To Desire a Wicked Duke by Nicole Jordan

To Desire a Wicked Duke. Nicole Jordan. Random House Publishing. February 2011. 384 pages. ISBN No. 9780345510099.

In this final Book 6 of The Courtship Wars series, Tess Blanchard is initially caught giving a passionate kiss to the man, Patrick Hennessy, who is, unknown to Tess, supposed to guarding her. It's not a serious kiss at all but it appears as such to a suddenly appearing and angry Duke of Rotham, Ian Sutherland. As usual the Duke is arrogant, pompous and insulting as he questions and threatens Tess over this seemingly innocent act, and she responds accordingly. Having been engaged to a man who died in war, she is ripe for scandal to which the Duke for some reason is determined she will not know.

Later, her godmother, Lady Wingate orders Tess to marry the Duke and says she will withdraw all her monetary support if Tess refuses. So Tess proceeds to obey but intends this to be a marriage in name only, for she is truly a match to the man who does little to indicate other than scorn.

However, things begin to very slowly change as Ian shows he is capable of protecting her and even instructing her in the amatory arts. Finally, after Tess discovers some horrific things about the Duke's past, she escapes to Cornwall where there is a hint of a ghostly presence, one that enters her room on her very first night there.

After Ian follows her to Cornwall, the passion between them grows and some very dark, startling secrets are revealed involving someone very close to both of them.

Nicole Jordan's most recent romantic novel is a delight for all of her fans as well as new readers. There are plenty of surprises that keep the reader turning the pages with riveting attention and the romance is hot, hot, hot!!!

Great story, Nicole Jordan!

To Tame A Dangerous Lord by Nicole Jordan

To Tame a Dangerous Lord by Nicole Jordan. Ballantine Books. January 2010. 464 pp. ISBN #: 9780345510112

The Courtship Wars series continues with this account of Madeline Ellis, a 19th Century woman forced through lack of connections and money to seek a position as a companion or perhaps a governess. While being stalked by a former acquaintance, the Lord, Baron Ackerby is surprisingly confronted by a total stranger, Rayne Kenyon, Earl of Haviland. Rayne quickly picks up her clues and is able to repulse the advances of Ackerby. But the sparks flying between Rayne and Madeline make her realize she's left the frying pan only to jump into a much hotter frying pan, one that is not altogether unpleasant!

It turns out that Madeline's father had a very special connection with Rayne, one he feels duty-bound to honor by making sure Madeline reaches her destination safe and sound. It's a purely objective, reasonable decision he makes and yet he cannot deny how tempting she is.

Helping her to seek a career, Rayne realizes that he might have an answer to the bothersome question of whom he must marry to secure his own aristocratic lifestyle. But if this were to occur, it would be a marriage in name only, wouldn't it? What Rayne fails to anticipate is the efforts of two sisters, who will help to transform Madeline into even more of a stunning beauty than she already is.

Rayne can't help admire this feisty young woman who is so unlike the women he is expected to marry in his social world. Nicole Jordan creates appealing characters whose ability to arouse and respond to passion without reservations is unequaled by many other romance authors. The plot is incredible, humorous, adventurous and all together delightful! Congratulations, Ms. Jordan, on another definite best seller!