Between the Duke and the Deep Blue Sea

March 19, 2012
In the first of Nash's Royal Entourage novels, Alexander Barclay, the Duke of Kress, must atone for outrageous behavior at a bachelor party (at which he blacked out) by abiding by the wishes of the Prince Regent. Alex must return to his estate at St. Michael's Mount in Cornwall and choose a wife within a month's time, but he is derailed on his journey when he rescues a young woman hanging onto the side of a cliff. Roxanne Vanderhaven, Countess of Paxton and damsel in distress, relies on Alex's charity as she leaves behind her former life and husband, since he abandoned her on the escarpment's face. As a parade of eligible young misses arrives at the Mount, Roxanne's jealousy flairs up. As she tries to thwart Alex's matrimonial plans and elude her husband, Roxanne's antics add humor to this enchanting Regency romance. As Alex's thoughtful deeds reveal his genuine ardor for Roxanne, he is transformed from the ne'er do well bachelor into a man worthy of the love and trust of Roxanne. Readers will look forward to what Nash (Secrets of a Scandalous Bride) has in store for the other dukes in this engaging series.

February 15, 2012
An evening of revelry at Carleton House--the details of which are lost to drink--leads to political scandal for the Dukes of the Royal Entourage. Prinny (eventually George IV) forces them each to make amends, paving the way for another delightful series from the ever-popular, consummately enjoyable Nash ("Secrets of a Scandalous Bride"). The first to be given his "assignment," the Duke of Kress, Alexander Barclay, is sent off to Cornwall to repair his crumbling estates. There, he finds Roxanne Vanderhaven hanging on a cliff face and in serious need of rescue (thanks to her greedy husband). Alex sees a remarkable opportunity for redemption--and ends up with much more in the bargain. VERDICT A noble scoundrel meets his match in this sexy, engaging Regency escapade. Nash lives in Potomac, MD.

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from February 15, 2012
Roxanne Vanderhaven thought she had a good marriage until she found herself dangling precariously over the edge of a slippery cliff in Cornwall. Her husband, Lawrence, Earl of Paxton, is taking an awfully long time to return with the help he promised he would bring, and she is beginning to realize that she is married to a murderous cad. Fortunately Alexander Barclay, the new Duke of Kress, happens by just before she plunges to an untimely death. Banished from London by the prince regent and given one month to find a suitable lady to wed, Alexander has enough on his plate without becoming embroiled in irate Roxanne's plans to exact justice against her treacherous husband. Much to Alexander's surprise, he is about to discover he is much more of a hero than he ever imagined he could be. RITA Award winner Nash soars to new literary heights with her latest flawlessly crafted novel, which delivers an abundance of addictively acerbic and often laugh-out-loud humor, an exceptionally entertaining cast of supporting characters, and a superbly sexy romance between a perfectly matched pair of protagonists.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)