Review - - Two Ruins Make a Right

Two Ruins Make a Right

by Janna MacGregor

Publisher: Janna MacGregor

Release Date: July 22, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

Lady Nellwyn “Nell” Whitton and Mr. James Richardson absolutely detest each other—and for good reason. A broken engagement (fine, let’s be blunt: a spectacular jilting) tends to sour a romance.

Eight years later, fate—or possibly a bored deity with questionable judgment—leaves Nell stranded precisely where she’d least like to be: on James’s doorstep. And because fate loves a good laugh, James is hosting a house party, determined to fulfill his spirited daughter's fondest wish, finding a new mother. In short, he’s bride-hunting, and Nell has inconveniently crashed the party.

James instantly suspects Nell of plotting revenge by sabotaging his meticulously planned party. Nell would prefer to marry a turnip and would have a more engaging conversation with it as well. Clearly, the universe delights in tormenting these two. When Nell’s sister and James’s cousin stroll into a compromising embrace, scandal becomes as inevitable as an overly sweet punch at a country gathering.

Now, reluctantly allied, Nell and James must confront their tangled pasts to safeguard their families’ futures. Yet house parties, full of moonlit alcoves, whispered gossip, and impulsive decisions, inevitably lead to one ruination after another.

And perhaps, if they’re lucky, this second scandal might just ruin them for anyone else...forever.

Dear reader, Two Ruins Make a Right was initially published as a novella in The Young and the Ruin anthology. I’ve added a prologue and several new scenes to make it a novel. I hope you enjoy this updated version.

PJ's Thoughts:

Are you in the mood for a second-chance, lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers, forced-proximity, historical romance? That's exactly what Janna MacGregor brings to the table with her (newly revised and expanded) Two Ruins Make a Right. 

Fate was having fun the day Nell's carriage brakes down in front of widower James's home at the very moment he begins his search for a new wife and mother for his young daughter. Nell was once the woman James thought would be his forever love and mother of his children but Nell's family forced her to break his heart (without explanation). Needless to say, he is not happy to see her. Unfortunately, his beloved daughter is thrilled. Things are about to get sticky.

I love when couples are given a second chance to get things right. There's a lot of emotional baggage to sort through before these two will be ready to open their hearts again though. The feelings are still there but forgiveness, understanding, and healing will be necessary before they are able to move forward. James gets there first but the lessons Nell needs to learn take much longer. Her experiences have changed her profoundly, causing her to make decisions for herself and others that she thinks are grounded in love when they are actually made from a position of fear. It adds another layer of complexity to her character and to the eventual happy endings (yes, there are two).

The supporting cast adds another layer of humor, emotion, and conflict to the overall story. I especially enjoyed James's adorable daughter (who steals every scene she's in), his matchmaking aunt, and Nell's younger sister. They add richness and texture to the story while also smoothing Nell's rigid edges and helping her grow. 

If hard-won, second-chance historical romances are your jam, give this one a try. 

Review - - A Simple Scandal

A Simple Scandal

by Janna MacGregor

Millionaires of Mayfair - Book 3

Publisher: Janna MacGregor

Release Date: February 25, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

When Lady Grace Webster vows to avoid scandal, she doesn’t account for the irresistible Dane Ardeerton, the Duke of Pelham, when she agrees to help him find his perfect duchess. Scandal is just another word for evening entertainment in Mayfair, and no one stirs up excitement quite like the Duke of Pelham and Lady Grace Webster. In "A Simple Scandal," whispers turn into shouts when these two join forces—or rather, lock horns—in a battle of wits, wills, and romantic whispers. Amidst a backdrop of glittering balls and clandestine meetings, will their hearts comply with society's rules, or will they write their own scandalous chapter? Can the handsome duke teach the steadfast Lady Grace that sometimes, a little scandal is exactly what the heart needs? Join them for a romp through Regency London, where the only thing more sparkling than the wit is the wine!

PJ's Thoughts:

It's always fun when the tables are turned and an overly-protective older brother finds his own heart on the line. I've been eagerly waiting for Janna MacGregor's Duke of Pelham's story and am happy to say it did not disappoint. Childhood sweethearts-to-enemies-to lovers-to-happily-ever-after for the win!

