Matchmaker Trilogy book 2
Sourcebooks Casablanca (May 6, 2014)
ISBN-10: 1402284020
ISBN-13: 978-1402284021
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CAN A RECLUSIVE DUKE…
Brilliant but rumored mad, Michael Layward, the impoverished Duke of Wyverne, has no success courting heiresses until widowed Lady Stratton takes up his cause–after first refusing his suit.
WIN LONDON’S MOST POWERFUL COUNTESS?
Caroline Graves, the popular Countess of Stratton, sits alone at the pinnacle of London society and has vowed never to remarry. When Michael–her counterpart in an old scandal–returns to town after a long absence, she finds herself as enthralled with him as ever. As she guides the anxiety-ridden duke through the trials of society, Caroline realizes that she’s lost her heart . But if she gives herself to the only man she’s ever loved, she’ll lose the hard-won independence she prizes above all.
Reviews
“The utterly charming plot and sprightly dialogue sets Romain’s latest apart… The intelligence of the writing, coupled with well-drawn and appealing characters, pulls readers into a love story that is not just enchanting, but joyous.”
—RT Book Reviews“Will wow readers with its perfectly imperfect protagonists and emotionally compelling plot. With this superbly written novel it is easy to see why Romain is one of the rising stars of Regency historical romance.”
—Booklist“Full of subtlety and rich in emotional depth. …To Charm a Naughty Countess is beautifully and intelligently written, with excellent characterisations across the board.”
—All About Romance, DESERT ISLE KEEPER“With a set of sublimely crafted characters, magnificently plotted story, and an intensely poignant romance set in a Regency England filled with rich historical details, Theresa Romain has gained a perpetual place on my auto-buy list.”
—Buried Under Romance“There goes Theresa Romain, kicking me in the feels again. …[This book] has a tortured virgin hero. It has a badass heroine … It has witty Regency sass-banter. I’d probably get into a sketchy panel van for this book, to be honest.”
—Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
About the Book
- The plot of To Charm a Naughty Countess was inspired by weather, of all things. The year 1816 was so cold that it became known as “The Year Without a Summer.” A huge volcanic eruption caused ash to spread through the atmosphere, dropping temperatures throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Snow fell in summer, crops failed, and food shortages were common. These real-life historical events also ruined the fictional fortunes of TCANC’s hero.
- The hero of this book is named Michael, Duke of Wyverne. Geek fail: When I started writing this book, I didn’t realize the word “wyvern”–without the final e–meant anything. Turns out it’s a very specific kind of dragon. When I learned that, I thought it was pretty cool and decided to leave it as Michael’s title. You can think of him as a dragon who bought an extra vowel.
- As with It Takes Two to Tangle, the first book in the Matchmaker trilogy, the romantic arc of this story was inspired by a work of literature. Caroline and Michael’s romance is a Pygmalion story—but I couldn’t resist flipping the usual gender roles. In To Charm a Naughty Countess, the hero is the one who needs guidance in society and love, and the heroine is the experienced one with all the answers. (Or so she thinks.)
- Caro and Michael were too much fun to leave behind after their book was over. You can find a bonus short story about them–“Daring a Duke on Christmas Eve”–on the Extras page.