Book excerpt: An exciting new historical romance series from USA Today Bestseller Grace Callaway “A very hot and perfectly paced page turner, all the way to happily ever after.” –NPR Winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/ Suspense & the Passionate Plume He saved her life when she was a girl. Now she is a woman determined to heal his heart… Spirited debutante Lady Olivia McLeod, cherished daughter of Duke and Duchess of Strathaven, has two interests: solving mysteries and winning the love of her rescuer and secret crush, the infamous Duke of Hadleigh. When Livy joins Lady Charlotte Fayne’s charity for young ladies and discovers that it is a front for a covert investigative agency, she is thrilled. Livy dedicates herself to solving a deadly case; little does she realize that the path to danger will also lead to her heart’s deepest desire. Notorious widower Ben Wodehouse, the Duke of Hadleigh, has only one goal in mind: redemption. After his tortured past, he channels his demons toward helping others, and the last thing he wants or deserves is innocence. Yet temptation taunts him by transforming the little girl he once saved into an alluring young woman. A dozen years younger than him and the daughter of his friend, Livy is everything he cannot have…and everything he needs. Will perilous secrets, past and present, tear Livy and Ben apart? Will succumbing to their forbidden desires lead to their happily ever after? Find out in this steamy friends-to-lovers age gap romance filled with mystery and adventure! Grace's books feature sizzling hot historical romance, fun and feel-good happily ever afters, and exciting mystery and adventure. Her books are standalone titles which can also be enjoyed as part of her interconnected series set in the same universe. LADY CHARLOTTE’S SOCIETY OF ANGELS (steamy Victorian romance) #1 Olivia and the Masked Duke (Olivia & Ben) #2 Pippa and the Prince of Secrets (Pippa & Cullen) #3 Fiona and the Enigmatic Earl (Fiona & Thomas) #4 Glory and the Master of Shadows (Glory & Wei) #5 Charlotte and the Seductive Spymaster (Preorder today!) GAME OF DUKES (steamy Victorian romance) #1 The Duke Identity (Tessa & Harry) #2 Enter the Duke (Maggie & Ransom) #3 Regarding the Duke (Gabby & Garrity) #4 The Duke Redemption (Beatrice & Wick) #5 The Return of the Duke (Fancy & Severin) #6 Steamy Winter Wishes: A Hot Historical Romance Short Story (featuring characters from all of Grace's series) HEART OF ENQUIRY (The Kents) (steamy Regency romance) Prequel novella: The Widow Vanishes (Will & Annabel) #1 The Duke Who Knew Too Much (Alaric & Emma) #2 M is for Marquess (Gabriel & Thea) #3 The Lady Who Came in from the Cold (Marcus & Penny) #4 The Viscount Always Knocks Twice (Richard & Violet) #5 Never Say Never to an Earl (Sinjin & Polly) #6 The Gentleman Who Loved Me (Andrew & Rosie) MAYHEM IN MAYFAIR (steamy Regency romance) #1 Her Husband’s Harlot (Helena & Nicholas) #2 Her Wanton Wager (Percy & Gavin) #3 Her Protector’s Pleasure (Marianne & Ambrose) #4 Her Prodigal Passion (Charity & Paul) Praise for Olivia and the Masked Duke “An exciting rollercoaster of a love story! This book delivers on a variety of levels. A slow burn, friends to lovers story. The plot is intricate, intimate, and all consuming. The couple’s passion burns through the pages.” –Jenna’s Historical Romance Reviews “This book has pretty much reduced me to describing it in one-word sentences. RAWR. YUM. YES!! SWEET. MORE… Livy and Ben together were ***swoon***. I really couldn’t get enough of them. The writing, as always with Grace Callaway, was beautiful, heartfelt, and full of emotion. Every time I read something she writes, I can feel it completely. The storyline was fantastic, and I was captivated from beginning to end.” -Candace, BookBub “Olivia and Ben are so wonderful together. It is rare to find a match where the H & h share such a deep bond…. This book has it all—lead characters you truly love, fabulous side characters, murder, mystery, action, and a generous helping of steam and romance!” -Nazmin, Goodreads “Ben and Olivia’s friendship is detailed through the years, and you can’t help falling in love with them and rooting for a happy ending. There’s a mystery that finally helps bring Ben and Olivia together (I don’t want give out any spoilers). There are some hot scenes between the two and lots of ups and downs in their relationship. If you love great character development, mystery, and a hot love story then this book is for you.”-Rhonda, Goodreads “Despite the age gap, Ben and Livy’s friendship is so natural. Their friendship never feels awkward and the transition from friends to lovers is done tastefully (and steamily). Grace Callaway is always reliable when it comes to writing romances that are both romantic and steamy.” -Romance Library “Get out the high velocity fan because you will need it while reading this story. It is hotter than hot, I am not kidding. I love a tortured hero and if you do also, then grab this story right away…I love how Grace can pull you into the story of these characters and make you feel as if you are there with them. I was totally enthralled with reading, and I swear I felt as if I was in their dilemma. Astounding storytelling.” -Angela, Goodreads