For centuries, the volumes of a priceless Renaissance manuscript, The Duke’s Book of Knowledge, have been the subject of legend and rumor. Three members of London’s Bibliomania Club have promised a beloved professor they’ll find the manuscripts before the professor retires. They are determined to vindicate his faith in the Duke’s existence while rescuing a great literary work from obscurity. The … The problem? The book must be found in ten days. Matters of the heart intrude as each book hunter realizes that locating an ancient manuscript might just lead to happiness ever after.
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I love an anthology in which all of the stories are enjoyable – and this one provides that in spades. Three intertwined stories deliver adventure, danger, romance for unusual women and the men who grow to appreciate them.
This was a set of stories by different authors who each contributed to searching for “The Duke.” Contrary to my expectations, it was wonderful. Thanks so much ladies. I loved it.
Grace Burrowes is an automatic read for me.
Three wonderful stories by three wonderful authors.
The premise was definitely odd, but it did allow for some nice stories that worked together. I just with the motivations were a little more realistic.
The three stories in this anthology deal with the search for the four volumes of a priceless manuscript that is the stuff of legend. The three gentlemen are determined to find the Duke’s Book of Knowledge before their mentor, Professor Peebles retires in ten days.
In Grace Burrowes’ story, The Will to Love – Seton Avery, Earl of Ramsdale needs someone to help him translate his uncle’s will, which he believes holds a clue to finding one or all of the manuscripts. When Professor Peebles’ daughter Philomena shows up dressed as a man to apply for the position of translator, Ramsdale recognizes her immediately, but decides to give her the job with a bit of subterfuge – they’ll call it French tutoring for his sister. Working together in his library, this pair that have been acquainted with each other for years, begin to truly know each other in a way that inevitably leads to romance. I liked the way Philomena stands up for herself and uses her brilliant mind to help solve the mystery, and I was happy to see Ramsdale finally realize just what a jewel he had before him.
In Shana Galen’s How to Steal a Duke – Dominick Spencer, Duke of Tremayne, is determined to find the Dukes, so he enlists the help of a young lady he finds in the middle being caught as a thief. Rosalyn Dashner comes from a good family, but she and her two brothers have turned to stealing to pay for medical treatment for their ill youngest brother. She’s a very good cat burglar, which is just what Dominick needs to recover the manuscript he believes is held by a mad earl in wilds of Cornwall. Although this mission might put her life in danger, Rosalyn is determined to give Dominick what he’s paid her for. He realizes, however, that there might be more important things in life than musty old manuscripts, such as the brave, resourceful young woman he’s come to care for. This author is great at bringing together couples that have very different backgrounds, it’s always fun to see how it all comes about.
In Carolyn Jewel’s The Viscount’s First Kiss – Harry Fordyce, Viscount Daunt and the widow Magdalene Carter have been friends for years, along with Magdalene’s late husband Angus. When Daunt returns after a lengthy absence, he enlists the help of the brilliant Magdalene to search through a large shipment of books he’s acquired in the hopes of finding the Dukes among them. I loved seeing the lonely widow realize that life goes on and it’s not disloyal to find love again; and though Daunt has long cared for her, he finally gets the opportunity to act on his feelings.
The Epilogue brings all of the stories to a wonderful conclusion, including the professor’s, which was just delightful.
London’s Bibliomania Club have promised a beloved professor they’ll find the manuscripts before the professor retires. They are determined to vindicate his faith in the Duke’s existence while rescuing a great literary work from obscurity.
Each member wanted to give the professor a part of book for his retirement. Manuscript The Book of Knowledge.
During their search each found true love. Ramsdale and Philomena found the book of Human emotions. Darant and Magdalene found two books . Tremayne and Roslyn found the book of arcane medical knowledge.
They all went to visit the professor to present to him the manuscript.
This is an historical romance anthology from three talented authors. Judging from its title, I had pre-conceived notions about the plots. The title is actually playfully misleading. I won’t spoil that for anyone, but the main focus of the storyline is very original and intriguing. I enjoyed all three novellas, and they all left me wanting more. Burrowes was sweet with her signature dry wit and included a sharply intelligent heroine to happily root for as she stepped up and reached out for what she wanted. Galen’s featured a spunky fearless heroine who I loved and a duke of a hero who learned the lesson of what’s truly important in life. Jewel’s followed a friends-to-lovers trope with a slightly older widow and her neighbor who has secretly loved her for quite some time. This one included a music room scene that was !
I loved that the heroine from each story was a strong, intelligent, passionate woman, and the gents were neither disapproving or threatened by these ladies.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.