They call him the Doomed Duke.Phineas Duncombe, ninth Duke of Mayne, should not be the duke. After all, he had four—count them—four older brothers! Phin never wanted the dukedom, and the suspicious circumstances of the eighth duke’s death lead Phin to question the Countess of Longstowe. The beautiful widow isn’t at all what Phin expected. He’s intrigued by her and determined to seduce her. The … seduce her. The countess is not interested in Phin romantically, but when she comes to him with another request, he can’t deny it. A few days in the country with Lady Longstowe reveal two truths to the new duke. One, he cares for the countess much more than any other woman he’s ever known. Two, Phin either has very bad luck or someone is trying to kill him.
They call her the Wanton Widow.
Annabel was barely eighteen when she was married to the elderly Earl of Longstowe. A harsh, sadistic man, the earl’s death was not something Annabel mourned. Now in her mid-forties, Annabel enjoys her widowhood and has no desire to ever be under a man’s thumb again. Not even a handsome duke like Mayne, who is far too young for her anyway. Annabel’s one desire is to find the daughter who was taken away from her. For that she needs a man with power and status. She needs the Duke of Mayne. When the two are thrust together, Annabel struggles to fight her attraction to the charming Phin. She’s losing the battle. But can she ever trust another man, especially with the one part of herself she’s never given away—her heart?
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Finn was never suppose to be Duke. His four older brothers were each in the position. Some of his brothers only lived a short time once they inherited the title.
Phineas was determine to make the estates and dukedom a success. Realizing his mother was right he needed to get married and start a family in case something should happen to him like his brothers.
The Wanton Widow Lady AnnbelLongstowe needed a wealthy powerful man to help her find her daughter was taken from her. Annbel was the last person to Finn’s brother alive becore living London. Finn was determine to solve the mystery.
Annbel was determine to convince Finn to help find her missing daughter.
Working to together find Annbel’s daughter and mystery of Finn brother.
Love and trust came from their adventure.
Unknown to Finn the “doomed dukedom” wasnt cursed, someone was killing his family. Finn’s guilty brother-in-law wanted his son to inherit the wealthy and privilege and be the Duke.
A Duke A Dozen
The Survivors series #6
Shana Galen
https://www.facebook.com/ShanaGalen/
Release date 9/03/2019
Publisher
Blurb :
They call him the Doomed Duke.
Phineas Duncombe, ninth Duke of Mayne, should not be the duke. After all, he had four—count them—four older brothers! Phin never wanted the dukedom, and the suspicious circumstances of the eighth duke’s death lead Phin to question the Countess of Longstowe. The beautiful widow isn’t at all what Phin expected. He’s intrigued by her and determined to seduce her. The countess is not interested in Phin romantically, but when she comes to him with another request, he can’t deny it. A few days in the country with Lady Longstowe reveal two truths to the new duke. One, he cares for the countess much more than any other woman he’s ever known. Two, Phin either has very bad luck or someone is trying to kill him.
They call her the Wanton Widow.
Annabel was barely eighteen when she was married to the elderly Earl of Longstowe. A harsh, sadistic man, the earl’s death was not something Annabel mourned. Now in her mid-forties, Annabel enjoys her widowhood and has no desire to ever be under a man’s thumb again. Not even a handsome duke like Mayne, who is far too young for her anyway. Annabel’s one desire is to find the daughter who was taken away from her. For that she needs a man with power and status. She needs the Duke of Mayne. When the two are thrust together, Annabel struggles to fight her attraction to the charming Phin. She’s losing the battle. But can she ever trust another man, especially with the one part of herself she’s never given away—her heart?
My review :
Will age difference tear them apart?
I am realizing that the more I read tales about older heroes, the more I love it.
The characters more mature react so differently from their fresh-put-out-the nursery counterparts.
I just loved this double romance. The four protagonists know what they want and they go after it.
Phin never wanted to become a duke, so he is still the kind and caring man he was before this title felt on his shoulders. With Annabel, it was lust at first sight but soon it moved to something deeper. He must first crumble the wall of steel around her heart. Hopefully he is a stubborn and patiente man.
Annabel was left scarred in her soul by her late husband abuse, since she never was able to find peace and after the first mistakes of her early widowhood. She decided men were not for the life of her.
It was until a man too young for her sees through herself and seems to hold all the answers to her happiness. And it is scaring when her freedom as a woman is in the balance.
