A classic Regency romance, 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!

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.

While the dialogue took some getting used to, its formality is perfectly in step with 1817's London so, after the initial adapting, I felt refreshed and thrilled by the dedication the author placed on timeliness and accuracy in both speech and her own research regarding the time period. Once Upon a Duke is the first in a series, yet Sandra Masters managed to close the deal and make it feel like a completed story. You will definitely want to continue reading, but with the story and plot nicely resolved, you won't be left hanging either.

In an intriguing work of historical fiction with a whole lot of romance included, Once Upon a Duke, a new entry in The Duke Series by author Sandra Masters, readers will be treated to a novel that they will have a hard time putting down once they start it. Follow the story of Lady Serena Worthington Durand, a woman who is quite ahead of the time period in which she lives, namely 1817 London. She's independent and strong, and wants nothing more than to live her life on her own terms. But when she meets the Duke of Sutton, Geoffrey Austen, and the desire between them is almost palpable, she realizes that her life might have just changed forever. But when Geoffrey proposes that Serena become his mistress, she also realizes that she wants much more than passion from him. Will the two finally come together, or will their ultimate desires keep them apart? You'll have to read the book to find out.

I very much enjoyed Once Upon a Duke. Author Sandra Masters has done a great job in creating characters that her readers will be able to relate to, connect with, and truly come to care about, thinking of them long after the book has come to an end. If that isn't a hallmark of a great author, I'm not sure what is. The story line is full of adventure and romance, and will keep readers turning the pages throughout. Any reader who enjoys Regency romances should definitely read this book. I am pleased to be able to recommend Once Upon a Duke, and I look forward to reading more from author Sandra Masters in the very near future!