Book Review-The Making Of A Duchess

The Making Of A Duchess
The Son's Of The Revolution (1)
Shana Galen
Sourcebooks Casablanca
Paperback
Published June 2010
377 Pages
Regency Historical Romance
ISBN: 978-1-4022-3865-9
Author's Website

Synopsis
A very dangerous attraction…

Julien Harcourt, Duc de Valère, is more than willing to marry the lovely young lady his mother has chosen. Little does he know, she's been sent to prove him a spy and a traitor…

And an even more dangerous secret…

Sarah Smith's mission is to find out whether the Duc's trips to the Continent are as innocent as he claims, but the way he looks at her is far from innocent…

Their risky game of cat and mouse propels them from the ballrooms of London to the prisons of Paris, and into a fragile love that may not survive their deceptions…

My Review

Summary 
Julien, at age thirteen, was changed forever when french revolutionaries and peasants stormed his family's home, killed his brothers and father, and with his mother along his side, barely escaping with their very lives. Now in England, Julien has rebuilt his family's fortune and wealth, enough to make sure his mother is taken care of the rest of her life. But there is another reason, he believes that at least one of his brothers, Armand, is still alive and being held somewhere in France, and he must find a way to get there, even with a war going on. In the midst of making his plans, a family friend of her mothers has sent her daughter to be courted by Julien and even to have him marry her. Julien, doesn't have much belief or faith in love, even though his parents deeply cared for each other. But out of respect for his mother, he agrees, only Lady Serafina is not what he ever expected. Sarah Smith, has been enlisted, not by her own choice, to be a spy within three days. She is told she must find as much information on the Duc de Valere as possible since he is suspected of being a traitor and a spy due to his recent visits to France. However, she never thought Julien would be so irresistible or this task would be more challenging than she ever imagined. Because she is starting to fall in love with this man, suspected traitor, but one who she feels herself losing her heart to.

The Hero (Julien Harcourt)
Julien, was very young when he lost his younger brothers and his father, and his own home. He and his parents knew it was dangerous, but they treated their servants fair, but in the end they turned on him and his family. Having to travel to England, Julien had to rebuild everything, and now that he has, he has a new duty...find one of his brothers that may have survived. He knows he must get to France soon, but he also has another problem....a young woman he is suppose to marry ...who doesn't necessarily want to be courted. Julien finds her endearing but he suspects that she is hiding something...and he must get to the bottom of it.

The Hero (Sara Smith)
Sara, is a orphan, dropped on the porch of a establishment, and has no family to call her own. Sara has never felt wanted or needed. She is now a respectable governess, but while on a job, tutoring children, she is brought into the Foreign Office employment. Her boss, has instructed her that she must become a spy in three days or be thrown out into the street with no reference and no where to go. Sara knows she has no choice, but hates that she will have to become someone else. As she finds herself being courted by Julien Harcourt, she finds him breathtaking, and has no idea how she is suppose to prove his guilt as a traitor; when she doesn't even believe him to be one. But she is determined to get to the heart of the matter, before she does something foolish as fall in love with a man so above her it could be funny.

My Thoughts 
The Making of the Duchess is the first in the series...which doesn't happen very often. Most oftentimes I read a series out of order, but I decided to read this one in order. After recently reading from this author I was just about jumping up and down in my seat, excited to read this. It was a whole different style of story than others that I have read from this author. For one, its plot has a more serious tone to it. There were only a few times I laughed, when I usually I am just cracking myself up in her books. For those of you who have read this one, you know what I am talking about. I was expecting a story that would just be so full of witty humor and silly yet fun scenes...boy was I wrong. Don't get me wrong....I did love this one, and I would recommend it to anyone that loves a good spy romance. However you need to expect it to be more serious, not as carefree. Let me lay out some of the few things that I just loved about The Making Of  A Duchess. First, I loved the fast and smooth flow of the plot and story. It was like floating on a river, so smooth and steady. It had its breakneck pace, that is common with this author, that keeps a reader fully enthralled. I also loved the depth of each character, there was so much personality and spirit that I was endeared to them from the beginning. There were many surprises at various times throughout the book, that it keeps you shaking with anticipation. I also loved the mystery and intrigue element to the plot, that had me guessing and I ended shocked at certain times. I loved the way the story is so beautiful woven in detail and the imagery is so vivid I felt like I was there in the story, and I was flipping through the pages as fast as I could read them. Another winner for this author!!! A story that will have you from the first page. I just dare you to put it down. LOL I can hardly wait to read Armand's story. :)

The First Line 
Julien woke suddenly, his eyes wide and focused on the ceiling above his bed.

My Favorite Quote 
"Tu es si belle" With a groan, he took her in his arms. Enveloped in his strength and warmth, she melted into him. His lips caressed hers so gently and tenderly that she moaned. She wanted more. She ached to feel wanted. Ached to feel beautiful 

My Grade On This Book 
4.5 Blossoms 

Heat Rating
Steamy

Other Books In The Series 
The Making Of A Gentleman
The Rogue Pirate's Bride