The Duchess

I loved this book. I wasn't going to read it after seeing all the bad reviews, but I'm glad I changed my mind. I liked Allegra and Quinton. I thought they made a great couple. I enjoyed their scenes together. Allegra was strong and likeable (yes she was a bit snooty but I like characters that aren't perfect) and Quinton is one of my favorite Bertrice Small male characters. I loved the way Ms. Small developed their relationship and the last chapter made me smile. I didn't find the book boring at all. I loved every chapter. I love Bertrice Small. I've read almost all of her books. This book (along with The Innocent and Love, Remember Me) was different from a lot of her other books - the heroine slept with only one man throughout the entire book and she was not kidnapped and sent to a harem. I'm really surprised this book got such bad reviews. It was not lacking in love scenes. There were about five love scenes that were hotter than a lot of the love scenes I've read in books by other authors. This book was not as great as `Beloved' or `Blaze Whyndam' but I still thought it was very good.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was not a steamy as some of Ms. Small's other books, but it had its moments. I liked the story line much better than some other books in this genre. Quinton and Allegra are fun to watch from beginning to end.

As the daughter of the richest man in England, Allegra Morgan attracts a number of fortune hunters willing to overlook her flawed pedigree to gain her enormous wealth. Her most ardent suitor is the arrogant but impoverished Quinton Hunter, Duke of Sedgwick, who has little to offer a prospective wife except his grand title. Allegra decides that if she must marry, she might as well be a duchess. So she agrees to the match with one condition: her husband must never ask for her love. She has seen the misery love can cause and has vowed to give her heart to no man-especially a dangerously alluring duke. Quinton is dazzled by his new wife's grace and fortitude, as well as the fierce desire that rages between them. Despite his intentions, he finds himself falling in love with her. Then the terrors of the French Revolution hit close to home, and the two of them set off on a treacherous adventure that could cost them everything...including their final chance at happiness. The only reason I gave this book 4 stars was because it is a Bertrice Small novel and she is my favorite author. I was disappointed though. It was mundane and boring. Where was the adventure Ms. Small's herorine's are so famous for? This book smacked of boredom. But Allegra was a charming creature and she kept me going through the story.

After reading all of Bertrice's books this one does not have the sexual intrigue as her others. The book has a great story line, but lacks in the love scenes as her other books.

In 1794 England, Quinton Hunter, the Duke of Sedgewick, realizes he must marry a moneyed spouse to overcome the fact that his ancestors married for love and enjoyed gambling. Considered by the Ton as the bluest blood in England, Quinton selects the daughter of the nation's richest man, Allegra Morgan, as the obvious target of his affections.Allegra agreess to marry Quinton, but stipulates that love must never enter their relationship. Interested in the cold cash, Quinton accepts the requirement, vowing not to act like his antecedents. However, Quinton soon learns his blood is as blue as his relatives are because he too falls in love. He fears telling Allegra, but confesses anyway that he loves her, but trouble in war-torn France interferes with the duo before they can explore their growing love for one another.Known for her O'Malley and the erotic novels, Bertrice Small provides her readers with an entertaining Regency romantic suspense with THE DUCHESS. The story line is filled with action even as the impact of the French Revolution augments the intrigue, It also slows down the development of the relationship between Allegra and Quinton. Still Ms. Small furnishes readers with a powerful tale that needs sequels starring the children of the lead protagonists as only the author can provide.Harriet Klausner