Fortune Favors the Duke

October 15, 2021
The brother and the fiancee of a deceased duke seek solace in each other and unexpectedly find love. When his brother tragically dies in a fire shortly before getting married, Quinton Errington must step into his role as the Duke of Wesley. Quin preferred his job as a professor at Cambridge, but familial duty comes first. Lady Catherine Greatheart grieves for her departed betrothed, but she's experienced the loss of loved ones before. Both her parents died when she was young, leaving Catherine to live with her beloved grandmother. When Quin and Catherine run across each other by chance in Hyde Park one day, they find comfort together because of their shared experience. They easily become friends, particularly when Catherine's grandmother becomes ill and Catherine could use extra support. Their friendship develops into more, but the rules of society place barriers in their path. Kicking off a new series, this sweet story has short chapters of alternating perspectives and a sometimes-meandering plot. Tragedy brings the leads together, but the book's focus on resilience and hope makes it uplifting overall. Catherine's keen intellect and Quin's noble heart make them winsome characters, and their banter is amusing. There are several lovable (and a few villainous) side characters as well as enticing glimpses of those sure to get their own stories in future installments. The historical setting is rich, and the conflicts are driven by the way of life specific to the time period, particularly in regard to lack of women's rights and courtship customs. A heartfelt and hopeful read.

COPYRIGHT(2021) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

October 25, 2021
Grief, illness, and schemes unite a duke and his late brother’s betrothed in the endearing Regency romance that launches Vayden’s Cambridge Brothers series (after The Temptation of Grace). Following the death of Quinton Errington’s older brother, Avery, Quinton must leave his job as a Cambridge professor to reluctantly become the new Duke of Wesley. Catherine Greatheart, Avery’s fiancée, grieves the loss of her love, but she’s thankful she has her grandmother to lean on—until tragedy strikes. When her grandmother has a stroke, Catherine’s cousin, Lord Bircham, whom she hasn’t seen since childhood, is dispatched to take over as trustee of her estate, a blow to Catherine who has been overseeing everything for years. Hoping to ease Catherine’s mind, Quinton agrees to investigate Bircham’s character—but the real concern is their growing feelings for each other. Quinton worries that, because Avery died before he could make Catherine a duchess, London’s gossipmongers will assume Catherine only wants him for his title, and Catherine fears her feelings are inappropriate. But, with the meddling of his mother and friends, their union soon seems inevitable. A scheming companion adds a bit of suspense to this otherwise sweet and tame romance. Readers looking for light Regency fare will be pleased. Agent: Latoya Smith, LCS Literary Services.