She doesn’t want a guardian . . .
Lady Isabelle Montgomery wants to be left alone to play her flute and talk to Giselle, the guardian angel only she can see. Because Isabelle manages her brother’s estate finances, her greedy stepmother and selfish stepsisters continually harass her for fancy clothes and a season in London. For reasons she refuses to share, Isabelle has no desire to go to London. … to London. Unexpectedly, the Duke of Avon announces that he is her temporary guardian while her brother, the Earl of Stratford, has gone abroad. This complication annoys Isabelle who thinks the duke is thoroughly irritating. So why can’t she stop thinking about him? And why does Giselle keep telling her about a dark prince?
He doesn’t want a ward . . .
John Saint-Germain, the Duke of Avon, wants nothing to do with wards or stepfamilies. The duke suffered a moment’s weakness and promised the earl that he would watch over his sister, including sponsoring Isabelle and her stepsisters into society. And then John meets his stubborn, outspoken, thoroughly irritating ward. Her fiery beauty and independent spirit attract him. Is he falling in love? If only she’d stop talking to that imaginary friend.
Their enemies want to destroy them . . .
Both John and Isabelle have enemies who join forces to plot against them. John will brave any danger to protect Isabelle and his family. Even if it means seeing with his heart and believing in the impossible.
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I was never a good reader of historical books, but this one has changed my mind.
I really enjoyed reading this book. Great story and wonderful characters that really connected very well in this book.
I didn`t find any spelling mistakes or any holes in the plot.
I really loved the characters and loved the story this author told.
Will I be reading more books by this author. I sure will.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love a good Regency romance, especially with a duke, and Ms. Grasso really knows how to write them! The story is loosely based on the familiar Cinderella tale, wicked step sisters and all. The romance between Isabelle and John progressed at a nice pace. I enjoyed the witty banter between the two which had me laughing at times. It is a well written story with a familiar storyline, but with a bit of a twist. The characters were endearing and well developed. You can’t help but fall in love with the them! I really enjoyed this book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
On the day her father was buried, Isabelle escaped her stepsisters and ran through the park and woodlands and made her way to the river. That is were she met Giselle, an old woman who spoke with her. When she asked what Belle wanted most of all, she did not hesitate and said “I want to be loved.”
Giselle said “Listen child. Do not ask me how, but I know things. Someday a dark prince will rescue you, but only if you return to Arden Hall.” That was her home and as the woman showed her in the water what her prince was doing at that moment, she figured this must be her guardian angel.
Years later, Her brother Miles goes to the America’s and leaves leaves his best friend’s brother, Joh Saint Germain, the Duke of Avon as guardian to his sister, Isabelle.
What had he gotten himself into?
But sometimes dreams do come true although they have to deal with a wicked stepmother and stepsisters, a vengeful brother in law and dodging the enemy. But happy ever after can happen. It is worth the journey to get there!
Delightful and heartwarming… Loved it! I read this through Booksprout
A Cinderella Spin on Regency
I have read several books by Patricia Grasso, and I find her books to be of variable quality. There have been some I just dislike. Fortunately, this is not one of them. It is definitely a spin on the Cinderella trope. We meet our heroine when she is just 10 years old on the day that her father has been buried. Her stepmother has already fired her governess because the governess prefers this little girl over the stepmother’s daughters. We see no more of her life until she is 17, though we hear of her stepmother and stepsisters’ past treachery as well as how they treat her now. Our heroine’s older brother has been off at school most of the time since their father’s passing, and as the book opens, he is leaving for America to look into a business prospect and has asked his friend to act as a temporary guardian to his sister and see to her come-out. That would be the Duke of the title.
This book does have some paranormal aspects to it. On the day she lost her father, our heroine encountered a woman who states she is her guardian angel. The heroine talks to her all the time, making it appear as though she might talk to herself or perhaps be a bit mad. This follows a story arc like you imagine it would have; however, the author did a wonderful job with the characters in this book, so it was fun to watch unfold even though it was very familiar. If you like your Regency with a touch of paranormal and enjoy the Cinderella trope, you may very well like this book.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Enchanting the Duke is the first book in the Lords of Stratford Series and is a great start to this new series.
This Cinderella-inspired story is charming and enjoyable. The storyline is well written and kept me engaged from start to finish with a guardian angel, danger, drama, passion, kidnapping, and a wonderful romance.
I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
ONE EXHILARATING JOYRIDE!!!
