The Duchess War - Courtney Milan (Courtney Milan - Dec 2012)

Series: Brothers Sinister (Book 1)

Miss Minerva Lane is a quiet, bespectacled wallflower, and she wants to keep it that way. After all, the last time she was the center of attention, it ended badly—so badly that she changed her name to escape her scandalous past. Wallflowers may not be the prettiest of blooms, but at least they don't get trampled. So when a handsome duke comes to town, the last thing she wants is his attention. But that is precisely what she gets. Because Robert Blaisdell, the Duke of Clermont, is not fooled. When Minnie figures out what he's up to, he realizes there is more to her than her spectacles and her quiet ways. And he's determined to lay her every secret bare before she can discover his. But this time, one shy miss may prove to be more than his match…
 
Good book. I thought the beginning was a little bit slow, but it picked up quickly. The story's premise was interesting, if a bit unlikely, and ended up being a fun read.
 
Robert and Minnie first meet at a ball where he hid behind a curtain to avoid dealing with people. While he is there, Minnie comes looking for a place to escape her wannabe fiancé and ends up hiding behind the couch that's in front of his curtain. The subsequent conversation leaves Robert intrigued with her intelligence and fire.
 
Minnie is a young woman with a big secret. After an unusual childhood that ended in scandal and betrayal by her father, she changed her name and moved in with her aunts. Since that time, Minnie cultivated a persona of a quiet, meek, and mild wallflower, frequently compared to a mouse. Thanks to her past, she fears crowds and being the center of attention. She also craves love and a feeling of security. Minnie works quietly with others for better conditions for the poor. She was a chess prodigy as a child and is highly intelligent as an adult.
 
Robert is deeply ashamed of his father, the previous duke, and vows to be nothing like him. To that end, he came to Leicester to right a wrong done to some workers at a factory he owns. Robert also has a deeper purpose, one that employs an unexpected method of investigation.
 
As the story opens, a local law enforcement official confronts Minnie, accusing her of writing and distributing seditious flyers. These flyers encourage workers to strike, form unions, and do other anti-business/pro-worker activities. He informs her of his investigation of her and knows she is not who she claims to be. Minnie, terrified of being exposed, decides finding the actual author of the flyers will prove her innocence. It doesn't take her long to settle on Robert as the most likely suspect.
 
I loved Minnie's visit to Robert at his home. She laid out her suspicions and requested that he confess, thus taking the heat off her. Robert, of course, refuses her request, citing a lack of proof. He doesn't intend to quit until he reaches his goal. Minnie promises to get the evidence and that she won't hesitate to use it. Meanwhile, Robert vows to flirt with her and make her the center of attention. I love how she laughs at him and tells him no one will believe it. I loved the scene where she proved him right, her public mouse-like persona making a hash of his attempts to flirt with her.
 
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Minnie and Robert. She intrigues him, and the more he gets to know her, the deeper his fascination goes. I liked how he found so many chances to spend time with Minnie, getting to know her, and enjoying getting past her mouse façade. There's a fun scene that takes place on the train from London to Leicester. Robert wants to spend the time talking to Minnie, but his cousin Sebastian and their friend Violet take over the conversation. Minnie is equally fascinated by Robert, but she sees no future in it with her past what it is.
 
As Robert continues his investigation, he unwittingly implicates Minnie in his latest flyer. Through a twisted series of events, the only way to save Minnie is for her to marry Robert. I liked their discussion of the practicalities, but both dropped the ball by not admitting their feelings. I loved their honeymoon to Paris and seeing them come together. But their honeymoon comes to an abrupt end when they receive a message that Robert's half-brother has been arrested and accused of writing those damning flyers. I ached for Robert, who had to decide whether to save his brother by betraying Minnie or protecting Minnie and allowing Oliver to suffer. The courtroom scene was intense and had me on the edge of my seat as it played out.
 
The ending surprised me with a couple of unexpected twists. I enjoyed the scene with the reporters, especially Robert's unswerving support for Minnie. I also liked the resolution of Robert's investigation.
 
One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was the look at the plight of workers in Victorian times. It's a subject not often seen in romance novels, and it made a nice change. I also found Robert's views on the aristocracy unexpected.
 
I liked getting to know Robert's half-brother, Oliver, a bit and learning a little of the complicated history of the two of them. Robert's cousin, Sebastian, was an interesting character with his flirtatious manner and high spirits. There was a great scene with the three men as Sebastian and Oliver have pre-wedding advice for Robert.
 
I can't wait to read the other two books in the series.

The Governess Affair - Courtney Milan (Courtney Milan - Apr 2012)

Series: Brothers Sinister (Book 0.5)

Hugo Marshall earned the nickname "the Wolf of Clermont" for his ruthless ambition--a characteristic that has served him well, elevating the coal miner's son to the right-hand man of a duke. When he's ordered to get rid of a pestering governess by fair means or foul, it's just another day at work. But after everything Miss Serena Barton has been through at the hands of his employer, she is determined to make him pay. She won't let anyone stop her--not even the man that all of London fears. They might call Hugo Marshall the Wolf of Clermont, but even wolves can be brought to heel...
 
Good book. This is the first book I've read by this author, and it won't be the last. It is the prequel to the Brothers Sinister series and did precisely what it was supposed to do - whet my appetite for the rest of the series.
 
Serena was a governess let go from her position after the Duke of Clermont was seen leaving her room. In the three months since then, she discovered she was pregnant. Serena refuses to be a victim and determines to make him pay. She knows that the duke recently married a wealthy woman and is dependent on her goodwill to maintain his lifestyle, so she plans to shame him into doing the right thing.
 
Unfortunately for Serena, the duke has no morals. Instead, he orders Hugo, his man of business, to deal with the problem without telling him the whole story. Hugo, known for his ruthlessness, looks at it as just one more in a long line of problems to take care of. That is until he meets Serena.
 
I loved watching the fireworks between Serena and Hugo. Their first meeting was okay because she didn't know who he was, much to his surprise. He sounds her out on what the problem is and believes it will be an easy fix. Serena disabuses him of that notion when she flatly refuses his first offer and is unimpressed when she learns his identity. Hugo does his best to convince her that he is not a good person and that she won't win against him. But Serena is tougher and more determined than he knows. During the following days, Serena stands up to everything Hugo throws at her, refusing to give in. I loved their interchanges, witty and polite, yet blunt, leaving no doubt where each stood.
 
It isn't long before Hugo's frustration turns to fascination. Despite his reputation, Hugo is an honorable man. The more he learns of Serena's situation, the more he wants to help her. I liked his solution and the unexpected effect it had on him. I ached for Serena as he followed through on his promise while she hoped for more. The ending hit all the right spots as Hugo finally acknowledged his feelings, confronted the duke, and then went after what he wanted. But it was the epilogue that capped the story and made me want to read the rest of the series.