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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Yes, I’m reviewing another Marie Force book. What can I say? I’ve adored her writing since I first read Maid for Love several years ago. I’ve read about 80% of her books (and still working on catching up on one series!) and have loved them all. But before I dive into the review, I have to let you guys know that historical romance isn’t my favorite genre. OK, in all honesty, it’s at the very bottom of my list. But I know there are SO many of you that love historical romance, and well…Marie Force wrote this…so I jumped right on in. And I tried. I tried really, really hard to LOVE this book enough to give it 5 stars. So, I’m totally prefacing this review with the warning that historical romance is NOT something I love. Therefore, I’m calling this a biased review instead of nonbiased. So Marie, if you read this…I’m sorry I didn’t love it! But it truly is me and not you! The writing, as always, was fabulous. She’s got a talent for storytelling as evidenced by the fact that this was something like her 70th book release. It was just really hard for me to get lost in the story. In true Marie fashion, her heroine is a strong-willed, free-thinker that is not going to let anyone own her or run her life. She’s smart, feisty, and adventurous. And our hero is no ordinary duke. He’s looking for someone that’s going to be more his equal than a pretty thing on his arm. There’s intrigue, passion, a few fisticuffs, and even a mystery or two within these pages.
NICUnurse’s Rating: I’m giving the story 4.5 stars because it’s a well-written story. I didn’t love it, but if YOU love historical romances, I have no doubt that you WILL love this story. So please don’t let my “eh” feelings about this book. I promise it has nothing to do with the storyline, the writing, the characters, or the author. Simply the genre…and me.
A delightful debut for this author’s foray into historical romance! A case of mistaken, albeit, intentionally, identity when Catherine and Derek, the Duke of Westwood meet. She is on his land digging for a treasure dressed as a boy and he rescues her when she faints. Of course she thinks he is just the estate manager! The story takes off and so does the romance as there is an instant attraction. Love at first sight?
Both have their issues but they manage to maintain their lies for a bit but eventually it all comes out. What I did not mention is that Cat despises the aristocracy because her father is trying to marry her off to a loutish Baron! She wants that treasure so she can be independent.
There is a lot going on with this story and many secondary characters that come into play. Really enjoyed the intrigue and the romance and you will have to read to see how it comes out! I read this through NetGallery
I loved this book which was my first historical.Marie did a fantastic job as always.I couldn’t put it down read it in only a few days I was sad when it was over and can’t wait for the next in this series.I highly recommend this book you’ll fall in love with this couple,he decieves her but she couldn’t help but fall in love with him her savior.This is definitely five stars wish there were more!!!!!!!
#Historical Alert from the Queen of Contemporary Romance!
Duchess by Deception, Marie Force’s first historical romance, is the story of Derek Eagan, a duke who must marry by his 30th birthday and is running out of time to find a wife when he encounters Catherine McCabe on the run from a boorish aristocrat. The last thing she wants is another man with a title. Derek lies to Catherine about who he really is to protect her from the viscount who will stop at nothing to have her. When Derek’s lies are uncovered, can he get Catherine to fall in love with him all over again—this time as the duke?
I’m a huge fan of Marie Force and was pleasantly surprised by her first venture into historical romance. A romance based on lies, this story will draw you in and have you falling for the characters tales of woe. You can’t help but treasure every moment!
LOOK! >> Duchess by Deception, Marie Force’s first historical romance, is the story of Derek Eagan, a duke who must marry by his 30th birthday and is running out of time to find a wife when he encounters Catherine McCabe on the run from a boorish aristocrat.
Dutchess By Deception by Marie Force
Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But true to form Marie snagged me right off the bat!
I felt as though I was magically drawn back through time, landing in the midst of a Thomas Kincaid painting! Marie’s word portrait was so vivid that I could hear music, feel the woosh of ball gowns, touch the soil, smell the flowers, see the horses and become completely enraptured by Derek and Catherine. (Sigh…)
Their crazy and TOTALLY captivating love story elicited both laughter and tears from this reader. Villains and betrayals abound but loves wins out!!! (Hooray for love!)
This is a story you will want to savor and not rush so you can enjoy every delicious moment. (Still sighing…)
Oh, that everyone could have a Derek!
Solidly 5 stars!!
Ms. Force has done it again and in another genre; regency romance. Derek Eagan, the Duke of Westwood, is tired of the debutantes in London and heads to his country estate. He must be married by his thirtieth birthday or forfeit his title and holdings to his Uncle Anthony who has long coveted the title. As he arrives at his estate, he sees a young boy digging a hole in his land only to be confronted by a young lady. Catherine is ill and running from an arranged marriage to an odious Lord. She is looking for a key that her grandmother buried in a specific area on the Duke’s estate. This key would open a chest containing the funds that she needs to get away. She hates the aristocracy and has no idea that Derek is the Duke and not the estate manager as he claims. Will Catherine forgive him when she learns the truth? Will Derek be able to keep her safe when they are searching for her? Will he be married in time to save his title? What a fun, thrilling and hot romantic story as Derek tries to keep his secret as he falls in love with Catherine. Ms. Force is one of my favorite authors…she knows how to write a story that will keep you reading until the very end. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to give an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
Loved Derek and Catherine! Both have secrets that could destroy their love. Derek does his best to restore Catherine’s trust and just when you think she’s forgiven him another secret comes out! Read Duchess by Deception to find out if they get their happily ever after!
