The Naked Dukeby Sally MacKenziereviewed by Barbara R. HumeJanuary 2005, 320 pages, Publisher: Zebra, ISBN: 0821778315 Back Cover Blurb: Sophisticated. Scandalous, In fact, Miss Sarah Hamilton, a proper Philadelphian, finds London society altogether shocking. How can it be that she has awakened from her innocent slumber to find herself in bed beside a handsome--and exceedingly naked--man? The laughing onlookers standing in the doorway are no help whatsoever.
James, the Duke of Alvord, is enchanted by his unexpected bedmate--and not at all afraid of her pink-cheeked fury. True, the circumstances and place of their meeting are most unusual, but the spirited American who is pummeling him with a pillow is an incomparable beauty.
I first encountered this story in manuscript form while judging the Golden Ascot contest. I was mightily impressed with the author's voice, and am glad that others will now get the opportunity to read it!
Sarah Hamilton, new to England, finds life in her current surroundings puzzling and difficult. But her father, on his deathbed in Philadelphia, had asked her to go to her uncle, the Earl of Westbrooke. On her way there, she finds herself in an inn, with a naked man in bed with her! The man is James Runyon, Duke of Alvord. The situation is the result of a foolish prank played by a friend of his--who turns out to be her cousin, now Westbrook. Since the young woman Westbrook had thought to be a doxy is actually a lady of quality, Alvord has no choice but to ask for her hand in marriage.
Sarah's life is currently in a mess, but Alvord's is even worse. Someone is out to murder him. This someone has made several tries at it, and seems determined to continue until Alvord is in the ground. He therefore has two major crises on his hands.
The naked part is unfortunately over, but the plot is just getting started. It becomes extremely complicated before it's over. The hero and heroine, from widely different backgrounds, have a great deal of work to do to understand each other. And the danger to Alvord soon becomes a danger to Sarah as well.
If you like Regency-set romances that offer both humor and excitement, you should enjoy reading The Naked Duke. Mackenzie's voice is fresh and intriguing, her characterization is sound, she knows the period--and her villain is extremely nasty. I look forward to further books from her as her writing skills develop and her talent continues to shine.
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