The Guardian Duke
by Jamie Carie
(B and H Publishing Group, 2012)
5 stars~ *****
A Delightful Cliffhanger!
Jamie Carie has spun a delightful yarn, that takes us on a journey to England; replete with crumbling, old English castles, dukes, and masquerade balls, to the beautiful purple heather-filled rolling hills of Ireland.
Our heroine, Alexandria, receives word that her parents are presumed dead, while on a high profile treasure hunt, and Gabriel, the Duke of Easton, is ordered by the king to be her guardian. All of her life, Alexandria's parents have left her alone to pursue their treasure hunts, and she feels compelled to find them at any cost (refusing to believe they are dead), and ignores the duke's missives to come and let him watch over her.
Gabriel begins to have strange, unexplicable attacks of deafness and nausea, and finds strange comfort in Alexandria's return letters. As he realizes she has gone to Ireland to find her parents, he feels he must find her, only to be met with disappointment as she eludes him at every turn. Not only has Gabriel received orders from the king to protect Alex, but what else is driving him to seek out this woman whom he has only "met" through letters?
Will Alex find her parents?...and will Gabriel find her? And as he
unknowingly closes in on her, what happens at a masked ball that left my heart palpitating wildly? :) What is causing Gabriel's strange attacks of deafness and will he find healing...for his physical being and his heart?
I can honestly tell you that some of the above questions are not answered in this book (major frustration!), for Ms. Carie has left us with a wonderful cliffhanger, leaving the reader wanting more! And in Book Two, The Forgiven Duke, I'm sure we will get some answers. I love Jamie Carie's books, and this was no exception. I was actually covered in goose bumps at the conclusion, with tears in my eyes, and feeling frustration at the same time. What a mixture of emotions! Wow, does Jamie ever know how to tell a story! Jamie's characters wrapped themselves around my heart, and I found the duke particularly endearing, and I was so moved by the emotions he displayed in his affliction, for I have been there and done that. Well, my Kindle awaits me with The Forgiven Duke...I must get off this cliff I'm hanging on!
I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and was not required to write a positive review.
Jamie Carie's books can be found on Amazon, CBD, Barnes and Noble, Lifeway, and other book stores.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week’s contest. Drawing will be late Saturday. Your choice of Jamie’s books, choice of format*. Void where prohibited by law. *International winners will only receive the book in ebook format not as a paperback.
Spot on review, Diana! I thought I was going to CROAK when I got to the end of this cliffhanger but it was so well done, exceptional in fact, I couldn't wait to read The Forgiven Duke :) I had never read anything that ended the way this did - I just boohoo'd (is that a word?!) like a baby!
ReplyDeleteLOL, Diana, "cliffhanger" needs to be in CAPS, darlin', because this one gave me a stomach drop when I turned the last page that had me frantically fumbling the pages, hoping against hope that there were more or at least a peek into the next book. But, NOOOOOOOOO, Miss Jamie chose to drive her readers crazy, but at least it's good crazy!! ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Diana, as always!!
Hugs,
Julie
LOL, ANNE! If boohooed isn't a word we'll make it one. I'm so glad I got to read the first two pretty much back to back, or I would have boohooed, too. What a great series this is!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry everyone that the paragraph spacing is messed up above, b/c it certainly isn't that way on blogger, but as long as you can read the review, that's what counts!
ReplyDeleteThank you, JULIE! lol! I'm with ya! Jamie definitely knows how to keep her readers coming back for more, and the way she ended it...well let's just say I boohooed like ANNE PAYNE. I could just see the duke's face; I might boohoo again just thinking about it!
ReplyDeleteOh my, I was right there on that cliff as well!! My girls squealed in frustration when they got there. lol I'm already ready for the last book to be out just so I can find out what happens!! :) ANother great review Diana!
ReplyDeleteI know readers are usually pretty focused on the heroine in novels, but the Duke....wowza baby! I equate his appeal level to Mitch in Julie's books. And she knows how much I liked him ;)
ReplyDeleteLADETTE, hopefully you will win a preorder of The Duke's Promise! We must get you off of that cliff, my dear!
