The Duke's Reluctant Bride

England & Scotland, 1668: Lady Kendra Chase's brothers insist it's high time she wed. But although they've presented her with an abundance of suitable young men, no one has caught her fancy—until her coach is held up by a dashing, mysterious highwayman. When the two of them are caught in a compromising embrace and her overprotective brothers demand they marry, Kendra is aghast. Are they really desperate enough to match her with an outlaw?

Scottish-born Patrick “Trick” Caldwell is the new Duke of Amberley—and also the so-called Black Highwayman. But he’s about to learn that leading a double life isn’t nearly as complicated as marriage. When he’s compelled to wed beautiful, headstrong Kendra, he finds himself caught between his perilous secret mission and his watchful new bride. Can Trick untangle the web of half-truths and heartache before he loses his one chance at love?

BOOK DETAILS

A complete, standalone story—no cliffhangers!

Series: The Chase Brides, Book 4

Style: Humorous historical romance

Length: 102,500 words (about 410 standard pages)

Bonus Material: Author’s Note, preview of next book, link to giveaway

PG-rated Content: Kisses only, no love scenes!

REVIEWS

"Captivating historical romance. Romance readers of all ages will love Lauren Royal & Devon Royal’s books!”

—Glynnis Campbell, USA Today Bestselling Author

“Filled with likable characters, particularly Kendra, who takes the refreshing step of talking to her husband about his confusing behavior rather than generating conflict by jumping to conclusions.”

—Publishers Weekly (Forecasted review)

“Captures the true essence of Scotland…romance with enough adventure to keep the reader turning the pages.”

—MyShelf.com

CONNECTING BOOKS

While THE DUKE’S RELUCTANT BRIDE can be read as a stand-alone novel, many readers enjoy reading it as part of a series. All of Lauren & Devon’s books feature Chase family members. Should you wish to read them in chronological order, this is the sequence:

The Chase Brides

1666 - THE EARL’S UNSUITABLE BRIDE (Colin & Amy)

1667 - THE MARQUESS’S SCOTTISH BRIDE (Jason & Caithren)

1667 - THE LAIRD’S FAIRYTALE BRIDE (Cameron & Clarice)

1668 - THE DUKE’S RELUCTANT BRIDE (Trick & Kendra)

1673 - THE VISCOUNT’S WALLFLOWER BRIDE (Ford & Violet)

1677 - THE BARON’S INCONVENIENT BRIDE (Rand & Lily)

1677 - THE GENTLEMAN’S SCANDALOUS BRIDE (Kit & Rose)

Regency Chase Brides

1815 - ALEXANDRA (Tristan & Alexandra)

1816 - JULIANA (James & Juliana)

1817 - CORINNA (Sean & Corinna + Griffin & Rachael)

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Themes: sweet and clean & wholesome love stories, teen and young adult coming of age novels, lords and ladies, wealthy and rich nobility, castles, England and English history, Scotland and Scottish Highlanders, 17th century and 1600s, Restoration and Charles II, sisters and brothers, family life, friendship, shotgun wedding, matchmaking, romantic comedy, mistaken identity, historical romance bestsellers, bestselling Regency romance, free first in series, free series starters