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A Duke for Hire: A Historical Regency Romance Novel
“Pretend all you want with everyone else… but you can’t lie when you're gasping my name…”
Desperate for a marriage proposal, Seraphina must resort to renting a “Duke” to pursue her. Only, instead of the actor she hired, she dances with the real Duke of Merrivale… the only man she should avoid at all costs!
Duke Hugo needs a bride. But with the reputation of a murderer, every woman around him runs for the hills… except for one. And the moment he tastes Seraphina’s lips, he knows there is no going back…
Hugo vows to make her his wife. Yet, Seraphina resists, despite the burning desire in her eyes. So now he can’t stop until the world knows who she belongs to…
*If you like a realistic yet steamy depiction of the Regency and Victorian era, then A Duke for Hire is the novel for you.
An enchanting regency romance of 80,000 words (around 400 pages), written by Violet Hamers and published by Cobalt Fairy.
No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a strong happily ever after.
Pick up "A Duke for Hire" today to discover Violet's fantastic new story!
Desperate for a marriage proposal, Seraphina must resort to renting a “Duke” to pursue her. Only, instead of the actor she hired, she dances with the real Duke of Merrivale… the only man she should avoid at all costs!
Duke Hugo needs a bride. But with the reputation of a murderer, every woman around him runs for the hills… except for one. And the moment he tastes Seraphina’s lips, he knows there is no going back…
Hugo vows to make her his wife. Yet, Seraphina resists, despite the burning desire in her eyes. So now he can’t stop until the world knows who she belongs to…
*If you like a realistic yet steamy depiction of the Regency and Victorian era, then A Duke for Hire is the novel for you.
An enchanting regency romance of 80,000 words (around 400 pages), written by Violet Hamers and published by Cobalt Fairy.
No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a strong happily ever after.
Pick up "A Duke for Hire" today to discover Violet's fantastic new story!
371 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 20, 2025
About the author
Violet Hamers
92 books71 followersViolet Hamers knew from an early age that writing was something she always wanted to do. Growing up, her time was divided between writing stories and taking part in theatrical plays, that she used to perform exclusively for her family and friends.
As she loves reading and writing, she is rarely found without a book in her hands, or her fingers glued to a keyboard. Her love for reading led her to Jane Austen's world--the regency historical world that won her over in comparison to any other genre!
Even though being an author is not a simple task, her dream of becoming one has finally come true as she is currently writing Regency novels...romances her readers will love!
Follow Violet into a world of romance and fairytale, of passion and intrigue, and live unforgettable happy-ever-afters along with her protagonists that she guarantees you will remember forever.
As she loves reading and writing, she is rarely found without a book in her hands, or her fingers glued to a keyboard. Her love for reading led her to Jane Austen's world--the regency historical world that won her over in comparison to any other genre!
Even though being an author is not a simple task, her dream of becoming one has finally come true as she is currently writing Regency novels...romances her readers will love!
Follow Violet into a world of romance and fairytale, of passion and intrigue, and live unforgettable happy-ever-afters along with her protagonists that she guarantees you will remember forever.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 11, 2025
Re-edit
Too many errors. Please edit your book again. Maybe some new. Enjoyed the book but had to re read some of the paragraphs to make sense of it.
Too many errors. Please edit your book again. Maybe some new. Enjoyed the book but had to re read some of the paragraphs to make sense of it.
May 1, 2025
Wow, what an emotion story. Violet has done it again; with a story you will not be able to put down. Both Seraphina and Hugo have had horrible abusive childhoods. Seraphina is the illegitimate daughter of a maid and a duke. She doesn’t fit into either the life of a servant or is liked by the ton. Her mother demands she makes a ton marriage after the duke’s wife dies. Mary, her mother wants to be accepted by the women of the ton. They never will but she is a mean, nasty person who only thinks about herself and what she wants. Seraphina has never felt loved or care for and never safe. No matter what she does Mary puts her down. Hugo, Duke of Merrivale never comes to London or goes to balls. He is feared by most of the ton. None of the mothers want their daughter around him. His best friend, Tristan has talked him into coming to town to find a wife now he is the duke and made a fortune. His childhood was awful as his father was a mean horrible man who took all his rage out on Hugo. Hugo made him a promise when just a lad if he left his sister alone, he would take all the beatings without a word. Now he is wounded, dark and afraid of becoming just like his father. When a beautiful young lady finds him alone and starts telling him what is going to happen like she knows him he is shocked. Seraphina friends have set up an actor to play her fiancé to stop her mother, he is to pretend to be the Duke of Merrivale! Oh, what will happen when the duke finds out and when Seraphina and her friends learn who he really is? Both Seraphina’s parents do not want her to have anything to do with him. Her friends fear for her being with him, but she only knows that when they met and danced, she felt safe for the first time in her life. Hugo doesn’t know why he is so drawn to this one lady, but he knows he must have her. There is many in this story who were nasty, thinking only of them self, uncaring and harmful. Lots of twist and turns along with a lot of passion, understanding and hope too. A book you will not be able to stop reading to the end. Both Hugo and Seraphina have wonderful friends who help them thru out the book. I would love to read a story with Tristan in it. I received and ARC from the author and wish to thank her. This is my honest opinion and am freely giving it. Don’t miss this one, it has some hard places to read but a great ending.
October 14, 2025
Seraphina needs a husband, and she needs one fast. Her solution is brilliantly desperate: hire an actor to play the Duke of Merryvale, a notorious recluse. Her goal? Look interestingly enough to finally get some attention—before her mother can publicly scandalizes her for her failure.
The plan, naturally, goes sideways when the real Duke, Hugo, shows up. Hugo is everything his reputation warns: formidable and feared. But Seraphina doesn't see the monster; she sees the man. She is entirely unafraid of him, and that fearlessness immediately impresses Hugo.
Seraphina's life is a constant escape act. Just as she navigates the Duke's dangerous presence, her parents try to sell her off to a terrible old suitor. This is a classic Beauty and the Beast dynamic, but the taming is not gentle. Seraphina heals Hugo with kindness, love, and a scorching intensity.
This is a steamy story that cuts right to the heart of trauma. It explores how the actions of others can define our ability to trust and relate. Ultimately, though, the story insists that we have the power to choose our own path—and our own love. It's an intense, passionate read.
The plan, naturally, goes sideways when the real Duke, Hugo, shows up. Hugo is everything his reputation warns: formidable and feared. But Seraphina doesn't see the monster; she sees the man. She is entirely unafraid of him, and that fearlessness immediately impresses Hugo.
Seraphina's life is a constant escape act. Just as she navigates the Duke's dangerous presence, her parents try to sell her off to a terrible old suitor. This is a classic Beauty and the Beast dynamic, but the taming is not gentle. Seraphina heals Hugo with kindness, love, and a scorching intensity.
This is a steamy story that cuts right to the heart of trauma. It explores how the actions of others can define our ability to trust and relate. Ultimately, though, the story insists that we have the power to choose our own path—and our own love. It's an intense, passionate read.
April 10, 2025
When mistaken identities lead to your destiny……..
This was a marriage of convenience trope with a bit of a twist. There were really strong feelings from the moment they met. The novel could be considered a love at first sight trope as well. The characters within were well written and well developed. The friendship dynamics for both Hugo and Seraphina were endearing and supportive. The parental relationships were cruel. I could have done with less of their interactions, especially Seraphina’s mother. The book could have been shorter in my opinion and achieve the same results. There were lots of errors that were distracting, repeated words, usage of the wrong names for characters, etc. Overall, this steamy romance was about two people that had never experienced love from their parents and felt unworthy until they found one another. After dealing with past traumas and realizing the depth of their feelings, they got their HEA.
This was a marriage of convenience trope with a bit of a twist. There were really strong feelings from the moment they met. The novel could be considered a love at first sight trope as well. The characters within were well written and well developed. The friendship dynamics for both Hugo and Seraphina were endearing and supportive. The parental relationships were cruel. I could have done with less of their interactions, especially Seraphina’s mother. The book could have been shorter in my opinion and achieve the same results. There were lots of errors that were distracting, repeated words, usage of the wrong names for characters, etc. Overall, this steamy romance was about two people that had never experienced love from their parents and felt unworthy until they found one another. After dealing with past traumas and realizing the depth of their feelings, they got their HEA.
May 31, 2025
great book; fun read
I really enjoyed this book. These historical romance novels begin to sound the same. If you read more than three one lady doesn’t wanna get married the dude is likely rogue that somebody doesn’t wanna be associated with and somehow they get trapped in a room in a forced to marry, and then fall in love, it’scan become a tired trope with the same plot line over and over again, but Violet hammers finds a way to make it interesting every time if it weren’t for her books, I’d probably quit the genre altogether. Great job. This is a very interesting book.
