The Guardian Duke by Jamie Carie

This one doesn't release until February, 2012, but I wanted to give you a heads-up so you can be watching for it. Jamie's one of my favorite authors.

Let's begin with the summary:

The Guardian Duke is award-winning novelist Jamie Carie’s most exciting story yet, a uniquely arranged Regency-era romantic adventure where hero and heroine know each other through written letters but have yet to meet.

Gabriel, the Duke of St. Easton, is ordered by the King to take guardianship over Lady Alexandria Featherstone whose parents are presumed dead after failing to return from a high profile treasure hunt. But Alexandria ignores this royal reassignment, believing her parents are still alive and duly following clues that may lead to their whereabouts. Gabriel, pressured by what are actually the King’s ulterior motives, pursues her across windswept England and the rolling green hills of Ireland but is always one step behind.

When they do meet, the search for earthly treasure will pale in comparison to what God has planned for both of them.

And now, my review:

Oh, the chase is so delicious. Jamie draws it out and keeps us turning pages (or advancing e-book screens). That wasn’t the only element I loved about this story. Whenever there are love letters, I’m always intrigued. And the humor. Jamie gave us fun, quirky characters writing with such yummy subtext you’ll chuckle aloud. Loved the interplay between these two characters.

Jamie also explored deafness and the supernatural experience of her hero where music was concerned. (You’ll have to read the story to see what I mean.) And while the duke struggles with his human frailty he asks himself if he should let it be known he’s deaf, let his “people” know that he’s human too. For this confident leader, that admission is a tough call.

One of the reasons I enjoy reading Jamie Carie’s work is her excellence with romance. From Snow Angel to this latest book, I’ve enjoyed her characters’ love stories. She’s skilled with prose, so getting there is more than half the fun. I was so wrapped up in this adventure, I didn’t want to set this story aside for other activities. And I appreciated her underlying theme of choosing faith. Very entertaining read. Looking forward to the next book in the Forgotten Castles Series.

Here are e-book and paperback version links for your convenience.