For the Duke’s Eyes Only
by Lenora Bell
Series: School For Dukes (Each book is a standalone story.)
Genre: Adult Historical Romance
Publisher: Avon Books
Publication Date: September 18, 2018
If adventure has a name…it must be Lady India Rochester. The intrepid archaeologist possesses a sharp blade and an even sharper knack for uncovering history’s forgotten women. Unfortunately, she has one annoying weakness: the dangerously handsome Duke of Ravenwood. Former best friend. Current enemy. And the man who dared to break her heart.
Daniel Bonds, the Duke of Ravenwood, is a thrill-seeking antiquities hunter who only plays by one rule: Never fall in love. He’s in it for the fortune and glory. At least that’s what he wants the world to think. He’s sworn to hide his tangled web of secrets, especially from the one woman he cares about and will protect at any cost.
But when a priceless relic is stolen from the British Museum, the rivals must align forces. Racing to recover the stolen antiquity and avert an international disaster? All in a day’s work. Avoiding their buried feelings? More and more impossible. For love is about to become the greatest treasure of all. The grand adventure begins…now!
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Excerpt:
“We’ve reached an impasse.”
She brushed strands of dark hair away from her cheek with an impatient gesture. “As I predicted.”
“We’re like oil and water, you and I.” He drew a shaky breath. “Never the twain shall mingle.”
“You’re the North Pole,” she declared, “and I’m the South.”
“You’re fire and I’m ice.” He stared into her eyes, held her gaze locked with his.
She tilted up her chin, moving closer. “I hate you.”
He stayed completely still, not daring to breathe.
Stretched taut like a rope, fraying beneath the weight of his desire.
If he allowed himself to breathe, he would take her lips, as he’d dreamed of doing so many times, with fierceness and certainty.
Learn their lush contours by heart. Delve inside to taste her sweet, tart tongue. Swallow the I hate you and tease his name from her lips.
Say my name. Say you want me.
Raven. I want you.
He should say harmful, hurtful things. Push her away.
He wrapped his arm around her slender waist. Dragged her against him.
And kissed her.
Review:
Spies and archaeologists? Especially a female archaeologist named Indy? Yes, please! 🙂
For the Duke’s Eyes Only was a really fun read. I really enjoyed the BFFs-as-children-turned-enemies-turned-professional-rivals aspect of the story; the prologue where the two of them made their first major archaeological find was absolutely adorable…at least it was, until it wasn’t. Even when they aren’t getting along–especially when they aren’t getting along?–Indy and Raven have amazing chemistry together. I loved that Indy was one of the first people to (fictionally, of course…) advance the theory that the pharaoh Hatshepsut was really a woman, and the fact that her life’s ambition was to find Cleopatra’s tomb? The cherry on top!
The mystery of the disappearing Egyptian artifacts was intriguing–I especially liked that the Rosetta Stone was one of them. The resolution of that part of the plot was a bit fantastical, but still entertaining. I mean, spies and archaeologists. Throw in the romance and really, that’s all I need.
For the Duke’s Eyes Only is the second book in Ms. Bell’s School for Dukes series (the first is Indy’s brother’s story) but would work just fine as a standalone. The next ( One Fine Duke ) is Mina’s–Raven’s mentor’s niece’s–story; who had a very minor role here. It looks to be just as much fun, though!
Rating: 4 stars / B+
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
About Lenora Bell:
LENORA BELL is a USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of historical romances. She blames the long, dark winters in her tiny Alaskan hometown for making her a lifelong bookworm. A teacher with an MFA in Creative Writing who has lived on five continents, Lenora currently shares an old farmhouse in the Pacific Northwest with her carpenter husband and two tiger-striped rescue kitties. She loves to hear from readers!
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Tour Wide Giveaway!
To celebrate the release of FOR THE DUKE’S EYES ONLY by Lenora Bell, we’re giving away a paperback set of the School For Dukes series thus far!
GIVEAWAY TERMS & CONDITIONS: Open to US shipping addresses only. One winner will receive a paperback set of the School For Dukes series this far. This giveaway is administered by Pure Textuality PR on behalf of Avon Romance. Giveaway ends 10/1/2018 @ 11:59pm EST. Avon Romance will send the winning copies out to the winner directly. Limit one entry per reader and mailing address. Duplicates will be deleted. CLICK HERE TO ENTER!
