The Nanny's Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes - (The Parasol Academy) by Amy Rose Bennett (Paperback)

About the Book

"Emmeline Chase, 25-year-old widow and new alumna, may be more high-spirited than the Academy would like. Few graduates, however, could turn a mismanaged teleportation onto a duke's rooftop into an offer of employment. But Emmeline's circumstances, along with her desperation to support her bankrupt, incarcerated father, have made her dauntless. Which seems the primary qualification to work for expert horologist Xavier Mason, Duke of St. Lawrence, and manage his three rambunctious wards. Yet Emmeline soon discovers that the nobleman's heart-melting voice and captivating mind present an entirely different sort of trouble. She cannot risk losing her license by fraternizing with her employer. Xavier's wards have sent two nannies packing in a month thanks to frogs, firecrackers, and general mayhem. In addition, Xavier's professional reputation is on the line. He's already considered odd, with his talking raven companion and his fascination with timekeeping instead of pleasure-chasing with his peers. Charming, vivacious Emmeline seems intrigued with his quirks--but Xavier must have absolute peace to design London's 'King of Clocks' for Westminster Palace before the competition closes. Emmeline can no doubt restore order. As long as he doesn't fall under her spell. Yet, with a possible saboteur in their midst, and the attraction flaring between them threatening to become a deliciously disastrous distraction, a touch of magic may be required"--

Book Synopsis

Mary Poppins meets Bridgerton in a feel-good blend of cozy fantasy magic, historical romance, humor, and Victorian era charm, as a recent graduate of the Parasol Academy for Exceptional Nannies and Governesses finds her supernatural abilities are little help when it comes to falling for the shy, mysterious inventor who happens to be her employer...

For readers of Heather Fawcett, Allison Saft, Katherine Arden, Freya Marske, and Olivia Atwater's Regency Faerie Tales series.

Emmeline Chase, 25-year-old widow and new alumna, may be more high-spirited than the Academy would like. Few graduates, however, could turn a mismanaged teleportation onto a duke's rooftop into an offer of employment. But Emmeline's circumstances, along with her desperation to support her bankrupt, incarcerated father, have made her dauntless. Which seems the primary qualification to work for expert horologist Xavier Mason, Duke of St. Lawrence, and manage his three rambunctious wards. Yet Emmeline soon discovers that the nobleman's heart-melting voice and captivating mind present an entirely different sort of trouble. She cannot risk losing her license by fraternizing with her employer . . .

Xavier's wards have sent two nannies packing in a month thanks to frogs, firecrackers, and general mayhem. In addition, Xavier's professional reputation is on the line. He's already considered odd, with his talking raven companion and his fascination with timekeeping instead of pleasure-chasing with his peers. Charming, vivacious Emmeline seems intrigued with his quirks--but Xavier must have absolute peace to design London's "King of Clocks" for Westminster Palace before the competition closes. Emmeline can no doubt restore order. As long as he doesn't fall under her spell . . .

Yet, with a possible saboteur in their midst, and the attraction flaring between them threatening to become a deliciously disastrous distraction, a touch of magic may be required . . .

Review Quotes

Praise for Amy Rose Bennett

"A whimsical, wonderfully romantic treasure trove of laugh-out-loud delights with a spirited heroine who proves a worthy successor indeed to Mary Poppins. I had such a fabulous time reading this book and can't wait for the next in the series!" --India Holton, USA Today bestselling author on The Nanny's Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes

"A clever and sensual page-turner that is magical from start to finish." --Minerva Spencer, award-winning author of The Bellamy Sisters on The Nanny's Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes

"A dizzyingly charming romance with a dash of mystery, a dollop of magic, and an enormous amount of heart. Whimsical, sexy, and utterly delightful--I loved this book!" --Alexandra Vasti, USA Today bestselling author of Ne'er Duke Well on The Nanny's Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes

"An enchanting, whimsical delight! Readers will be charmed by the winsome cast of characters, witty banter, and deep emotions." --Liana De la Rosa, USA Today bestselling author on The Nanny's Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes

"Amy Rose Bennet makes a graceful pirouette toward romantic fantasy and sticks the landing--The Nanny's Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes was a delight from beginning to end! This Mary Poppins-inspired romance brims with wit and whimsy but never scrimps on emotional depth and sensuality. I loved Xavier and Emmeline and the whole cast of zany characters, and I can't wait until our next visit to the Parasol Academy!" --Susanna Craig, author of The Lady Makes Her Mark

"This is a must-read for fans who love historical romances with a pinch of comedy and fantasy twists. If you ever wished Mary Poppins and Bridgerton could share a book and a space on your bookshelf, this one is it." --BookTrib on The Nanny's Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes

"Bursting at the seams with delicious drama and tropes, and the solid central couple and well-crafted prose will satisfy choice historical romance readers." --Library Journal on Up All Night with a Good Duke

"A delightful Regency romance infused with heat, energy and glamour. Bennett effortlessly captures the ingredients that make Regency romance so compelling to readers: sparkling dialogue, passion, and the elegant ballroom manners that mask the danger and risks that lie just beneath the surface." --Amanda Quick, New York Times bestselling author on How to Catch a Wicked Viscount

"Stellar... Bennett makes the Regency historical seem fresh and new through her vividly rendered settings, which display her impeccable command of the glittering world of the ton; her perfectly matched protagonists, whose potent sexual chemistry evolves into sizzling love scenes; and her expertly graceful, tartly witty writing." --Booklist (starred review) on How to Catch a Wicked Viscount

"A bit of escapism, an enchanting heroine, a dashing hero and the possibility of more ...what else could we ask for?" --Fangirlish on Up All Night with a Good Duke
"Charming...Readers will cheer on this well-matched couple." ―Publishers Weekly on Curled Up with the Earl

"Kind hearted protagonists and a tender, though quite steamy, romance make this a solid entry in the (notquite-so) disreputable debutantes saga" --Library Journal on How to Catch a Sinful Marquess

"Readers will enjoy this expertly executed Regency with likable characters. A well-written start to a historical romance series full of rakes and the women who love them." --Kirkus Reviews on How to Catch a Wicked Viscount

About the Author

Amy Rose Bennett is the award-winning author of fun, frothy, emotion-packed historical romance and romantasy, including The Parasol Academy novels, the Byronic Book Club series, and The Disreputable Debutantes. A former speech pathologist, she is happily married to her very own romantic hero and has two lovely, exceedingly accomplished, adult daughters. She lives in Australia and can be found online at AmyRoseBennett.com.