As a boy, Rhys Carlisle, the heir to the Duke of Waverly, went once a year with his mother to a small cottage, where he ran and played like other boys and made friends with some of the other children.  Those were his happiest days, but they came to a stop when his father, the duke, realized he had made friends with some of the servants.  After that, the duke forbade their visits to the cottage and raised Rhys to believe he was better than most people.  Rhys knew who and what he was; a man of power who inspired respect and fear – the Duke of Waverly.

 

Recently discovering things about his beloved dead father, a man who had a reputation for piety, Simon, the Duke of Billingham and Rhys’ best friend, started to dig deeper.  During the digging, he discovered that one of the many illegitimate children his father had was Rhys. 

 

Just home from their honeymoon, Rhys is surprised when he sees he has a visitor, Simon. Leaving the men to their privacy, Anne went upstairs.  Simon had not wanted to tell Rhys, but someone else knew and that someone is blackmailing them.  After breaking the news to Rhys, Simon faced his new brother’s anger. No longer the deceased Duke of Waverly’s son, as he had thought all his life, Rhys suddenly has no idea who he is now.    After throwing Simon out, Rhys discovers that the proof Simon left behind is genuine. Not knowing what else to do, Rhys runs, without saying anything to Anne.

 

When three days passed and Rhys still had not returned home, Anne went to see the last person to see Rhys before his disappearance, Simon.  Though he refuses to tell her about the conversation he had with Rhys, he does tell her about the cottage. So Anne leaves immediately to find her husband.

 

Arriving at the cottage, she sees Rhys, who is about to dive off the cliff as he did as a child to go for a swim.  Believing he is trying to take his life, she runs and throws herself on him, almost taking both of them over the cliff.  Though he tries to get her to go back home, Anne refuses, determined to stay and help him if she can.  Spending time at the cottage, they grow closer and Anne can see that Rhys is changing, but he will not confide in her.  As for Rhys, he is beginning to discover that he is in love with his bride, but to save her from scandal, he lets her know they will separate when they go home.  Anne knows she doesn’t have much time to save her marriage, but she is determined to fight for it.  Can Anne win her husband’s love and save her marriage?

 

Sensationally sensuous, THE UNCLAIMED DUCHESS is a deliciously hot, poignant, historical romance, which will keep readers feverishly turning pages to see what happens next.  I absolutely loved this story. Author Jenna Petersen reaches for the heart and touches it with this story. At first, I did not care too much for Rhys, but it wasn’t long before I changed my mind.  Trying to find a way to have a future with Anne, Rhys looks for ways to deal with the blackmailer, and Ms. Petersen works it out beautifully.  Enhanced with imagination, steamy hot love scenes, an intriguing plot, realistic repartee, compelling characters and plenty of love, this emotion-packed story is a winner.  Rooting for Rhys and Anne, I found myself at the point of tears at times during this delightful tale.  I highly recommend THE UNCLAIMED DUCHESS to anyone looking for a terrific story.

By Romance Junkies Reviewer: Dottie Click here to Buy this Book Now!   Romance Junkies Content Editor: Wendy Romance Junkies Publishing Editor: Chrissy   Top of Page