Indomitable Women Save the Day

Dukes in Danger

Always Be My Duchess (Taming of the Dukes #1) by Amalie Howard

historical romance

Forever, April 11, 2023

from chapter 3: "Woman's intelligence. The dread of the patriarchy and the scourge of the aristocracy. Provocative at best, deadly at worst."

The Duke Who Ravaged Me (Rebellious Brides #4) by Diana Quincy

historical romance

Loveswept, April 2018

Double trouble becomes a triple threat.

One Duke Down (Rogues to Lovers #2) by Anna Bennett

historical romance

St. Martin's, January 2023

A fisherwoman catches a whole lot more than she expected to find in her net.

A Scandalous Kind of Duke (Longhope Abbey #3) by Mia Vincy

historical romance

Inner Ballad Press, September 2022

Childhood friends-to-lovers situationship leads to crossroads, betrayals, fisticuffs, duels, and declarations.

Duke-adjacent Featured Characters

A Tempest at Sea (Lady Sherlock #7) by Sherry Thomas

historical mystery

Berkley, March 2023

from chapter 27: Charlotte, too, very much enjoyed being alone. But she was fortunate: Those who loved her never saw her inclination toward solitude as something that needed to be overturned to make room for them.

This historical mystery exudes some clever Mission: Impossible vibes along with engaging tenderness and a playful buoyancy despite addressing serious themes handled with deft nuance. Plus, Charlotte and Ash interactions abound.*

*They are my primary reason for reading this most excellent series. The intrigue and all of the other notable elements are lovely perks.

Comments

Tapping into Your Power

The following two books celebrate powerful characters who overcome their fears to manifest their greatness for the benefit of themselves, their loved ones and communities. So satisfying. [2 books from left to right: A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna, Direct Descendant by Tanya Huff] A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna contemporary speculative romance Berkeley, July 2025 Sera's story of navigating otherness was worth the wait. The advantages, responsibilities, and consequences of being powerful are explored with nuanced observations, humor, and compassion. Themes on distinctions between family by blood, choice, and intention weave throughout this poignant tale about paying attention and recognizing personal details as fundamental to the evolution of one's perspective on who and what are valuable. One of my favorite passages from the end of chapter nineteen: Like this was a thing that had, somehow, become...

Beach Reads That Sizzle (in Many Ways)

It's a miracle that so many actual and imagined human young survive into adulthood, and then on to old age. The following books offer entertaining and provocative tales of challenges, misadventures, and triumphs. [a collage of 4 images: upper left - It Had to Be You hardcover Thorndike Press large print edition set on the edge of a small table between 2 chairs; upper right - a "BEACH" tote bag in a striped beach chair along with a paperback ARC of Up in Smoke; lower left - a paperback copy of An Evening at the Hotel on a wood table next to a beach umbrella; lower right - a paperback copy of All Super-Heroes Need PR] All Super-Heroes Need PR by Elizabeth Stephens contemporary speculative romance Amazon Publishing, May 2025 Vanessa's story delivers a riveting aliens-among-us origin story, a fake romance with unexpected twists, and nuanced workplace interpersonal dynamics that offer drama, humor, razor sharp social commentary, and visceral memories of past chi...

TWWBF Grand Finale Gratitude & More Books

The 6th and grand finale The Write Women Book Fest 2025 event last weekend was phenomenal! It exceeded our most ambitious hopes during these very challenging times. Many, many heartfelt thanks to the each of the featured authors, tabling authors & their assistants, TWWBF Poet Laureate Aressa V. Williams, performing poets, storytime readers in the children's area, narrators, author and publishing services professionals... Special thanks to the 2/3 of the TBR Trio who attended, a dynamic IG influencer, and each and every attendee who engaged with participants and bought books and merch. And to the volunteers, Bowie Comfort Inn staff, the team at South Bowie Branch Library, and as always, our conscientious, tireless team of dedicated TWWBF voluntolders, expressions of gratitude beyond words! [a "The Write Women Book Fest" journal, a tote bag with "Maria Secoy Romantic Suspense" and a smaller "Thank you" tote bag] [a collage of 3 images: left - pla...

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