Cover Image: If Not For the Duke

If Not For the Duke

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Member Reviews

This is my first book by this author and I haven't read the prior reviews in the series. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and am now going back to read the other ones in the series. A "second sight" isn't the easiest theme to make work (why doesn't she see the HEA), but this was very well executed and I look forward to reading more of this author.

I received an ARC but views are my own.

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Not much to like in this book...mainly a read just received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley.

As the youngest Wright sister, Lena has always followed her older sisters. But now the only one unmarried, she's both relishing and hating the silence. And when her 'gift' of feeling when something is about to go wrong occurs at a garden party, with the Duke of Renwick's sister, Lena finds she is drawn to his family like never before. Sterling Dunworth will do anything for his sister, and that includes buying up the rights to dig on Oak Island. He's wary of Lena and Bernice's friendship, as women have tried to befriend Bernie in the past to get closer to him. Lena seems to actually care about Bernie, though, and it's clear that Sterling is the one who is falling.

Romance was fine in this book but plot line is weak through and through....it was ok read to finish up the series but it's mainly a one time read for me....3 stars

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Finding Treasure

Lena’s father had searched for treasure all his life, and he died without finding it. NOW, someone is searching for treasure on the same island and claiming they have found the right place to dig. Lena knows better. Trust does not come easily to Sterling, the duke sponsoring the campaign, but he is falling in love with Lena. There are those who are working to cause mischief, and danger lurks. Who is in danger, and can Lena’s intuition save the day? I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to those who like historical romance with mystery and suspense.

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Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.

This is the third book, and I presume the last of the Duke's Lost Treasures, as this is about the last Wright sister, Lena Wright. Lena is thinking that she will be the spinster sister because a loving, trusting relationship, like her sisters, is not in her future. She is hiding a secret that she is afraid, if it were to come out, would cause people to shun her or treat her with disdain. Apparently Lena has a touch of the second sight, and while it is present, it is not clear or reliable. For example, she was not able to figure out her feelings in time to save her father from the shaft collapsing and killing him on Oak Island.

Sterling, the Duke of Renwick, is a very stern and grave man, dubbed by Lena as His Grumpiness. He is very suspicious of members of Society and very protective of his younger sister, having found that people are willing to lie and manipulate her to try to foster a relationship with him. Lena gets one of her feelings when at a ball, about Bernie, and saves her from injury and embarrassment. Bernie loves the mystique of Oak Island and when she finds out that Lena is one of *those* Wrights, she forges a friendship with her. Sterling is suspicious of the motives of Lena, but finds himself highly attracted to her as well, and eventually warms to her... with some reservations as she appears to be keeping secrets from him at times, which triggers suspicions as well.

Of course, he is also keeping secrets, because he is part of a company that has bought the property on Oak Island and he is funding his own treasure hunt, for Bernie. But this ends up being outed, and then Sterling and his sister become the target of some kind of scheme involving their operation.

This was a cute story, and I liked the development of the sisterly relationships between the Wright sisters, and the growing relationship with their grandfather and the other spouses over the three books, and how Lena wanted to foster a sisterly friendship with Bernie as well. I felt the mystery and her qualms about her secret a bit convoluted, but overall this was a satisfactory ending to the series as Lena and Sterling find a happily ever after.

too bad the mystery of Oak Island continues to this day. Or maybe it was solved by now, but really, I could not watch that show beyond the first season...

3.25 stars out of 5

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A delightfully captivating addition to The Duke's Lost Treasures series. The series comes to a conclusion with Lena's story, the third and final Wright sister. Lena has an ability to see events in the future, and this causes her much distress. She tries to keeps her gift a secret from the ton, until Sterling's (the Duke of Renwick) sister almost has an accident and she rushes to save her. Sterling is generally suspicious of everyone, and that includes Lena for befriending his sister. Many have done so in the past in order to get closer to him. Even though Lena's friendship is genuine, her evasiveness due to her premonitions causes him to be suspicious of her. Despite that, he becomes more and more intrigued with her the more he gets to know her.
This is the third and final installment of what has been a lovely series. The story is filled with mystery, intrigue, and romance and had me completely captivated and engrossed till the end. The plot twists really had me guessing and turning the pages. Sterling and Lena had a bumpy journey to their HEA, but they had amazing chemistry and I enjoyed following them on their journey. I also enjoyed the dialogue and witty banter, as it brought a delightful element of humor to the story. This has been a great series and I'm anxious to see what the author will bring us next!
My thanks to Dragonblade Publishing and Netgalley for providing a complimentary copy. This is my honest and voluntary review.

