Books of the Week Jan. 18 – 22

TitleThe Duke and I 

Author: Julia Quinn 

Reviewer: Sarah Laughmiller 

Set in the 19th century, regencyera London, a Miss Daphne Bridgerton is coming out to society. Deemed the diamond of the year, Daphne is not only determined to find a respectable suitor but a real love match.  

Simon Basset, the new Duke of Hastings, has returned from abroad and loathes the idea of dancing and promenading around with this year’s debutantes, having to make polite conversation with their persistent mamas.  

Even though the duke and Daphne do not get along, they do need each other’s help to get what they want. They agree to pretend to be in a courtship to make Daphne more desirable and make suitors come running to her doorstep, doting on her with flowers and extravagant gifts. As for Simon, he gets left alone by the other young ladies.  

It’s a stressful and exhausting game they’re playing, but it must be done to fool everyone, including the notorious Lady Whistledown and her scandalous society paper.  

While keeping up their ruse, Daphne and Simon become fast friends. They truly enjoy one another’s company. It takes quite some time for each of them to realize they have fallen in love with each other.  

Daphne seems afraid and worried Simon does not feel the same. Hurt from his childhood, with serious daddy issues, causes Simon to resist the growing feelings he has for Daphne. When a situation occurs that forces Simon to make the decision to marry Daphne or let her reputation ruin, it takes a solid punch in the face from an unlikely opponent for him to realize that what he really wants and what is the best decision are one and the same.  

The first of eight books by Julia Quinn will take you to a different time and place. We get a glimpse of another worldthe rules that must be followed and those that might be broken – and it’s all for love.  

TitleThe Ravens 

Authors: Danielle Paige and Kass Morgan 

Reading Level: Young adult 

This book focuses on Scarlett and Vivi.  

Vivi is an incoming freshman at Westerly College. She has never lived in one place for more than three years. Westerly is her dream because she sees it as the place where she will finally have a normal life.  

Opposite of her, Scarlett is a returning junior at Westerly. She is one of the members of the Ravens – the top Greek house, Kappa Rho Nu, on campus.  

The Ravens are also secretly witches.  

Scarlett dreams of being the next president of her house 

A wrench is thrown in both girls plans because of trouble brewing, and it will take both of them working together to survive the school year. 

This book is a mix of enemiestofriends, supernatural, college life and sisterhood themes. The supernatural aspect of this book makes the reallife college issues and social issues more exciting. Any reader who loves a mix of reality and fiction will love this book. 

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Cerrowire expansion named finalist in Business Alabama Awards  

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Work begins on repairing two bridges over I-65 in Morgan County in coming weeks

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Tickets for Morgan County Sports Hall of Fame banquet available

Falkville

Morgan County volunteers celebrated at annual fire department banquet 

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Man jailed for stealing car from jail after earlier release 

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Police: Hartselle man encouraged children to have sex inside his apartment

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Hartselle High Medical Academy students practice on new EKG simulator  

Falkville

Falkville man arrested on murder, drug charges  

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Four Morgan roads getting reduced speed limits 

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Hartselle native serves with U.S. Navy

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Hartselle police: Husband beats wife after finding male contacts in her phone 

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Season passes now available for Hartselle Aquatic Center

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Morgan County Spring Clean-Up 2024 kicks off next month

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Morgan County High School Class of 1974 set to reunite after 50 years

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ALEA’s 2024 Spring Boating Basics and License courses underway 

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Hands on the wheel: Alabama law focuses on distracted driving

At a Glance

Woman killed in interstate crash in Falkville

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Stisher, Frost in runoff for Morgan District 3 commissioner, Abercrombie reelected

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Halbrooks defeats Dobbs in Morgan County school board race 

Hartselle

Crafting dreams: A woodworker’s journey from hobby to artistry 

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Stisher, Frost in runoff; Abercrombie wins seat in Morgan commission races

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Incumbent Dobbs loses to Halbrooks in race for Morgan BOE seat

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Sheriff’s Academy open for registration  

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Hartselle woman models at New York Fashion Week 

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