The Vagabond Duchess

First time reading anything from this author. The characters were very well rounded and believable. Look forward to reading more.

The Vagabond Duchess is a bit different from most historicals around. It takes place in 1666, with repercussions from the king's exile, the vicious spread of the plague and the horrid London fires. Because of this the characters are excellently flushed out. Jack, the Duke, does masquerade as a vagabond at times. It was a persona he picked up while exiled in France; he was forced to hide his background. This makes him resourceful and resilient, but unwilling to put himself at the whims of others. Temperance is a shopkeeper that has lost her entire family and was left to fend for herself, she's independent and strong-willed. Naturally, when they meet each other the sparks fly. They have both found someone to lean on. The plot line basically follows their intial courtship while Jack is a vagabond and then Temperance's life as the new Duchess. I would say this work is more driven by its characters,a very good thing. It is such a warm, sweet story. The only thing I would change is Toby; a very spoiled child. So many tantrums and no one to discipline him, especially since his dad was a wanderer and most likely let him have his way out of guilt at not being home all the time. I felt bad for the sweetheart that was Issac, he was forced buddy up with the brat.

I've boycotted HQN as low quality for years - or at least I thought I did. A recent conversation over at Word Wenches made me realize I've been buying a few HQN's here and there. I constantly ask for more diversity in the genre and at the same time (it was pointed out) I limited myself from exploring all the places I could find that diversity. I picked up The Vagabond Duchess because of an interest in the London Fire of 1666 and I'm delighted I did. I've been a fool and a snob. What struck me most was how these characters live in a time that was far more treacherous than the Napoleonic. The plague had just left, the fire is upon them, a king has been lost then regained - there is no certainty and in times of uncertainty there's an odd freedom. I was far more inclined to believe a shop owner and a duke could expect to make a go of it than I otherwise would have been. This was a tremendously entertaining read. I encourage you, if you've been curious about breaking out of Regency Vampires to try this title out.