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I enjoyed reading the book. The book for me seemed a little light hearted. It was a book of warmth to the soul. Most of the entertainment from the story was the romance between the main characters Lena and Renwick. This book was an easy read for me, there it was a good page tur

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I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

As the youngest Wright sister, Lena has always followed her older sisters. But now the only one unmarried, she's both relishing and hating the silence. And when her 'gift' of feeling when something is about to go wrong occurs at a garden party, with the Duke of Renwick's sister, Lena finds she is drawn to his family like never before. Sterling Dunworth will do anything for his sister, and that includes buying up the rights to dig on Oak Island. He's wary of Lena and Bernice's friendship, as women have tried to befriend Bernie in the past to get closer to him. Lena seems to actually care about Bernie, though, and it's clear that Sterling is the one who is falling.

I enjoyed the romance in this one perhaps the most, but parts of the plot line weren't as enjoyable as previous books. I did like that we got to see Lena's gift more, and learn about the family connection it has. It allowed Lena to come to terms with it more, and see it as less of a curse, and more of a bonus, particularly when it came to the people she loved. Sterling was a grumpy hero, but one who loved hard, and Lena was no exception. They were both wary at first, and tried to fight the attraction, but it was too much for them, and anyway, they were perfect for each other. A lovely way to tie up the series.

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Lena loves her sisters, and she is happy for them, but she wants a family and husband of her own. She knows that no one will want her because of her ability. She sees it as a flaw, because if had been a good thing than she could have done something to save her dad, She has carried that guilt for a long time and she slow to trust. Sterling Dunworth, the Duke of Renwick, learned not to trust others from his father. Lena Wright is intriguing, and he’s grateful to her for befriending his shy sister, but a secret lurks in her beautiful eyes. If only he could remember that after their first kiss. Lena is feels used when she finds out that Renwick launched a search for treasure on Oak Island. But when the famous treasure hunter the duke employs to lead the dig claims instant success, Lena refuses to remain silent. All Lena wants is to unveil the treasure hunt as a fraud and protect her father’s legacy. She has no desire to hurt Sterling or his sister. Yet with each day that passes, it becomes clear she can’t manage both. The choice between family and love is not all black and white. This is my honest review. I received an advanced copy from Net Galley

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Lena Wright is happy her sisters are married, but because of her "special feelings" that will not be likely for her. Luckily she loves her grandfather who she lives with.

Our heroine's father was a treasure hunter and spent most of his life searching one island, with no great results.

Sterling Dunworth, the Duke of Renwick has learnt over the years not to trust people. They even use his sister to get close to him.

Our hero has financed a project just because his sister showed an interest in it. Unfortunately that could bring danger into his very household.

A very entertaining historical romance with fabulous characters. You could read this book on its own, but reading the series in order is better. We get a nice mystery to solve and discover more about our heroine.

Good fun.

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I have so enjoyed The Duke's Lost Treasures Series, and Nora, Ella, and Lena's stories about their father, David Wright, and his hunt for treasure on Oak Islnd. The girls want to honor and preserve his memory.
This is Lena's story, and we learn more about her sixth sense or feelings that she has at times.
Stirling Dunworth, The Duke of Renwick has hired an experienced treasure hunter, Clarke, to dig for the treasure on Oak Island. Stirling is doing this because he loves his shy sister, Bernie, who is very interested in the treasure.
I highly recommend not only Lena's story, but the other two books in the series as well.

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4 1/2*STARS*
Lena Wright is always hesitant to explain her premonitions. She will never find a husband to understand her gift. Sterling Dunworth, the Duke of Renwick, purchased the property of Oak Island for his sister Beatrice to continue the excavation for gold. Lena's premonition tells her it will not be found, but other men involved believe there is evidence otherwise.
Befriending Beatrice, Lena and Sterling's interactions become an attraction neither expected. Only trusting each other will lead to a life together. Should the treasure be found to verify that David Wright didn't waste his life searching for the treasure? I can see Beatrice and Worley each having their own stories. YES? I recommend reading this series with possible treasure, pirates, privateers and three sisters with a close bond.
Some steam.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

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Treasure, Secrets, Special Gift:
First off, I love a story with a seer, and I have not read this author stories before so now we are going on a thrilling
adventure for Lena and Sterling discovering their beautiful blossoming romance that is filled with lots of emotional ups and downs. Concerns about her special gift intrude into her thoughts a lot.
I love the characters throughout the entire story and even though this is the third book of the series I was not lost.
Lots of excitement, desirous attraction, deceptions, conspiracies, witty flirtatious kissing scene that had my heart all a twitter. So sweet. 
A good epilogue with a little intimacy after marriage. I would have liked more sizzle in the romance scenes.
A lovely adventurous sweet romance story that was a joy to read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy for my honest opinion.

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I enjoyed Lena and Sterling's love story. It read more like historical fiction rather than a true historical romance, though. I thought the pacing was a bit slow. it is mostly a clean romance with one very tame open door scene right at the end.

