The Reluctant Duchess

"One more day to feel like herself, Rowena's right hand went to where the gold band encircled her left ring finger. Perhaps there wasn't a herself left to feel like anymore. Perhaps, whomever, she had once been, she had given it up when she married the Duke of Nottingham.

Or perhaps Malcolm had stolen it from her." (excerpt).

Rowena Kinnaird is trying to come to terms with where her lot in life has found her. At the abusive hands of her father who simply wanted to give her strength and fortitude to face any challenge that may come her way, or under the tyrant Malcolm Kinnaird who would do anything to ensure an heir to the family clan even if it meant taking that opportunity by force against Rowena's wishes. Now it is all she can do not to cower whenever anyone came near. Even though she attempted to explain to her father, that Malcolm had forced himself upon her at the risk of her giving birth to a son to ensure she retains the rights of the families estate by having a son.

Yet somewhere in the midst of all of this evil, God had a plan and a purpose. One to give Rowena a future and a hope, when Brice Nottingham arrived to come to her rescue one evening. Not knowing the circumstances of what has happened, he offers to marry Rowena as a means of getting her away from the horrible men in her life but also in being obedient to the words he hears from God. God is the one who put Rowena in his life and asked him to care for her. While he may remain obedient to the call the Lord places on his life to do this, it will take an act of God to help him find a way to show her that he will protect her and never harm her. In time, he hopes they can grow to get to know one another and hopefully fall in love. Something he is willing to bet more than his life on.

I received The Reluctant Duchess by Roseanna M. White compliments of Net Galley and Bethany House Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside for a free eBook copy in exchange for my personal and honest evaluation. This is the second book in the Ladies of the Manor Series, with one more coming soon. This is a delightful tale of the similar story from the Bible about a man, Hosea, who is commanded by God to take a wife despite what has happened to her and love her despite how she and those around her see herself. I loved watching Rowena deal with all the horrors from her past and watch her bloom under the love of Brice. No matter how Brice feels, he responds in obedience from God and never questions whether it is the right thing to do or not. I love that part of his character which showcases the true meaning of love, to do so without any conditions. I can't wait to read the first novel in the series, The Lost Heiress, as well as pick the sequel up when it debuts. For me, this one really hits home for romance fans looking for that historical Scottish flair and thus the reason for the 5 out of 5 stars.

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The Reluctant Duchess by Roseanna M. White

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