THE HEIRESS GETS A DUKE
BY HARPER ST. GEORGE
Publication Date: January 26, 2021
Publisher: Berkley
Paperback & eBook; 320 pages
Series: The Gilded Age Heiresses, Bk 1
Genre: Historical Romance/Victorian
“A fun, fresh historical romance that gives both formidable characters their due.” – Publishers Weekly
“A delightfully entertaining read, rich with romance, glamour, and lush Victorian detail. Harper St. George truly captures the spirit of the era.” – USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews
“THE HEIRESS GETS A DUKE is a sexy, emotional romantic tale, set against the backdrop of the changing Victorian England. August Crenshaw is exactly the strong, intelligent, self-reliant heroine that Evan Sterling needs – the only trouble is neither one believes it. Watching the path of their romance and their battles makes this story a winner. Harper St. George is a must-buy for me!” – USA Today bestselling author Terri Brisbin
“Wit, seduction and passion blend seamlessly to create this deeply emotional romance. St. George weaves an intriguing plot with complex characters to provide the perfect sensual escape. There’s nothing I didn’t love about The Heiress Gets a Duke, especially its lush, captivating glimpse into history.” – USA Today bestselling author Anabelle Bryant
Even a fortune forged in railroads and steel can't buy entrance into the upper echelons of Victorian high society—for that you need a marriage of convenience.
Special thanks to Berkley Publishing and HF Virtual Book Tours for an arc of this book and blog tour invitation. Check out the Sneak Peek Excerpt at the bottom of this post!
4.5 Passionate Hearts
Review:
There are many things American Heiress August Crenshaw dreams of but an arranged marriage with a penniless title-carrying, blue-blood stranger is not among them. August is no fading wallflower and has no need of a man . . . title or not. What she is is an intelligent, witty, progressive woman with an uncanny ability to analyze numbers and future investments and make profitable decisions for her family's company Crenshaw Iron Works. Her decisions and expertise have served to greatly increase her family's wealth, and August has aspirations of taking over management of the company when her father steps down. Her brazen boldness is only tolerated because of the income she generates. Of course, this is all unheard of in Victorian England - a woman running a business? Making decisions? Surely they jest! As a result of "not playing by the rules", August is labeled "mannish" and totally unsuitable for a respectable marriage by cultural standards. And so, her family looks to marry off her younger sister Violet instead. What? Not on August's watch!
Evan Sterling recently inherited the title of Duke of Rothschild, along with a stack of bills, empty coffers, and eviction notices. A lot of people depend on him, and it appears a marriage of convenience is the only thing that can save him now. While he hates the idea, his only hope is to marry into a wealthy family - his name and title for their financial support. He cringes at the thought of being shackled to a silly, witless girl for life, but it's time he stood up and did what must be done. However, when he's introduced to American Heiress Violet Crenshaw as a possible match, it's her fiery, outrageous, stubborn sister August that catches his eye and heats his blood. It just might be easier to tolerate being married if he can catch this intriguing creature. But first, he'll have to convince August that it's a match made in heaven. Best of luck!
The Heiress Gets A Duke is a fantastic representation of everything I love about historical romance. The clash of wills, culture, social status, and gender expectations all woven into a delightful story I couldn't put down. The chemistry between Evan and August is fire and gasoline as flames ignite every time they get close. All in spite of the fact they loathe one another . . . they do, don't they? I was hoping from the beginning that this wouldn't be "just another love/hate romance" and believe me, it's not. Harper St. George has pinned an intriguing, seductive, heartwarming historical romance featuring complex characters who refuse to play the role they were born into. The Heiress Gets A Duke is a page-burner in more ways than one! It sizzles while evoking passion, fire and finally love. Highly recommended to fans of great romance no matter the time period.
Synopsis:
American heiress August Crenshaw has aspirations. But unlike her peers, it isn't some stuffy British Lord she wants wrapped around her finger—it's Crenshaw Iron Works, the family business. When it's clear that August's outrageously progressive ways render her unsuitible for a respectable match, her parents offer up her younger sister to the highest entitled bidder instead. This simply will not do. August refuses to leave her sister to the mercy of a loveless marriage.
Evan Sterling, the Duke of Rothschild, has no intention of walking away from the marriage. He's recently inherited the title only to find his coffers empty, and with countless lives depending on him, he can't walk away from the fortune a Crenshaw heiress would bring him. But after meeting her fiery sister, he realizes Violet isn't the heiress he wants. He wants August, and he always gets what he wants.
But August won't go peacefully to her fate. She decides to show Rothschild that she's no typical London wallflower. Little does she realize that every stunt she pulls to make him call off the wedding only makes him like her even more.
