Lords of Hazard: Book 1
Publication Date: April 29, 2025
Intriguing twists and sparkling wit entwine in this stunning new historical romance from the New York Times bestselling Sabrina Jeffries, as a once-captive patriot returns home to a changed world in the wake of the Napoleonic War…
Napoleon’s war has ended, and English captives detained for years in a French fortress are finally released. Returning to a London he no longer recognizes, and facing astonishing changes in his own family, Lord Jonathan Leighton learns he has inherited a dukedom. But the new nobleman carries the guilt of having wronged his late mentor. Now, he vows to fulfill his promise to find a suitable match for the man’s daughter, Victoria—even if it takes offering a nonexistent dowry to spark her interest in matrimony . . .
Sharp-witted Victoria would just as soon sculpt the Greek god who has come to take charge of her future. In fact, she has her sights set on founding a school for women artists. As Jonathan matches wits with the talented beauty, revelations from his past—and their connection to her father’s demise—threaten to unveil both of their closely held secrets and thrust them into a danger they can only escape together.
I’ve been a fan of Sabrina Jeffries‘ historical romances for years. So, imagine my delight when an ARC of her newest release, Hazardous to a Duke’s Heart, arrived on my doorstep. And it’s the first book in the Lords of Hazard series. I couldn’t wait to jump into this story.
Jon and Tory’s love story takes center stage as Jon goes to France to start his grand tour when the war with Napoleon resumes, and he is taken captive by the French, alongside his tutor. When the war ends and Jon is freed, he decides to fulfill a promise to his tutor to help his daughter, Tory, find a suitable husband. Imagine his surprise when he arrives home to find out he’s the new duke, but that Tory is his sister’s governess, and he can’t keep his eyes off of her. And thus, we start the romance.
I never really knew about the Détenus, those civilians imprisoned during the Napoleonic War. I enjoyed how it was described and affected Jon and his friends, who I am sure will be the main characters of future books in the series. There is a bit of mystery surrounding their time in prison that starts in this story, and I feel it will be an overarching theme.
The romance was more predictable and formulaic. I could see the twists and turns coming. I mean, I still enjoyed the romance, but I wasn’t blown away and turning the pages furiously because I had to see how it would turn out. I liked Tory and Jon and wanted them to get their happily ever after, but could have used a little more surprise in the journey.
Hazardous to a Duke’s Heart has a fascinating setting and likable characters. I’m looking forward to seeing where this series will go next. I’d recommend it to all fans of historical romance.
Sabrina Jeffries is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 50 novels and works of short fiction (some written under the pseudonyms Deborah Martin and Deborah Nicholas).
At home in front of a crowd, Jeffries is a sought-after speaker, as evidenced by her 2010 gig as emcee for the National Romance Writers of America’s 30th Anniversary Awards Ceremony.
Whatever time not spent speaking to organizations around the country or writing in a coffee-fueled haze is spent traveling with her husband and adult autistic son or indulging in one of her passions—jigsaw puzzles, chocolate, and music.
With over 9 million books in print in more than 20 languages, the North Carolina author never regrets tossing aside a budding career in academics (she has a Ph.D. in English literature) for the sheer joy of writing fun fiction, and hopes that one day a book of hers will end up saving the world.
She always dreams big.
