Death is just the beginning in this dark, chilling Gothic Regency Romance…After the death of her beloved guardian, Miss Felicity Fields is left adrift, her future uncertain. Grief-stricken, she launches a plan to use her knowledge of alchemy to build a Philosopher’s Stone, and bring back to life the woman who was like a mother to her. The last thing this blunt bluestocking needs is the return … this blunt bluestocking needs is the return of Nicholas Harding, the Duke of Wycliffe and rightful owner of her home on the wild coast of Cornwall. He stirs an unexpected passion within her, and Felicity has had enough change in her life.
When they were children, Nicholas never understood his aunt’s brilliant but unemotional ward, or her many strange scientific studies. He ought to take her back to London, so she can make a proper society match–except he can’t stop thinking about her. But with the line between life and death blurred by Felicity’s macabre experiments, can he convince her that she’s no longer alone, and her proper place is by his side?
“Erica Monroe’s voice is a breath of fresh air for the historical romance genre. The Determined Duchess is wildly inventive, with a romance you will root for!” -Jess Michaels, USA Today Bestselling Author
Previously published in CHARMED AT CHRISTMAS
The Gothic Brides series: edgy, atmospheric Gothic Romance, exploring the dark, dangerous corners of Regency England. Each book stands on its own.
- THE MAD COUNTESS
- THE DETERMINED DUCHESS
- THE SCANDALOUS WIDOW
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I’m a huge fan of historical romances, but I don’t think (at least I can’t remember) I’ve ever read a Gothic romance before. When I saw this title was on a blog tour, I decided to give it a try. This is the second book in a series, and I haven’t read book one. It was also originally published in the Charmed at Christmas anthology.
I think I figured out WHY I’ve never read a Gothic romance before. In this tale, Felicity, a scientist, is trying to bring her late guardian back to life. There’s a lot of scientific talk and some gruesome (albeit not as bad as it could have been) descriptions. In generally, the tone is on the dark side, and it wasn’t to my taste.
Felicity is an interesting character. It’s refreshing to have such a bright mind in a romance novel. She’s socially awkward since her brain tends to rely on logic rather than emotion. Nicholas, on the other hand, was a typical duke. Overbearing, making decisions for others without considering their feelings, and so on. There really wasn’t anything about Nicholas that stood out.
I believe that some of my problems with this story is that it’s a novella. There were a couple times that I’m reading and just went “huh?”. Had to stop and go back to try to figure out what I missed and when it wasn’t obvious, I shook my head and moved on. It was like I was missing a page or lines of dialog. The romance was also a little under developed. So much time was spent with Felicity’s alchemy, that it felt like the whole romance depended on the history between Felicity and Nicholas, and even then, I just don’t see how the two really fell in love.
All that said, this wasn’t a bad book. I think it was more that it was unlucky enough not to be to my taste. However, if you like Gothic romances, you might want to check out this novella.
My review originally posted at Romancing the Book.
The Determined Duchess, the second book in Erica Monroe’s Gothic Brides series, has a highly unusual and somewhat bizarre storyline. The heroine, Miss Felicity Fields, is determined to figure out the formula for Elixir of Life so she can bring back to life her dead guardian. Felicity, long a bluestocking, has knowledge of alchemy and has conducted numerous experiments over the years. She thinks differently, more mechanical, with few social skills. Nicholas Harding, Duke of Wycliffe, returns home to Cornwall to claim his home on the coast. He and Felicity have known each other since childhood and being used to “doing his duty,” as that’s what Hardings do, he is determined to provide Felicity a season in London.
Erica Monroe adroitly weaves an engaging story around the bizarre premise. Both main characters engage in a lot of their own internal talk which actually lends itself to this particular story. Felicity thought she was lost without her guardian, someone who cared about her. She came to realize that she needed to start living her own life. Nicholas comes to realize that when he is with Felicity he is different, he has fewer concerns about what the world wants of him and is more concerned with what he wants as a man outside of being a duke. With her mass of contradictions and complexities, Nicholas knows that Felicity is his match, strong in the areas he is weak.
