THE ILLEGITIMATE DUKE – Sophie Barnes
Diamonds in the Rough , Book 3
Avon Books
ISBN: 978-0-06-284972-4 – print
ISBN: 978-0-06-284973-1 – digital
September, 2018
Historical Romance

Regency Era London

The Matthews family has a momentous history. Once noble, they fell on hard times that sent young Raphe and his sisters to the slums of St. Giles. But then Raphe inherited a dukedom and a fortune that goes with it. After much tutoring, Lady Juliette, his younger sister, has recently made her debut into Society. Not for her, however, the shallow life of tea parties, balls, and gossip. Now with tutoring and a fortune of her own, she looks around for good causes. She gets to know a youngish doctor, Mr. Florian Lowell, who sparks in her an avid interest in medicine. He's come to be a celebrity as the world learns his uncle, the childless and ailing Duke of Redding, has just petitioned the king to make Florian his heir.

Florian is a dedicated physician open to the latest discoveries. He's attracted by Juliette's beauty, spirit, and intelligence, but he's too busy to dally with any woman. Never mind that he has secrets to hide. But then a serious epidemic threatens to spread from St. Giles to all of London and beyond.

THE ILLEGITIMATE DUKE is a captivating story with both suspense and heart, and is one that I thoroughly enjoyed. It's preceded by A MOST UNLIKELY DUKE and THE DUKE OF HER DESIRES which would provide background for this third tale. And, I'm happy to say, another Diamond in the Rough , THE INFAMOUS DUCHESS, is due out next March.

Jane Bowers