Desperately Seeking A Duke (Heiress Brides) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Celeste Bradley (Author) "It likely signified nothing especially portentous, but when Miss Phoebe Millbury, proper vicar's daughter, met the man of her dreams me first part of him..." (more)
Key Phrases: Desperately Seeking, Celeste Bradley, Miss Millbury (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Let yourself be seduced!”—Romantic Times BOOKreviews

“Everything her readers crave: wit, deliciously sensual romance...laced with intrigue and danger.”—Booklist (on the Bradley’s Liar’s Club series)

Product Description

The only way for vicar’s daughter Phoebe Millbury to inherit a family fortune is to find herself a duke—just as her late grandfather demanded in his will. But Phoebe, who’s still  trying to make good after a romantic scandal, also has her two cousins to contend with. They’re all competing for the same money, maybe even the same men. ..until Phoebe meets her match in the terribly handsome and charming Rafe Marbrook.

When she receives a marriage proposal from the Marquis of Brookhaven, Phoebe is thrilled to learn that Rafe is headed for dukedom…and accepts his offer. There’s only one problem: It’s from Rafe’s older, less captivating brother, Calder. Now Phoebe finds herself on the verge of yet another scandal as she faces a desperate choice: Marry Calder for his money—or follow her own heart? Each way can only lead to trouble…

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Product Details Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks; 1st edition (March 4, 2008) Language: English ISBN-10: 031293968X ISBN-13: 978-0312939687 Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4 x 1.3 inches Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #229,939 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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First Sentence:
It likely signified nothing especially portentous, but when Miss Phoebe Millbury, proper vicar's daughter, met the man of her dreams me first part of him she fell in love with was his arse. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Desperately Seeking, Celeste Bradley, Miss Millbury, Brook House, Lady Tessa, Lord Brookhaven, Miss Phoebe Millbury, Lord Marbrook, Marquis of Brookhaven, Aunt Tessa, Miss Blake, Lord Raphael Marbrook, Sir Hamish, Lady Brookhaven, Hyde Park, Mary Mouse, Uncle Rafe, Even Tessa, Duchess of Brookmoor, Marchioness of Brookhaven, Duke of Brookmoor

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Customer Reviews

16 Reviews 5 star:  (8) 4 star:  (1) 3 star:  (6) 2 star:  (1) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.0 out of 5 stars (16 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 5 of 5 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars I liked this one least in the series, June 12, 2008 By  Tams (Arkansas) - See all my reviews The hero and heroine fall in love at first site, and then have to face obstacles to being together before they finally get their HEA. I think it is very hard to pull off a love at first site book, because falling in love is one of the best parts of a romance for me. If the hero and heroine are already there at the end of chapter one then a lot of that magic can be lost. One of the problems for me with this book is that inital meeting and falling in love just didn't seem to have the fireworks necessary to make the couple fall in love the way they did. Second there is no more interaction between the couple til nearly page 100. I like lots of interaction between my leads. Overall I found this book to be only average. 4 of 4 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars Not bound for the "Keeper Shelf", June 2, 2008 By  Mae Country "gabbypants" (Boston) - See all my reviews This book was entertaining enough, but it wasn't that great. I really disliked the use of modern lingo - it was jarring to hear Rafe talk about rockets. Also, once the heroine realized the big mistake she made, she really ought to have corrected it immediately. It really didn't speak highly of her character. Don't think I'll complete the series. 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars A light read, June 5, 2008 By  Lucia A. Rodriguez - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    It's an entertaining book, but I didn't like it as much as the other author's series (Liar's Club & Royal Four). The plot sounds interesting, although not very original: three cousins (vicar's daughter Phoebe, beautiful Deirdre and plain and shy Sophie), are trying to catch a Duke to win their grandfather's money. Other important characters are Lady Tessa, mean step-mother to Deirdre; Calder, the Duke; Rafe, Calder's half-brother and a rake; and the vicar. The problem is that the story is not very well developed and neither very convincing. Phoebe and Rafe meet one night in a ball and supposedly they fall in love. Although I "believe" in some way in love at first sight, it doesn't seem convincing in this book. From that point, the book follows a very basic outline: Step 1 (done): main characters met and fall in love. No matter that we're in the first 2-3 chapters. Step 2: Big Misunderstanding (or Mistake in this case) --with lots of problems associated-- to complicate the couple's road to love (I almost sounded poetic, lol), in the next chapter (5 or so). What happens? Calder proposes to Phoebe, and she agrees, thinking it comes from Rafe. She doesn't cry off because she doesn't want to disappoint her father after running off with her dancing master ten years ago. Step 3: to solve the problems caused by the BM, with an angry and hurt Rafe, a very indecisive Phoebe, and Calder, which I disliked a lot. Step 4: problems solved and happily ever after. And intertwined, we have a romance between Calder's butler and an Irish maid. Where's the love story, the romance? Difficult answer. Phoebe and Rafe, although they made a good couple, spent most of the story separated (but very much in love, yeees), so the love story it's not believable. As this is a romance novel, the lack of "falling in love" is frustrating, but well, the book is entertaining enough and a light read. That's the reason for the 3 stars, although perhaps 2 ½ would have been better.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Made me want to read the other books in the series, I love Phoebe she made me laugh and Raf makes the book come to life, they were suited for each other. I loved this couple most of all they are fun. Published 9 months ago by Rosanda Smith 4.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly Entertaining Phoebe Millbury and her two cousins, Deidre and Sophie were in contention for a fabulous inheritance, from their deceased grandfather Hamish Pickering - only if one of them were... Read more Published 12 months ago by M. Rondeau 5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful I enjoyed the characters and the story line, looking forward to the next two in this series. Published 12 months ago by Rachel 5.0 out of 5 stars Desperately Seeking a Duke Vicar's daughter Phoebe Millbury has a chance to inherit a fortune. There is one catch, Phoebe must be the first of her cousins to marry a duke. Read more Published 12 months ago by M. Nix 2.0 out of 5 stars Just okay I had high hopes for this book, but it was tough for me to get through. I just found the male to be boring and the storyline was really flat for me. Read more Published 14 months ago by J. Burke 3.0 out of 5 stars It's all very silly, and not very believable There are so many things in this book that are just wrong. Who proposes marriage to a woman he has never met? Read more Published 14 months ago by Orion 5.0 out of 5 stars Surprising Twist on an Old Set-Up Yeah, yeah we've all been here before--young, beautiful girl needs to find husband of nobility so goes to balls, riding on Rotten Row, etc. Read more Published 14 months ago by C. Farley 3.0 out of 5 stars Yummy hero but average romance Phoebe is on a quest. She and her cousins are racing against each other to marry a Duke and gain an inheritance left by their grandfather. Read more Published 14 months ago by Melissa 5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful! England 1800's DESPERATELY SEEKING A DUKE is a wonderful beginning to a promising new series! Read more Published 15 months ago by Nancy Compton 5.0 out of 5 stars The Heiress Brides PRO'S * Wow! I loved the cover of the book, the story, the characters, absolutely everything! 5 star - 1 nighter for me! Read more Published 16 months ago by Cali Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks; 1st edition (March 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031293968X
• ISBN-13: 978-0312939687
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #229,939 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I liked this one least in the series, June 12, 2008

