More Innocent Hearts

Title: How to Lose a Duke in Ten Days
Author:Laura Lee Guhrke
Genre: Historical Romance
Review Rating: Five Stars
Reviewer: Linda Hays-Gibbs
   Edie Anne Jewel snares Stewart, The Duke of Margrave at a Ball by following him to the garden and proposing. Her proposal offered her million dollar dowry to his debt ridden estates. He can continue living carefree in Africa and she will take care of his estates and people. It was the answer to his prayers. They marry and he leaves but after five years he comes back.
Edie is appalled that he returns. All her plans and freedom are in jeopardy.
     She must get rid of her Duke so she proposes a new deal. If she doesn't kiss him in ten days, he will let her have a legal separation so she can leave him.
   Stuart sets out to capture her heart not realizing her heart is scared and shriveled by her past. He had cared little for her reasons to her first proposal because it offered him all he desired then but now all he desires is Edie.
     Can he win her heart or will she win the bet and gain her freedom. What dark secrets are in her heart and why does the Duke suddenly care? Can he make his wife love him?
    This love story is charming and enduring fraught with the pitfalls of practicality versus love. There are always reasons why people do the things they do. These characters are deep, disturbing and human. I thought both Stuart and Edie were inspirational. Edie has deep secrets and fears that affect her life. The thing she wants is not what she needs and she's a lucky girl because somebody cares enough to find out what is underneath the problem finally. Stuart decides Edie is worth the effort.
The little sister Johanna is a lovely addition. She acts just like a little sister should with love for her older sister. I love that she wanted her sister to be happy.
    This is a lovely romance with deeply flawed characters that make this a very interesting and fulfilling romantic tale.
     I highly recommend this book if you love romance. I gave it Five Stars and an added plus sign.
Linda Hays-Gibbs