In New York Times bestselling author Marie Force’s dazzling historical romance debut, the clock is ticking for a wealthy Duke who must marry by his thirtieth birthday—or lose his title . . . Derek Eagan, the dashing Duke of Westwood, is well aware of his looming deadline. But weary of tiresome debutantes, he seeks a respite at his country home in Essex—and encounters a man digging on his … man digging on his property. Except he’s not a man. He’s a very lovely woman. Who suddenly faints at his feet.
Catherine McCabe’s disdain for the aristocracy has already led her to flee an arranged marriage with a boorish Viscount. The last thing she wants is to be waylaid in a Duke’s home. Yet, she is compelled to stay by the handsome, thoughtful man who introduces himself as the Duke’s estate manager.
Derek realizes two things immediately: he is captivated by her delicate beauty, and to figure out what she was up to, Catherine must not know he is the Duke. But as they fall passionately in love, Derek’s lie spins out of control. Will their bond survive his deception, not to mention the scorned Viscount’s pursuit? Most important, can Catherine fall in love all over again—this time with the Duke?
Praise for Marie Force
“Genuine and heartfelt. . . . Will have you swooning.”
—RT Book Reviews on It’s Only Love, 4.5 stars
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I haven’t read many historical romances therefore I’m not looking for a “history lesson”, I’m looking to be entertained. Duchess by Deception totally fits the bill.
I was excited to read Duchess as soon as Marie told her readers about its acquisition.
Our Duke Derek Eagan is dreamy, smart, compassionate and a real visionary. Derek wants to find a wife who has more depth than most of those he’s met in London.
Catherine McCabe is an amazingly strong and sure heroine (like all those Marie writes). Catherine is fleeing from the man she’s been promised to and is on a mission to find the lost key to a Hepplewhite chest left to her by her Grandmother and she won’t let anything or anyone stand in her way.
Derek finds Catherine digging on his land and their unlikely connection begins. They take us along, on what turns out to be a very bumpy but enjoyable ride.
Duchess contains super hot, steamy scenes between Derek and Catherine as well as a secondary couple, that are not to be missed. A 5 star read in my books.
Very excited to go to Newport, Rhode Island in the second “Gilded” story Deceived by Desire later this year.
Duchess by Deception, Marie Force’s first historical romance and I freaking loved it. I really loved the way this couple worked through the fact that Derek hid things from Catherine. The writing was easy to get lost in, the storyline was fun, and it was really enjoyable. I can’t wait to read more historical from Marie!
Fabulous historical from the amazing Marie Force!
2.5 Stars
Derek Eagan, the dashing Duke of Westwood, is well aware of his looming deadline. But weary of tiresome debutantes, he seeks a respite at his country home in Essex and encounters a man digging on his property. Except he’s not a man. He’s a very lovely woman. Who suddenly faints at his feet.
Catherine McCabe’s disdain for the aristocracy has already led her to flee an arranged marriage with a boorish Viscount. The last thing she wants is to be waylaid in a Duke’s home. Yet, she is compelled to stay by the handsome, thoughtful man who introduces himself as the Duke’s estate manager.
I enjoyed the story apart from the fact that A Duke couldn’t lose his dukedom if he didn’t marry by a certain age, it isn’t possible to put a clause in a will to this effect. So this premise spoilt the book totally for me & I came very near to not finishing. However as I had requested & received a copy from NetGalley I felt obliged to finish. The characters were well developed & likeable. The story flowed well
But my enjoyment was tainted
This is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Force and while I enjoyed parts of the book, there was a lot of other parts I didn’t like. I really dislike the “instant” love plot used by authors. No one can “love” someone in 1 day and it’s not the least bit strange that the heroine is willing to marry the duke after only knowing him for a few days. While it was bad enough that the hero was instantly in love, his cousin and best friend falls for Catherine’s sister the same way and in that instant, he’s a reformed rake. Really? Not a fan of this additional plot point. This wasn’t a horrible book, but it certainly wasn’t my favorite regency romances.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Marie is one of the better Romance writers!
Difficult to get into the story line.
An utterly entrancing romance from start to finish. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series .
Enjoyed this book
I really enjoyed this book. I like it when there are complicated backstories for both the hero and the heroine. With this book, we ended up with 2 “happily ever afters”. While I don’t want to spoil the story for anyone who hasn’t read it, there was nothing funnier than the daily trek to meadow/orchard to dig holes in the ground looking for something the heroine’s grandmother buried there years earlier. If you like a good historical romance, then this one is for you.
