Seven Minutes in Heaven

November 28, 2016
James continues her long-running and multigenerational Desperate Duchesses series (Four Nights with the Duke) with an enjoyable romance set in early 18th-century London. Eugenia Snow, a viscount’s widow, is free to enjoy herself amid London’s social whirl, but she prefers to focus on running her agency for high-end governesses. When Theodore “Ward” Reeve strides into her office demanding a replacement governess for his orphaned half-siblings, she is tempted to be scandalous for the first time since her husband’s death seven years before. The attraction between Eugenia and Ward is instantaneous, and they leap into an enjoyable no-strings-attached affair. James avoids the cliché of a widow who didn’t find sexual satisfaction with her first lover; Eugenia talks frankly about enjoying the physical side of her marriage. Series fans who remember Ward and Eugenia as children will enjoy seeing them united as adults. Eugenia bonds with Ward’s kids and showers them with love, understanding, and laughter. She is honest about her feelings as Ward reassesses his prejudices and assumptions. Even though Eugenia forgives him far too easily for his mistakes, their romance is a fine addition to the series. Agent: Kimberly Witherspoon, Inkwell Management Literary.

Narrator Susan Duerden is on familiar ground here, having already read several audiobooks in James's Desperate Duchesses series. Lady Eugenia Snowe, a young widow with no desire to remarry, puts all her energy into her successful governess agency. Ward Reeve, illegitimate son of an earl, has recently begun raising his young half-siblings and has already gone through several governesses. Desperate, Ward decides to go straight to the top, kidnapping Eugenia to help him sort out the children before a custody trial. Fans of the series will recognize both main characters as children from earlier books, so it's fun to see them together here. Duerden's light, almost singsong delivery works well for the humorous story elements but can detract from the more serious moments. On the whole, though, this is a most enjoyable listening experience. L.C.L. � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

February 15, 2017

Aristocratic Oxford don Edward Reeve, bastard son of an earl, has just sacked the governess and now needs a new one for his mischievous half-siblings. Naturally, Eugenia Snowe's agency, noted for its premier employees, is his preferred option, and since his former "unsatisfactory" governess was from Snowe's, he won't take no for an answer. But widowed Eugenia is the daughter of a marquis and not to be cowed, even by a man as appealing as Ward, who has no idea of her true social status. However, Ward is involved in a custody battle, so when Eugenia has problems finding a suitable replacement, he's not above whisking her away to his estate until a new governess arrives--in part for propriety's sake but also because he's always wanted to kidnap a woman. Although not directly aligned with earlier novels, this title features character links and a cameo appearance by the Duke of Villiers that are sure to delight James's fans. VERDICT Graced with stinging banter, delicious sensuality, and lively wit, James's latest Regency is pure magic. James (My American Duchess) lives in the New York City area.

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2016
When Eugenia Snowe, owner of the most renowned governess agency in England, meets Ward Reeve, a rich inventor and bastard son of an earl, he turns her life upside down.Ward needs a governess for his half siblings, and when even the elite Snowe agency fails him, he goes straight to the source--the owner, widow Eugenia. Ward's life is tumultuous. His long-estranged mother has died, leaving her two legitimate children in his care--one of them is also heir to a title--so he figures he needs a governess and a wife. Tackling the governess issue first, he enlists the aid of the venerable Mrs. Snowe, but when two of her governesses don't work out, he basically kidnaps her and takes her to his estate. Ward is the first man Eugenia has noticed since the death of her husband years ago, and she has never even considered marrying again. She enjoys her freedom and has no desire to put her wealth or the successful business she's built into a man's hands, as she'd legally be required to do if she remarried. But as she takes his household in hand and becomes entwined with the family, she begins to fall in love with all of them. Ward, who has lived abroad for years and not kept up with society, doesn't realize she's not simply a tradeswoman, but is in fact the daughter of a marquis herself. And while he's falling in love with her, too, he deems her unworthy as a wife despite her subtle hints to the contrary. Romance star James (My American Duchess, 2016, etc.) takes a complicated conflict and infuses it with emotional depth, then heightens it with sexual tension, loss, misunderstanding, pride, and class bias with an interesting twist. Any historical romance reader will enjoy this book, but James' fans will be especially pleased to revisit characters from the original Desperate Duchesses series titles--they'll recognize Eugenia as Strange's daughter from Duchess by Night (2008) and Ward (formerly known as Teddy) from Desperate Duchesses (2007). Another bright, delightful read from a queen of historical romance.

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Starred review from December 1, 2016
The incredible irony of the whole thing is not lost on Ward Reeve. He had been a holy terror to all his governesses as a lad, and now his young half-siblings, Lizzie and Otis, seem to be perpetuating the same bad behavior. So far, the two have managed to drive away every governess Ward has hired, including Penelope Lumley, who came highly recommended by Snowe's Registry Office for Select Governesses. If Ward can't prove he is a responsible parental figure, he will lose guardianship of Lizzie and Otis. So as far as Ward is concerned, Eugenia Snowe owes him another governess. Someone who can effectively manage his two half-siblings and restore order to his home and his life. Someone exactly like Eugenia Snowe. RITA Awardwinner James (My American Duchess, 2016) woos readers with another irresistible liaison of lushly sensual romance and deliciously wicked wit, and her flair for crafting unforgettable, richly dimensional characters is the satisfying center of this scrumptious literary confection.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)