“I so enjoyed ONCE UPON A DUKE. The author’s clever, witty repartee pulled me into the story and made me root for these two dynamic characters. A delightful debut novel!”

                        Debra Salonen, author of Montana Cowboy

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“(Sandra,) your characters are worthy and the plot is creative and interesting. You have the story teller’s gift of hinting at disasters ahead which made me keep turning the pages.” ONCE UPON A DUKE

                      Sarah Richmond, author of Mexican Sage

Cold Coffee

 5.0 out of 5 stars Regency Romance at its best!

October 7, 2015

Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

Bring regency romance into your life with Once Upon a Duke. Each book in the Duke Series stands alone for your reading pleasure.

Warm, realistic characters in book one bring the reader back to London 1817. Lady Serena Worthington Durand is a strong independent woman ahead of her time, but she faces demons from the past. I quote: “If Lady Serena could be granted one wish, she would ride off into the morning mist and vanish. That, of course wasn’t possible, but here in her favorite lakeside retreat, she could relax in safety.”

Legendary Duke of Sutton, Geoffrey Austen has a chance encounter with Lady Serena and I quote: “Allow me to introduce myself, Lord Geoffrey Austen, at your service.” He swept off his hat and bowed. “I am Henry Worthington’s hunting guest for the week.”

More than a romance story, it is an adventure that will make your heart pound, your emotions run wild and your spirit soar.

The combination of remarkable storytelling, easy going to face paced reading, true to time period dialog and settings along with extensive research by Author Sandra Masters engages the reader in the life and times of Lady Serena Worthington Durand.

I invite you to light a fire, pour a glass of red wine (Sandra Masters would join you in the wine, but hers would be a white fruity glass) and relax with romance as it should be. Author Sandra Masters states it best: “Every woman should have a divinely decadent Duke in her life.”

Cold Coffee Press endorses Once Upon a Duke by Sandra Masters as a true Regency Romance that will leave you wanting more. We reviewed this book from Kindle/PDF format. The review was completed on October 7, 2015.

By Swedenmom on February 8, 2017

Format: Kindle Edition

A definite buy buy buy buy buy book! I am so thrilled to have read this novel. It is such a great read! I was impressed by the story. It was not all about sex. BUT it has love, life, laughter, joy, sorrow. It has crime and most of all heart! The author does a great job with all the characters and shows truly gifted talent in the tale. I so enjoyed it that I had a very difficult time taking a break to do my own work. Each time I returned to my reading, I was engrossed immediately in the story as well as being totally unaware of anything around me! So if you want a great read look no further!
I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna Swedenmom

Reviewed By Kathryn Bennett for Readers' Favorite 07/11/2016    5 STARS

Once Upon a Duke by Sandra Masters introduces us to a widow, Serena, who has no desire to remarry. When she meets the dashing Geoffrey Austen, there is no denying the hot attraction between them. This attraction soon ignites into a forbidden passion, and Geoffrey wants to make Serena his mistress. However, she wants more substantial things like love and marriage, not being the mistress of a known rake. Things come to ahead for them when the lovers are faced with Serena being forced into an engagement. Will Geoffrey put aside the label of rake and be gallant for his lady? Will it even end happily ever after?

This is a classic historical romance and really an enjoyable one. While the formula is familiar, the characters are unique and interesting and seem to jump off the page. I love a good Regency romance and Sandra Masters has ticked all of my boxes with Once Upon a Duke. You get a little bit of everything from passion to scandal and, of course, love. I will not spoil the story and tell you what becomes of our lovers, Serena and her Duke, but it is truly a riveting and enjoyable journey. If you want a fast read that is going to entertain you from page one to the end, this is the book for you. This story may be a historical romance, but it has intrigue and adventure woven right into the plot as well, making it just the best kind of guilty pleasure.

Once Upon a Duke  is sure to make your heart flutter, your belly get butterflies, and your palms itch to clutch the shirt of a Duke of your very own. Sandra Masters has managed to create a read that titillates, but doesn't put all the goods on display right away. You've got to EARN your romance here and boy is it worth it! 

ONCE UPON A DUKE by Sandra Masters.  Serena is clear-minded in a way that many Regency beauties aren't. She's been around the block a bit (not in that way!), but her experiences being widowed and working as an artist have only tempered this steely woman into a strong and spicy heroine instead of beating her down into submission. Geoffrey is the quintessential rake and heart-throb. He's a breaker of hearts, but might have just found the one woman who could put his own heart at risk. I enjoyed the couple's interplay and banter, as well as their struggle to be together. This book isn't going to revolutionize Regency, but it will entertain and dazzle.

 Katelyn Hensel for Readers Favorite  Five Star Review