I loved the chemistry between Grace and Dane (Pelham) but also the conflict. There's a lot of emotional baggage to work through between these two, not only within their own relationship but due to outside forces as well. I loved Grace's strength and determination but also her vulnerability. Dane, for all his posturing, is just a big softie when it comes to his family. I loved the two of them together even though it takes a bit of time for them to get out of their own way and realize they're fine on their own but even better together. 

Family is also at the heart of this story, in both good and bad ways. MacGregor does a fine job of weaving them into Dane and Grace's romantic journey, including humorous meddling on the part of Dane's sisters and their husbands as well as layering the emotional aspects of Grace's evolution due to the actions of her family. 

This is the third book of a trilogy but stands well on its own. However, I enthusiastically recommend all three books. 

Review - - A Simple Marriage

A Simple Marriage

by Janna MacGregor

Publisher: Janna MacGregor

Release Date: June 25, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

 

In the high-stakes game of Regency London’s marriage mart, Lady Pippa Ardeerton rolls the dice with a plan more audacious than wearing last season's gown: snagging a husband to bankroll her dream dress shop. Dispatching marriage proposals like invitations to a ball, Pippa aims for a match made in mercantile heaven, where love is optional, but silk is mandatory. Enter Lord Hugh Calthorpe, the Marquess of Ravenscroft, her brother’s dashing best friend, who accidentally intercepts her matrimonial missives. Hugh, whose commitment to bachelorhood is as firm as his abs, finds himself entangled in Pippa’s quest for a Mr. Right Now, all while dodging his great-aunt's threats of disinheritance.

As Hugh dons the unlikely hat of Cupid, he discovers that Pippa’s kisses are more thrilling than any high society scandal. Suddenly, London's most eligible bachelor is questioning his resistance to matrimony, especially when the bride in question is as enticing as Pippa. With time ticking faster than the latest gossip, Pippa and Hugh must decide if their accidental alliance can turn into a love for the ages or if they’re destined to shop alone forever.

Will their hearts find a common thread, or will Pippa's dream shop end up as just another unfinished project? In this comedy of manners (and manors), finding love is the ultimate bargain.

PJ's Thoughts:

I said it with book one in this series and I'll say it again with this second entry. These are my favorite books that Janna MacGregor has written. The storytelling, character development, swoony romance, and family dynamics are superb. The flow of the story never wavers while slowly building the central romance to its heartfelt, sigh-worthy conclusion. And the balance of humor, heart, and spice is exactly what I look for. 

The main couple captured my heart (both of them) while the secondary cast added richness and texture with humor, conflict, and heart-tugging emotion. I especially enjoyed the layers added to Hugh's character because of his experiences with his mother's grief. It gave him depth and emotional obstacles to overcome. His great-aunt, on the other hand, was an absolute delight, offering up humor as well as challenges of another kind. 

Pippa, meanwhile, had her own emotional baggage to offload which, in addition to her unexpected - but determined - career aspirations, gave her character a wonderful depth. My heart ached for what she had experienced at the hands of her parents as a child. I understood why she chose the path she did at the beginning of the book but that also made her evolution throughout the journey all the more satisfying. I appreciated the solid foundation of friendship that formed between Hugh and Pippa before pesky emotions - and desire - found their way into their relationship. And, of course, I loved how poor Pelham responded when yet another of his beloved sisters fell for yet another of his best friends. I cannot wait to discover what MacGregor has in store for the beleaguered Duke of Pelham in his book!

This one has my enthusiastic recommendation. 

Review - - A Simple Seduction

A Simple Seduction

by Janna MacGregor

Millionaires of Mayfair - Book 1

Publisher: Janna MacGregor

Release Date: April 2, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

He promised her one night…now, he wants forever.

When Lady Honoria Ardeerton, the sister of the Duke of Pelham, sneaks into her brother’s masquerade and meets the irresistible Marcus Kirkland, the Earl of Trafford, her intentions are crystal clear: one night of pleasure with no names. But their fiery passion spirals into a situation that intertwines their destinies when they’re compromised, leaving Honoria's carefully spun web of secrets on the brink of unraveling. As hidden longings and scandalous truths threaten to consume them, Honoria grapples with a revelation that could shatter them both. At the same time, Marcus is undeterred in his quest to claim Honoria’s heart.

