The Guardian Duke... Review

What would you do if you were told your parents, who thrived on adventure, were missing and presumed dead; top it off with the news that someone you’ve never met is now your guardian and every decision you make, every penny you spend, everything you do must first pass through his hands for approval? What if this new guardian was the Duke of St. Easton, presumed to be one of the wealthiest and most powerful men in the world?

Would you feel comforted in knowing your affairs were taken care of? Would you balk at the situation?

Jamie Carie has woven a tale of just such a scenario. Gabriel, Duke of St. Easton has been assigned the duty of overseeing the affairs and eventual season of courtship concerning Lady Alexandria Featherstone, a 20 year old woman who has yet to experience life outside the walls of her castle on Holy Island.  

Throughout the story, we’re taken on a journey across the countryside of England and Ireland. We get to eavesdrop on conversations, dropping clues regarding our next destination. The Duke battles between frustration over his ward’s inability to follow direction, his fascination with the feeling he gets whenever reading her letters addressed to him, and the anger and helplessness he faces when he is afflicted with a weakness for which he can’t find a cause or a cure.

This first installment of Jamie’s trilogy spends considerable time introducing us to the people involved. Everyone the lady meets instantly adore her and wish to help. Well, except for those who are out to capture her and what it is that she seeks. Personally, I struggled connecting and maintaining that connection; perhaps it has to do with my knowledge that this was the first in a series? I don't know. However, as this book comes to a close, we begin to see the danger following her, question the motives of her companion, and hope for the Duke to finally get within grasping distance.

I’ll leave the details for you to discover.

The only trouble I found with reading this book is the end. I was invested in Gabriel’s determination and devotion and Alexandria’s quest, and didn’t want it to end where it did.

Thankfully, I was offered the opportunity to review the second in the series,  The Forgiven Duke, as well. You can read about that on Wednesday, April 18.

Review coming 4/18/12

Come Rain or Shine, Keep Dancin'

K. A. Jacobsen
Writer
southpawscribbler@gmail.com

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