Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Sebastian Hewel will endure many things to maintain his role of Bronwyn, the wife of Anthony Redbourn, Earl of Crofton, so he and Anthony can be together. But when Queen Elizabeth demands a favour of Anthony, Sebastian’s world is in danger of being fractured beyond repair. 

The Queen requests Anthony to seduce Lady Marie Valois, the beautiful daughter of a French noble, to discover the whereabouts of her father, who is wanted by the King of France. There is no way Anthony can refuse the Queen, but Sebastian having to watch his lover pretend to court another is more painful than he thought. However, when Lady Marie takes a fancy to Sebastian when he is dressed as himself at Crofton Hall, Sebastian find his roles reversed and a green-eyed Anthony to contend with.

Things go from bad to worse with the arrival of Lady Marie’s brother, Lord Nicholas Valois, who is not happy that his sister has been linked to a man like Anthony. But when Valois’s head is turned by Lady Bronwyn and her acerbic wit, Sebastian has to survive the attentions of both siblings. And a very jealous Earl of Crofton.

First edition published by Dreamspinner Press, March 2013.

Second edition published by Dreamspinner Press, May 2014.

Book Review

“You can dance...with the guy who gives you the eye, let him hold you tight. You can smile...for the man who held your hand 'neath the pale moonlight… just don't forget who's taking you home and in whose arms you're gonna be. So darlin', save the last dance for me.” ~ The Drifters

When the Queen orders Lord Anthony Crofton of 'Duty to the Crown' by Rebecca Cohen, to seduce Marie, the daughter of a French nobleman, in order to discover the whereabouts of her father, Anthony doesn't know what to do. He knows Sebastian will be upset, but no one says no to the Queen. He reasons that if he can just explain it to Sebastian saying that he only has to pretend to seduce her, Sebastian will understand. When Nicholas, Marie's brother, shows up, he quickly becomes besotted with Anthony's wife Brownyn and decides to try to seduce her. At the same time, Marie meets Sebastian as himself and shifts her attention from Anthony to him. Anthony's pride is hurt and the tables are turned with him having to watch his lover pretend to pursue Marie. When Marie's brother Nicholas takes an interest in Sebastian as well it's almost too much for him to bear. Poor Sebastian becomes exhausted trying to fight off unwanted attention from both brother and sister, yet having to pretend to be interested in them at the same time.

Sebastian is not only angry, but hurt when Anthony notifies him of the Queen's edict, he's hurt. He tries to explain to his lover how watching Anthony seduce someone else is going to affect him, but Anthony, dense as always, doesn't get it. He can't understand why it bothers Sebastian when he knows that Anthony is just pretending to seduce her, not actually doing so. When Anthony has to notify the Queen that he's failed to gain Marie's favor, she orders Bronwyn to do her duty and accept the attentions of Marie's brother, Nicholas instead. Anthony doesn't handle the situation with anywhere near the grace that Sebastian does, demonstrating which one has the highest degree of maturity and perception. Unfortunately, Sebastian, as Bronwyn, is having an increasingly hard time keeping Nicholas at bay. He's becoming an insufferable cad who is determined to possess Brownyn regardless of the consequences.

Anthony doesn't do at all well with Nicholas paying so much attention to Brownyn; in fact, he's insufferably jealous and behaves exactly as he had instructed Sebastian not to act when they first discussed his seduction of Marie. Marie's rejection of him and her interest in Sebastian does not help the situation since Anthony is not used to being turned down. He shows his possessive streak to the fullest, when he challenges Nicholas to a duel for kissing Brownyn. It does not end well. Nicholas leaves under the worst of circumstances, scorned and beaten, at least for the moment. It's the perfect storm, begging for revenge, especially in someone like Nicholas, who is also not used to being told no.

Although my review touches on most of the highlights of the story, there are still other unexpected twists and turns, some pleasant, and others diabolical. I was impressed with Rebecca' skill enabling her to show Anthony and Sebastian's character growth. Anthony, although still clueless at times, makes great progress anticipating and accommodating Sebastian’s needs. No longer does he make all the decisions by himself, he steadily grows to value Sebastian's opinions and, at times, even defers to his greater expertise. Sebastian has also made great strides. In the beginning, he accepted Anthony's commands without argument. He is now quick to challenge him when he thinks Anthony is wrong and voices his disapproval at Anthony treating him as a child. Sebastian is more and more coming into his own, even taking command of certain situations and Anthony is loving it.

I recommend this book to fans of the first story, 'The Actor and the Earl', and to those who are new to the 'Crofton Chronicles' as well. However, this is book two and the series needs to be read in sequential order to sufficiently grasp the gist of things. If you like historical romance with all the secrecy, political intrigue, danger, and suspense, you will enjoy this book. Thanks, Rebecca, for allowing me to visit with Antony and Sebastian in their path to happiness.

 

 

 

 

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Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novel, 221 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	28-October-2019
Price	$3.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.amazon.com/Duty-Crown-Crofton-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B07ZQQDPPX