Phin and Annabel’s journey would not have been complete without the romance between Meg, Annabel’s housekeeper and Reynolds, Phin’s valet. Those two enlightened the plot and highlighted the main couple’s qualities.
Both are great characters, Meg is such a refreshing character, I loved her from her very first scene. Clever and reasonable. Having made her own’s way despite her differences. Reynolds not once made her feel peculiar, he immediately accepted her for who she was. Even refusing to see her disparaged. Their love story is so sweet, a wonderful tale of respect.
Mrs Shana Galen has crafted a wonderful and sensual tale of acceptance, while giving time to her heroine to heal.
5 stars
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It was great to return to the Survivors series and read about Phin’s story. The story was very real and dealt with a lot of subjects that could be awkward but the story was told perfectly. It was interesting to read about an older heroine especially since I am around that age myself. I also loved the romantic side story and the underlying mystery of Phin’s curse. I am looking forward to the next novel in the series!
4 Stars! This was a good read! It’s an older woman, younger man, standalone book. I loved that the main characters had servants that had a little point of view love story of their own- Reynolds and Meg/Mrs. Slightly. They were a cute couple. I loved how it was an older woman love story instead of the usual! I’ve read 2 of the other books in this series & I enjoyed them as well!
*I received this book at no charge from the publisher and I voluntarily left a review.*
Love this series! Wonderful book.
I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader Copy of Shana Galen’s sixth Survivors book, A Duke a Dozen and the views expressed are my honest opinions. The Doomed Duke, Phineas Duncombe, ninth Duke of Mayne meets the Wanton Widow, Annabel Countess of Longstowe due to the peculiar circumstances his four elder brothers passed away.
After a rocky start, Phin realizes that the beautiful Countess is far more different than the ton believes. Despite the age gap, it does not take long for Phin to fall for her. When Annabel approaches Phin requesting his help to locate her daughter, she expects him his help at a price. But kind-hearted Phin who didn’t want or expect the dukedom surprises her by offering his help and friendship with no strings attached. Their journey to the country sheds light on the Countess’ marriage and the cruel, sadistic ways an elderly Earl had ensured his young Countess would remain faithful to him. During the journey, it also becomes apparent that the Dukes of Mayne might have been targeted by an enemy. Will Phin convince Annabel that it’s never too late for love or will he realize that he needs to do his duty to secure the line?
I commend Ms. Galen for her creativity in providing diversity in her books. Initially, I thought that an older heroine would not work. But the reader gets entranced with the plot and getting to know Annabel as the story progresses, one cannot help but feel for her past marriage years. Ms. Galen also includes an assortment of secondary characters, two of which having special needs. I love that Ms. Galen has included the perspective of one of them in the book, giving her a fierce spirit. Unfortunately, as with the Countess’ daughter, people with disabilities would have been locked away at the time. Ms. Galen has included a cute furry animal, this time a rabbit named Twitchy which needed saving from the pot. Towards the end of the book, we also get to meet Colin FitzRoy, another Survivor.
Reading a Shana Galen book is a special treat. This is one of my favorite series that tells the story of a special group of war heroes and how they find love. Phineas is a smooth talker. He has just taken up the mantle of Duke, something he never wanted. Annabel is a widow with a tarnished reputation who is desperate to find her daughter. They are attracted to each other but believe it is unworkable. When Annabel recruits Phineas to help her they embark on a journey of discovery. They discover that love knows no bounds and can overcome any obstacles. You will enjoy the witty conversations and their steamy escapes as they slide home to a happily ever after.
Phineas Leopold Duncombe, the 9th Duke of Mayne, and his friend Stratford Fortescue wonder about the four strange early deaths of Phin’s older brothers. One of the brothers died after visiting the “Wanton Widow” (Lady Anabel Longstowe) and Phin decides to ask her some questions. He also finds her very attractive, even if she is older than he. Annabel knows nothing about his brothers’ deaths, but she would like his help finding her child. Her husband had sent the child to a hospital that takes cares of special needs patients and she’d like to find her daughter.
He decides to help her find her daughter and they set off to Ceald House, where the current Earl and his mother live. Anabel has horrible memories of the house but needs to find her daughter. She is also worried about Phin’s numerous attacks and injuries. They can’t be random, and he is determined to find the cause. After they find the culprit Phin convinces her to marry him and poor Colin Fitzroy is given the task of telling Phin’s mother of his marriage.
I can’t wait for Colin’s story. I so enjoyed this book and can highly recommend it. Thanks for another great one Shana Galen.
