Just one more kiss… (Milady, it’s cold outside)
Lady chemist Penelope Mitchell took England by storm with Duke, a perfume for men that has women swooning at their feet. To prove the same aphrodisiacal potency of her upcoming version for ladies, the new perfume must cause a rake to fall in love with her in ten days. And she has just the man in mind… Pringle—known as “Saint Nick” for his wicked ways—wants to end the absurd cologne that has every young buck believing himself a ladies’ man. How hard can it be to charm a spinster into changing her mind? But when Penelope does the charming, this rakish scoundrel must decide between losing the war… or losing his heart.
The 12 Dukes of Christmas is a laugh-out-loud historical romance series of heartwarming Regency romps nestled in a picturesque snow-covered village. After all, nothing heats up a winter night quite like finding oneself in the arms of a duke!
The 12 Dukes of Christmas:
Once Upon a Duke
Kiss of a Duke
Wish Upon a Duke
Never Say Duke
Dukes, Actually
The Duke’s Bride
The Duke’s Embrace
The Duke’s Desire
Dawn with a Duke
One Night with a Duke
Ten Days with a Duke
Forever Your Duke
Get your Duke today!
more
The second trip to Cressmouth, the town with Christmas all year long, is just as delightful as the first. What do you do when Saint Nick comes to town? Why, you bake him cookies and leave them by the fireplace. At least that’s what Penelope does when she gets a visit from Nicholas Pringle (a rogue known as Saint Nick). He is going to be the test subject for her latest “love is chemistry” perfume, and she entices him with biscuits (cookies). Neither of these people believe in love – at first. The more time they spend together, the more their attraction grows, the more confused they become. Watching them unravel their dilemma is laugh-out-loud entertaining.
Loveable, quirky characters and a charming holiday setting make this a heartwarming Christmas story. Nick’s brother, Chris Pringle, and Penelope’s friends Virginia and Gloria make up a wonderful supporting cast and all try to help bring these two to a happy ending. Will they succeed? Hope so!
Watch for the tip of the Christmas cap to our favorite Holiday stories (again). There are two turtle doves, but not in the aviary with the partridge in a pear tree. You will love how they came to be in the story! Happy Christmas! I merrily recommend this one. It’s a winner.
I’m such a fan of Erica Ridley’s writing style, especially of the wonderfully quirky and sometimes even absurd humor that is such an important part of every story. Hiding wisdom and insight behind a laugh. Love it! Her books are also always well-researched, case in point all Penelope’s scientific knowledge, making her characters well-rounded and so very interesting.
I adored Penelope and Nicholas both. They each have their reasons for not believing in love, or rather for being afraid of being unlovable. I always love stories where “non-believers” find love and Penelope and Nicholas were very much in need of some loving, I rooted for them from the first. Love creeps up on them, and Nicholas is slightly more honest with himself than Penelope who insists on hiding behind her science. Nicholas is more cognizant of “the danger” of what’s happening, and still he consciously decides to stay the course and ultimately risk heart-break. He’s a bit more vulnerable than Penelope, because of that.
One of the (many) great things about this story is that both main characters are in their mid-thirties, because it’s rather unusual for a regency romance to feature a heroine of that ripe old age… So seeing a spinster who’s been “on the shelf” so long still find happiness was very refreshing, and it made the happy ending even more satisfying.
Another wonderful thing about this book is that we get a great cast of supporting characters, some of whom we already met in book 1 in this series, and hopefully all destined to find their own HEA in following books. My favorite one is without a doubt Virginia and her amazing advice and metaphors. Turr Turr. I wonder if she’ll be this wise and aware when it’s her turn.
Kiss of a Duke is the second book in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series, but can be read as a stand-alone. Penelope has just achieved a major success with a perfume for men, Duke, created with science, to give all males a chance to be a rake. Nicholas, known as one of society’s biggest rakes, hates everything that Duke represents and pleads with Penelope to shut down its production. They begin to spend more time together, but Penelope has a secret that she’s testing, and Nicholas is much more than just the rake he portrays himself to be. Can these two unbelievers of love find a chance at love and happiness?
