Heiress for Hire by Madeline Hunter starts with a bang - literally - over the head of Chase Radnor. Now granted he has snuck in the house to gather information, but it was for a just reason in his mind. Minerva Hepplewhite has him hogtied before he even comes to while she is brandishing a pistol at him.

Chase’s uncle, The Duke has died and left money to three unknown people. Minerva was the first one he found and he wanted to learn more information, like did she kill his uncle and why so much money. On top of that the government is also interested in the how and why of the Duke’s death and want Chase to investigate.

Minerva Hepplewhite has not had an easy life. She escaped a horrible situation to fall into a worse one. She struggled with starting again and has been getting by. Finding out she is an heiress is a surprise, especially as she has no knowledge of who the Duke is.

The two main characters both work to investigate the situation and it is fun to watch them find information especially when they do not share it with each other. I like the strength in both characters. The story was a fun historical romance. Heiress for Hire by Madeline Hunter was a good read.

The premise of this book is intriguing--a wealth duke dies, leaving a large portion of his fortune to three women totally unknown to his family. The focus of this book is Minerva Hepplewhite, one of those women, and Chase Radnor, the duke's nephew, who is investigating the three women and his uncle's suspicious death. The mystery of the duke's death plays a big part in the plot, as both Chase and Minerva are conducting investigations into it. The other major plotline is Minerva's past. She's a widow whose husband was abusive and left her with a lot of trauma and baggage surrounding sex--and he also died under suspicious circumstances.

While the romance wraps up in this book, the mystery remains, presumably to be solved as we move on to the next two heiresses, who it appears will be paired with Chase's cousins. Overall I liked this, but it was perhaps a bit more serious than what I'm currently in the mood for in a romance. The romance itself is not very angsty (although Minerva's past abuse is pretty heavy subject matter), and it's fairly steamy, it's just not particularly lighthearted or humorous, and I could have used some more of that. I didn't especially connect with the characters, but I did enjoy the mystery--both of the duke's death and just how he knew the heiresses--and I'm invested enough that I will probably read the next book.

A lovely start to a new series by Madeline Hunter.
This one starts off with a search for heirs to a large amount of money.
It has romance, mystery and friendship

This book was very good. I have read several Madeline Hunter books and this was one of the best. I particularly enjoyed that the H and h talked. Both were intelligent people and they shared information and thoughts. There were a couple nice love scenes and a mystery to be solved and each one of them had a secret. If there was one think lacking was the closure of the mystery unless that is explored in the next book on the series. But overall it was a very nice book and kept me reading. Highly recommend.

I love a good mystery in romances and I am pretty sure this one will span the series since it was not solved in this story. Who did it? I honestly have no idea and look forward to the other books trying to resolve it. Chase and Minerva are both inquiry agents (she decides to become one because she dabbled in it a little in her “prior life”). There is an underlying suspicion that she might be involved but of course she is not. Come on, then it would not be a very good story would it? Chase is not the hyper-alpha male but is no slouch either. He is basically suspicious of everyone. I love Minerva’s inserting herself into the houses to learn more about the crime and Chase figuring out it is her. Their story is loving and I had a lot of fun reading about them.

Madeline Hunter never disappoints, and this book - the first in a new series - keeps that trend alive.

A Duke has died, and rather than leaving his vast estate to his family, he's instead left the bulk of it to three women. These women have nothing in common, and as far as anyone can tell they never met the Duke prior to his passing.

Chase Radnor, nephew of the former Duke, is an investigator, and has taken it upon himself to find out more about these women, and why they are now heiresses. His first quarry, Minerva Hepplewhite, turns out to be more than he bargained for - especially once she sets up her own investigation. The sparks fly almost immediately, and only grow more intense as they learn more about each other, and the Duke's eccentric family.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know this new cast of characters, and watching as Chase & Minerva fell in love. Their journey was not without the typical bumps, but they managed to come through it all together.

An excellent read with action, interesting characters, an intriguing sub-plot, and of course steamy love scenes. I strongly recommend this book.

Slow-burn historical romance meets murder mystery in Heiress for Hire, the start of a new series. An eccentric Duke has recently died, surprising his relatives by leaving much of his fortune to three unknown women. Each book in the series will follow one of them. In this first installment, Minerva Hepplewhite has learned how to take care of herself and dreams of starting her own detective agency.

When a strange man breaks into her house at night, she hits him over the head and ties him up, only to discover that Chase Radnor is himself a private detective, and the nephew of the aforementioned Duke. Minerva is a sudden heiress, but has never met the Duke in question. Due to the suspicious circumstances of the Duke's death, Chase is conducting a discreet inquiry and the suspect at the top of his list is Minerva. But Minerva has her own reasons into investigating the death, and along the way is frequently thrown in the path of Chase and an attraction begins to develop.

