How To Find A Duke in Ten Days- Grace Burrowes, Shana Galen and Carolyn Jewel

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 problem?

It 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.

The members of the Bibliomania Club have ten days to find four rare books which combined are known as the Liber Ducis de Scientia—the Duke’s book of Knowledge. Each one of the club members owes a debt of gratitude to Professor Peebles. The professor tutored Dominick Spencer, Avery Seton and Harry Fordyce and encouraged them during their studies at Oxford. Peebles considers himself an expert on the Duke’s Book of Knowledge – even though no one has seen it in years—and Spencer, Seton and Fordyce are determined to find and present the volumes to Professor Peebles at his retirement party.

They have ten days to locate the Dukes Book of Knowledge . . .

Grace Burrowes---The Will to Love

Seton Avery, the Earl of Ramsdale appeared in Grace Burrowes novella The Duke for the Win. Ramsdale was one of my favorite characters in novella and I was thrilled that he was featured in this story!

Ramsdale believes that his uncle’s will and its nine codicils contain clues to the location of the Dukes. He hires Philomena Peebles, the professor’s daughter, to translate the material. The couple is very passionate about their work and I loved that their romance deepened with every clue they uncovered. Both characters grew during the story; Ramsdale learns a valuable lesson while playing chess and Philomena gains confidence and reaches for her heart’s desire. The author’s trademark smart dialogue, understated social commentary, charming romance combined with the character’s desire to solve their piece of the puzzle make this story a perfect afternoon or evening read.

Shana Galen---How to Steal A Duke (in Ten Days, Give or Take A few Days, But Definitely in Less Than Fortnight )

Dominick Spencer has a feeling that the Dukes are hidden in a remote cliffside castle in Cornwell. While traveling home from a meeting, Dominick is thinking about how best to enter the castle’s library when something falls on the roof of his carriage….is it a cat? No, it’s cat burglar Rosalyn Dasher. And Rosalyn is just the person Dominick needs to scale the walls of the castle!

Enjoyed reading this opposites attract story! The author’s descriptive voice shines when she describes Rosalyn climbing the castle walls. I imagined her testing each brick’s strength to use a footing and caught my breath each time she faltered during her ascent. Loved the fast-paced plot and what the couple discovers when they enter the castle’s library.

Carolyn Jewel---The Viscount’s First Kiss

Carolyn Jewel’s The Viscount’s First Kiss has all the feels! The characters are relatable in this poignant friends to lovers romance. Magdalene Carter and Harry Fordyce, now Viscount Daunt have been friends for years. Daunt, Magdalene, and Angus Carter, Magdalene’s late husband, were close friends and shared a common interest in books. For many years it was rumored that Angus Carter had stolen one of the Dukes. Proving Angus’s innocence is very important to both Daunt and Magdalene. Daunt has purchased an old lot of books from an antiques dealer and the determined couple sets out to sort though dozens of boxes of books.

The author did a fantastic job balancing the element of suspense with the impending deadline. Loved the scene where Daunt and Magdalene play the piano together and how both of them realized that their friendship was changing – both characters began to appreciate each other’s strengths. The author’s elegant prose shines during the couple’s first kiss and during all of the romantic scenes in the story.

I am glad the authors added the epilogue to this anthology. Each of the stories centered on the search for the Dukes and featured three unique characters. The continuity between the stories worked for me because the couples were searching for more than books. Professor Peebles and his three former students gathered together before his retirement party and I loved the big reveal.

The Dukes of Vauxhall

Susan's Review



Anthologies are not my favorite type of book to read and review. In my experience, I have found that authors often contribute previously published novellas and repackage them as a new book. I have been burned a few times by the anthology marketing scheme and was hesitant to read The Dukes of Vauxhall. I took a chance on the anthology because Shana Galen is one of my favorite authors and I was intrigued that the novellas were set in London’s mysterious Vauxhall Gardens.

Shana Galen’s Taken by the Duke was my favorite story in the book. I loved the characters, the fast-paced storyline and the surprises throughout the novel. Ms. Galen’s descriptive writing draws the reader into the story, the dialogue between the characters of Henry and Kate is superb and the conclusion is fabulous!

Fighting for His Lady by Christi Caldwell is a second chance romance. Christi Caldwell creates strong female leads in her novels and I admired Patience Storm devotion to her family. I enjoyed the action described in the fight scenes but I could not connect with the hero’s previous actions. In my opinion, this novella did not have enough cross over with the other three stories.

I was surprised how much I enjoyed Theresa Romain’s The Prodigal Duke. Loved the quirky characters, their backstory and the humorous banter between Leo and Poppy and the heartfelt conversations between Leo and his uncle. Based on this novella, I would read another book by the author.

The Buccaneer Duke surprised me! Vanessa Kelly is a wonderful storyteller—the characters are unique, fabulously written and their journey was full of surprises. Loved the instant attraction between Roman and Antonia, the secondary characters of Richard, Griffin and Anthony Barnet, Antonia’s father. The book seamlessly connected with the other novellas in the anthology and the ending was fabulous!

The authors of The Dukes of Vauxhall anthology created individual stories for this book. I enjoyed reading the novellas because The Vauxhall Garden setting unifies each of the stories allowing me to feel that I was reading a single interwoven novel. 

Reviewed by Susan

Lisa's Review

The Dukes of Vauxhall

This book is an anthology starring the

stories of four authors. This is my review of the first novella 

in the anthology more to follow later. 

Taken by the Duke

by Shana Galen

Henry has recently become Viscount Bexley. Much against

his wishes. Now, he is in charge of a double celebration.

His highnesses birthday and the victory at waterloo. Henry is

not enjoying this heavy task. In the middle of the endless list

of security issues for the celebration, Henry winds up being

kidnapped. By the Duke of Vauxhall, who is violent with a

terrifying reputation. Henry witnesses the Duke punishing

someone. He finds out that the Duke wants something.

Henry also finds out that the Duke is female. Not just any

female. But Kate. They knew each other as children.

Kate has a long memory. And her life is harsh. She does

not want any soft moments with Henry. She only wants

her demands met.

While Henry is somewhat afraid of her. He did watch her

dole out severe, violent punishment, after all. He has fond

memories of her. He does not want her to continue with this

kind of life. Henry wants to reach deep into her heart. He wants

to pull those feelings and memories up to the surface for her to see.

Kate fights it. This is the only life she knows as an adult. She is

sure the life he is suggesting is a fantasy and cannot really happen.

But Henry is determined. He knows that he must let her think

the choice is all hers. That he must not direct her.

Is Kate brave enough? Can she allow herself to trust someone,

even Henry?? The feelings alone are scary for her, how can

she follow them? How long will Henry keep trying to reach

the Kate that he wants for the rest of his life? They both have

to try. It can only happen if both Kate and Henry are willing.

They have to want it.

Review by Lisa Hutson 

Received a copy of The Dukes of Vauxhall

in return for an honest review.