How to Capture a Countess

Duchess Diaries, Book 1

By: Karen Hawkins

Narrated by: Alison Larkin

Length: 8 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Urged by her favorite nephew, the intimidating Duchess of Roxburghe agrees to transform a thorny Scottish rose into a lovely bloom. But even she isn't prepared for fiery Rose Balfour.

At 17, Rose fell wildly in love with Lord Alton Sinclair, known as Lord Sin for his wicked ways. Stung by his indifference, the starry-eyed girl tried to win an illicit kiss, but then panicked and pushed the notorious rakehell into a fountain. Leaving Lord Sin floating among the lily pads to the mocking laughter of his peers, Rose escaped back to the obscurity of the Scottish countryside.

Six years later, Sin convinces his aunt, the Duchess of Roxburghe, to invite Rose to her annual house party, where he plans to get revenge by making Rose the laughingstock of polite society. To his astonishment, he finds she has become an alluring woman who threatens to turn the tables on his nefarious plans. Thus Sin and Rose begin an epic battle of the sexes that becomes more passionate at every turn. Eventually, one will have to surrender...but to vengeance? Or to love's deepest passion?

©2012 Karen Hawkins (P)2013 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A delightful, sprightly romp is what Hawkins does best, and when she sets her witty tale in Scotland and adds a charming castle and an engaging cast of characters, [listeners] have the beginning of an appealing new series." ( RT Book Reviews)

Enjoyable.

I've listened to this book three times now.... I think that means it's quite good. While not one of my very favorites it is one that I enjoy.

Well written, with characters you want to love with, laugh and cry with.

Narration is good.

Heat is appropriate, tho only warm and never erotic.

Creditworthy? Yeah, I guess so.

Very good!

very good series loved all the characters and the Pugs too!
the narration was very good as well

Another winner for Karen Hawkins

Delightful. Cute. Humorous. Sin and Rose remind me of the characters in a Spencer Tracy/Katherine Hepburn movie - always sparring and trying to outdo the other. I laughed out loud more than once. I admit it was predictable but that doesn't matter; it was an enjoyable story as only Karen Hawkins can write. I look forward to more of this series.

The narration was pleasant and matched the story.

Definite repeat listen

As always, Karen Hawkins exceeds your expectations with a passionate romp that is fun fresh and original. Well worth it!

cute story, a bit rated G IMO

This was a cute love story. The hero Lord Sinclair and heroine, Rose Belflour are strong characters with chemistry. I enjoyed it, but if your looking for hot steamy sex you wont find it here. A bit too rated G in my opinion. One sex scene not very descriptive. It was all in all a cute love story though. The narrator did a good job.

Outstanding

If you could sum up How to Capture a Countess in three words, what would they be?

Perfectly wonderful characters.

What was one of the most memorable moments of How to Capture a Countess?

The laughs, but I'm not giving away one second of plot.

Which character – as performed by Alison Larkin – was your favorite?

Liked them all. I felt they were all different people so a great job .I never had to think about who was talking.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was making jelly as I listened and I laughed a lot and the time went fast .

Any additional comments?

Can't say enough good things.

Karen Hawkins is the best

I love Karen Hawkins style of writing. Her books are light and funny. AMust listen!

Great Fun

I enjoyed the relationship development. The heroine was competitive (like me) and she had to find a man that could handle losing sometimes...

Karen never disappoints!

She's a great storyteller with wonderful characters, and the narrator was perfect for the story 😊

witty, romantic, and entertaining!

I found this book very entertaining. All the characters are so full of life and are delightful. The main characters (Rose & Sin) love to challenge each other by games or verbally. Their sparring contributes to the witty banter throughout the story. Rose is not afraid to say what's on her mind. T he Duchess (Sin's aunt) adds to the fun. She loves to meddle in a good way of course! BTW: The narrator was excellent!