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In this well-written and intriguing romantic mystery, Lena Wright and her sisters are still suffering from the fallout of their father's accidental death on Oak Island. With speculation swirling around them and opportunistic people wanting to get their hands on any evidence of a buried treasure, the Wright sisters have become cautious about whom they trust. Lena is convinced that her premonitions would not be acceptable in society and keeps them firmly under wraps until the Duke of Renwick's sister almost has an accident. At which point Lena rushes in to keep her safe. Sterling is suspicious of everyone and Lena is no exception. Her evasive responses and secretive behavior give him even more concern about his sister's safety. Nevertheless, the more he comes to know about Lena, the more intrigued is by her. The novel escalates in both danger and romance, coming to a good romantic conclusion. Amidst the suspense, there is wit and humor and I found myself chuckling on a number of occasions. I received a copy of this novel as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

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While thrilled her older sisters are happily married, Lena Wright doesn’t expect that future for herself. Not when her ability to foresee events causes her such distress. How unfortunate that her intuition places her directly in the path of the grumpiest man in all of London Sterling Dunworth, the Duke of Renwick who learned not to trust others from his father. Lena Wright is intriguing, and he’s grateful to her for befriending his shy sister, but a secret lurks in her beautiful eyes. Lena is dismayed to learn Sterling has launched a search for treasure on Oak Island. But when the famous treasure hunter the duke employs to lead the dig claims instant success, Lena refuses to remain silent.
Lena is the third & final Wright sister to find love & another well written book that had mystery, treasure hunting & of course romance. I really liked both Sterling & Lena & was captivated not only by their attraction & chemistry but by their rocky journey to a HEA too. There were also edge of the seat moments, which kept me guessing. A delightful story & a delightful series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

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I have read and enjoyed all books in this series of the Wright sisters. Although not my favourite it is just as good as the other two and is there a hint of a fourth perhaps. The treasure hunting mysteries carried a recurrent them throughout and, in this story, it led Lena to Sterling. There are, any ups and downs in their journey, but they could not deny their attraction. I loved the shy acceptance of their growing feelings. Their longing for each other carried us along in anticipation. Seeing Lena’s growing friendship with Bernie was an added bonus. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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A charming conclusion to this lovely series. I have enjoyed getting to know the Wright sisters. Having journeyed to London to their grandfather after their fathers passing, these 3 women had no idea what to expect. Having disowned their mother their grandfather, the Duke, did not know of their existence. Their arrival was a surprise, but their determination won him over and each of their love stories followed. I enjoyed seeing this little family come together. The treasure hunting mysteries carried a recurrent them throughout, in this story it led Lena to Sterling. This proved many bumps along their journey, but they could not deny their attraction. I loved the shy acceptance of their growing feelings. Their longing for each other carried us along in anticipation. Seeing Lena’s growing friendship with Bernie was an added joy. Both women not being familiar with true close friends due to circumstances holding them back. In the end, we are left with a beautiful family moment that brings the entire story full circle… ending much as it begun with the Duke and hi 3 lost treasures. Beautiful!

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Not only a tale about romance, but also of sibling love and camaraderie. Of ESP and treasure hunting, the mystery, the scams. Lots to unpack and enjoy!

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and leaving my review voluntarily.

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A fairly enjoyable read, If Not for the Duke is the third entry in Lana Williams' The Duke's Lost Treasures series. While it could be read as a standalone, there is a lot of backstory and character development that has happened in the first two books. Reading this one without having read those first could generate some confusion or dissatisfaction.

This particular book follows Lena, the last unmarried Wright sister, and Sterling Dunworth, Duke of Renworth, aka His Grumpiness. Sterling's sister has recently become fascinated by the alleged treasure at Oak Island, and Sterling has initiated a new search. Lena and her sisters are not happy about this, especially as the man leading the search claims quick results, thus casting aspersions on their father who searched for years without success. Lena has also become fast friends with Sterling's sister, who has discovered new letters related to Oak Island. Through this friendship, she comes to interact with the Duke more and more, and both realize their deep attraction. Lena holds back, however. She often gets flashes of intuition that seem to predict future happenings and she worries Sterling will never accept this aspect of her.

I liked Lena and Sterling as characters, and I thought the story was decent, if a little slow at times. The Oak Island backstory is a complicated one and there was lots of time spent to its discussion, discussion that became a but dry. This is also not a steamy romance, in case that is your jam. There is one love-making scene post-marriage, and it felt like it was only included to check its inclusion off a list. Despite these minor quibbles, I would recommend this book as well as the first two in the series. 3.5 stars rounded to 5.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.

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This is book 3 and it doesn't seem like it's a filler this is a well written story! The journey so far has been epic and I love love love the characters!! Amazing read you need to check out the series!

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