Kesha Young

Kerrigan Byrne, Christi Caldwell, Amalie Howard, Janna MacGregor, Stacy Reid
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🔥🔥🔥🔥

Big Duke Energy is an anthology of five (5) novellas from some of historical romance’s best authors. Many of these stories include secondary characters previously introduced in the author’s work. Each of the stories is well written with well-defined characters; however only four of the five stories had enough steam to have me wiping my brow!!!

Earl on the train by Kerrigan Byrne sets the stage for one enjoyable foray into steamy romance. Sebastian Moncrieff, known as the erstwhile earl is a pirate, but more importantly he is a dastardly villain who previously betrayed his best friend.  While venturing on a train ride, Sebastian “runs into” Countess Veronica Weatherstoke, a woman he previously kidnapped. Despite his attempts, Veronica is the only woman that he’s been unable to put out of his mind.  The two find themselves unexpectantly working together. Long simmering passion bubbles to the top forcing Sebastian and Veronica to face a chemistry and attraction that they’ve both denied.. I simply love it when a villain falls in love.

By the By…why is it that all Sebastians are so freaking hot!!! 

**special note, both Victoria and Sebastian are introduced in the “Duke with the Dragon Tattoo.

Loved and Found by Christi Caldwell was pleasant enough to read although it’s missing much of the steam found in the other novellas in this piece. It’s the second chance story of Lieutenant Thaddeus Phippen, a man with no station who enlists into the military to better improve his circumstances so that he would be worthy to marry Edith, the daughter of a duke and the girl of his dream. While away, circumstances change, misunderstandings happen…all preventing the two from the love of a lifetime. Many years later, however, fate gives them another chance at love…provided they are brave enough to take it.

The Wolf of Westmore was fantastic. Anytime you find a character with a name like “Wolf”, you know there is going to be some marvelous kind of man in the story….and Wulfric Bane, Duke of Westmore does not disappoint. Owner of one half of London’s most scandalous club, Wulfric is intent upon destroying the Duke of Tyne, sworn enemy of his family. When the unexpected chance to take some revenge falls in his lap, Wolf eagerly takes it.

Lady Jocelyn Capehart is the daughter of the Duke of Tyne slated to be married to a man much older than she; however, not wanting to follow her father’s edicts, Jocelyn decides to visit Wulfric’s club for a night of passion, setting in motion a chain of events that could only lead to her ruin.

United by a common thread, both Jocelyn and Wolf work together to make her father pay for his involvement. Together, the two must fight against Tyne and decide if they are willing to fight to gain each other’s heart.

Put Up your Dukes by Janna MacGregor was unexpectantly hot. I was not expecting the amount of steam from this author that she included in her book. Martin and Ameila Richmond are married but estranged due to Amelia’s dislike of Martin’s work as publisher of the Midnight Cryer, a gossip rag about the ton. When Martin’s paper publishes an article about a powerful member of the aristocracy, the two work to safe Martin from ruin and find themselves in an unexpected position. Vying for each other’s love.

Duke of Every Sin by Stacy Reid was simply too short. I found myself totally invested in the characters only to find the story ending. Ethan Benedict, Duke of Bainbridge finds himself unexpectantly saddled with an abandoned baby on his doorstep; however, when Lady Verity Stanton claims to be responsible for the infant, Ethan refuses to give him up and makes the lady an offer that she’d be insane to refuse.

It was a great story, but would have been much better had it been longer.