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Forever and a Duke
(Unlikely Duchesses #2)
Olivia Drake (Goodreads Author)
3.89 · Rating details · 325 ratings · 261 reviews
"I find Miss Fanshawe to be quite charming—for an American."—The Prince Regent
Hadrian Ames, the Duke of Clayton, needs a bride. He even has the perfect one picked out. That is, until he meets the lovely, free-spirited Natalie Fanshawe. She's the opposite of what a man of his high rank should desire in a wife—an outspoken American who has never even set foot in a London "I find Miss Fanshawe to be quite charming—for an American."—The Prince Regent
Hadrian Ames, the Duke of Clayton, needs a bride. He even has the perfect one picked out. That is, until he meets the lovely, free-spirited Natalie Fanshawe. She's the opposite of what a man of his high rank should desire in a wife—an outspoken American who has never even set foot in a London ballroom.
But Natalie doesn't have time to be swept off her feet by a handsome duke who must be a spoiled scoundrel like every other British lord. And she couldn't care less about Hadrian's title. After all, it's not as if he actually worked to attain his wealth and status. He surely can't understand what it's like to be a busy woman, planning to open a school while trying to reunite a six-year-old orphan with his English relatives. Nevertheless, Hadrian launches his campaign to win her heart. Can the utterly delightful American beauty ever find a way to love him…despite his being a duke? ...more
Published December 31st 2019 by St. Martin's Paperbacks
Forever My Duke
B07SBQDTSZ
Unlikely Duchesses #2
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· 325 ratings · 261 reviews
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Dec 21, 2019 Addie H rated it it was ok · review of another edition
Shelves: p-newauthor, i-netgalley
NB: ARC review – expected publication 31st December 2019
(Tropes: Opposites Attract, Class Difference, Forbidden Love)
I found this book to be quite heavy on clichés, and while the sexual attraction and tension is well written, this book brings nothing new to the genre.
I found Natalie's critique of the English aristocracy system to be apt, but unbelievable of its' time. Her observations are quite vocal, and while I don't disagree with her, timing and audience is critical. You're a guest, no one NB: ARC review – expected publication 31st December 2019
I found Natalie's critique of the English aristocracy system to be apt, but unbelievable of its' time. Her observations are quite vocal, and while I don't disagree with her, timing and audience is critical. You're a guest, no one is forcing you to stick around. Mind your manners.
Cue plot obstacle.
Unlike the ladies of the ton, Natalie was a free spirit who had no interest in marriage to a man of wealth and power. A man who belonged to the aristocracy that she scorned.
- Love! What balderdash! He assuaged his irritation by listing his standards for the ideal wife. She must be attractive, of course, and a blueblood of impeccable background. A modest young lady who wasn't overly chatty. He had no intention of wedding a sharp-tongued shrew.
- Here, one's class depended upon heredity instead of hard work. The concept of possessing such wealth and power by a mere accident of birth disturbed her innate sense of fairness.
- Natalie disliked the curtsy. But perhaps the was duke was right, and she ought to embrace the local customs. She certainly didn't wish to make the girl uncomfortable. Susan had been trained to show deference to those she regarded as her better, as were all English servants.
- Wouldn't his London friends laugh if they knew that after a string of elegant mistresses, he could feel so drawn to a provincial spinster? That he found well-worn flannel to be more titillating than a filmy negligee? That having selected his blue-blooded bride, he lusted instead for an eccentric lively, and outspoken American?
- All too soon, he broke the contact, and then she lifted her lashes, a molten silver blaze burned in his eyes. Her heart skipped a beat at that passionate look even as his hands dropped to her shoulders. His tense jam and sudden stiffness of manner contradicted the naked desire on his face. "Natalie," he said in a gravelly tone, "it's time for you to go."
- In the midst of it, Natalie knew she would always remember this moment. The captivating pleasure of being clasped to his male for, the dark taste of brandy in his mouth, the shivery excitement of his caresses, all of those impressions were seared into her mind. Knowing that their embrace could not last, she would tuck it away in her heart and hold it there forever.
- It was a dispiriting thought. Imprudent though it might be, she wanted to matter to Hadrian. She wanted him to toss and turn at night, dreaming of her. She wanted him to miss her when she departed for America. As much as she herself would miss him….
- "Society will accept you. I'll make certain they do."
Smiling wistfully, she shook her head in gentle expiration. "You have it all wrong, Hadrian. It isn't whether English society will accept me. It's whether I will accept English society."
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Sep 21, 2019 Jultri rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: american-heroine-english-hero, promised-to-another
3.75/5. Well-written with likeable protagonists. Patriotic American, Natalie Fanshawe, does not think highly of the English, especially not the English nobility. And that was even before she lost her close friends to the violent war atrocities committed by English soldiers. And yet, here she is on English soil, accompanying the orphaned child of the friends to unite him with his titled grandfather. Turns out, the task is easier said than done, because the grandfather and his family perfectly 3.75/5. Well-written with likeable protagonists. Patriotic American, Natalie Fanshawe, does not think highly of the English, especially not the English nobility. And that was even before she lost her close friends to the violent war atrocities committed by English soldiers. And yet, here she is on English soil, accompanying the orphaned child of the friends to unite him with his titled grandfather. Turns out, the task is easier said than done, because the grandfather and his family perfectly live up to Natalie's low expectations of the aristocracy by treating both her and the child with disdain and distrust.
Enter Hadrian Ames in all his ducal glory. He reluctantly comes to the rescue of this frank woman and the lively little boy while on his way to meet the young lady earmarked to be his wife. As it turns out, the orphan's grandfather is the sire of the potential wife in question and so his compulsive chivalrous nature demands that he accompanies them to their joint destination. Of course, his marital plans get derailed pretty much at first sight of the beautiful Natalie and suddenly the thought of marrying a young and timid debutante is as distasteful as the knowledge that Natalie intends to sail back to America as soon as her promise to her deceased friend has been accomplished.
I like both protagonists and the little boy is a cutie. It was amusing that she was revulsed by his incestuous marital intent (the girl was his 2nd cousin) as well as the age difference (11-12 years?). I like her egalitarian attitude and refusal to genuflect or show deference to anyone else and I adore his unwavering support for her beliefs.
"You are the equal of any noble. I won't have you acting against your principles."
I would have loved for him to start off with being the haughty man, he and his acquaintances all referenced. We just never saw any evidence of this arrogance and snobbishness from him. He was nice and supportive from the start.
He set his jaw. "Society will accept you. I'll make certain they do."
Smiling wistfully, she shook her head in gentle exasperation. "You have it all wrong, Hadrian. It isn't whether English society will accept me. It's whether I will accept English Society."
This was an ARC from NetGallery. ...more
Dec 06, 2019 Stacee rated it it was ok · review of another edition
Shelves: read-in-2019, netgalley
I did like the premise of this one, but sadly, was fairly bored.
I liked Natalie and Hadrian well enough. They're both good people, even if a little bland. I enjoyed her loyalty to Leo and her friend. He never really acted like a Duke, except for the entire part of being 31 looking at a 17 year old to be his bride. Leo absolutely stole everything scene he was in and I also really liked Hadrian's sister and mother. They brought some levity.
Plot wise, it was meh. I never really saw the chemistry I did like the premise of this one, but sadly, was fairly bored.
Plot wise, it was meh. I never really saw the chemistry between them and didn't care enough about the situation to root for their HEA. There were a lot of odd to me word choices and some of the sex scenes were just plain icky. And I know this is sort of a jumbled mess of a review, but I've rewritten it four times, so there's that.
Overall, something kept me reading, but I'm not sure what it was. I doubt I'll be reading the next book in the series.
FYI: there's a fight scene with between a man and a woman with the intent to rape if she doesn't comply
**Huge thanks to St. Martin's Press for providing the arc free of charge** ...more
Jan 08, 2020 Steve Donoghue added it · review of another edition
Shelves: 2020-books
This second installment in Olivia Drake's "Unlikely Duchesses" series isn't so much a story of a clash of social classes as a clash of social outlooks: a free-spirited American woman is drawn to a British Duke (with massive shoulders and pecs, of course - landed estates can only do so much, after all) despite the fact that he doesn't DO much and didn't have to work for his enormous wealth and influence. And thanks to Olivia Drake's lively, enjoyable prose, their romantic maneuvers are mighty This second installment in Olivia Drake's "Unlikely Duchesses" series isn't so much a story of a clash of social classes as a clash of social outlooks: a free-spirited American woman is drawn to a British Duke (with massive shoulders and pecs, of course - landed estates can only do so much, after all) despite the fact that he doesn't DO much and didn't have to work for his enormous wealth and influence. And thanks to Olivia Drake's lively, enjoyable prose, their romantic maneuvers are mighty enjoyable reading. My review is here: https://openlettersreview.com/posts/f... ...more
Sep 21, 2019 Edwina " I LoveBooks" "Deb" rated it liked it · review of another edition
Hardrian Ames the Duke of Clayton is on his way to propose marriage to 18 year old Lady Ellen. He is held over at an Inn because of an Ice Storm. He meets Natalie Fanshawn when her 6 year old charge is hidding in his rooms. Natalie is 26 year Ameican who promised Leo's mother when she was dying to bring Leo back to his family in England.
Hardrian and Natalie have an immediate attraction. The story is Okay. Its just didn't have the romantic sparks I like. It didn't ring true to the era. I know Hardrian Ames the Duke of Clayton is on his way to propose marriage to 18 year old Lady Ellen. He is held over at an Inn because of an Ice Storm. He meets Natalie Fanshawn when her 6 year old charge is hidding in his rooms. Natalie is 26 year Ameican who promised Leo's mother when she was dying to bring Leo back to his family in England.
Hardrian and Natalie have an immediate attraction. The story is Okay. Its just didn't have the romantic sparks I like. It didn't ring true to the era. I know its just fiction but something was missing. Even with that it was a good story just not great!!
ARC KINDLEY PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!! ...more
Nov 16, 2019 Jackie rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: giveaways
I won this in a goodreads giveaway. It's a good book. Typical romance novel nothing overly exciting or unique but a solid book
Dec 26, 2019 ♥ WishfulMiss ♥ rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: awesome-hero, awesome-lady-lead, historical, opposites-attract, friends-to-lovers, arc
I loved the twist of to this story. I haven't read much by this author but I really enjoyed this historical romance. She gave life to characters that were likable and memorable. It's not often you get a romance with the hero so adamant to pursue his heroine without any ulterior motive other than wanting to get to know her better. Hadrian steps outside the norm by being a determined suitor slowly but surely breaking down Natalie's walls. He fights for a chance to see where Rating: 3.5 Stars
I loved the twist of to this story. I haven't read much by this author but I really enjoyed this historical romance. She gave life to characters that were likable and memorable. It's not often you get a romance with the hero so adamant to pursue his heroine without any ulterior motive other than wanting to get to know her better. Hadrian steps outside the norm by being a determined suitor slowly but surely breaking down Natalie's walls. He fights for a chance to see where their attraction can go and doesn't shy away from his own feelings. I really liked that about him and this story.
He wanted to break down the barriers between them and win her body, heart and mind.
The hero isn't in denial or just in lust (although there is plenty of that brewing between the MCs), he's a smart, direct and open minded. The start to their relationship is different that what's the normal in historical romances and I found it all refreshing.
With her cheek flushed from the encounter, she looked the precise opposite of frightful. She made such an adorable picture that a soppy warmth stirred in the region of his chest. It was a feeling so foreign to his customary cool hauteur that it threw him off-kilter.
Natalie is an American, so her views are different and nothing is more different than seeing the aristocracy perform around a Duke! I loved seeing her navigate her assumptions after getting to know Hadrian's personality. Seeing her back step and re-evaluate her opinion showed emotional growth and added layers to her character. I could definitely relate to her character but I also loved watching Hadrian befriend and then slowly seduce her!
Hadrian is a stern, no-nonsense Duke. He knows his duty and he knows what's expected of him. But he is also progressive and openminded. When he meets Natalie, he is immediately intrigued and the more he's around her, the more he is convinced she is one of a kind.