Oh my goodness, there’s so much that’s amazing about this book! I love that both Penelope and Nicholas don’t believe in love, for very different reasons. I love that Nicholas has a one night only rule, but immediately breaks that by spending all of his free time with Penelope! I love that Penelope doesn’t really fit into any mold, and truly is a unique and fun character that I really enjoyed! She is so curious and sometimes afraid of her emotions, and I love that while she tried to put everything she feels into a scientific box, love truly messed her boxes up! Nicholas had so many layers and a few secrets, and I giggled often at his antics towards biscuits! The side characters were lovely and helped set the tone of the book, and I honestly can say that I’m so excited to see where this series will head towards next! I am loving this series and loving this new play on 12 Dukes!
Another sterling success in the Dukes of Christmas series. Penelope and Nicholas are suppose to be opposite in character. They are not. What starts as a disagreement between them quickly builds into friendship and attraction. As usual the book is filled with the quirkinesses of the characters of Christmas. Penelope is witty and garrulous in her conversations which leads to fun and laughter. Nick realizes he can be his true self with Penelope and they fall hard and deep in love.
I enjoyed this quick read. It is a light-hearted tale, with good -sometimes witty – dialog. There is a balance between the logical and a bit of silliness in this story rich in imagination.
This is the second book in the “12 Dukes of Christmas” series, and I like it very much.
A strong woman (a scientist which think love does not esist) and a dashing hero with hidden strenght and interests.
A beautiful plot with a lot of surprises set up in a small village where all are treated as family and every day is Christmas.
A book for all!
Intelligent, witty, insightful, romantic – a perfect Regency romance!
Penelope is a chemist first, top-shelf spinster second. She has no interest in intangible concepts like love, choosing instead to rely on scientific evidence that her pheromone-based perfume for men helps ordinary men find eligible women. As the most notorious rake in all England, Nick feels that leveling the playing field is vastly unfair and unnatural, and he sets out to stop Penelope’s cologne by any means necessary. Even if that means showing up at her door every day, partaking of her delicious cookies and unwittingly participating in her field study wherein she tests the female version of her perfume on herself, with Nick’s reactions providing the measurable data for her study.
Nick’s reactions are just as much of an object of study to himself, as well. He can’t understand why the only woman he’s ever met that doesn’t want to marry him or bed him should still arouse such an interest from his own long-ignored heart. Penelope is likewise struggling to identify her own responses, knowing that she’s not under the influence of any chemical reactant, and trying to figure out how she can reconcile her desire for Nick to choose her on his own with her need for his responding to her to be a demonstrable effect of her newest perfume.
The writing throughout this delightful story is effortlessly charming, deeply soulful, and just a tiny bit tongue-in-cheek as the author deftly includes various aspects of the Santa legend, transforming Nick into one Hot Santa. The setting of a small mountain town named Christmas is almost magical in its sweet charm and idyllic lifestyle. The love scenes are surprisingly sensual and the HEA is solidly heartwarming. It was a non-stop read for me, an endearing escape with fellow intellectuals that shows just how sexy science can be. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
“Kiss of a Duke” is the second book of Ms. Ridley’s 12 Dukes of Christmas series and it is pure Perfection! An absolute must read Regency romance that I will savor and reread for years to come. It is a masterfully written, hilarious, witty and a beautiful heartwarming story in keeping with the holiday spirit. Nicholas Pringle(St. Nick) is a notorious rake and womanizer. He does not believe in love and only believes in one night stands. Penelope Mitchell is a spinster chemist and she has created a cologne for men called Duke. Duke is a sensation and St. Nike is not happy. With the success of Duke, Penelope decides to create a perfume for woman called Duchess and use St. Nick as an unwitting test subject. Ms. Ridley’s storyline takes off from here and is a gem of a plot to read. Their witty banter and chemistry is outstanding. Her plot warms the heart as two people not interested in finding love bond with each other. I laughed till I cried over the biscuits to bits scenes. How she slowly develops their budding relationship is genius. I never give plot details but I highly recommend this story. I guarantee you will laugh and smile as I did. I can’t wait for book three in the series.
