Customer Reviews

The Duke in Disguise

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the second installment in a trilogy (I think) dealing with three sisters who have to try and make their way in the world after their father's untimely death. I rather enjoyed the first installment in this trilogy, "The Lord Next Door;" and was rather hoping that the same could be said for "The Duke in Disguise." Unfortunately, "The Duke in Disguise" turned out to be a rather bland read, and I really couldn't quite figure out why. The hero and heroine was likable and the storyline held plenty of promise. Unfortunately, the novel lacked suspense and tension, and the book does possess a plot that rather hinges on these two key elements.

When her father's untimely death forced Meriel Shelby to seek gainful employment, she felt lucky to have been successful in securing the position as governess to the young Marquess of Ramsgate. Never mind that the young boy's father is the indolent and rakish Duke of Thanet, whose bad reputation would have put off most women, Meriel is determined to do her best for the young, intelligent six year old boy who has been shamefully neglected by his father. Which is why Meriel is thrown when the careless father suddenly turns up and begins to show unexpected interest in his son. Worse still, there is something different about the duke that catches Meriel interest and makes her consider him with new eyes. Has the duke changed for the better? Or is there something sinister about the duke's sudden change in behaviour? Meriel is determined not to give in to the allure of this new duke and to discover what is at the bottom of this sudden change in behaviour...

I won't be giving anything away in noting that the man that snares Meriel's interest is actually the duke's illegitimate half-brother, Richard O' Neill, who is masquerading as his brother in order to protect the young marquess. It is an oft used plot-line, and unfortunately, Gayle Callen uses it with practically no variation in theme. Richard is the typical hero -- nice, honourable and brave, determined to protect his nephew and save his brother no matter what; while Meriel is the typical heroine, determined to find out what's going on so that she can protect her charge, even if it is against the very man she finds herself unnaturally attracted to. There is very little suspense and practically no tension. Part of the reason for this is that the author adds noting new to this basic recipie; the other problem is that the villain of the piece is easily identified about a third into the book. Nothing to keep you guessing here at all -- unless you count wondering when Meriel will succumb to Richard as being suspenseful. All in all, "The Duke in Disguise" was a well written but rather bland 3 star read. Things do pick up towards the end, but it is rather slow going as Meriel and Richard circle around each other sizing each other up. And given that I had rather enjoyed "The Lord Next Door," it did seem a shame that "The Duke in Disguise" was a bit of a letdown.

Gayle Callen and Julia Quinn released books on the same day. I picked up both of them, and it's clear that this one is better than Quinn's. Unfortunately, it's just an average romance. The theme of one man replacing another's position in the aristocracy and fearing discovery by the heroine is a well-worn plotline. The hero and heroine are likeable and well-drawn, and Callen is a competent writer. However, she can't put a fresh spin on this tired premise. I'm willing to buy her next book, but here's hoping she finds a new direction.

This was my first experience with this author. I found this to be an enjoyable read. I would definitely read this author again. If you enjoy Alexander, Laurens, Lindsey, and Woodiwiss you will enjoy this book.

What happened to this book. Mrs. Callen writes fairly decent novels, no she is not one of my favorites but her books are usually good light reads. But this book is just disapointing. The H/H I felt had no chemistry, no deeper feelings, no trust nothing but two boring characters thrown into a non-supsensfull plot. Meirel was uptight, pushy for a governess and hung up on not being smart enough to figure out that her parents had financial problems before there downfall. Richard semed a little better but not much. There was no background information, nothing to show about his true character besides him disguising himself as the duke. He portrayed the duke so much that I never got to know him as a person. And the problem with Meriel about her trust issue was just stupid. It was discussed for one paragraph and then instantly over. You would think if it was such a major concern throughout the whole book that it would have required more than just mentioning it to Richard for it to have closure. But in this book everything seems to go wrong. And lastly were is the suspense. There is none. You keep reading and hoping that the ending would make it worth it but again you are sadly mistaken. Save your money. Save your time.

