2020 New Release challenge
Blog Tour & ARC Review: The Return of the Disappearing Duke by Lara Temple (+INTL giveaway)
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The Return of the Disappearing Duke
Series: None
Author: Lara Temple
Published August 20th 2020 by Mills & Boon Historical
Goodreads Synopsis
A scarred mercenary…
Or the Disappearing Duke of Greybourne?
Rafe has spent years running from his true identity. He’s a lone wolf, living far from aristocratic England and his violent father. Then unconventional Cleopatra Osbourne requests his protection as she crosses the Egyptian desert. In Cleo he discovers a fellow outcast—and a fierce desire! Cleo must return to London, and here lies Rafe’s dilemma—because following his heart means claiming the title he’s avoided for so long!
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.
I recently read another of Lara's books, The Lord's Inconvenient Vow, and loved the way she merged Egyptian history with the Regency Era, so jumped at the chance to review her newest book, The Return of the Disappearing Duke. Now, we follow Rafe and Cleo, as they both have reasons for fleeing Egypt to return home to England. Rafe, as the son of the late Duke of Graybourne, has just inherited his title, but hasn't been back to his estate for over twenty years after escaping his violent father. He doesn't particularly want the title, but wants to help his tenants and family, and hopes that by pretending to be dead, it will force his younger brother to return also, and face his own demons. Cleopatra Osbourne has also recently lost her father, but he was a cheat and a scoundrel, and now the people he has wronged are after her and her brother, Dash. Needing to find Dash, and get them both home before they get caught, she asks for the help of mercenary Rafe Grey, and the two of them soon find their close proximity to be more than just the sparks of excitement, but turning into something more. Will Rafe reveal his true identity, or is the thought of being like his father too much for him?
Series: None
Author: Lara Temple
Published August 20th 2020 by Mills & Boon Historical
Goodreads Synopsis
A scarred mercenary…
Or the Disappearing Duke of Greybourne?
Rafe has spent years running from his true identity. He’s a lone wolf, living far from aristocratic England and his violent father. Then unconventional Cleopatra Osbourne requests his protection as she crosses the Egyptian desert. In Cleo he discovers a fellow outcast—and a fierce desire! Cleo must return to London, and here lies Rafe’s dilemma—because following his heart means claiming the title he’s avoided for so long!
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.
I recently read another of Lara's books, The Lord's Inconvenient Vow, and loved the way she merged Egyptian history with the Regency Era, so jumped at the chance to review her newest book, The Return of the Disappearing Duke. Now, we follow Rafe and Cleo, as they both have reasons for fleeing Egypt to return home to England. Rafe, as the son of the late Duke of Graybourne, has just inherited his title, but hasn't been back to his estate for over twenty years after escaping his violent father. He doesn't particularly want the title, but wants to help his tenants and family, and hopes that by pretending to be dead, it will force his younger brother to return also, and face his own demons. Cleopatra Osbourne has also recently lost her father, but he was a cheat and a scoundrel, and now the people he has wronged are after her and her brother, Dash. Needing to find Dash, and get them both home before they get caught, she asks for the help of mercenary Rafe Grey, and the two of them soon find their close proximity to be more than just the sparks of excitement, but turning into something more. Will Rafe reveal his true identity, or is the thought of being like his father too much for him?
I hadn't realised at first that this book was about Edge's brother, so when there started to be mentions of Edge, and Jacob, and Sam, and when we saw the couple, I was overjoyed. Rafe was a wonderful hero - scarred on the inside and out from his past - and prickly enough to not let anyone get too close. As soon as he met Cleo, and saw straight through her disguise as 'Patrick', his walls started crumbling, and we saw more and more of the real Rafe. Cleo was so strong and vibrant, and didn't take any problems from anyone. She knew that she was in danger, but wasn't a shy and retiring damsel, but someone who wanted to act, and wouldn't let Rafe do everything for her. Their chemistry was just perfect, and though we knew there would be some angst coming from the reveal of Rafe's identity, I was rooting for them. Definitely a book I enjoyed, and I can't wait to read Lara's next!
Dates Read:
July 20, 2020
Rating
4 Stars
Dates Read:
July 20, 2020
Rating
4 Stars
Lara Temple writes strong and sensual Regency romances about complex individuals who give no quarter but do so with plenty of passion. She lives with her husband, two children, and one very fluffy dog and they are all very understanding about her taking over the kitchen table so she can look out over the garden as she writes and dreams up her Happy Ever Afters.
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