"You're a beautiful woman, inside and out, and should anyone in society dare to scorn you, they will know my wrath."
If you want to read about a determined Hero who pursues his hard to convince heroine that they deserve a chance at HEA with each, this book will not disappoint!
* * * ARC provided for an honest review * * *
SAFETY INFO: (view spoiler)[
Ages : Natalie is 26 and Hadrian is 29.
Cheating :None. The betrothal is never made official and no one's feelings are hurt when it's completely taken out of the equation.
OM/OW drama : Yes but it's more like an omission to the truth. Before meeting Natalie, Hadrian planned to propose to Lady Ellen because of an understanding between both their fathers. But then he meets Natalie and he decides he'd rather pursue her instead. Not wanting to frighten her away and needing more time to let her see the good in him, he lets her think the betrothal is still a possibility. Not too dramatic or angsty.
Separation : None.
Push/Pull : Yes, Natalie has plans that don't include staying in England, let alone falling for a member of the peerage. She takes a while to convince :)
Main Pursuer of relationship : Hadrian
Possible Triggers : family drama, arranged marriage/betrothal.
HEA/HFN : Ends on a HEA, no epilogue. (hide spoiler)] ...more
Dec 30, 2019 Anita Byars rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
OMG!! Sensual and passionate and with an unconventional, intriguing storyline that was utterly captivating. Beautiful writing, intricate characters with scorching chemistry that made FOREVER MY DUKE another winner for me. Deliciously tantalizing that will have you begging for more and weak in the knees.
Hadrian Ames the eighth Duke of Clayton, is ready to get married, and put his days of being hunted as society's biggest matrimonial prize behind him. He has the perfect bride already in mind. His OMG!! Sensual and passionate and with an unconventional, intriguing storyline that was utterly captivating. Beautiful writing, intricate characters with scorching chemistry that made FOREVER MY DUKE another winner for me. Deliciously tantalizing that will have you begging for more and weak in the knees.
Hadrian Ames the eighth Duke of Clayton, is ready to get married, and put his days of being hunted as society's biggest matrimonial prize behind him. He has the perfect bride already in mind. His second cousin, Lady Ellen. She fit his criteria and standards for the ideal wife, she is attractive, a blue-blood of impeccable background, and is not overly chatty. Now he just needs to see how they get along. But on his way to meet with her family and his prospective bride, he is delayed by an ice storm. Forced to take a room at an Inn for the night, where his dinner is interrupted by a little boy who quickly hides under his table. When a woman steps in to the room looking for the little boy, he can't stop staring at the beautiful, fascinating woman in front of him. When she reaches forward to shake his hand, he felt as giddy as a school boy, meeting his first pretty girl. It made no sense.
Natalie Fanshawe has been acting as Leo's guardian since his parents were killed in a massacre in America. As her best friend was dying she begged her to bring Leo to her family in England. She isn't sure what type of reception awaits them since she had never received a reply to her letters. But Natalie knew she didn't like British aristocracy, her whole life her father had told her about the class system in England and she felt it was all just based on the luck of your birth. She was used to equality for all. Hopefully his family would welcome Leo into their home and give him all the love he deserved. But what will happen if they don't? Is Natalie and Leo destined to go back to America? Or will a new ally give them everything they never knew they wanted?
American and English cultures will clash in the parlor as well as the bedroom, when these two come together for the sake of a little boy. Get ready for intense desire, delicious shivers, passionate kisses, tempting touches, as these two opposites captivate and seduce one another. As Natalie a woman of character, warmth, and charm, not to mention great beauty, and Hadrian a enthralling, enticing Duke, that under all his cool hauteur, is really a kind chivalrous gentleman, who can tempt a woman with one smoldering look, fall hard for each other. Because nothing in all the world could be better than Forever with a Duke!
"It seemed the both of them had needed to learn that love was the most precious gift of all-and that all else in life paled by comparison."
Complimentary copy received for an honest review. ...more
Sep 24, 2019 Debby "Piene Raven" rated it liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: authors-c-d, a-series-reads, a-netgalley-read, x-2019-in-2019-book-count-challenge
This is my second book I've read by Ms. Olivia Drake and I thought it was okay. "Forever My Duke" started offa bit slow but then it picked up. I thought the Duke of Clayton was a bit pushy but understandably so in order to assist Natalie Fanshawe who is see by her best friend's family as some imposter. The only thing she wants is to return the orphan, Leo to his rightful family. I love Natalie's independent, carefree attitude with regards to the rules of Society.
Natalie and Hadrian make a This is my second book I've read by Ms. Olivia Drake and I thought it was okay. "Forever My Duke" started offa bit slow but then it picked up. I thought the Duke of Clayton was a bit pushy but understandably so in order to assist Natalie Fanshawe who is see by her best friend's family as some imposter. The only thing she wants is to return the orphan, Leo to his rightful family. I love Natalie's independent, carefree attitude with regards to the rules of Society.
Natalie and Hadrian make a wonderful pair and this story has it share of plots and twists. I found myself wanting at times to wring the necks of quite a few people but glad the story had its HEA in the end. A nice comfy read and I enjoyed it.
Thanks very much to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
3-Stars ...more
Oct 04, 2019 Elodie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Unlikely Duchesses
Olivia Drake
https://www.facebook.com/Olivia-Drake...
Publisher St Martin's Paperback
Blurb :
But Natalie doesn't have time to be swept off her Forever My Duke
But Natalie doesn't have time to be swept off her feet by a handsome duke who must be a spoiled scoundrel like every other British lord. And she couldn't care less about Hadrian's title. After all, it's not as if he actually worked to attain his wealth and status. He surely can't understand what it's like to be a busy woman, planning to open a school while trying to reunite a six-year-old orphan with his English relatives. Nevertheless, Hadrian launches his campaign to win her heart. Can the utterly delightful American beauty ever find a way to love him…despite his being a duke?
My review :
Can an American commoner and a english peer find a mutual ground when everything seems to set them apart...
This is my first read by Mrs Olivia Drake and once I began my reading, it was quite impossible to put this book down.
Sure I have a few reservations but I was quickly engrossed in this story, and needed to see what would come after.
The first chapter introduced Hadrian as a haughty person, but how wrong I was.
What an arse he appears at the beginning when in fact he is just the result from his upbringing and he could have been much more worse. His requirements for the perfect bride is what was imprinted in him since his childhood, he had known nothing else, and is expected to follow the society's rules.
He might be lofty but never conceited, plus he is kind too. From the very beginning, he shows respect to Natalie, always trying to help her when he could have turned his back to her troubles. At every turn, he is there to support Natalie, his overbearing presence is only due to his breeding. And rather quickly, he sets his cap on winning her over, she a woman who has very few to recommend her. He even fears he might fail.
Natalie in fact is the one bearing a grudge against him, she faults him for his birth. While he can't change it, he tries to show her she can relate on him.
She is a strong willed woman, what she went through made her tougher, but she is still a caring woman with dreams to help the weaker and poorer. Her main flaw is she needs time to see beyond the facade. Not every commoner is good nor every peer bad.
So when Hadrian realized he has no interest in a perfect bride and is much more enthralled by the very woman who might reject him for his rank, she learns the world is not white nor black.
I liked that for a change, the arrogant duke was in fact from the beginning a fair man with a noble heart. He just needed the right woman to open himself and let his true self free.
I do love Leo, he is a fun little boy and for once not presented as a precocious child, he acted like a little boy of 6 and was quite a naughty sweetheart.
My reservation is during the first part of the story it looked out of character for them to lust so much after one another. I do prefer when there is an attraction which evolves to a slower pace than insta-lust rendering the women knees-weak and the men driven by the brain in between their legs. So I was glad when at a time, when together they were finally able to think straight.
Mrs Blake has drawn up a spirited tale of fighting one own biases to comprehend the true power of love.
I was granted through Netgalley by the publisher an advance copy, but also purchased my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272... ...more
Dec 28, 2019 Sissy's Romance Book Review rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Shelves: arc-netgalley, series, 5-star, arc-edelweiss, trt, 2019-read, stmartinspress, arc-author-publisher
Forever My Duke by Olivia Drake is book Two in the Unlikely Duchesses series. This is the story of Natalie Fanshawe and Hadrian Ames, the Duke of Clayton. I have read the previous book which helped me to enjoy this one but you can make it a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Hadrian is a Duke who is very sought after my mother's for their daughter not to mention the daughters. Hadrian becomes fed up and thinks maybe he should just marry his second cousin who is 18 years old. Hadrian head out Forever My Duke by Olivia Drake is book Two in the Unlikely Duchesses series. This is the story of Natalie Fanshawe and Hadrian Ames, the Duke of Clayton. I have read the previous book which helped me to enjoy this one but you can make it a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Hadrian is a Duke who is very sought after my mother's for their daughter not to mention the daughters. Hadrian becomes fed up and thinks maybe he should just marry his second cousin who is 18 years old. Hadrian head out to see her but is stopped by a storm and stays in a 'hotel'. There Hadrian meets Natalie and Leo. Hadrian is take with Natalie immediately but also shocked by her less excited attitude towards his Title. Natalie is an American women around 26 years old who knows what she wants and will go to end of the earth for those she loves. Which leads her to fulfill a dying wish that Natalie takes her charge, Leo to his family home in England. Leo's mother wanted him their so he can have a better life with his English family. But things don't go to easy. First she meets Hadrian who she is attracted to but she has no use for the English men and their titles. Then the family isn't so ready to accept the boy as their which leads her to be in America longer given Hadrian more time with her.
Enjoyed their story.
Dec 20, 2019 Douglas Meeks rated it liked it · review of another edition
I really wanted to give this book 4 Stars but this may be the last book I read from this author. They all read like this to me: Great story but drags on and on and then after being dragged through the countryside in a very long but interesting story she finishes it off in less than a chapter with no epilogue.
This is not the first time and I felt cheated once again so let me make this a very short review, great story but drones on and on with a heroine you have to work at liking it wraps up in a I really wanted to give this book 4 Stars but this may be the last book I read from this author. They all read like this to me: Great story but drags on and on and then after being dragged through the countryside in a very long but interesting story she finishes it off in less than a chapter with no epilogue.
This is not the first time and I felt cheated once again so let me make this a very short review, great story but drones on and on with a heroine you have to work at liking it wraps up in a few pages. I am tired of being cheated, I will stick to the "A" list writers.
The story of Hadrian and Natalie could have been 5 Star but once again I am not sure if she just writes until she gets tired of a story then chops it off but been fooled once too often.
3 Stars that could have been 5 in more talented hands ...more
Sep 16, 2019 Heather andrews rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Hadrian doesn't take hints very well, "you know very well it's improper for us to be alone in a bedchamber. You'll have to leave at once." Hadrian made no move to depart." Hadrian is often times irked by his woman, "I am steadfast, dammit. A regular stick-in-the-mud, remember?" I liked this book, I liked Hadrian.
Dec 29, 2019 Cheryl rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Natalie Fanshawe was an American who disliked the nobility, based on her father's and friend's experiences. However, she bravely brings Leo, her friends' son to his grandparents in England. She is very much her own woman. Hadrian Ames, Duke of Clayton is attracted to Natalie but she is the complete opposite to the type of lady he should marry. Hadrian has a harsh upbringing with his guardian. However, they both want the best for Leo. This was an entertaining read with a dangerous event and two Natalie Fanshawe was an American who disliked the nobility, based on her father's and friend's experiences. However, she bravely brings Leo, her friends' son to his grandparents in England. She is very much her own woman. Hadrian Ames, Duke of Clayton is attracted to Natalie but she is the complete opposite to the type of lady he should marry. Hadrian has a harsh upbringing with his guardian. However, they both want the best for Leo. This was an entertaining read with a dangerous event and two people who come to realise who they are meant to be with. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ...more