The Survivors are a group of guys who will melt your heart with compassion and love. Phin, I think, defines this group. He is one of the most compassionate and honorable heroes that I have read in a long time. He is worthy of a love that knows no bounds. Annabel is the woman for him (no spoilers but there is a part of Annabel’s life you really see how sturdy one becomes in the face of adversity). Their love story is beautiful.
I received a complimentary copy from Booksprout.
4.5 Stars
Phineas Duncombe, ninth Duke of Mayne, should not be the duke. After all, he had four older brothers! Phin never wanted the dukedom, and the suspicious circumstances of the eighth duke’s death lead Phin to question the Countess of Longstowe. He’s intrigued by her and determined to seduce her. The countess is not interested in Phin romantically, but when she comes to him with the request to help her find her daughter, he can’t deny it. Annabel was barely eighteen when she was married to the elderly Earl of Longstowe. A harsh, sadistic man, the earl’s death was not something Annabel mourned. Now in her mid-forties, Annabel enjoys her widowhood and has no desire to ever be under a man’s thumb again. Annabel’s one desire is to find the daughter who was taken away from her. For that she needs a man with power and status who can help her open doors.
This is the sixth book in the series but could easily be read on its own. I love this series of the twelve survivors of Draven’s suicide team, all are from titled or wealthy families but none are heirs. I loved Phin, the Negotiator, whilst he fell almost instantly in lust with Annabel he was caring, so very patient & sympathetic to her needs. The more time he spent with her the attraction grew into so much more. I also love how Annabel came to love again as Phin let her set the pace. A moving story that also had a secondary romance & highlighted how people who were not viewed as normal could be treated. There were also fun moments as in the kidnapping of Twitchy. Also the growing suspicion that someone was out to kill Phin. I was drawn into the story from the start & engrossed until the ending but was disappointed as there wasn’t an epilogue.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Another wonderful story in the Survivors series and I loved it. Annabel, Countess of Longstowe was married to an abusive, horrible old man and is happy to be a widow. The only thing she needs now is to find the daughter that was taken from her at two years old because she was “defective,” according to the old Earl. She’s hoping the Duke of Mayne, Phineas Duncombe, can use his position and influence to help her find her daughter, and he decides to help her, since he was known as “the negotiator” during the war. Phin is much younger than Annabel, but that doesn’t matter to him, he’s intrigued by the beautiful woman known as the Wanton Widow. Annabel is so emotionally scarred from her experiences as a wife, she doesn’t think she’ll ever be able to let a man get close to her, and despite her reputation, she’s no wanton anything. Phin was the fifth brother and didn’t think he would ever become the duke, but all four of his brothers met untimely deaths that may not have been accidents and now he’s beginning to think someone is out to harm him as well. I’ve always liked road trip stories, and this one didn’t disappoint. There are plenty of incidents that allow them to grow closer together, and I loved the secondary romance between the valet and housekeeper, that was wonderful. There wasn’t much interaction with the rest of the survivors, and I would have liked to learn a little more about the future for Annabel and Phin, but hopefully there will be more in the next book that addresses both of those things.
As the youngest of five sons, Phineas Duncombe never expected to find himself saddled with the title of Duke of Mayne. But now that he has the dukedom he never wanted, Phin must make the most of it. The rather mysterious circumstances surrounding his latest brother’s death lead Phin to London to question the Countess of Longstowe, one of the last people to see his idiot brother alive. But the lady known as the Wanton Widow is not at all what Phin expected and he finds himself intrigued and trying to seduce her for himself, despite his best intentions. The countess isn’t interested in bedding him, but asks Phin to help her find the daughter her late husband had taken away from her. Phin may be powerful enough to help and he can’t deny such a heartfelt request, but a couple days alone in the country prove challenging, due not only to his burgeoning feelings for the lovely countess,but also because it appears someone is trying to kill him.
Annabel, Countess of Longstowe, was barely of age when she was married off to the much older Earl. She hasn’t mourned the loss of her cruel husband. She’s only in her mid-forties and enjoys the freedom of her widowhood, vowing never to be under any man’s control ever again. Her only desire is to find her daughter and for that she needs the Duke of Mayne. As she spends more time with him on their quest, she finds herself fighting a losing battle against her attraction to Phin and at risk of losing her heart.
I loved Phin. He was a fabulous hero and I really want a Phineas for myself now. He was really almost too good for Annabel and it took me some time to warm to her, but I did eventually come to like her. This was another great installment to this series and I can’t wait for the next one already.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.