By	Tams (Arkansas) - See all my reviews

The hero and heroine fall in love at first site, and then have to face obstacles to being together before they finally get their HEA.

I think it is very hard to pull off a love at first site book, because falling in love is one of the best parts of a romance for me. If the hero and heroine are already there at the end of chapter one then a lot of that magic can be lost.

One of the problems for me with this book is that inital meeting and falling in love just didn't seem to have the fireworks necessary to make the couple fall in love the way they did.

Second there is no more interaction between the couple til nearly page 100. I like lots of interaction between my leads.

Overall I found this book to be only average.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not bound for the "Keeper Shelf", June 2, 2008

By	Mae Country "gabbypants" (Boston) - See all my reviews

This book was entertaining enough, but it wasn't that great. I really disliked the use of modern lingo - it was jarring to hear Rafe talk about rockets.

Also, once the heroine realized the big mistake she made, she really ought to have corrected it immediately. It really didn't speak highly of her character.

Don't think I'll complete the series.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A light read, June 5, 2008

By	Lucia A. Rodriguez - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It's an entertaining book, but I didn't like it as much as the other author's series (Liar's Club & Royal Four).
The plot sounds interesting, although not very original: three cousins (vicar's daughter Phoebe, beautiful Deirdre and plain and shy Sophie), are trying to catch a Duke to win their grandfather's money. Other important characters are Lady Tessa, mean step-mother to Deirdre; Calder, the Duke; Rafe, Calder's half-brother and a rake; and the vicar.
The problem is that the story is not very well developed and neither very convincing.

Phoebe and Rafe meet one night in a ball and supposedly they fall in love. Although I "believe" in some way in love at first sight, it doesn't seem convincing in this book.
From that point, the book follows a very basic outline:
Step 1 (done): main characters met and fall in love. No matter that we're in the first 2-3 chapters.
Step 2: Big Misunderstanding (or Mistake in this case) --with lots of problems associated-- to complicate the couple's road to love (I almost sounded poetic, lol), in the next chapter (5 or so). What happens? Calder proposes to Phoebe, and she agrees, thinking it comes from Rafe. She doesn't cry off because she doesn't want to disappoint her father after running off with her dancing master ten years ago.
Step 3: to solve the problems caused by the BM, with an angry and hurt Rafe, a very indecisive Phoebe, and Calder, which I disliked a lot.
Step 4: problems solved and happily ever after.
And intertwined, we have a romance between Calder's butler and an Irish maid.

Where's the love story, the romance? Difficult answer. Phoebe and Rafe, although they made a good couple, spent most of the story separated (but very much in love, yeees), so the love story it's not believable.
As this is a romance novel, the lack of "falling in love" is frustrating, but well, the book is entertaining enough and a light read. That's the reason for the 3 stars, although perhaps 2 ½ would have been better.