Maybe a little unrealistic for the Duke to assume the position of estate manager, in order to marry Catherine who was running away from an arranged marriage. She has no use for the aristocracy
When I first started this book I read the first 2 chapters and had to put it down. It just wasn’t doing it for me. This worried me as i generally like this author. After a few weeks I went back to try again and boy was I sucked in. If you have ever read a Marie Force book you know her writing is something special. This book like her others left me with a smile on my face with the cute love story between Derek and Catherine. If you are wanting a feel good book then this one would be the one for you. With love at first sight and little drama. This was a very enjoyable book and I totally recommend it.
The Duchess by Deception by Marie Force is an entertaining book about two people who fall in love without knowing anything about one another. Catherine was found on Derek’s property digging, as if looking for something. She expressed her dislike for the Duke so Derek immediately assumed the name of his estate manager and sent him on a “vacation.” Things progress in their relationship and eventually they fall in love and confessions are made on bother sides.
This is an entertaining story with an interesting plot. It is not easy to come up with a new and different plot but Force has succeeded with entertaining characters and a moving, somewhat possible storyline. It is a happily-ever-after romance with some clever twists and turns. Certainly worth your time and trouble. I recommend it.
I received a free ARC of the Duchess by Deception in exchange for a fair and honest review. #netgalley #duchessbydeception
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced reader copy of this book. I am not a fan of historical romance, but Marie Force is my favorite author. As always she did not disappoint. This book was a great read and I learned a lot about the era. Can’t say it enough, Marie is a fantastic author and this is a great read. So looking forward to Book 2 in the series. Take the time to read this book, you will not be disappointed.
There’s a new star in the historical romance genre! She’s not a stranger to romance but this is Marie Force’s first historical and I’m so glad she finally threw her hat into this arena. Duchess By Deception has all the hallmarks of a Force book: hot romance, memorable and relatable characters, and fast-paced and engaging story. It’s been a long time since I’ve read an historical book but this has rekindled my love for it. I can’t wait for the next book in this series! Congrats Marie! As always, it is a hit!
I love a good ole bodice-ripper and for her first historical romance Marie Force has a winner. Duke Derek is devilish in his deception and has his work cut off for him when the lovely Catherine finds out. What a terrific couple! So much passion and charm. This thrilling story is full of intrigue, suspense, and romance with all the fantastic storytelling hallmarks I’ve enjoyed from this author in the past. I’m a big fan of her other works and love her take on a historical romance. Hopefully this is a start to a new series and I look forward to the next installment. Simply fabulous! I voluntarily reviewed an ARC.
The Duke of Westwood has a looming deadline hanging above his head. He has to marry before he turned 30 or the title, and everything it entails will go to his greedy title. Finding a bride isn’t a a problem. But finding a bride that will suite him, make him think, and a love match wouldn’t hurt either. He was tired of being inside the London’s ballroom, so he decided to go home. Little did he know, that he was about to meet the person that will turn his world around.
Catherine McCabe hated aristocracy. They were happy before his father’s brother died and pass the title to his father. Now, he couldn’t even recognize her parents. Not to mention, she was forced to marry an unbelievable viscount whom she hated. She didn’t want to be around aristocracy and accepting help from a duke. But when a handsome, thoughtful and helpful young estate manager offers his help – she agreed.
Now, Derek was in trouble. He had dug a whole all by himself by telling lies. He tells himself he would tell her soon, but things happen he would let the opportunity slide. The more he spends time with her, the more he wants her, and he wonders what is she up to. How would he ever tell her the truth now?
I am in between loving and hating Derek. I love him because he can be thoughtful, generous and amazing not only to Cat but the people around him. But I hate the fact that he lied to Cat. He has all the time in the world to tell her the truth, but he didn’t. Until his lies surfaced, and he has to face Catherine’s wrath. I like Cat, she’s brave and she has her own mind. She might have been deceived at first, but I was glad she gave Derek a hard time rather than forgiving him instantly. I was glad that he has to earn his forgiveness from her. And Derek did work hard, and grovel harder.
I like his friendship with Simon. Despite the fact that Simon’s father wanted Derek’s title. Simon was loyal and he so deserves his happy ending as well.
I devoured the story in one sitting. There might be loads of hurdles and trials along the way, and not just the lie (s), but everything in between. I like how everything finally came into place and our characters have their happy ending. This story is about love, relationship and trust. How trust can sometimes easily be given but difficult to get back once it is broken, and how love can conquer anything.
