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The Black Duke's Prize
Sent to London by her untrustworthy uncle, the beautiful and feisty Katherine Ralston arrives for the Season in utter despair. Not only is she caught up in the mad whirl of ballgowns and galas, she must also make certain that her disreputable uncle doesn’t sell her family estate in her
absence.
Katherine Ralston, a country girl at heart, sees the Season in London as something she must endure. Nicholas Varnon, known as the Black Duke for his rakish and irresistible charms, sees the season as a chance to repair his rakish reputation. Yet, he seems to be taking quite an interest in the spirited Katherine. Suspicious of trickery, Katherine is determined to ignore the sinfully sexy charms of…the Black Duke. Little does she know, she may have just met her white knight in shining armor…
absence.
Katherine Ralston, a country girl at heart, sees the Season in London as something she must endure. Nicholas Varnon, known as the Black Duke for his rakish and irresistible charms, sees the season as a chance to repair his rakish reputation. Yet, he seems to be taking quite an interest in the spirited Katherine. Suspicious of trickery, Katherine is determined to ignore the sinfully sexy charms of…the Black Duke. Little does she know, she may have just met her white knight in shining armor…
183 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
75 people are currently reading
491 people want to read
About the author
Suzanne Enoch
101 books2,629 followersSuzanne was born in Southern California sometime in the latter half of the 20th century. In the way that some people are born knowing they want to be astronauts or cellists, Suzanne always knew she wanted to be a writer. Early dreams of becoming a zoologist and writing true stories about her adventures in Africa were crushed, however, after she viewed a television special about the world’s most poisonous snakes; she did NOT want to write about how she’d been bitten and lost a limb to a cobra. Thankfully at the same time the movie “Star Wars” premiered, and she realized that she could make up adventures and write about them, and not be eaten by deadly predators while doing research.
She dabbled in romantic fantasy writing for a year or two after graduating with a degree in English from the University of California, Irvine, until her affection for traditional Regency romances led her to write one for fun. After several encouraging rejections from publishers, she snared the interest of the world’s best and most patient literary agent, who advised her to revise the manuscript. This ultimately led to the publication of her first book, The Black Duke’s Prize, from Avon Books in the Spring of 1995. A second Regency, Angel’s Devil, followed that Fall.
When Avon folded its traditional Regency line, Suzanne was encouraged to try her hand at historical romance. As she remained keenly interested in England’s Regency period, she decided to attempt another manuscript set in that time. Lady Rogue hit the shelves in March of 1997. She wrote a total of 29 books for Avon, including two anthologies and a five-part contemporary series which received a pair of starred reviews from Publishers Weekly. One of those books, Twice the Temptation, was named one of the five best romances of the year by PW in 2007.
In 2002 her well-known love of all things “Star Wars” led to an invitation to appear on the E! channel in the television special “Star Wars: The Force Is Back”, where she discussed the romance in the movie series and ended up with more air time than George Lucas.
In 2010 Suzanne left Avon Books for St. Martin’s Press, where she continues to pen historical romance novels. Her 31st book, Taming an Impossible Rogue, is set to arrive in March 2012.
Suzanne is known for her humorous characters, sexy bad boys, and whip-sharp, witty dialogue. She currently resides in Placentia, California with several hundred guppies and various other tropical fish, and handful of very loud, spinach-loving finches. And her collection of action figures and statues from “Star Wars”, “Lord of the Rings”, “X-Men”, and “Pirates of the Caribbean”. Everybody needs some inspiration, after all.
www.facebook.com/SuzanneEnoch
She dabbled in romantic fantasy writing for a year or two after graduating with a degree in English from the University of California, Irvine, until her affection for traditional Regency romances led her to write one for fun. After several encouraging rejections from publishers, she snared the interest of the world’s best and most patient literary agent, who advised her to revise the manuscript. This ultimately led to the publication of her first book, The Black Duke’s Prize, from Avon Books in the Spring of 1995. A second Regency, Angel’s Devil, followed that Fall.
When Avon folded its traditional Regency line, Suzanne was encouraged to try her hand at historical romance. As she remained keenly interested in England’s Regency period, she decided to attempt another manuscript set in that time. Lady Rogue hit the shelves in March of 1997. She wrote a total of 29 books for Avon, including two anthologies and a five-part contemporary series which received a pair of starred reviews from Publishers Weekly. One of those books, Twice the Temptation, was named one of the five best romances of the year by PW in 2007.