I really enjoyed this book. The external conflict is interesting and keeps things light, but we also get some depiction of real issues such as domestic violence, abuse, and PTSD. The romance is slow to develop, which I liked. Things do get a bit steamy, but most of the time is more vague in description than authors like Tessa Dare or Sarah MacLean. (also, she uses the term "phallus" which I find to be a little odd and not terribly sexy) That said, this was an enjoyable read and I would be interested in continuing with the series. I received an advance copy of this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

TW for references to domestic violence and abuse including rape, references to child abuse, and discussions of murder

Plenty of intrigue in this one. Minerva was a fantastic female lead. Full of smarts and confidence not often seen in women in her position. Chase was definitely intrigued with everything that made her different. Great banter and smouldering chemistry.

I really enjoyed this one. Will be looking for more from this author.

Heiress for Hire by Madeline Hunter is the first book in Ms. Hunter's A Duke's Heiress Series. This book is well-written and quite intriguing. I was engrossed in the story from the very beginning. Heroine Minerva Hepplewhite and Hero Chase Radnor are both very likeable characters. They are both very intelligent, straight talkers and honest. Chase's uncle, the Duke of Hollinburgh has died and left a small fortuneto Minerva. This comes as quite a surprise to Minerva as she tells Chase she has never met his uncle and has no idea why he included her in his will and left her this fortune. This conversation takes place in Minerva's house after Chase has broken in and Minerva catches him and bops him in the head with a bedwarmer. He tells Minreva he broke in to check her identity. He didn't want to approach the wrong person. Strange way for our hero and heroine to meet but the attraction is there and much happens as they travel on their road to their HEA. This is a fascinating story and I totally enjoyed it!

This is one of the best ‘who done it’ books I have read in some time! There are a lot of clues, twists, and even the finding of a murderer, just not to the main murder that brought together our hero and heroine, Chase and Minerva. The romance between Minerva and Chase is sweet and tender. His compassionate care for her is just what is needed to make this book special!

Madeline Hunter writes in such a way that you do not want to put her books down, so you can find out what will be revealed next. Looking forward to Heiress in Red, Kevin’s romance, but we may have to wait a book or two to find out who really killed the duke!

I love Madeline Hunter's richly emotional and sexy historical romances and this one is a wonderful addition to her list. I love the way she weaves real history into her story and brings unusual characters to life. HEIRESS FOR HIRE begins a new series and I'm looking forward to the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for granting me an advance copy of Heiress for Hire!
I blew through this book! The characters were enjoyable and the overall plot line engaging (I look forward to the next books in the series and learning more about the family and mystery at the heart of the story). Two things I found frustrating: 1: the female protagonist at times felt a little flat as a character, especially when it came to some of the central conflict with her character and the male protagonist; 2: I was very disappointed that the central mystery of the story wasn’t resolved before the end. I hope it will be resolved in the future (and I understand why it wasn’t - get people to read the other two books to come) because I get frustrated with stories that don’t resolve the issues they present.
What I liked: the family (on both sides) and the potential for further development of those story lines in the future; the independent nature of the female protagonist (though I would have liked a bit more focus on her business - again, I hope we hear more in the future installments); the focus on healthy, consensual relationships.
As I’ve said a few times, I look forward to more books in the series to see where things go!

Ms. Hunter's heroine, Minerva Hepplewhite is a multi-faceted intelligent character, who has survived the depths of hell due to a very abusive husband. She escaped with the aid of her housekeeper Beth, and Beth's son, Jeremy.
The trio is trying to survive with an unknown benefactor's gift, adding to that income by investigating.
Chase Radnor is charged with investigating his uncle's death. He and his cousin, Nicholas, who has inherited the Dukedom believe it was murder,
Chase and Minerva are thrown together and work as a team to solve the case, with a surprising ending.
This sensual romance has angst, intrigue and erotic passages....and is written so it is very easy to visualize the characters and scenes, so that it moves along quickly. I recommend it to anyonr who lovrs a steamy historical, especially if you like a little mystery.
I requested and received a NetGalley Arc and offer my opinion freely.

This is truly a romantic suspense novel, with as much emphasis on the mystery as on the romance! I loved the concept: a duke who dies unexpectedly in an accident (or was it murder?) leaves a fortune to three women no one in his family knows. When the family and their solicitor try to find these women, it is a very difficult task. Of course everyone assumes he had romantic relationships with these women, but when they track down the first woman they discover nothing could be farther than the truth - she never even met the duke. So why did the duke leave her a fortune? And did she kill him to inherit? I loved the heroine, Minerva, a truly spirited and independent woman, and the hero, Chase. The writing is clear and engaging and the book is a page turner.

Disclosure - I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

This book was the first of a new Series, and I am now looking forward to the next book. There is mystery, romance and laughter in the story, along with a strong Hero and Heroine and a number of very interesting secondary characters who may have their own story, plus another tier of characters who are interesting but not likely to have their own story. Thank you NetGalley for giving me an ARC for my honest opinion.

I lhaven't read Madeline Hunter in years. I read this book based on the interesting synopsis. I was not disappointed! This story was a little out of the ordinary of historical romances. It starts with Chase investigating if Minerva has committed murder. It gains in the story as Minerva insists on helping Chase with the investigation!
The story advances from there. It was a great read! It was smart and sexy! I would highly recommend this and can't wait until the next in the series comes out.

Will their past be the end of them or can they overcome it to share a common future ...