I was thrilled at the opportunity to review Marie Force’s first foray into historical romances. A master storyteller, I had high expectations and she didn’t disappoint. This was a fantastic first offering although I have to say that I still prefer her Quantum series!
The Duke of Westwood has to be married by his thirtieth birthday or he will lose his title. This birthday is ten days away at the start of the book. He has been attending balls during the ton’s season, but finds all the young debutants insipid, and despairs of getting wed by the final date. Then he decides to cut the season short and travels home, only to find an urchin excavating dirt at the boundaries of his land. When he intercepts the urchin, he turns out into a dirty blond-haired young woman. Of cultured voice, lovely manners, truculent manner, he’s intrigued by this winsome young lady who wants nothing to do with gentry and only wants the means to live on her own.
Thus begins the adventure of Derek Eagan, Duke of Westwood, in trying to win over this young lady who has captured his attentions, intrigued him, and entertains him. He deceives her, impersonating his forehand, and wins her favor, thus entering into a whole charade full of deceits.
This story was entertaining, and what I liked most of all were the references to the period it is based on, early 1900’s. There’s plumbing in the houses of the most wealthy, motorcars, the Wright brother’s are working on their plane, and there’s already the beginning of electricity. I was a little confused because the manners, the customs and the conversations felt like a Regency romance, whereas the setting is more into the future. I was also anxiously counting the days while the Duke won over the lady because the days were going by, the duke didn’t seem to be in a hurry, and I didn’t see any wedding happening soon.
To be honest, I didn’t like the deceit the Duke played on Catherine. I had a hard time believing that the Duke would fall in love that fast and that he would convince a total stranger into marrying him, much less a woman who appeared to be as intelligent as Catherine. Later on, the story improved a lot, the conversations felt more like I expected from a historical romance, there were elements of intrigue, danger, marital discord, eloping, epidemics, that made the book totally entertaining. I loved how Derek and Catherine behaved, even when they were squabbling, and how deferential and respectful Derek was towards Catherine all the time. I loved, loved, Derek’s cousin Simon. He was a rakehell of the first order, but when the situation warranted, he manned up and showed the honorable gentleman he was inside. He was Derek’s best friend and his ally in anything Derek needed, great character! There were a lot more sex scenes that I expected in a historical romance, and some of the language was sublimely cheesy. I liked the book, most of it, but I prefer the author’s contemporary stories much better.
Overall, not a bad start to a new historical series – particularly given that this is Force’s first foray into the historical genre. There were times that it felt a bit forced for me – it’s tough to do a “hot” historical along the same lines as a contemporary romance, and frankly some of the sexytimes seemed a bit unrealistic/overly-contrived. Also, I’m probably overly picky as a historical reader but there were some minor things that were either inaccurate (e.g. calling someone by the wrong title) or seemed highly unlikely given the social norms of the time (e.g. Catherine’s father being the second son of an earl, but also a blacksmith??). But all that being said, I did enjoy the book.
As somewhat typical in Force’s novels, there are secondary characters with a fairly detailed, separate storyline of their own. While their story was related to the main plot, I almost wish there were fewer details given in this book and they were given a separate book of their own (it’s not unheard of to see authors do this with separate books with concurrent storylines). There is also some “insta love” (x2, no less). Although this is somewhat supported by actual novels of the time, this modern gal would like a little more to happen between a couple before people start declaring their undying love for each other. I guess I want them to work for it a little. {shrug}
There is clearly a setup for future books in the series and I do plan on checking them out – especially as it sounds as if the next book will likely be taking place in Newport, RI during the Gilded Age, which sounds fascinating.
*eARC provided by the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.*
I’m a longtime fan of Marie Force. She’s branching out from contemporary romance to regency / historical romance – and it’s just as fun to read as everything else she’s done.
I fell into this story just as easily as I do the rest of hers, despite the historical flavor which I’m not always a fan of. I enjoyed even the unlikeable characters (and there are a few that just itch to be slapped pretty consistently) and though a few story points jarred me a bit, nothing was an issue to throw me from the story. As always her romantic scenes are off the charts hot, and the character chemistry pretty fantastic.
Derek and Catherine begin to fall for one another under some false pretenses and some outright lies – never the best start to a relationship but a great setup for a romance plot. This tale provides a two-for-one as well – there isn’t just one couple pairing up in these pages!
If you like Marie Force at all and think you might want to try out a historical romance, I can definitely recommend this one.