Page Princess: THE CAPTAIN’S BLUESTOCKING MISTRESS by Erica Ridley

Title: THE CAPTAIN’S BLUESTOCKING MISTRESS

Series: Dukes of War #2

Author: Erica Ridley

Publish Date: 03.02.2015

Publisher: Intrepid Reads

Category /Genre: Regency Romance

Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content

Received from: Intrepid Reads via NetGalley (in exchange for an honest review)

Goodreads link: The Captain’s Bluestocking Mistress

Date completed: 05.24.15

Description from the publisher:

Captain Xavier Grey's body is back amongst the beau monde, but his mind cannot break free from the horrors of war. His friends try to help him find peace. He knows he doesn't deserve it. Just like he doesn't deserve the attentions of the sultry bluestocking intent on seducing him into bed...

Spinster Jane Downing wants off the shelf and into the arms of a hot-blooded man. Specifically, the dark and dangerous Captain Grey. She may not be destined to be his wife, but nothing will stop her from being his mistress. She could quote classical Greek by the age of four. How hard can it be to learn the language of love?

Regency-set Historical Romance Novel

Enjoy the emotional, laugh-out-loud second book in USA Today bestselling author Erica Ridley's new Dukes of War regency romance series!

The Dukes of War historical romance books in series order:

· The Viscount's Christmas Temptation (#0.5)

· The Earl's Defiant Wallflower (#1)

· The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress (#2)

Join the official readers' group on Facebook! facebook.com/groups/DukesOfWar

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This is the third book in the Dukes of War series. Each does stand alone, but it is much more enjoyable to read them all and in order due to the familiar faces that pop in.

First, you need to know what a Bluestocking is. Here is what I found: A bluestocking is an educated, intellectual woman, more specifically a member of the 18th-century Blue Stockings Society led by the hostess and critic Elizabeth Montagu (1720–1800), the "Queen of the Blues", and including Elizabeth Vesey (1715–91), Hester Chapone (1727–1801), and the classicist Elizabeth Carter (1717–1806). Until the late 18th century, the term had referred to learned people of both sexes. It subsequently was applied primarily to intellectual women, and the French equivalent bas bleu had a similar connotation. The term later developed negative implications, and in some instances such women were stereotyped as being "frumpy".

Throughout history, educated women have been intimidating to men, the fragile male ego being what it is. Because of this, Jane Downing does not believe that she will ever be married. She has made a calculated decision to have one memory to warm her spinster bed for her remaining years. She has set her sights on Captain Xavier Grey for her plans of seduction, a one-night stand, Regency style.

I loved this story. Jane is exactly the kind of friend we all want to have (or be). She says outrageous things, hoping to be noticed, but has discovered that the ton has Janenesia – an inability to remember her beyond the handshake of introduction. Poor Xavier is so full of self-loathing stemming from the war, that he doesn’t truly appreciate the gift that has come tripping out of the snowstorm to deposit herself on his front doorstep. But, throughout the book, they are both upstaged by the cat, Egui, a true star. His name is perfect for him (don’t worry, you’ll find out why I say that) and brings to mind the old idea of whether you own a cat or they own you.

Told with Erica Ridley’s usual style of humor and passion, this is another story that absolutely should not be missed.

Grammar/editing: ungraded – book received as an unedited ARC / errors excused

The Dukes of War series: