The Duke’s Christmas Bride

An old family rivalry and an unexpected inheritance animate Bradley’s enchanting third Drop Dead Dukes Regency (after Damned If I Duke). Max Burke, the Duke of Grantham, has long resented Ambrose St. Claire, who won the Burke’s family home, Hammond Court, from Max’s father in a bet. When Ambrose dies, Max expects to regain access to Hammond Court, and is shocked to learn he must share the estate with Rose St. Clare, Ambrose’s secret adopted daughter. Rose balks at Max’s offer to buy her out, so Max enlists the handsome Viscount Dunwitty to court Rose, marry her, and sign over Rose’s interest in Hammond Court to Max in exchange for forgiving the viscount’s uncle’s debts. This scheme is complicated, however, by Max’s own budding attraction to Rose, whom he invites to stay with him at Grantham Lodge after dilapidated Hammond Court floods. With the Christmas season underway, the pair enjoy many festivities and Rose bakes her way into Max’s heart with his favorite ginger biscuits. But what will happen when Rose learns of his plotting with the viscount? Bradley makes the slow-building attraction between her leads believable and enhances the already sparkling Regency background with holiday cheer. Readers are sure to root for this appealing couple. (Oct.)