Sunday, June 3, 2012

Review: Bedding Lord Ned (Duchess of Love #1) by Sally MacKenzie

Determined to find a husband, Miss Eleanor "Nell" Bowman attends a ball put on by the Duchess of Greycliffe, fondly referred to as the Duchess of Love. But she roundly dismisses the suitors the matchmaking hostess has invited on her behalf. For it’s the duchess’s dashing son Ned, Lord Edward, who long ago captured Nell’s heart—and roused her desire. All it takes is a pair of conveniently misplaced silky red bloomers to set the handsome widower’s gaze on this unusual girl who is clearly more than meets the eye…

After more than a year of mourning, Ned longs to finally start anew. At first glance, the birthday ball his mother has thrown in his honor is decidedly lacking in suitable mistresses. But he senses something unexpectedly alluring beneath the veil of Nell’s plain exterior— something she’s anxious to reveal, and the lonely Lord is incapable of denying...
Trope: The secret crush
Setting: A triple birthday party at a country estate
Male Protagonist: Clueless
Female Protagonist: Helplessly in love
Helping Along: A thieving cat, a misplaced pair of red silk drawers, two brothers, and matchmaker extraordinaire, the Duchess of Love

Nell's secret crush on Ned has lasted a lifetime, literally, but Ned chose to marry her best friend instead. He has been a widower for three years and Nell has been turning away all suitors in hopes that someday Ned will turn to her and see her as a woman and not a friend, with no results. During this year's birthday ball she's determined to let him go and allows the Duchess' help to find another.

Ned grieved for his dead wife for three years and is not interested in his mother's matchmaking efforts. However when he arrives at his mother's country estate for the birthday party and retires to his room only to find a woman, rump in the air, digging under his bed, unbelievably his body comes back to life. Except that the woman turns out to be 'good old Nell.' Ned then decides that maybe it is time to look for a wife to fill his nursery and agrees to his mother's matchmaking plans, and those plans don't include Nell.

Bedding Lord Ned by Sally MacKenzie was fun, funny and sweet. Ned needed a few fights, a thieving cat, a shot of brandy to the face, a whole household, plus I believe a few shots to the head to see what was in front of his face. Nell should have used the red silk drawers earlier and more fun would've been had all around!

The cat was priceless, the red silk drawers excellent bait, and the Duchess of Love and her Greycliffe stole more than a few pages in bedroom scenes, while Ned thoughtlessly bumbled his way around and Nell worked up the nerve to fight for her man. The secondary characters helped to establish the fun atmosphere and Ned's brothers were wonderful. Ash's story about a failed marriage that lasted only one night promises to be a good one, and Jack! Now there's a fun young man with a bit of insight about females. These two brothers stole the spotlight and I look forward to reading their stories.

Category: Historical Romance
Series: Duchess of Love
Publisher/Release Date: Zebra/June 5, 2012
Source: ARC Kensington Publishing
Grade: B-

Visit Sally MacKenzie here.

Series:
The Duchess of Love, #.5 (Bonus novella included with this book) 
Bedding Lord Ned, #1

14 comments:

  1. Hilcia, this book sounds really great. You know, I've been collecting the books in her other series to read one (not very soon I'm afraid) day.
    It's reviews like this that make me rethink my strategies lol

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    1. Sonia, this was a fun read! I wanted to give Ned a smack on the side of the head myself, he was sooo clueless. He even frustrated the cat! LOL! The whole thing with the red silk drawers and the thieving cat was fun, and really... there are some great secondary characters in this story. It was a fun, light read and great change of pace for me. :)

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    2. Well, it's important to read lighter stuff once in a while to balance the more serious books.
      I'll definitely read it one day. :)

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  2. Sounds really fun, Hils! So glad I bought this book. Can't wait to read it!

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    1. Hah! You bought the book. :) Take a look at the back, there's an Bonus novella in there "The Duchess of Love." I hope you enjoy it, Nath. It's a good, light read.

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    2. Ugh, Hils. Just finished it yesterday and unfortunately, I think my mood ruined the book for me T_T Hate when it happens :(

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    3. Aww, Nath! That's too bad about your mood, I hate it when that happens, and my mood spoils a book for me. :(

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  3. I've never read this author before but your review makes me want to check her out now!

    The Duchess of Love is free on kindle right now too, I found out today. :P

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    1. Ames, this is the first book I read by Ms. MacKenzie, so you're not alone! The novella comes free with the book, but yes... I noticed that it was free at amazon, after I posted my review! I'm sure you downloaded it and hope you enjoy Venus!

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  4. This sound so good! I love the Cat already".
    I'm so going to try to read this soon

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    1. Alex, the cat is a hoot! I love the cat. I hope you enjoy it. :)

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  5. I'm with Alex! The cat sounds like a definite star :) Great review!

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    1. Reggie is a star and a half, Orannia. He has some personality -- all aloof and aristocratic with all kinds of tricks up his sleeveless... paws? LOL

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