When Honoria’s path leads her to feign love for another to safeguard Marcus and her family’s honor, the stakes become insurmountably high. Will Honoria’s secret doom Marcus’s love or will the bonds of the heart prove unbreakable?

PJ's Thoughts:

Marcus is my new book boyfriend. I'm a total goner for a redeemed rake and he is such a good one. Sure, he was wild in his youth but there were reasons. Good ones. He's all grown up now, focused on his future, and committed to his very worthy charity, one that he doesn't just throw money at but in which he fully participates. Plus, he's sexy and sensual and...and...  Well, it wouldn't be fun if he was all good guy, right? ;-) 

My heart ached for all that Honoria had endured at the hands of those who were supposed to love and protect her. I could feel her pain and anguish but also her determination to claim one night for herself. I wanted to cheer her on and wrap her in a warm hug at the same time. I wanted to encourage her to be honest with her siblings and with Marcus (she is, eventually) but understood her need to keep certain things to herself and handle them on her own terms. It's her way to put the happiness of those she loves before her own.  

MacGregor did a superb job of developing both Marcus and Honoria in this book to the point where they felt like real people in whose happiness I was fully invested. They are so good together. I loved the steam, the caring, the quiet joy, and the laughter between them. I loved that they genuinely liked one another and shared common values. They may not have been what each was looking for (her brother's best friend was not in her plans - or her protective brother's - and someone with a secret scandal that could deep-six Marcus's charity was not in his) but the heart wants what the heart wants. My heart cheered over the choices Marcus made that proved her love was not misplaced. Book boyfriend material, indeed. 

The sibling dynamic in this book is wonderful, as is the dynamic among Pelham, Marcus, and the third member of their close friend group, Ravenscroft. I'm excited to discover the direction MacGregor has in mind for all of them, including Honoria's younger sister, Pippa. If you've been reading MacGregor, you've most likely already met the Duke of Pelham (Honoria's older brother), a secondary character from her The Widow Rules series. This book gives us more insight into this arrogant duke (who is perhaps hiding a marshmallow center?), introduces a lady who has him off balance (they have a past!), and has me eagerly anticipating the next book in the series.

It won't surprise me if The Millionaires of Mayfair series ends up being MacGregor's most popular yet (and my favorite). Her writing voice sparkles and her characters shine in the author's first self-published series. It's off to a wonderful start. 

Review - - How to Best a Marquess

How to Best a Marquess

by Janna MacGregor

The Widow Rules - Book 3

Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks

Release Date: April 25, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

Beth Howell needs to find her dowry, post haste. After her good-for-nothing first husband married her—and two other women, unbeknownst to them all—she’s left financially ruined and relegated to living with her brother, who cares more for his horses than he does his blood relatives. If Beth fails to acquire her funds, her brother will force her to marry someone fifty years her senior and missing half his teeth. She’d prefer to avoid that dreadful fate. But her now-deceased husband, Meri, absconded with her money mere days after their illegitimate marriage. To find it, Beth will have to leave town and retrace Meri’s steps if she’s to take her future into her own hands.

Julian Raleah, Marquess of Grayson, cares not a whit for social norms and generally growls at anyone in his path. Grayson has had a heart of stone ever since his engagement to Beth Howell went down in flames—long before she married that cad, Meri, and sealed her own fate for good. But now she’s on his doorstep, asking for use of his carriage and accompaniment on the hunt to find her lost dowry. Surely Grayson cannot go on the road with the woman who has occupied his thoughts for the past decade. Yet, knowing she needs him, how can he resist helping her this one last time? And maybe that’s just enough time to change the ending to their over-too-soon love story.

PJ's Thoughts:

How to Best a Marquess brings to a conclusion MacGregor's trilogy about three women who, following his death, discover they were all married to the same man. Of course, only one of those marriages was legal. I've enjoyed getting to know these women and following each of their journeys to love. 