I was gifted an ARC copy of this book and offer this unbiased and voluntary review. I have read and previously reviewed the other two works in this series and recommend all three. If gothic, historical romance is your cup of tea, all three are well written and worth reading.
Erica Monroe tips her hat to Mary Shelley in the Determined Duchess. This is the story of a scientifically minded and lonely girl trying to bring back her deceased guardian. Felicity and Nicholas grew up knowing each other. He has inherited the estate and has come to take her to London to prepare her for society and finding a husband. She does not agree. They don’t see eye to eye on the science, but can they find a way to see heart to heart in love?
The book was a gift. The review my own.
Felicity is not your typical heroine. Her scientific mind leads her to push the limits of life and death. I felt for her loneliness and loved her smarts. There were times when I had tears because of all the emotions she went through. Nicholas tugged at my heart in a different way. How he handled his duties as a duke and what was expected showed a certain rigidity. His time with Felicity changed his outlook and was a lot of fun to watch. I recommend this book.
I received a copy of this book as a gift, and this is my unsolicited review.
THE DETERMINED DUCHESS by Erica Monroe is Book Two in The Gothic Brides Series. This is the story of Felicity Fields and Nicholas Harding, the Duke of Wycliffe. This is easily a standalone book.
Felicity has lost the person who had meant to most to her after the lost of her family. Now Felicity feel that she has no one and is lost but with her scientific mind she hopes to do something to get her back. Nicholas never could understand his Aunt’s ward and how her mind works but she is left with now one now that his Aunt is gone. But Nicholas feels something for the women that Felicity has become.
This was a sweet romance story. This book was in the Box set called “Charmed at Christmas” but now can be bought on its own with this book.
Loved this quick read!
Creative! The Determined Duchess by Erica Monroe is book 2 in the Gothic Brides series but can be a standalone as well. This story is both creative and original and I found it to be easy to read. Erica has a talent for making her characters come alive and very descriptive. This story has death, loneliness, paranormal, arguments, misunderstanding, understanding, mourning, friendships, weddings, scientist, Philosopher’s Stone, kindness, vexing, difficult, arguments, hate and love! If you like a story that is just a tad dark then this is the story for you. Go back in time to 1811 Cornwall, England with Lady Felicity Fields and Nicholas Harding, Duke of Wycliffe.
***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.
After the death of her beloved guardian Margaret, Miss Felicity Fields is left alone with an uncertain future. This blunt bluestocking has a secret, she’s determined to resurrect her guardian through the ancient art of alchemy. The last thing she needs is the return of Nicholas Harding, the Duke of Wycliffe and rightful owner of her home on the wild coast of Cornwall. When they were children, Nicholas never understood his aunt’s brilliant but unemotional ward, or her many scientific studies. An engrossing read, the author’s characterisation is always so very good & even in a short story the characters have life & depth. A delightful short story that I read in one sitting, the story is well paced, it took a little while for me to like Felicity but as the story progressed I liked her more & more. Nicholas is lovely & brought a smile to my face.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
A Gothic romance in the old style that will keep you wondering what could possibly happen next! Miss Felicity Fields has lost her one constant mother figure, Margaret, the Countess of Tetbury. Using her knowledge of alchemy, she comes up with a scheme to bring Margaret back to life (deja vu Frankenstein but prettier?). Nicholas Harding, Duke of Wycliffe returns to his home after being gone for many years now that he has responsibility for Felicity after his aunt has passed away. Childhood friends, Nicholas has never understood the brilliant mind of Felicity although he felt he should at least give her a season so she could find a husband. But as he spends time with her there is an attraction that pulls between them. He just does not understand what is really going on with Felicity. I think she was a lonely person and trying to bring back what made her feel safe. This novella really has a lot of emotion which pulls at the heart and although it could seem a little dark, there is a message to be learned!!