New Series: Book 1
Publication Date: December 26, 2023
Meet Her Majesty’s Rebels: three brilliant women who run King & Co., London’s most exclusive investigative agency…
The wedding-night death of her much older husband left Tess Townsend the Dowager Duchess of Wansford—and still a virgin. Now she and her two best friends investigate London’s most scandalous crimes, and while Tess longs to experience physical pleasure for herself, she can’t risk losing her treasured independence…
Cynical shipping magnate Justin Thornton never expected to inherit a dukedom, but he’ll do his duty. When the ravishing woman he kissed at a party turns out to be the Dowager Duchess, Justin sees an obvious solution: a marriage of convenience that will suit them both.
But the passion that sparks between them is anything but convenient. As Tess works on a new case at the request of Queen Charlotte, her increasingly suspicious behavior makes Justin question her motives—and her past. The infuriating woman clearly can’t be trusted, but Justin doesn’t believe in love, so there’s absolutely no danger of him falling for his own wife…is there?
Second Duke’s the Charm by Kate Bateman was a delightful read with layer upon layer of storylines and personalities. There were so many stories told and woven together.
This is Tess’s story, along with Justin, the second duke she is involved with after her elderly husband, whom he succeeds, dies on their wedding night. What a romp we’re taken on as they get to know each other better, and their attraction grows even though none of it is in Justin’s plans of love ’em and leave ’em, especially since he only marries Tess not to have to be on the marriage mart and be waylaid by mother’s of daughters needing a match. Or are there other reasons that need to be ferreted out?
The story has a good flow and intersperses the storylines to keep our interest. There are several twists and turns in the story and several unexpected happenings. Some unsavory characters and danger are included to keep us on our toes as we get more vested in the story. We learn about Tess and Justin a little at a time, including their friendships and business dealings, especially since Tess has a good head on her shoulders regarding the estate and its tenants.
This is the first book in a new series, Her Majesty’s Rebels, and I can’t wait for more. There is some closure and an unexpected happily ever after in the offing. There are some loose ends, primarily related to Tess’s two best friends and the business they share—incognito, of course. The title is spot on, and once again, Ms. Bateman has a winner.
Second Duke’s the Charm is a historical romance set in Regency England with the ton, expectations, and an unlikely romance filled with love. Pull up a chair, sit back, and relax as we’re taken on a merry ride with unexpected twists and turns.
Kate Bateman, also writing as K.C. Bateman, is a bestselling author of Regency and Renaissance historical romances, including the Secrets and Spies series, Bow Street Bachelors series, and Ruthless Rivals series. She loves to write feisty, intelligent heroines, wickedly inappropriate banter, and heroes you want to both strangle and kiss.
Her books have received multiple Starred Reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal, and have been translated into multiple languages, including French, Brazilian, Japanese, German, Romanian, and Croatian. Her Renaissance romp, The Devil To Pay, was a 2019 RITA® Finalist for Historical Romance.
When not writing, Kate leads a not-so-secret double life as a fine art appraiser, auction house owner, and on-screen antiques expert for several TV shows in the UK. She currently lives in Illinois with a number-loving husband and three inexhaustible children, and regularly returns to her native England ‘for research.’
Kate loves to hear from readers. Contact her via her website: www.kcbateman.com and sign up for her newsletter to receive regular updates on new releases, giveaways, and exclusive excerpts. Find her on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.
