Title: One Accidental Night with an Improper Duke (Singular Sensation #4)
Author: Sandra Sookoo
Genre: Historical romance, Regency romance
Book Blurb:
What happens in London after midnight doesn't always remain a secret.
Baldwin Benedict Loverly, Duke of Broadmoor, wants nothing to do with society in general or women specifically. His stint in the military during the war broke him in mind and spirit. Now he can barely leave his townhouse without suffering from crushing bouts of fear and anxiety, but when he meets an unconventional woman who planned his aging aunt’s birthday celebration, he might strive to overcome his challenges.
Outgoing and sunny Miss Georgianna Abernathy, step-daughter of the Earl of Dirkenstead knows how people want to celebrate. When a pair of valuable emerald and diamond earbobs, directly off the ears of one of the beau monde’s popular duchesses, is found inside a cake she ordered, she panics. With scandal looming, she barely hides the jewelry in her skirts before the handsome duke comes upon her and makes her yearn for dreams she’d let go.
Once he temporarily subdues the alleged thief, the situation forces him to forget about his woes. Though he makes it his mission to prove her innocence, something about the story niggles at him. Discovered in a compromising situation, he puts forth the story of their engagement to lend her protection, and Georgianna objects—strenuously—which deepens the mystery surrounding her, but as they give into passion during the investigation, life grows more complicated. Unless they can find the real thief, both of them might be arrested with no chance for the romance neither of them expected to find.
Excerpt:
“Now is not the time for humor.” Both annoyed and worried, Georgiana transferred to his bench. The heat of him, the cedar and orange scent of him was intoxicating. “Why not go home? You wanted to do just that before the attack.”
“As I said, we have work to do, and I’d like to continue the investigation before too much gossip infiltrates the ton.”
“Why?”
He shrugged, and a groan sailed from him. “Why not? I would like to clear your name as soon as I can.”
“Hush. There is time enough for that.” She offered a slight smile. “You look like a dog’s breakfast.” Slowly, she lifted a hand and explored his battered face. “The question we should be finding answers to is why you were attacked and by whom.”
“We will, but your life and reputation are more important.” The warmth of his breath skated over her cheek. “But I’d like to know what it is about the damned earbobs that now has everyone on edge and interested.”
No one had ever pledged to be her champion before. It was oddly arousing, and need shivered down her spine. “And why have I been planted in the middle of it?”
“Indeed. It is most puzzling.”
They locked eyes, and for the space of a few heartbeats, nothing else in the world existed. Then, daring much and knowing she wouldn’t have a better opportunity, Georgiana rested her palm on his cheek, leaned into him, and gently pressed her lips to his as best she could with the brim of the bonnet crashing into his forehead. Never had she done anything as bold or as scandalous—save what happened in his library last night—before, but she rather liked the rush of euphoria that shot through her veins.
When she pulled back, fully expecting a dressing down since he’d showed his arrogant side not a half hour before, or at the very least thought he would shy away from her, he gave into a full-body shudder and stared at her.
“I apologize—”
He cut off her words by returning the kiss. Startled, she watched him, but then he slipped a hand about her nape and dragged her closer, angled his head to avoid the bonnet’s brim, and again kissed her. Slowly, her eyes closed, and she gave herself over to the first kiss she’d ever shared with a man.
Tenderly, almost as if he were introducing himself to her through that medium, he moved over her lips, licked the corners of her mouth, touched his tongue to that bottom piece of flesh, teasing, tasting… questioning.
Seconds, minutes, hours later, the duke pulled away, and this time the grin he gave her brightened his expression. “Perhaps that was needed. Congratulations, Miss Abernathy, we are truly engaged now. Sealed the deal, as it were.”
“How very… interesting.” Yet there was a longing deep inside her chest that had only grown. What would a proper kiss—one that left her breathless and senseless—by him feel like? And more to the point, would she have the chance to find out?
With a smile of her own, she nodded. Heat raged in her cheeks, and not knowing what to say after such a moment, she glanced out the window. All too soon, they arrived at the tea house, and the brief moment of understanding passed.
Except, how could she go back to the life she’d had before she’d met him? Surely one little kiss didn’t have the power to change… everything.
Buy Links (including BookBub):
Grab this new release for only 99 cents!
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-accidental-night-with-an-improper-duke-sandra-sookoo/1142920999
If money were no object, where would you go for a Spring Break vacation and why?
Disney World. It’s my happy place. Besides, spring break is way too short to go on a vacation to somewhere that money would be no object 😉
Why is your featured book a must-read this spring?
It’s part of a popular series, and who doesn’t like reading about dukes?
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $75 Amazon US or Canada gift card
Open internationally. You must have a valid Amazon US or Amazon CA account to win.
Runs April 1 – 30, 2023.
Drawing will be held on May 1, 2023
Author Biography:
Sandra Sookoo is a USA Today bestselling author who firmly believes every person deserves acceptance and a happy ending. She’s written for publication since 2008. Most days you can find her creating scandal and mischief in the Regency-era, serendipity and happenstance in the Victorian era, or historical romantic suspense complete with mystery and intrigue. Reading is a lot like eating chocolates—you can’t just have one book. Good thing they don’t have calories!
When she’s not wearing out computer keyboards, Sandra spends time with her real-life Prince Charming in Central Indiana where she’s been known to bake cookies and make moments count because the key to life is laughter. A Disney fan since the age of ten, when her soul gets bogged down and her imagination flags, a trip to Walt Disney World is in order. Nothing fuels her dreams more than the land of eternal happy endings, hope and love stories.
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