• How to Dance With a Duke

  • Ugly Duckling Trilogy, Book 1
  • By: Manda Collins
  • Narrated by: Anne Flosnik
  • Length: 10 hrs and 51 mins
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (682 ratings)

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How to Dance With a Duke  By  cover art

How to Dance With a Duke

By: Manda Collins
Narrated by: Anne Flosnik
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Publisher's summary

Miss Cecily Hurston would much rather explore the antiquities of Egypt than the uncharted territory of marriage. But the rules of her father's exclusive academic society forbid her entrance unless she weds one of its members. To clear her ailing father's name of a scandalous rumor, Cecily needs to gain admission into the Egyptian Club-and is willing to marry any old dullard to do it. Lucas Dalton, Duke of Winterson, is anything but dull. He's a dashing and decorated war hero determined to help Cecily-even if that means looking the other way when she claims the dance card of Amelia Snow, this season's most sought-after beauty. But Lucas has a reason for wanting Cecily to join the Egyptian Club: His brother went missing during one of Lord Hurston's expeditions to Egypt. An alliance with the explorer's bluestocking daughter could bring Lucas closer to the truth about what happened....or it could lead him to a more dangerous love than either he or Cecily could have imagined.

©2012 Manda Collins (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Collins' debut delivers a fast-paced, adventurous love story that will enthrall [listeners]. Her dynamic characters, a murder and passion combine with the perfect amount of lively repartee." ( Romantic Times)

What listeners say about How to Dance With a Duke

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • 2 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Nice Romance and Mystery

This book is a good start to the series. The characters are well developed and interesting. The romantic storyline kept my interest and I liked the fact that it had a mystery in the story too. I have read Anne Flosnik's narrations before so I was used to her. She's kind of an acquired taste. Check the sample and see if you like her narration before you buy it. I enjoyed it anyway.

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

You Never Know When You Will Find Love or a Murder

This story took me by surprise so many times. It's full of love, mystery, intrigue, foolishness, and adults with a Nancy Drew nature. I love the characters, enjoyed the story, the scenes, the characters, and their descriptions. The entire story wraps up quickly and nicely. Manda Collins left nothing wanting. This story rises to the heights of the Amelia Peabody Series.

This book is a definite "Bodice Ripper" the adult scenes are very descriptive and seductive. The mystery and thriller sections leave you stunned. The book is one of those stories that you just can't put down.

Loved this story. Set back when British elites where embarking enmass upon Egypt for travel and excavation. This is a love story mystery. Rated R. Sexy, seductive, titillating, romantic, lovely, vulnerable... all words to describe this book.

If you enjoyed this book, I have a few similar recommendations: The countess, The Husband Hunt, The Selection, The Elite, The False Princess, The Amelia Peabody Series, and How to Dance with a Duke. I think these stories all have wonderful narrators, excellent story lines and a similar feeling to them. So if you like this book you should like those books. They are all mystery/love stories that evoke deep emotion and love for the characters. I prefer stories that I can't entirely guess the ending, falling in love with the characters, and especially books with a witty repertoire.

You wont be disappointed with this book if you love romantic novels full of mystery, ball gowns, and old world charm.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

My first "look at Tessa Dare but not my last"

What made the experience of listening to How to Dance With a Duke the most enjoyable?

I adore Anne Flosnick but I found the descriptive prose in this volume a cut about the usual. The heroine is one of my favorites ever. I loved her character development and her style.

What did you like best about this story?

The gambling matches between the newlyweds. I liked all of the sideplots with the supporting cast. The book was very well paced. Motivations were explained and it was very satisfying to discover this author.

Have you listened to any of Anne Flosnik’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Another winner. I have to admit sometimes when I need something to listen to I search for this narrator.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I savored it a bit. I wanted it to last because it was worth the listen and when I heard a thought provoking plotline I chose to take a break. Once you finish a listen then it is not new and I enjoyed each new chapter.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Can't finish

I just can't finish because of the narrator. I usually avoid this narrator, who gives a somewhat dreary, monotone, whispery, and choppy style. I thought I'd give her one more try, but I cant finish this one either. Some of her characters are well done, but the overall tone is not for me.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Mystery and romance

What did you love best about How to Dance With a Duke?

If you like Amanda Quick books, you'll love this one. It reminded me of her earlier books.
It has wit, murder, attempted murder, mystery, romance and its sexy. Throw in a good looking Duke, and you've got it all. Very good story. You won't get bored half way through it like so many.

What about Anne Flosnik’s performance did you like?

Love Anne Flosnik. She always adds so much to an audible book.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

not bad

Where does How to Dance With a Duke rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

a bit too much sex, not my cup of tea on that. But story line is good

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Not 5 stars but close

Ann Flosnik gives her usual great performance. This is expected.

The story is entertaining and not diluted with too many heavy sexual scenes which seem to permeate most historical romance novels. This IMO is refreshing. I certainly don't mind the sex, but many novels take it to extreme and it diminishes the stories.

Its hard to put my finger on why I didn't give it five stars all the way. It just seemed to lack something.

I would have rather gotten to know the characters better than I did, and discovery of the mystery's solution a little better found.

However it is definitely good enough that I bought the second book in the series.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Doesn't live up to its potential

What a poorly plotted mess of a book! I'm sorry I wasted my money on it. The worst of it is, the book had real potential. The author writes well, has some interesting turns of a phrase and makes some nice incidental observations. The broad outlines of the plot are promising--the bluestocking Egyptologist and the former Army officer turned unexpected Duke meet when both are investigating the aftermath of an expedition to Egypt in which his brother went missing and her father had an apoplexy, leaving him unable to speak. From there, unfortunately, the plot went completely off the rails and left the characters behaving like complete ninnies. By the end, I thought they were among the stupidest, shallowest people I'd ever spent time with. It didn't have to turn out that way by any means. I think the author could develop into a decent one if she had a really good editor who could point out the idiocies and inconsistencies in her plotting and characters' motivations. Alas, I suspect that won't happen. Don't waste your time with this.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A compelling mystery with romance on the side

The mystery in this book is what really makes it, the development of the romance being secondary in many ways. Of course, the romance could not develop without the protagonists working at finding the answers to the questions they have. I liked the protagonists, especially because I have a fondness for bluestockings and the men who are open-minded enough to see beyond the intellectual bent of the woman. Intelligence and spinsterhood (a woman being over 22 or so made her almost unmarriagable) were huge drawbacks in the old days - you know, that time before the 1960s. Anne Flosnik is not in the category of favorite narrators, but she is does a tolerably good job, especially if I don't listen to too many of her narrations in a row.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Worst Narration EVER!!

I couldn't even finish this book because of the narration. Anne Flosnik is the absolute worst narrator on the planet why does this woman keep getting hired? I don't know how anyone can stand to listen to her!

Hate is a pretty strong word but I absolutely hate hate hate everything about her narration. I hate her stupid breathy sound, her tone, her inflection, and the horrible voices. I will never download another book she narrates.

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1 person found this helpful