that time, all of the dukes have perished shortly after their wives have become enceinte with their heir. As Marcus has been told of the curse since he was a small boy, and both his father and grandfather succumbed to an early death, the curse is firmly rooted in his psyche.
Part of the curse is that the house where Isabel Dorring lived is now known as the Spinster House, and serves as home to a confirmed spinster. Whenever a vacancy occurs at Spinster House (whether by death or marriage), the duke must personally go to the country and pick a new spinster. And after a marriage-minded hussy has (again) tried to trap the duke into marriage, the notice of the spinster vacancy comes at just the right time when he needs to get out of London for a bit.
Catherine is the oldest daughter of a vicar, who has a very full house and whopping 10 children. Even though Cat is the eldest, her younger sisters are already marrying and Cat is suffering snide comments from relatives and neighbors alike. Cat only aspires to be an author, but she can't get a moment of peace and quiet to write her stories. She jumps at the chance to become the new spinster, and so begins her interaction with the duke.
Will Cat and Marcus be able to break the curse? I liked both of these characters and all of their interactions with one another. I felt so sorry for Marcus growing up in the shadow of the curse, feeling lonely and yearning for love and a family. And I could imagine the exasperation Cat felt at never getting time to herself in her crowded house. Though I have to say that I absolutely loved her youngest brothers - they stole the show several times in the book. This was a sweet country love story and I look forward to reading more about future spinsters finding love.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 4 stars / 3 flames.
August 24, 2015
WHAT TO DO WITH A DUKE is a delightfully charming book and one which to my mind was totally enchanting. The fact that this is the first book in a new series – Spinster House Series – makes it even more delectable for me when I can start a great series right from the start.
Daughter of the town cleric in the village of Loves Bridge, Miss Isabelle Catherine “Cat” Hutting was thrilled when she heard that the spinster who had occupied the Spinster House had eloped and the house was empty. Notification went out to the Duke of Hart aka the Cursed Duke who must come and formally endorse the next spinster to occupy the house. Cat who needed peace and quiet to write her novel - away from the interruptions of a busy house and numerous siblings - knew that at the advanced age of 25 she was on the shelf; didn’t want to get married; and wanted to be the next spinster to occupy that wonderful quiet house.
After being notified of the vacancy at the Spinster House, Marcus, the Duke of Hart hightailed it to Loves Bridge following the rules all Dukes of Hart must follow which were dictated 200 years before in order to select the next spinster to occupy the house.
One problem Cat encountered was that the Cursed Duke was the most handsome man she had ever seen, and very impressive. The same problem Marcus faced as he was just as attracted to Cat as she to him. The bigger problem was the actual curse which stated that any Duke of Hart who married would never see his heir born and be dead within the next nine months of a valid pregnancy.
With wit and writing that moved this story right along at a great pace, plus characters that leapt into your heart (especially the four year old twin brothers of Cat) this is one of those splendid reads that one doesn’t like to lay down until finished! Excellent and highly recommended.
Marilyn Rondeau
Daughter of the town cleric in the village of Loves Bridge, Miss Isabelle Catherine “Cat” Hutting was thrilled when she heard that the spinster who had occupied the Spinster House had eloped and the house was empty. Notification went out to the Duke of Hart aka the Cursed Duke who must come and formally endorse the next spinster to occupy the house. Cat who needed peace and quiet to write her novel - away from the interruptions of a busy house and numerous siblings - knew that at the advanced age of 25 she was on the shelf; didn’t want to get married; and wanted to be the next spinster to occupy that wonderful quiet house.
After being notified of the vacancy at the Spinster House, Marcus, the Duke of Hart hightailed it to Loves Bridge following the rules all Dukes of Hart must follow which were dictated 200 years before in order to select the next spinster to occupy the house.
One problem Cat encountered was that the Cursed Duke was the most handsome man she had ever seen, and very impressive. The same problem Marcus faced as he was just as attracted to Cat as she to him. The bigger problem was the actual curse which stated that any Duke of Hart who married would never see his heir born and be dead within the next nine months of a valid pregnancy.
With wit and writing that moved this story right along at a great pace, plus characters that leapt into your heart (especially the four year old twin brothers of Cat) this is one of those splendid reads that one doesn’t like to lay down until finished! Excellent and highly recommended.
Marilyn Rondeau
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