A Duke, the Lady, and a Baby - (Rogues and Remarkable Women) by Vanessa Riley (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Named a "Must Read" by Oprah Daily, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Vulture, NPR, Woman's World and more, the first installment in award-winning author Vanessa Riley's swoon-worthy Rogues & Remarkable Women series is now available in mass market! This groundbreaking, empowering, sexy Regency romance featuring a recently widowed Afro-Caribbean heiress and a dashing Duke is perfect for the Bridgerton binge-watcher and fans of witty historical romance by authors such as Julia Quinn, Evie Dunmore, and Eloisa James.

"Smart and witty . . . the perfect historical read." --Julia Quinn, #1 New York Times bestselling author

It's challenging for a widow, especially one who's fallen from grace, to find true love again--or perhaps for the very first time.

When headstrong West Indian heiress Patience Jordan questioned her English husband's mysterious suicide, she lost everything--most devastatingly, her newborn son, Lionel. Falsely persecuted, she risks her life to be near him, disguising herself in order to be hired as her own son's nanny. But working for his unsuspecting new guardian, Busick Strathmore, Duke of Repington, has perils of its own. Especially when Patience discovers his strictness belies an ex-rake of unswerving honor--and unexpected passion . . .

A wounded military hero, Repington is determined to resolve his dead cousin's dangerous financial dealings for Lionel's sake. But that's a minor skirmish compared to dealing with the forthright, courageous, and alluring Patience. Somehow, she's breaking his rules, and sweeping past his defenses. Soon, between enemies and obstacles, they form a fragile trust--but will it be enough to save the future they long to dare together?

"Vanessa Riley at her finest." --Sarah MacLean, New York Times bestselling author

"I was delighted. Readers on the lookout for Black or disabled characters in historical romance will not want to miss this." --New York Times Book Review

"One of the best historicals I've read in years." --Kristan Higgins, New York Times bestselling author

"Expertly crafted romance." --Publishers Weekly, STARRED review

Review Quotes

Praise for Vanessa Riley's Rogues and Remarkable Women Novels

"A sparkling love story with deep wells of faith and feeling...It's refreshing to read historical romance that reflects the true diversity of the era...A Duke, The Lady, and A Baby is about overcoming trauma, a testament to love forged in adversity--a love that both leaves space for and hastens healing. Riley knows how to spin a yarn built on faith and trust, that lilts along with the gentility and reserve of her characters." --Entertainment Weekly

"Readers on the lookout for Black or disabled characters in historical romance will not want to miss this." --The New York Times on A Duke, The Lady, and a Baby

"Smart and witty...Vanessa Riley delivers the perfect historical read." --Julia Quinn, #1 New York Times bestselling author on A Duke, The Lady, and a Baby

"Riley loads her expertly crafted romance with intrigue, droll banter, and steadily building passion." --Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW on A Duke, The Lady, and a Baby

"With strong heroines, swoon-worthy heroes, and deeply emotional stories, Vanessa Riley is a magnificent voice in historical romance--one not to be missed!" --Sarah MacLean, New York Times bestselling author on A Duke, The Lady, and a Baby

"Riveting from the first sentence to the last. Vanessa Riley's lyrical voice shimmers in this emotional, uplifting tour de force." --Kristan Higgins, New York Times bestselling author on A Duke, The Lady, and a Baby

"Get your fill of scandal, misunderstandings and a secret society to boot." - ELLE Canada on An Earl, the Girl, and a Toddler

"Move over, Bridgertons. There's a new set of scandalous aristocrats waiting to take London society by storm." --Library Journal on An Earl, The Girl, and a Toddler

"With brilliant pacing, memorable characters, and witty dialogue, the premise elevated beyond our expectations...portrays Black people in a beautiful way that makes us relatable and takes us out of the stereotypical maid and slave roles." --AAMBC on A Duke, The Lady, and a Baby

"Riley's extensive research into people of color during the Regency era adds greatly to the appeal of this page-turning romance. Fans of Shonda Rhimes' adaptation of Julia Quinn's Bridgerton books will devour this series." --Booklist, STARRED REVIEW on An Earl, The Girl, and a Toddler

"Riley dispels the myth of the all-white Regency--people of color rose to the titled elite in this and in many other historical periods--while also refusing to diminish or gloss over an iota of the bigotry and judgment a blackamoor earl would face."--Bookpage on An Earl, The Girl, and a Toddler

About the Author

Vanessa Riley is an award-winning author of historical romance, mystery, and fiction novels featuring realistic multicultural communities and powerful persons of color. To fuel her interest in the Regency and early-Victorian eras, she made time for attending renaissance fairs and consuming period novels and films while obtaining her Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and a master's in industrial engineering and engineering management from Stanford University, as well as a BS and MS in mechanical engineering from Penn State University. A frequent speaker at literary, women's, and STEM events, she lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her military husband and teenage kid. Visit her online at VanessaRiley.com.