Nov 19, 2019 Aimie rated it liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: read-2019, arc, adult
Forever My Duke is the second book in Olivia Drake's Unlikely Duchesses series. Though it is a part of a series it can still be read as a standalone.
The book started off at a rather slow pace, though it did generally pick up after a few chapters. This is however redeemed by the characters. I enjoyed reading Natalie's character immensely, she had a modern and progressive view for a character in that time period. She stood up for herself and wouldn't allow anyone to bully, insult, or degrade, or Forever My Duke is the second book in Olivia Drake's Unlikely Duchesses series. Though it is a part of a series it can still be read as a standalone.
The book started off at a rather slow pace, though it did generally pick up after a few chapters. This is however redeemed by the characters. I enjoyed reading Natalie's character immensely, she had a modern and progressive view for a character in that time period. She stood up for herself and wouldn't allow anyone to bully, insult, or degrade, or tell her what to do. She also didn't fit into the conforms of society, she does what she wants and doesn't really case what is expected of her. Clayton was an enjoyable character to read except for the occasions he comes across as a bully.
In the end, this book was an alright read, it wasn't necessarily the best nor was it the worst.
eARC was kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
For this review and more, check out:
Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Wattpad ...more
Oct 02, 2019 Jessica Grogan rated it it was ok · review of another edition
So by 20%, this title had checked off pretty much every romance cliche. Some of these I can handle when they're alone but when put together it makes for a title I don't want to read. Those cliches were:
-insta-lust. Hadrian is supposed to be this calm, reserved guy. Instead, he is attracted to Natalie the moment he sees her. Which brings up the next cliche:
-the hero has only ever been attracted to one type of woman and the heroine is the complete opposite of that (Hadrian even thinks how he's So by 20%, this title had checked off pretty much every romance cliche. Some of these I can handle when they're alone but when put together it makes for a title I don't want to read. Those cliches were:
-the hero has only ever been attracted to one type of woman and the heroine is the complete opposite of that (Hadrian even thinks how he's always liked dainty women and Natalie is "tall and willowy")
-the hero wants to marry the PERFECT WIFE and doesn't care about love
-this isn't so much a cliche but I do hate it: Hadrian plans to marry a woman that is not only his second cousin but is also only 17. I don't care if it was done back then, it's still yuck to me
*I received an eARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Nov 25, 2019 ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰Janeane ✰ rated it liked it · review of another edition
Copy received via Netgalley for an honest review
Forever My Duke is my first Olivia Drake read, so it is good to say that as this is book 2 in the series, it can be read as a standalone.
This story did start out a little slow, however it did pick up the pace after a while.
I am a big fan of Natalie - she feels very progressive compared to the other ladies in the story. She won't be bullied, she won't take being insulted, and she couldn't give a stuff about what everyone expects her to do - she does Copy received via Netgalley for an honest review
I am a big fan of Natalie - she feels very progressive compared to the other ladies in the story. She won't be bullied, she won't take being insulted, and she couldn't give a stuff about what everyone expects her to do - she does it and she owns it.
Now, Clayton. I wanted to love him, I really did. However he came across as a bit of a bully, an arrogant ar$e and a bit of a flibbertigibbet. I mean, one minute he was off to propose to one lady, then next he was all about someone else. I did like things that he did for Natalie and her charge for the most part, but still, not so much at times.
This book just didn't seem, to me, to fit in with the time period. Something just felt a bit off about it - however this could just be me.
So, whilst I did like Forever My Duke, I wasn't exactly blown away by it. I am sure it will be a favourite for many readers, just not for me.
Jan 01, 2020 Judi Easley rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Recommends it for: Romantic historical fiction
Recommended to Judi by: NetGalley
Shelves: recommended, on-kindle, review-requested, romance-historical, read-in-ebook, review-done, from-netgalley
St. Martin's Press, Dec 31, 2019
Author's rep via NetGalley
The cover doesn't particularly appeal to me. It seems to lack the richness that we have come to expect from top-notch romances lately. The background simply fades in spite of its bright yellow coloring. While the bright green of the lady's dress seems glaring in this setting. Too bad, because the story deserves a good cover.
She's Natalie Fanshawe, an American of Forever My Duke
⭐⭐⭐⭐🌙
She's Natalie Fanshawe, an American of dubious English descent. She has brought the young son of her best friend to London so that he can live with his family. His parents were killed during the war in America and his mother's last request was that Natalie bring her son back to England to her family. Natalie would gladly have taken him into her own home and raised him as her own, but it was her friend's dying wish and so she will honor it. Natalie has no patience or understanding of the class system in England, nor does she want anything to do with curtsying to those who consider themselves her betters. She's an America and considers all people equal.
He's Hadrian Ames, the Duke of Clayton, but Natalie thinks he's just Mr. Clayton when he introduces himself as Clayton. As long as he's Mr. Clayton she can deal with him just fine even though he is dressed in the finest clothes she's ever seen, travels with a most superior valet and has a rather polished attitude himself as well. Clayton is on his way to speak to a young lady about marriage when he meets up with Natalie and her young charge at an inn. No, he's not in love. This is a choice based on the fact that she's lovely, acquiescent and of a suitable family.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading how the fiery American and the rather staid English Duke find their common ground as they come together, working out their differences. Each giving a bit here and a bit there as they realize what's important to them and what doesn't really matter when it's love at stake. How each starts to look at the other with new eyes and sees things of themselves. This is, of course, a normal historical romance and it doesn't really break any of the rules except the "bowing/curtsying to one's betters' one. I really loved it when Prinny dropped in for the ball when he was specifically not invited because she didn't curtsy to her "betters". But what's a duke to do when he's in love with a rebellious American? Yes, I certainly do recommend this one! ...more
Dec 31, 2019 Didi rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: arc-netgalley-edelweiss, romance, historical-medieval-time-travel, series
3.5 Stars rounded UP
Olivia Drake's second installment to her "Unlikely Duchess" is a lovely romance with a sprinkle of humor that liven up the story. A standalone set in Regency England, FOREVER MY DUKE had Hadrian Ames, Duke of Clayton, butted head with outspoken and free-spirited American Natalie Fenshaw who arrived in England to reunite an orphaned son of her dearest friend with his late mother estranged family.
From the first meeting to their not-wooing that shifted to furtive-wooing that 3.5 Stars rounded UP
From the first meeting to their not-wooing that shifted to furtive-wooing that blossomed into proper courting, Hadrian and Natalie's clash of personalities were fun to follow. I enjoyed the witty repartee between these two strong headed characters, their banter and arguments - even in the throes of passion.
The plot might be predictable - what with the number of disagreeable side characters making havoc in the name of self justification. But the highlight for me was six-year-old Leo's nature who brought merry and mischief in any situation (that got me inclined to rounded up the rating, just because). In term of family drama, this book has it all: one with rigid and unbalanced relationships among family members (the typical society family), the eccentric mashed with uptight one, and the unconditional loving one. Hint: one of them wouldn't survive the story intact.
Natalie's character was unusually progressive for that time (period) which made her an interesting heroine. And while I got a bit impatient with the initial "we can't be together" reasoning, it didn't drag on too long. Of the two in the series so far, I liked this one better than the first one. It's a good-humored, feel-good story - massacre incident aside - that entertained me (reading) from start to finish.
Copy of this book is kindly given by the author/publisher via Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Shelves: 2019, adventure, regency, adult, historical, netgalley, puzzles, romance
Miss Natasha Fanshawe is an intrepid young lady who escaped a massacre in which her best friend and her husband were brutally killed, leaving their six year old son, Leo, an orphan. Natasha promised her dying friend to act as guardian to the young boy and take him to her father, Lord Godwin, at his home in England. En route the lively young lad escapes to hide, taking refuge in the private rooms of Hadrian Ames, the Duke of Clayton. It turns out they are all travelling to the same destination Miss Natasha Fanshawe is an intrepid young lady who escaped a massacre in which her best friend and her husband were brutally killed, leaving their six year old son, Leo, an orphan. Natasha promised her dying friend to act as guardian to the young boy and take him to her father, Lord Godwin, at his home in England. En route the lively young lad escapes to hide, taking refuge in the private rooms of Hadrian Ames, the Duke of Clayton. It turns out they are all travelling to the same destination and fate ensures they travel together. The reception given to Leo by his relatives leaves much to be desired as Lord Godwin refuse to acknowledge his grandson without proof.
Natasha has little respect for aristocrats and is determined not to be taken in by Hadrian, even though he seems to believe her and she is definitely attracted to him. As he endeavours to prove her beliefs about the English nobility to be false, he also strives to woo her. Can this unlikely pair prove to be a match? With a conniving mother wanting her daughter to be Hadrian's wife, someone else threatening her and Leo, a Prince to meet and a kidnapping to thwart, this is an action packed regency romance with plenty of twists and turns before they can have their HEA!
This is a fun read and great to escape into. It is a story of fulfilling dying wishes, believing in yourself, learning to love and being prepared to follow your heart. It is a lovely story and I'll definitely look out for more in this series and by this author in future.
I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it. ...more
Jan 10, 2020 Cathy Geha rated it liked it · review of another edition
Mixed feelings on this one...it is well written and characters are developed so I could see and know them but I didn't feel there was anything new and thus it was rather predictable. The gorgeous duke is off to meet the woman he is supposed to (maybe) marry and meets a beautiful woman on the way. She is taking a young boy to meet his grandfather and the handsome duke provides a ride.
There is the romance, the dastardly bad guy, a young boy that Forever My Duke by Olivia Drake
There is the romance, the dastardly bad guy, a young boy that reminded me of the one in O'Henry's Ransom of Red Chief, a rather dysfunctional family, mention what war was maybe like and a bit more.
* Natlie: good friend to Audrey and unwilling to bow to anyone – she was American to the core and all for equality
* Hadrian: a man I grew to like – he was able to take charge and get things done and was also likable
* Leo: a boy with a lot of heart...but one who liked to disappear a lot
* There was a HEA
What I did not like:
* The uncaring family that were related to Leo
* The predictability
Thank you to NetGalley an dSt. Martin's Paperbacks for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3-4 Stars ...more
Dec 04, 2019 Norah Gibbons rated it really liked it · review of another edition
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley to read in exchange for a fair review. Forever My Duke by Olivia Drake is the second book in the Unlikely Duchesses series. It can be read as a standalone. Hadrian Ames, Duke of Clayton is in need of a wife and since there was an agreement between his father and his cousin who served as as his guardian that Hadrian would unite the families by marrying his cousins daughter he is on his way to visit them and to see if he and his young cousin will I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley to read in exchange for a fair review. Forever My Duke by Olivia Drake is the second book in the Unlikely Duchesses series. It can be read as a standalone. Hadrian Ames, Duke of Clayton is in need of a wife and since there was an agreement between his father and his cousin who served as as his guardian that Hadrian would unite the families by marrying his cousins daughter he is on his way to visit them and to see if he and his young cousin will suit. When inclement weather forces him pause his journey at an inn he makes the acquaintance of the lovely American Natalie Fanshawe who has brought her young ward Leo Bellingham to reunite him with his English relatives as his parents are dead. In a twist of fate it turns out that Leo is the son of the cousin that Hadrian grew up with and thought of as a sister. In a lovely friends to lovers story Hadrian soon learns that perhaps the perfect duchess is not what he needs and that his happiness will depend on convincing Natalie to take a chance on a British Lord instead of returning to America. Medium Steam. Publishing Date December 31, 2019 #NetGalley #ForeverMyDuke #OliviaDrake #HistoricalRomance #StMartinsPress #StMartinsPaperbacks #bookstagram @stmartinspress ...more