Kiss of a Duke is a lighthearted, feel good historical romance set in the town of Christmas, where the holiday season is in full swing year round. Penelope is a chemist, a woman of science, always observing and recording data and firmly on the shelf at the advanced age of thirty-four. Duke, her male perfume, performed like a aphrodisiac allowing men to attract a mate evening the playing field for all. A smashing success, Duke succeeded beyond expectations and now Penelope wants to deploy Duchess to put woman on an even footing. Penelope does not believe in love, only chemical reactions. Saint Nick, dashing rake, hates Duke as its taking away potential lovers and all of London now is covered in its stench. St. Nick wants to end Duke and Penelope needs to test Duchess. Stolen hours together lead to so much more as the two people who do not believe in love discover maybe they “doth protest too much”. Sweet, somewhat predictable, and completely fun, Kiss of a Duke leaves you smiling and heart happy for a ridiculously good time.
I enjoyed the banter between the hero and heroine. Good story to get you in the holiday mood.
Kiss of a Duke by Erica Ridley
12 Dukes of Christmas #2
Penelope Michell has created a fragrance that has women swooning when men wear it. The scent has leveled the playing field so that women are able to get to know men who might otherwise be overlooked. There is one man who is not happy with this because he, a rake of renown, has found the competition increased and feels it is not fair for these men to have it so easy…pot calling the kettle black, perhaps? So, Nicholas Pringle sometimes referred to as St. Nick is out to remove Duke, eau de toilette for men, from the market any way he can and THAT means getting close to Penelope.
What a delightful story of two people getting to know one another. They find out so much about one another that has been somewhat hidden, are wonderful together and certainly deserve their happily ever after! I had no idea how one could have 12 Dukes of Christmas when I heard about the series but am thoroughly enjoying each story as another Duke is revealed.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
Returning to Cressmouth, where Christmas is a year-long event, we once again meet up with Penelope Mitchell, the chemist who prefers to lose herself in her fire-proof laboratory than to socialise and attract the attention of visiting rakes. Although this book is fairly short, it is laugh-out-loud funny, and the plot is well written and intriguing. Neither Penelope nor Nick believe in love. Nick thinks it is for fools and Penelope is convinced that it is an animal attraction. They both set out to prove the other wrong, and but end up forming a friendship that leads to undeniable attraction. Needless to say, when Nick finds out that Penelope is using him as a scientific experiment any chances of furthering the relationship are put in jeopardy. This novella is part of a series and although the characters do overlap, it is nevertheless a standalone. I received a copy of this book through NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.
If there is any way I could give Kiss of a Duke by Erica Ridley more than 5 stars I would. I am so happy I was given an ARC from the author of this work because it was such a very enjoyable and delightful read. I offer this voluntary review of what I read. I have also purchased a copy of the work.
The first book in the series, Once Upon a Duke, was a very enjoyable read. This one surpasses it. It has characters, to use the expression, that are “more fleshed out.” The dialogue is lively and witty. The two main characters’ relationship develops throughout the story. Penelope Mitchell is a woman chemist who thinks like a scientist and acts like one. Very rational and logical. She has no intention to marry. Nicholas Pringle is a rake, one night, and one time only. Fallen women are the only ones who hold interest. He has no intention to marry. Leave that to his younger brother, Chris.
Nicholas wants Penelope to quit making her men’s cologne, Duke. It has taken the ton by storm and upended Nicholas’ world. Penelope has no plans to quit making it. In fact, she will develop a women’s version to empower women.
There are many humorous, laugh out loud moments in Kiss of a Duke. One of my favorites takes place during a hilarious, wandering conversation Nicholas has with Penelope’s friend Virginia, an avid bird lover.
The opposing personalities of Nicholas and Penelope actually complement one another The more he is around her, the more he wants to be with her. It’s a delightful, sexy romance that blossoms between the confirmed spinster and notorious rake. And biscuits are the secret? Erica Ridley excels at this type of work and genre. Highly recommend this read.
Whew, what a story – I loved it. Penelope Mitchell, chemist living in Cressmouth & sexy, handsome notorious rake, Nicholas Pringle (aka St. Nick), 1st in line for a Dukedom were a great couple. They had such chemistry – bawdy bantering, wicked witticisms, bodacious biscuit making, ravishing romance & luscious love. I would highly recommend this read to all historical romance lovers – you will hope this St. Nick comes down your chimney soon! I was gifted this ARC & I have gladly given you my honest review.