This final book is a second-chance, road romance between third wife, Beth and the man who captured, then broke, her young heart years earlier, before her disastrous non-marriage to Meri. I love a second-chance romance trope, especially in a case like Beth and Julian where the earlier breakup was engineered by a third party and both Julian and Beth were left heartbroken. I was looking forward to these two finding their way back to one another as they traipsed across the countryside retracing the steps of Beth's late "husband" in an attempt to discover what happened to her dowry. Some of their experiences were humorous, and some poignant, while others presented complications and a bit of danger. All of them kept me curious as to what would happen next. 

The evolution of the romantic relationship between Beth and Julian was a slow, steamy burn that took a bit of an emotional roller coaster ride. My heart ached for the sheer yearning Julian felt for his Beth, a woman who had held his heart for so long. I was cheering him on from the start. Beth is a complicated swirl of hot and cold, acting much like a cornered porcupine - and many would say with good reason. She's blunt, opinionated, and has a boatload of built-up anger and bitterness to process before she reaches a point where she's able to accept that she deserves the love she craves. She definitely has the more complex growth arc. 

Two secondary characters were a highlight for me, threatening to steal every scene they were in: Cillian, Julian's less-than-proper Irish butler and the outrageous Duke of Pelham, who I was delighted to read will be featured in MacGregor's next series. I'm looking forward to it. 

Review - - Rules for Engaging the Earl

Rules for Engaging the Earl

by Janna MacGregor

The Widow Rules - Book 2

Publisher: St. Martin's

Release Date: April 26, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

Constance Lysander needs a husband. Or, so society says. She’s about to give birth to her late husband’s child—a man who left her with zero money, and two other wives she didn’t know about. Thankfully, she has her Aunt by her side, and the two other wives have become close friends. But still—with a baby on the way, her shipping business to run, and an enemy skulking about, she has no time to find the perfect match.

Enter Jonathan, Earl of Sykeston. Returned war hero and Constance’s childhood best friend, his reentry into society has been harsh. Maligned for an injury he received in the line of duty, Jonathan prefers to stay out of sight. It’s the only way to keep his heart from completely crumbling. But when a missive from Constance requests his presence—to their marriage ceremony—Jonathan is on board. His feelings for Constance run deep, and he’ll do anything to make her happy, though it means risking his already bruised heart.

With Constance, Jonathan, and the new baby all together, it’s clear the wounds—both on the surface and in their relationship—run deep. But when the nights come, their wounds begin to heal, and both come to realize that their marriage of convenience is so much more than just a bargain.

PJ's Thoughts:

I adored Constance and Jonathan. I would even go so far as to say they are my favorite MacGregor couple. They, and their journey to love, captured my imagination, held my attention, and touched my heart. This one is going to my keeper shelf where I have no doubt I'll be revisiting them more than once.

MacGregor's depiction of Jonathan made my heart ache. Here was a man who desperately needed the love and support Constance was offering yet couldn't bring himself to accept it...or believe that he was worthy of it. Yet there were glimpses of the man he had once been and ached to be again, even if he wasn't yet ready to admit it. I enjoyed how MacGregor used not only his evolving relationship with Constance but his relationships with his dog, the new baby, and his matchmaking butler to underscore the gradual opening of his heart. 

There was so much to admire about Constance. I loved her strength, her determination, and her huge heart. I appreciated her independence and business savvy, the respect she commanded among her workers. I loved that she held Jonathan to account for his actions, not settling for less than she deserved, less than they both deserved. 

The chemistry between this couple sizzled but there was also plenty of tenderness well, with lively banter and more than a few humorous moments to light the way. And MacGregor tempered those lighter moments with an emotional depth that infused their relationship with layers, complexity, and the hard-won happy ending that convinced me these two would endure any obstacles life threw their way. 

This is book two in MacGregor's The Widow Rules trilogy. While it could be enjoyed on its own, I think readers will enjoy it much more if they begin with book one, A Duke in Time. 

Review - - Big Duke Energy

Big Duke Energy

by Kerrigan Byrne, Christi Caldwell, Amalie Howard, Janna MacGregor, and Stacy Reid

Seasons of Sin Anthology Collection - Book 1

Publisher: Oliver Heber Books

Release Date: March 29, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

 

THE EARL ON THE TRAIN by Kerrigan Byrne Sebastian Moncrieff is a villain, a traitor, and a pirate, who has recently inherited an Earldom he never wanted. As a man who’s committed every sin imaginable, he knows his only chance at redemption is the one woman who ever reached through to his soul of ice. He’s kidnapped Veronica Latimer once before, and was enchanted by everything about her... This time, when he takes her, he’ll have to admit that she’s kept his heart captive since the moment they met. But can he convince her to forgive his past in order to claim a future?

