Reviewer's bookshelf: The Reluctant Duchess by Rosanna White

Book Summary (Amazon): Lady Rowena Kinnaird may be the heiress to a Highland earldom, but she has never felt good enough--not for her father, not for the man she thought she'd marry, not for God. But after a shocking attack, she's willing to be forever an outcast if it means escaping Loch Morar.

Brice Myerston, the Duke of Nottingham, has found himself in possession of a rare treasure his enemies are prepared to kill for. While Brice has never been one to shy away from manor-born ladies, the last thing he needs is the distraction of Lady Rowena, who finds herself in a desperate situation. But when Rowena's father tries to trap Brice into marrying his daughter, Brice makes a surprising decision.

Rowena wanted to escape the Highlands, but she's reluctant to marry a notorious flirt. And when she learns that Brice is mixed up in questionable business with a stolen treasure, she fears she's about to end up directly in the path of everything she was trying to avoid.

My thoughts....There is no lack of tension in this novel!  From the beginning, there is a steady stream of events that not only cause romantic tension, but include mystery, danger, heartache, sadness, jealousy...basically every emotion is explored.  I loved the addition of a Highland element...the language and culture of that part of the world has always fascinated me.  I love Rowena's spirit, even though she has been broken by years of abuse.  Brice also grows and matures throughout the story, learning to consider others more than himself.  The characters' growth was the backdrop in a somewhat intense drama involving, as I mentioned before, multiple levels of physical abuse and a dangerous game involving a priceless treasure.  This was not a novel I was able to sit back and leisurely read...I was almost in knots as I was drawn in to this story and its players.  There is still more to come from this cast of characters, as not all the mysteries were resolved.  Rosanna White does a great job keeping your attention, including many elements of interest in the novel, but in a way I wouldn't have minded a little less.

**I was given a free copy of this novel from the publisher in order to give an honest review, which I did.**