The O'Malley's and their cousins are back in the third in the The Dukes Guard series, The Dukes Shield. This time Michael O’Malley finds himself under the spell of Harriet a feisty, stubborn widow who finds herself and her neighbors fighting those who would destroy their farms. Michael is one of the Duke of Wyndmere's personal guard and he will shield those under the dukes protection from harm. C.H. Admirand has written a wonderful story and filled it with endearing characters that come off the pages and pulled me into their tale, humourous dialogue between the O'Malley family, the plot brims with danger and tension building twist and turns, and a villain who is out to destroy the Duke of Wyndmere's and his family.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Regency Romance with Suspense

The guards of the Duke of Wyndmere are protecting a viscount related to him. Someone is targeting his tenant farmers, and the duke's guards vowed to protect the duke and his family. Harriet, or Harry, is one of the tenants. She does not think she needs anyone. She and her son are doing fine, thank you very much. Love needs to stay out of the picture. However, one persistent Michael O'Malley is conspiring with her heart. He insists on protecting her, and her traitorous heart is falling for him. The villains are just as persistent with their evil deeds, so we will have both romance and suspense to entertain us in this Regency romance. Who is targeting the viscount and his tenants? Will the duke’s guards succeed in protecting everyone? Will Harry let down her guard for Michael to get through her prickly defenses?

Another terrific read. The O’Malleys are at it again, protecting the Viscounts people and the Viscounts family. The story plot is very compelling for Michael and Harriett’s character. Bart is one of the most strongest characters written in the book. I believe his character as well as Michael’s related more to the plot of the story. With all the issues arising across the land the plot is has motivated their characters to rise to the challenge of protecting their own. The story is a book that moves moderately. There seems to be an introduction of a number of characters from past books and future books. Once the characters are fanned out in the book it’s easy to pend down the main characters. I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

This is the third installment of the series and can certainly be read as a standalone, but I think the series is better enjoyed if read in order. The Duke of Wyndmere has hired personal guards for him and his family's protection, and each story follows one of the guards and their journey to love.
Harriet is a widow with a 14-year old son and she is maintaining their tenant farm with her son's help. She is independent, resourceful, and full of spunk and Michael, a member of the Duke's Guard, is drawn to her. As frustrating and irritating as Michael is, Harriet is also drawn to him. Michael works for the Duke's cousin, Viscount Chattsworth, and Harriet is one of his tenants. An enemy of the Viscount's is attacking his tenants and Harriet's farm is one of the first to get attacked. Michael comes to their rescue and he soon becomes protective of her but she doesn't like to be told what to do. They are constantly butting heads. But it's her stubbornness and his determination to protect her that keep pulling them together.
This story was filled with intrigue, romance, and drama and strong characters which made for a very enjoyable read.
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Overall, I enjoyed this historical romance in ways I wasn't expecting! I loved the banter between characters, and the male main character. He was the standout for me, and I enjoyed the injection of an Irish LI. I enjoyed Harriet, the female main character a bit less just because of how incredibly stubborn she was at some points, but their romance was sweet and easy to follow. In the middle, the book dragged a small bit, but I was mostly ntertained and engroassed in the story. I would recommend this story, and I would go back and read the other in the series as well!

PLOT- Great and fast paced
WRITING - Lovely prose, characterization and editing
HUMOR TO ANGST RATIO - Lots of mild humor, not at all angsty

The Duke's Shield is an action-packed book about O'Malley, a member of the Duke's guard and Harry, the widow of a farmer who now has to work double-time to keep the farm running. The book is a part of a series, and in my opinion, this is a series to be read in order as many characters and plots are interconnected.
O'Malley pretty falls in love with Harry at first sight, however Harry, who had an amazing marriage with her first husband, is not ready for a new relationship. Meanwhile, their farms and village have become the target of unsavory attacks.
This book is pretty heavy on the hurt-comfort and sickbed care, so for fans of that trope, this story will surely be a welcome gift!
I loved how O'Malley was with Harry, he was a total simp which is exactly how male love interests must be!
If I have one issue, it is just that I wish there was more weightage on O'Malley's powers!

My thanks to the author, the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC!

I am really enjoying this series about The Duke's Guard. Fortunately with all the O'Malley, Garahan, and Flaterty cousins, I have some more great stories to look forward to reading.
Characters were great! Loved the interaction between Michael and a very determined Harriet (Harry).
I highly recommend this book, and this series! While this is a stand alone, you would have more reading enjoyment if you read the books in order.

