Manda Collins How To Dance With A Duke Epub: Where to Find It and Why You Should Read It
How to Dance With a Duke by Manda Collins: A Regency Romance Review
If you are looking for a historical romance that combines humor, mystery, and sensuality, you might want to check out How to Dance With a Duke by Manda Collins. This is the first book in the Ugly Ducklings Trilogy, which features three bluestocking friends who find love with unlikely heroes. In this book, we meet Miss Cecily Hurston, an archaeologist who needs to marry a duke to access her father's papers and solve a murder. She finds an unlikely ally in Lucas Dalton, the Duke of Winterson, who has his own reasons to help her. Together, they embark on a dangerous adventure that leads them to discover a hidden treasure and a passionate love.
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The Plot: A Wallflower's Quest for a Husband
The heroine of this story is Miss Cecily Hurston, a daughter of a famous archaeologist who has inherited his passion for ancient Egypt. She is also a bluestocking, a term used to describe an educated woman who prefers books over balls. Because of her unconventional interests and her plain appearance, she is considered an ugly duckling by society and has little chance of finding a suitable husband.
However, she has more urgent matters to worry about than her marital prospects. Her father has been accused of murdering his assistant during an excavation in Egypt and has been confined to an asylum. Cecily believes that her father is innocent and that the real culprit is still at large. She also suspects that her father's papers contain clues to a hidden treasure that he discovered in Egypt. To prove her father's innocence and find the treasure, she needs to access his papers that are locked in his study. But there is one problem: her father's estate is entailed to his cousin, who refuses to let her enter the house.
Cecily's only hope is to marry someone who has a higher rank than her cousin and can override his authority. And that someone happens to be Lucas Dalton, the Duke of Winterson. Lucas is a war hero and a spy who has just returned from France after completing a dangerous mission. He is also a handsome and charming gentleman who can have any woman he wants. But he is not interested in marriage, especially not to a wallflower like Cecily.
However, when Cecily approaches him with a marriage proposal and a promise of a large dowry, he is intrigued by her boldness and her intelligence. He agrees to help her, but only if she agrees to his terms: they will have a marriage of convenience, with no expectations of love or intimacy. He also has his own reasons to marry her: he needs to find out if her father is involved in a treasonous plot that threatens the crown.
As they work together to solve the mystery, they discover that they have more in common than they thought. They both share a love for adventure, a thirst for knowledge, and a sense of humor. They also feel a growing attraction that neither of them can deny. But their relationship is not without obstacles: they have to deal with the danger of their enemies, the interference of their families, and the secrets of their pasts. Will they be able to overcome these challenges and find their happily ever after?
The Characters: A Trio of Ugly Ducklings and Their Suitors
One of the strengths of this book is the characterization of the main and secondary characters. Cecily is a likable heroine who is brave, smart, and loyal. She is not afraid to stand up for herself and pursue her goals, even if they go against the norms of society. She is also compassionate and generous, as she cares for her father and her friends. She has a weakness for Lucas, who challenges her and makes her feel things she never felt before.
Lucas is a swoon-worthy hero who is honorable, courageous, and witty. He is a loyal friend and a devoted patriot, who risks his life for his country. He is also a tender and attentive lover, who respects and admires Cecily for her mind and her spirit. He has a dark past that haunts him, but he learns to open up to Cecily and trust her with his heart.
The book also introduces us to Cecily's friends, Miss Juliet Shelby and Miss Madeline Essex, who are also considered ugly ducklings by society. They are both intelligent and independent women who support each other and have their own interests. Juliet is an artist who loves to paint portraits, while Madeline is a writer who loves to pen novels. They will have their own stories in the next books of the trilogy, where they will meet their own heroes: Lord Blakely and Lord Deveril.
The book also features some interesting villains and rivals, such as Lady Sophia Dalby and Lady Clarissa Dalby, who are Cecily's cousins and enemies. They are both beautiful and wealthy women who enjoy tormenting Cecily and her friends. They are also scheming and greedy, as they are involved in the murder plot and the treasure hunt. They will stop at nothing to get what they want, even if it means hurting others.
The Setting: A Glimpse of Regency England
The book is set in Regency England, a period that spans from 1811 to 1820, when King George III was deemed unfit to rule and his son, the Prince Regent (later King George IV), took over the throne. This was a time of political turmoil, social change, and cultural development in Britain.
The book gives us a glimpse of the society of the ton, which was the term used to describe the upper class of England. The ton had its own rules, customs, and scandals that governed its members' behavior and reputation. The book shows us some of the aspects of this society, such as the season (the time when eligible young ladies were presented to society and sought for husbands), the balls (the social events where people danced, gossiped, and flirted), and the gossip sheets (the publications that reported on the scandals and affairs of the ton).
The book also takes us to different locations that reflect the diversity of Regency England. We visit the ballrooms of London, where Cecily and Lucas dance and court each other; the country estates of Winterson and Hurston, where they investigate the murder and find the treasure; and the Egyptian tombs of Thebes, where they explore the secrets of ancient history.
The Style: A Blend of Humor, Mystery, and Sensuality
The book is written in a style that blends humor, mystery, and sensuality. The author uses witty banter, amusing situations, and funny secondary characters to create a light-hearted tone and a humorous contrast to the serious plot. For example, Cecily and Lucas often exchange sarcastic remarks and tease each other, while Cecily's friends provide comic relief with their antics and advice.
The author also uses clues, suspects, and twists to create a suspenseful and engaging mystery. The reader is kept guessing about the identity of the murderer, the location of the treasure, and the nature of the treasonous plot. The author also incorporates historical details and archaeological facts to add realism and depth to the mystery. For example, Cecily and Lucas use ancient maps, hieroglyphs, and artifacts to decipher the clues.
The author also uses chemistry, tension, and love scenes to create a sensual and romantic atmosphere. The reader can feel the attraction and the emotion between Cecily and Lucas as they dance, kiss, and make love. The author also uses descriptive language and imagery to convey the passion and the intimacy of their relationship. For example, Cecily compares Lucas's eyes to "a stormy sea" and Lucas calls Cecily "his treasure".
Conclusion: Why You Should Read How to Dance With a Duke by Manda Collins
In conclusion, How to Dance With a Duke by Manda Collins is a historical romance that offers a delightful mix of humor, mystery, and sensuality. The book has a likable heroine, a swoon-worthy hero, and a captivating plot that will keep you entertained and intrigued. The book also has a trio of ugly ducklings who will have their own stories in the next books of the trilogy. If you enjoy historical romances with adventure, humor, and passion, you should read How to Dance With a Duke by Manda Collins.
FAQs
Q: Who is Manda Collins?
A: Manda Collins is an American author who writes historical romances set in Regency England. She has a PhD in English literature and teaches at a university in Alabama. She is also an avid reader of romance novels.
Q: What are the other books in the Ugly Ducklings Trilogy?
A: The other books in the trilogy are How to Romance a Rake, which features Juliet Shelby and Lord Blakely; and How to Entice an Earl, which features Madeline Essex and Lord Deveril.
Q: What are some similar books to How to Dance With a Duke?
A: Some similar books are The Duke and I by Julia Quinn, which is also about a marriage of convenience between a duke and a wallflower; The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig, which is also about spies and romance in Regency England; and The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers, which is also about ancient Egypt and time travel.
Q: Where can I download How to Dance With a Duke in epub format?
A: You can download How to Dance With a Duke in epub format from various online platforms such as Kobo, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble.
Q: How can I contact Manda Collins?
A: You can contact Manda Collins through her website (www.mandacollins.com), her Facebook page (www.facebook.com/mandacollinsauthor), or her Twitter account (@MandaCollins).
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