Hm. I did not like this one that much. The whole idea of falling in love with a man that was screwing another woman say a week ago? Yuck. Sleeping with him? double yuck. Reasonably good characterization of the heroine and hero. I found the hero to be an ass and he was not redeemed by the end of the book. Making me wonder why such a strong female character was touched in the head. The other books in this series were more enjoyable. ( )

I really did enjoy this one. Lady Fiona Turnbridge is an animal lover who occasionally has flashes of visions of the future, or of people's secrets. She's an intelligent woman, underestimated in her world and a lover of her cat. Enough of a lover that when she finds it injured she rushes off to former military surgeon, Lord Ian Cabbott, and insists that he help at gunpoint. She falls asleep in a chair afterwards and Lord Ian decides to do the honourable things and marry her.

There seem to be a few unfinished plot pieces in this story, the fortelling disappeared half-way through and there were times that things just felt incomplete. I loved Fiona and thought how she dealt with Ian was actually well done, not terribly period but well done all the same.

I want to read more by this author. ( )

**Courtesy of CK2S Kwips & Kritiques**

To the Ton, Lady Fiona Turnbridge is an oddity, or more politely, a curiosity. She is quite aware of herself, and knows her differences make her largely undesirable as a matrimonial prospect to a suitable gentleman. Not in the least bothered by the idea of a destiny as a spinster, she spends her time in pursuit of things that make her happy. Attending medical lectures is one such pursuit, and caring for injured animals yet another. Both activities are of course considered unseemly for a proper young lady, a fact which deters her not a bit.

So it is that fate lands her on the doorstep of the most eligible bachelor of the season with an injured cat in her arms, demanding the good doctor mend the poor kitty’s paw. Consumed with the task at hand, they spend the night working together in his surgery. When morning comes, Lord Ian Cabott realizes he must offer for the intriguing young woman in order to protect her reputation, a situation he finds immensely advantageous to himself.

But Ian isn’t prepared for Fiona’s vehement denial of his suit, especially considering every other single woman in the city is vying for his attention. If he wants the fair damsel’s hand in marriage, he must actually woo her…

On the surface, Leslie Lafoy’s third book in her historical series may seem like a typical historical romance. Let me assure you, the emotions this story evokes in the reader are anything but typical! Is the plot somewhat familiar? Yes, but you will soon forget that fact when you begin reading The Duke’s Proposal. Besides, there are really only so many plots in the world, aren’t there? It is the way the author crafts the story, builds the world, and fashions her characters that makes the tale her own, and Ms. Lafoy succeeds admirably with this.

Fiona is a welcome addition to my list of favorite heroines. She is intelligent, sweet, practical, and beautiful in both spirit and visage. Her no-nonsense demeanor certainly throws the charmingly clueless Ian for a loop time and again, much to the readers’ continuous enjoyment. It is easy to see why Ian becomes captivated by our heroine so quickly.

Ian is a typical male, oblivious at first to Fiona’s true wants and needs, but admirably quick to catch on when it is important. Initially making the mistake of handling the fair Fiona as he would any of the other women he has known, he finally catches on to the fact that she is unlike anyone – male or female – he has met before. OK, so it takes a little while before that sinks in and he stops underestimating his heroine, but the important thing is that he does come around in the most wonderful way.

Although this is the third book in a trilogy, and the only one of the three I’ve yet read, I had no problems following the story at all. Still, meeting Fiona’s sisters, who are the heroines of the first two books, made me more than anxious to get my hands on their stories soon!

The Duke’s Proposal is a perfect read for those who love historical romances with strong, capable heroines. After reading this book, I am more than happy to add Leslie LaFoy to my list of favorite authors!

( )