My first read by Mrs Madeline Hunter was a novella, and it was a most enjoyable one. So I had high expectations for this one.
And she did not disappoint, I had everything I loved packed in one book, a mystery (still to be resolved), a strong woman finding her own footing, a man helping her to stand for herself, some steamy moments and great side characters.
While I am a big frustrated by the lack of resolution on the background plot, knowing it was the first in a series, supposedly a trilogy, I inwardly knew it might be the lead wire for the series.
Minerva had to rebuilt herself after the dramatic circumstances of her past nearly destroyed her. She is a survivor, having escaped the clutches of her late husband, and the suspicions of his dubious death. What she went through would have broken many as strong women. Still, she has risen from her ash, recreating herself in a stronger self.
Still, she fears her past might threaten her new found freedom, especially now with her new discovered and unexpected wealth, she might appears as the perfect culprit.
I loved she faces her fears head held high, she does not retreat, she moves forward, and accepts her own failures.
Chase has his own flaws, and his shortcomings left their mark, why he doubts and does not trust his own instinct. When he is drawn to Minerva, he refuses to let his attraction to her conduct his inquiry.
Still, whatever he told himself, she has taken hold of his thoughts. And the more he gets to know her, the more he discovers she is so much more than the few rumors he finds about her.
I loved he revised his first opinion of her, slowly he accepts she too has a certain talent for inquiries, and when she get to trust him with own history, he learns what lies behind her apparent coldness or uncertainties.

What I do not understand is why the blurb tells he was behind the charges against her when they never meet before.

Together they make a great team, but will their pasts keep them apart or will they find in themselves the strength to believe in a common future.

While I see who will be the heroes in the next books, I do hope the side characters here will get their HEA, they rightfully deserve it.

To me, this first in a new series is a 5 stars read. I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Kensington, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Minerva Hepplwhite’s has been left a fortune from a duke she has never meet. Chase Radnor, nephew of the duke, is trying to uncover the circumstances of the duke’s death. Minerva begins her own investigation.

Enjoyed the witty banter, mystery and the romance between Minerva and Chase.

I received an advance reader copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I admit, I am a huge fan of Madeline Hunter’s historical romances. All of them :) Some are steamier than others. In my mind, the more the better. I think it’s super sexy and romantic to meet in the garden, have sex in the study or be seduced by candle light. This new book does not disappoint. This is the first book in the A Duke’s Heiress series. The beginning of this book will hook you right in because Minerva Hepplewhite, meets Chase Radnor as he is breaking into her house. Instead of her fainting, she bashes him in the head and knocks him out. It’s a delicious twist right from the beginning. I think that from the first page, this book sets itself up into being a non-traditional historical romance. It’s not often you have a widow who has changed her name, started a new life with some of the former help and is starting a new business called Hepplewhite's Office of Discreet Inquiries. She is definitely not out husband hunting.

Chase is the cousin of the new duke and does not stand to inherit anything from the former Duke of Hollingburgh. He is loyal to his family and wants to know why the former duke left his fortune to three seemingly random women. Chase describes himself a gentleman who performs discreet inquiries. He has enough money to live comfortably and is not interested in fighting over inheritance money. There are several mysteries that Chase wants to unravel related to his family. He and Minerva keep crossing paths as they are conducting their own investigations. It becomes apparent to the reader that they are both chasing some of the same mysteries. Readers will love the verbal sparring and the intentional actions they both partake in to misdirect the others' inquiries. What will it take for them to start working together and sharing information?

In addition to pursuing the same case, there is a ton of sexual energy between the two. One might even cheer when they kiss for the first time. It’s so fun to be a part of the revealing of Minerva’s and Chase’s secrets, finding out why they do what they do. Understanding their backgrounds. They obviously have a lot in common as they both consider themselves to be private investigators. There are several clues in the story that start alluding to the fact that Minerva came from an abusive marriage. She is damaged from that experience, but Chase is the perfect man to right a lot of wrongs in her life. I like that he doesn’t “save” her because she was doing just fine on her own, but they both realize that they make a good team.

This first book is a great start to the new series. The setting, the introduction of future main characters, the mystery that needs to be solved is all set up in this first book. As always, the historical details are so well researched. It makes you feel like you are there looking at the buildings, the estates, the attire, understanding the manners and societal expectations. The sexual tension is swoon worthy and I cannot wait for the next two books in this series. Do yourself a favor and get this book on April 28, 2020!

*received a free copy from netgalley for honest review* I normally don't read romances if I can help it but I heard of this book on bookishfirst and read the first look on it and thought it sounded interesting.

I did really like this book bc imo its wasn't entirely focused on romance which was awesome but eh the sex scenes were sometimes hard to skip without still skim reading bc it would just change to important story things, usually books have like more obvious ends to them? also just super, super weird and uncomfortable sex scenes and words used. bleh. I hate when ppl say like "put his mouth on my mound" like that legit made me gag and it seems to be a disgustingly common phrase, I can not stand.


liked the characters and the book wasn't horrible but oh those sex scenes. ive read romances without sex scenes and even ones with sex scenes that weren't as creepily worded...