From a New York Times bestselling author: Unpaid and under-appreciated journalist Miss Eve Shelling never goes anywhere without a trusty notebook and her overprotective Duenna—who happens to be a bullmastiff. Eve learned the hard way that men are not to be trusted. She’s definitely not falling head-over-heels for the deceptively charming subject of her front-page column.Local blacksmith Monsieur … front-page column.
Local blacksmith Monsieur Sébastien le Duc is the pillar of his community—when he’s not pillaging elsewhere. He’s a rakish dandy with a heart of stolen gold and two teeny tiny secrets. One happens to be a wee international smuggling operation. The other involves losing his heart to an ambitious journalist determined to expose the truth at any cost…
The 12 Dukes of Christmas is a series of heartwarming Regency romps nestled in a picturesque snow-covered village. After all, nothing heats up a winter night quite like finding oneself in the arms of a duke!
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The Twelve Dukes of Christmas:
- Once Upon a Duke
- Kiss of a Duke
- Wish Upon a Duke
- Never Say Duke
- Dukes, Actually
- The Duke’s Bride
- The Duke’s Embrace
- The Duke’s Desire
- Dawn with a Duke
- One Night with a Duke
- Ten Days with a Duke
- Forever Your Duke
more
Eve Shelling longs to be a serious journalist, but when her exposé about the founder of Cressmouth aka Christmas is published, her father, the owner of the Cressmouth Gazette is livid and says they only write about Christmas. She argues and he agrees to let her write one “non-Christmas” story as long as he approves the subject and the story before it is published.
Sébastien “Bastien” le Duc and his brother Lucien are the local blacksmiths in town, they came to Cressmouth many years ago when they were rescued from the “terror” in France, but even after 18 years, they long to return to their home. Now that the wars are over and it is safe to return, they have a plan to go just as soon as they sell the smithy. Lucien wants to leave immediately, but Bastien says they need to some time and plans to leave on twelfth night.
Eve is watching the swans – the subject of her non-Christmas story, when her friend Margaret Church joins her and suggests she write a feature about a local citizen. Eve loves the idea and when they notice the le Duc brothers, she decides they are perfect for her story. Eve doesn’t trust men, past experience taught her a hard lesson and she vows to never be duped again. But her interest in Bastien is purely professional, she has no interest in him personally – Really! Alright, he is handsome and well dressed, so much so that his admirers call him “Beau”, but there is more to him than his fashion sense and that is what she needs to learn.
When Bastien approaches Eve about taking out an advert in the Gazette, she jumps at the chance to spend time with him writing the perfect listing for the smithy. She tells him of the swan story and he offers to introduce her to a local artist who would be happy to draw something for the paper. She immediately questions his motives, why would he help her? He says she is helping him, so he will help her.
As the days pass, Eve and Bastien’s friendship deepens and stronger feelings grow, but they each have secrets, Bastien is leaving soon and she has dreams that don’t include handsome, well-dressed blacksmiths, only a fool would fall in love…
I thought this was a sweet novella with more depth than I was expecting. Bastien and Eve are both likeable characters with a great chemistry between them. I thought the story was well written, paced nicely, had a bit of steam, a bit of heartache and a very well thought out HEA. This is the seventh book in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone title. I am happy to recommend this title and look forward to future installments in this series!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the Publisher*
I am SO enjoying the 12 Dukes of Christmas series!! I was looking forward to reading Sébastien’s story and Erica Ridley did not disappoint. I just loved his fun character and being quite the dandy had some hilarious moments. Eve was his perfect opposite and adding her bullmastiff in the mix made for such a delightful story.
Decisions…hard decisions….had to be made, though. Sébastien has to choose between going back to France with his brother Lucien or stay in England for love. Eve has to choose between standing up to her father, writing the kind of stories SHE wants for the newspaper or leaving England. Once she learns of Sébastien’s secrets, she has another decision to make!!