“Kiss of a Duke” by Erica Ridley
I loved this Regency Romp.. an easy reading fun story. It is a stand-alone story that is part of a series and like I said… I love this town and the people who live there. I hope you will also. I was one of the lucky ones.. I was gifted an ARC copy by the author. I was supposed to look for typo’s and such… If there were any, I may have missed them.. because I was too busy enjoying my time with Nicholas Pringle & Penelope Mitchell.
KISS OF A DUKE
Another humorous historical romance with delightful characters and a very provocative plot, skillfully narrated.
Back to Marlowe Castle, which was given to the villagers of Cressmouth, chemist Miss Penelope Mitchell had developed a men’s aphrodisiac cologne, named Duke, which became an over night success, making every man a potential rake. Mr. Nicholas Pringle, known as Saint Nick, because he is a beautiful man and a “professional” rake and his brother, Chris, come to Cressmouth. Chris to find a bride and Nicholas to stop the sale of Duke. But Nicholas only convinces Penelope, that she needs to make a perfume for women, which will have the same effect on men. She decides to use it on Nicholas, but finds that she not only enjoys the time that they spend together, but that he is more than the man he portrays to the public. When he does fall for her, is it because of Duchess, or because of the confidence that the perfume provides?
Kiss of a Duke is the second book in the 12 Dukes of Christmas Regency Romance series, featuring 12 romps in a picturesque holiday village. Lady chemist Penelope Mitchell discovers a perfume for men that makes them undeniably attractive to women. England is a blaze with people clamoring for more of Penelope’s Duke perfume. When she decides to make a similar perfume for women, she uses a very special male as her test subject. Nicholas Pringle has come to the village to stop production of Duke perfume. But when he meets the amazing woman inventor behind the product his world is turned upside down.
I have loved all of Ridley’s books and this one is no exception. I love how she builds and layers her characters. Nicholas isn’t just an average vapid rake, but a man with deep vulnerabilities and a complex personality. Penelope wasn’t my favorite heroine. I found her spouting science to be at times tiresome. However, Nicholas makes up for any lack in Penelope. I can’t wait to read more.
Kiss of a Duke features Penelope Mitchell. A rarity of her time, Penelope is a female scientist and the current toast of London after creating Duke, a perfume for men that will turn the most unassuming man into a Rake of the first order. Buoyed by her success, Penelope has decided its only fair that the ladies have their own version and comes up with the idea of Duchess. Nicholas Pringle or Saint Nick as he is known to the ‘ton wants to put an end to “every dandy, greenhorn and featherwit believing himself a dashing conqueror of women” or as he puts its so succinctly – cheating – so he offers to buy the exclusive rights to Duke so in an attempt to halt production entirely. After meeting Saint Nick, Penelope decides who else would make a better test subject to try her new creation on than London’s foremost Rake.
This is an amusing tale and the second book in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series and I can honestly say I found it a more enjoyable read than the first book. There is no incessant mentioning of Christmas or the forced jolliness of the first book. The characters seem more rounded and likeable. Nick and Penelope’s relationship develops over the story making it more believable and I loved the witty conversations between them. I’m eager for the next book in the series where hopefully the secondary characters of Christopher and Gloria will be the next couple.
Kiss of a Duke (12 Dukes of Christmas #2) by Erica Ridley … This is a great story.. Thanks so much to the publisher and #NetGalley for letting me preview this book. Nicholas Pringle (Saint Nick..the Rake) Penelope Mitchel (lady chemist.. inventor of DUKE a perfume for men) I loved the interaction between these two… all the laughs…what is his secret? … they are such fun together..sexy times and of course a HEA. I am looking forward to NEVER SAY DUKE …Christopher and Gloria’s story.
A scientist and a glass-blower enter a bar…not really but that is what I love about Ms. Ridley’s stories. They are not always about the usual suspects but are about people you usually do not find in historical romances. I love the concept and I love this story. Penelope and Nicholas are characters you come to love over the course of the book. They are funny, their interactions are fiery for the most part, and their love is sweet. Another plus for me was that they are a little older. A fantastic story that will have you smiling and thinking of cookies and turtledoves in a whole new light.
I received a complimentary copy from the author through NetGalley.