Dec 02, 2019 Caiti (The Romance Mom) rated it liked it · review of another edition
While I didn't dislike this book it didn't leave a particularly strong impression on me. I liked the 'Sassy American woman takes on the stuffy British Artistocracy' angle because I always enjoy that in an historical romance but I just had a difficult time connecting with these characters and their story.
This is a well-written book with some clever and amusing moments, but I think, for me, the romance moved too slowly and didn't burn as hotly as I prefer. Most likely a case of 'just not for me'.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all thoughts and opinions are my own. ...more
Oct 06, 2019 Crystal ♥ RBtWBC rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: request-netgalley, release-dec-2019, rating-3-5-stars, review-to-review, genre-historical-romance, length-novel
3.5 StarsAn enjoyable tale. Some repetitiveness, pretty predictable, and no connection to the first book in the series, but a nice read. Review to come...
Sep 22, 2019 Maria rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Passionate and emotionally involving, with the right dose of steam given the historical setting of the book, an enticing story of a duke who has plans to settle down by marrying one of his ranking, unaware of what fate has in store for him. A snobbish aristocrat with his pompous world and an American spunky girl with beliefs of equality. This is such an unusual match but the reader will soon be caught by their growing connection to one another.
Oct 15, 2019 Dan Curnutt rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Natalie Fanshawe has a small problem, his name is Leo. Natalie is an American whose best friend was an English Noblewoman. They met on the wild frontier of America. Lady Audrey had given up her title and her family connections to marry a preacher. They then moved to America as Missionaries. But when tragedy struck and both Lady Audrey and her husband were killed little Leo was left without any family in America. Audrey's dying request of Natalie was to take Leo back home to his grandfather so Natalie Fanshawe has a small problem, his name is Leo. Natalie is an American whose best friend was an English Noblewoman. They met on the wild frontier of America. Lady Audrey had given up her title and her family connections to marry a preacher. They then moved to America as Missionaries. But when tragedy struck and both Lady Audrey and her husband were killed little Leo was left without any family in America. Audrey's dying request of Natalie was to take Leo back home to his grandfather so that he could have a secure lifestyle.
The Duke of Clayton also has a small problem. He needs to marry and produce an heir to carry on the family name and legacy. He is on his way to seek the hand of a "very young" lady whom he has known since she was just a child. But he isn't sure this is the best match.
When the Duke of Clayton meets Natalie Fanshawe he is completely enthralled, smitten, captivated, whatever term you want to use, they all fit. He has never met a woman who has a mind of her own, abhors the British Aristocracy, and is capable of taking care of herself and others.
The rest of the story is amazingly written. The love between the two will grow, but neither wants to admit it. The Duke because he doesn't know how to love and Miss Fanshawe because she doesn't want to fall in love with a British Aristocrat. Little Leo almost becomes just a small part of the story, but in fact he is really the central character. He is born into the British Aristocracy but his grandfather doesn't want anything to do with his wayward daughter and especially her orphaned son.
What will happen? Will there be a marriage? Will the boy be adopted? Will grandfather come around and love his grandson? Will Natalie and Leo have to return to America and make a living on their own?
Enjoy the read! ...more
Sep 23, 2019 Reader rated it liked it · review of another edition
By: Olivia Drake
Blurb: Hadrian Ames, the Duke of Clayton, needs a bride. He even has the perfect one picked out. That is, until he meets the lovely, free-spirited Natalie Fanshawe. She's the opposite of what a man of his high rank should desire in a wife—an outspoken American who has never even set foot in a London ballroom.
But Natalie doesn't have time to be swept off her feet by a handsome duke who must be a spoiled scoundrel like every other British lord. And she Forever My Duke
3.5 Stars ⭐
- H likable? Yes, but Clayton fell into insta attraction/lust with Natalie. It seemed out of character since he was supposed to be reserved, aloof, logical/rational
- h likable? No, Natalie was too preachy, martyr, and political for my taste
- h virgin? Yes
- First time they kiss: 46%
- First time they sleep together: 82%
- OW/OM drama? Yes, the H is considering marrying someone else
- H/h cheat? No
- Steamy? No, mild
- Did I skip pages? Yes
- Big secrets? Yes. Natalie's English family and Leo's kidnapping
- Did I cry? No
- Cliffhanger? No
- How it ends: Clayton and Natalie are together.
- Recommend? Yes, though not my fav Olivia Drake but decent read. I couldn't connect with Natalie and I don't enjoy insta attraction/lust.
Thank you to the publisher for providing the ARC. ...more
Nov 08, 2019 Susan Peterson rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
I was completely entranced by the story of Natalie, a brave American woman accompanying her ward to England, and Hadrian, an English duke. There was much warmth and humor in this book, as well as the conflict that Natalie faces as she embraces a country much different than the one she'd left. There was a bit of action and adventure as well. Hadrian and Natalie are different in so many ways, except for their love for a little boy, and their growing attraction for each other.
Dec 27, 2019 Austine (NovelKnight) rated it it was ok · review of another edition
Shelves: on-kindle-docs, arc-review-2019, 2019-releases
Check out the original review and more on NovelKnight!
This book was provided by the publisher (via NetGalley). This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I feel like it's not fair to call a romance novel formulaic and boring when that formula is a part of the genre, butForever My Dukewas too predictable to make it worth a second glance.
On the surface, the premise caught my attention. An American (Natalie) coming to England always invites some sort of chaos in a Check out the original review and more on NovelKnight!
I feel like it's not fair to call a romance novel formulaic and boring when that formula is a part of the genre, but Forever My Duke was too predictable to make it worth a second glance.
On the surface, the premise caught my attention. An American (Natalie) coming to England always invites some sort of chaos in a historical romance and I liked Natalie's character well enough, though her consistent stubbornness and complete 180 flip at the end did little to further endear her to me. She became the spokeswoman for rebellious Americans who can't stand the British which got on my nerves, especially when it came up over and over again and her attraction toward a certain English duke (Hadrian) grew.
And okay, I don't actually know how dukes act but Hadrian's complete disregard to everything once Natalie showed up seemed out of sorts. And every description of him reiterates the same three physical attributes followed by Natalie's indecisive "I like him but he's English, oh what will I do?!" There just wasn't much to either one of them beyond a few (somewhat extreme) personality traits.
As for their romance, I don't mind insta-love when something is done with it but I do tend to dislike insta-love straight to marriage, even if it might have been a socially acceptable thing to do in the time period of the book (like many of the historical romances I read).
In this case, Natalie and Hadrian knew each other for mere weeks and their relationship was never really developed beyond having an intense attraction toward each other (more insta-lust than insta-love). As the basis for a marriage, I struggled to see a good reason for it especially as Hadrian was using it as his argument for Natalie to accept his suit and trade everything she knew for a life with him. I liked that Natalie called him on this plan of his and appreciated her desire for him to admit he loved her back but I didn't really believe her love for Hadrian so it all didn't quite ring true for me.
As a whole, I found the story a bit boring. It's a quick read, don't get me wrong, but I wasn't really sticking with it most of the time because the characters didn't keep my attention and something just felt... off about the plot. Now, I will give Forever My Duke its due where it comes to Leo, the boy Natalie has taken guardianship of. Any time there's a child character I tend to love or hate how they're written. In this case, Leo was probably my favorite character and the only thing saving this book from a true do-not-recommend label.
I might have been able to give it a few points for the story pace too if not for the last 10% when it felt like a mad rush to throw in a final bit of conflict to get Hadrian to "see reason," or however you want to phrase it. This particular twist was really easy to call based on a previous portion of the book, which isn't necessarily bad but combined with the pacing, it made the ending seem superfluous.
Overall, I wasn't terribly impressed with Forever My Duke and can't say I'd recommend it to anyone looking for more than a quick romance with little story or character development to support it.
For More Bookish Content: Blog || Twitter || Facebook || Bloglovin' ...more
Dec 21, 2019 AnnMarie rated it really liked it
Forever and a Duke is the second book in the Unlikely Duchesses series by Olivia Drake. Although part of a series it can be read as a standalone book. If you are anything like me though, you will enjoy this one so much that you will want to go back and read the first book in the series before continuing when the next new books are released.
Hadrian Ames, the Duke of Clayton is fed up of the marriage mart, fed up of eager mothers pushing their eligible daughters at him. With that in mind, he Forever and a Duke is the second book in the Unlikely Duchesses series by Olivia Drake. Although part of a series it can be read as a standalone book. If you are anything like me though, you will enjoy this one so much that you will want to go back and read the first book in the series before continuing when the next new books are released.
Hadrian Ames, the Duke of Clayton is fed up of the marriage mart, fed up of eager mothers pushing their eligible daughters at him. With that in mind, he thinks the perfect way to stop them and to uphold a family arrangement would be to marry his second cousin, a young woman much younger than himself. He is on his way to visit that cousin, to decide if a marriage would work for them when he meets Natalie.
Natalie, an American, has no love for England or the aristocracy. She is in the country to fulfil her promise of taking her charge, Leo, to his Grandfather. Leo's mother was estranged from her father but it was her dying wish that Leo was to be kept safe and given the best start in life by being brought up by family.
Practically from the first moment that they met Hadrian was intrigued by Natalie especially as she didn't curtsy to him as his station demanded. She was one to shake hands, to feel and be equal to every person regardless of their station in life. When he realises that the young boy in her care is actually the grandson of the man he is heading off to see he offers them a lift to the estate.
From there the story turns to one where Natalie finds herself having to prove Leo is indeed a member of the family. None of the family seems willing to accept him except for Hadrian that is. During the time it takes for investigations to take place a firm bond develops between Hadrian and Leo, and an immense attraction takes place between Hadrian and Natalie. It's one that both try to ignore, but the minute they give in to that first kiss there are veritable fireworks! Can they have a future together when they are from such different backgrounds and both want different things from life? What of Leo, can his identity be proven?
This certainly wasn't a quick read, you definitely get your money's worth. When I saw the length of the book I hoped that I wouldn't find it to be full of stuff and nonsense, anything to just pad out the story. I am happy to report that every word, every paragraph was essential to the story. The story was well thought out, the characters believable, the passionate scenes were beautifully written and most importantly for me, there was a happy ending.
Do I recommend this book? Yes, I do. It's not for those that fancy a quick read, but if you don't then you should love this story. ...more
Romance > Historical Romance
About Olivia Drake
Shortly after graduating from Michigan State University with a degree in journalism, Olivia Drake sold her first novel two weeks after sending it to a publisher. She now lives in Texas in a cozy cottage with two feisty cats and a photographer husband. Her two daughters have flown the nest, but still come back whenever they want a home-cooked meal!
Olivia Drake is the author of 35 romance novels. Shortly after graduating from Michigan State University with a degree in journalism, Olivia Drake sold her first novel two weeks after sending it to a publisher. She now lives in Texas in a cozy cottage with two feisty cats and a photographer husband. Her two daughters have flown the nest, but still come back whenever they want a home-cooked meal!
Olivia Drake is the author of 35 romance novels. Her most recent series is called 'Unlikely Duchesses' and began with THE DUKE I ONCE KNEW. The second book in the series, FOREVER MY DUKE, will be released in January 2020.
Her other series include 'Heiress in London' (SEDUCING THE HEIRESS, NEVER TRUST A ROGUE, SCANDAL OF THE YEAR) and 'The Cinderella Sisterhood' series (IF THE SLIPPER FITS, STROKE OF MIDNIGHT, ABDUCTED BY A PRINCE, BELLA AND THE BEAST, HIS WICKED WISH, THE SCANDALOUS FLIRT).
Many of you also knew Olivia as Barbara Dawson Smith. She is a New York Times bestseller and winner of numerous honors, including the Golden Heart Award and the coveted Rita Award for excellence in the historical romance genre.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/olivia... ...more
Unlikely Duchesses (2 books)
Books by Olivia Drake
Trivia About Forever My Duke (...