LOVED AND FOUND: Christi Caldwell Lieutenant Thaddeus Phippen has lived a lifetime away from the only love he ever knew, a powerful duke's daughter. He's now returned from fighting Boney's forces, ready to put aside tragic battlefield remembrances and the memory of past heartbreak of love lost. Or that was the plan...until Thaddeus finds himself face-to-face with the one woman he soon finds he can't ever forget... Is the divide between former lovers too great to forge a future together...or can they at last have a love to last a lifetime?

THE WOLF OF WESTMORE by Amalie Howard Lord Wulfric Bane, the Duke of Westmore knows that blood is thicker than water, that duty is more important than personal desire, and that some things, like falling in love, are never meant to be. Cossetted and coddled Lady Jocelyn Capehart has been bred to be the perfect lady. On the outside, she is demure, sweet, and biddable, but on the inside, a vixen longs to break free of her cage. A chance meeting at a sultry club leads to one sinfully explosive night that neither of them can forget.

PUT UP YOUR DUKES by Janna MacGregor Martin "Duke" Richmond bows to no one, including any duke who protests what he publishes in his sensational gossip rag, The Midnight Cryer. However, he is occasionally open to negotiation when it comes to special requests from his wife. Estranged from her husband for five years because of the incendiary gossip he prints, Amelia Richmond finds escape from her lonely existence by volunteering at a foundling home, helping society's most powerful people avoid her husband's rancor gossip, and sleeping with her husband every Wednesday. Not an entirely unwelcome chore. When Martin goes on a rampage against one of the most powerful dukes in the British Isles, Amelia must use her wit and best persuasive techniques to rein him in. When her chance for a happy marriage appears within reach, Amelia finds herself falling for him once again, which is bad...very bad.

DUKE OF EVERY SIN by Stacy Reid Ethan Benedict, Duke of Bainbridge, has been an object of fear, fascination, and salacious gossip for years. To many, his reputation would make him an unlikely savior of a baby left on his doorstep. But Ethan saw the child as perhaps a pathway to redemption. What he did not anticipate was for his jaded heart to soften toward the mysterious young woman who infiltrates his household and secretly cares for the child.

PJ's Thoughts:

I'm a fan of anthologies. They offer readers a wonderful opportunity to read a shorter story from a favorite author, frequently featuring a secondary character from an existing series, while at the same time discovering new author voices without having to commit to a full-length book. Some of my current auto-buy authors have been discovered as part of an anthology I bought because of someone else's story. You really never know what gems await.

Big Duke Energy features five authors. Three are authors whose books I never miss, one is a well-known author I have yet to read, and the final author, Stacy Reid is one with whom I was not familiar.

I've read the stories by Caldwell, Howard, and MacGregor which are each attached to a series I've read, or am currently reading. I'll be reading the other two soon.

In Put Up Your Dukes, MacGregor explores a controversial - somewhat villainous - character from her Cavensham Heiresses series. Martin Richmond has stirred scandal for some of my favorite heroes and heroines without a hint of remorse. I enjoyed the layers MacGregor unveiled in his story, the hidden humanity, and the reformation of his character. The way it played out over the course of the story - with steps forward and back - brought realism to his journey and gave me the authenticity I needed to buy into his "new and improved" character. And I loved his wife!

If you're looking for extra spice with your romance, Amalie Howard's The Wolf of Westmore is a good choice. I adored these two! There's wonderful chemistry between the leads, great banter, and a history that adds layers of complications to their journey. I loved Jocelyn and how she took charge of her future. I was cheering her on so loud. This story is great on its own but if you've read The Beast of Beswick and/or The Rakehell of Roth you'll certainly enjoy catching up with some of the main characters from those books. 

