Why should a man’s social standing matter if he is honorable and kind, and if he loves you? Why shouldn’t you marry for love instead of money?Twenty-one-year-old Lady Harriet Hampstead, dubbed ‘the Ice Queen’, wants nothing to do with the men who pursue her. When her father is killed in a riding accident, Harriet must submit to her mother’s expectation that she marry the Duke of Salston. Will she … Will she be forced to tie herself to a man she doesn’t love?
Does the woman he has plans to woo have a warm heart or is she really only interested in his money?
The man Lady Harriet thinks is Lord Caleb DeVere, the Duke of Salston, doesn’t seem to cut as fine a figure as the suitors who have come before him. He is too old, for starters, and not much into conversation. But he is a good judge of character. He knows who Lady Harriet really wants to marry…and it isn’t him.
How will Harriet and the Duke overcome the obstacles in their way?
He is guilty of deception and she is bound by duty. And then there’s her sister Catherine, who does everything in her power to derail their relationship. Can they ever find a way to be happy together?
The Deceptive Duke of Salston is a clean 50,000-word Regency romance story with a happily ever after.
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She now needs to marry since her father died and her mother is pushing her too. He knows he needs to marry but is not interested in the women around him. Will they be allowed to marry who they fall in love with? See how they all get on
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Booksprout and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
This was a delightful tale. It is one that you really have to overlook historical details (I.e. once the Harriet’s father passed away the title, entailed property and such go to the next male in the family.)
There was errors in punctuation, proper word usage and various other issues. If you can overlook those, then you probably would enjoy the story.
This is a sweet, clean tale that should no offend anyone.
This is a good book if you have time to complete it, because you will not want to put it down. It is the kind 0of book that makes your heart melt so buy your copy today.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Deceptive Duke of Salston by Kathy Heart is an interesting tale of mistaken identity. Lady Harriet Hampstead is a daughter of a typical British titled family. She is expected to marry first being the eldest daughter, she is expected to marry well and now as she has had several seasons with no prospect for a husband and things are coming to a head. Harriet is very close to her father and shares his passion for horses which he raises/trains. Things get complicated when her father dies and her mother insists she marry to help the family out. While Harriet is still refusing to marry just anyone; she meets the Duke of Salston but thinks he is his head groom. The Duke is getting to know Harriet without her knowing who he really is but what happens when she finds out. The story moves along quite nicely with Harriet going back and forth with her family about marrying and dealing with her feelings about the Duke before and after she knows who he really is. Of course, there is a very satisfactory conclusion.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is dramatic, romantic, amusing and unpredictable. Caleb is charming, kind, gentle and impulsive. Harriet is strong, determined and caring. Caleb decides that he wants to get to know Harriet “the ice queen” with thoughts of marriage. He needs to know if she’s another gold digger, or if there is more to her. Harriet wants to marry for love, not money or connections, but after her father dies her mother will not give her the choice. She’s all set to dislike the Duke her mother picked for her, and when his head groom shows up to buy a horse, she finds that she is drawn to him. Wondering how she can possibly marry a man when she’d be so close to a man that intrigued her, she’s shocked and angry to find that the man she’s been dreaming about is actually the Duke himself. I really like both Harriet and Caleb, they are both kind, caring and genuine. The storyline has a few shocking twists that bring drama and tears to the story.
I received a copy of this book from Booksprout and am voluntarily reviewing it.
This is a good story. Nicely plotted with interesting characters.
Lady Harriet Hampstead is called the “Ice Queen” for her reserved demeanor. She has learned the best course of action in her family is to keep her opinions to herself and not make any ripples. She is close to her father but not as much her mother. Her younger sister, Catherine, is a very unpleasant person.
Lord Caleb DeVere, the Duke of Salston, needs to find a wife. He has been looking and is intrigued by Lady Harriet even though they have never met.
I like the way the book slowly unfolded the events and issues. It made me think how things move much less rapidly in those days. It made sense. The characters are nicely fleshed out and the language seems proper for time.
The main reason I gave this book 3 1/2 stars us for technical issues. It suffers from an EXCRUCIATING OVERABUNDANCE of commas. I was bookmarking EVERY page until I just got tired of it and just read the book. The author could tighten her sentence structure, get rid of at least half of her comma use, edit, then probably get rid of at least half again.
There are also places where sentences end incorrectly with prepositions. They could easily be re-worded to be correct as well as fit the time period.
All in all, a very nice story that needs some INTENSE editing. I would enjoy reading more from this author after her books are properly edited.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Deceptive Duke of Salston by Kathy Heart. I loved this sweet story! I thought the storyline and characters were wonderful.
My free opinion. Thanks.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lady Harriet Hampstead the daughter of Earl and Countess of Waltham, and had a younger sister Lady Catherine the family was to have a house party only Lord Edward fell from his horse and broke his neck and died he had planned to sell Ajax to the Duke of Salston Lady Margaret Harriet’s mother told her to take care of the matter as she wanted nothing to do with the horses. Caleb DeVere contacted his man of business to contact their man of business facilitate the sale it was stated that his head room derived to look at the stallion it ended up Lord Caleb came to look at the stallion that failed to tell them that he was the Duke of Salston and they thought he was his head room. To find all the problems that were caused by this little stunt you have to read the book and it’s a very good book.