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Andrew Mills
Andrew D. Mills is a Research Scientist in the Electricity Markets and Policy Group at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Andrew conducts research on the integration of variable generation into the electric power system, evaluating the costs, benefits, and institutional needs of renewable energy transmission and other supporting infrastructure.
Andrew's has published his research in IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy, IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics, Wind Energy, and Energy Policy among other journals. He was a contributing author to the IPCC Contribution of Working Group III to the Fifth Assessment Report and Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation.
Previously, Andrew worked with All Cell Technologies, a battery technology start-up company.
Andrew has a Ph.D. and M.S. in Energy and Resources from UC Berkeley and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Seel, Joachim, Andrew D Mills, and Ryan H Wiser. Impacts of High Variable Renewable Energy Futures on Wholesale Electricity Prices, and on Electric-Sector Decision Making. 2018. LBNL-2001163.
Report PDF (2.61 MB) Presentation PDF (2.79 MB) CAISO Data XLS (6.56 MB) ERCOT Data XLS (6.95 MB) NYISO Data XLS (6.75 MB) SPP Data XLS (6.74 MB)
Wiser, Ryan H, Andrew D Mills, Joachim Seel, Todd Levin, and Audun Botterud. Impacts of Variable Renewable Energy on Bulk Power System Assets, Pricing, and Costs. 2017. LBNL-2001082.
Mills, Andrew D, Ryan H Wiser, and Joachim Seel. Power Plant Retirements: Trends and Possible Drivers. 2017. LBNL-2001083.
Kahrl, Fredrich, Andrew D Mills, Luke Lavin, Nancy Ryan, and Arne Olsen. The Future of Electricity Resource Planning. Ed. Schwartz, Lisa C. Vol. FEUR Report No. 6. 2016. LBNL-1006269.
Darghouth, Naïm R, Ryan H Wiser, Galen L Barbose, and Andrew D Mills. Net Metering and Market Feedback Loops: Exploring the Impact of Retail Rate Design on Distributed PV Deployment. 2015. LBNL-183185.
Mills, Andrew D, and Ryan H Wiser. "Strategies to mitigate declines in the economic value of wind and solar at high penetration in California." Applied Energy 147 (2015) 269 - 278.
Report PDF (386.06 KB) Fact Sheet PDF (247.81 KB) Presentation PDF (671.57 KB)
Munoz, Francisco D, and Andrew D Mills. "Endogenous Assessment of the Capacity Value of Solar PV in Generation Investment Planning Studies." IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy 6.4 (2015).
Mills, Andrew D, and Joachim Seel. Flexibility Inventory for Western Resource Planners. 2015. LBNL-1003750.
Report PDF (2.01 MB) Briefing PDF (639.36 KB)
Mills, Andrew D, Audun Botterud, Jing Wu, Zhi Zhou, Bri-Mathias Hodge, and Mike Heaney. Integrating Solar PV in Utility System Operations. 2014. LBNL-6525E.
Mills, Andrew D, and Ryan H Wiser. Strategies for Mitigating the Reduction in Economic Value of Variable Generation with Increasing Penetration Levels. 2014. LBNL-6590E.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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text:
Forbes Publishes Investigation into Badoo's Corporate Culture
Written by Scott Harvey
8th July 2019 8th July 2019
A feature-length article published in Forbes has raised a number of questions about the corporate culture and company structure at Badoo.
It suggests the brand operates a network of subsidiaries and offices abroad to minimise its tax bill, with Worldwide Vision Ltd. and Rimberg International Corp. highlighted as potential channels for evasion. Operations in Malta, Cyprus and the British Virgin Islands are mentioned by author Angel Au-Yeung.
Andrey Andreev, interviewed by Forbes for the piece, denies that these company arms are used for the purpose of avoiding UK tax.
The investigation goes on to explore allegations of workplace misogyny, with four former employees asserting that an explicit video was once circulated internally.
It mentions multiple cases of harassment, including one dated July 2018. Andreev told the publication: "You have been misinformed about the circumstances (…) and I have thorough documentation for this. As any HR matters are sensitive and confidential, I cannot give you more details."
Later in the piece, Au-Yeung outlines some of the diversity and inclusion measures taken by Badoo in recent months. Specialised training sessions have been implemented, and maternity leave has been increased.
Bumble CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd comments, calling Andreev "my family and one of my best friends." The entrepreneur left dating rival Tinder in 2014 after a settlement relating to sexual harassment.
UPDATE: In a statement to Business Insider, MagicLab said: "MagicLab is a family of brands that are built off of diversity and thrive in addressing societal issues by building relationships all over the world.
"We are extremely disappointed in the reckless reporting of the Forbes reporter. Not a single current employee is quoted, our fact-check corrections were largely ignored, and the journalist refused to talk to dozens of former and current employees who came forward to counter the sensationalist narrative of only a few former disgruntled employees."
GDI has contacted Badoo for comment.
Author Scott Harvey
Scott is the Editor of Global Dating Insights. Raised in Dorset, he holds a BA from The University of Nottingham and an MSc from Lund University School of Economics and Management. Previously he has written about politics, economics and technology for various online publications.


