NEVER DARE A DUKE

Author: Gayle Callen ISBN: 9780061235061 12/2008 HISTORICAL Publisher: AVON
Time Period: Victorian England 1845

An indecent proposal Abigail Shaw is a proper young lady, hardly the sort to boldly offer a deal to London's most distinguished and perfect duke. But Abigail, desperate to save her father's newspaper business, is after a good scandal. She'd have the sensational headlines that would keep the ton talking—and the family business thriving—if only she could uncover the secrets of Christopher Cabot, the Duke of Madingley. What better way than a pretend romance? Yet, with all his seductive glances and stolen caresses, she somehow has to keep from succumbing to temptation. Christopher finds Abigail—and her proposal—intriguing. A fake romance with the stunning commoner would allow him time to choose a suitable wife from among the would-be duchesses nipping at his heels. It seems like a perfect plan . . . as long as he can keep her from uncovering his one deep, dark secret. But as he falls for the cunning beauty, he will be tempted to reveal all—his secret, his heart, and his soul.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Trying to save her father's newspaper, Abigail sets out to find the story of all stories. That's when she sets her sights on the Duke of Madingley as her subject, a man that is as mysterious as he is sexy.

I hated to put this book down. I wanted to keep reading, but I didn't want the story to end—about a tall, dark and handsome duke and the secret journalist, Abigail, who doesn't quite fit in with the rest of the crowd. It's a story with the odds stacked against Abby who holds no hopes at all of being a duchess, but falls nonetheless for this forbidden man.

Gayle Callen is now one of my new favorite authors. She weaves a web of lies, scandal and love, and brings it all together in this amazing story. You won't be bored with this book. If you enjoy historical romances with strong storylines from the beginning to the end, then NEVER DARE A DUKE is the book for you.

Sheila Smith