Some Dukes have all the luck

Britton launches her Synneful Spinsters series, a spin-off of her Isle of Synne series, with this satisfying Regency romance. Ash Hawkins, Duke of Buckley, needs a wife to raise his three audacious young wards--and keep them far from his lifestyle--while he continues his work as owner of a London gaming hall. It's the perfect arrangement for entomologist Bronwyn Pickering, who's eager to escape status-hungry parents who treat her as a pawn to further their social climbing. Having suffered through an embarrassing failed courtship during her first season, Bronwyn's eager to avoid more gossip and pity, and requests that her new husband stay a fortnight with her on the Isle of Synne to sell their union before abandoning her and the girls to live a separate life in London. Though painful memories of his abusive childhood have Ash reluctant to get too attached to his new family, he reluctantly agrees. As the couple work together to look after the children, an emotional bond forms--and attraction becomes impossible to resist. It's sweet to watch as Ash's family softens his troubled heart. Likewise, Ash's kindness and consideration gives Bronwyn newfound strength. The endearing, complex characters provide a firm foundation for this emotional tale of acceptance and healing. Agent: Kim Lionetti, Bookends Literary. (Nov.)

Bronwyn Pickering yearns for the freedom to focus on her entomology work. Ash Hawkins, the Duke of Buckley, needs to find his wards, who have fled his neglectful care. He tracks them to Bronwyn's village and encounters her on the ground, with her precious insect specimens clinging to her dress--and offers to kill them. It is not the typical meet cute, but for this emotional Regency, which involves multiple kinds of abuse in the backstory, it fits. And the two find that they also fit, quickly discovering the mutual freeing benefits of marriage: he gets someone to befriend his wards; she gets a library of her own and freedom to study. They thought that was all that was at stake, but they soon become deeply involved. Deftly evoked, their hard-earned love and trust builds a family. VERDICT The first spin-off of Britton's (A Duke Worth Fighting For) "Isle of Synne" series is a psychologically wrought tale that moves at a quick pace and showcases her skill for writing dialogue and staging engaging scenes. A good pick for readers who like to feel all the emotions of a story.--Neal Wyatt