A clean story that has plot deception and maybe the main characters will find love. The story is well written.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really liked this story. The lead female character, Lady Harriet Hampstead, is a reserved lady around her mother, Lady Margaret, and her sister, Lady Catherine. She had a complex relationship with her sister Catherine. Catherine had such animosity towards her and she did not know what she did to deserve it. Later in the story Catherine’s duplicity will come as a shock. Harriet’s father, Lord Edward Hampstead, the Earl of Waltham, had a close relationship and she could always be open with her thoughts. She and her father shared a common love for their horses. Her father encouraged her to follow her heart in the pursuit of marriage but to not forget about duty. Harriet did not want a marriage of convenience or to gain rank or for money. She wanted to be in love or at least have a high regard for her partner in life. The lead male character, Caleb DeVere, the Duke of Salston, is looking for a wife. He has written to the Earl that he wished to get to know Harriet better. He is kind to his servants, of which his mother, Lady Eleanor, did not understand. He is gentle with his horses and is a master horseman. Little did Harriet and Caleb know that when they meet their lives would be forever changed. This is a good clean romance. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved reading this wonderful story. If you love horses and regency romance this is the story for you:) I loved the characters and the story line. I highly recommend this story and author! I can’t wait to read another book by this author. Happy Reading! I received a copy through my kindle unlimited in exchange for an honest review! Happy Reading!
Harriet and Caleb’s story is well-written and one I enjoyed reading.I could not get over what her own sister Catherine did and then wait that long to say something. A book I want to read again. I hope this is going to be a series as I would like to know what happens to the other three people who where part of the story. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Allow a full day for this family-friendly Regency romance involving horses, deaths, and the need to make provisions.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Breakfast was always an effort for Lady Harriet Hampstead since no one chose to speak. The only possible conversation was by her mother who pressured Harriet about choosing an available husband from any who had come to dinner recently. Her mother started in on her again as to why she was unavailable. She said that her father, The Earl of Waltham, had two new horses and needed her help since the head groom was ill. Although this was not true, her father stoically continued reading a letter and not entering the conversation. Lady Margaret told her yet again that had she been more like her younger sister, Catherine, she would probably have been married already! Her mother did not seem to understand that she did not wish to marry for money or convenience, but instead for love. In fact, her mother’s response was that every lady of quality knew only the poor marry for love!
The 3-day house party was just about to begin when Harriet was given the news that Lord Caleb DeVere, the Duke of Salston, was interested in paying suit to her. She knew he was to be one of the guests so she would have to interact with him, and she was already suffering a bad headache. However, the house party was not going to occur due to a worse situation. Harriet’s beloved father, the Earl of Waltham, Lord Edward Hampstead, died unexpectedly and the family was in mourning. Lord Caleb had heard that Lady Harriet was referred to as the Ice Queen because she was cold to suitors, waiting to find a wealthy enough suitor to court her. He was going to see that for himself at the party; now he would need to create a new test to see what she was truly like. After all, the only things he desired in a wife were companionship, loyalty, and an heir. When the time was appropriate, he would put his plan into action.
When the Duke arrived to meet with Harriet and her groom to look at the stallion he had been negotiating to purchase, Harriet assumed he was the head groom as the Duke’s letter had stated. Without a pause, the Duke accepted her greeting without correcting her. She had watched how gentle he was with his own horse and felt he would be kind to Ajax if she sold him. She and her own groom watched his horsemanship skill, his bearing and grace, and the way he talked quietly to the normally restless animal that kept the horse completely calm. They were both very impressed and knew Ajax would be treated well. And Harriet admired the man’s strength and how tall and handsome he was. When would she discover his real identity? And how would she react to that knowledge?
The author did a magnificent job of portraying the way courting was handled in this time period. The reader could feel the pressure on the young lady who did not particularly wish to find a husband and could imagine how uncomfortable to be ordered into an engagement with someone the young lady did not care for. The intense emotions really helped move the story line along and kept the reader totally invested in the outcome of the situation. It was also very clever how the Duke added his own “test” to be certain of what the lady wanted rather than for wealth or title. It made for a very romantic and enjoyable read!
I really enjoyed the interaction between the two main characters. Her mom and sister were a piece of work. I loved his cousins…West actually came through in the clinch. Her head groom John was also a great character; I also enjoyed Caleb’s mother, she peeped which one was the “ice queen” immediately.
Overall, though it was a short book, she fleshed out the characters very well, I became immediately invested in the outcome of the story. I read this story in about 3 hrs.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lady Harriet must marry demands her mother as the oldest girl ,she must marry so younger sister Catherine has her chance. Men are constantly placed before her
to choose from but Lady Harriet wishes to marry for love her refusal had caused gossip that she was only interested in how much money a suitor had. The Duke of Salston, had just gotten the title upon his father’s unexpected death but the one thing he knew was he wanted a marriage like his parent’s which had been full of love. Problems start when Harriet’s father dies and her mother pushes for marriage. Harriet has to finish the sale of one of her father’;s horses during the sale she meets Caleb the head groom of the Duke of Salston. Harriet finds herself drawn to the servant she wishes life wasn’t so difficult but a groom could never enter a relationship with a Lady. Then the Duke let’s her mother know he is interested in marrying Harriet but all she can think about is Caleb. Her sister might like to marry a duke.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lady Harriet Hampstead’s mother is forcing her to choose a suitor and marry. Her selfish manipulative sister Catherine is angry because according to their mother Harriet has to marry before she can. Harriet may have been dubbed the “Ice Queen,” but when their father dies she’s the one who is upset and not her sister. It is bad enough that she lost the parent she is closest to, but now she’s forced to sell most of his beloved horses. The Duke of Salston is interest in their prize stallion and also Lady Harriet and when his mother reports that it is Catherine that is the cold one and not Harriet, he decides to impersonate his head groom so he can see what Harriet is really like. He ends up falling for her, but can she get past his deception? And will her sister try to get in their way out of spite? This was a nice Regency romance with plenty of ups and downs.
Delightful plot with Twists of deception!
Will she find a husband or not? Will her younger sister continue to antagonize her?
Will the duke’s deception be the downfall to their budding friendship?
Great story line, with a few twists that I did not see coming!!
And it’s a clean read, with an HEA ending.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.