Catching up with the Wilkins sisters was pure joy! Reliving the connections already built with characters from previous releases was such fun! Getting to know Violet and the "Duke of Bore" was simply delightful! I honestly can't say I was bored for a moment, felt like wandering from the page, or was tempted by other online pastimes that we all generally feel calling away our time. I was simply glued to the epage, every chance I got, and reveled in getting lost in the story.

Violet was a strong woman, happy to pursue her heart's desires...photography (mind out of the gutter, this is a HISTORICAL Romance...there's generally more couth involved)...despite it being frowned upon by most to do so. I mean, she lived in a time when marriage and an heir was the goal, the standard, the thing to do...but if we learned anything from her sister's story, that's just simply not how the Wilkins girls live! Enter her new neighbor, William...aka the "Duke of Bore". In truth, he's anything but, but reputations are easy to come by and harder to be rid of, so it suited his purpose to leave things as such...at least until he meets Violet. Seen from afar and with no introduction, she already stole into his heart...then we just had to wait for his head to catch up with things! The bargain they strike to meet both their needs temporarily was brilliant, especially since it allowed them more time together to explore what neither could quite acknowledge nor quite deny.

If you're a Historical Romance fan, this is DEFINITELY a MUST READ recommendation from me to you, and if you haven't checked out the author's previous releases, I highly suggest you do.


**ecopy provided for review; opinions are my own ( )

Terrific book with fantastic main characters, intriguing secondary characters, and sumptuous settings. As the last of the Wilkins sisters unmarried and her parents back in America, Violet believes she is finally safe from her mother's matchmaking. With no intention of marrying anytime soon, Violet prefers to concentrate on her photography and dream of joining the Photographic Society of London. A husband would only interfere with those plans. Unfortunately, she receives a letter from her parents, detailing their intention of betrothing her to her father's business partner, a man considerably older than she is.

William, Duke of Charteris, grew up knowing his duty to his land and his people. His serious, sometimes stuffy attitude earned him the nickname "The Duke of Bore" by some debutantes. During a trip to Egypt, William learned the benefits of balancing work and play, allowing himself to have fun and relax. Though he knows he needs a wife, he's not quite ready to take that step.

When they meet, William and Violet feel unexpectedly comfortable with each other. When Violet overhears another woman plotting to trap William into marriage, she knows she must warn him. When she confesses that she knows how it feels to be trapped, William suggests an unusual collaboration. If they enter into a fake engagement, each will be protected from others' machinations. They can end things when they are safe.

I enjoyed seeing the development of the relationship between William and Violet. Though they seem like such opposites initially - Violet is the bold, independent American, and William is the reserved and serious Duke - they turn out to be perfect for each other. Violet helps William find his sense of fun, and William provides Violet with the desire to tone down some of her boisterousness. One of the things I loved about William was his complete support of Violet's photography. Several fantastic scenes show how he makes it possible for Violet to meet people who can further her interest. At the same time, Violet helps William see the world from a different perspective. He finds himself more willing to go along with Violet's suggestions. Though they enjoy each other's company, they begin their fake engagement convinced that a real relationship would be impossible, with Violet being all wrong as a duchess.

When Violet, her sister and brother-in-law, and William become part of the wedding entourage of Prince Alfred and the Grand Duchess Maria, they are whisked off to opulent St. Petersburg and the Russian Winter Palace. The more time they spend together, the more the attraction they felt began to grow, and the more each begins to think "what if?" Violet worries that she'll somehow cause a scandal, but William is there by her side to boost her confidence. But Violet's fears and desire to do what she thinks is best for William make her pull away from him, just as William realizes the truth of his feelings for her. His big moment at the end comes as he saves her from danger, and Violet finally believes she can have it all.

I enjoyed Violet's work as a photographer. Her passion for the subject leaps off the page, from creating the perfect pictures of her subjects to learning new technology to talking to other photographers. The vivid and detailed descriptions of her actions conveyed the complexities without feeling like a lecture. I loved her joy in finding a kindred spirit in Prince Alfred and her excitement in being invited to take pictures of the bride and groom.

I also loved the use of historical figures and events in the book. The journey from London to St. Petersburg, via Paris and Berlin on the elegant Royal train, made me feel part of the story. The descriptions of the stay at the Prussian court in Berlin, with all of its hidebound stuffiness, made me ache for Princess Vicky. The arrival at St. Petersburg and the over-the-top opulence of the Winter Palace were so vivid I could easily picture each scene. I adored the scenes with Violet and the Grand Duchess, as they showed Violet's talent for bringing out the best in her subjects.

I can't wait to read Rose's story. ( )