WHEN A MARQUIS CHOOSES A BRIDE - Ella Quinn
The Worthington Series , Book 2
Zebra   
ISBN-13: 978-1-4201-3957-6
September 2016
Historical Romance

London, England - 1815

Dominic, the Marquis of Merton, is the straight laced cousin of Mattheus, the Earl of Worthington (THREE WEEKS TO WED, April 2016).  Having lost his father at a very young age, Dom was raised by a staid and loveless uncle who instilled in him that he is, no matter what, to be stern and unforgiving, and never, ever, give in to love, but to marry only for duty.  Enter Dorothea Stern, or Dotty.  When Dom meets Dotty, he is enchanted.  But alas, he cannot court someone of common birth, but he thinks a little dalliance would not be amiss.

Dorothea Stern, the granddaughter of the Duke of Bristol, is an independent young woman who does all she can to help the less fortunate in her village.  Her mother was born a lady, and her father a commoner, but in spite of the rules, they married and are happy.  Best friends with Lady Charlotte Carpenter, both girls have planned their first season in London for years, but Dotty's mother broke her leg, and now she remains at home while Charlotte is in London.  A surprise awaits when Lady Worthington sends word that Dotty must come to London and stay at Worthington House for the Season.   And so, Dotty has just arrived and is walking in the park with her friends when an incident with an unruly puppy brings her into contact with The Marquis of Merton, Dominic; a stuffy young gentleman if there ever was one.

Eunice, the Marchioness of Merton and Dom's mother, has moved all of his belongings from his hotel to Merton House without Dom's permission.  Eunice has come to London with the sole purpose of helping Dominic find a proper wife.  In her opinion, there is not one woman on her son's list of eligible candidates that will do.  He definitely needs someone who will take him in hand and change his stifling ways!

There is so much going on WHEN A MARQUIS CHOOSES A BRIDE!  Dominic and Dotty are thrown together at functions and in town, where Dom finds himself helping Dotty rescue kittens and deprived children; a far cry from his usual activities.  As Dom falls hopelessly in love, he agonizes over the fact that Dotty is not of noble birth, yet he still pursues her (Dotty has not told Dominic the circumstances of her birth.) Complicating matters is his cousin Matt, who totally dislikes Dominic and makes no secret of the fact.  Matt has threatened Dom with harm if he does one thing to disgrace Dotty.

WHEN A MARQUIS CHOOSES A BRIDE is the second novel in The Worthingtons , following April's THREE WEEKS TO WED.  Book three, IT STARTED WITH A KISS, is due April, 2017.  (I can't wait!) Each book stands alone, but you will love to have the entire collection simply for the sheer fun of reading them.  Dominic and Dotty (later renamed Thea by Dominic, who detests her nickname) and a plethora of secondary characters keep us well entertained.

Just like the first Worthington novel, WHEN A MARQUIS CHOOSES A BRIDE is a book you will not put down!  It's a wonderful romance, full of love and laughter and suspense.  Dominic has to go through a multitude of changes from his stuffy upbringing, but Dotty opens his eyes to the real world and helps him become a compassionate and understanding man, and he changes from the lesser character he started out as into a true Regency hero.

A delightful romance, WHEN A MARQUIS CHOOSES A BRIDE is a must buy!

Diana Risso