For me this was just ok. I guess some of my favorite authors I expect a little more from. The plot was good but there just did not seem to be the depth to these characters that I like. They were just not as believable for me that they were falling in love. And there was just not the sizzle nor the intensity in their romance. For me it was just ok. I would tell people that they should read it but it is not the best of the new books recently released for sure!

In 1844, the Duke of Thanet hires Meriel Shelby as a governess to his six-year-old son, Stephen especially while he is away recuperating from an illness. When the Duke returns home after being away for quite some time, Meriel is confused by her reaction to him as she thinks he is a hunk, but knows he is a womanizer so she plans to ignore her attraction to him.

She also believes the Duke is behaving differently as he spends quality time with his offspring, something he seemed loathed to do before yet enjoys now especially when Stephen is with Meriel. Thus the Duke devastates her plan to avoid him. As she falls in love, Richard O'Neill ironically thinks back to the vow he made to his dying brother Cecil, the real Duke, to not reveal their masquerade pretense in order to keep Stephen safe from cousin Charles; finally in love he has to hide his true identity from his beloved.

THE DUKE IN DISGUISE, the second Sisters of Willow Pond novel, is a fabulous early Victorian romance starring two likable protagonists and a precocious (perhaps too much so) preadolescent. The story line centers on the attraction between the governess and the phony duke as she struggles with the enigma of the whys of now in love with him and his so different behavior while he internally wars with his desire to reveal to her the truth in spite of his pledge. Sub-genre readers will enjoy this fine historical and seek out the previous winner, THE LORD NEXT DOOR (the tale of Meriel's sister).

Harriet Klausner

While many of the reviewers have mentioned this is a well known and used plot line I think Callen adds another wonderful book to the genre. She makes her herorines spunky and not pushovers as many do, and she doesn't let the men get away with too much. I think if you like historical romances give this a try as well as her other books.

Meriel is in sudden need of a job to help support her mother and sisters. As the daughter of a once well to do banker, who died leaving them ruined, a governess is the job she is most suited for. She is interviewed by the Duke of Thanet and hired. While she had been initially curious about the Duke she is now down right intrigues there is definitely something different about him. Even his son comments that he is around more than he normal, and more interested in what he is doing.

Richad O'Neill is the "bastard" older half brother to the Duke of Thanet. When the Duke's life appears to be in jeopardy he agrees to masquerade as him to help find out who is bound and determined to kill not only the Duke but his young heir. Looking enough like the duke this should be easy to pull off. But, he had not figured on the attraction he found to the new governess. It is making it hard for Richard to act the rogue, and flamboyant man when he wants to act as the levelheaded thoughtful person he really is.

When the young heir figures out that Richard isn't really his father, as he takes him fishing which his "real dad" would never do he is sworn to secrecy. But, as young children do he eventually lets it slip to Meriel. It is partially reliefs to Meriel as she can't believe she is so drawn to the notorious rouge and has let him not only kiss her but more. On the other had Meriel is furious that she has been tricked. That is until she finds out her young charge is in danger at which point she joins in and works to keep him safe.

Although it's true that there's not much suspense here, I don't require suspense in my romances. The interaction and growing attraction between our hero and heroine were what kept me reading. Yes, the hero is brave, noble, handsome, etc., but he was NOT bland - he was exactly the way I want most heroes to be. The heroine was independent-minded without being bossy; neither a doormat nor a rabble-rouser, which made her both admirable and believable. Definitely deserves 4 stars.

The Duke in Disguise by Gayle Callen is a great historical romantic mystery novel. This novel starts in the middle of the The Lord Next Door storyline. Meriel goes to work as governess for the Duke's son. The Duke comes to his country home to relax after his `illness' - but something is different about the Duke and Meriel finds herself liking the rake. The Lord Next Door (1), The Duke in Disguise (2) The Viscount In Her Bedroom, (coming out July 2007). If you enjoy this genre I would also check out The Lady Lies The Lady Killer and The Lady's Code by Samantha Saxon