Harper St. George was raised in rural Alabama and along the tranquil coast of northwest Florida. It was a setting filled with stories of the old days that instilled in her a love of history, romance, and adventure. By high school, she had discovered the historical romance novel which combined all of those elements into one perfect package. She has been hooked ever since.
She lives in the Atlanta area with her husband and two children. When not writing, she can be found devouring her husband's amazing cooking and reading. She would love to hear from you. Please visit her website at harperstgeorge.com
You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Goodreads.
Excerpt:
“Marriage?” Violet’s voice was a high-pitched screech that might have come close to peeling the wallpaper in the sitting room of their mother’s bedroom suite. August was too stunned to investigate. Their mother had delivered the surprise announcement with all the aplomb of a woman blissfully unaware of its unwelcome reception.
Her smile was so bright that August was certain they must have misheard. She was simply overly tired from accompanying Camille to the fight last night. “Pardon me, Mother, but did you say marriage and something about a duke? That Violet is to receive a proposal of marriage from a duke?”
Their mother paused, preening in the glorious aftermath of her news. Shifting on the settee, she tucked a curl of chestnut hair only lightly touched with silver back up under the silk turban she wore to bed every night. August suspected she was savoring the moment, and her mouth went dry at the implication that she had indeed heard correctly.
“Oh, if I must say it again then I will.” Another maddening pause for effect. “The Duke of Rothschild will attend the Ashcroft dinner later this week. If he finds favor with Violet—and I am certain he will—then I have hope that we can expect an offer of marriage to be forthcoming.”
Violet had gone pale. The announcement had pulled her to her feet, and she stood speechless there before the settee she had shared with August opposite their mother.
August took it upon herself to ask the pertinent questions on behalf of her sister. “Forgive me, but I am having a bit of trouble putting together how this came about. We have never met this family, much less the duke.”
“The Ashcrofts have been very good to us this Season. Lord Ashcroft has a fondness for your father and has introduced him around to his men at the clubs. As luck would have it, Lady Ashcroft is very friendly with the duke’s mother. They grew up together. We met at tea several days ago, and Her Grace implied that her son is eligible and in need of a wife.”
“You mean that she asked you for Violet?” August asked.
Her mother looked heavenward before shaking her head. “Not in so many words, no. They are civilized people, August.” Her eyes flashed a warning, before softening as she transferred her gaze to Violet. “But Her Grace expressed an interest in making Violet’s acquaintance. She’s heard nothing but good things about you, my dear.”
Violet had yet to recover her ability to speak and covered her mouth with her fingers. When it became clear that she had nothing to offer, their mother continued with her explanation. “After Her Grace departed, Lady Ashcroft was kind enough to explain the situation to me. No one knows, you understand, but rumors are that when the elder duke died last year he left them without so much as a penny.”
“How can that be?” Violet asked. Her voice was soft and far away. Whether she meant the Rothschilds’ financial state or the proposed marriage, August couldn’t say.
“It hardly matters,” their mother continued. “The important thing is that they need funds no matter the currency, because they have very little of their own. I suspect their debts are going to be called soon, since the duchess was being a bit forward in her interest. They need us.” There was a distinct gleam in her eye that made August uncomfortable. “Oh, do say something, Violet. This is wonderful news.”
Violet shook her head slowly and, with a hand on her forehead, made her way to the darkened window that looked out over the garden.
“Why do the Rothschilds’ financial woes have to involve Violet? Can’t they and Papa work out some sort of arrangement? An investment?” asked August. “Or better yet, if the Ashcrofts are their friends, they can lend them money.”
“Because that is not how it is done here, August.” Her mother’s voice was sharp again with impatience.
“The duke needs an alliance with a powerful family.”
“A wealthy family, you mean.”
Her mother’s glare matched the severity of her tone. “Very well, if you insist on mercenary terms, then yes, he needs an alliance with a wealthy family. We are a wealthy family.”
“This is because of Camille, isn’t it?” August had been wary of the covetous look in her mother’s eyes as Camille had shown them around her manor in Sussex. Now she knew why. It wasn’t the wealth that the manor represented that had caught her mother’s attention. It was the history of the estate and the family. The stench of new money could not linger in a home that had existed for centuries.
“You have to admit things have worked out quite well for her.”
Camille was miserable. Anyone could see that. Anyone who cared to look could see that, August amended. “Financially, perhaps, but do you truly think Camille is happy?”
“Happy?” Mother’s laugh grated as it climbed the ridges of her spine. “Of course she’s happy. She has everything a young woman could ask for.”