Duchess by Deception, Marie Force’s first historical romance, is the story of Derek Eagan, a duke who must marry by his 30th birthday and is running out of time to find a wife when he encounters Catherine McCabe on the run from a boorish aristocrat. The last thing she wants is another man with a title. Derek lies to Catherine about who he really is to protect her from the viscount who will stop at nothing to have her. When Derek’s lies are uncovered, can he get Catherine to fall in love with him all over again—this time as the duke?
A debut historical release from Marie Force! The clock is ticking on this wealthy duke, who must marry by his 30th birthday…
OMGOSH! A historical! I am in love with this world Marie has built! Snag it and devour it! You’re going to love it!
Whoa. Marie Force wrote a historical? I am fascinated! I’m on a big historical kick so I’m going to have to dive in. It’s a marriage of convenience story–he must marry by his 30th birthday. Fun setup! And I see there’s a second book coming in August.
Absolutely beautiful historical romance that grabs you from the get-go and refuses to let go until the very last chapter.
Historical romance from Marie Force??? What?? It’s my favorite genre, so I’m so excited for this. A duke who must marry before his 30th birthday and is running out of time. A woman on the run from an aristocrat. An amazing collision course of a story with an amazing HEA. Bravo for this new adventure from Marie!
Duchess by Deception is the first book in Marie Force’s new Gilded series. This is a historical romance which is a new genre for Marie Force. I have enjoyed reading her contemporary romance stories so decided to read this book. I loved the characters. The storyline moved along smoothly. I enjoyed reading this book.
I was surprised I love historicals and I have enjoyed Marie’s books in the past and it is not that I hated the book because I didn’t but I didn’t love it. So we meet Derek a Duke who needs to marry soon or he forfeits his title. Unfortunately for him the woman of the ton don’t do it for him. However he meets a lady on his estate digging for something but she was really sick and he saves her, he is instantly and I mean instantly attracted to her, and when she wakes up she is also strongly attracted to him, but he lies to her and doesn’t let her know he is a duke since she strongly does not want someone from the realm. We have betrayal and lies and eventually love overcomes.
Rcvd and ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) Voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions.
Love at First Sight for Two Couples 3.5*
Set in the early years of the Twentieth Century, Derek Eagan is under pressure to make a suitable marriage and continue the line. When her father is intent on marrying his daughter to a lecher in honour of a debt, Catherine runs away from home and seeks the treasure that belonged to her grandmother. The two meet but due to Catherine’s dislike of peers, Derek lies about his title which decision of course comes back to haunt him.
There is also love for rakehell Simon (Derek’s cousin) who falls madly in love with Catherine’s sister.
There were some oddities in this story – the second son of an Earl making his living as a blacksmith seemed extremely unlikely; a Duke carrying the plebeian name Derek; a second floor veranda; but by far the largest was the main premise under which the story was written. The author should change the story so that perhaps the Duke will not inherit some unentailed property that is of particular significance, or money if he does not marry by thirty BUT it is impossible for him to lose his title under the rules of primogeniture.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Derek Eagan was saddled with the title and responsibilities of the Duke of Westwood when his parents were killed in a carriage accident when he was just six years old. Now 29, he must marry his 30th birthday, just a couple short weeks away, or forfeit his title and responsibilities to his undeserving wastrel of an uncle. Fed up with empty headed debutantes throwing themselves at him in yet another failed season, Derek decides to retreat to his country estate in Essex to clear his head for a few days. On his ride in he encounters a man digging a hole on his property, except it quickly becomes apparent that this is woman, a sick one at that, who faints before Derek can get any answers from her. Derek takes her to recuperate at his estate and is immediately captivated by the woman, who will only tell him that her name is Catherine.
After fleeing an arranged marriage to a lecherous viscount and witnessing all the changes the inheritance of an earldom has wrought on her previously loving father, Catherine disdains the nobility and doesn’t want anything to do with the duke or his hospitality. Desperate to learn Catherine’s secrets and get to know someone as himself for once, not as the Duke of Westwood, Derek lies and tells Catherine that his name is Jack and he is the duke’s estate manager. As the two grow closer and begin to rapidly fall in love and Catherine’s betrothed widens his search for her, Derek realizes he’ll do anything to protect his newfound love and his lie begins to spiral out of his control. Derek longs to hear Catherine speak his true name, but he feels he can’t be totally forthright about his true identity until he has assured her safety — by marrying her.
Meanwhile, Derek sends his cousin and friend Simon to London to ascertain as much as he can about Viscount Lindsey’s whereabouts and Catherine’s ‘missing’ status. The moment Simon claps eyes on Catherine’s younger sister, Madeleine, it’s love at first sight and he, much like his cousin, will do whatever it takes to be with her, including a hasty marriage to save her from the viscount as well.
Derek continues to put off the revelation of his identity to Catherine after their instalust/love/marriage, which annoyed me, but I also saw that his reluctance came from a place of vulnerability and fear of rejection. For someone who’s never really had a family of his own and finally feels a real connection with someone, this does make sense. Plus the fact that he genuinely was trying to protect Catherine from a fiance who definitely wanted to hurt her. I also understand his desire to get to know someone without the cloud of his lofty title hanging over the encounter.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one and couldn’t put it down once I got into it. Some of the dialogue was a bit repetitive and the emotions just a bit over the top, but this didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book.
I received a complimentary ARC via NetGalley. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A relationship faster than a speeding bullet. Derek and Catherine went from strangers to love in seconds. And there is a parallel story line with Simon, Derek’s cousin, and Madeleine, Catherine’s sister, who also go from 0-60 in seconds! Also, they just let Anthony go when they find out everything he did. Just because they tell him to stay away doesn’t mean they can trust him. He’s a criminal for goodness sake!