The Duchess's Next Husband (Harlequin Historical) [Mass Market Paperback]

Terri Brisbin (Author)

Book Description

Series: Harlequin Historical | Publication Date: May 1, 2005

All Miranda Warfield had ever wanted was to be a wife to a man, not a title, but her marriage to Adrian, Duke of Windmere, had been merely a polite ton alliance for years. Now, miraculously, the tender, loving Adrian of her youth had returned, making her feel like a bride again. But dare she trust their rekindled romance? For why was Adrian suddenly arranging clandestine meetings with his solicitor? And asking her opinions on several marriageable gentlemen of the ton? Did her husband's eyes betray a secret his ardent lips denied...?

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Adrian, Duke of Windmere, overhears a conversation among his physicians and learns to his horror that he has only months to live. He increases his conjugal attentions to his wife, Miranda, in hopes of finally securing an heir to the title, and finds himself rediscovering her on several levels, finally admitting that after seven years of marriage, he has fallen in love. His mother, however, is a thoroughly unlikable woman who has made both Miranda and Adrian miserable by her constant harping on the "proper" way to behave, and schemes to have Miranda divorced so that Adrian can marry a young woman of the Dowager Duchess' choice. Historical romance at its best, Brisbin's Regency-era setting is aptly sketched with an economy of detail, her characters are nicely developed, and the enduring conflict between traditional doctors of medicine and the more holistic approaches, as epitomized by midwives and herbalists, is a nice counterpoint to the main plot. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin (May 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373293518
• ISBN-13: 978-0373293513
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,596,921 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Slow, December 29, 2005

By 

Christine "Avid reader" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Duchess's Next Husband (Harlequin Historical) (Mass Market Paperback)

I just didn't see it. Yes, Ms. Brisbin knows how to plot her characters, but I didn't see the spark between them. They were bland and plodding throughout the story; I never got a sense of urgency over Adrian's impending death, nor of Miranda's feelings over this, which should have been devastating. There was simply nothing there. Everything simply moved along. I really enjoyed Miranda's friend, Sophie, much more than Miranda herself, but she was regulated to the extreme background, as with all Harlequin books.

Still, the medical knowledge portrayed in this was extremely well done. Kudos to Ms. Brisbin for that.

I need to stop reading romances for a while, I think. I know Ms. Brisbin is a wonderful writer, but this story just didn't work.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Sweet Romance With Wonderful Characterization!, April 24, 2005

By 

Kristi Ahlers (Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Duchess's Next Husband (Harlequin Historical) (Mass Market Paperback)

Ms. Brisbin has penned a very sweet read. Our hero and heroine Adrian and Miranda are the Duke and Duchess of Windmere. There are already married but have fallen into the trap that so many aristocratic couples fall into, duty, duty, duty, to the title that is held. This is a story is about falling in love all over again and realizing that life is too short to spend it playing games.

Adrian Warfield is the Duke of Windmere. He has just been told by his team of physicians that he is dying. He won't make it to the end of the year and that he should really get his affairs in order. Or at least that's what he overhears. Knowing that his time is short he begins to take stock in his life. He is married to a dutiful and kind woman, but their relationship is not what it used to be. There was a time long ago, before the title was his that they laughed and shared things. Now they live the proper aristocratic life and he must consider what should be done to protect Miranda when his death occurs. They have not been able to produce a child and the title will be forfeited to a cousin. This situation weighs heavily on Adrian. He takes a trip to the country and soon Miranda follows. Their time in the country seems to change things. Miranda seems more beautiful and open then she had been before, and Adrian begins to realize that although they have grown apart there is a part of him that misses her badly. It's only a matter of time before this Duke realizes that he is in love with his own wife. His love motivates him to find a new husband for his Miranda. Can he do this without Miranda figuring out what he is up too?

Miranda has come to terms with the way her life has played out. She knows that she would not have been the choice of the Dowager Duchess for her son Adrian. She tries very hard to be the wife that she thinks Adrian needs and wants. What she wants though is love, respect, and caring. Than all of a sudden Adrian seems to be spending more time with her and their physical relationship is changing...for the better what has brought on this change...and will it last or is it too good to be true?

Adrian and Miranda were compelling characters. The fact that these two were already married at the beginning of the story made the storyline a little more unique. The concept of facing your own mortality is a very interesting vehicle for a storyline and Ms. Brisbin has made the most of it. I truly felt invested with the characters and the change in their relationship was sweet and tender to read. I highly recommend Ms. Brisbin if you are in the market for a fast-paced read that will touch on your emotions.

Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A nice sweet romance, May 13, 2005

By 

Creekergirl (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Duchess's Next Husband (Harlequin Historical) (Mass Market Paperback)

This usually ain't the kind of romance that I read: husband and wife married for years who finally start to love each other. But I found myself reading this into the night and actually enjoying it. However I only gave it three stars because when Adrian, Duke of Windmere finally starts to treat his wife with more than cool tolerance, it just seems highly unlikely.

Adrian overhears his doctor outside discussing his case and saying that he will die soon. Panic overcomes him and he decides that he needs to work it out where his wife, Miranda is still taken care of. He starts to realize that he loves his wife and starts making a list of eligible men to marry her after he is gone.

This is a sweet romance that really has no punch to it. But, it's still a great read. I didn't like how cold he was to his wife at the beginning but he comes around in time. Not as good as most historical's like Gaelen Foley and Johanna Lindsey. Still, you should give it a try.