Hint of Desire by Lavinia Kent

An Enigmatic Duke . . .

Arthur Alexander DeWolf, the eighth Duke of Westlake, lacks for nothing in life . . . except a woman who will stir his blood for longer than one night. Until fate steps in on his morning ride and he stumbles across Lily St. Aubin, Countess of Worthington.

A Desperate Young Woman . . .

It is on the worst day of her life that Lily meets the imperious duke. Helpless and unable to resist, she has no choice but to trust that this dangerously handsome man will protect her and newborn son. But, as trust begins to grow between them, danger lurks ever closer . . . danger that could destroy Lily. And their newfound love.

I was so excited to see that Lavinia Kent had a new book out and I had to grab it and I'm sure glad I did!  This was a lovely story of a young woman, Lily is only eighteen but she seems much older due to horrible first marriage, finding it within herself to truly love and trust in another man.  The abuse she suffered from her first husband makes this very hard and Arthur is cold and haughty who knows his duty and he feels it is his job to protect Lily and her newborn son and once he makes up his mind to do something, it is done.  But even as his feelings grow for Lily (and he shows more of his softer side), her tentative nature proves to be troublesome and as she reveals more of her past, he struggles with how to show her his true desires without scarring her more.  Also thrown into the mix is a serious of accidents that soon prove to be attempts on her life and Arthur must find a way to protect her, as he will not lose her now.  This was a very moving tale of love and forgiveness, heartbreak and hope.  Watching Lily and Arthur fall in love was a slow ride that could have moved a bit faster if they just would have talked with each other openly but based on Lily's past, I felt it worked for this story.  I admired Arthur and his devotion to this slip of a lady that stumbled into his life and his acceptance of her son as his own.  Lily had so much to overcome and I thought it was handled well.  When she finally told Arthur the whole truth, it was the right time.  A well written (though it has some missing punctuation at times, not that it deterred for the story for me) lovely, heartbreaking romance that will make you smile, laugh and tear up.  Looks to be the start of a grand new series!  4 stars

What a Duke Wants by Lavinia Kent

Escaping to the horse barn one night, Mark Smythe, Duke of Strattington, overhears a young woman muttering about "who covers a cock?" and naturally his interest is quite ummm, aroused.   The woman in question is Isabella Masters, or Isabella Smith as she introduces herself to this man whom she believes has come to the barn to take care of the problem that is bothering the high and might Duke.  Little does she know she is rambling on to the actual duke about his wretched steward man and all his ridiculous rules.  Isabella is a nursemaid on the run from a shameful and torrid past and she finds it utterly unfathomable that a duke would think himself so much better than anyone else that he would send a nursemaid out to the barn with the baby until the baby is quiet.  As Isabella is prattling on, Mark is instantly drawn to her.  He does not get a chance to say he is the duke, but a very unexpected one as he inherited from his late uncle after his death and his sons death, and all those horrid rules were the old dukes way of life.  Not Marks.  Instead Mark is able to feel like himself...not like his new title and rules in life and he enjoys the way Isabella talks to him.  Just him.

As Isabellas employer, Mrs. Wattingham, is on the way to the kings coronation and Mark just happens to be going there as well, he conveniently arrives at all the same inns as Isabella and they continue to meet in the horse stables and continue their acquaintance.  They only talk (well, for the most part..there are a few hot kisses) as Mark knows he needs to confess the full extent of his identity but the opportunity never presents itself until one very steamy encounter later in which they are discovered together does the whole truth about Mark become revealed to Isabella.  Isabella is naturally shocked and hurt and when her employer tosses her out, Mark becomes her only option of survival.  She is running from her family and needs funds to stay hidden and when Mark presents an opportunity, she is unable to refuse, though her heart wants too.


This was my first full length Lavinia Kent novel and it was full of steamy goodness!  Even though the hidden identity isn't a favorite of mine, it worked in this story.  Mark was well aware of the fact he needed to tell Isabella the truth but at the same time Isabella is hiding her own secrets and it takes her quite a bit of time to finally let Mark in.  Both had valid reasons for why they did what they did though and it helped me enjoy the storyline.  Now, I wanted to smack Mark upside the head a few times with his treatment of Isabella after they are discovered.  He is having a hard time adjusting to being the duke and what is expected of him and his friends have to tell him a few times that he is the duke...he tells people what to do and they listen to him, not the other way around.  Mark wants to offer Isabella the happy little cottage in the country together but feels like it is to beneath him as a duke.  Oh, but when he finally stands up for Isabella at a very public ball (Isabellas past had finally caught up to her at this point and her situation was being resolved) it was so...perfect!  Mark knew that Isabella loved him for him, not the duke status, and he showed his love for her in a most fitting way.  And the epilogue left a big, happy smile on my face for the wonderful new duke that emerged from underneath so much pressure who loves the woman who helped him realize his full potential.  I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading more!  4 stars


I received this ebook from the publisher via netgalley.com

Connected books
If you are like me you like to read books in order and as I was reading What a Duke Wants I happened to see if Isabellas family had had their stories told already and I saw that they had.  However, I am glad I did not read them first as I think I would have had different feelings about her family if I had read their books first so if you want to try Lavinia Kent, this would be an excellent book to start with and then go back, like I am :)

 

A Talent for Sin is about Isabellas sister and Bound By Temptation is about her brother.  I'm not positive if Taken By Desire is connected as well but I would think it would be loosely as well.

Upcoming September releases

Happy September everyone!  Hopefully it brings in some nice cool, fall weather!  Here are a few of the upcoming historical romance being released this month that I am looking forward to:



Three releasing at the beginning on the month that I plan to purchase are Lord and Lady Spy (which I read an ARC of and loved), The Wedding Affair (I enjoyed her last triple HEA so I can't wait to read another) and Romancing the Countess (Signet Eclipse) which has been getting rave reviews all over and I have been anticipating for awhile now!



There are two new HQN books releasing on Sept 20th.  The first is one that I already know is going on my keeper shelf thanks to an arc I read, Unclaimed (Hqn).  If you have not read Courtney Milan, grab this one and try her out, its fabulous!  The other is a new to me author with the book Bride for a Night (Hqn).  The premise sounds good so I hope to try out Ms Rogers with this title.  Pretty cover as well :)




Next are a couple being released at the end of the month, Sept 27th.  His Mistress by Christmas sounds like a delightful tale just in time for Christmas.  Seduction of a Highland Lass is book two of a new trilogy from Maya Banks and can I just say... smokin cover!  Always a Temptress (The Drake's Rakes series) is book three is Ms Dreyers Drakes Rakes series and while I have not read any of her books yet, I have heard many good things about them so I hope to try them soon!  Flawless has yet another awesome cover and just for that reason alone I want to read it!  But really, it is the start of a series following four siblings during Queen Victoria's reign. 



Finally we have the new historicals from Avon also releasing on Sept 27th. I am very anxious to start What a Duke Wants as I have just finished up all four of Lavinia Kents novellas and really enjoyed them and can't wait to read a full length from her!  In Pursuit of Eliza Cynster: A Cynster Novel (Cynster Bride) is book two of a new trilogy and another one I am anxious to read!  The other two new releases, In Total Surrender and Every Scandalous Secret are ones I hope to get to eventually!  My TBR pile keeps growing and growing and my time to read gets shorter and shorter~ I know I am in the minority with Anne Mallory...I have read the previous two books and they were just ok for me while numerous of my other friends love her.  The hero of this one sounds really yummy though so I will try her again!  I have not yet tried Gayle Callen and I think this is part of a series, but I'm not positive on that, and I need to read in order as much as possible so it will be added to my TBR pile!