I was given an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
The Duke’s Embrace by Erica Ridley
12 Dukes of Christmas #7
Monsieur Sebastien “Bastien” le Duc is one of three French children brought to England by their during the French revolution. They lost their parents and land but have made a life and home in Cressmouth, England. Their income comes from the blacksmith shop and a side business with t heir friend…an illegal business that sees them all much more financially comfortable. In the last book their sister met the man she would marry and in the next story it will be older brother Lucien’s turn to meet and marry. But, this is Bastien’s story and a fun one it was indeed.
Miss Eve Shelling is the woman that Bastien will fall for and she will reciprocate by falling for him, too. The two will have a few hurdles to overcome as they move toward their happily ever after. She has dreams and so does he but as the two are dreams are not on the same continent it might be difficult to fulfill booth dreams…or will it?
I liked Bastien even though he was a bit of a dandy…a strong, wise, intelligent dandy who also is strong and manly from his work at the smithy. I also liked Eve and felt sorry for her having to deal with her rather repressive father and the backstory she has had to live with. I LOVED Duenna the bullmastiff at Eve’s side…and then there was Chef the pig…I wonder if Chef and Duenna will become best of friends as time goes on? I can’t wait to read Lucien’s story next.
Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review of this novella length story.
4 Stars
Less frivolous than the previous books in this series, this story nevertheless has laugh-out-loud moments interspersed with heartache and pain. Eve has an inquisitive mind and not being inclined to follow her father’s dictates about what should go into the Cressmouth newspaper, she looks for ways in which to make the newspaper more interesting and relevant to the small town where Christmas is a year-round event. Despite keeping her distance, she keeps bumping into Bastien le Duc, the young Frenchman who has made Cressmouth his home. Bastien has a love for the finer things in life and with his quirky sense of fun and love for dashing clothing make him an interesting character. Eve has been fascinated by him for years, but her lack of self-confidence and focus on the newspaper have made her wary of being openly friendly. The Le Duc brothers have a driving need to return to France and reclaim their inheritance after the Reign of Terror and Bastien realises that Eve may, in fact, have the perfect solution for them to sell their forge. When the conflict between Eve and her father comes to a head, Bastien has to find a way in which to solve all their problems. I received a copy of this gentle romance as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
The Duke’s Embrace by Erica Ridley is book 7 in the 12 Dukes of Christmas Series. I have loved each of Ridley’s stories. They can truly be read as stand-alone books. I think this hero was one of my favorites. Monsieur Sebastien le Duc is a dandy – an incredibly masculine dandy. That sets him apart from most Regency character heroes. In other books, a dandy ( someone who is unduly devoted to style and appearance) is generally seen as foppish. But in The Duke’s Embrace, Sebastien is an incredibly masculine blacksmith. “She let her gaze linger on the muscles of his upper arm, on the breadth of his strong shoulders, on the thrilling familiarity of his wide, firm mouth and how sensual it had felt against her own.” There is a very steamy sex scene. Looking forward to the next book in this series. I was given a copy of this book.
After reading the last book I was anxiously waiting on Bastien’s (and Lucien’s) book. This is a lovely story of do I or don’t I want to leave my life when I meet someone and go back to who knows what with my brother. Bastien is definitely swoon-worthy and gobble up good and you see why Eve fell for him. But can she overcome his little side venture enough to stay with him? Eve wants more than just being a pawn for her father’s newspaper and good for her she gets it. Bastien and Eve are a feel-good couple.
I received a complimentary copy from the author.
The Duke’s Embrace
12 Dukes of Christmas Series #7
Erica Ridley
https://www.facebook.com/ericaridley/
Release date 12/03/2019
Publisher Webmotion
Blurb :
Unpaid and under-appreciated journalist Miss Eve Shelling never goes anywhere without a trusty notebook and her overprotective Duenna—who happens to be a bullmastiff. Eve learned the hard way that men are not to be trusted. She’s definitely not falling head-over-heels for the deceptively charming subject of her front-page column.
Local blacksmith Monsieur Sébastien le Duc is the pillar of his community—when he’s not pillaging elsewhere. He’s a rakish dandy with a heart of stolen gold and two teeny tiny secrets. One happens to be a wee international smuggling operation. The other involves losing his heart to an ambitious journalist determined to expose the truth at any cost…
My review :
When looking for the one news that will launch her journalist’s career, a miss must decide what is worth, love or scoop …
With each new addition in this series, Mrs Erica Ridley offers more and more surprising portraits from this out-of-time Christmas themed town.
After the Le Duc sister, now it is time for one of the brother.
Sébastian is so much more than his dandy appearance let suggest. He is no empty headed haughty French man, but a kind, careful man who made do with what life taught him. For his family, he will do anything, even going against the law, or follow his brother because it is his goal to go back to France.
Eve since a dramatic event has locked her heart, she makes do, she bends to her father’s will, trying to mend their shattered relationship. But when in need of an advice, it comes from the person she expected the least. Now indebted, she agree to his demand and when she saw him as a ne’er-do-well, she discovers his dandy like attires are only for show, daily he is a smithy, working his hands for his family.
I confess I was upset at Eve for shunning Bastian, she based her opinion on his appearance when he was able to see past her disheveled aspect.
Hopefully she fast changes her opinion, realizing there are many layers on Mr Le Duc, he can’t be summarized by his choice of clothes.
This seventh book is one more great tale about seeking what one really wants.
5 stars
I was granted an advance copy by the author, I preordered my own too.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/510763112846198?d=n&sfns=mo
Enjoyed the story. Bastien and his siblings are brought to England by their uncle after their parents are murdered in France. After years of living in the same village, Bastien begins to see Eve differently and this is the beginning of their romance. There is a lot happening in this story which makes for good reading. I would recommend this book as a great clean read.
Loved this 7th book in the series. It can be read standalone but i truly recommend not missing the series. I liked the hero/heroine but i can’t wait for the next story of Lucien and Margaret. It’s like Christmas, you can hardly wait.
This is the 7th book in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series. This is a stand-alone book, but this series is so good, and every book is different you should read them all. Erica Ridley writes such a nice love story, with unique characters you will enjoy this book. I am excited to read the next book which is due soon. The only bad thing about this book is — nothing.
This book is about a French blacksmith, Bastien, and a journalist, Eve. Both feel as though they are invisible and under-appreciated. This was one of the best books in the series so far. It was witty, romantic, and suspenseful while keeping with that neighborly feeling. I love how you get to know all of the people in the village through this series. I would definitely recommend reading one or all of the books in the series.
Another lovely story in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series, The Duke’s Embrace is heartwarming and fun to read. It is 7th in the series but can be read on it’s own. I have enjoyed reading about Miss Eve Shelling, the local journalist, and Monsieur Sébastien le Duc, the local blacksmith. They both have stories to tell and a great journey to HEA. I recommend this story.
Love, love, love the whole 12 Dukes of Christmas series. Each has it’s own romance & fun. And, while all are connected by the same village, they can easily be enjoyed as stand alones. I especially liked the ‘hidden’ stash location.
The seventh book in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series a well written Christmas story that I was not putting down until I had finished reading. This is journalist Miss Eve Shelling and blacksmith Monsieur Sébastien le Duc’s story, a story I enjoyed reading. I now want to read the other books in this series.
Local blacksmith Monsieur Sébastien le Duc has a new mission–find a buyer for the smithy so his brother and he can finally return to France, the land of their birth. He enlists the help of budding journalist Miss Eve Shelling who agrees to put an ad into the Cressmouth Gazette. Eve finds herself becoming more attractive to Bastien the more time they spend together, but she reminds herself that a romance between them is pointless because he’ll be leaving soon.
I love this series and The Duke’s Embrace is another feel good story. The leDuc brothers are well defined and their goals are simple–make enough money to finance their return trip home. Ms. Ridley has written another well crafted story that makes the reader route for both Bastien and Eve to find a compromise to their budding romance. As with the other stories in this series, a happily ever after is finally achieved after a few bumps along the way. I’m looking forward to reading Lucien’s story.
I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.
A perfect Christmas Historical Romance.
The women empowerment is strong in this one.
Eve is a journalist, or at least she’s trying to, since she’s the manager, writer and printer of the Gazette her father owns. Said father is overprotective and he decides which content may go in the journal, focusing on their town, specifically in Christmas in they town. But Eve wants to report real news and become a serious journalist, whatever it takes.
Sebastien le Duc is a blacksmith and a French refugee from the Revolution. He and his sibling want to go back to their country asap, and that Christmas it may be possible. Only if they manage to sell their smithy. And here enters the help of Eve and the Gazette.
When Sebastien and Eve start interacting, sparks fly, and everyone’s plans are not so clear anymore.
This was really nice, and really fast paced, and you could totally feel the sizzling chemistry between the main character.
Their relationship, since their acquaintance to their friendship to something more, is really healthy, passionate but with strong companionship and support, specifically from Bastien to Eve and her wants and dreams. And Eve is a really empowering character who stands for what he wants and learns to be considerate of other people feelings, and her own.
And there’s a cool dog which complements the story perfectly.
All the cute Christmas feels.
Miss Eve Shelling agrees to help Monsieur Sébastien le Duc in exchange for his help with her journal, but as they spend time together they fall head-over-heels for each other. Will they have a happy ending?
Each time I think the next book in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series can not be as good as the previous ones, I am proven wrong. Erica Ridley is a master of delightful tales. The town of Cressmouth aka Christmas spurs the imagination. It is as quirky as its inhabitants. Just think, a town where it is Christmas year around with most of not all of its residents participating in Yuletime fun. Add to that the legend of the 12 dukes, a reader can not help but be fascinated. It is so much fun finding out who or what the Duke is in each book since not all are human or even breathing organisms. The Duke’s Embrace features Bastien le Duc, the town smithy and proclaimed dandy, and Eve Shelling, the town’s newspaper’s only journalist. Bastien and Eve seem to spend quite a bit of time trying not to notice each other. Their attraction to each other is too strong to deny. As they work together to find a way to advertise the smithy so the le Ducs can finance their return to France, the unthinkable happens. They call in love. However, love is not without its issues. Mr. Shelling does not like the le Ducs or wants his daughter involved with one. The bigger issue arises when Eve and her father find out about Jack Skeffington and the le Duc’s smuggling enterprise. Will they expose them ? Let them be arrested? This was one of my favorites among the Duke books. As always Erica Ridley ‘s characters are very likeable,and the story plot entertaining. This series is a must read!
Loved it and all the other eleven also.
THE DUKE’S EMBRACE is the seventh book in the Twelve Dukes of Christmas series. Each stands on its own, but I highly recommend reading them all and in the order of release; there is mention of previous couples in subsequent books.
Every time there is another chance to return to Christmas/Cressmouth, England, I am quick to jump into my sleigh and look for the next of the 12 gifts of Christmas. This time it is seven swans a-swimming, before they fly away for the winter.
This is a perfect parallel to the plans of Sébastien and Lucien to fly away from England and return to France as soon as the Christmas season is over. That is until Sébastien is tamed by Eve. She has as effectively ground him as those birds who have had their tails salted. I don’t think Sébastien minds one bit!
Lucien’s sister and brother have each found love in England and chosen to remain; is it any wonder that the next book will find him an English rose, as well?
Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC via NetGalley, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: THE DUKE’S EMBRACE
Series: Twelve Dukes of Christmas #7
Category /Genre: Historical Romance
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing: A – near perfect
Received from: Erica Ridley (as an ARC gifted copy)