IF THE VISCOUNT FALLS (The Duke’s Men #4) by Sabrina Jeffries-a review

If the Viscount Falls

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release January 27, 2015

The heir presumptive to the Viscount Rathmoor, Dominick Manton once had his heart’s desire within reach—a bright future as a barrister and engagement to Jane Vernon, a wealthy baron’s daughter. Then a shattering betrayal by his vindictive brother George snatched away Dom’s inheritance and his hopes of offering Jane a secure future. Brokenhearted, and attempting to end their engagement without destroying Jane’s reputation, Dom staged a betrayal of his own to convince her that he’s not the husband-to-be that she thought.

Now George is gone and the viscountcy restored to Dom, since his brother’s widow, Nancy—Jane’s cousin and closest confidant—never bore an heir. But when Nancy goes missing, a panicked Jane calls on her former fiancé to track down her cousin. Dom knows the mistakes of the past may be unforgiveable—but now, entangled together in mystery and danger, will they rekindle a passionate longing that was never lost to begin with?

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REVIEW: IF THE VISCOUNT FALLS is the fourth and final installment in Sabrina Jeffries The Duke’s Men historical romance series focusing on the men (and women) who work for Manton Investigations. This is Viscount Rathmoor, Dominick Manton and Lady Jane Vernon’s storyline – a second chance storyline for two people who have loved one another for a very long time. IF THE VISCOUNT FALLS can be read as a stand alone storyline but for cohesion and backstory information I would strongly suggest reading the series in order as Dom’s family history comes full circle.

The premise focuses on the rebuilding of the relationship between Dominck Manton and Jane Vernon. Twelve years earlier, Dominick had lost everything in his life including the woman that he loved through an act of betrayal and a brother’s revenge. To protect his half brother Tristan, Dom walked away from his rightful inheritance leaving him destitute and without means of income or property. Hoping to protect Jane from a lifetime of poverty and a marriage below her status Dom employs her cousin Nancy to help fulfill a ruse that will set into motion a plan to end his relationship and betrothal to the woman that he loves. Fast forward twelve years and Jane will request of Dominick and Manton Investigations to help search for her missing cousin Nancy. Dom will jump at the chance to rebuild his relationship with Jane only to learn that she is now betrothed to another man. Nancy is Dom’s former sister in law-his brother’s widow- and the woman who helped staged his betrayal of Jane.

The storyline follows Dom and Jane as they search for clues about the missing woman. Jane is a woman determined to help Dom as he examines the path of information that could lead to the truth about Nancy’s whereabouts and in this Jane places herself by Dom’s side for every aspect of the investigation. Jane and Dom will begin to rekindle their romance and love for one another-a love that has never died-but one that has stood on shaky grounds with a perceived betrayal of mistrust and infidelity. The story and relationship continue to rebuild as the couple travel cross country in the hopes of uncovering more clues. There are several developing scenarios as to what may have happened to cousin Nancy and in the end the truth is a combination of betrayal and heartbreak; greed and treachery.

Sabrina Jeffries pulls all of the previous storyline couples into the search for Jane’s missing cousin. The heroines are strong willed, determined and supportive; the heroes are protective, determined and desperate with their love. Some of the prior history is revealed; Dom’s backstory and the horrific childhood he had to withstand under his manipulative brother and absent father’s thumb as well as injuries and investigations he endured with Manton Investigations.

IF THE VISCOUNT FALLS is a heartwarming, intriguing and revealing conclusion to Sabrina Jeffries’s The Duke’s Men series but also sets up the background and premise for her new SINFUL SUITORS historical romance series. Some of the characters introduced throughout The Duke’s Men will cross over and play both primary and secondary roles giving the series a familiarity to readers and fans of Sabrina’s novels.

The Duke's Men series