Incredible! Patricia rocks this enthusiastic gem from the start, ramping up the exuberance and adrenaline, thrusting this baby into a tizzy with a life altering, mind-blowing culmination. A tightly coiled vortex of vexing circumstances and inadvertent events, blasts this little fella to life beautifully. Add drama, turmoil, intrigue, chaos, mayhem and mounting suspense along perplexing situations and a boatload of shenanigans while dodging dangerous antics, makes for one thrilling block busting experience. Seizing the moment, witnessing the trials and tribulations, along with shocking twists and stunning turns, tempting our characters in ways they could have never anticipated. The undeniable attraction and intense chemistry sizzles as each layer is peeled back exposing a deep connection and amplifying affections, binding them to one another beautifully. The characters are authentic and original with qualities and traits that transforms into amazing personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with such colorful descriptions it gives you a full understanding and realism that flow smoothly. Remarkable job Patricia, thanks for sharing this little fella with us.
A wonderful different take on the Cinderella story. Enchanting the reader.
Isabelle never knew her mother, but had a wonderful father. Until he re-married a woman who had two plain mean daughters. Her father died when she was 10 and that is when her guardian angel Giselle appeared, showed her the dark prince she would marry, and was there for her for years. Her mother and step-sisters thought her mad, but Isabelle was happy with just her guardian angel for a friend and taking care of the accounting for the estate for her brother while he was at university. But upon her eighteenth birthday, her brother Miles goes to the Americas for a business venture and entrusts Isabelle’s guardianship to John Saint-Germain, a Duke. He insists on introducing her into society and the fun begins. Isabelle is smart, witty, beautiful, accomplished, and not afraid of anything. She gives as good as she gets, and stands up to him. As she learns to care for him she has a problem. Where is the dark prince Giselle promised her? But as Giselle has told her before, not all princes wear a crown. This was such fun to read. I loved Isabelle, and when little Lily was introduced into the story it was ever more enchanting. The banter between Isabelle and John was funny. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
This book feels like it is loosely based on Cinderella’s fairytale, with the whole wicked stepmother and stepsisters. She has a guardian angel that only she can see that watches out for her. It’s a sweet historical romance with very PG love scenes. This book unlike some over her other books seemed to focus more on believing on the power of love and on the blessings of God. It was a blatant in your face, kind of thing but more of a subtle thing. I really liked this book. I liked how the character handled the situations when faced with society’s expectations and what their own heart’s were telling them.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A new take on the classic Cinderella story where our heroine Isabelle Montgomery is orphaned at the age of 10 and left to the cruel care of her stepmother and spoiled stepsisters. Her brother Miles, not too many years her senior, is away at school and is either unaware or unable to provide any protection to his younger sister. Out of overwhelming loneliness, Isabelle conjures up her guardian angel Giselle, a wizened old woman, who comforts her for the next several years promising her that a dark prince will rescue her.
While pursuing his business interests abroad, Miles appeals to the Duke of Avon, John Saint-Germain, to look after his sister and keep her from harm. The remainder of the story explores their growing interest in each other and the many forces that work to keep them apart. I really enjoyed the book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An Enchanting Story
Isabelle doesn’t need a guardian. After all, she has a guardian angel of her own. Of course, there is also a wicked stepmother and two wicked stepsisters. Perhaps, Isabelle needs John more than she realizes.
John does not want a ward, but he promised his friend to protect his sister. John was hurt in the past. Can a delightful woman who talks to herself heal his wounded heart?
In addition to their stubbornness, Isabelle and John have a few challenges to overcome. There are people who would do them harm. Why would anyone target Isabelle or John? Who are their enemies?
I love this charming tale. I often found myself laughing aloud at the humor. This story has romance, wit, and mystery, and you can’t help but fall in love with Isabelle and John. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical romance.
A priceless jewel.
I read this story years ago long before I ever thought of doing reviews. I loved it then and it was such fun re-visiting it again. This is a Cinderella-type theme but this Cinderella is no fool. She also controls the money for the estate for her brother. So no love lost between her and her stepfamily. Like Cinderella, this one has its magic, godmother, angel who knows but Giselle is delightful. I was so entertained by the cast of characters and was sad when the book ended. Books like this are priceless jewels and are few and far between.
The Duke of Avon was neighbor to the Earl of Montgomery and his sister Isabelle. The Duke was made guardian to Isabelle when Miles went on a business trip. Isabelle’s step mother wanted her to marry (the step mothers) nephew but Miles said NO!
Someone attempted several times to kill the Duke . He and Isabelle married to keep her away from the nephew. They got a huge surprise at their wedding breakfast. Even though there was a kidnapping and more attempts on the Duke, it took four family women to get everything straightened out.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Book one of the Lords of Stratford Series a well written story that had me smiling at somethings. I enjoyed the dowager Duchess of Avon and her sister Hester,Lady Montague these where two very feisty older women. This is Lady Isabelle Montgomery, her guardian angel Giselle, the man she marries John Saint-Germain, the Duke of Avon, and his daughter Lily’s story. I want to read the next book in this series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book was interesting. Couldnt figure the villain till almost the end.