In 2002 her well-known love of all things “Star Wars” led to an invitation to appear on the E! channel in the television special “Star Wars: The Force Is Back”, where she discussed the romance in the movie series and ended up with more air time than George Lucas.
In 2010 Suzanne left Avon Books for St. Martin’s Press, where she continues to pen historical romance novels. Her 31st book, Taming an Impossible Rogue, is set to arrive in March 2012.
Suzanne is known for her humorous characters, sexy bad boys, and whip-sharp, witty dialogue. She currently resides in Placentia, California with several hundred guppies and various other tropical fish, and handful of very loud, spinach-loving finches. And her collection of action figures and statues from “Star Wars”, “Lord of the Rings”, “X-Men”, and “Pirates of the Caribbean”. Everybody needs some inspiration, after all.
www.facebook.com/SuzanneEnoch
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
August 18, 2015
1.5 Stars
Katherine 'Kate' Ralston was to inherit her parents' estate upon her 22nd birthday. Uncle Simon, her ruthless guardian, intended on selling it even though he did not legally have the authority to do it. Kate made some verbal threats but was sent to live with her godparents in London.
Shortly after her arrival, she attended a ball and was saved from a nefarious nobleman by the Black Devil himself, the Duke of Sommesby. From there on out, just accept the author's premise with her version of acceptable speech and manners during the Regency era.
I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Enoch's ANGEL'S DEVIL but I had a hard time appreciating this story. If I can't connect to the heroine's personality or actions then I have problems with investment in the plot; it now becomes a romance deal-breaker.
Katherine 'Kate' Ralston was to inherit her parents' estate upon her 22nd birthday. Uncle Simon, her ruthless guardian, intended on selling it even though he did not legally have the authority to do it. Kate made some verbal threats but was sent to live with her godparents in London.
Shortly after her arrival, she attended a ball and was saved from a nefarious nobleman by the Black Devil himself, the Duke of Sommesby. From there on out, just accept the author's premise with her version of acceptable speech and manners during the Regency era.
I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Enoch's ANGEL'S DEVIL but I had a hard time appreciating this story. If I can't connect to the heroine's personality or actions then I have problems with investment in the plot; it now becomes a romance deal-breaker.
December 10, 2025
Let's pretend the last 25% never happened
The way this book captured me at the beginning!
Enemies to lovers is a trope that has sadly been through rough times.
↠ Either they have a tiny fight and then kiss and live happily ever after
↠ Or it's been darkened to the point the MCs try to murder each other even while non-con-ing their way to 'happily ever after'.
Me? I'll settle for the original purpose of the trope:
・
・
・
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
The way this book captured me at the beginning!
Enemies to lovers is a trope that has sadly been through rough times.
↠ Either they have a tiny fight and then kiss and live happily ever after
↠ Or it's been darkened to the point the MCs try to murder each other even while non-con-ing their way to 'happily ever after'.
Me? I'll settle for the original purpose of the trope:
・
・
・
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
March 14, 2020
It is amazing to see how Enoch’s style evolved from this novel (her first work) and her later regencies which include a number of my favorites.
While her writing still had a charm that was easy to read, I couldn’t get invested in the story because of the weird modern style it was written in. The characters were all in a first name basis with each other and were way too casual, especially for acquaintances of such different social statuses. Additionally, the characterization was a bit jarring. The leads would be bantering and then suddenly one of them would have a temper tantrum. It made it harder for me to follow.
If you’re looking to try one of Enoch’s earlier works, I liked Angel’s Devil much more. In this one, I felt like Enoch was still trying out different styles and finding her own voice. As a devoted fan of her Regencies, it was still nice to see “the beginning” but it isn’t one I’d recommend if you haven’t read her before.
While her writing still had a charm that was easy to read, I couldn’t get invested in the story because of the weird modern style it was written in. The characters were all in a first name basis with each other and were way too casual, especially for acquaintances of such different social statuses. Additionally, the characterization was a bit jarring. The leads would be bantering and then suddenly one of them would have a temper tantrum. It made it harder for me to follow.
If you’re looking to try one of Enoch’s earlier works, I liked Angel’s Devil much more. In this one, I felt like Enoch was still trying out different styles and finding her own voice. As a devoted fan of her Regencies, it was still nice to see “the beginning” but it isn’t one I’d recommend if you haven’t read her before.
