It starts with a a kiss under the mistletoe... A Duel for Christmas by Rosanne E. Lortz (Review & #Giveaway)

Thursday, October 18, 2018 - Leave a Comment

Welcome to my tour stop! Check out my review and the giveaway below...

A Duel for Christmas

(Pevensey Mysteries #3)
By Rosanne E. Lortz
Adult Historical Romantic Suspense
Paperback & ebook, 324 Pages
October 1st 2018 by Madison Street Publishing

Summary

After seven long years in Devon, Lady Maud Worlington returns to London to reclaim life on her own terms, but a nefarious shadow and the prospect of financial ruin dog her steps. An impulsive and unforgettable kiss under the mistletoe creates a connection with Geoffrey, the handsome, young Duke of Tilbury. Yet as pleasant as it is to have a suitor, Maud is not sure how a boy of one-and-twenty can prove an equal partner in life and the equal of all the forces mounted against her.

The Duke of Tilbury considers himself as adept at managing matters as he is at swordplay, but his beautiful new acquaintance Lady Worlington has other ideas about how to manage her complicated life. Intrigued by their stolen kiss, Geoffrey pursues Lady Worlington’s affections, only to be foiled by the lady’s own doubts, by rivals for her hand, and by a sudden death that affects both their families. When Jacob Pevensey, the investigator from Bow Street enters the scene, the duke becomes a prime suspect in the murder case. Truths are unearthed that Geoffrey would rather keep hidden, and the twelve days of Christmas race toward a perilous end.

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My Review

A DUEL FOR CHRISMTMAS is an enjoyable sweet historical romance with a few twists and turns. The characters are quite likable and the story is engaging with a plot that grows in intensity towards the end. Recommended to historical romance fans!

This story was easy to get right into from the start. It begins as a sweet historical romance, but as it goes there are clues dropped here and there about some nefarious purposes underfoot until something devious truly does occur and the chase is on to find the culprit. I loved Maud's and Geoffrey's confusion as to what is happening between them and the ways in which they go about figuring things out. It's quite humorous in places, sweetly friendly in others, while being romantically tense as well. It is definitely the most enjoyable aspect of this story, but I didn't feel it took it over. There is much more going on than just the romance. There is Will's and Helena's relationship, Maud's family dynamic (how I loved Ralph!), Geoffrey's family dynamic, Maud's cousins who aren't in line to inherit, Maud's threatening stepson, Helena's friends, and a Bow Street runner's perspective as well.

The cast easily represents various classes and the range of character found within quite well. There is the lower class Bow Street runner to the upper class titled gentry represented. The author showed that the gentry and the lower class could both be honorably gallant and others of the same class the exact opposite. There are references to affairs and less than desirable habits, and references to the opposite. For the most part, we get the points of views of Maud and Geoffrey, but then later on we also get the POV of Jacob Pevensey who is the Bow Street runner. This switch threw me a little at first, particularly because I haven't read the other books in the series and I think he might be the common character. I did find his perspective interesting though.

In the end, was it what I wished for? An overall enjoyable story! Would make for a delightful holiday read, or at any time you're looking to cuddle up with a romance with a few twists and a little suspense. I'm definitely interested in reading the first two books in the series and seeing what comes next.

Content: Some innuendo, making out, references to affairs and abuse, and mild violence, but would consider it clean.
Source: I received a complimentary copy through Celebrate Lit, which did not require a positive review nor affect it in any way.

Other Books in the Series

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About the Author

Rosanne E. Lortz is a writer, editor, teacher, history-lover, and mom to four boys. She loves to read, sing, draw, compose, write, and create. Education is one of her passions, particularly a classical, liberal arts education. She has taught English composition and grammar, Latin, history, music, and various other subjects for ten years at both the elementary and secondary level and is currently the Director of Academics and Admissions at Paideia Classical Christian School in Gladstone, Oregon.

Rosanne’s first book, I Serve: A Novel of the Black Prince, released in 2009. This book explores the tumultuous landscape surrounding the Hundred Years’ War and the Black Death and is a tale of arms, of death, of love, and of honor. In 2015, Rosanne began her Pevensey mysteries, novels of romantic suspense set during the British Regency (with inspiration from medieval characters and events). The first three titles are: To Wed an Heiress, The Duke’s Last Hunt, and A Duel for Christmas.

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Tour Schedule

A Baker’s Perspective, October 13

Just Commonly, October 13

Blogging With Carol, October 14

Remembrancy, October 14

Carpe Diem, October 15

Inklings and Notions, October 15

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 16

Ashley’s Bookshelf, October 16

Where Faith and Books Meet, October 17

Texas Book-aholic, October 17