We hope you will plan a little extra time to enjoy the sights and sounds of Austin.
The Hyatt Regency, resides in the most ideal spot in Austin. Set on the shore of Lady Bird Lake, they've combined the perfect blend of city life and resort calm with views only the Hyatt Regency Austin can offer. The location affords easy access to Austin's many entertainment districts, most notably South Congress, where you can find a taste of the original Austin and the true meaning of "Keep Austin Weird".
Capital Cruises – Just outside the Hyatt!
Congress Avenue Bats– immediately outside the hotel.
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text:
We welcome contributions from the community. Please read the following guidelines carefully to
maximize the chances of your PR being merged.

# Communication

* Before starting work on a major feature, please reach out to us via GitHub, Slack,
  email, etc. We will make sure no one else is already working on it and ask you to open a
  GitHub issue.
* A "major feature" is defined as any change that is > 100 LOC altered (not including tests), or
  changes any user-facing behavior. We will use the GitHub issue to discuss the feature and come to
  agreement. This is to prevent your time being wasted, as well as ours. The GitHub review process
  for major features is also important so that [organizations with commit access](OWNERS.md) can
  come to agreement on design.
* Small patches and bug fixes don't need prior communication.

# Coding style

* See [STYLE.md](STYLE.md)

# Breaking change policy

* As of the 1.3.0 release, the Envoy user-facing configuration is locked and we will not make
  breaking changes between official numbered releases. This includes JSON configuration, REST/gRPC
  APIs (SDS, CDS, RDS, etc.), and CLI switches. We will also try to not change behavioral semantics
  (e.g., HTTP header processing order), though this is harder to outright guarantee.
* We reserve the right to deprecate configuration, and at the beginning of the following release
  cycle remove the deprecated configuration. For example, all deprecations between 1.3.0 and
  1.4.0 will be deleted soon AFTER 1.4.0 is tagged and released (at the beginning of the 1.5.0
  release cycle).
* This policy means that organizations deploying master should have some time to get ready for
  breaking changes, but we make no guarantees about the length of time.
* The breaking change policy also applies to source level extensions (e.g., filters). Code that
  conforms to the public interface documentation should continue to compile and work within the
  deprecation window. We make no guarantees about code or deployments that rely on undocumented
  behavior.
* All deprecations/breaking changes will be clearly listed in [DEPRECATED.md](DEPRECATED.md).
* All deprecations/breaking changes will be announced to the
  [envoy-announce](https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/envoy-announce) email list.

# Release cadence

* Currently we are targeting approximately quarterly official releases. We may change this based
  on customer demand.
* In general, master is assumed to be release candidate quality at all times for documented
  features. For undocumented or clearly under development features, use caution or ask about
  current status when running master. Lyft runs master in production, typically deploying every
  few days.
* Note that we currently do not provide binary packages (RPM, etc.). Organizations are expected to
  build Envoy from source. This may change in the future if we get resources for maintaining
  packages.

# Submitting a PR

* Fork the repo and create your PR.
* Tests will automatically run for you.
* We will **not** merge any PR that is not passing tests.
* PRs are expected to have 100% test coverage for added code. This can be verified with a coverage
  build. If your PR cannot have 100% coverage for some reason please clearly explain why when you
  open it.
* Any PR that changes user-facing behavior **must** have associated documentation.
* All code comments and documentation are expected to have proper English grammar and punctuation.
  If you are not a fluent English speaker (or a bad writer ;-)) please let us know and we will try
  to find some help but there are no guarantees.
* Your PR title should be descriptive, and generally start with a subsystem name followed by a
  colon. Examples:
  * "docs: fix grammar error"
  * "http conn man: add new feature"
* Your PR description should have details on what the PR does. If it fixes an existing issue it
  should end with "Fixes #XXX".
* When all of the tests are passing and all other conditions described herein are satisfied, tag
  @lyft/network-team and we will review it and merge.
* Once you submit a PR, *please do not rebase it*. It's much easier to review if subsequent commits
  are new commits and/or merges. We squash rebase the final merged commit so the number of commits
  you have in the PR don't matter.
* We expect that once a PR is opened, it will be actively worked on until it is merged or closed.
  We reserve the right to close PRs that are not making progress. This is generally defined as no
  changes for 7 days. Obviously PRs that are closed due to lack of activity can be reopened later.
  Closing stale PRs helps us keep on top of all of the work currently in flight.
* If a commit deprecates a feature, the commit message must mention what has been deprecated.
  Additionally, [DEPRECATED.md](DEPRECATED.md) must be updated as part of the commit.
* Please consider joining the [envoy-dev](https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/envoy-dev)
  mailing list.
* If your PR involves any changes to
  [envoy-filter-example](https://github.com/envoyproxy/envoy-filter-example) (for example making a new
  branch so that CI can pass) it is your responsibility to follow through with merging those
  changes back to master once the CI dance is done.

# PR review policy for committers

* Typically we try to turn around reviews within one business day.
* See [OWNERS.md](OWNERS.md) for the current list of committers.
* It is generally expected that a senior committer should review every PR.
* It is also generally expected that a "domain expert" for the code the PR touches should review the
  PR. This person does not necessarily need to have commit access.
* The previous two points generally mean that every PR should have two approvals. (Exceptions can
  be made by the senior committers).
* In general, we should also attempt to make sure that at least one of the approvals is *from an
  organization different from the PR author.* E.g., if Lyft authors a PR, at least one approver
  should be from an organization other than Lyft. This helps us make sure that we aren't putting
  organization specific shortcuts into the code.
* If there is a question on who should review a PR please discuss in Slack.
* Anyone is welcome to review any PR that they want, whether they are a committer or not.
* Please **clean up the commit message** before merging. By default, GitHub fills the squash merge
  commit message with every individual commit from the PR. Generally, we want a commit message
  that is roughly equal to the original PR title and description.
* If a PR includes a deprecation/breaking change, notification should be sent to the
  [envoy-announce](https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/envoy-announce) email list.

# DCO: Sign your work

The sign-off is a simple line at the end of the explanation for the
patch, which certifies that you wrote it or otherwise have the right to
pass it on as an open-source patch.  The rules are pretty simple: if you
can certify the below (from
[developercertificate.org](http://developercertificate.org/)):

```
Developer Certificate of Origin
Version 1.1

Copyright (C) 2004, 2006 The Linux Foundation and its contributors.
660 York Street, Suite 102,
San Francisco, CA 94110 USA

Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this
license document, but changing it is not allowed.

Developer's Certificate of Origin 1.1

By making a contribution to this project, I certify that:

(a) The contribution was created in whole or in part by me and I
    have the right to submit it under the open source license
    indicated in the file; or

(b) The contribution is based upon previous work that, to the best
    of my knowledge, is covered under an appropriate open source
    license and I have the right under that license to submit that
    work with modifications, whether created in whole or in part
    by me, under the same open source license (unless I am
    permitted to submit under a different license), as indicated
    in the file; or

(c) The contribution was provided directly to me by some other
    person who certified (a), (b) or (c) and I have not modified
    it.

(d) I understand and agree that this project and the contribution
    are public and that a record of the contribution (including all
    personal information I submit with it, including my sign-off) is
    maintained indefinitely and may be redistributed consistent with
    this project or the open source license(s) involved.
```

then you just add a line to every git commit message:

    Signed-off-by: Joe Smith <joe@gmail.com>

using your real name (sorry, no pseudonyms or anonymous contributions.)

You can add the sign off when creating the git commit via `git commit -s`.

If you want this to be automatic you can set up some aliases:

```
git config --add alias.amend "commit -s --amend"
git config --add alias.c "commit -s"
```

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


If you buy eggs from a store they are graded and those with imperfections aren't sold. Once in a while you might see flaws in a farm egg but you probably haven't given it a great deal of thought. Here's the lowdown on some egg oddities.
Double yolks commonly occur in new layers when yolk release is mistimed and two yolks travel down the oviduct together. Older hens tend to lay larger eggs because the oviduct loses elasticity over time. A double-yolker rarely hatches.
Eggs with no shell feel rubbery because the membranes are on the outside. These irregular eggs are commonly produced by new layers but can result at any time from stress or often from calcium, phosphorous or vitamin D deficiency.
High environmental temperatures are the most common cause of thin-shelled eggs. A hen's increased rate of respiration interferes with calcium carbonate production and shell formation. Older hens generally produce thinner shells as their oviducts wears out.
Egg shells can have different textures caused by a number of factors, from excess calcium or vitamin D intake (pimples that can be scraped off) to double-ovulation, disease, a defective shell gland or rapid changes in lighting (sandpaper shells).
When an egg is delayed in the shell gland, a second egg coming down the oviduct will bonk into it and rest alongside the first egg, causing a flat, wrinkled side.
Oddly coloured eggs are the result of being unevenly pigmented while in the shell gland pouch.
An egg within an egg occurs when, for some unknown reason, an egg almost ready to be laid reverses engines and backs up into the reproductive tract, where it meets the next egg in progress. The first egg receives more albumen, membranes and shell before being laid.
Tiny eggs containing no yolk are referred to as fairy, wind, or fart eggs. (I don't make this stuff up!) These irregular eggs are also common in new layers when the reproductive system is not yet synchronized but can also occur in older hens when a piece of tissue from the oviduct breaks free, tricking the hen's reproductive system into treating the tissue like a yolk and creating an egg.
Occasionally I get some of these types of eggs but you're unlikely to see them. Usually only double-yolkers make the cut for quality control for you, my paying customer. We, the farmers, eat the oddities – the shells may be imperfect but those little orbs are perfect on the inside.
I live on a small Gulf Island in the Pacific Northwest off the the coast of British Columbia.
I've kept chickens for the last 9 years and although I have some purebreds I love to breed crosses that look interesting (i.e. crests, muffs, beards, frizzles, patterned, spangled, etc) and also lay coloured eggs.
"Common egg deformity issues clearly explained"
This is great - many of the most common egg issues summed up in a single, clearly written article ... Eggcellent!


