I Married the Duke by Katharine Ashe

October 6th, 2013 Kimberly Review 44 Comments

6th Oct
I Married the Duke by Katharine Ashe
I Married the Duke
by Katharine Ashe
Series: The Prince Catchers #1
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star

Three very different sisters beguile society with their beauty and charm, but only one of them must fulfill a prophecy: marry a prince. Who is the mystery Prince Charming, and which sister will be his bride?

On the way to marry a prince in a castle, a lady should never:

1. Bribe an infuriatingly arrogant and undeniably irresistible ship captain,
2. Let him kiss her senseless on a beach,
3. Battle thieves at his side,
and
4. Exchange wedding vows with him, even under the direst circumstances.

But daring, determined Arabella Caulfield isn’t just any lady. And Luc Westfall is no typical ship captain. He’s the new Duke of Lycombe, and to defeat a plot that could destroy his family he must have an heir. Now he knows just the woman for the job . . . and he’s not above seduction to turn this would-be princess into a duchess.

I love a good historical romance, and when you add in suspense and a little mystery I begin to drool. I Married the Duke is the first in the Prince Catchers series by Katherine Ashe and from the very first pages I was enthralled.  Three charming, orphaned sisters, and a prophecy ensures this series will be a delight. Three word review: romantic, suspenseful with delightfully flawed characters.

The tale begins when the three Caulfield sisters show a gypsy the ring their mother gave them before placing them aboard a ship. It is the only clue to their heritage. The gypsy informs them that a prince holds the answers and that one of them will marry the prince. This first story belongs to Arabella who misses her ship to France, where she will be a governess for a prince in France. When she misses her boat to help three stranded children she finds herself at the mercy of Lucien Westfall, a pirate and sea captain, who has his own secrets. The tale that unfolds has secrets, romance and sinister plot to control a Dukedom.

Ashe introduces us to some wonderfully fleshed out characters that made me swoon, giggle and gasp. Arabella is strong, determined, and completely caught off guard by handsome Lucien.  He isn’t a prince, he is a pirate but his rough good looks and strong arms unnerve her. I loved how she meddled and followed her heart.  Lucien is a complicated pirate with plenty of secrets, and I adored watching Ashe peel back his layers as she exposed him to us.  We meet plenty of other colorful characters, including Arabella’s siblings, a few villains and they each added to this delicious tale.

I Married the Duke has several general tropes woven into the tale from marriage of convenience to sinister plots, and it all worked beautifully to keep this reader engaged. The romance that develops felt genuine and Lucien made me melt. Who would have thought his comments regarding hair could curl my toes? At times,I was frustrated when one of them didn’t disclose information, but their cat and mouse game kept me entertained. I am anxious to discover more about the ring and the sister’s birthright. The plot for the kingdom was fascinating, and I loved how Arabella got into the thick of things unearthing clues and secrets. There were some steamy moments with just enough detail to heat the pages and steal my heart.  I Married A Duke was a delightful tale, and I am anxious for the next sister’s adventure.

I Married the Duke, is the perfect start to this promising new series. Fans of historical romance, suspense and unique characters will delight in this engaging tale.   Ashe is a delightful storyteller, and I look forward to reading more of her novels.

Four cups of coffee out of five
One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

44 Responses to “I Married the Duke by Katharine Ashe”

  1. Lauren

    I totally trust your taste when it comes to historical romances, so if you really liked this, I’m sure I’ll enjoy it. I do love a suspenseful story + a PIRATE!? Yes please! Awesome review!!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      thanks Lauren, I love the whole sister’s and mystery theme and yes the pirate was swoon-worthy. I am excited to continue this series.

  2. Felicia S. (

    This one was already on my to-buy list when I have a budget spot for it. Glad to know it is as good as it sounds 🙂

  3. glass

    I haven’t read historical romance novels so far, one of my friends made me to promise her that I’d at least read first book of Highland Pleasures series.:)
    Should I read this book too or is it better to skip it?

    Glass @ Way Too Hot Books

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I have not tried Highland Pleasure series, but I loved this book and cannot wait for book two.

  4. Belle Read

    I have this on my list of new series to start. Great review. I am looking forward to reading it.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Enjoy Bella, I think it was a wonderful start to the trilogy.

  5. sharonda

    Historical Romances done right are always a pleasure to read. Great review Kim!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I agree Sharonda, I love getting swept up in a good one!

  6. Berls

    How fun! The characters sound great and the whole concept sounds like it is going to have a humorous edge. Great review Kimba.

  7. Michele

    Such a beautiful, well-written review, Kimba! I love “swoon, giggle, and gasp”! Pretty cover, too 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Dani, I know you would like this, it has so many elements that you enjoy 🙂

  8. Candace

    Okay, I can handle the cat and mouse game if there’s a PIRATE involved! Oh yes indeed, this one sounds fabulous!

  9. Mary

    Ooh, this sounds fantastic!! I do love a good historical where there’s lovely chemistry and plenty of meddling. Plus “The Prince Catchers” cracks me up.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      That made me laugh too, this was a fun one and I loved the suspense and mystery aspect too 🙂

  10. lupdilup

    Adding it to my TBR. I love a good Historical romance novel, and you say a little mystery and suspense! Now I’m excited. I haven’t found anything as good as the Maiden Lane series yet, I’m hoping this can compare 🙂

  11. DannyBookworm

    Ah that sounds fantastic! I always love it when there is a prince and a poor girl, the classic Cinderella just never gets old!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      thanks Danny the ring and gypsies prophecy made this exciting.

  12. Cyn

    Hmm, I was kind of sitting on the fence with this, but people are really seeming to like it. Plus, I can’t resist a good pirate ship captain and sea adventure and marriage of convenience haha. Awesome review Kim!

  13. Adriana

    You know the title I Married a Duke doesn’t sound as exciting until you describe it. I don’t know if I missed something but shouldn’t the title be something with a prince or is one of the other sisters going to marry a prince? This seems like it would be one of those romance stories that I squeal out loud while reading it lol. Great review!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Nope she Married the Duke, and we have to wait and see if one of the others marries a prince! This was a fun one and I love the whole mystery.

  14. kindlemom1

    This sounds really good and I am right there with you about a good historical romance with mystery added in.

    Have you ever tried the Lady Julia Gray series by Deanna Raybourn? I think you would love them Kim!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      No I haven’t Ali, thanks for the recommendation, I will check them out 🙂

  15. gaele

    YAY – I’m glad you liked it… I’m really curious about where we go next with her sisters!

    And the cover – HOW can you resist that? I couldn’t. LOL

    • kimbacaffeinate

      thanks Gaele, I am excited about the rest of the series too 🙂