May 14, 2013
The characters' actions seemed rather unnatural at times, as if they acted a certain way because the author felt they should for the sake of the story, but didn't feel organic to the situation/character. They overreacted to situations that barely seemed to warrant mild irritation, then responded to the situations in ways that made very little sense.
The last scene was possibly one of the most idiotic things I have ever read.
I also felt that they were far too lenient in their treatment of the heroine's uncle.
And proper forms of address? I'm not sure anyone in the book was ever addressed properly, not to mention the rampant use of first names by people that seemed to be acquaintances, not even really friends. Actually, everyone seemed to use given names a lot instead of titles, which seemed very odd.
This appears to be Suzanne Enoch's first book, and she's certainly gotten much better since then, so I'd really recommend skipping this one.
The last scene was possibly one of the most idiotic things I have ever read.
I also felt that they were far too lenient in their treatment of the heroine's uncle.
And proper forms of address? I'm not sure anyone in the book was ever addressed properly, not to mention the rampant use of first names by people that seemed to be acquaintances, not even really friends. Actually, everyone seemed to use given names a lot instead of titles, which seemed very odd.
This appears to be Suzanne Enoch's first book, and she's certainly gotten much better since then, so I'd really recommend skipping this one.
April 3, 2017
Mixed feelings about this one. I definitely had some problems, mainly with the two main characters. Kate sometimes acted so stupidly, and then Nick has some jerky moments. I did like it, for the most part, though. Full review soon.
February 26, 2023
Not bad, even though the heroine is a shrew.
September 5, 2018
This was one my mom had been searching for years for. I can see why, it's excellent. Great characters, plot, and development of the romance. The heroine is mouthy to the point of insolence but it actually comes across as believable. ( Except how in the world did her uncle send her away in the first place without killing her? That's Totally improbable. And she went! Again, totally improbable. ) Maybe a little over the top at moments, but totally worth the ride. You will never look at a flower vase the same way ever again.
December 29, 2014
I usually really enjoy Suzanne Enoch's romances. So, I was very happy to get this as a bargain Kindle read. It was a nice quick read. (I finished it in about 3 hours.) However, it was not her best work.
The story was well done and had some nicely sketched out characters. However, they needed to be a little more fleshed out and needed a lot more chemistry.
I will still read Suzanne Enoch. Just hope this was an aberration.
The story was well done and had some nicely sketched out characters. However, they needed to be a little more fleshed out and needed a lot more chemistry.
I will still read Suzanne Enoch. Just hope this was an aberration.
April 21, 2017
Recommended to me by my Mother ( She doesn't listen to audiobooks ). When she recommends a book to me, I always like to see if I can obtain it as an audiobook. Luckily, this title was available for me to borrow thru our library's participation in the Hoopla platform.
The audiobook was very enjoyable and kept my attention at all times. The blending of the narrative, variation of voice and the storyline made for a very enjoyable listen.
The audiobook was very enjoyable and kept my attention at all times. The blending of the narrative, variation of voice and the storyline made for a very enjoyable listen.
June 21, 2024
This was a lot of fun. The banter between Katherine and Nicholas was good and the plot worked well for me. The pacing was a little off in parts – the ending was very protracted and I didn’t think it needed to include some plot points – but overall I liked it a lot. The chemistry between them worked really well and I liked how gentle the relationship became after the initial conflict. It was clear how much they both came to care for one another. They had some lovely scenes and the emotional parts had punch. A fun, quick read.
Content Notes: Hate-to-love, reformed rake.
Warnings:
Other: .
Content Notes: Hate-to-love, reformed rake.
Warnings:
Other: .
December 9, 2023
The Black Dukes Prize by Suzanne Enoch
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Katherine ‘Kate’ Ralston has a problem. After the recent death of her parents, Kates guardianship has passed to her wretched Uncle Simon, who is insistent on sending her away from the family home of Crestley Hall for the London Season. But a resistant Kate’s only thought is the damage Simon has in mind for her estate while she’s gone. Journeying to London (in a mail stage, no less!), she is taken in by her loving godparents and her tour of the Season begins. Imagine her surprise at being almost befriended by Nicholas Varron, the Black Duke, whose dastardly reputation is whispered about in every ballroom he shadows. And imagine his when spitfire Kate seems completely immune to his charms.
