Since I'm in the middle of a couple of books, I thought this would be a good time share my
LOVE for fictional Dukes. Yes, I love them. They are just so much fun. Plus, they tend to be pompous, arrogant and self-assure. Sometimes they are wrong, but no one will tell them cause they're a Duke. To help you understand how much I love reading fictional Dukes, I looked on my Kindle to count how many books I have that feature a Duke as a hero. I counted about 60 books that I know for fact the hero is a Duke or has Duke in the title. I'm sure there is more that I haven't cover, because I just haven't read the book yet. I was just going off the cover. Anyway, let me share a few of my favorite Dukes:
First off, Alexander Everrett, Duke of Kelfield, from
A Scandalous Pursuit by Ava Stone.
Actually, you meet him the first book of Ava Stone's
Scandalous series. He's awesome. I have been in love Ava's Alex forever. This is the reason he has secure the top spot. He's wickedly yummy with his dark hair and grey eyes. Yes, he's wicked and arrogant. However, he does have a soft spot for his woman.
Next in is Aiden Carr, Duke of Trathen, from
Scandal of the Year by Laura Lee Guhrke. Actually, we first meet Aidan in
Wedding of the Season when he was engaged with Lady Beatrix Danbury then gets toss aside when she chooses to marry her first love. After that, Aidan wormed a way into my heart. The first thing you need to know about Aidan, he's a good guy. The best way to describe him would be a stick in the mud. Since
Scandal of the Year takes place near the turn of the century, he's still stuck in the past and doesn't really want to move forward. Most of the time he's describe as a guy who was born century too late. Fortunately, he does find love and someone that can easy him to the future. (I plan to re-read
Abandon at Altar books, because Aidan is just such a decent guy.)
The Duke of Leighton, Simon Pearson from
Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart by Sarah MacLean. Better known as the Duke of Disdain. If the dictionary could have pictures Simon would be front center for arrogant. He lets his title control him. We actually first meet Duke in the first book in
Love by Numbers series. He's pompous, but fortunately he comes to his senses before he loses his italian beauty.
The orderly and predictable Duke of Pelham would be my next Duke, William Cavington from
When You Give a Duke a Diamond by Shana Galen. He sure does sound like a stick in the mud, but when you need someone to rescue you he's sure to be there. When he found the right woman he realize he needed to have a little adventure.
Then we have Maximilian Cale, the Duke of Lyons from
What a Duke Desires by Sabrina Jeffries. Yes, he's pompous, arrogant, and full of himself. This lovely Duke definitely wears his title on his sleeve and has no problem showing it. When it comes to his woman he has no clue how to handle her. Man she's got him by the balls and I love it.
So there you have it, a few of the Dukes that have caught my attention. Wouldn't you know it I happen to be reading a couple of books where we have a hero Duke. One of them is Máire Claremont's
Lady in Red. In this one we meet Edward Barrons, Duke of Fairleigh. Well, I don't know about this Duke, but he does like to get his way. I'm pretty sure he will be making my list. What I have read so far, makes him sound like a keeper. The next Duke I'm reading is Maximus Batten, Duke of Wakefield from
Duke of Midnight by Elizabeth Hoyt. He might have to win me over. I'm not sure if I like him or not. However, he's a DUKE and he might let his title dictate his life. I guess we will see.
My question to all of you:
Do guys have a favorite Duke that I should add to my list? Is there someone that stands out in your mind? I would love to hear.
Hi everyone and a big thanks to Melody for having me here today. If you
don’t know me, I’m Jess Michaels and I write erotic historical romance! In
fact, you are all getting me at the end of a very chaotic few weeks. You see, I
just had two books out. On June 24, a novella that ended my Pleasure Wars
series, Beautiful Distraction and
then on July 15 I launched a new series, The Ladies Book of Pleasures with A Matter of Sin. 
1. Her Grace’s Stable by
Joely Sue Burkhart. This book is bananas and I love it. It’s a space opera but
is set in a world that is very much like a Regency or Victorian England. So it
feels a little historical, too. I never thought I’d love a book with a dominant
heroine and a set of heroes who engage in horse play (which you’ll understand
if you read the book). But I did! Really fun book.
2. Their Virgin Hostage by
Shayla Black. This one is a contemporary with a bit of romantic suspense
element. The heroine is kidnapped by a set of three friends bent on revenge
against her fiancé. He’s a jerk and they’re a set of dominant males who like to
share. And it’s pretty hot. More than pretty hot. It’s STEAMY.
3. One Night of Surrender by
Evie North. A historical about a man condemned to die and a woman allowed just
one night with him before he’s taken to the gallows. There’s a desperate undertone
to this book and a delicate development of the relationship that is just
awesome. Plus, I honestly wasn’t sure how it was going to work out, so it’s
super emotional.
Happy Birthday to me! Yes this wonderful month is the month that I'm actually born in. Yes, we will be tacking on another year, but that's ok. So, I'm hoping for a great month. Well, it looks like a crazy busy month. I hope that I will survive.
