Betting on a Duke’s Heart by Royaline Sing -a Review

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Description:
Aetius White, the Duke of Saxton, couldn’t save his father, but he’ll be damned if he won’t save the man’s dream. He’ll acquire a Triple Crown–winning horse at any cost, even marriage. Luckily, the lovely lady in mind loves challenges as much as he. Certainly he can win her heart without losing his own…

Hell will freeze over before Miss Dina Campbell agrees to marry a horse-mad man who wants her dowry of a prize stallion, no matter what her father wants. The duke may be handsome, but he’ll have to prove he is a suitable match for her before she’ll even consider the offer. And there’s no way this love-averse man will ever succeed with the wager that she has planned…

Review:

Betting on a Duke’s Heart begins with Dina Campbell checking her appearance before descending the stairs to meet yet another suitor whom she does not want.  She, as always, has tried to make herself as unattractive as possible.  When she enters the room to meet Aetius White, the Duke of Saxton, she is astonished when he tells her “…you are to be the Duchess of Saxton”.  She immediately tells him that she is not, but she is even more surprised when she is told that her father has already agreed to the marriage.  Dina is even more put out when Aetius basically tells her this is the way of it and he’ll be back in touch.

Dina knew of the Duke and knew well his love of horses, but it galled her that her horse was what he wanted and not her.  She didn’t want to be anyone’s second.

Aetius finds himself intrigued by Dina.  But his first priority is to win the Triple Crown which he can do if he marries her and is able to use her prized horse.  What he does not count on is that just as he is determined to marry her, she is just as determined to not marry.  What neither count on is the growing attraction between them and how to handle it. 

Betting on a Duke’s Heart is a nicely written story.  Dina is a strong and independent woman, albeit a little naïve at times.  Aetius is your typical male who was only marrying to further his personal endeavors.  I did enjoy some of the banter between the two of them. However, there was so much about horses (breeding and all!) that it almost overwhelmed the story.  Do not get me wrong.  Horses are part of the plot, but breeding in detail? I also enjoyed getting to explore a little of Dina’s mixed heritage.  Overall, even though I found Betting on a Duke’s Heart a little slow, it was an enjoyable read.  If you’re a fan of the genre, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it as well.

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher