The Dueling Duchess: A Sparkling Historical Regency Romance

by Minerva Spencer

Overview

Perfect for fans of Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton books, this fresh and unique Regency-set romance series features heroines who aren’t afraid to compete in a man’s world. A new generation of readers will delight in this witty, thought provoking, always entertaining novel by critically acclaimed author Minerva Spencer.

When Cecile Tremblay lost everyone and everything in the French Revolution, she never imagined that she'd earn her living as a markswoman in a London circus. But Farnham's Fantastical Female Fayre has become her home, her family, and her future. Another thing Cecile never imagined was becoming entangled with the man gossip columns call The Darling of the Ton. But mere weeks after her rejection of his insulting carte blanche—and his infuriating engagement to an heiress—Darlington is back, this time to beg Cecile for help. And help him she will, by teaching him about honest work—and the right way to treat a woman.
 
Gaius Darlington has always led a charmed life. Until now. Suddenly, a long-lost heir has appeared to claim his title, possessions, and property, Not only that, but Guy's fiancée has jilted him to marry the usurper! Yet there is a silver lining: it's no longer Guy’s duty to marry an heiress to save the dukedom. He’s free to wed the woman he loves—if only he can earn her forgiveness.
 
They say hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. But fury is just a step away from passion, and Guy knows just how to arouse Cecile’s. . .
 
Praise for Minerva Spencer’s Rebels of the Ton series
 
“Brilliantly crafted . . . an irresistible cocktail of smart characterization, sophisticated sensuality, and sharp wit.” —Booklist (STARRED REVIEW)
 
“Sparkling . . . impossible not to love.” —Popsugar

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781496738127
Publisher:	Kensington
Publication date:	05/23/2023
Series:	Wicked Women of Whitechapel , #2
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	556,307
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Minerva Spencer was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. She has lived in Canada, the US, Europe, Africa, and Mexico. After receiving her M.A. in Latin American History from The University of Houston she taught American History for five years before going to law school. She was a prosecutor and labor lawyer before purchasing a bed and breakfast in Taos, NM, where she lives with her husband and dozens of rescue animals.

Editorial Reviews

04/03/2023

Spencer’s alluring second Wicked Women of Whitechapel novel (after The Boxing Baroness) stars Cecile Tremblay, one of four owners of Regency England’s first all-women circus, Farnham’s Fantastical Female Fayre, who also performs as a crack shot in one of the circus’s most popular acts. When Cecile’s former lover Guy Darlington shows up at her circus pleading for a job as Cecile’s assistant/drudge after losing his fiancée and his dukedom to his long-lost cousin, Cecile reluctantly takes him on. She has not forgotten how Guy previously insulted her with an offer to install her as his mistress while he went on to wed a more suitable woman. As the pair spend more time together, however, Cecile sees that he truly regrets his previous behavior and he confesses he’s never stopped loving her. But can guarded Cecile tear down her walls and open up about her mysterious past enough to return his feelings? The unusual backdrop of the circus continues to set this series apart, and the resilient female supporting cast add both charm and humor to the sensuous romance. Readers won’t want to put this down. (May)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for Minerva Spencer’s The Boxing Baroness, Book 1 in The Wicked Women of Whitechapel
 
“With the launch of her swooningly romantic, sizzling sensual new Regency-set Wild Women of Whitechapel series, Spencer delivers her own one-two knockout punch with a superbly realized cast of characters that includes an intriguingly different yet historically credible heroine and an exhilarating plot that not only delves into the fascinating world of female pugilism—Marianne is based on a historical figure, Mary Anne Pearce—but also deftly illuminates the dangerous state of affairs in France after Napoleon escaped from Elba.” —Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
 
“Spencer launches her Wicked Women of Whitechapel Regency series with an outstanding romance based in part on a real historical figure…Spencer ramps up the mystery and the romance in equal measure as the threat of Dominic and the knowledge that society would be unaccepting of their relationship hover over the captivating couple. This is sure to wow.” —Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
 
“Fans of historical romances with strong female characters in non-traditional roles and the men who aren’t afraid to love them won’t be disappointed by this series starter.” —Library Journa, STARRED REVIEW
 
“Sparkling . . . impossible not to love.” —Popsugar

“I’ve never read a historical romance featuring a professional woman boxer, but this one is set to change that!” —BookRiot on The Boxing Baroness

From the Publisher

★ 02/01/2023

Expert markswoman Cecile Tremblay, a French expat in Regency England, is the new owner of Farnham's Fantastical Female Fayre, an all-women circus. It's a far cry from the life she imagined while growing up in France, but after the French Revolution took nearly everything from her—and an unscrupulous relative in England finished the job—she's not unhappy with the life she's made for herself. Her only regret is the brief affair she had with Gaius Darlington, the darling of the ton, which ended disastrously. Then Guy's life takes a turn when a long-lost relative strips him of his title, and he turns his attention to winning her back—the only woman he's ever loved. Cecile's not about to forgive and forget, though; she's going to make Guy work to earn her love. VERDICT Readers who enjoyed The Boxing Baroness won't want to miss Spencer's sequel. Indeed, anyone who appreciates strong, unconventional heroines—and the Regency-era heroes who know (or at least manage to learn) better than to take them for granted—is likely to relish this novel.—Rebecca Moe

Library Journal

2023-04-24
A skilled markswoman becomes the target of an impoverished duke.

As the daughter of a gun manufacturer patronized by the nobility, Cecile Tremblay was forced to flee France in the wake of the revolution. A teenager when she lost both home and family, Cecile has survived through sheer grit. She has gone from working at Farnham’s Fantastical Female Fayre as an adept and entertaining shooter to co-owning the circus. While she doesn't allow herself to think of her distant past, her recent encounter with Gaius Darlington, a duke who frequently appears in gossip columns as an inveterate skirt-chaser, refuses to leave her mind. After several passionate weeks together, the insolvent duke makes Cecile an insulting offer she cannot help but refuse. While Cecile is seething over Gaius’ treatment, he regrets that he cannot offer her more than a role as his mistress; the responsibilities he has toward his dukedom mean that he must quickly marry an heiress. But things change when a new claimant to his title causes Gaius to lose both position and fiancee, and he suddenly finds himself free to pursue Cecile. While Gaius is chasing a future with Cecile, trying to convince her of his feelings, Cecile’s past threatens to upset their dynamic once again. In this second installment of the Wicked Women of Whitechapel series, Gaius and Cecile’s story of reconciliation is peppered with spunk, angst, heat, and wit. Cecile’s talent with guns, which extends beyond an ability to unerringly hit a target, is juxtaposed intelligently with her vulnerability to emotions and circumstances. Although the repercussions of Gaius’ abrupt descent to penury remain underexplored, his emotional struggles and determination to win Cecile back inspire empathy.

An entertaining and heartfelt ode to the potential of second chances in love and life.

Kirkus Reviews