Heiress for Hire by Madeline Hunter

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 candlelight. 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 as 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!