"Great romance"
At Brandhurst Hall, the Duke is dead having been
murdered in his garden. His wife of two decades Olivia
feels free after the abuse he piled on her, but also is
frightened about the immediate requirements of an
aristocratic burial. Not long after the funeral, Olivia
meets gardener Will Barnes. The duo chats and soon they
are in each other's arms sharing lovemaking like nothing
that either has felt before. A year later, the nephew of the deceased duke sees an
opportunity to eliminate Olivia from sharing the family
wealth. He plans to accuse her of murdering her husband
with the means being her letter opener, the motive his
abuse, and the opportunity anytime in the boudoir (though
they rarely were there together). Unable to ignore
Olivia's plight, Will makes inquiries to prove his beloved
is innocent even though he knows the cost of his actions is
everything he cherishes. Assuming the high intelligence of her audience, Julie
Beard provides her readers with a great late Victorian
romance that is bound to make the short lists of every
historical reader. The story line is loaded with a
juggernaut of a cast who provides insight to the changing
climate in England. The subplots such as female factory
employment and the who-done-it brilliantly return to the
prime star-crossed lovers theme. Though historical mystery
readers will feel the amateur sleuth investigation is
shortchanged, fans of romance and nineteenth century tales
will fully relish the rich cleverly written THE DUCHESS'
LOVER. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted March 25, 2002
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After more than twenty years, Olivia, Duchess of Brandhust,
is finally free—free from the shackles of a lovless
marriage to a cruel, domineering husband. An in one
reckless night of passion, she experiences that freedom—in
the arms of Will Barnes, a man she meets by chance in the
moonlight of a garden, a man forbidden to her by the
unwritten laws of Victorian society.
Once the night is over, Livie returns to her role of
grieving widow. But memories of that night haunt Livie—and
Will as well. Unable to forget her or the fierce emotions
she inspires in him, he returns. With his working-class
background and artistic talents, Will is unlike anyone
Livie has ever known. Despite the scandal that threatens
their love, and the differenced between them, she cannot
resist him, or the beauty he brings to her life. But when
Livie's enemies try to destroy her with vicious accusations
about her marriage, Will is determined to save her, even if
it means giving her up. Somehow, Livie must prove to him
that their passion is worth any sacrifice, and that he is
much more than the duchess' lover—he is her love...
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