Who wants to marry a duke

The chemistry is as intense in the bedroom as it is in the science lab in Jeffries's intoxicating third Duke Dynasty Regency romance (after The Bachelor). Nine years earlier, Marlowe "Thorn" Drake, the Duke of Thornstock, and Miss Olivia Norley were caught in a compromising position when their first meeting ended in a passionate kiss. Thorn indignantly assumed that Olivia had orchestrated the moment to trap him into marriage--but when he proposed to save her reputation, she turned him down. Though they've not seen each other since, Thorn's wounded pride and sense of betrayal linger. The pair are reunited when Thorn's half-brother, Grey, engages Olivia, a brilliant chemist, to help solve the cold-case of his father's murder by testing the body for arsenic poisoning. Convinced Olivia must have ulterior motives for agreeing to the plan, Thorn inserts himself into their trip to Grey's country seat--only to rediscover Olivia's charm and intelligence. Their powerful attraction to each other leads to several intense physical encounters, but trust eludes them--until danger comes knocking on Olivia's lab door, and Thorn and Grey band together to protect her. Jeffries's perfect blend of romance, mystery, and suspense is sure to have series readers anxious for more. Agent: Pam Ahearn, Ahearn Agency. (Sept.)

Olivia Norley only intended to use her chemistry knowledge to help Marlowe Drake, the Duke of Thornstock, remove a stain from his waistcoat, not trap him into marriage. Finding out her stepmother blackmailed the duke into proposing only confirmed Olivia's decision never to marry and instead further her studies. Years later, Olivia and Thorn are drawn back together, as Olivia's expertise is called on by Thorn's half-brother, Grey, to help solve a troubling family mystery. With this third installment of the "Duke Dynasty" series (after The Bachelor), veteran author Jeffries continues but does not resolve a sprawling intrigue that may leave new readers wishing they'd started with the first in the series, Project Duchess. VERDICT Olivia's scientific gifts will draw in and delight fans of bluestocking romances, such as Tessa Dare's A Week To Be Wicked, still this classic Regency series will be most appreciated if read in order.--Elizabeth Gabriel, Milwaukee P.L.