SEVEN MINUTES IN HEAVEN Desperate Duchesses, Book 9

Narrator Susan Duerden is on familiar ground here, having already read several audiobooks in James's Desperate Duchesses series. Lady Eugenia Snowe, a young widow with no desire to remarry, puts all her energy into her successful governess agency. Ward Reeve, illegitimate son of an earl, has recently begun raising his young half-siblings and has already gone through several governesses. Desperate, Ward decides to go straight to the top, kidnapping Eugenia to help him sort out the children before a custody trial. Fans of the series will recognize both main characters as children from earlier books, so it's fun to see them together here. Duerden's light, almost singsong delivery works well for the humorous story elements but can detract from the more serious moments. On the whole, though, this is a most enjoyable listening experience. L.C.L. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2017]