Secrets of a Duchess

A wonderful debut. Caroline Armstrong has her secrets, and those secrets won't allow her to ever be able to build her life again and get married. Alexander Woodward, Duke of Woodborough, is tired of the mindless chits and their scheming mamas, who want to capture him in their net. Alexander and Caroline meet on the terrace, in a party. They're both alone and find themselves getting acquainted and a friendship blooms between them. After confiding in each other with some of their secrets, Alexander requests to seal their secrets with a kiss. Later that night, Caroline is shocked to learn that Alexander is a duke. She had kissed a duke! And the next morning Alexander shows up at her auntie's house, where she lives and he has a proposition for her. Since both of them do not wish to get married, they would pretend to be betrothed until the season is over, then they could break it up. In this way both Caroline and Alexander would be free during the season, and would be able to avoid all the head aches of match making. Caroline hesitantly agrees. Only what Caroline doesn't know is that the duke has other ulterior plans, and that his courting of her is no act at all, for he truly wishes to marry her at the end of the season. And he will do all in his power to win her trust and woo her so that she'd accept his offer and marry him. This is a fantastic read, once I started I couldn't put it down. Alexander's love for Caroline was true, deep and just all around wonderful. And her love for him as she fights against her doubts and the secrets which come back to haunt her later in the book. And just when I thought that I had figured out her secrets, a twist was revealed towards the end of the book that took me by complete surprise. I really didn't see that coming! A delightful romantic read! (And yes Alexander had a mistress, but he directly broke up with her once he started pursuing Caroline. If he hadn't broken up with his mistress the rating for this book would have gone down, and it wouldn't have been a keeper for me. But Alexander was always faithful to Caroline, even when she thought that his courting was just an act). A great hero, and a great heroine (although I felt that she should have trusted Alexander completely, sooner). I can't wait to read more books by this author!

When their father dies, Caroline Armstrong and her sister, Emma, quickly find themselves living with their grandmother in London. They had lived in genteel poverity with their father, so while suddenly finding themselves thrust into husband hunting during the London Season might seem like a great thing to Emma, it definitely wasn't what Caroline wanted. She had promised her heart to her American sweetheart who had returned home to fight in America's Civil War. She's determined not to let herself be forced into husband hunting and contrives to make herself as unattractive and unsociable as possible. Alexander Woodard, Duke of Woodborough, was also hiding out from an unwanted attention. Alex knew that if he didn't come up with something soon he could quite possibly find himself leg shackled the one woman he was sure he didn't want. So when he comes across Caroline on a secluded balcony he thinks he's found the solution to both their problems. They have a pretend engagement. The more time he spends with Caroline the more determined he becomes to make sure their pretend engagement ends up in a real marriage. But when Caroline's sweetheart shows up the secret she's kept hidden comes out. Can Alex and Caroline find away around the possible scandal? Secrets of a Duchess is a stellar debut for Kaitin O'Riley. I literally read this book in one sitting! I can't remember the last time I was so impressed by a first time historical author! Strikingly emotional and sensually satisfying. Secrets of a Duchess is just plain great reading! Historical romance lovers will want keep a close eye on Kaitin O'Riley! Melissa Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Secrets of a Duchess by Kaitlin O'Riley is the first novel by this author -what a great find. Alexander and Caroline decided to pretend to be falling in love so everyone will leave them alone during the 'season'. I was half way through the book and felt I had the story all figured out but I was delight I was wrong... A great buy and a great book !

I typically don't bother with an online review if the book doesn't have five stars or if it is so awful and disappointing that I have to let everyone not to get it. This one is a must to all those tried and true Regency lovers. This one is lovely - and a great debut for this new author. I will be keeping an eye out for her next books - that is for sure. This story is fresh and lovely. The charachters endearing and the plots and sub plots in the book well written, acted out and "the secret" kept until the end. For all of you that are looking for a great book to read - that is different and has a great story line - you will not be able to put down - this one is it. I really loved the relationship between the hero and heroine... I think you will too. Enjoy.

Upon the death of their father, Caroline Armstrong and her sister Emma have arrived in London to live with their grandmother, The Dowager Countess of Glenwood. Emma is enjoying the season tremendously, but Caroline is in dread. She has a secret that keeps her from accepting any marriage offers. She is waiting for a young American from Virginia who left her two years ago to fight in the Civil War. She devises a plan and presents herself to prospective suitors as a dull bluestocking. Her plan is working until she meets Alexander Woodward, The Duke of Woodborough on a moonlit balcony at the Maxwell Ball. They have something in common, as he is also avoiding the marriage mart, particularly marriage with Lord Maxwell's spoiled daughter Madeline. Alex and Caroline form an immediate bond and while captured by the moment, Caroline shares her secret with Alex. Alex asks to seal their bargain with a kiss, which sets off a spark of desire. He is intrigued by the beautiful Caroline and sends flowers the following morning with an invitation to visit. He offers Caroline an interesting proposal; a pretend courtship and engagement in order to avoid any further marriage proposals. Caroline agrees to this proposition, not realizing that Alex's real plan is to court her hoping she will forget the young American. As they enjoy the season, Alex takes his time, not overwhelming Caroline, and soon a deep friendship develops with underlying deep passions pulsating beneath the surface. When Caroline visits the home estate of Alex and meets his mother, Caroline begins to realize that she has slowly been captured by his charms and kisses. Desire and passion builds with Alex revealing to Caroline that he loves her and wants to marry her. While Caroline struggles with her secret, she discovers she has truly fallen in love with Alex. But there is more to the secret that she has not told Alex. Now that she is his wife, will the Secrets of a Duchess be revealed? When the young American suddenly returns and the spoiled, jealous Madeline sees a way to get her revenge, will their love be strong enough to weather the storm? Secrets of a Duchess is beautifully written and captivating. What is most amazing about this story is that with all of the romances ever written, this one seems fresh, making the reader feel like this is the first romance ever read. It is a true delight to read. The prose flows and a feeling of magic is felt with every turn of the page. Kailin O'Riley is destined to be a romance readers favorite and a writer who will not be able to write fast enough for her fans. A truly beautiful book! The best debut of the year!