Falling into Bed with a Duke

June 15, 2015
Heath’s first Hellions of Havisham Victorian romance is wonderfully entertaining. The unexpected demise of the Duke and Duchess of Ashbury left their three sons—all now saddled with hefty titles—in the care of an indifferent guardian mourning the long-ago death of his wife. Alarmed by this display of romantic grief, the oldest brother, Nicholas, opts to skip getting married and instead spends his nights at the Nightingale Club, where society’s women find lovers anonymously and with no strings attached. Minerva Dodger (whom dedicated fans will recognize as the daughter of Jack Dodger, from 2008’s Between the Devil and Desire) has spent six years on the marriage mart without finding love, and the outspoken heiress is ready to experience sex; she gleefully turns to the club and to Nick. But she has second thoughts when he asks her to pose for a risqué photograph, still a new art form. Meanwhile, he’s wondering how to court her when she’s already graced his bed. Heath adeptly juggles numerous new and familiar characters as she sweeps fans of her Regency novels into the Victorian era.

October 15, 2015
Minerva Dodger has opinions, and she isn't afraid of sharing them, which is why, she suspects, she has spent the last six seasons gathering social dust. Although Minerva isn't about to trade her mind in for a wedding band, she does regret the fact that she has never been kissed. A visit to the Nightingale Club would, therefore, seem to be the perfect solution to Minerva's problem. There, masked society ladies are allowed to choose a lover for the evening. No questions are asked, and the ladies' real identities remain a secret. When Minerva arrives at the Nightingale Club, she is immediately drawn to Nicholson Lambert, the Duke of Ashebury. Nicky is reputed to be one of the most skilledand sought afterlovers in the ton. However, what Nicky requests from Minerva in exchange for his company that night is so shocking, she isn't certain that she can say yes. With her usual flair for richly nuanced characters and elegant writing, RITA Awardwinning Heath launches her new Hellions of Havisham historical series with a tale that simply sizzles with sensuality.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)