Christi Caldwell is known for writing stories with deep emotional impact and that holds true with this story of second-chance romance. I love friends-to-lovers and this couple brings an additional layer of complexity with a friends-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers dynamic. I was pulled in from the first action-packed scenes and kept eagerly turning pages until the end. This one features brief appearances by characters from Caldwell's It Happened One Winter from her Scandalous Affairs series but you do not have to have read that book to fully enjoy this story.

I'll be back to update the review once I've read the remaining two stories in this anthology but based on the three I have already read, I can enthusiastically recommend it to all of you who love historical romance. 

 

Review & Giveaway - - Mistletoe Christmas

Mistletoe Christmas

An Anthology by Eloisa James, Christi Caldwell,

Janna MacGregor, and Erica Ridley

Publisher: Avon

Release Date: September 28, 2021

Reviewed by PJ 

 

The Duke of Greystoke’s Christmas Revelry is famous throughout the British Isles for its plays, dancing, magical grotto… not to mention scandals leading to the marriage licenses he hands out like confetti.

But not everyone welcomes a visit from Cupid.

Lady Cressida, the duke’s daughter, is too busy managing the entertainments—and besides, her own father has called her dowdy. Her cousin, Lady Isabelle Wilkshire, is directing Cinderella and has no interest in marriage. Lady Caroline Whitmore is already (unhappily) married; the fact that she and her estranged husband have to pretend to be together just makes her dread the party all the more.  But not as much as Miss Louisa Harcourt, whose mother bluntly tells her that this is her last chance to escape the horrors of being an old maid.

A house party so large that mothers lose track of their charges leads to a delightful, seductive quartet of stories that you will savor for the Season!

PJ's Thoughts:

This Christmas anthology sparkles with witty dialogue, poignant emotion, steamy interludes, and happy endings. The four stories, featuring characters all in attendance at the Revelry, interweave with one another while each standing on its own. They all pulled me in, kept me entertained, and gave me four happily-ever-after endings brimming with good feelings and holiday cheer. 

"A Mistletoe Kiss" by Eloisa James

The anthology leads off with a strong story about a young woman whose father (the duke) has turned her into little better than a slave to fuel his societal ambitions and the rich, handsome, and charming man next door whose eyes are suddenly opened to her well-hidden value. Their story is filled with witty banter, humor, a truly good hero (so much fun watching him fall hard and have to work hard for his happy ending), and one of my all-time favorite James heroines. I adored Cressie. Watching her blossom, recognize her worth, and claim her happiness was everything I could have wanted. 

"Wishing Under the Mistletoe" by Christi Caldwell

This second-chance romance showcases the depth of Caldwell's writing skills. I love second chances and Isabelle and Cyrus surely deserved one. I respected Isabelle for following her own path and demanding that she be valued, even at the expense of her own happiness. My heart ached for Cyrus and his misplaced priorities. Their second chance brought growth, tenderness, forgiveness, understanding, a reawakening of love, and a truly splendid grand gesture. As usual, with a Christi Caldwell story, there were heartfelt sighs and happy tears.

"Compromise Under the Mistletoe" by Janna MacGregor

Marriage in trouble is the focus of MacGregor's novella and it's a trope she uses a deft hand to explore in this tale of love, yearning, and miscommunication. I enjoyed the layers of emotion in this tale, the individual growth of both Caroline and Stephen, the flickers of desire still simmering between them that were allowed to slowly but surely grow as they worked through the issues separating them, and the developing understanding and compromise that allowed them to once again claim happiness as a couple.

 

"Mischief and Mistletoe" by Erica Ridley

Ridley's writing chops shine in this fourth novella. If I hadn't read her yet, this novella would have had me seeking out her back list immediately. I adored Isabella and Ewan. They were so perfect for one another. I didn't love what Ewan was doing but I understood his reasons...and his ultimate mea culpa and grand gesture were definitely sigh-worthy. Watching Isabella come into her own was an absolute delight. These two took me on a ride filled with sighs, tears, laughter, and happy endings. 

Have you read the Mistletoe Christmas anthology yet?

Have you read all four authors?

Do you have any Christmas novellas or anthologies to recommend?

