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A marriage of convenience . . . or of destiny?
Gerard de Lacey is determined to find the man who is blackmailing his family, but with his inheritance and status at risk, a hasty marriage to a wealthy bride also seems in order—just in case things take a turn for the worse. Charismatic and capable, Gerard knows he can win the hand of any lady he chooses. Still, he's not expecting a rich widow to find him and propose the very thing he wants: a marriage of convenience.
Katherine Howe's first marriage was one of dreary duty. Now that she's being pressured to marry her late husband's heir, she's desperate for a better option. Gerard de Lacey, with his sinful good looks, charming manner, and looming scandal, fits her needs perfectly. The fact that she's nursed a secret affection for him only makes it better—and worse. Because Gerard will likely marry her for her fortune—but can he love her for herself, as she loves him?
In an effort to save both of their reputations and provide some semblance for a descent life Katherine Howe and Captain Lord Gerard de Lacey, merge their lives in an agreed upon marriage. This should have been an uncomplicated relationship void of anything messy like love or commitment, yet Katherine is the romantic searching for more than a bed partner and Gerard is proving to be a wonderful surprise. Gerard on the other hand finds this the match necessary as his wealth had to be self-made, the curse of being the third son and all. With Katherine’s money, Gerard can also find the person behind the attempt to ruin his family name and take away everything they own.
Rumors abound in London of the Durham Dilemma, family ruination, and the possibility of losing everything his family built their lives upon. Gerard is going to get out of London and the hunt for the blackmailer takes the newlyweds away from the whirlwind and puts them in a place no one knows them, Bath. Gerard search starts here and hopefully he can unfold the story of not only who is behind all this trouble make it stop. What Gerard also discovers is he quite likes marriage and Kate is a complete delight. Watching Kate grow from a reserved into a curious and adventurous woman is bringing a sense of joy to Gerard he never expected. A marriage of convenience this may have started out as but exhilaration is what it has become.
Katherine worries she is not enough, perhaps too old, and just not pretty enough yet every night Gerard reminds her that none of this is true. She helps Gerard release his demons and helps in the search but getting Gerard to understand that it is okay to love her is a more daunting task. Both of them are searching for something and when they find it, will that bring them closer or drive them apart.
Caroline Linden is an author who knows how to write great Historical Romance books. Ms. Linden provides fun, a sense of intrigue, and just the right amount of romance to make this a dazzling combination for success
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.ANOTHER GREAT READ BY THIS AUTHOR!!
BLAME IT ON BATH: THE TRUTH ABOUT THE DUKE by Caroline Linden is an exciting historical romance. It is the second in the "The Truth About The Duke" trilogy,but can be read as a stand alone. See "One Night in London". What an exciting addition to the historical romance community. I so enjoy this series on three brothers,who learn their father's deathbed secret that could cause them to lose their inheritance and their status in society,and is being blackmailed or so it seems. "Blame It On Bath" is the story of Gerard de Lacey,the youngest of the de Lacey siblings,a war hero, who marries for convenience. And Katherine Howe,an heiress,a widow who needs a marriage of convenience to not have marry her dead husband's nephew and who has had a secret affection for de Lacey for years.But a marriage of convenience can turn into love. With secrets,a blackmailer,adventure,sweet sensuality,a sexy,charismatic hero and a heroine who has been belittled but comes out of her shell,although older than the hero only by a couple of years, how could you not enjoy this fast paced read with its interesting cast of characters. I wonder who is really trying to destroy the de Lacey name,status and make them miserable. I can hardly wait for the final installment into this great story of three brothers who are not only looking for answers but who meet the loves of there lives quiet by accident. A must read. Received for an honest review from Net Galley and the publisher. Details can be found at Avon, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishing,the author's website, and My Book Addiction and More.
RATING; 4.5
HEAT RATING: MILD
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction and More
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Iriserod
Posted March 1, 2013
Handsome men, strong women, mysteries, thievery, funny, and a lot of love.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Amiboo
Posted February 11, 2013
I really liked this. I'm becoming a fan of Linden's. Her books don't seem to be the stereotypical romance novel and I like that.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 5, 2012
likable characters. Not much plot movement. Obvious marriage of convenience turns into true love. Surprisingly an open ended mystery. You need to buy the next book to find out whodunit. Good marketing I suppose. Not sure its worth $5. maybe in the $1--2 dollar range. Well written just not very original.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.TheElizabethP
Posted July 12, 2012
Read thur a book club. Enjoyed.
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Posted April 7, 2012
The latest in the series about the Durham brothers finds the youngest, Gerard, in a marriage of convenience with widow Katherine Howe who has secretly had feelings for Gerard for a number of years. The story relates how Gerard’s affections for his new wife grow as he gets to know her while he tries to figure out who is blackmailing his family. Katherine finds new inner strength as their relationship develops and she is finally out of her mother’s shadow. Interesting characters and a good plot will leave readers eagerly anticipating the third and final title in the series.
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Posted March 30, 2012
good read
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 30, 2012
Lots of fun. That just keeps going and going.
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Posted March 10, 2012
Better than the first in the series, cant wait to read about charles book and finaly solve the mystery on whos black mailing the Durhams.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 8, 2012
I enjoyed this book and really liked the characterizations. The hero is also very sexy. However it end abruptly and the mystery story line that is running alongside the romance is never resolved. Very annoying. Also, resolving this would have created the perfect opportunity to enrich the themes of the book and make it ultimately more satisfying. I like the insecure heroine... but would have liked her to have a richer internal life.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.QueenofBooksSue
Posted March 5, 2012
Blame It on Bath by Caroline Linden is an excellent read about two people who were destined to meet. In the story we see a woman who does her duty early in life by marrying an older man because her options are limited. She is not beautiful in the current mode of the ton. That's how Katherine Howe feels in her life when she's faced with another marriage her fashionable and very pretty Mother wants.
So Katherine decides to take matters in hand and picks out her own spouse. The man whom she has had a tender affection for is Gerard de Lacey the son of the late Duke of Durham. So Katherine chases him down in an inn and asks him to marry her. Even though she knows this handsome, well built sexy man could never love someone like her, Katherine doesn't give up. Gerard is intrigued by this woman who leaves him speechless. Will they marry or won't they? You have to read this book to find out if this happens. I loved this story and will be reading the next installment titled The Way to a Duke's Heart.
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Posted April 1, 2012
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Posted April 30, 2012
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Posted February 2, 2013
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Overview
A marriage of convenience . . . or of destiny?
Gerard de Lacey is determined to find the man who is blackmailing his family, but with his inheritance and status at risk, a hasty marriage to a wealthy bride also seems in order—just in case things take a turn for the worse. Charismatic and capable, Gerard knows he can win the hand of any lady he chooses. Still, he's not expecting a rich widow to find him and propose the very thing he wants: a ...