5++ stars for The Creole Duchess: A Regency Era Strangers to Lovers Romance by Rue Allyn #bookreview
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    • Oct 23, 2023
    • 3 min read

5++ stars for The Creole Duchess: A Regency Era Strangers to Lovers Romance by Rue Allyn #bookreview



Title: The Creole Duchess: A Regency Era Strangers to Lovers Romance (Duchess Series Book 3)

Author: Rue Allyn

Genre: Regency Romance, Historical Romance


Book Blurb:


A duke in disguise, a creole miss determined to get her own way, a curse, and two nations at war, is love even possible?

New Orleans Creole, Miss Celestine St. Cyr-Duval refuses to live under the thumb of some man chosen by her parents. Celie will do everything to keep freedom of choice for herself and others. But fate interferes in the form of a duke disguised as British businessman, Caleb Elmond. A relationship with Caleb would find approval with her mother, but both Celie and Caleb have secrets that put them on opposite sides of a great conflict and could destroy them both. With the Battle of New Orleans looming, can these two strangers from warring countries compromise and protect each other, or will fear and betrayal end both their lives? The Creole Duchess, Duchess Series Book Three is expected to launch in late 2023. The pre-order price of $0.99 for this long-awaited conclusion to the Duchess Series ends on release day.


My Review:


The Creole Duchess is a Regency romance—and so much more. I immediately fell in love with the characters, the city of New Orleans, and the era.


Set in New Orleans during the height of the War of 1812, this is a story of two strangers, both with their own secrets, drawn to each other in ways they can’t explain.


Miss Celestine St. Cyr-Duval appears to be a young creole debutant, but under the cover of darkness she risks her life assisting slaves escape to freedom. Caleb Elmond poses as an English businessman, but he’s in New Orleans to broker a peace to the War of 1812 between England and the United States. Oh, yes, and he doesn’t tell anyone he’s a duke.


Their love story plays out in the midst of the culture and customs of creole Louisiana in the nineteenth century, from the arrangements of mistresses to Voodoo and curses.


I loved this story. I admired the feistiness of Celie. The only world she knew was where women were kept and ruled by men. Enter Cal, a man who broke that mold, who saw her for who she was and was willing to defy the rules to make her his wife.


Cal, for his part, scoffs at the supernatural elements of the Voodoo religion. Until he doesn’t. His witnessing the results of a curse causes him to rethink his beliefs.


Together, these two individuals navigate the dangers of a New Orleans on the brink of war, the social structure that puts restrictions on them, and their love for each other.


This story pulled me in from the first few pages, where we witness a Voodoo ritual to ensure good spirits before public dancing, and kept me reading. And, yes, I audibly gasped at one point in the story. (I won’t tell you which one, I don’t want to spoil it for you.)


Rue Allyn shows us a New Orleans you won’t soon forget and you won’t want to leave. You see the city and its residents in wartime from quadroon balls to Voodoo to pirates. Yes, this story has pirates! (P.S. Dear Rue, please give me Flynn’s story.)


You really need this book in your life.


My Rating: 5++ stars


Buy it Now:





Author Biography:


Award winning romance author, Rue Allyn has a life long passion for happy ever after. She lives south of the border with her husband of more than forty years and their cat, Tonto. She has two sons and is a proud veteran of the US Navy. She writes heart melting romance in all sub-genres, but her favorite is historical romance, especially medieval.


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Reviewed by: Terry

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