The Duke's Disaster

February 23, 2015
After several contemporary American romances, Burrowes (What a Lady Needs for Christmas) returns to Regency England for this tender standalone. Noah Winters, Duke of Anselm, has every intention of marrying the lovely Marliss Hallowell, but when he offers, she refuses. Being the pragmatic sort, he promptly proposes to Araminthea Collins, Marliss’s companion. Thea considers turning him down, believing that her tarnished past makes her unsuitable to be a duchess, but she can’t resist the protection of his name, financial security, and a stable home for her younger sister. The wedding night is full of good intentions gone horribly wrong, leaving Thea distressed and Noah feeling betrayed. But even with hurt feelings on both sides, they both try to be civil and salvage their marriage. Noah is a lovable rogue, stealing Thea’s breakfast every morning. Instead of teasing or cajoling Noah into forgiveness, Thea just wants to move forward and be his friend. Every interaction, touch, and look is infused with warmth, sensuality, and humor. This romance has its funny moments and light banter, but the weightier themes of force and trust cast deep shadows. The marvelous protagonists balance out some ham-fisted handling of issues around sexual consent. Agent: Steve Axelrod, Axelrod Literary Agency.

Starred review from April 15, 2015

Noah Winters, Duke of Anselm, is not a nice man. He even says so himself. But he is titled, wealthy, and needs a wife. So when his latest quarry wisely decides to marry another, he offers for her sensible companion, Lady Araminthea Collins, instead--and despite serious doubts, she agrees. A practical, civilized marriage is what they expect, but as respect and desire grow, it begins to turn into more. But a jealous and vindictive malcontent threatens to destroy their happiness by spreading mischief and old scandals that put the couple's love to the test. VERDICT Issues of trust and understanding are front and center in this exquisitely crafted, intensely memorable romance that is another winner for the exceptional Burrowes (Kiss Me Hello); she lives in rural Maryland.

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2015
Ever-popular and versatile Burrowes alternates between contemporary (Kiss Me Hello, 2015) and historical (The Laird, 2014) romances. In her latest love story, set in the past, Noah, Duke of Anselm, loses his bid to marry a wealthy heiress, so he approaches her companion, Lady Araminthea, called Thea, and proposes. They marry and he then learns that Thea had a difficult past. In fact, she still has nightmares about the time her domestic employment left her defenseless. Noah can't get past his hurt over her lack of trust in him until he begins to admire her intelligence and kindness. He is used to taking care of others and enjoys the novelty of someone who looks after him. When family and friends begin to hear rumors about her past, and her reputation, the couple work together to defend their union. Burrowes' experience as a family attorney makes her depiction of a rape victim and a no-doubt common crime against vulnerable domestic workers utterly believable, while the gradually growing closeness between Thea and Noah is a delightful courtship to experience.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)