The Marquess of Temptation

Reluctant Regency Brides Series, Book 3

By: Claudia Stone

Narrated by: Duchess DeFoix, Duke DeFoix

Length: 4 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's Summary

Since her father’s death, Miss Hestia B. Stockbow has been living a lie. Working as a companion, under an assumed name, all she wants to do is keep her head down and forget about the scandalous tragedy that haunts her past.

There’s only one problem…

After two delicious, stolen kisses, the usually icy and aloof Alexander Delaney, Marquess of Falconbridge, finds himself entranced by Belinda Bowstock, a lowly paid companion. When he discovers that she is, in fact, his missing ward, Alex realizes there's only one thing he can do: Marry the chit and help her solve the mystery of her father's suspicious death.

There’s only one problem, Belinda has absolutely no desire to wed the cold Lord Delaney - and she’s not the type of lady to take orders from anyone...even a Marquess.

©2018 Claudia Stone (P)2018 Claudia Stone

A Sweet Historical Romance

Hestia's mother is the daughter of a viscount and her father is a successful privateer, but they live in poverty and solitude away from society. When Hestia's mother dies, her father is stricken with grief until his own passing. The magistrate declares that her father took his own life, but Hestia doesn't believe it. She's determined to find out the identity of the mysterious man who left a threatening note for her father before his death. She takes on another name and goes to work as a companion where she meets Alex, Marquess of Falconbridge, who has his own search to conduct.

This is the sequel to the Lord of Heartbreak, and runs parallel to the events in that story. It's not necessary to read that one first, but I really enjoyed it and definitely recommend it! The characters in this story are very different. Hestia's had to endure a lifetime of heartbreak with her father constantly away and her mother dying. She's young and very innocent and inexperienced in the world, but has her own opinions and fights for them. Alex is much older and can be overbearing at times, but gradually changes as he sees the results of his actions. By the end, I was rooting for them hard.

This style of narration is great, the male and female narrator alternate reading the chapters and perform the male or female speaking parts. It's seamless, and makes the whole thing enjoyable. I requested a copy of the audiobook, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Sweet clean romance

The Marquess of Temptation is my least liked book of the Reluctant Regency series, but that doesn't make it a bad story. Hestia stole the place of the favorite female protagonist of this series. I really liked her and found her point of view interesting and fun. My main issue with this story was that I didn't find the romance between the Marquess and Hestia believable. I think this would've been a favorite otherwise. However, Duke and Duchess DeFoix continue to deliver amazing voice acting in this book. I won't get tired of saying how much deepth having a man narrating all male voices and a woman narrating all female voices add to an audiobook, and the Duke and Duchess are an excellent example of that. Even though the romance wasn't my favorite, the ending of this book was wholesome and sweet, making me like it a bit more.

To much temptation

Hestia was practically raised by her mother since her father was at sea most of the time. Her mother would tell her time and time again do not fall in love. When her mother got sick she went to her mothers family to let them know and her Uncle did not care. Her mother then died and when her father returned from sea he was devastated. When he receives a death threat he send Hestia to my Lady to take care of her. The next day her father is found dead and ii is ruled a suicide. Of course Hestia does not believe it and no one will listen to her. When a terrible scandal starts about her family she is told she needs to change her name (Belinda Bowstock) and gets a job as Jane's companion.

She wants to find out what really happened to her father. Alexander Delaney the Marquess of Falconbridge finds out he is the guardian of to a ward Hestia B Stockbow. When he tries to find out where she is he comes up to a brick wall. When he meets Janes companion Belinda he feels something for her not realizing who she actually is. A wonderful story with great narrators. Loved all the different voices they made.

Fiery and Sweet...

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

This is a quintessential Regency romance that covers all of the aspects of the genre. The characters are all they need to be, the inexperienced but feisty heroine, the handsome but bossy hero that turns into a love sick boy for his ward. It is somewhat strange that Hestia's father, as a pirate, was even acknowledged into polite society, even though the mother was part of it, but it is a different take and as we are talking about author's license, it is certainly acceptable. Very clean and sweet, this is the love story everyone would wish to live. The narrators, a couple in their own rights, does an excellent job alternating female and male voices to the interpretation. A perfect summer listening experience.

A sweet story

Well written and read, this is a sweet tale. I was a little irked at the female character a few times for some of her silly comments or actions, but it wasn’t enough to give a lower rating. Fiction is fiction after all.

adorable

this book is just adorable I can't describe it in other manner the story wasn't long but it was so freaking cute I loved it so very much
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I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review

Georgette Heyer Worthy!

Following the death of her mother, a noblewoman whose mésalliance cut her off from family support, Hestia's father returns from the sea a shattered man. Then she finds her father dead--by his own hand? A suicide is denied burial in hallowed ground and the disgrace can ruin a family. To avoid such a disgrace, family friends provide her a character reference and send her off as a companion to a spinster--under an assumed name. As delightfully narrated by the Duke and Duchess DeFoix, the story dances along, spinning romance and mystery, as an entranced nobleman rethinks bachelorhood and strives to convince Hestia she should marry him.

Sweet Historical Romance

This is the third book in the Series. This is the story of Hestia/Belinda and Alexander. I liked this Sweet Historical Romance. Belinda is a beautiful character. She’s strong and she knows what she wants. Alexander has to work it out to win Belinda’s heart. I really love stories when the man is the one who wants to win the heart of a stubborn and strong woman! This story can be listened as a standalone, but I totally recommend to listen to the first books in the Series. I liked to see the interrelated characters from the other books. The narration was very well done and entertaining. I enjoyed my listening. This was a fun listen.

Love this series!

I loved the narrators, I thought they did a great job in voicing the characters.

I have read/listened to the authors contemporary and historical books and in my opinion she does the historical romance a lot better then the contemporary. I loved this one as much as I loved the other two in this series. I thought she does the male character really well. The Marquess I absolutely loved in this book. There are some funny moments too.
I would definitely recommend this book to those who love clean historical romance with drama and funny moments.

The story and characters came to life!

Duchess and Duke DeFoix are excellent narrators and role players. They brought the story and characters to life! I couldn't put my ear-buds down. Plot-wise, the story was satisfying and I enjoyed the overlap of characters and scenes from Books 1 and 2.

Good story

I hadn't read any of the other books in the series but I enjoyed this one very much and would happily pick up the others to listen to.
A nice romance with a little bit of mystery. Greatly entertaining on a dull day at home.

It is a Regency romance all the way!

What does one usually expect from a Regency romance? Perhaps a physically and mentally strong peer of the realm? An unusual damsel often in impoverished circumstances? Balls? Grand dresses? A little mystery? A little danger? A little talk of Napoleon? This book has all the above.

To be fair, there is nothing unusual about the story but it is a satisfying Regency listen. I liked the characters, even the supporting characters and I enjoyed the bit of mystery that didn't quite turn out the way expected.

Overall enjoyable and very easy to listen to!

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.