Mistletoe Christmas

APPLE | AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | BOOKS-A-MILLION | GOOGLE PLAY | TARGET | WAL-MART

Eloisa James, a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, wrote her first novel after graduating from Harvard, but alas, it was rejected by every possible publisher. After she got an MPhil from Oxford, a PhD from Yale, and a job as a Shakespeare professor, she tried again, with much greater success. In 2013 she won a Rita Award for Best Romance Novella. She teaches Shakespeare in the English department at Fordham University in New York. She is the mother of two children and, in a particularly delicious irony for a romance writer, is married to a genuine Italian knight.

Janna MacGregor was born and raised in the bootheel of Missouri. She is the author of The Bad Luck Bride. She credits her darling mom for introducing her to the happily-ever-after world of romance novels. Janna writes stories where compelling and powerful heroines meet and fall in love with their equally matched heroes. She is the mother of triplets and lives in Kansas City with her very own dashing rogue, and two smug, but not surprisingly, perfect pugs. She loves to hear from readers.

Christi Caldwell is the USA Today bestselling author of more than ten series, including Lost Lords of London, Sinful Brides, The Wicked Wallflowers, and Heart of a Duke. She blames novelist Judith McNaught for luring her into the world of historical romance. When Christi was at the University of Connecticut, she began writing her own tales of love–ones where even the most perfect heroes and heroines had imperfections. She learned to enjoy torturing her couples before they earned their well-deserved happily ever after. Christi lives in Southern Connecticut, where she spends her time writing, chasing after her son, and taking care of her twin princesses-in-training. Fans who want to keep up with the latest news and information can sign up for her newsletter at www.ChristiCaldwell.com.

Erica Ridley is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty historical romance novels. Her popular series include the Dukes of War, Rogues to Riches, and Magic and Mayhem.

Review - - A Duke in Time

A Duke in Time

by Janna MacGregor

The Widow Rules - Book 1

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Release Date: June 29, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

 

Katherine Vareck is in for the shock of her life when she learns upon her husband Meri's accidental death that he had married two other women. Her entire business, along with a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be a royal supplier, is everything she's been working for and now could be destroyed if word leaks about the three wives.

Meri's far more upstanding brother, Christian, Duke of Randford has no earthly clue how to be of assistance. He spent the better part of his adult years avoiding Meri and the rest of his good-for-nothing family, so to be dragged back into the fold is…problematic. Even more so is the intrepid and beautiful Katherine, whom he cannot be falling for because she's Meri's widow. Or can he?

With a textile business to run and a strong friendship forming with Meri's two other wives, Katherine doesn't have time for much else. But there's something about the warm, but compellingly taciturn Christian that draws her to him. When an opportunity to partner in a business venture brings them even closer, they'll have to face their pasts if they want to share each other's hearts and futures.

PJ's Thoughts:

A Duke in Time launches Janna MacGregor's new series and sets the stage for what looks to be a very entertaining group of books. The premise is intriguing, with a group of main characters I'm looking forward to learning more about, and a bit of a mystery that looks to play out over the course of the series. I'm eager to discover what out-of-left-field bequests from the deceased "trigamist" show up next!

What drives this story are the characters and, I have to say, they're some of the most likeable I've met in some time. Christian and Kat are good, honorable, caring people who I was pulling for from start to finish. I enjoyed Kat's determination to earn her own keep, her clever innovations, and her willingness to help those in need. In light of that innate goodness, it wasn't a stretch to believe she would step forward to help Constance and Beth but what I really enjoyed was the sisterhood ultimately formed by this trio of women who were all betrayed by the same man.  

I appreciated Christian's support of Kat, how they worked together, how he listened to her ideas, and his determination to help those less fortunate, especially the soldiers who came home to nothing. I enjoyed their flirtations, their chemistry, and their foundation of friendship that deepened into love. 

The supporting cast of characters were all vividly depicted, bringing additional depth, humor, and conflict to the story. I'm already looking forward to seeing more of some of them in the next book.

There were a few issues that kept this from being a 5-star read for me but, overall, it was a well-crafted, heart-tugging story that kept me turning pages, cheering for the (good) characters, taking satisfaction in the consequences suffered by villain, happy with the culmination of Kat and Christian's journey, and eager for the next two books. If you enjoy historical romance, give this one a try.