The Duke's Dark Secret
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5.0 • 2 Ratings
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- $6.99
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
Winner of the 2024 Maggie Award- Best Published Historical Romance
Secrets, Lies, and a Lock
Ever since her father's unexpected death, Cecilia Chenoweth has felt like the heroine of a bad Gothic novel. In addition to leaving her alone and destitute, her father made a deathbed confession that it was no mere fever that took her mother's life some twenty years ago. Then he pressed a sinister key into her hands, bidding her to go forth and uncover the truth. If only she knew where to find the lock that will open to the mysterious key…
Cold, Bold, and Dangerous to Know
There is one man who recognizes the black key bearing the emblem of a snake: Marcus Latimer, the newly minted Duke of Trevissick. Now that his abusive father is rotting in hell where he belongs, Marcus is eager for his life to stop resembling a bad Gothic novel. No one would ever have thought to pair the dangerously handsome duke with the meek little rector's daughter. But as he helps Cecilia on her quest, Marcus discovers a well of passion hiding behind her sloe eyes that may just be a match for his own.
Two Hearts on a Perilous Path
But Cecilia's search for the truth about her mother's death unearths dark secrets from Marcus's past, secrets that will destroy the new life he has built for his beloved sister and condemn one of the few people he cares about to death. What will he do when he is forced to choose between loyalty… and love?
Please note that the heat level is red hot!
Customer Reviews
Loved this historical romance!
Psssst! It’s no secret that Courtney McCaskill new book, The Duke’s Dark Secret is full of captivating characters and a storyline that keeps you on your toes!
Cecilia Chenoweth finds herself suddenly orphaned and living off the good graces of her friends, the Astley’s… and on the hunt to uncover the mystery of who murdered her mother 20 years ago.
Also recently orphaned, Marcus Ladimer now the Duke of Trevissick finds himself in much better straits with the death of his father, a well known miscreant. He is also on a mission, to properly introduce his sister into society, and find himself a suitable wife.
These two couldn’t be more different, but they keep finding themselves together in company, and these opposites are definitely attracting! The starchy and demanding rake of a Duke and the shy and quiet piano virtuoso daughter of a country rector surprisingly make a great pair!
I absolutely loved watching Cece and Marcus work together to unravel her family mystery and repair some of the damage the old Duke did. These two had sparks flying off of them when they were together and I couldn’t wait to see how they would explode each time.😉✨ Such steam! This was a pairing that brought out what was missing in the other, and they really made each other shine!
Like the rest of the books in the series, the side characters in this story are absolutely enigmatic, like the beloved Butler Ellery and the extravagant Great Aunt Griselda! They bring the story to life and create a reality for the characters story to exist in.
✨Courtney McCaskill’s books are always a delight and The Duke’s Dark Secret doesn’t differ from the rest!
Thanks to author Courtney McCaskill for the arc review copy. Opinions are my own.