The word "religion" comes from a Latin word that means "to bind" or "to tie up". The reason so many people today are anti-religious is because they refuse to tie themselves to anything. They desire to be totally and completely free, and so they reject any institution or belief system that would bind them in any way. The question is, how did we get here?
According to Notre Dame Professor Brad S. Gregory, in his extraordinarily helpful book The Unintended Reformation, this anti-religious attitude has its source in the 16th Century Protestant Reformation, which itself was the first significant and long-lasting rejection of institutionalized authority in the Western World. But rejecting Rome does not necessarily mean rejecting religion, so to what did these Reformers bind themselves?
The first anti-Roman binding was to Scripture alone. All the early Reformers agreed that Scripture was the only possible authority in religious matters. The problem is that they did not agree about anything else. Immediately, there were debates what Jesus actually meant when he said "this is my body" or what he intended when he gave the Apostles the authority to forgive sins. And then there were debates about infant baptism and statues and eventually everything else. They may all have bound themselves to the Bible, but which Bible?
The second anti-Roman binding was to the personal inspiration of God. If Scripture needed interpretation, which it obviously did, then who better to interpret Scripture than the Holy Spirit? And where does the Holy Spirit operate, except in one's own heart? But immediately two problems emerged. The first was that it was impossible to determine who was genuinely inspired by the Holy Spirit and who was not. The second was that, if the Holy Spirit was a greater authority than Scripture, then maybe the Holy Spirit could ask us to move beyond Scripture or even give us additional books of Scripture, and many people claimed exactly that. They may all have bound themselves to the authority of the inspiration of God, but which inspiration, and which God?
Then the philosophers stepped in and claimed that faith had failed, and only pure reason could save the day. Well, this sounded very nice, but every single philosopher who claimed to operate from reason alone seemed to come to very different answers about what reason actually required. Some claimed that we could know the world around us, others that we could not. Some claimed that pleasure was the measure of the good, while others said that goodness came through duty, or through power, or through revolution. The more faith was abandoned in favor of quote-unquote "pure reason", the more additional, competing truth claims were created. They may all have bound themselves to reason, but which reason?
But if we look closer, we will realize that all the other systems were "religions of me," also. So-called "Scripture alone" is simply accepting only one's own interpretation of Scripture. So-called personal inspiration is a nice way to rely only on one's own opinions. And "reason alone" is a nice way to pretend that somehow one's own opinions are facts, rather than the opinions that they are.
My friends, there are only two authorities two which we can bind ourselves: either our own opinions, or something that is completely outside of ourselves. Personally, I do not like the first option, because I do not trust myself. I know exactly how imperfect I am, and how often I am wrong.
But if we want the second option, if we wish to bind ourselves to something completely outside ourselves, in order for that authority to have any meaning at all, it must have the ability to tell us that we are wrong. The Bible cannot tell us that we are wrong. Nor can our inner feeling of God. Nor can our own seemingly reasonable thoughts. BECAUSE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE THINGS COMES FROM AND THROUGH OUR OWN PERSONAL INTERPRETATION. A true authority must be completely external, outside of our own interpretation. Which means that the only possible external authority to which we can bind ourselves is another person.
And this is exactly why, exactly why, Jesus says that he is going to establish his Church on the rock of Peter. Yes, of course, the true rock of our Church is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is our religion. It is to Jesus Christ that we have bound ourselves. But in order for his authority to have any meaning whatsoever, in order to avoid so many competing, personal interpretations of Jesus, Jesus' authority must reside in a human person, who can tell us that we are wrong. In order for us to bind ourselves to Jesus, we must have a Pope.
Let me be clear: as Catholics, we bind ourselves to Jesus through the authority of Peter and his successors. We cannot be Catholic without the Pope. Our binding, our religion, is necessarily Petrine, necessarily hierarchical.
Yes, the authority of the Pope is nuanced. Our Church has spent two-thousand years debating and clarifying exactly how much authority the Pope has and in what circumstances. But if we ever abandon the Pope or his authority, then we abandon the very rock that Jesus himself gave our Church, and we resign ourselves to the shifting sands of personal interpretation and the religion of me.
La palabra "religión" viene de una palabra latina que significa "atar." La razón por la que muchas personas hoy en día son antirreligiosas es porque se niegan a atarse a cualquier cosa. Ellos desean ser total y completamente libres, y por lo tanto, rechazan cualquier institución o sistema de creencias que los atarían de cualquier manera. ¿Cómo llegamos aquí?
De acuerdo con el profesor de Notre Dame Brad S. Gregory, en su libro The Unintended Reformation, esta actitud anti-religiosa tiene su origen en el siglo dieciséis de la Reforma protestante, que a su vez fue el primer rechazo significativo y duradero de la autoridad institucionalizada en El mundo occidental. Pero rechazar Roma no significa rechazar la religión, ¿a qué se atan estos Reformadores?
La primera atadura anti-romana fue a la Escritura sola. Todos los primeros Reformadores estaban de acuerdo en que la Escritura era la única autoridad posible en asuntos religiosos. El problema es que no estaban de acuerdo en nada más. Inmediatamente, hubo debates lo que Jesús quiso decir cuando dijo "esto es mi cuerpo", o lo que pretendía cuando le dio a los Apóstoles el poder de perdonar los pecados. Y luego hubo debates sobre el bautismo infantil y las estatuas y, finalmente, todo lo demás. Puede que todos se hayan ligado a la Biblia, pero ¿qué Biblia?
La segunda atadura anti-romana fue a la inspiración personal de Dios. Si la Escritura necesitaba interpretación, lo que obviamente hizo, ¿quién mejor que interpretar la Escritura que el Espíritu Santo? ¿Y dónde opera el Espíritu Santo, sino en el propio corazón? Pero inmediatamente surgieron dos problemas. La primera era que era imposible determinar quién fue genuinamente inspirado por el Espíritu Santo y quién no. El segundo era que si el Espíritu Santo era una autoridad más grande que la Escritura, quizás el Espíritu Santo podría pedirnos que nos moviéramos más allá de la Escritura o incluso darnos libros adicionales de la Escritura, y muchos afirmaron que lo hizo. Pueden todos unirse a la autoridad de la inspiración de Dios, pero ¿qué inspiración?
Entonces los filósofos entraron y afirmaron que la fe había fallado, y sólo la razón pura podía salvar el día. Bueno, esto sonaba muy bien, pero cada filósofo que afirmaba operar desde la sola razón parecía llegar a respuestas muy diferentes sobre lo que la razón realmente requería. Algunos decían que podíamos conocer el mundo que nos rodeaba, otros que no podíamos. Algunos afirmaron que el placer era la medida del bien, mientras que otros decían que la bondad venía por el deber, o por el poder, o por la revolución. Cuanto más se abandonaba la fe a favor de supuestamente "razón pura", las afirmaciones de la verdad más competidor fueron creadas. Pueden todos obligarse a la razón, pero ¿qué razón?
Entonces, ¿por qué el mundo es tan anti-religioso hoy? Porque cada nueva atadura, cada nueva religión, en los últimos quinientos años ha resultado en caos, confusión y desacuerdo. La religión parece un experimento fallido. Lo que nos deja sin autoridad en la que podamos confiar excepto nosotros mismos. Sólo estamos atados a nosotros mismos. Adoptamos la "religión de mí".
Pero si miramos más de cerca, nos daremos cuenta de que todos los otros sistemas eran "religiones de mí", también. La llamada "Escritura sola" es simplemente aceptar sólo la propia interpretación de la Escritura. La llamada inspiración personal es una buena manera de confiar sólo en las propias opiniones. Y la "razón sola" es una buena manera de pretender que de alguna manera las propias opiniones son hechos, más que las opiniones que son.
Mis amigos, sólo hay dos las autoridades a las que podemos atarnos: a nuestras propias opiniones, o algo que está fuera de nosotros mismos. Personalmente, no confío en mí mismo. Sé exactamente lo imperfecto que soy, y con qué frecuencia me equivoco.
Pero si queremos atarnos a algo fuera de nosotros mismos, para que esa autoridad tenga algún significado en absoluto, debe tener la capacidad de decirnos que estamos equivocados. La Biblia no puede decirnos que estamos equivocados. Tampoco puede nuestro sentimiento interior de Dios. Tampoco nuestros propios pensamientos aparentemente razonables. PORQUE CADA UNO DE ESTAS COSAS VIENE DE NUESTRA PROPIA INTERPRETACIÓN PERSONAL. Una verdadera autoridad debe ser externa, fuera de nuestra propia interpretación. Lo que significa que la única autoridad externa posible a la que podemos atarnos es otra persona.
Y esto es exactamente por qué, exactamente por qué, Jesús dice que él va a establecer su Iglesia sobre la roca de Pedro. Sí, por supuesto, la verdadera roca de nuestra Iglesia es Jesucristo. Jesucristo es nuestra religión. Es a Jesucristo que nos hemos atado. Pero para que su autoridad tenga ningún significado en absoluto, con el fin de evitar tantas interpretaciones personales y competidoras de Jesús, la autoridad de Jesús debe residir en una persona humana, que puede decirnos que estamos equivocados. Para que nos atamos a Jesús, debemos tener un Papa.
Que quede claro: como católicos, nos atamos a Jesús a través de la autoridad de Pedro y sus sucesores. No podemos ser católicos sin el Papa. Nuestra vinculación, nuestra religión, es necesariamente con Pedro, necesariamente romana, necesariamente jerárquica.
Sí, la autoridad del Papa es matizada. Nuestra Iglesia ha pasado dos mil años debatiendo y aclarando exactamente cuánta autoridad tiene el Papa y en qué circunstancias. Pero si alguna vez abandonamos al Papa o a su autoridad, entonces abandonamos la misma roca que Jesús mismo dio a nuestra Iglesia, y nos resignamos a las arenas movedizas de la interpretación personal ya la religión de mí.


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text:
Recording from U.S. broadcasting meeting has unexplained gaps
BBG Watch Commentary
Remember President Nixon's secretary, Rose Mary Woods, and the 18½ minute gap in President Nixon White House tapes? Some of us do.
International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) Director Richard Lobo had been tasked with ensuring the full recording of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) telephonic board meeting on April 24. He was in fact one of the important participants in the meeting, as were some other IBB officials and staffers. BBG, the agency in charge of U.S. international broadcasting, had announced previously on its official website that the audio recording and transcript of the meeting would me made available online to the public shortly after the conclusion of the board's session.
Coming shortly after the Boston terror bombings, it was an important meeting of U.S. officials responsible for programs designed to counter jihadist propaganda abroad with accurate news and information. Some of these officials had tried earlier to end U.S.-funded broadcasts to Chechnya, an enclave in Russia from where the family of the suspected bombers came from.
We now learn that there is a mysterious gap or gaps in the recording. The audio has not been posted on the BBG website and no official explanation was provided. Sources told us that not even BBG members can get the full story as to why a gap or gaps in the recording have occurred. They are baffled and frustrated by their inability to control IBB bureaucracy, which keeps failing them again and again without suffering any consequences.
In fact, it is BBG members who get blamed in the media for the mistakes of IBB bureaucrats whom they can't replace, one source told BBG Watch. They can't even hire their own chief of staff because top IBB executives are making it difficult, the source added. Michael Lynton's inexplicable absence contributes to the crisis and makes the agency ungovernable at the time of increased risks to U.S. national security in the aftermath of the Boston terror bombings. The fact that some of the IBB officials had proposed last year to end broadcasts to Chechnya, the ancestral homeland of the suspected bombers, and to fire a number of experienced journalists, underscores how critical reform of the IBB bureaucracy has become.
The board meeting itself was controversial because it was called as a way of pressuring BBG's Interim Presiding Governor Michael Lynton to participate. Without him, the board has no quorum. Without a quorum, BBG members can't take formal votes, which makes the federal agency virtually ungovernable and contrary to what the law provides. With the four BBG members unable to give orders to IBB Director Lobo, he can do whatever he wants. Again, this is not what the Congress has intended.
Michael Lynton was again absent during the telephonic conference call on April 24. Again, there has been no explanation that we know of. The board had no quorum and therefore it did not have a formal meeting. Again, to pressure Michael Lynton to appear, BBG members who were present voted to recess their meeting until Many 15.
Sources told us that BBG members who participated in the April 24 conference call were extremely unhappy with both Lynton and Lobo. According to sources, Lobo apparently made some statements as to how he sees his role if the BBG board has no quorum. We were told that he questioned whether he can implement decisions made by the majority of BBG members present if there is no quorum. The question everybody wants to have an answer to is whether Lynton and Lobo are coordinating their actions.
We are told now that there is a gap in the audio recording from the April 24 session and that no one has so far explained why it happened. U.S. international broadcasts contribute to America's security. Americans have the right to know why Michael Lynton fails to show up for Broadcasting Board of Governors meetings, why agency officials defy wishes of BBG members, and why International Broadcasting Bureau Director Richard Lobo cannot produce a full recording from the most recent board meeting.
Members of Congress had previously accused IBB officials on several occasions of deliberately ignoring Congressional directives. This has become a matter of U.S. national security and the Congress should demand answers from Michael Lynton, as well as Director Lobo and his senior staffers.
TagsBBGChechnyaIBBInternational Broadcasting BureauMichael Lyntonnational securityRichard LoboRussiaterrorism
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