ReplyDeleteI'm in love with the duke-plain and simple, ANNE. lol! Today is hubby's birthday and he is MY duke, or prince, or whatever...
ReplyDeleteWhat a great review, Diana. There is a definite cliffhanger and I am egaer to see how it all continues in The Forgiven Duke.
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in the drawing, I would love to win one of her books.
arieljo12 @ hotmail dot com
-Janella
What an exciting promise the book cover reveals and the review is intriguing . I haven't read this author before but would love to have a copy either in my hands or on my Kindle!
ReplyDeleteSorry, I didn't include my email. spangldlady@sbcglobal.net
ReplyDeleteJ. GRACE, thank you for coming by! I have you entered!
ReplyDeleteOH, JANELLA. I'm sorry I didn't see your name at the bottom. Nice to see you my friend!
ReplyDeleteDARLENE, you have been missing out! I hope we can get a copy of one of Jamie's books in your hands-I know she will have a new reader fan! :)
ReplyDeleteThough we are left with a cliffhanger of a book, your review still makes me want to read it! Please enter me!
ReplyDeletedesertrose5173 at gmail dot com
Great review Diana...this was a wonderfully exciting book. I might have been "fussing" at Alex a little for making the Duke chase after her. :) Jamie really knows how to grab your attention.
ReplyDeleteBTW Diana I hope Duke Paul has a wonderful birthday! :)
Thanks for the review. This book sounds so exciting!
ReplyDeleteAmy Campbell
Campbellamyd at gmail dot com
LOL, LINDA! Not to worry, you can read the second one right after the first. Others were not so blessed to be able to do so, as the second one wasn't out yet. ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you, TERESA! I will tell Duke Paul you wish him a Happy Birthday! Hmmm...that would make me a duchess, so where are all my rubies, diamonds, and pearls? lol
ReplyDeleteAMY, it is that! Thank you for coming by and showing an interest in JAMIE's books!
ReplyDeleteDuchess Diana...does have a nice ring to it. But who needs all those jewels when you outshine them anyway??!!
ReplyDeleteWhy, thank you, TERESA! I DID hear I was priceless Sunday...a daughter of the King! TERESA's brother, Steve, took our pastor's place Sunday and preached a moving, dynamic message about how very much God loves us.
ReplyDeleteSisters in Christ, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks of you, you are priceless in God's eyes. His precious treasure, and the apple of His eye. Don't let anyone make you feel any less than that!
I've seen this book around and have read one of Jamie Carie's other books. Would love to win this one! Sounds like a cliffhanger that's worth it! :)
ReplyDeletebiblioprincess15 (at) yahoo (dot) com
I so enjoyed my big brother's preaching Sunday also, it was a beautiful message. What is even more moving to me is God's grace in sparing his life 2 years ago.
ReplyDeleteI'm so thankful for that! No wonder satan tried to get rid of Steve, TERESA. He wanted to hush his mouth. I got a phone call from a woman last night that said Steve's message, Sunday, changed her whole life.
ReplyDeleteNice to see you, RACHELLE! It is sooo worth it. I hope you get a chance to read it!
ReplyDeleteWonderful review, DIANA! I really have to read Jamie's books. :) This one sounds great!
ReplyDeleteI fixed the paragraph error in your review.
Thank you, MARIAN! And thank you for making everything "purty". I have the sweetest cohorts! :)
ReplyDeletethanks for the chance to win
ReplyDeleteABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
You are so welcome, APPLE BLOSSOM! Thank you for expressing an interest in Jamie's books!
ReplyDeleteDIANA, I am sorry I'm out of commission today from my RA and the meds for it. Great review! You are such a blessing!
ReplyDeleteWe love you, CARRIE! Just rest. Everyone cover Carrie with prayer, please!
ReplyDeleteDIANA, ANNE and JULIE - HA!!! I'm laughing so hard reading your comments that I have tears in my eyes! I guess it was a bit crazy to leave you all boohooing on that cliff but to see everyone so emotionally invested makes my writer's heart so proud!!! :-) And yes, Gabriel is my most dreamy hero yet!!!
ReplyDeleteLINDA and DARLENE - I do hope you get a chance to try this series!! I promise it will be worth your time.
If you don't win, maybe your local library has a copy? I LOVE libraries!!
A BIG THANK YOU to DUCHESS DIANA for the review and my best wishes for all up daughters of the King to shine like you said!! If we had a grasp, even an inkling, of how much God loves us and values us we would never think a bad thing about ourselves again! Women can be so hard on themselves. Here's saying a prayer that each of you feel a special moment of God's love this week!
Til tomorrow, my dears! This week has been so fun!
LOL, JAMIE! And you're welcome! :)
ReplyDeleteAgreeing with you in prayer, too, JAMIE, that each one will feel a touch of God's love this week!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great chance to win a beautiful book. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteRev. Kim Justice
breathoflifebookreviews@yahoo.com
REV. KIM, you are so welcome! Here's hoping for a win for you! Have a blessed night!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful book! Can't wait to read it!!
ReplyDeleteCATHY, I hope you get a chance to read the whole series! My review of the second book (which was just released), is up tomorrow and you are welcome to enter a comment there as well. You can enter on any of the posts this week!
ReplyDeleteLove a good cliffhanger, only when the next book is already available to read!
ReplyDeletePatty
pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'm with you on that one, PATTY! Fortunately I was able to read one right after the other in this particular series. Oh, I wouldn't have been able to stand waiting a year on this one! Thankfully they are all released close together---within a couple of months of each other.
ReplyDeleteDARLENE KEITH is our first WINNER with a Kindle copy of The Guardian Duke! CONGRATS, DARLENE!!! With this special sale this week I got to do an extra prize. Hope you enjoy!
ReplyDeleteAWESOME! CONGRATS, DARLENE! NOW YOU CAN FINALLY GET ACQUAINTED WITH JAMIE'S WORK!
ReplyDeleteCongrats Darlene.. Enjoy
ReplyDeletemisskallie2000 at yahoo dot com
I won book 2 of the series but didn't won the first. So I am searching the wide web for giveaways so I can understand everything!
ReplyDeletedangalman(at)gmail(dot)(com)
http://thedangalman.blogspot.com/
Loving your BLOG! And I have followed you, too!
ReplyDeleteTHEDANGALMAN, thank you so much for becoming a follower of OTT! I'm glad you are enjoying our blog. Jamie is generously giving away 10 Kindle copies of Guardian Heart. But if you don't have a kindle you can opt for the pprback version, should your name be drawn!
ReplyDeleteOOPSIE-Guardian Duke---still too early in the morning for me! ugg :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book!
ReplyDeleteBattles2001@hotmail.com
Thanks for coming by, MELISSA! I LOVE your persistency...it is a quality that CARRIE and I really admire!
ReplyDeleteLINDA, you desert rose, are the next WINNER of JAMIE's Guardian Duke! CONGRATS!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi again ma'am Diana. I am an international participant and I don't have a Kindle. Are the e-books you're giving away only for Kindle users?
ReplyDeletedangalman (at) gmail (dot) com
Yes, DAN. Only Kindle b/c the author is giving those away and that is what she specified. What kind of ereader do you have?
ReplyDeleteCONGRATS, LINDA! WOO HOO!
ReplyDeleteDAN, I mistakenly told you above that you may choose a paperback, but I didn't know you were international. Sorry for my mistake, dear. :(
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAMANDA, you are not too late to be entered! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteAmy Campbell, CONGRATS, you have won a Kindle copy of The Guardian Duke by Jamie Carie!
ReplyDeleteYIPPEE SKIPPEE! Congrats, AMY!
ReplyDelete