Perfect for fans of Bridgerton, I absolutely loved this book. Nicholas and Kate remind me so much of Anthony and Kate Bridgerton, with their snarky repartee, and absolute loyalty (despite outward appearances). An almost enemies-to-lovers trope, with a happily ever after. Props to the narrator as well, this was an awesome read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Katherine ‘Kate’ Ralston has a problem. After the recent death of her parents, Kates guardianship has passed to her wretched Uncle Simon, who is insistent on sending her away from the family home of Crestley Hall for the London Season. But a resistant Kate’s only thought is the damage Simon has in mind for her estate while she’s gone. Journeying to London (in a mail stage, no less!), she is taken in by her loving godparents and her tour of the Season begins. Imagine her surprise at being almost befriended by Nicholas Varron, the Black Duke, whose dastardly reputation is whispered about in every ballroom he shadows. And imagine his when spitfire Kate seems completely immune to his charms.
Perfect for fans of Bridgerton, I absolutely loved this book. Nicholas and Kate remind me so much of Anthony and Kate Bridgerton, with their snarky repartee, and absolute loyalty (despite outward appearances). An almost enemies-to-lovers trope, with a happily ever after. Props to the narrator as well, this was an awesome read.
June 13, 2020
Not bad, but not great either. Kate was spunky and unafraid to speak her mind. Nick was strong and playful. Their relationship made sense. I hated Uncle Simon and was glad when he was sent away to the Americas, never to return. I was surprised that Francis DuPres was left in the street and that there was no conclusion to his storyline; no arrest, no nothing. Thomas was a good supporting character and a good friend to Nick. Julia, Nick's mother, was one of the better female supporting characters. I did like Allison and Neville, Kate's godparents. They were good people who were willing to step in and help with no notice and treated Kate like a daughter. I do not like that Neville went to Nick behind Kate's back to buy her estate from Simon. However, once Nick knew what was really going on he wanted to tell her, but Neville dropped the ball. He was doing it for the right reasons, but he should have told her from the beginning. I will be reading more from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2023
Agradezco estos libros cortos, ligeros y al grano de los años 80-90 de vez en cuando y pienso en cuántos de los publicados hoy se beneficiarían de una edición similar en lugar de estar rellenos de paja sólo para llegar a las 300 páginas. En cuanto a este libro en particular me gustó en principio la relación entre los protagonistas, cómo se pican y cómo son justo lo que el otro necesita. No hay mucha profundización en el carácter de ninguno, pero el libro tampoco lo pide, está bien así. Sin embargo, a partir de la mitad del libro la trama se vuelve un poco loca y ellos con ella y para mí gusto se pierde algo la gracia del libro. Good enough .
February 21, 2024
Finished this one yesterday and am still thinking about it! This wasn't a long novel—less than 200 pages—yet it never felt rushed, even with some of the action scenes near the end. I can't say how much I enjoyed this author and the fun characters she created. I thoroughly enjoyed all the banter between our two main protagonists. A couple of hotheads, both of them. And I loved them for it. Dialogue could have been one notch higher, I think, but only one. I think if there had been less chuckling and more chortling, giggling, guffawing, etc., the dialogue might have been just about perfect... But I'm still giving it five stars, and I highly recommend it!
June 30, 2025
Uma deliciosa releitura do clássico A Megera Domada, de Shakespeare. Neste romance, Suzanne nos presenteia com Nick, um duque de temperamento difícil e coração endurecido, e Kate, uma jovem destemida e indomável. A história se desenrola a partir da dinâmica intensa entre os dois, revelando como ele acaba por conquistá-la — ou seria o contrário?
Repleto de mal-entendidos, diálogos afiados e trocas de farpas hilárias, o livro nos cativa a cada página. Suzanne retrata com maestria os altos e baixos dos relacionamentos humanos, mesclando momentos cômicos e toques de tragédia com muita sensibilidade.
Uma comédia irresistível, perfeita para quem ama romances com personalidade.
Repleto de mal-entendidos, diálogos afiados e trocas de farpas hilárias, o livro nos cativa a cada página. Suzanne retrata com maestria os altos e baixos dos relacionamentos humanos, mesclando momentos cômicos e toques de tragédia com muita sensibilidade.