I really enjoyed this book. These historical romance novels begin to sound the same. If you read more than three one lady doesn’t wanna get married the dude is likely rogue that somebody doesn’t wanna be associated with and somehow they get trapped in a room in a forced to marry, and then fall in love, it’scan become a tired trope with the same plot line over and over again, but Violet hammers finds a way to make it interesting every time if it weren’t for her books, I’d probably quit the genre altogether. Great job. This is a very interesting book.
June 2, 2025
very hot!
As always, I loved this story! The characters were wonderful and their back stores were so interesting. This story kept my attention from beginning to end! I love the way Violet Hamers writes the intimacy scenes. Lots of heat that leaves you wanting for more.
My only problem with this book was that the proof reading was so poor. I found so many mistakes, not misspelling but sentence structure that I found many scenes confusing and hard to read to figure out what the author intended. It’s a shame since Victoria writes so well! Still loved th book though!
As always, I loved this story! The characters were wonderful and their back stores were so interesting. This story kept my attention from beginning to end! I love the way Violet Hamers writes the intimacy scenes. Lots of heat that leaves you wanting for more.
My only problem with this book was that the proof reading was so poor. I found so many mistakes, not misspelling but sentence structure that I found many scenes confusing and hard to read to figure out what the author intended. It’s a shame since Victoria writes so well! Still loved th book though!
March 16, 2026
Fun yet almost gritty
This had moments of cute and sweet and yet also some darker moments. Aside from needing editing like CRAZY (I truly don't think anyone read it before it was published with all the punctuation in the wrong places, typos, etc), I enjoyed it. I thought it was cute and stronger with plenty of ups and downs and emotions...all the things. I thoroughly enjoyed it
This had moments of cute and sweet and yet also some darker moments. Aside from needing editing like CRAZY (I truly don't think anyone read it before it was published with all the punctuation in the wrong places, typos, etc), I enjoyed it. I thought it was cute and stronger with plenty of ups and downs and emotions...all the things. I thoroughly enjoyed it
March 18, 2026
Good Story - Needs an Editor
The plot is good, the characters are great and the sex is steamy, but the number of typos, misused words and glaring errors is really distracting. At one point, the main character has a different name, as though the author changed it everywhere but that one sentence. At another, there is an entirely new character with a single line, but she hasn’t been introduced anywhere else and doesn’t appear again.
The plot is good, the characters are great and the sex is steamy, but the number of typos, misused words and glaring errors is really distracting. At one point, the main character has a different name, as though the author changed it everywhere but that one sentence. At another, there is an entirely new character with a single line, but she hasn’t been introduced anywhere else and doesn’t appear again.
April 2, 2025
The Duke & The Duchess
Going to London looking for a wife, the Duke sees the one he will ask to marry. But there are unforeseen circumstances with her mother… & with another’s intention. But married life isn’t as she thought it would be..the Duke has his issues & nightmares. Will they make it work?
Going to London looking for a wife, the Duke sees the one he will ask to marry. But there are unforeseen circumstances with her mother… & with another’s intention. But married life isn’t as she thought it would be..the Duke has his issues & nightmares. Will they make it work?
March 23, 2025
Hot and steamy
Seraphina meets the Duke and is attracted to him even though he has a bad reputation but her mother tries to force into an arranged marriage with someone over thirty years older than her but she chooses him and finds love
Seraphina meets the Duke and is attracted to him even though he has a bad reputation but her mother tries to force into an arranged marriage with someone over thirty years older than her but she chooses him and finds love
April 5, 2025
Overcoming the Beast
Seraphina tries to get out of one marriage to end up with Duke Hugo. His past of abuse and her past of illegitimacy makes for a rough road. This book is well written with lots of emotions written in to it. A must read
Seraphina tries to get out of one marriage to end up with Duke Hugo. His past of abuse and her past of illegitimacy makes for a rough road. This book is well written with lots of emotions written in to it. A must read
April 10, 2025
A Duke for Hire
This was a good story and well written. The characters are delightful, strong, and have depth. Its a page turner that has a plot filled with love, growth of character, overcoming the past, and happy ever after.
This was a good story and well written. The characters are delightful, strong, and have depth. Its a page turner that has a plot filled with love, growth of character, overcoming the past, and happy ever after.
April 9, 2025
Good story! I love the chemistry!
May 12, 2025
Loved it
August 15, 2025
So good thoroughly enjoyed it .Couldn't put it down Had to finish it entirely.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2026
I read a few chapters but couldn’t get into the narrative.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews