Dukes Prefer Blondes

Starred review from October 12, 2015
Chase’s fourth entry in the Dressmakers Series (after Vixen in Velvet) is a scintillating and sensual read. Thirteen years after Oliver “Raven” Radford and Lady Clara scuffled with Raven’s cousin Bernard, Lady Clara and Raven are reunited at his London law office. Clara wants to find Toby, a pauper boy. Raven knows this involves infiltrating the dangerous street gang run by the notorious Jacob Freame (who already has a vendetta against Raven), but he realizes that he faces an even greater peril—that of falling in love with the beautiful, blond Clara. What ensues is a blend of action and suspense set amid Clara and Raven’s witty banter and increasing sexual tension, as they scheme against shady characters and navigate their growing love for each other. In addition to the powerful social commentary on women’s role in society and the life of youth in London’s poverty-ridden back alleys and schools, Chase’s tongue-in-cheek tone captures tender and humorous nuances in character descriptions and actions, creating fully realized characters and a rich plot. Agent: Nancy Yost, Nancy Yost Literary Agency.

Narrator Kate Reading skillfully lays out the unique romance of Barrister Oliver Radford and the forthright Lady Clara Fairfax. Oliver is argumentative, condescending, and overly fond of lists, but he has the wit to appreciate Lady Clara's intellect even more than her admirable figure. With their shared love of debate, both characters might have come across as prosy, but Reading avoids this trap, hinting at Oliver's vulnerability and voicing Lady Clara with melodious humor and just the right touch of firmness. Reading keeps the pace moving through Oliver's and Lady Clara's many trials, literal and otherwise. Her delightfully acrobatic renderings of the verbal sparring between the protagonists are the high points of the production. T.M.D. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine

December 1, 2015

While Lady Clara Fairfax was raised to be a duchess, that's the last thing the intelligent, well-read, and stunningly beautiful young woman wants to be. Stifled by both her sex and her station, she yearns for adventure and to make a difference. When the opportunity to help lands in her lap, she embraces it with both hands--and ends up embracing nobly born barrister Oliver Radford as well. With action that flows from the crime-filled London rookeries to the glittering upper-class ballrooms, this cleverly plotted, vividly descriptive historical evokes the flavor of pre-Victorian England with flair, precision, and all the appropriate class clashes. VERDICT This exceptional romance features a heroine who only wants the freedom to be herself and a strong, insightful hero who encourages her. With flawless research, exquisite sensuality, and brilliant repartee that extends to the bedroom, this is another unforgettable winner from the impeccable Chase. Chase (Vixen in Velvet) lives in Worcester, MA.

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from November 15, 2015
Lady Clara Fairfax knows why most of the eligible bachelors in the ton want to marry her, but Clara wants a man who can look beneath her famous beauty and legendary sense of style and see that she not only has a mind of her own but also that she enjoys using it. In other words, Clara needs a man like barrister Oliver Raven Radford. Clara knows that Oliver is the best person to help her locate Toby Coppy, the younger brother of one of the students at the Milliners' Society for the Education of Indigent Females, a London charity that Clara supports. However, Clara finds that convincing Oliver to allow her to help will not only take all of her wits but a few of her feminine wiles as well. RITA Awardwinning Chase is in fine form with the fourth brilliant addition to her best-selling Dressmakers series (Vixen in Velvet, 2014) as she deftly stitches together superbly nuanced characters, a captivating plot that realistically deals with both the glitter and grime of the Regency era, and a graceful writing style fueled by a resplendent sense of wit to create a romance to cherish.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)