Uma comédia irresistível, perfeita para quem ama romances com personalidade.
February 16, 2023
Writing: 4 Stars;
Characters: 4 Stars;
Plot: 3 Stars;
Entertaining: 3.5 Stars;
Read Again? No.
Narration: 5 Stars.
Cover Art: Audiobook cover with he glove — 3 Stars; Nice colour scheme, but nothing special. Serviceable.
Total: 3 Stars;
I can take a lot of ridiculous things from a romance novel, but the last third of this one pushed over-the-top into ludicrous. I was quite annoyed by the main characters in the end.
It is not bad. It is an OK, one-time read. However, there are better books out there.
Characters: 4 Stars;
Plot: 3 Stars;
Entertaining: 3.5 Stars;
Read Again? No.
Narration: 5 Stars.
Cover Art: Audiobook cover with he glove — 3 Stars; Nice colour scheme, but nothing special. Serviceable.
Total: 3 Stars;
I can take a lot of ridiculous things from a romance novel, but the last third of this one pushed over-the-top into ludicrous. I was quite annoyed by the main characters in the end.
It is not bad. It is an OK, one-time read. However, there are better books out there.
February 17, 2022
So, I feel like the h was sometimes too stupid to live. Like the ending….. *** SPOILER ALERT***
*
**
***
****
Spoiler alert
She goes to rescue the H, by her damn self. Knowing damn well she doesn’t know how to use a gun. 🧐🤣😂
I rolled my eyes so much.
Also, this is a clean book. Just in case if anyone is looking for a steamy book. This isn’t it. They kiss like 5 times throughout the book. Nothing else sexually happens.
*
**
***
****
Spoiler alert
She goes to rescue the H, by her damn self. Knowing damn well she doesn’t know how to use a gun. 🧐🤣😂
I rolled my eyes so much.
Also, this is a clean book. Just in case if anyone is looking for a steamy book. This isn’t it. They kiss like 5 times throughout the book. Nothing else sexually happens.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2022
Published in 1995, this is one of Enoch’s traditional Regency Romance novels. You really don’t need the sex when the main characters continuously make sparks fly with their words and actions. I appreciate the novel plot, in which a wicked guardian wants to steal his niece’s estate. If you like strong female characters, they don’t come more stubborn and outspoken than Katherine. Although her efforts, especially with pistols, are clumsy, she doesn’t back down from any challenge.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2019
I didn’t care for the narrator at all, but I figured if I listened to it at 2x speed it wouldn’t be so bad. It still wasn’t great, but better.
The story was cute. Kate annoyed me at times, but that was how her character was supposed to be. She annoyed the hero as well!😂
The story was cute. Kate annoyed me at times, but that was how her character was supposed to be. She annoyed the hero as well!😂
May 12, 2024
amazing
I love this author, there is always such passion, fun and action. Suzanne Enoch has such gift for words. I enjoy reading her books, there are unique. You never get bore. Highly recommend this book.
I love this author, there is always such passion, fun and action. Suzanne Enoch has such gift for words. I enjoy reading her books, there are unique. You never get bore. Highly recommend this book.
March 26, 2017
The Black Dukes Prize
Suzanne Enoch did it again, wonderful story that is not long enough... Happily ever after does not work anymore.. Give your characters a bit more life together...
Suzanne Enoch did it again, wonderful story that is not long enough... Happily ever after does not work anymore.. Give your characters a bit more life together...
December 10, 2017
While this book was enjoyable, I did not totally understand what drew the two characters together... and the double kidnapping at the end was just too much. Ha.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2020
Ne znam dali je veći gubitak vremena ovo bilo napisati ili pročitati. Definitivno jedna od najgorih knjiga dotične spisateljice. Totalno mlako, predvidivo i nezanimljivo.
December 9, 2020
This book is Trash! I rarely give a 1 star review.
December 30, 2021
Good plot, strong characters, clean romance, and a happy ending, this sums up this book. It’s well written and there are no clichés, no physical attraction and unpredictable.
January 5, 2024
A swoon worthy period piece.
April 15, 2024
4 stars!
RTC
RTC
June 21, 2025
an earlier title. cute, but not as funny as subsequent ones.
July 9, 2025
Another enjoyable story with another rather contrived ending. But, as always, everything ends happily ever after.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews