The Diamond and the Duke

Ellie Balfour never dreamed of marrying, until she met Wesley Audley. Struggling with her past and attempting to befriend a grieving Wesley, Ellie finds herself falling in love despite her better judgment. Wesley is a war hero, fighting the hardest battle of all—returning home with great physical and emotional wounds. Yet there is something about Ellie that slowly draws him out and makes him believe in himself again. Will they profess their feelings, or are their wounds too great to overcome? Caldwell puts her own spin on the tale of a beauty and a beast. The plot moves along quickly and is well developed, as events take place rapidly, keeping readers engaged. The language is reminiscent of the time period, helping to set the scene. The main characters are well rounded and continually progress throughout the story. The backstories of the main characters also provide insight into their actions, as well as lending credibility to their actions and thoughts.