"Christina Dodd at her best"
In 1806 reticent Eleanor de Lacy impersonates her more
outgoing cousin the Duchess of Magnus out of love for her
relative, but wonders the price once she meets the target
of this masquerade. Eleanor was to buy time for Madeline
to straighten out this mess caused by her father agreeing
to an engagement with a wealthy barbaric colonial. Eleanor and the duchess' fiancé Remington Knight are both
shocked by the attraction to one another and more so by
how different their image is from the reality. As the
Duchess works to free herself from this unwanted
engagement, Eleanor and Remington becomes better
acquainted until they fall in love. However, she is
masquerading as her cousin while he has a hidden agenda of
revenge that when either surfaces will destroy the key
trust element of their budding relationship. Regency romance readers will take great pleasure with
Christina Dodd's latest trading places tale. The story
line is fast-paced and action-packed, but the key is the
extended cast that makes the "family feud" seem genuine
and even more important fresh as the sub-genre has had
enough feuds to eradicate the Ton. The loving couples
provide the right romantic spin especially when Eleanor
and Remington exchange words and he "faints" out of love
for her. Ms. Dodd is at her best with this delightful
amusing tale of vengeance going awry. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted October 16, 2003
SummaryA bold woman known as the "duchess of Magnus" was wagered --
and won -- in a card game. But the woman who arrived was
her shy, quiet cousin Eleanor.
Eleanor de Lacy must have been mad to agree to exchange
identities with her stronger-willed cousin. She would never
convince Remington Knight of the folly of this union --
especially since the man seemed so determined for it to
take place. Worse still, she finds Remington dazzlingly
attractive -- and she's charmed by his attempts to seduce
her, even though he believes she is already his. But if he
ever learns of Eleanor's deception, this daring rogue will
wreak havoc...upon her reputation and her heart.
Remington had expected a haughty, unbending aristocrat who
would ensure his entrance into good society. But
this "duchess" is a most pleasant surprise -- modest, warm-
hearted, endearingly awkward, and a delight to the eye. In
short, she is exactly the sort of bride Remington could
fall passionately, completely in love with...
...if he weren't so intent on his revenge.
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