I recommend reading this series in order.
The Duke of Wyndmere hires personal guards to protect not only his immediate family, but his extended family as well. The Irish families of the O'Malleys, the Garahans and Flahertys are brothers and cousins. They take their work seriously as guards working for the duke. Viscount Chattsworth is the Duke's distant cousin. His estate's tenants are under attack. There is a suspect behind the attempts, and is confirmed from interrogations of the thugs he hired. Harriett Mayfield, her son and their neighbors are the first tenants to be attacked. Michael O'Malley is one of the guarda who comes to their rescue. Attracted and protective of Harriett and her son, soon his heart is involved. I found the pace of the book a little slow contributing to putting the connections of the characters involved from the previous books. Contains some mild sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

The Duke’s Shield by CH Amirand is the third in her Duke’s Guard series and features Michael O’Malley who works for the Duke of Wyndmere and is currently guarding the home of Viscount Chattsworth, his cousin, and his wife, who is about to give birth to their first child. For whatever reason Lord Chellenham has taken it into his mind to ruin the viscount and plans to do it by ruining each and every one of the farmers who rent from him, thereby driving him into bankruptcy. The first attack is on the Clarke family but was repelled, despite the fact Mr. Clarke was shot, but not killed. They came back and tried, again, and again were repelled by the duke’s guard, who took the four intruders off to the constable. It was not to stay quiet, however, as he simply hired more hooligans and went after the Mayfields: Harry (Harriet) and her son, Bart. O’Malley and the cousins, who made up the duke’s guard were there to help plan the defense. O’Malley found found himself strangely attracted to Harry, who was beautiful, but so stubborn.

Regency romance these days are full of independent women, far more than really existed. Harry was one of those; she had been difficult event before she had lost her husband, but was doubly so now that she had only her son to protect. He was growing up and she refused to see it. She was as bossy as ever. Michael didn’t love how stubborn she was but he had fallen for her so they would have to make it work. Of course, the men of the duke’s guard, along with some temporary help they’d hired, managed to repel Chellenham, and even get him taken by the constable. Good story.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Duke’s Shield by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #CHAmirand #TheDukesGuard

This series is linked to the <i>Lords of Vice</i> series before this one. Those books were about the Duke of Wyndmere and his family members, with the O'Malleys and their cousins as secondary characters providing security. In this series, the main characters are the guards, their work for their employers, and the love they find along the way. I loved looking at events from the commoner's point of view.

This book centers on Michael O'Malley, the head of the Guards assigned to protect William, Viscount Chattsworth, and his family. Michael is an O'Malley through and through - tall, handsome, quick-tempered, loyal, and protective of all. He also has one of the family "curses" - the gift of sight, visions of the future that could come to pass if something isn't done to change it. The book opens as Michael experiences a vision of two men during a duel. He can't tell who they are, leaving him struggling for the ability to prevent it.

Next, we meet Harriet "Harry" Mayfield and her son Bart. Harry is a widow trying to keep their farm going after the death of her husband. She is beautiful, stubborn, and independent to a fault, refusing to ask for help. But she's first to respond when someone else needs help, and we see her and Bart race to help a neighbor who has been attacked. When a second attack occurs the next night, Michael and others arrive to investigate.

Michael and Harry are drawn to each other from the start, but it isn't an easy connection. Michael's protective instincts are aroused when her farm is attacked, but Harry doesn't react well to being told what to do. I had to laugh at many of their encounters as he would state his expectations, and she would counter with her own. Seeing the smitten Michael deal with his feelings was amusing, especially when his cousin Garahan teased him about them. Michael's protectiveness ramps up even further when Harry is injured during one attack. The sparks between them are undeniable, but Harry's stubborn independence seems impossible to overcome. There were times I wanted to shake her because she couldn't see how her attitude affected the people around her, especially her son. I felt a little sorry for her at the end when her intransigence caused Michael to be very blunt with her about her attitude. It was quite a wake-up call for her, and I was happy to see her learn from it. The ending was great, as another Duke's Guard finds what he didn't know he was looking for.

The action and suspense of the story were excellent. The Duke has many enemies, and they frequently attempt to use his family members to get back at him, which is why he has spread his Guard among his relations. In this case, Chattsworth is a cousin who falls under the duke's family umbrella. When the attacks on Chattsworth's tenant farms begin, the first questions are why and who. The identity of the person behind the attacks is discovered early in the book, but sufficient proof must be obtained. The attacks on the farms are intense and violent, leaving the viscount furious and determined to protect his people. I loved following the plans for that protection and seeing Michael's talents as the head guard. I also liked seeing the tenants' roles in their defense and security. As the final confrontation drew closer, I could feel the tension build. When it came, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to see how it would all work out.

I enjoyed the variety of secondary characters. The tenant farmers and family members were unique characters with their own personalities, and I liked how they banded together for support. My favorites were the sons, Bart, Robbie, and Matthew, who were still young (mid-teens) but also mature enough to be essential parts of their families and the story. I especially liked Bart, who had a close relationship with his mother. He was at the age where he constantly fought against her tendency to still treat him as a child, even though he was doing the work of a man. I loved the connection and developing relationship between Bart and Michael.

I loved getting to know more of the Duke's Guard. Michael is definitely an O'Malley, as I could see the similarities in looks and attitudes with Patrick <i>(The Duke's Sword)</i> and Sean <i>(The Duke's Protector).</i> I also enjoyed seeing more of James Garahan, who knows what buttons to push to wind Michael up. A few times, their head-butting gets them in trouble with their boss, but they are always ready when needed. No matter how much trash talk goes on, there is also great love and respect among them.

These series are very exciting snd some of them are alike. This Irish family is guarding the Dukes family. You don't have to read the series in order to understand the book. It gives the pertinent background information.. This book addresses the Viscounts lead man, Micheal, his interests and the story of how he protects. I am sure you will enjoy it. The steamy scene is after marriage and it's easily skip overable.
I recieved a free copy so that I might tell you what I honestly think. Hope you enjoyed my review. Now go enjoy the book.

Fast-paced and suspenseful, I enjoyed the wit and banter between the cousins of the Duke's Guard, but there were times when the plot was swamped by dialogue and I found myself losing the thread of the story. Nevertheless, the Duke of Wyndmere takes his responsibilities to his tenants seriously and when they are attacked in the dead of night, he sends his Guard to protect them and assist them in fighting the new onslaught on the estate. Michael O'Malley has admired Harriet Mayfield from afar, but when she is injured during an attack his protective instincts come to the fore and Michael realizes that this woman has all the qualities he has been looking for in a wife, if only she were a little less stubborn. Harry, to her friends, does not like being told what to do, especially when it comes to keeping their farm afloat. It takes some hard words from Michael for her to realize that in her determination she may just lose everything she ever hoped for. The novel does come to a good conclusion, a copy of which I received as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

This is a well written book with a great mix of intrigue and romance which is my favourite, the villain is known from the start but that didn’t detract from the fast pace of the book. The character's are interesting and diverse and while I would suggest reading the books in order as they do overlap they can be read as stand alone. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

4.5 Stars
Harriet Mayfield does not like being told what to do she's been keeping their tenant farm afloat with the help of her 14-year-old son for the past three years. Michael O’Malley is drawn to the feisty widow from the first. It may have started with her sunset hair and mist-laden eyes, but any Irishman worth his salt appreciates the strength of a woman who is not afraid to keep going even after the loss of her husband. Harry is the first woman he’s met since setting foot on English soil who calls to his heart while she’s butting heads with him.
The third book in the series & it’s easily read on its own but the men of The Duke’s Guard are for the most part related so characters do overlap. I loved both Michael & Harry who were attracted to each other from their first meeting & they also locked horns nearly every time they met. I did love how their relationship deepened. I also loved Bart who was very mature for his age. This well written book is a delicious mix of intrigue and romance, the villain is known from the start but that didn’t detract from the fast pace of the book. I also loved the dynamics within the Guard & also with the Duke’s family. The Guard has some unique characters & I’m enjoying these battle hardened men showing their softer side
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Second Chance Romance, Visions, Raiders:
A second chance at romance for Harriet with the charming and dashing Michael O'Malley who has a special gift or curse depending how you look at it.
This a well written epic story that captured me from the terrifying beginning.
A lovely heartfelt story filled with so many different emotions I had a hard time staying calm while flipping the pages as fast as I could. A large cast of characters along with a terrifying villain's battle kept me reading at a fast pace.
The beautiful relationships between the entire cast were so inspiring along with the tender romance between Harriet and Michael. I enjoyed their humorous banter. 
I read this book as a standalone. I have not read any of the previous books and was not lost or felt like I missed anything.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy for my honest opinion.

I had a really hard time putting this book down with the great connection, tension, and chemistry between these two as well as the action and passion that this book offered. I would recommend this book.