Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Historical Romance Review: I've Got My Duke To Keep Me Warm by Kelly Bowen @Avon


Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing)
Publication date: Dec 16th 2014
Genre: Historical Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Source: NetGalley

Where Secrets Smolder...
Calm. Cool. Collected. Gisele Whitby has perfected the art of illusion—her survival, after all, has depended upon it. Years ago, to escape an abusive husband, Gisele "disappeared." Now she must risk revealing her new identity to save another innocent girl from the same fate. But she needs a daring man for her scheme, and the rogue in question shows a remarkable talent . . . for shattering Gisele's carefully constructed façade and igniting her deepest desires.

...Passion Ignites.

This isn't the first time Jamie Montcrief has awakened naked and confused from a night of drinking. It is, however, the first time a stunningly beautiful woman offers him payment afterward. Gisele has a business proposition for him, a mission involving cunning thievery and a brazen rescue. How can he say no to a plot this dangerous . . . and a woman this delectable?                                                                                                                  




My Review:


For a debut book Kelly Bowen rocked it! I've read a ton of historical romances and this one definitely had some originality to it! From her quirky, unusual, strong characters to a twisting, diabolical plot that includes situations that resonate with even our modern times, eg. PTSD ,spousal abuse, illegitimacy. 

I could tell right away that Gisele was someone I could like! One of my favorite movies is Enough with Jennifer Lopez. I swear I could watch that movie over and over again! I love to read and watch stories about women standing up for themselves, being independent and not taking flack from people! 
After surviving marriage to a sadistic Marquess by faking her own death along with that of her stepdaughter, she managed to rally and start a kind of underground system to help other abused women. She has her faithful friends to help her out but then one of them bails (for a great reason!), and she needs another person to serve as a sort of front man.

In rides Jamie or I should say in stumbles Jamie. Giselle and her friend Sebastion are searching for someone who can pose as a gentleman so they can save her husbands’ fiancé from a terrible fate.
Even drop dead drunk, Jamie proves his mettle and Giselle hires him to help her out. Jamie seems like a poor excuse of a man, he’s dirty, scruffy and has been living in the stables. He’s a gentleman to the core though and is highly respectful of women.

I will say you need to give the first few chapters a chance as it starts off rather sporadic but it does pick up a few chapters in. Although it has some serious subjects this book has its funny moments. Jamie and Giselle bring out the best in each other. They both have serious secrets and I felt so heartbroken for Jamie when his came out, but through it all they had passion and laughter to see them through. I am highly anticipating the next novel by Ms. Bowen! 

*Jamie is not a Duke as the title suggests. It’s one of the more unusual plot twists that I feel you should learn about in the book! 


Kelly Bowen grew up in Manitoba, Canada. She worked her way through her teenage years as a back country trail guide and ranch hand. She attended the University of Manitoba and earned a Master of Science degree in veterinary physiology and endocrinology.

But it was Kelly's infatuation with history and a weakness for a good love story that led her down the path of historical romance. When she is not writing, she seizes every opportunity to explore ruins and battlefields.

Currently, Kelly lives in Winnipeg with her husband and two boys, all of whom are wonderfully patient with the writing process. Except, that is, when they need a goalie for street hockey.