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Three Reasons You Should Read This Sweet Western Romance:
Ten Rules for Marrying a Duke by Michelle McLean is a mutual arrangement between a man and a woman that paves the way to quite a love story (I know, scandalous).
I loved how Arabella went out and found a way to get what she wanted (or thought she wanted), and I love that she had a friend that supported her through the whole thing.
Silas, Duke of Whittsley, is a hoot, and I loved just about everything about him. A great mix of traditional and buck the system, I’ll do what I want vibes.
Bookish Arabella Bromley never gave a fig for society’s rules—until her sister ran off with a man below her station. Now Arabella is desperate to restore her family’s ruined reputation to favor amongst the ton. She’ll have to marry quickly and well. But in order to carry off her plan, Arabella needs a duke… and she has just the rakish fellow in mind.
The Duke of Whittsley has an ungentlemanly tendency to disregard the rules. Unfortunately, a sense of mischief doesn’t excuse a high-ranking noble from family duty—especially where it concerns producing a son. And that’s where he can’t quite resist Arabella’s distinctly outrageous plan: if he saves her family, she’ll give him an heir.
Now the deal’s been struck. They have one year to achieve their goals and ten iron-clad rules to keep them on track. Like long, scorching kisses and ensuring they’re both exquisitely satisfied. And the only thing that could ruin their plan is the one thing they never planned on: love.
I absolutely loved Ten Rules for Marrying a Duke by Michelle McLean. It had the forward-thinking heroine that bucks tradition to find a happy life. It had the rogue-ish gentleman that’s really kind at heart (and also a rich duke, which doesn’t hurt). There were good and supportive friends and family, as well as a bit of a grumpy grandfather to even it out.
Arabella’s scheme to find a husband and save the family name is to marry a man that doesn’t want a wife. It may sound backward, but her logic is sound, and she does a very good job of explaining it to Silas. Such a good job that he actually agrees to her scheme. But they have to lay some ground rules first. And here is where things get really interesting.
These rules for their marriage are amazing and hilarious, and somehow quite appropriate. And watching them hash out the rules, especially the ones regarding more intimate moments, was very well done. It gave such a great look into their personalities. I really did fall in love with both of them right then and there.
Now rules are made to be broken, bent, and rewritten, and this couple quickly realizes their rules weren’t as perfect as they first thought. And then they just might go and actually fall in love with each other! Their insecurities about how they feel and how the other feels about them were just enough to make you root for them without becoming tedious.
I really hope Michelle McLean decides to write about a younger sister or friend or someone else in this family so I can check back in with Arabella and Silas, or else I will miss them very much.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
As an affiliate at retail sites, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. See my disclosure for more details.
Three Reasons You Should Read This Middle Grade Adventure:
Wade and the Scorpion’s Claw by Tony Abbott is a quick and very action-packed adventure/mystery that keeps the pages turning all the way through this shorter story.
The story isn’t necessary to the overall Copernicus Legacy series, but it was a nice little way to fill in some time that was skipped over in the main series.
I found the lore behind the scorpion’s claw to be very interesting – and the puzzles was quite intricate.
The quest for the relics continues. Travel deeper into the mysterious world of the Copernicus Legacy with the Copernicus Archives: exciting, fast-paced novellas that get you close to the characters and the heart of the adventure.
Wade and the Scorpion’s Claw picks up right where The Copernicus Legacy: The Forbidden Stone left off, with the Kaplan family seeking the next Copernicus relic. Now Wade, the curious, analytical, yet starry-eyed member of the group, leads the chase for another relic through the busy streets of San Francisco while on the run from one of Galina Krause’s most treacherous henchmen.
Perfect for fans of Rick Riordan and Ridley Pearson, Wade and the Scorpion’s Claw continues the thrilling Copernicus Legacy quest and brings one of the characters into the spotlight.
While I really enjoyed the concept and overall story of Wade and the Scorpion’s Claw, it seemed a little out of place. Almost like an afterthought. I’ve read the second book in the Copernicus Legacy and didn’t realize there even was a part of the story that came in between at first.
It starts with some mishaps and shenanigans by the bad guys at the airport as the Kaplan crew returns to the US. There are quite a few suspicious characters, and I was quite surprised that they trusted any of them. Especially after telling each other that no one outside their group could be trusted so many times.
But it did lead to quite the chase. Through museums, Chinese restaurants, and over to the docks. It was a merry chase that kept the story moving at a fast pace. There weren’t any drawn-out or boring bits. But it also lacked a bit in substance. There wasn’t any character growth or development. They just went on a chase and came out the other side pretty much the same.
Bestselling author Tony Abbott’s epic new middle grade series, the Copernicus Legacy, begins with The Forbidden Stone, a thrilling adventure packed with puzzles, intrigue, and action. Fans of Rick Riordan and Ridley Pearson will love this first book in an exciting series that takes the reader all over the globe in a race to find pieces of a mysterious hidden past—before it’s too late.
Wade, Lily, Darrell, and Becca fly from Texas to Germany for the funeral of an old family friend. But instead of just paying their respects, they wind up on a dangerous, mind-blowing quest to unlock an ancient, guarded secret that could destroy the fate of the world.
It all starts with an email and a murder…and Wade, Lily, Darrell, and Becca are off on an adventure of a lifetime. Following one clue to another, they find themselves on the hunt for a relic. I found their quest to be quite fascinating. Traveling across Europe, solving riddles and puzzles, and learning about the life of the famous astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus – which was far more interesting than I would have guessed.
All of the kids are rather brilliant, piecing things together that I never would have been able to myself. The adults in the story act more as guides and chaperones, often seeming to not quite belong or be very helpful other than doing standard adult things. It was nice to see the story focus so intently on the kids and let them really lead the way.
There is plenty of danger and excitement and near-death situations. This is probably more appropriate for the higher aged or more mature middle grade readers as there is some violence – but not graphic. It does get rather tense at some moments, which I loved, and my kids loved, but not all will.
The puzzles are a lot of fun. They are challenging and exciting, and each one plays its own part in moving the adventure forward and revealing the final answer and location. I highly recommend this book for kids who enjoy mysteries with a lot of action and excitement.
